Army-Breaking Halberd Art, what a huge centipede!

The old man was thin, almost withered, and entirely lacked the vigorous Qi-Blood a martial artist ought to possess. Yet when Zhao Er saw his eyes, he vaguely sensed that this must be the martial artist at the Sinew Transformation realm.

Those eyes held a sharpness and clarity completely at odds with his physique, unlike the clouded eyes of other old men.

The old man seemed surprised that someone would pass his doorway. But recalling that there was only one residence beyond the Manor House, he immediately realized where Zhao Er was headed. He grinned and nodded at Zhao Er by way of greeting.

Zhao Er nodded in return, then continued toward the courtyard he had just bought without lingering.

Yet barely had he left the entrance of the Manor House when he could not help frowning.

Because he cultivated the Nine-Turn Golden Body Art, he was particularly sensitive to Yin Qi. When the old man smiled at him just now, Zhao Er had detected a trace of yin baleful energy.

"For someone who runs a Manor House, having thick Yin Qi around him should be normal enough."

Zhao Er muttered to himself as he reached his newly purchased courtyard.

Still, he had begun to feel a little more wary of the Manor House.

He entered one of the rooms. Having only just bought the house, he had not furnished it at all, but he needed none of that right now. Once inside, he took out the manual for the Army-Breaking Halberd Art.

True to its name, Army-Breaking, the halberd art emphasized tremendous force, crushing weight, and an unstoppable advance. Most of its moves centered on cleaving and thrusting, favoring attack over defense. It was a halberd art devoted purely to killing.

Zhao Er skimmed through the basic halberd techniques.