New Red Affix [Seeking Follow-up Reads]

Lu Jing'an truly hadn't expected the effects of the Battle-Hardened Affix to be this potent.

It would be no exaggeration to say it was like gaining an extra life.

Lu Jing'an then turned his gaze toward the Combat Supremacy Affix.

After checking the description, it was exactly as he had imagined.

The effect was the same, only the numerical values for the enhancements had increased significantly.

"At least it's a green Affix, so it's not a loss."

However, just after Lu Jing'an equipped this new Combat Supremacy Affix, he made a discovery.

Among the previously gray "+" signs behind all his Affixes, the ones behind the two Combat Supremacy entries had lit up.

Seeing this, Lu Jing'an immediately understood.

He decisively selected both "+" signs.

Once selected, a new prompt appeared.

[Upgrade Affix level, requires 3 Energy Point, proceed with upgrade?]

"So it wasn't that I didn't have enough Energy Point to upgrade the Affixes, but that I needed Affixes to upgrade Affixes."

Ever since he had obtained Energy Point, the "+" signs behind the Affixes had always been gray.

Lu Jing'an had always assumed it was because he lacked enough Energy Point.

Only now did he realize that he actually needed another Affix of the same type.

"This is just like using one century-old ginseng to upgrade another century-old ginseng."

"But the effect after the upgrade won't be as simple as 1+1=2."

Without overthinking it, Lu Jing'an chose to upgrade immediately.

As Lu Jing'an confirmed the upgrade, he watched as the two Combat Supremacy Affixes entered the Striving Furnace.

Then, a prompt emerged.

[Upgrading, estimated completion time: 1 hour]

"You really are the best, my Striving Furnace."

Lu Jing'an patted the illusory Bagua Furnace in praise.

The Striving Furnace trembled slightly in response.

One hour passed quickly.

[Upgrade complete]!

[Combat Supremacy](Orange)

The new Affix appeared.

It had upgraded from green to orange.

Lu Jing'an checked the notes on the new Affix.

All the data had doubled compared to when it was green.

Force output efficiency reached 150%, attack speed increased by 150%, and break-counter efficiency reached 100%.

If Lu Jing'an were to equip a Combat Supremacy Affix of this caliber, and face Lawrence again, he would likely be able to finish Lawrence off in two or three moves, let alone ten.

What this Affix granted was an overwhelming advantage that was absolutely impossible to possess at the same rank.

The surprises didn't end there.

He immediately noticed that the "+" sign behind this orange Affix was still lit up.

"It can be upgraded again?"

His gaze swept across the Affix list.

The "+" behind his other orange Affix, Ghost Shadow Lost Track, was also glowing brightly.

"So, besides upgrading with similar items, can they also be fused and merged?"

The Striving Furnace was bringing Lu Jing'an more and more surprises.

"I really am looking forward to the fusion of two orange Affixes."

Lu Jing'an tapped the "+" behind the two Affixes.

[Upgrade Affix level, requires 5 Energy Point, proceed?]

[Yes]

After selecting [Yes], anticipation began to build in Lu Jing'an's heart.

[Upgrading, estimated time to completion: 6 hours]

In six hours, it would already be dawn.

Lu Jing'an did not continue to wait idly.

Instead, he went back to bed to sleep.

While Lu Jing'an slept soundly, many people in Yinshan County could not close their eyes tonight.

The Lin Family was wiped out, every last one.

The Qian Family was left with not even a chicken or dog alive.

In a single day, the two great families that had entrenched themselves in Yinshan County for years had collapsed in a roar.

The official report naturally pinned the blame on Nine-Fingered Yama.

But in this Yinshan County, who with a pair of ears didn't see the truth as clearly as a mirror?

It was just that, even if they saw through it, no one dared to speak it aloud.

The bloody fate of the Lin Family and Qian Family was laid out right there.

Whoever spoke would be the next to go.

Those who had previously bet their fortunes on the Lin Family were now sitting on pins and needles, walking on thin ice.

To bet on the Lin Family was to offend the Lu Family.

Now that the house had collapsed, would the Lu Family's blade fall upon their own necks next?

