Wish Fulfilled

Ordinary martial arts are divided into nine grades, with the first being the lowest and the ninth the strongest. Ordinary people and factions usually cannot obtain high-grade martial arts.

Above these, however, are the "Creation-grade Martial Arts"!

Such martial arts possess the power to overturn rivers and seas or reshape the heavens and earth. However, these were not things Lin Yiqing could covet at present; he would at least need to reach the Great Wilderness Prefecture to have any hope.

"Fifth-grade martial art, Thousand River Moon Reflection Sword."

Hearing Elder Qin's words, a look of wild joy surged onto Lin Yiqing's face. With this fifth-grade martial art, he believed he could unleash his strength even more effectively.

"Hmph..."

Many people in the venue were extremely indignant, but no one dared to cause trouble, only lamenting that they could not afford a better price.

After all, the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce was renowned throughout Yan City and was not a faction that ordinary people dared to provoke.

"The next auction item..."

For the subsequent goods, Lin Yiqing did not participate in the bidding. On one hand, he had already bought what he needed; on the other, his pockets were empty.

Murder and arson bring golden belts; should I go and pull a job?

Lin Yiqing felt a bit teary-eyed. He hadn't earned much money in his previous life, and he never expected to be broke in this one too!

After staying for a while and seeing nothing else he needed, Lin Yiqing turned and walked straight out of the auction house. Staying was meaningless; he might as well go cultivate.

Just as Lin Yiqing stepped out of the passageway, a thin, tall attendant reached out to stop him.

"Respected guest, I wonder if you could spare a moment? A certain lord says he wishes to see you."

The attendant bowed and spoke softly, appearing extremely polite.

Looking at the attendant before him, Lin Yiqing frowned. Through his spiritual perception, he sensed dozens of people slowly approaching nearby, and none of them were weaker than him.

Lin Yiqing pondered for a moment. It was likely the owner of the martial art he had just traded for; only he would come looking for him.

Forget it, I'll go take a look. There shouldn't be any danger.

Lin Yiqing thought for a moment and followed the attendant through a side passage. Many rooms were built along the sides of the passage, clearly private auction boxes reserved for "big shots."

The attendant led Lin Yiqing into one of these rooms. As the attendant pushed the door open, he saw an old man in grey robes sitting inside. He was about fifty or sixty years old, with a head of silver hair combed with extreme refinement.

"Master Yan, this guest has arrived."

The attendant bowed to the old man, and it was clear that the old man held a very high status.

Master Yan! Isn't this the mentor who guided Lin Dong on his path as a Talisman Master?

Lin Yiqing's heart shook. This was a formidable figure in Yan City—the president of the Yan City Talisman Master Association. Even the leaders of the three major factions had to treat him with great respect when they met him.

"Mm, you may go."

Master Yan nodded. After dismissing the attendant, he looked up at Lin Yiqing.

Seeing this, Lin Yiqing quickly cupped his hands in a salute and said, "This junior, Lin Yiqing, greets Master Yan!"

Regardless of the other party's intentions, he could not afford to neglect his manners.

"Little friend is truly extraordinary. Your appearance alone is the finest I have ever seen in my life. I invited you here quite abruptly, mainly to ask where you obtained this spiritual scripture?"

Master Yan was also stunned for a moment upon seeing Lin Yiqing's face; such a refined appearance was truly rare. He then regained his composure, stroked his long beard, and asked.

"This junior obtained it in a mountain cave dwelling. May I ask, Master, is there something wrong with it?"

Lin Yiqing looked puzzled; he hadn't expected the other party to ask about this.

"Hehe, there is nothing wrong with it. I participated in the auction for this scripture more than a decade ago, but unfortunately, I didn't win it at the time. By the time I had enough Yang Yuan Pills, the scripture had vanished. I heard the owner had been killed in a robbery. Seeing it reappear today, I was merely a bit curious."

Master Yan replied with a face full of smiles. It had to be said that Lin Yiqing's perfect appearance easily garnered favor from others.

"So that is how it is. This junior obtained it by chance; I did not expect this Spirit Refining Chapter to have such a history."

Lin Yiqing felt a sense of emotion in his heart. Without reaching the peak of the martial path, one is ultimately an ant; even if one possesses much, one may not have the strength to protect it!

