Chapter Seventy-Seven: Setting Out for Nanshan County

[Dragon Claw Technique: Novice (1/1000), can be upgraded by consuming skill points.]

Even at the novice level, the required experience was ten times that of the Body Tempering Technique.

"Consume skill points and elevate Dragon Claw Technique to its peak level."

"Consume 80 skill points; Dragon Claw Technique has been elevated to the peak."

A subtle transformation occurred in Bai Li Feihong’s hands; they felt as if forged from refined steel. At the same time, a torrent of experience and techniques for this ancient martial art surged through his mind.

In just the blink of an eye, he had mastered this ancient martial discipline.

He lightly touched the surface of the table. Without exerting any force, his fingers sank into the wood as easily as if pressing into tofu.

Moreover, when Bai Li Feihong activated the Dragon Claw Technique, he felt no fear even facing the demon-slaying blade he had received from the Demon Suppression Division.

"To truly comprehend the martial will of the Dragon Claw Technique, I must use it in real combat, practicing until I touch upon its true martial essence."

For now, grasping the martial will embedded in these techniques remained a challenge for Bai Li Feihong.

However, the Book of Skills could assist him.

[Dragon Claw Technique: Martial Will (0/30), can enhance skill traits by consuming skill points.]

The Book of Skills underwent another change.

At last, martial will was included within the scope of the Book of Skills’ golden finger.

"What exactly is this artifact, this Book of Skills?"

"Why does it change according to my needs?"

Perhaps Bai Li Feihong’s understanding of martial arts was still too rudimentary to grasp the true essence of the Book of Skills.

He could only follow its rules to aid his own advancement.

"For now, I won’t use skill points on martial techniques."

So Bai Li Feihong decided.

The remaining eight martial arts manuals could be improved through cultivation.

Martial Realm: Body Tempering/Spirit Tempering Stage

Skill Points: 1207 (can upgrade, synthesize, or deduce skills)

Skill 1: Culinary Arts, Mastery (Experience: 262/1600)
Skill 2: Four Seas Fist, Martial Will (5 skill points to upgrade)
Skill 3: Blood River Blade (Four incomplete moves), Martial Will (can be completed, deduced, or synthesized by consuming skill points)
Skill 4: Blood Refinement Art, Peak (can upgrade, deduce, or synthesize by consuming skill points)
Skill 5: Six Paths of Demon Suppression, First Path (Spirit Tempering Peak) – Ninth Blood Refinement (Peak), Second Path, Primordial Embryo Initiate (13140/1000000)
Skill 6: Carefree Wanderer, Mastery (1260/90000)
Skill 7: Five Elements Demon Suppression Hand, Martial Will (upgrade conditions not met)
Skill 8: Blood Town Mountains and Rivers (Divine Ability, Stage Two, 190/200)
Skill 9: White Dragon of the Waves, Martial Will (10 skill points to upgrade)
Skill 10: Thirteenfold Golden Light Body Tempering (can be raised to fourteenfold by consuming skill points)
Skill 11: Dragon Claw Technique, Martial Will (0/30, can enhance skill traits by consuming skill points)

Experience for the Primordial Embryo increased by absorbing the world’s vital energy, condensing it within the seed of the Primordial Embryo.

Bai Li Feihong hadn’t even been actively cultivating. The ambient energy, since returning from HLD, had accumulated over thirty-six short hours, adding 13,140 experience.

Each wisp of vital energy equaled a point of experience.

The main reason was that the vital energy within his acupoints had not yet reached saturation.

Growth in the Primordial Embryo Realm was driven by the seed actively drawing in vital energy from the acupoints.

Every hour, every acupoint, drew in a wisp of vital energy.

This was the benefit of having many acupoints.

Another advantage was that his body could absorb far more vital energy than others.

This was the reward for perfecting the cultivation of his acupoints.

He had only just opened them; he hadn’t yet filled the entire circuit of acupoints.

“Dong, dong, dong—”

The resonant sound of the great bell echoed.

