Chapter 106

It was actually free attribute points as the reward!

Su Wangchuan felt unprecedented joy flood his chest. The curve of his smile simply would not fade.

Without hesitation, he tapped twice on the Stamina attribute.

“Ding!”

System notification:

“Congratulations. You have officially broken through to First-Rank Martial Artist.”

“Reward: 1 Free Attribute Point.”

“You have obtained the qualification to cultivate Second-Rank martial arts!”

A smile spread across Su Wangchuan’s face.

One free attribute point for reaching First Rank—excellent.

He still had 3 free attribute points remaining. He would save them for the future, perhaps for breaking through to Second Rank…

Wangchuan: Male (Hunger 47/100)

(Life Profession: Blacksmith)

(Combat Profession: First-Rank Martial Artist)

Strength 8+14; Attack 7–8;

Agility 8+12; Defense 4; Speed +20;

Stamina 8+12; Health 200/200;

Spirit 8: (Unactivated).

Free Attributes: 3 (Assignable)

Life Skill ‘Hundredfold Steel Forging Technique’: Integration. Next realm ‘Perfect Mastery’ 0/5000;

(Techniques folded)

Current location: Southern Sky Continent, Nanyu Kingdom, Sanhe Commandery, Huishui County.

Lin Xun and Instructor Yu had mentioned before that cultivating a martial technique to the realm of Integration could grant 4 attribute points. He had even prepared himself to endure another two months of hardship to push toward First Rank.

He had not expected that the life profession skill 《Hundredfold Steel Forging Technique》 would grant free attribute points instead.

He had stepped into First Rank ahead of schedule.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

“Should I ask whether all life professions are like this?”

“…Forget it.”

“I will ask later.”

He had originally intended to ask Instructor Yu or Brother Lin Xun.

Then he realized that neither of them might even possess a life profession.

He would probably get no answer from them.

As for Monk Dalong and the others, he had no contact information.

And Su Wan… she was waiting for him to show up with money.

“Forget it.”

“I will find out eventually.”

He had no intention of spending recklessly.

Su Wan had already made it clear—

Money in the real world would gradually lose its value.

The silver and gold within 《spirit realm》 would only grow more valuable.

There was over one million in his account—more than enough.

From now on, he planned to symbolically submit twenty taels of silver each month, and convert the rest into gold notes, stockpiling them to purchase higher-rank martial arts manuals.

After all, Third-Rank martial arts already required astronomical sums. If he wished to reach Fourth Rank, Fifth Rank, or even higher realms, the cost would likely be terrifying.

Su Wangchuan set down his hammer and, under the astonished gazes of the apprentices, left the Weapon Room.

“The master left?”

“Wow.”

“I thought he was going to hammer all day again.”

“When he is here, I do not dare slack off at all. My back aches every day…”

“Same here. We suffer together.”

“Sob…”

The Weapon Room erupted in relieved cheers.

Su Wangchuan headed straight for the Martial Vault to study Second-Rank martial arts.

When Hall Master Song learned that Su Wangchuan had already broken through to First Rank, he was greatly surprised.

“I did not expect you to surpass me and break into First Rank first… Truly, the waves of the Yangtze push the previous ones aside! Excellent! I will inform the Gang Leader of this good news at once.”

That very night, Yang Feiyue personally returned by boat to the Huishui County hall to meet him.

After personally witnessing Su Wangchuan cultivate a Second-Rank martial art, he burst into loud laughter.

“Good!”

“The Yulong Gang has gained another First-Rank Martial Artist. Wangchuan, you have not disappointed me.”

“Take these three Second-Rank martial arts manuals and cultivate them for now. Your breakthrough to First Rank must not be spread for the time being…”

Yang Feiyue lowered his voice and instructed Song Minshu and Su Wangchuan:

“Recently, many unfamiliar faces have appeared in Huishui County. Especially near the Water Stronghold—people have been traveling at night, probing its defenses… Before long, someone may set their sights on the Yulong Gang. We must prepare.”

Su Wangchuan’s heart tightened.

As expected, it had come.

The Yulong Gang monopolized shipping and waterway protection in the Huishui area, collecting protection fees. The immense profits had finally attracted outside attention.

Song Minshu looked shocked.

“The Water Stronghold is heavily guarded, and yet someone dares to probe it. Is it neighboring gangs, or powerful forces from the prefectural government?”

Yang Feiyue sneered.

“Once in Huishui County, whether dragon or tiger, they must behave! The main hall now has over seventy Inner Disciples and eight formal Martial Artists. Even among the Outer Disciples, we have trained a group of archers, each diligently practicing Archery and equipped with Armor-Piercing Arrows. Even a Third-Rank Martial Artist would not escape unscathed.”

Only then did Su Wangchuan realize that the continuous forging of iron arrowheads and Armor-Piercing Arrows had all been sent to the main hall.

Yang Feiyue had long prepared for this day.

He turned to Su Wangchuan.

“The main hall is secure. All preparations are complete. The only concern is the hall within the county seat… You two were unranked before. I feared you might become a weak point for hidden enemies.”

“Fortunately, Wangchuan, you have broken into First Rank. With your increased strength, you can stand on your own. That eases my mind.”

Those words instead made Su Wangchuan uneasy.

He had no desire to be placed in danger.

Yang Feiyue seemed to perceive his thoughts and reassured him:

“You are within the county seat. As long as you ensure your own safety and alert the county office and other local forces when attacked, the enemy will not dare linger.”

“And.”

“News of Wangchuan’s breakthrough has not spread…”

“If the enemy attempts to break through here, they may instead fall into Wangchuan’s hands—giving us leverage to uncover their true identity.”

A sharp gleam flashed in Yang Feiyue’s eyes. That was what truly concerned him.

With Su Wangchuan’s breakthrough, the county hall had transformed from a weak point into a potential trap—an opportunity to seize the enemy’s weakness and expose them.

After further instructions, Yang Feiyue departed.

Su Wangchuan and Song Minshu looked at each other.

Song Minshu sighed.

“I did not expect danger to arrive so soon. From today onward, I will arrange more hidden sentries at the hall and heighten vigilance. Wangchuan, we will take turns standing watch at night.”

“I will follow the Hall Master’s lead.”

Su Wangchuan remained humble as ever.

Song Minshu felt somewhat embarrassed—his subordinate’s strength had surpassed his own.

“Hall Master, please teach me Basic Saber Technique.”

Su Wangchuan clasped his fists.

“I wish to cultivate 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》. If I can first master 《Basic Saber Technique》, it should make cultivation twice as effective.” Since Song Minshu excelled in 《Gale Saber Art》, he must have mastered the basics.

“Very well!”

Song Minshu smiled.

Though Su Wangchuan had surpassed him, he was still half his disciple. Thinking of it that way eased his pride considerably.

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