Longevity! Strength! These things, which previously only existed in novels and stories, had taken deep root in his heart.

"Why must one bury one's bones in their hometown? Everywhere in the world is a green mountain. Since I have come here, I must reach the peak of this martial path!"

Lin Yiqing constantly encouraged himself in his heart. This was the dream he had planted within himself since arriving in this world.

"Has little friend already cultivated spiritual energy?"

Seeing that Lin Yiqing was still young, Master Yan asked with some anticipation.

Cultivating the martial path required immense perseverance and talent, but cultivating spiritual energy required someone with truly exceptional natural gifts.

"Yes, if I may be honest with you, Master, I have already cultivated a Talisman Seal."

Seeing that the other party held no malice, Lin Yiqing answered immediately. In the original story, this Master Yan was quite accomplished in spiritual energy and had a decent character, having helped Lin Dong through difficulties several times.

Upon hearing this, Master Yan extended a strand of spiritual energy toward Lin Yiqing, only to be blocked by the spiritual energy surrounding Lin Yiqing himself. This caused a storm in Master Yan's heart, leaving him extremely shocked.

"Hoo, little friend is truly a heaven-sent talent! To have already condensed a Talisman Seal at such an age!"

Taking a breath, Master Yan steadied his mind and spoke.

In all his decades, he had never seen such a person. To condense a Talisman Seal at a mere twelve or thirteen years old—how powerful must one's talent be to achieve that!

"Master Yan is too kind; this junior still has a long way to go."

Lin Yiqing cupped his hands in a salute. He knew his own situation best; he was merely benefiting from the experience of two lifetimes. If he were to become arrogant and complacent, he feared he would soon become another "Zhong Yong," a wasted talent.

Master Yan waved his hand. Unaware of Lin Yiqing's inner thoughts and assuming it was merely a humble remark, he found himself admiring the young man even more.

"These are some of my insights on mental energy cultivation, along with a mental secret technique I acquired in my youth, the Spirit-Transforming Needle. Hmm, I shall gift them to you, young friend!"

After a moment's thought, Master Yan took two booklets from his robes and handed them to Lin Yiqing. He truly wished to take such a prodigy under his wing, but he knew full well that Yan City could not hold him.

A young tiger would eventually tower over the forest, and a fledgling eagle would surely rule the sky!

"I cannot accept a reward for no merit, let alone the Master's insights and secret techniques. I appreciate your kindness, but these items are far too precious; I truly dare not accept them!"

Looking at the two booklets, Lin Yiqing's expression shifted, and he could not help but cup his hands and speak.

Although he needed these items, it was difficult for him not to speculate on the other's intentions when a stranger, upon their first meeting, offered such valuable items after only a few words.

"Haha, I suppose I was a bit rash. I felt a desire to nurture talent upon our first meeting, which is why I did this. I hope I haven't startled you, young friend!"

Master Yan was a man of great stature who had held high positions for many years. He understood what the other was thinking in an instant and could not help but explain.

"How about this? As long as you agree to help me with a task within your capabilities when the time is right, how about I still gift these to you?"

Hearing this, Lin Yiqing weighed the matter in his mind and soon realized the truth. If he wasn't mistaken, the other was likely making preparations for the "Rune Master Tower."

"This... thank you, Master. To be honest, these items are exactly what I need most right now. I, Lin Yiqing, will certainly repay your kindness in the future!"

With that, Lin Yiqing bowed and held out his hands to receive the two booklets.

His use of mental energy was extremely crude; even his previous fight with Lin Mang had relied on him simply imagining how to use it. The other's gesture was truly a timely gift in a moment of need.

Afterward, Lin Yiqing asked the Master for advice on various ways to use mental energy, and seeing that it was getting late, he finally took his leave.

Back at the inn, Lin Yiqing took the animal skin scroll out of his Universe Bag to examine it closely. He did not know what kind of beast this skin had come from, but the patterns on it were quite peculiar.

"A Grade Five martial art, Thousand River Moon Reflection Sword. Finally, I have a martial art worth showing off!"

Looking at the scroll, Lin Yiqing felt a surge of excitement. Now that he possessed a high-level martial art and had even obtained a mental secret technique, the next step was to properly consolidate his strength.