"You have devoured the power of the Mirage with your inherited Form of the Flesh of Vision!"
"The current awakening level of the Form of the Flesh of Vision is 69% + 17%."
"Attempting to break through the 70% peak will consume 10% additional awakening. Current additional awakening: 17%."
"After this, each additional 10% awakening will increase the chance of success by 10%. Consuming 65% additional awakening will guarantee a breakthrough."
"Please note! The direction of your inheritance's peak breakthrough is closely linked to the Walker's basic specialization. Be sure to raise at least one of your specializations above 75% before attempting a breakthrough."
"The higher your specialization, the better the quality of the inheritance skill you will obtain."
Drinking that cup of [Mirage Illusion Tea] had earned Chen Jin 21% awakening.
Such a high gain in awakening was probably also related to the legends of the Flesh of Vision having ties to illusions.
In some obscure legends, the Flesh of Vision liked to lodge in the ear canals, nasal passages, and other openings of primates, where it created hallucinations.
Finally! He had finally reached the threshold of the Nine Luminaries!
In Yanfu, Walkers were ranked as follows:
Loose Rank, Ten Capitals, Nine Luminaries, Eight Extremes;
Seven Palaces, Six Ministries;
Five Directional Elders, Four Sovereigns, Three Pure Ones.
Nine ranks, divided into four tiers.
The higher one rose, the more autonomy one had, along with greater conveniences and authority.
And an inheritance awakening level of 69% was the minimum threshold for the Nine Luminaries.
Amid his excitement, Chen Jin had only one thought:
Another cup!
As if she had sensed what was on Chen Jin's mind, Cen Qing said with a smile, "The tea's miraculous effects only work the first time you drink it."
With that, Cen Qing smiled faintly and swept her jade-white hand. An ancient-looking ebony case appeared on the table. Cloud patterns seemed to flow faintly across its surface, making it clear that this was no ordinary object.
"As a small gift for our first meeting, I hope you'll accept it." She gently pushed the case toward Chen Jin.
Chen Jin's heart stirred, and he opened the lid as she'd suggested.
There were no dazzling jewels inside, just a short sword of dark, muted color lying quietly within. Its entire surface was pitch-black and polished smooth.
He picked up the short sword. It felt cool to the touch.
[Mo Mei]
[Category]: Yanfu Token, Weapon
[Quality]: Unique
[Sharpness]: 0
"A sword that does not attack; Mo Mei has no edge."
Mo Mei was the token of the Mohist School's successive leaders, the Juzi. Wherever this sword appeared, all Mohist disciples would obey its commands without question. Entirely black as ink, it had no blade or edge and was flat like a ruler—a virtuous sword whose lack of an edge surpassed any blade.
The Mohist School took the Juzi as its leader, forming a paramilitary organization with strict discipline and unified action. Its members turned over their stipends to the collective, and its forces could even be deployed across state borders to intervene in wars. This independence posed a direct threat to imperial authority, making the Mohists a major target after Qin's unification. The Mohists maintained their own independent laws, and the Juzi could execute members according to the Law of the Mohists. This undermined Great Qin's legal authority and was unacceptable to the empire.
Note 1: Since the Mohist School split and its Juzi went missing, it has divided into three branches: the Qin Mohists, Qi Mohists, and Chu Mohists. Due to the lack of a succession ceremony from the previous Juzi, Mo Mei can currently only command the Qi Mohists.
Note 2: There are two conditions for commanding Mohist disciples: First, you must be human. Second, you must possess Mohist skills. (Your firearm disassembly and assembly skills have been recognized as Mohist skills.)
Tsk...
Chen Jin clicked his tongue.
He had no idea how many Mohists remained in Qi Territory. This sword had no sharp edge, and its significance outweighed its combat power. He might as well keep it for now. That would officially unlock the Yanfu Event.
[You have obtained a Yanfu Token belonging to one of the Hundred Schools of Thought—the Mohist School.]
You have officially unlocked this Yanfu Event!
Event requirements:
Long ago, the First Emperor was on the shore of the Eastern Sea when he chanced upon a mirage of a market. Within it stood mist-shrouded immortal mountains, which he called Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou. He yearned for them endlessly. He then dispatched the Alchemist Xu Fu with several thousand boys and girls, sending them east across the sea in a giant ship with craftsmen and seeds of the five grains, in search of the elixir of immortality.
Now Xu Fu has sent word from across the sea. He will arrive in Langya in seven days. The Emperor is to offer sacrifices at the Shrine of the Four Seasons Deity, one of the Eight Divine Lords in Qi Territory, and receive the elixir.
Prevent Qin Shi Huang from obtaining the elixir of immortality! Failure will deduct all points from this Yanfu Event and erase all purchase permissions unlocked during it!
Note: Make a scene, Walker.
"Your Highness, I've had the tea and accepted your gift. The mirage was magnificent, and your hospitality impeccable. Can we discuss the real matter now?"
Chen Jin got straight to the point and asked what concerned him most. "Can you tell me now why you tried to assassinate me yesterday? I've just arrived, and as far as I know, I've done nothing to offend your people."
Cen Qing nodded lightly, her expression calm. "You misunderstand, sir. We weren't trying to kill you. We were after the garrison soldier you replaced, Fu."
"Why?" Chen Jin pressed.
A flash of icy hatred crossed Cen Qing's eyes. "That scum was once on patrol along the coast a few months ago. He and several other thugs assaulted and killed one of my young kin, who had been alone. My people tracked him for a long time before finally identifying him. How could we leave such a blood feud unavenged?"
Chen Jin fell silent for a moment, then accepted her explanation.
It certainly fit with what he knew of "Heifu's" vile character.
"I see." He nodded. "So the misunderstanding between us is settled?"
"Of course," Cen Qing replied. "Now that you've dealt with Heifu, you've indirectly avenged my people. I have two requests. First, I hope you'll release my poor kinswoman, Xi."
Chen Jin rubbed his chin, looking troubled. "That's not so easy. To be honest, Your Highness, my companions and I found her unusual, and we were discussing how we might take this opportunity to earn some Spirit Coins. If we let her go, wouldn't all our effort have been for nothing?"
Cen Qing didn't get angry. She merely raised a hand slightly, and a watery sheen seemed to shimmer within her sleeve.
The next instant, with a soft rustle, piece after piece of Shark Silk, light as mist and shimmering with the gentle glow of moonlight, streamed endlessly from her sleeve. It settled in a graceful pile on the warm-jade table between them, quickly forming a small mound over a foot high.
The Shark Silk was extraordinary: thin as a cicada's wing yet remarkably tough. Its sheen flowed as though droplets of water were sliding across it, yet it remained completely dry, giving off a faint, refreshing scent of the sea.
[Shark Silk], precious item, can be exchanged for 9,800 Yanfu Points.
"This," Cen Qing said evenly, "is Xi's 'lodging fee' for imposing on your residence last night. She's young and ignorant, and she offended you. Please accept these silk fabrics as compensation, and do me the favor of letting her go."
Chen Jin grinned and reached out, brushing his fingertips over the top piece of Shark Silk. The cool, silky feel made him narrow his eyes in satisfaction. "Oh my, Your Highness, you're too kind! You really shouldn't have... Honestly, you know exactly how things are done!"