Chapter 44

“In fact, every village that has managed to stand firm outside the county seat until now has at least one militia captain with Quasi-Martial Artist-level strength.”

“Your Blackstone Village’s Zhao Heiniu, as well as your master, Blacksmith Sun, both possess Quasi-Martial Artist-level strength.”

Lin Xun revealed a piece of information to Su Wangchuan.

Su Wangchuan was greatly surprised.

He was not surprised that Captain Zhao Heiniu was a Quasi-Martial Artist.

Captain Zhao’s Archery was even stronger than his, at least at the Entry-Level Mastery realm, and his Basic Spear Technique was certainly not weak either—at minimum, Practice Makes Perfect.

But his master…

That was right!

His master knew the Hundredfold Steel Forging Technique and also possessed Archery. The total of his three attributes very likely exceeded thirty points…

It was just that his master’s primary role was that of a blacksmith, so people rarely associated him with the status of a Quasi-Martial Artist.

“Wangchuan, your current attributes should already be quite high, very close to your master Blacksmith Sun’s level. You’re about to become a Quasi-Martial Artist yourself. I advise you to seize the time and raise your skill realms as soon as possible, break through to Quasi-Martial Artist level.”

“On the one hand, when danger arises, you’ll be able to protect yourself and gain more room to survive. On the other hand, many sects are actually willing to directly recruit Quasi-Martial Artists. With that foundation, you can quickly obtain martial arts manuals and receive guidance from renowned masters.”

Su Wangchuan nodded, indicating that he had taken it to heart.

“Thank you for the guidance, Brother Lin.”

He did not tell Lin Xun that he was already a Quasi-Martial Artist. His starting point was rather high, and it was better not to spread that information casually.

“Right.”

“Brother Lin.”

“What about Ranked Martial Artists? What’s the difference between them and Martial Artists?”

Su Wangchuan had finally found someone willing to speak openly with him and whom he could genuinely talk to, so naturally he intended to make the most of it.

A look of longing appeared in Lin Xun’s eyes as he said, “A Ranked Martial Artist is essentially a martial artist who has attained an official rank. They must possess a certain foundation. Simply put, their Strength, Agility, and Vitality must all reach twenty points.”

“Such a martial artist has no obvious weaknesses in combat and can face any environment with composure. That is a Ranked Martial Artist. We usually call them First-Rank Martial Artists.”

“A First-Rank Martial Artist.”

Su Wangchuan firmly etched the term into his memory.

But the requirements alone made him draw a sharp breath.

A total of sixty points across the three attributes.

How many skills and techniques would need to be trained to the Entry-Level Mastery realm—or even higher—to achieve that?

“Brother Lin, can we learn many manuals, then use methods like hunting live fish or birds to gain experience and quickly stack skills up to Practice Makes Perfect?”

Su Wangchuan thought of what seemed like a loophole.

Lin Xun laughed. “Many studios thought of that as well, but later discovered that for each level and each category of techniques, you can only learn one. Only the first technique of that category grants attribute points. Learning more is useless.”

“?”

Su Wangchuan looked puzzled.

Lin Xun explained, “The 《Archery》 and 《Basic Spear Technique》 you currently know both belong to the most basic foundational techniques. Once you have 《Archery》, if you go on to learn other throwing-type basic techniques, such as 《Slingshot》 or 《Throwing Darts》, they won’t grant you any additional attribute points.”

“If you learn 《Basic Saber Technique》 and then learn 《Basic Sword Technique》, you probably won’t receive any attribute points either—or at most, very, very few. It’s possible that only after advancing several realms would you get a single point.”

“Only techniques like 《Arhat Staff》 or 《Gale Saber Art》—First-Rank martial arts—will grant attribute points when their realms are advanced.”

Su Wangchuan suddenly understood.

“So, Brother Lin, you also learned 《Archery》 and basic techniques?”

“Of course.”

Lin Xun wore an expression that said everyone went through this stage. “The more basic something is, the more everyone learns it. Attribute points like that shouldn’t be wasted.”

“But obtaining higher-grade techniques requires paying an enormous price, and sometimes it’s simply a matter of chance.”

At this point, he brought up another matter.

“Not long ago, a Third-Rank Martial Artist passed through Huishui County looking to take on disciples. Several local aristocratic families brought out their younger generation, offering one hundred gold for each disciple accepted. That martial artist only glanced at those young Quasi-Martial Artists and left immediately, taking none of them.”

Su Wangchuan clicked his tongue in amazement.

One hundred gold?

Up to now, he did not even know what gold actually looked like.

Lin Xun drank his wine, growing more animated as he talked. “I’ve already trained 《Gale Saber Art》 to the Entry-Level Mastery realm, but progress is getting slower and slower. Right now, I’m cultivating it together with 《Lightfoot on Grass》, seeing if I can stack my attributes to First-Rank Martial Artist level. Then I’ll save up a sum of money and see if I can buy higher-grade martial arts from the black market.”

“Brother Lin, you’re so capable. You’ll definitely succeed,” Su Wangchuan offered his blessing.

“Haha, I’ll take that good fortune from you.”

“Haha… you as well,” Lin Xun laughed heartily. “You have the blacksmith profession as a stable source of income. Develop it properly, and you’ll surely accomplish something great in the future.”

The two talked through the entire night.

From Lin Xun, Su Wangchuan learned that Huishui County actually housed many forces. Besides the official county yamen and local families, there were various Jianghu factions, as well as heroic martial artists operating independently.

Although Huishui County was powerful, it was constrained by bandit organizations like Blackwind Stronghold in the surrounding areas, as well as the Nu Tao Gang, which robbed merchant ships on the waterways. These forces tied down part of the county’s strength. There were also roving bandits, river pirates, and unorthodox cults and demonic sects.

They were all interconnected and had long been opposing the official court.

Su Wangchuan’s horizons were completely broadened.

Only then did he realize that the world of 《spirit realm》 was so vast, so fascinating—and so dangerous.

At dawn, Lin Xun and Monk Dalong prepared to return to Huishui County.

Before leaving, Lin Xun specifically reminded Su Wangchuan,

“Wangchuan, you’re not bad.”

“I’m only telling you all this because we get along well. Take your big brother’s advice—when it’s time to let go, let go. Don’t be soft-hearted like a woman. Surviving yourself is the most important thing.”

After saying that, he gave Su Wangchuan’s shoulder a firm pat, lifted the bundle filled with bandits’ heads, and left together with Monk Dalong.

Su Wangchuan watched the two figures disappear, his mood heavy.

Just as he returned to the blacksmith shop and continued forging, pushing toward the Entry-Level Mastery realm of the Hundredfold Steel Forging Technique, his phone rang.

He logged out.

Instructor Yu, extremely excited, revealed a piece of good news.

“Wangchuan! You’re in luck.”

“The prefectural government has sent a Third-Rank Martial Artist to lead a team to handle the situation in Huishui County. The Fourth Leader of Blackwind Stronghold and several minor heads were captured outside the city and executed on the spot! At the same time, several leaders of the Nu Tao Gang water bandits, who were fooling around in the city’s brothels, were also killed.”

“All the forces around Huishui County will probably have to lie low for a while, avoiding the sharp edge of a Third-Rank imperial martial officer!”

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