CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: MAD DEMON

「Song Residence.」

Hearing the question raised by Qi Xiu, Song Tingye let out a soft chuckle. "Mr. Ye worries too much. It’s difficult for ordinary people to reach Tempering Power in seven days, but they are the seeds of the city guard I handpicked. They certainly won’t suffer slowly like the common troops."

"So, these surprising changes in them are actually the County Magistrate’s doing?" Song Tingye’s calm demeanor caused Qi Xiu’s heart to sink.

Being able to mass-produce martial artists in the Tempering Power Realm. Just what is this guy’s background? Such methods, even the officials don’t have them, right?

The entire West Wind Army under Yuan Baiyi is in the Tempering Power Realm. But they themselves are the elite under the command of the Dianchuan Festival Envoy, forged through years of grinding and hardening.

An army casually assembled by Song Tingye. In just seven short days, nearly a hundred Tempering Power Realm warriors were produced. What an astonishing method.

"What, Mr. Ye doesn’t believe it?" Raising his hand to pour Qi Xiu a cup of tea with an elegant hue, Song Tingye’s eyes revealed a hint of sharpness.

"I believe. The County Magistrate has a profound foundation; having such ingenious methods is not surprising." After a pause, Qi Xiu smiled. He could gather hundreds of rare medicinal materials in a matter of days and freely distribute True Cultivation Powers and mental cultivation methods as if they were mere paper. It was quite reasonable for such a person to accomplish anything.

"Try it, the finest Green Feather Tea."

Raising the cup to take a light sip, Song Tingye turned to look at Qi Xiu. "These young and strong men join my city guard army. They transform from ordinary, mediocre individuals into martial artists capable of tearing tigers and leopards apart with their bare hands. This is a rare opportunity that has fallen upon them. And now, I have another opportunity in my hands. I wonder if Mr. Ye is interested?"

About to lift his cup, Qi Xiu paused upon hearing this, raising his eyes to look at the sincere Song Tingye opposite him.

"County Magistrate, if you have something to say, please speak directly."

"Hahaha, Mr. Ye is straightforward, so I will not beat around the bush either."

With a flip of his hand, a copper box suddenly appeared in Song Tingye’s palm. The box was entirely green, ancient in appearance. Its cold surface was encircled by a complete, ancient pattern resembling chains, sealing it completely.

A Magic Artifact for space?

Seeing the copper box appearing out of thin air in Song Tingye’s hand, Qi Xiu’s gaze flickered.

"This is..."

"The essence of the Ancient Heavenly Gang Secret Skill."

With a sudden glint in his eyes, Qi Xiu’s aura shook. The chair beneath him cracked with several fissures and nearly collapsed. It was fortunate that his Purple Golden Dao Seed was temporarily suppressed. Otherwise, it wouldn’t just be a chair cracking; the entire room would have turned to rubble as if a hurricane had passed through.

Witnessing Qi Xiu’s turbulent aura, Song Tingye felt a sense of certainty.

The second step, succeeded.

"The cost." Gradually controlling his unruly aura, Qi Xiu spoke slowly. Song Tingye wouldn’t bring out the Ancient Heavenly Gang Secret Skill, treasured by great sects and powerful families, without reason. He knew he was a True Intent Martial Artist. He needed the key of the Ancient Heavenly Gang Secret Skill to break through the threshold of the Initiate Realm.

"Marry into my family."

CRACK—

The chair beneath him suddenly shattered. Qi Xiu stood up, looking incredulously at Song Tingye.

"What did you say?"

Either my ears are failing me, or this guy’s mind is.

Seemingly anticipating Qi Xiu’s reaction, Song Tingye smiled faintly. "Mr. Ye is a man of exceptional talent, a true genius. My elder sister is still unmarried, just twenty-seven. Her appearance and figure are both impeccable. If Mr. Ye is willing to marry into our family, it will not only be the essence of the Ancient Heavenly Gang Secret Skill. My family will cover everything you need for your cultivation, from entering the Dao onwards."

