"Ha, mortal-tier middle-grade cultivation methods and mystic techniques, and they're both 'unique originals'?"
The former Bu Wuchen, Young Master Bu, might have been a bit of a wastrel, but as the young master of the Grand General's household, his knowledge and experience were far from ordinary.
He naturally knew that cultivation methods and mystic techniques alike came in two forms: "unique originals" and "common copies."
A unique original was an original work containing its own "book soul."
A book soul was a wonderful thing-
It allowed people to achieve twice the results with half the effort when cultivating methods or practicing mystic techniques, making it easier to grasp the essence of the text and reach a higher realm within a short time.
By contrast, those transcribed or orally transmitted "common copies" had no such miraculous effects.
For example, practicing the same mystic technique, Zhang San might reach major accomplishment in six months to a year using a unique original with a book soul.
Meanwhile, Li Si, who practiced from a common copy, might very well remain stuck at minor accomplishment even after eight or ten years.
Thus, unique originals of cultivation methods and mystic techniques were extremely precious cultivation resources, even in the imperial capital.
Few people would have so little else to do that they would carry such coveted treasures around, flaunting them in public.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Have the young masters of this cold border region already become this extravagant?"
"They actually carry unique originals of cultivation methods and mystic techniques around with them?"
The youth casually beckoned-
Buzzz!
After a flash of white light that vanished in an instant, the two unique originals-the cultivation method and mystic technique-were already in his possession.
Bu Wuchen secretly rejoiced. Heh heh, this 'Portable Warehouse' the system rewarded me with really is handy.
With just a thought and a casual beckon, I can instantly store anything I want to keep safe inside.
And no matter how long I leave things in the Portable Warehouse, they won't rot or deteriorate.
These functions are just like a storage ring's.
A storage ring was a mystic artifact containing an internal space that could hold objects, and it was extremely valuable!
Throughout all of Blood Dragon City, the number of people who could afford to wear a storage ring probably did not exceed the fingers on one hand...
Even as the Grand General's grandson, the former Bu Wuchen had never managed to get a storage ring.
Of course, that also had to do with Old Master Bu knowing his wastrel grandson's character and deliberately controlling his finances.
Although their functions are much the same...
This Portable Warehouse, which only I, its host, can access, offers unparalleled secrecy and security. No one can seize or steal it. That's something absolutely no storage ring in this world could hope to match!
Just then, the old servant A Chun came back to his senses and hurriedly spoke. "Young master, shouldn't you leave at once?"
"Although this Lin Zhuliang was a worthless bastard who deserved to die, his status..."
"Young master, you and Wan Xiaoyao should leave first. This old servant will disguise the scene, then catch up with you."
That was what the stick-thin old man said, but how extraordinary was the perception of Bu Wuchen, who had awakened as an "all-class specialist," able to discern the finest detail?
He clearly saw a resolve to die in the other's eyes!
Moved, the youth lightly patted his shoulder and smiled. "Heh, you want this young master to take Yao'er away first, while you stay behind and confess, don't you?"
"Ah?"
Having his deepest thoughts seen through so easily by Bu Wuchen greatly surprised the old servant A Chun. "Young master, I..."
Just then-
Ding-dong! God-Level Choice System successfully triggered. Host, please choose from the following options. Option one: Accept the old servant A Chun's suggestion and flee with Wan Xiaoyao. Reward for this option: One pair of cooling straw sandals that let you run fast and never stink. ... Option two: Have the old servant A Chun and Wan Xiaoyao go to the magistrate's office to take the blame and die in your place. Reward for this option: One box of Rotten Conscience brand moldy biscuits. ... Option three: Neither flee in guilt nor let innocent people take the blame. Find a way to resolve this yourself. Reward for this option: Earth-tier movement technique, "Instant Shadow-Piercing Steps."
Bu Wuchen, who had already thought of a plan, immediately lit up. "I choose option three!"
Ding-dong! The reward for this option has been distributed. Congratulations, host, on learning the earth-tier middle-grade movement technique: "Instant Shadow-Piercing Steps." [Instant Shadow-Piercing Steps]: Movement-type mystic technique, earth-tier high-grade. [Skill effect]: Any shadow within a hundred paces of the user is a location the user can reach instantaneously. [Current realm]: Beginner. [Mystic Qi cost]: 500 points. [Cooldown]: Five minutes. [Skill realm advancement method]: Increase proficiency through use to level up.
After reading the system panel's description of this movement skill, Bu Wuchen burst into hearty laughter. "Wahahahaha! This skill is good!"
"When I'm fighting an enemy, before he even reaches me, I can use his own shadow to teleport straight behind him and launch a surprise attack. Wouldn't that land every single time?"
The bewildered old servant was left utterly at sea by Bu Wuchen's sudden laughter. "Y-young master?"
"Hmm? Oh, right. Don't go thinking you can shoulder all the blame yourself."
"I'm telling you, this young master has a more reliable way!"
"Do we have any chickens, fish, or anything like that in our courtyard?"
"Huh?" The old servant looked blank.
He wondered why the young master had suddenly asked about that.
In the end, Wan Xiaoyao answered truthfully. "There's still a live chicken tied up in the kitchen. I was going to stew it into soup for you tonight, young master, and try to feed you a few mouthfuls to build up your strength."
Bu Wuchen slapped his thigh. "Excellent, that'll do!"
"Ah?"
At dusk.
Bang!
While Bu Wuchen was leisurely enjoying tea and refreshments in the courtyard, a squad of city inspectors responsible for public order and criminal punishment burst through the gate menacingly.
As soon as these tall, burly city inspectors, clad in armor and wielding weapons, charged inside, the bald, brawny man at their head pointed straight at Bu Wuchen and the others and roared, "Men, seize this murderer!"
Time turned back to dusk.
The gentle breeze had gradually swept away the midday heat.
In the west of the city, at the Lin branch family's compound.
A man in his forties, dressed in brocade robes, said with his brows tightly furrowed, "It's almost dark. Why hasn't Liang'er returned yet?"
This sturdy middle-aged man was none other than Lin Zhuliang's father, the head of the Lin branch family: Lin Senyu.
"All he had to do was visit the main family's uncles and elders at the academy and present a thousand gold coins as a thank-you gift for borrowing that unique-original cultivation method and mystic technique. He should have been back before noon..."
"Could something have happened to him?"
Just then, an old steward rushed over in a panic to deliver news. "Terrible news, master! Something terrible has happened!"
"Someone from the main family just came to report that during their earlier routine inspection of the Life-Flame Chamber, they discovered that the second young master's life candle had gone out!"
"W-what did you say?!"
Lin Senyu's face drained of color in shock.