Martial Hero Marquis

"Qi Sea Realm, known as Martial Master. According to what Chief Constable Xing said before, that already counts as an expert.

Unfortunately, even if I cultivate my martial arts to the peak of the Body Tempering Realm, without a subsequent inner cultivation method, it will still be difficult to truly break through and advance to the Qi Sea Realm."

Chen Shaojun sighed inwardly, somewhat helpless.

Most of his martial arts came from the rewards of the Spirit-Seeking Treasure Mirror.

Although the Iron Wire Fist School possessed inner cultivation methods, unless one became a true disciple or made significant contributions, the school master, Hong Zhankong, would certainly not pass those techniques on to him.

Not to mention that, in everyone else's eyes, he was merely a beginner who had not even reached the First Layer of the Body Tempering Realm...

In truth, even Chen Shaojun himself had never expected his martial arts realm to improve so quickly.

"Looks like I'll need to appraise more treasures from now on and rely on the Spirit-Seeking Treasure Mirror to reward me with more treasures."

Chen Shaojun had always known that the Spirit-Seeking Treasure Mirror was his foundation, the support he relied on to settle down and survive in this world.

As for inner cultivation methods.

Though he desired them, he was not in a hurry.

Without an inner cultivation method, he happened to have time to cultivate the Tai Shang Perception Scripture.

With every visualization, a thread of 'qi' would appear within his body. Though he did not know whether those wisps of 'qi' were the mana cultivated by Dao practitioners, he understood that this 'qi' was extraordinary and would certainly strengthen him.

After cultivating continuously these past few days, the 'qi' within him had already accumulated considerably.

He was also looking forward to the moment when this 'qi' filled up and underwent a transformation.

After some thought, Chen Shaojun waited until the surging blood and qi stirred by practicing the Tiger Demon Body-Tempering Fist had calmed before striding out of Appraisal Room Seven.

"Fish Essence Stone? I thought it was some kind of beautiful jade.

But what exactly is this Fish Essence Stone?"

Taking the treasure Chen Shaojun had appraised and hearing his introduction and judgment of it, Lin Qi revealed a surprised expression. He then dipped his brush in ink and recorded it in a ledger.

His handwriting was elegant, his characters drifting with grace. Every stroke seemed casual, yet carried a vigorous vitality that left a deep impression at first sight.

Chen Shaojun had previously received the reward of Mastery of Calligraphy and Painting from appraising treasures. His judgment of calligraphy was no longer what it had once been, so he could naturally tell that Lin Qi's brushwork far surpassed Shen Lang, Shen Piaotai, from before.

"A Fish Essence Stone is actually a fish throat bone, but it is not commonly seen. Only large fish that have absorbed the essence of heaven and earth and are about to become demons, or have already become demons, can produce one. It can already be considered a strange stone.

When worn, it can ward off misfortune and evil, drawing in blessings and fortune. In truth, it is more precious and practical than ordinary fine jade."

Chen Shaojun explained.

This was not particularly remarkable knowledge. Besides methods of Baleful Intent Cleansing, pawnshop appraisers also needed to grasp information about many kinds of treasures.

Nor were there any shortage of books in the pawnshop introducing astronomy, geography, and all manner of treasures.

His predecessor had been dull by nature and instead preferred reading. He had read nearly every one of the books in the pawnshop.

That was one reason he could answer so readily.

Of course, with the Spirit-Seeking Treasure Mirror serving as proof, his accuracy was even higher.

As for the Fish Essence Stone's ability to dissolve in water and be ground up to neutralize Baleful Intent, he naturally would not reveal it.

That information had already exceeded what an Appraiser Apprentice could understand. If he did not want to invite trouble, it was better to conceal it.

"I heard long ago that among this batch of Appraiser Apprentices, you had the best grasp of the Divine Gaze Technique and the strongest ability to appraise treasures. Now that I've seen you, you truly are extraordinary."

Lin Qi gave Chen Shaojun an appraising glance and praised him.

"Mr. Lin flatters me. I have merely read a few more books.

As for the Divine Gaze Technique, I can only attribute it to luck."

Chen Shaojun's heart tightened, and he quickly shook his head.

He knew that Lin Qi's identity was unusual. Moreover, Lin Qi had been able to detect that the Spirit Eye Technique he used was not simple, so Chen Shaojun deliberately acted modest and low-key.

Had the other party not brought it up, he would never have responded.

"Luck? I don't believe in luck."

Lin Qi said that cryptically, then said nothing more.

Seeing this, Chen Shaojun naturally did not linger. He took back his tally token from Xu Hongtao, went into the shop, apologized to the shopkeeper, and headed for the Iron Wire Fist School.

A monk had to strike the bell for a day once he took up the post. Even if he was only putting on an act, he had to show diligence before others would believe there was a reason for the changes in his expression and temperament.

The streets were packed with surging crowds.

Cries of vendors, shouts, and haggling over prices rang out without end.

Within the taverns and teahouses were opera singers and storytellers. The operas were uniquely pleasing to the ear, while tales of the martial world and storytelling legends were equally splendid and colorful, making people unable to resist stopping to listen.

Chen Shaojun followed a group of idlers and listened at the entrance for a while to the tale of the Martial Hero Marquis charging alone into the enemy forest. His heart could not help but stir.

He had long heard of the Martial Hero Marquis. Since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he was the only person ever granted a marquisate through martial prowess. His battle achievements were illustrious, and his martial arts had reached the pinnacle. He was a true Martial Saint, one of the foremost existences in the world.

The tale of the Martial Hero Marquis charging alone into the enemy forest told of a campaign in which, to cover his subordinates' retreat, he faced tens of thousands of Barbarian Tribe soldiers alone. He killed the Barbarian Tribe marshal in return, beheaded five great Barbarian Tribe generals in succession, and finally retreated unscathed.

"This Martial Hero Marquis truly deserves to be called a Martial Saint of this age, standing at the absolute summit beneath heaven.

With strength like that, there probably aren't many people in the whole world stronger than him, right?"

"The Martial Hero Marquis's strength is indeed beyond doubt.

But there are still some stronger than him. Those True Lords of the Dao Alliance, the demon kings in the Demon Forest, several giants overseas, the Barbarian King of the Barbarian Tribe, and the old shaman lord of the Mansa Ancient Kingdom are all formidable. I've even heard that the Great Zhou Dynasty itself has a few old fossils... But I believe that if the Martial Hero Marquis is given time, none of them will be his match.

After all, the Martial Hero Marquis is only forty-nine years old.

He still has enormous room to grow."

"Once Martial Warriors reach the Innate Realm, they can live to one hundred and fifty. A Martial Saint of the Divine Profound Realm should be able to live to three hundred no matter what, right?

By then, the Martial Hero Marquis's strength will surely be unfathomable, beyond imagination.

That is why the imperial court made an exception and granted him a marquisate. Some senior experts even call him the person most likely, throughout all ages..."

The moment the storytelling ended, the crowd below immediately burst into discussion, every one of them full of praise.

Chen Shaojun was listening with great interest when the teahouse waiter unexpectedly began driving people away.

A group of idlers cursed and grumbled, and he had no choice but to leave as well.

If he wanted to keep listening, he could.

He only needed to enter the shop, order tea, and buy a few pastries.

But he had not brought money when he left today, so he could not very well stay behind shamelessly.

Still, the deeds of the Martial Hero Marquis had truly moved him.

He had originally felt somewhat proud that he had broken through to the Eighth Layer of the Body Tempering Realm in such a short time and killed that scar-faced assassin with just two blows.

But compared with the Martial Hero Marquis... he understood that he was still far too lacking.

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