Bai Li Feihong took up his sword and strode out, ensuring the office door was securely locked.

Whenever the Demon Suppression Bell rang, it heralded a major event.

Guardian Gongyang Yan was already standing in the main hall.

Whether stationed within the Demon Suppression Tower or out on assignment, all demon suppressors who heard the bell were hurrying back.

"Heaven and earth darken, evil gathers at Dongbin."

Gongyang Yan cast a cool glance over the hall.

The provincial Demon Suppression Division’s guardian had also arrived, though they didn’t join the ranks.

Lin Zhiyuan, his body swathed in bandages, appeared despite his wounds.

"From this moment, first-class demon suppressors will lead teams to Dongbin Prefecture to eliminate monsters and evil spirits."

"Zheng Yishan."

"Present."

"You will command two second-class demon suppressors, five third-class, and ten fourth-class suppressors to hold the headquarters and handle any demon-slaying tasks within Dongbin City."

"Understood."

A look of delight crossed Zheng Yishan’s face.

After the recent opium case purge, it would be difficult for any demonic incidents to occur within Dongbin City. Gongyang Yan was giving him this easy post because of his injured arm.

"Bai Li Feihong."

"Present, sir."

"You will lead a demon suppression team to Nanshan County, oversee the county’s defense, eradicate monsters, and repel foreign invaders."

Gongyang Yan’s appointment stirred an uproar.

Not long ago, Nanshan County had been raided by Wokou pirates, with several villages massacred.

Dongbin City rarely intervened in Nanshan County affairs, but according to the administrative divisions, Nanshan County was under Dongbin’s jurisdiction.

By Bai Li Feihong’s understanding, Nanshan County was akin to a county-level city, while Dongbin was a prefecture-level city.

Long ago, however, under the previous dynasty, Nanshan County had governed Dongbin.

Back then, Dongbin was just a county seat. Later, it was promoted to a prefecture, and Nanshan County was demoted accordingly.

From then on, the people of Dongbin and Nanshan became bitter rivals.

Now, with the Nanshan County Demon Suppression Division requesting aid, Gongyang Yan was determined not to miss this opportunity to reclaim authority over the subordinate county division.

And it was time for Bai Li Feihong to venture out as well.

Those Wokou pirates deserved death.

"I obey."

Bai Li Feihong stood, replying with respect.

He turned to regard the more than one hundred demon suppressors gathered.

"Who among you is willing to follow me to Nanshan County? Step forward now."

No one responded.

Bai Li Feihong was taken aback.

His gaze swept over every demon suppressor. Each one he looked at bowed their head to avoid his eyes.

"It seems you all cherish your lives. Very well, I shall claim this merit for myself alone."

Before Gongyang Yan could respond, Bai Li Feihong had already closed the matter.

If these demon suppressors had followed him to Nanshan County, he would have been forced to split his attention to protect them.

"Those who walk the right path have many allies; those who stray stand alone," mused Guardian Feng Yushi, fanning himself with an iron-boned fan and smiling faintly.

Gongyang Yan frowned but, with the entire division present, could not rebuke him.

Bai Li Feihong strode from the hall, claimed a horse, returned home to fetch the Demon Compass, and set out for Nanshan County.

Gongyang Yan continued to assign missions, dispatching all first-class demon suppressors.

"Nanshan County? Bai Li Feihong is heading there—this is the perfect chance for the Underworld to capture him."

"What exactly did he witness on Dali Mountain?"

For Feng Yushi, accessing mission records was a trivial matter.

That night, after the Dali Mountain massacre, Bai Li Feihong had taken the mission to eliminate demon beasts there.

Something strange had happened that night on Dali Mountain—an eerie parade of a hundred ghosts. Countless restless souls appeared; even ancient spirits rose from the Yellow Springs.

Soon after, the Ancient Ice Maiden appeared.

The Underworld had been laying plans on Dali Mountain for a long time, waiting only for the right moment.

Now, the time was ripe.