If they could take control of Canghe County, the Black Sand Gangâs style of operating would surely allow them to rake in immense wealth.
On the path of cultivation, the higher oneâs realm, the more money it consumes. Especially now, with the Blazing Flame Sect facing policy issues that prevent them from accumulating wealth massively, this golden opportunity was something Qian Jin would never let slip.
He first patted Zhao Honglie on the shoulder and released a hearty laugh, then confidently pounded his chest and said, "Since you are so reasonable and clear-headed, I must do everything I can to help you! Leave this matter to me!"
Zhao Honglie was overjoyed upon hearing this and was ready to prepare a banquet to drink with Qian Jin.
Qian Jin, however, smiled and waved his hand to decline, "Business comes first. Letâs postpone the drinking for now."
With that, Qian Jin performed the Shadow Concealment Skill and departed.
As a gentle breeze passed through the door, Qian Jinâs voice floated in the air, "Prepare well; Iâll be back in three days!"
After Qian Jin left, the Black Sand Gang sprang into action like a colossal machine running at full capacity.
Guâs Manor
Due to the precarious and uncertain situation, Gu Jingang had not come to Gu Sheng for training recently.
During this time, Gu Sheng had made the effort to seek out Gu Jingang once to share his intention of teaching Gu Wan the Iron Stone Fist.
Unlike the stubborn elders of the family, Gu Jingang recognized Gu Wanâs talent. Coupled with Gu Shengâs guidance, Gu Wan would undoubtedly grow into a great protector of Guâs Manor in the future. He gladly agreed.
Among the three cultivation techniques that Gu Sheng himself mastered, he chose to teach Gu Wan the Iron Stone Fist after much deliberation.
After all, Gu Wan would likely spend most of his life at Guâs Manor. If he practiced Golden Body Skill or Flying Thunder Leg, it might lead to him being ostracized by the family.
In Gu Shengâs courtyard, Gu Wan, already stripped to the waist, was practicing punches with a semblance of proper form.
Gu Shengâs understanding of the Iron Stone Fist surpassed even the original founderâs. Together with Gu Wanâs innate talent, in just one day, Gu Wan could complete a set of Iron Stone Fist routines with apparent ease.
Of course, this was merely an imitation of form and didnât count as truly stepping into the entry-level.
Aside from teaching Gu Wan each day, Gu Sheng didnât neglect his own cultivation.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
After finishing his training, Gu Sheng cleaned off his sweat and opened his system panel to review his recent progress.
[Name]: Gu Sheng
[Age]: 17
[Realm]: Bone Refining Realm (Copper Bone)
[Martial Arts]: Chopping Wood (First-level Tearing), Archery (First-level Penetration), Iron Stone Fist (First-level Great Strength), Shapeshifting (First-level Strong Body), Snake Breath Skill (First-level Snake Breath), Flying Thunder Leg (First-level Extreme Speed), Golden Body Skill (Perfect 30%), Fury Blood Three Forms (Perfect 44%), Helian Weapon Casting Skill (Small Success 69%), Blood Activation Skill (Small Success 80%)
...
Over this period of cultivation, progress on Golden Body Skill, Blood Activation Skill, and Fury Blood Three Forms had been satisfying. The Blood Activation Skill was now only 20% away from achieving Great Success!
The Blood Activation Skillâs energy-storing feature perfectly suited Gu Shengâs preference for subtlety and playing the fool. Even at Small Success, it could store considerable power. If he advanced to Great Success or even unlocked its special effects, it would undoubtedly become a formidable tool for a lethal counterattack!
As for the Golden Body Skill, it was equally important. With his increasing proficiency in Flying Thunder Leg and Golden Body Skill, Gu Sheng noticed his physical body growing increasingly powerful, and a fusion trend among these three martial techniques was becoming ever more apparent.
Although these three martial arts were deemed unremarkable by Ge Qing, Gu Sheng firmly believed that whatever new martial art emerged from this fusion on his system panel would not be weak!
As Gu Sheng gazed at the gradually darkening sky, a glimmer of excitement began to sparkle in his eyes.
"The three-day deadline has been reached. Itâs time to retrieve the pill!"
Gu Sheng changed his clothes and slipped into the night, heading toward the Canghe County city.
"Hmm, where have the Black Sand Gang members gone?"
When Gu Sheng passed the area near Guâs Manor where the Black Sand Gang had previously been stationed, he found the place deserted.
With the Bone Strengthening Pill as his focal point, Gu Sheng did not want to spend energy investigating the matter. After pausing briefly, he continued hurrying along.
Black Sand Gang base, meeting hall
The sizable meeting hall contained only three people at this time.
Zhao Honglie, Qian Jin, and a middle-aged man clad in a white long robe, holding a feathered fan.
Qian Jin pointed to the man in white and introduced him to Zhao Honglie, "Boss Zhao, this gentleman is Bai Yunqi, famously known as the Scholar of the Jade Face in Red Cloud Prefecture city."
Bai Yunqiâs aura matched that of Qian Jin.
Seeing this, Zhao Honglie quickly clasped his hands toward Bai Yunqi and said, "Ah, so itâs Lord Bai. Forgive my ignorance."
Though Liu Honglieâs cultivation was on par with the two, Bai Yunqi hailed from Red Cloud Prefecture and radiated an air of pride. He looked down on Zhao Honglie and believed that although they shared the same realm, he was confident he could defeat Zhao Honglie within thirty moves.
Bai Yunqi didnât bother responding to Liu Honglie but impatiently turned to Qian Jin.
"Brother Qian, my time is precious. Letâs not waste it. Letâs get moving without delay."
Qian Jin nodded, "Indeed. Iâve been away for quite a few days already, and the higher-ups have urged me multiple times. Itâs time to expedite things."
Qian Jin turned to Zhao Honglie and asked, "Boss Zhao, is everything prepared?"
Zhao Honglie retracted his gaze from Bai Yunqi, his eyes flashing with a hint of malice, though he quickly concealed his dissatisfaction and replied to Qian Jin smoothly, "Of course! Everything is ready; weâre only waiting for the right moment. Now that you two have returned, we can depart anytime!"
Qian Jin nodded, "Then letâs set out! I can hardly wait!"
Outside the Black Sand Gang base, family forces and Black Sand Gang members had already gathered in full.
Initially, upon hearing about tonightâs decisive battle, Zhao Qingcheng expressed objections, but when he saw Qian Jin and Bai Yunqi, his expression instantly turned serious.