Chapter 17: Method, Companions, Wealth, and Land—Halfway There

Page (1/3)

“There really are a lot of good things here.”

After killing Changsun Ji, Yang Le’s gaze swept across the surroundings.

One look was all it took to reveal a wealth of treasures.

Before him lay more than a hundred medicinal herbs, and at the center were two enormous wild ginseng roots.

Yang Le recognized all of the herbs. They were local medicinal plants from Qinghe County, all capable of strengthening one’s blood essence.

He guessed that Changsun Ji had decided to attempt his breakthrough on short notice, which was why he had gathered only blood-enhancing herbs produced in Qinghe County.

The two wild ginseng roots, on the other hand, were probably things Changsun Ji had carried with him.

From a cursory glance, each was at least a hundred years old.

They were rare treasures even to martial cultivators.

All these items had been piled together, clearly serving as the materials Changsun Ji needed to break through to the seventh rank.

But Yang Le understood that these things were merely the appetizer.

What truly caught his eye was the sharp sword placed on the table, along with a pair of bluish-white boots.

Although he did not know their grades, judging by the materials on their surfaces alone, Yang Le knew they were far from ordinary goods that could be purchased in a common marketplace.

Inside the rosewood chest beside Changsun Ji’s bed, Yang Le also found three martial manuals:

Blood Fiend Saber, Spring and Autumn Formula, and Zephyr Step.

Finally, on Changsun Ji’s person, Yang Le found ten Great Qian Tongbao notes, each worth one thousand silver taels.

Without wasting time, Yang Le immediately put the notes away.

For a martial cultivator, technique, companions, wealth, and a place to cultivate were all indispensable.

These ten thousand Tongbao resolved Yang Le’s need for wealth.

He then picked up the three martial manuals and activated Item Analysis.

In an instant, the basic information of all three manuals appeared in Yang Le’s mind.

[Blood Fiend Saber {Yellow-Tier Supreme Grade}: A demonic cultivation method that uses strength to overpower enemies. After killing an enemy, the user can merge their blood essence into the saber and make it their own. Once cultivated to its pinnacle, saber qi sweeps across the land and blood essence spreads without limit. Humans can cultivate it, but must pay close attention to the blood essence nurtured within the saber to prevent demonic transformation.]

[Spring and Autumn Formula {Yellow-Tier High Grade}: A demonic cultivation method requiring no tempering of internal power or blood essence. By devouring things containing flesh and blood, the user can break through their rank and improve their cultivation. Demons can cultivate it directly to the third-rank Earth Realm. Humans can forcibly cultivate it, but their limit is the fifth-rank Mountain-Shifting Realm, at which point they will transform into a half-demon and their martial path will end.]

[Zephyr Step (Incomplete): An introductory footwork technique for human disciples of the Whale Rain Sect from a century ago. The incomplete version can be cultivated to the proficient level by humans, while demons can cultivate it only to the introductory level.]

“The value of the Item Analysis trait keeps rising.”

After reading through the three manuals, Yang Le realized for the first time that the value of Item Analysis had far exceeded his expectations.

Possessing such a trait would truly allow him to avoid countless unnecessary detours.

Page (1/3)

Especially when it came to cultivation methods. Without Item Analysis, Yang Le could only know what something did without understanding its nature. With the slightest carelessness, he might have ended up cultivating a demonic technique.

The Spring and Autumn Formula was an excellent example.

If not for Item Analysis, Yang Le might really have cultivated it. During the initial stages, there would indeed have been no major problems; in fact, his progress would have been considerably faster than with other methods.

But once he reached the fifth rank and became a half-demon, his martial path would end.

Yang Le would have been utterly doomed.

For an ordinary martial cultivator, reaching the fifth rank and gaining the might to move mountains would already have been a blessing. Who would care about becoming a half-demon?

Martial cultivation was everything!