Looking at the sincere and earnest Song Tingye, Qi Xiu’s mind was filled with myriad thoughts. Originally, he thought Song Tingye was presenting the essence of the Ancient Heavenly Gang Secret Skill to recruit him into his command, to be a fighter and servant for a few years. He never expected this young man was aiming for his entire life.

This move to recruit a son-in-law... it’s nothing less than a lifelong indenture contract. Poisonous! Truly poisonous!

Qi Xiu’s train of thought was disrupted by Song Tingye’s sudden proposal for him to marry into the family. After a long silence, he still couldn’t figure out how to respond.

"There’s no need for you to rush your answer, sir. You may go back and consider it for a few more days. The conditions I just mentioned are all true. Should there be even a sliver of falsehood, may lightning strike me down. The Ancient Heavenly Gang Secret Skill will not be found outside of the great sects and noble families; there will not be a second copy. I hope, sir, that you will cherish this opportunity."

...

"Young master, do you think he will agree?"

Calling for a servant to clean up the shattered wood on the ground, Sun Yueting turned to look in the direction Qi Xiu had left.

"Maybe not now." Calmly playing with the bronze long box in his hand, Song Tingye’s gaze was distant. "But that seed has already been planted in his heart. I’ve seen too many geniuses with extraordinary talent, achieving the status of True Intent Martial Artist by the age of forty, or even thirty. But what of it? Only those who stand at the threshold of the Initiate Realm truly understand how high and wide it is. When time passes, and months or years go by without him being able to advance even an inch further, when he experiences the agony of bitterly cultivating in the cold winter nights, begging for a path forward, he’ll understand what it means to adapt to the times and how rare opportunities are."

...

The Ancient Heavenly Gang Secret Skill will not be found outside of the great sects and noble families!

In the deep stillness of the night, lying in bed with his eyes wide open, Qi Xiu’s pupils trembled slightly, his mind a whirl of thoughts. Song Tingye’s words from that day were like a knife stabbing into his heart. The certainty and confidence in Song Tingye’s tone, even with a touch of arrogance, almost confirmed the absolute monopoly of the great sects and noble houses on Secret Techniques. This monopoly was like an axe, severing the paths of all martial artists and practitioners. Without Secret Techniques, one would forever be stopped outside the Initiate Realm. Wanting to enter the Initiate Realm, one could only rely on the great sects and noble houses.

Is there really no other way than marrying in and living off a woman?

Turning over in bed, feeling a blockage in his chest, Qi Xiu sat up and called out the proficiency panel.

[Calligraphy (Third Realm): 47.2%]

[Purple Golden Skill (Third Realm): Complete]

[Alchemy (Second Realm): 79.2%]

[Painting (First Realm): 91.2%]

[Elusive Shadow (Second Realm): 81.2%]

[Azure Pond Secret Scale Mental State (First Realm): 90.7%]

His gaze focused on these skills and techniques. Images of his past days and nights of harrowing effort, where he dared not slack off for even a day, flashed continuously in his mind.

Having suffered so much hardship, having endured so many trials, exhausting every ounce of his intellect, and constantly walking on thin ice... was he, in the end, still expected to submit to others?

Clenching his fists tightly until his knuckles turned white, Qi Xiu’s eyes gradually became more stubborn.

A blocked path? Paths are made by those who walk them. Wasn’t the essence of the Ancient Heavenly Gang Secret Skill also summarized and created by predecessors? If others could create it, then I, Qi Xiu, could create it as well! Isn’t it just a path? I’ll forge one myself! Can it be done? Is it possible?

His eyes brightened. Qi Xiu suddenly radiated a different aura and, somehow, a faint hint of color seemed to shimmer around him.

...

「A month later.」

Qi Xiu, his eyes fierce and blazing, hastily informed Song Tingye that he would enter seclusion for a period to cultivate. Afterwards, he immersed himself completely in endless cultivation, like a man possessed.

...