"An all-around boost to my physical abilities!"
Wu Yu tested his strength and flexibility, then sat back down on the chair.
"As expected of a blue-grade technique. It's better than the Tiger Roar Eight-Slash Saber in every respect."
Ever since entering River City Advanced Academy, Wu Yu's health had deteriorated by the day, partly because he had to pay his regular "eternal life tuition," and partly because his studies overtaxed his mind.
He had thought things would only change once he became an immortal cultivator. Yet before he had even begun cultivating, his body had already recovered-and become remarkably robust.
"Just the Tiger Roar Eight-Slash Saber and the Heaven-and-Earth Toss have made me this strong!"
"If I learned a few more, couldn't I open the transcendent gate and elevate my very existence?"
Recalling the extraordinary humans he had seen in River City, Wu Yu's eyes gleamed.
"No rush! I have three paths to transcendence now, whether it's the [External Heavenly Spiritual Root], Vitality Pills, or techniques..."
Coming back to his senses, Wu Yu took out a pebble that had not been inscribed with the [Bi Fang Sigil].
He had piled up plenty of these pebbles in his inventory, picking them up along the way in the mountain forests.
So far, his inventory seemed capable of holding a great many things. He just didn't know whether he could take them all out with him.
Looking around, Wu Yu placed a pebble by the door, moved away, and casually tossed another.
The pebble whistled through the air and landed squarely on the one by the door in the blink of an eye.
He casually threw a few more pebbles. Regardless of size, every one hit its target-he could even land them on whatever exact spot he wanted.
Suddenly, a buzzing sound reached his ears.
A bug!
Whoosh!
A pebble cut through the air and instantly struck the flying insect, killing it.
"It's already muscle memory. I don't even need to aim."
"This accuracy is insane!"
After playing around for a while, Wu Yu was delighted.
He had already killed quite a few bandits in this [Newcomer Secret Realm].
But he had mostly relied on surprise attacks, as well as his enemies' carelessness and ignorance.
Against someone clever, more cautious, or faster, the [Bi Fang Sigil] would struggle to pose a threat.
And Wu Yu had no way to become an immortal cultivator in the short term, so he couldn't increase its power.
If he wanted to reap greater rewards in the [Newcomer Secret Realm], the Heaven-and-Earth Toss had arrived at exactly the right time!
"And there's also the [Heaven-Earth State]!"
Wu Yu looked at the panel, curiosity stirring within him.
Once activated, the [Heaven-Earth State] continuously consumed vitality. It let him hit every shot, increased his attack range, and even allowed his projectiles to turn corners!
"Isn't that cheating? An aimbot? Bullets that turn corners?"
According to his memories, the [Heaven-Earth State] was a burst ability, a trump card used only as a last resort.
But Wu Yu wasn't truly a martial artist of this world, so he didn't need to be so strict about it.
"The techniques in this world all have methods for essence refinement and spirit refinement. Could that have something to do with the concept of essence, qi, and spirit?"
"The spirit refinement method in the Tiger Roar Eight-Slash Saber can be treated as a skill! That's easy enough to understand."
"But this [Heaven-Earth State] from the Heaven-and-Earth Toss..."
An idea struck Wu Yu. Following the image in his memories, he visualized a copper coin in his mind!
This was the key to employing a spirit refinement method.
For [Tiger Roar], for instance, he visualized the "Mountain Lord," transforming the vitality within his body into a furious, soul-shaking roar.
Visualizing this "Heaven-Earth Copper Coin," on the other hand, would continuously consume his vitality.
In an instant, Wu Yu entered a mysterious state.
Time seemed to slow. His concentration sharpened, and every stray thought vanished from his mind!
Wisps of blood-red vapor coiled around the pebble in his palm, tinting its gray surface a faint crimson.
At the same time, Wu Yu could sense the pebble's presence. It seemed to have become part of his body, as easy to control as his own arm.
Wu Yu tossed the pebble and willed it to move.
Whoosh!
The pebble shot forward, then abruptly turned at the doorway. It circled the room and came back, punching a hole through the table with a bang!
And this pebble hadn't even been inscribed with the [Bi Fang Sigil].
Once it was inscribed with the [Bi Fang Sigil], its power would be...
A moment later,
As Wu Yu was enjoying himself, his heart gave a jolt, and a faint discomfort spread through his body.
He immediately dispelled the "Heaven-Earth Copper Coin" from his mind and exited the [Heaven-Earth State].
Bang!
The airborne pebble stopped turning and slammed straight into the door.
"With my current physical condition, I could probably maintain the [Heaven-Earth State] for an hour."
"But since inscribing the [Bi Fang Sigil] also consumes vitality, I can't just activate it whenever I feel like it!"
Wu Yu calmed down, gaining a few more insights into this spirit refinement method.
Reality wasn't a game. Even just half an hour in the [Heaven-Earth State] might leave him short on vitality and weak in the limbs, seriously compromising his combat readiness!
At some point, a commotion rose from downstairs.
Wu Yu, who had been stockpiling firepower in his room, put down the pebble in his hand and went to the window, looking down curiously.
Downstairs, a group of people were talking loudly.
The blue-haired young man, Yu Tiezhu, Chen Lingling, and Bai Xiaotian were gathered around one person-Liu Zheng!
"He made it here too."
Wu Yu narrowed his eyes slightly.
Clearly, the bandits pursuing Liu Zheng had either lost him or all been killed by him instead.
There was no telling how much Psionic Equipment this well-connected Inspector Liu had on hand. A brief battle of attrition might cost him as much as an ordinary person earned in a lifetime.
"..."
Wu Yu pondered for a moment, then looked at the pebble in his hand.
A Divine Bird Sigil flashed across its surface. The [Bi Fang Sigil] had been successfully inscribed!
He had asked an inn worker about it last night. Redfang Village did have a blacksmith, but the man couldn't make things like throwing knives or silver needles. The pebbles found along the roadside remained his best option.
"The [Bi Fang Sigil] really is amazing. It's far stronger than the talismans I saw at the Spirit Cultivation Association."
After a brief moment of thought, he turned and left the room.
"Don't worry, everyone. Once I finish my business, I'll take you all out of here immediately!"
Though Liu Zheng looked tired, he maintained his serious demeanor.
Yu Tiezhu and the others were deeply grateful and voiced their agreement.
"Thank you for your hard work, Lord Liu!"
"If you need anything, Inspector Liu, just say the word! I arrived a step ahead, so you could say I know the local ropes."
"Brother Kun, you just got captured..."
"Keep your mouth shut, brat!"
On the ground floor, Liu Yu sat at ease in a corner, sipping tea as he watched the show.
The moment Wu Yu came downstairs, Liu Yu looked over, and surprise immediately crossed his face.
"Good morning."
Wu Yu smiled faintly.
"Good morning."
Liu Yu's expression returned to normal. "You sly brat. With those clothes and that bearing, you really do look like an ancient martial artist!"
"Thanks for the compliment."
Pretending not to catch his meaning, Wu Yu strode toward the group.
In just one day... what did this brat get from the village?
Could he have managed to meet the Village Chief?
But every time I requested an audience, I was turned away...
Liu Yu's brow furrowed deeply. He immediately rose and hurried out of the inn.
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