But Yang Le…

With the Trait System in his possession, fifth-rank cultivation was merely a stop along his journey. Reaching the first rank was only a matter of time.

What Yang Le sought lay beyond the first rank.

“Forget the Blood Fiend Saber. Not even a dog would cultivate the Spring and Autumn Formula. But this Zephyr Step is quite a treasure. There are human techniques and demonic techniques alike. It seems that the Great Qian…”

After analyzing the three manuals, Yang Le had already made his choice. Holding them in his hands, he thought, “The martial world is truly a chaotic place.”

He casually tossed the Blood Fiend Saber and Spring and Autumn Formula aside, carefully putting away only the Zephyr Step.

Once he found a temporarily secure place, he would begin cultivating it.

Although Zephyr Step was merely a footwork technique, footwork was precisely what Yang Le lacked.

Technique, companions, wealth, and a place to cultivate—he had resolved the matter of technique as well.

As for companions…

Yang Le glanced at Li Qier beside him. In a sense, he had one of those too.

“That leaves only the last one. It seems I need to get to Cizhou as soon as possible.”

At present, Yang Le sought little. All he lacked was a secure place where he could devote himself to cultivation.

That secure place would be Cizhou Prefecture.

[Standard Great Qian Military Saber: Yellow-Tier Low Grade. Forged from refined iron and endowed with the Armor-Piercing attribute.]

[Velvet Rabbit Boots: Yellow-Tier Low Grade. Fine long boots made from velvet rabbit hide, impervious to water and fire.]

After settling on the cultivation methods he would use going forward, Yang Le took the saber and boots from the table.

The results of Item Analysis appeared in his mind as well.

The saber was unusually long, measuring a full one hundred and thirty centimeters. It had been forged entirely from refined iron. Since it was mass-produced, the blade bore very little ornamentation.

Its surface was pitch-black, and only along the edge did a terrifyingly cold gleam flash.

Page (2/3)

It was not a fine weapon, but it was far superior to the three sabers Yang Le carried on his back.

Without hesitation, Yang Le slung it across his back.

The Velvet Rabbit Boots were nothing remarkable in appearance. They were black from heel to toe, with white fur lining the inside, and were impervious to water and fire.

They were incomparably better than the hemp boots on Yang Le’s feet.

He changed into them immediately.

As for the herbs, wild ginseng, pills, and miscellaneous items, Yang Le did not inspect them one by one. He simply took a travel sack, packed everything inside, and tied it into a bundle.

There would be no problem examining them slowly after leaving Qinghe County.

“Master, Changsun Ji was a pure-blooded demon. The cultivation methods in his possession are very likely related to demons. The other items are nothing to worry about, but you should be cautious with the techniques. Humans and demons have different meridians and internal energies. Forcing yourself to cultivate one could cause problems.”

Just as Yang Le finished surveying the room and confirmed that there was nothing else worth taking, Li Qier suddenly spoke. Her expression was slightly solemn.

“The other things are not dangerous, but if the origins of a cultivation method are unknown, it is best not to practice it.”

“Or you could let me take a look. I can examine it for you, Master.”

After a long silence, Li Qier spoke again. Her eyes turned toward Yang Le, and even she was uncertain why she had said so much.

The more she revealed, the more exposed she became.

But…

Looking at Yang Le before her, at the saber in his hand and the clarity in his eyes, the worry in Li Qier’s heart instantly scattered like smoke.

“I am not from this bitter, desolate land of Cangzhou. Nor is revenge the only thing I seek.”

“I know.”

“Then why don’t you ask? You should.”

A trace of nervousness flickered through Li Qier’s eyes.

“What is there to ask? When I let you follow me, I accepted the Li Qier standing before me. Who you were before that has nothing to do with me.”

Yang Le’s tone remained calm.

“From now on, don’t call me Master. It makes me sound old. Call me Brother Le instead.”

“All right, Master.”

A hint of slyness mingled with Li Qier’s smile.

Page (3/3)