No one knew, and that was the most agonizing part.

From afternoon until late at night, the threshold of the Lu Mansion was nearly trampled flat.

Visiting cards had been sent five or six times over.

Yet Lu Huaiqian refused to see anyone.

He only used the excuse that "the case is of great importance, and I have no time to spare."

The more they were turned away, the more panicked the people outside became.

How could they not know this was Lu Huaiqian's way of beating them into submission?

But with others as the butcher and themselves as the fish, what could they do besides submit more humble cards time and again?

While some were panicked and unable to go about their days, others were naturally riding high on the breeze of success.

For instance, Situ Yiyun and Chen Heqing.

These two masters of martial arts halls had placed a bet of earth-shattering proportions.

In one stroke, they had climbed the highest branch about to rise in Yinshan County.

From now on, the Ancient Martial Arts sects on Martial Arts Hall Street would look only to Chen Heqing for leadership.

And among the various Martial Arts Arena, there would be only one voice left: Situ Yiyun's.

The ways of the world are strange; this pair of rivals, who had once been at daggers drawn over competing for students and conflicting philosophies, were actually drinking at the same table tonight.

"Master Chen."

Situ Yiyun, his face glowing with radiance, raised his cup and said:

"Following the Lu Family from now on, you and I finally won't have to turn red in the face arguing over trivial matters like firewood, rice, oil, and salt. Why don't we let bygones be bygones, how about it?"

Chen Heqing's expression remained stern, but the sharpness between his brows had softened significantly.

He took a sip of wine, his voice low:

"As long as your hands, Hall Master Situ, do not reach into the territory of my Martial Arts Hall Street in the future, I, Chen, will naturally be happy to enjoy the peace."

Though not exactly warm, it was a world of difference compared to their past meetings, where they looked at each other like mortal enemies.

When it came down to it, the many grievances of the past.

Mostly stemmed from the struggle for survival.

Now that survival was no longer a concern, many stubborn stances had begun to soften.

Upon hearing this, Situ Yiyun laughed heartily:

"Rest assured, Master Chen. Even if you invited me to your Martial Arts Hall Street, I would have to think twice about it!"

The two wine glasses clinked softly, and they both drained them.

A faint trace of relaxation flickered across Chen Heqing's stern, unsmiling face.

Setting down his glass, Situ Yiyun leaned forward slightly.

Lowering his voice, a hint of gravity crossed his eyes:

"Master Chen, let me speak from the heart.

Young Master Lu killed that foreign minister today.

This matter, I fear, will have significant repercussions, won't it?"

Chen Heqing glanced at him and let out a cold snort:

"What, has Hall Master Situ been practicing New Martial Arts for a few days.

And already softened the backbone left behind by our ancestors?

A mere foreign barbarian—killed is killed."

He paused, set his glass down on the table with a firm thud, and his voice deepened:

"Besides, was it Young Master Lu who killed that foreigner?

It was Nine-Fingered Yama who did it.

You, I, and everyone in Yinshan County saw it clearly."

Situ Yiyun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, clapping his hands and laughing:

"Hahaha, look at this mouth of mine! I deserve to be punished, I deserve it! I shall punish myself with three cups!"

The next day, at the first light of dawn.

Lu Jing'an rose on time; a thin mist already hung in the courtyard.

He walked with steady steps to the center of the yard.

Dropping his shoulders and sinking his elbows, he set his stance.

Though the red Affix was now in his possession, he dared not slacken in his cultivation for even a moment.

The path of a Martial Cultivator is like sailing against the current.

Li Zhaolin was merely a pebble underfoot.

Kicked aside, the road ahead remained long.

His stance work was steady, and the wind of his fists began to rise.

His blood and qi circulated with his movements, completing a full cycle.

As he neared the end of his practice, the Striving Furnace in his sea of consciousness gave a slight tremor.

[Upgrade complete]!

Lu Jing'an immediately sank his focus inward.

He saw the light within the furnace contained, with a brand-new Affix floating silently.

Red light flowed, mysterious patterns faintly emerging, its aura entirely distinct.

[Ghost Shadow Instant Kill] (Red)!