It would take at least half a day for Bai Jingtang to travel from the Prefectural Governnt to Huishui County.
Su Wangchuan had originally assud she would not arrive until at least noon the following day.
To his surprise, not long after he finalized the deal of one thousand three hundred taels of gold with Su Wan, Bai Jingtang arrived that very evening.
Of course.
She only brought five martial manuals.
Two Second-Rank manuals—《Qingcheng Heart thod》 and 《Five-Finger Rapid Shot》;
Three Third-Rank manuals—《Qingcheng Sword Art》, 《Wudang Sanshou》, and 《Shaolin Subduing Tiger Fist》.
The mont Bai Jingtang appeared at the hall, she spoke bluntly.
“The other manuals are stored farther away and will take ti to retrieve. After the auction ends, I will bring them to you. Right now, I need the Gold Notes to prepare for the auction in three days.”
“Understood.”
Had it been anyone else, Su Wangchuan might have closed the door and sent them away.
But Captain Bai had helped him before. Not only had she given him the opportunity to cultivate archery, she had also recomnded two highly suitable Second-Rank martial arts that greatly enhanced his survivability.
Without hesitation, he took out his money pouch and handed her the prepared one thousand three hundred taels of gold in Gold Notes.
Bai Jingtang accepted the notes. For the first ti, a trace of relief and ease appeared on her cool, aloof face.
Even the night wind seed to soften.
“Thank you. I owe you a favor.”
She spoke solemnly.
“You may not realize it, but this one thousand three hundred taels of gold is truly important to .”
“There is a Fourth-Rank martial manual at the auction that you need?” Su Wangchuan asked.
“Yes… and no.”
She tucked the Gold Notes away and nodded slightly.
“This is a batch of niche martial arts. Do you know the advantage of niche techniques?”
Su Wangchuan shook his head.
Bai Jingtang explained patiently:
“In 《spirit realm》, Jianghu martial arts are divided among various major schools. Many mainstream sect techniques follow a progressive path—becoming deeper and more profound step by step, forming a complete system. Many sects even borrow from one another. In the end, their origins are similar.”
“As a result, when we cultivate them, the attribute bonuses they grant can conflict.”
“If you cultivate both 《Shaolin Staff Art》 and 《Qingcheng Staff Art》, for example, you will only receive the attribute bonus once. Moreover, many similar staff techniques of the sa rank will grant you no additional attributes.”
Su Wangchuan nodded.
He had experienced this himself. After cultivating 《Qilian Mountain-Sundering Axe》, practicing similar heavy-weapon techniques no longer granted attribute bonuses. Fortunately, those manuals had co from the Yulong Gang and cost him nothing.
Bai Jingtang continued:
“Niche martial arts are different. Their thods of generating force and circulating energy are completely distinct.”
“For example: 《Finger Flick Acupoint Strike》, 《Three-Section Staff》, 《Single-Horned Stance Technique》, 《Five Elents Phantom Steps》, 《Three Talents Saber》. These techniques have no unified foundation and are like towers suspended in midair—entirely self-contained. Cultivating them will not conflict with any other martial arts.”
By this point, Su Wangchuan understood.
“You intend to acquire these niche techniques to stack attribute bonuses and break into Fourth Rank?”
“Exactly.”
She did not deny it.
“In the past, many Jianghu martial artists looked down on these difficult niche techniques. But as more and more players entered the ga and discovered their unique properties, niche martial arts have beco hot auction items. Their prices have multiplied several tis.”
Su Wangchuan inhaled sharply.
“Captain Bai, how much do Third-Rank niche techniques usually sell for?”
“Seven or eight hundred taels of gold is common.”
“Because regardless of rank, these techniques grant the sa type of attribute bonuses. Even First-Rank niche techniques are extrely expensive.”
Su Wangchuan was genuinely stunned.
A First-Rank niche technique costing nearly a thousand taels of gold.
Terrifying.
Was this what the world of top-tier experts looked like?
“So this ti, you plan to secure an entire batch of niche techniques? The competition must be fierce.”
“Yes.”
“At least a dozen studios will send Third- and Fourth-Rank experts to compete. I have over two thousand taels of gold in hand, but even so, it will be difficult to win them all.”
A powerful aura radiated from her.
“If I fail to secure them, Fourth-Rank manuals are even harder to obtain. Breaking through to Fourth Rank would be delayed half a year—perhaps a full year. I cannot afford to wait any longer. Once the masses enter 《spirit realm》, money will be harder to earn and manuals even more expensive. This ti, no matter what, I must go all out and break into Fourth Rank. I must seize the high ground.”
Her determination struck Su Wangchuan deeply.
As expected of Captain Bai.
As expected of the First Land-Clearing Team Leader of Warring States Ga Studio.
She glanced back at him.
“As repaynt, you may ask
about certain matters regarding 《spirit realm》. I will answer as best I can and help you avoid unnecessary detours.”
He hesitated briefly, then asked:
“I want to know… what ultimately happened with Instructor Yu.”
A faint shadow passed over Bai Jingtang’s eyes.
“Instructor Yu’s death was not your fault, nor ours. Perhaps it is the world that is at fault… The world has changed. We were forced into 《spirit realm》.”
“I have explained to many in the Land-Clearing Team that our in-ga characters share a Blood Contract with our souls. Life and death are intertwined. The stronger our characters beco, the stronger we ourselves grow in reality. Conversely, injuries and death in-ga gradually feed back into the real world.”
She spoke with a distant look.
“Not only Instructor Yu. Even those at the top—those who reach Third, Fourth, or even Fifth Rank—if they die, the consequences affect reality. The state provides compensation to their descendants in exchange for ensuring they do not cause social instability in their final monts.”
“Instructor Yu was the leader of a Gold-Farming Team. He had seen much life and death. He asked
to secure a slot for his son. I agreed. The studio will compensate him with basic martial manuals and ensure his son receives care in-ga. His son has already entered 《spirit realm》.”
Hearing this, the weight in Su Wangchuan’s heart finally lifted.
He had doubted Su Wan’s explanation.
But hearing it from Bai Jingtang carried far greater credibility.
“Thank you, Captain Bai,” he said sincerely.
She glanced at him briefly, then looked away.
“How old are you? Have you turned eighteen?”
“Nineteen.”
“You are among the younger ones in the studio. So matters take longer to digest at your age. That is normal. Once you have experienced more, you will grow accustod to it.”
“You do not seem much older,” he said.
“Twenty-two. I was nineteen when I joined.” A faint smile appeared on her face. “When I first grew stronger, I felt just as you do—surprise, unease, and then acceptance. Your starting point is better than mine. You cultivated a Life Profession and established status and influence in Huishui County.”
“You are impressive as well. A disciple of a renowned sect.”
“Wangchuan,” she said, her tone growing serious, “you should consider finding an opportunity to gain favor from the upper ranks of the Caobang—or catch the attention of powerful officials in the governnt. With a strong backer, you will be far safer. You will gain access to more martial manuals and find breakthroughs much easier.”
Her advice was earnest.
CLICK HERE to Rate/Review
Reviews
All reviews (0)