Martial Hero Marquis

"Qi Sea Realm practitioners were called martial artists. According to what Chief Constable Xing said before, they could already be considered experts.

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

Chen Shaojun sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat helpless.

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

Although the Iron Wire Fist School possessed internal cultivation techniques, unless one became a true disciple or made great contributions, the school master, Hong Zhankong, would certainly not pass the 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 not expected his martial arts realm to rise so quickly.

"It seems that from now on, I still need to appraise more treasures 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 upon which he could settle down and survive in this world.

As for internal cultivation techniques...

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

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

With every visualization, another trace of 'qi' appeared in his body. Though he did not know whether those wisps of 'qi' were the magical power 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 his body had already accumulated considerably.

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

After thinking it over, Chen Shaojun waited until the surging blood and qi in his body, stirred up by cultivating the Tiger Demon Body-Tempering Fist, calmed down before striding out of Appraisal Room Seven.

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

But what exactly is this Fish Essence Stone?"

Taking the treasure Chen Shaojun had appraised and hearing his assessment of it, Lin Qi revealed a surprised expression. Then he dipped his brush in ink and recorded it in an account book.

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

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

"A Fish Essence Stone is actually a fish throat bone, but it is not commonly found. Only great fish that have absorbed the essence of heaven and earth and are on the verge of becoming demons, or have already become demons, can produce one. It can already be considered a rare stone.

When worn, it can ward off evil and dispel malevolence, attracting fortune and prosperity. In truth, it is even more precious and practical than ordinary fine jade."

Chen Shaojun explained.

This was not particularly remarkable knowledge. Besides methods for cleansing Baleful Intent, pawnshop appraisers also needed to master knowledge of many treasures.

The pawnshop also had no shortage of books concerning astronomy, geography, and introductions to all kinds of treasures.

His predecessor had been dull and reserved by nature, and instead enjoyed 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 neutralize Baleful Intent when ground up, he naturally would not reveal it.

Such information had already exceeded what an appraiser apprentice like him could understand. If he did not want to invite trouble, it was better to keep it hidden.

"I had long heard that among this batch of appraiser apprentices, you had the best grasp of the Divine Gaze Technique and the greatest skill at appraising treasures. Now that I have seen you, you truly are extraordinary."

Lin Qi looked at Chen Shaojun in surprise and praised him.

"You flatter me, Mister Lin. 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 Lin Qi's identity was unusual. Moreover, Lin Qi had even been able to detect the Spirit Eye Technique he used. Clearly, Lin Qi was no simple person, so Chen Shaojun behaved modestly and kept a low profile.

Had the other man not brought it up, he would not have responded at all.

"Luck? I do not believe in luck."

Lin Qi said something cryptic, then did not say anything further.

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

A monk for a day must strike the bell for a day. Even if he was only putting on an act, he had to display diligence so that others would believe there was a reason for the changes in his expression and temperament.

The streets were a surging sea of people.

All kinds of hawking, shouting, and bargaining rose without end.

Within the taverns and teahouses, there were even opera singers and storytellers. The operas had a distinctive, pleasing sound, while tales of the martial world and storytelling legends were equally dazzling and riveting, making people unable to resist stopping to listen.

Chen Shaojun followed several idlers and listened at the entrance to a segment about the Martial Hero Marquis charging into the enemy forest alone. His heart could not help but surge with passion.

He had long heard of the Martial Hero Marquis. Since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he was the only man ever granted a marquis title through martial prowess. His military achievements were illustrious, and his martial arts had reached the utmost heights. He was a true Martial Saint, one of the foremost figures in the world.

The tale of the Martial Hero Marquis charging into the enemy forest alone referred to a campaign in which, to cover his subordinates' retreat, he faced tens of thousands of barbarian soldiers by himself. He slew the barbarian marshal in return, cut down five great barbarian generals in succession, and finally retreated unscathed.

"This Martial Hero Marquis truly deserves to be called a Martial Saint of the age, standing at the pinnacle of the world.

With that strength, I imagine there are not many in all the world stronger than him, right?"

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

But there are actually some stronger than him.

Those True Lords of the Dao Alliance, the demon kings of the Demon Forest, several overlords overseas, the Barbarian King of the barbarians, whose strength is not weak, and the old witch lord of the Mansa Ancient Kingdom. Even within the Great Zhou Dynasty, I hear there are several old antiques... But I believe that as long as 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."

"When martial artists cultivate, they can live to one hundred and fifty upon reaching the Innate Realm. 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 also why the imperial court made an exception and granted him the title of marquis. Some senior masters even call him the person most likely, throughout all ages..."

Once the storytelling segment ended, discussion immediately erupted below, with everyone praising him.

Chen Shaojun was listening with great interest when the tea stall attendant unexpectedly began chasing people away.

The 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 establishment, order tea, and buy a few pastries.

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

Still, the Martial Hero Marquis's deeds had indeed moved him deeply.

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

But compared with the Martial Hero Marquis... he understood that he still had a long way to go.

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