I Cheated While Cultivating

Zhou Heng frowned.

He had not detected the approach of a ghost. Somehow, he had repelled something.

This suggested that the strength of that ghost had been formidable. It could completely hide from his one-point insight, or it was just really good at hiding.

‘From the word ‘invincible,’ I’m afraid that the Seal Wraith is a ghost at least in the seventh-class, or even at the peak of seventh-class.

‘If not for the effect of Thunder Palm catching it by surprise, I’m afraid I may not have been able to repel the ghost.

‘Judging from these characteristics, is this Seal Wraith the real culprit that murdered Zhao Yuan? It might also be the culprit that contaminated Yu He with its ghost aura.’

Zhou Heng thought about it to himself and made some guesses. At the same time, he became doubtful and said to himself, ‘If the Seal Wraith is indeed the real culprit, why was Shopkeeper Qian arrested?’

‘Could there be two ghosts?

‘Or perhaps Shopkeeper Qian has escaped?

‘Regardless of one or two ghosts, ghosts seem to be appearing around me.” Zhou Heng pinched his temples and he took out an apricot-yellow chinese talisman from his arm.

The chinese talisman had been created for him by Cheng Jiangjian in order to conceal his Supreme Yang Divine Soul physique. In other words, it was used to prevent his Yang energy from exposing and avoid the attraction forces between the Yin and Yang Spirits that could lure the ghosts.

From the looks of the current state, it did not seem very effective.

‘If I’m really the one who attracted that ghost, my Yang energy must still be leaking out.’

Zhou Heng thought to himself, ‘Either there’s something wrong with the chinese talisman itself, or the attribute of the special attack of Yin Spirits is different from the so-called Supreme Yang Divine Soul.’

In fact, back when Cheng Jiangjian explained the Supreme Yang Divine Soul to him, he had already doubted if he was indeed the person with the Supreme Yang Divine Soul.

After all, the physique of Supreme Yang Divine Soul was actually a special divine soul. Meanwhile, the special attack on Yin Spirits was actually a type of foundational attribute that one acquires.

Back then, Zhou Heng guessed that the two may be similar but they were not one and the same. Perhaps, they were entirely different forces.

‘I’ll ask about it again when I get the chance to meet Chen Jiangjian.’ Zhou Heng shook his head and put the doubts in the back of his mind for the time being.

For such a thing like this, he would never be able to speculate himself to enlightenment.

That was because he had very little understanding of ghosts and divine souls.

It would be good if there was an organization or institution dedicated to explaining such knowledge to him.

‘After fleeing, will that Seal Wraith cause trouble to others again?’ Zhou Heng suddenly thought of this. He started to get worried. He wondered if he should make a trip down to the administrative office right away.

Since Mayor Wu Zhongshan corroborated with Cheng Jiangjian in searching for ghosts and evil creatures, there was a high possibility that he himself was also aware of the existence of ghosts. Therefore, Zhou Heng could look for him to inform him about the appearance of a ghost.

‘However, I still need to conceal the matter regarding Daoism techniques. No one should know that I’m proficient in any Daoism techniques for the time being, especially one that exterminates ghosts.’

Zhou Heng was still very clear-headed and did not lose himself amidst the power granted by the Daoism technique.

According to Cheng Jiangjian’s past explanation, the world’s heritage of Daoism technique was extremely rare. Moreover, most of them were high-class Daoism techniques. There were hardly any mid third-classes, let alone lower third-class Daoism techniques.

Among the existing Daoism techniques, only a few Daoism techniques had the special effect of exterminating ghosts.

This meant that the Thunder Palm, an eighth-class Daoism technique that could exterminate ghosts was considered an absolute rarity in the world.

If the world came to know of this, it would certainly attract the attention of many powerful men.

By then, the number of people who would be concerned about him, or the kind of people who would be concerned about him were no longer within Zhou Heng’s predictions.

Zhou Heng simply did not believe that he would be free from the covetousness for someone who was a lesser man without a powerful background nor a strong back-up like him, yet possessed such a rare and precious Daoism technique.

Zhou Heng had even thought of a good excuse to explain how a lesser man who had just advanced to the ninth-class was able to defeat the ghost.

The cultivation of the Thunder Palm had to be perfected before it could be performed to exterminate ghosts effectively.

He was still at the novice level. Despite the damage caused to ghosts having significantly grown, it was still not as powerful to the extent of its power overwhelming the effects performed by the delivery of the special attribute of the Supreme Yang Divine Soul in restraining ghosts.

‘Well, that’s all because I don’t have any strong backing. Otherwise, I need not be this vigilant.’ Zhou Heng shook his head and shifted his focus to those three Silver Lucky Bags.

He planned to go to the administrative office in the city to look for Wu Zhongshan after opening the three Silver Lucky Bags.

“The three Silver Lucky Bags are bags equipped with literally everything. Once you open them, you will gain rewards you will not expect.”

“Open!”

“Congratulations! You have been rewarded with three distributable points for the eighth-class level of proficiency.”

“Congratulations! You have been rewarded with a foundational attribute of a two-point increase in mighty power.”

“Congratulations! You’ve been rewarded with three taels of gold.”

Zhou Heng fell speechless.

The moment Zhou Heng saw the three rewards, his mind buzzed out of rage. If not for him being outside with no table placed beside him, he would have simply flipped the table!

It was not that the rewards were not good.

It was just that the third reward that granted him three taels of gold was rather hilarious and could simply be ignored.

The other two rewards were actually considerably good, with an increase in three points for the eighth-class martial art and an increase in two points for might.

Nevertheless, Zhou Heng still felt incredibly disappointed.

There was no “You’re very lucky” prompt!

‘Not again!

‘Not all the time!’

He had never been lucky with Silver Lucky Bags. All of them were ordinary rewards!

‘It seems that they are not of much use in the face of the current situation.’ Zhou Heng sighed gently. He realized that perhaps Lady Luck did not smile upon him.

After that, he allocated one distributable point to the level of proficiency of one of the eighth-class martial arts. He added it to Broken Qi Style which he had yet to learn.

After a series of explanations and sparring sessions given by the phantom…

“Congratulations! The level of proficiency for the Eighth-Class Solo Nine Swords—Broken Qi Style has reached one. You have officially acquired this martial art!”

“Congratulations! Your cultivation of the Eighth-Class Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique enabled you to gain insights regarding the movement of internal qi. Therefore, this has benefited other similar martial arts. The level of proficiency for the Eighth-Class Solo Nine Swords—Broken Qi Style increased by 200.”

“Congratulations! Your proficiency in the Eighth-Class Solo Nine Swords—Broken Qi Style enabled you to gain deeper insights into the theory of solo swords. Therefore, this is a Blessing to the Spirit. The level of proficiency for the Eighth-Class Solo Nine Swords—Broken Sword Style increased by 300.”

The increase in the level of proficiency prompted by a series of notifications was not a result of the immediate effect of the distributable point. Instead, it enabled Zhou Heng to practice the skills until he became proficient enough to be categorized as so in an independent time and space.

Since there was no passing of time on the outside world compared to the independent time and space given, it was highly unlikely for that distributable point to be directly added onto his level of proficiency.

Furthermore, Zhou Heng’s previous level of proficiency for Broken Sword Style had already reached an average stage, coupled with his diligent drilling of that martial art everyday regardless of whether he was at the martial arts school or at home. Therefore, his level of proficiency was already close to the ceiling of the average level at 2000.”

As such, after obtaining 300 points for his level of proficiency, his level of proficiency in Broken Sword Style would simply reach 2000, which would place him above average.

Eighth-Class Solo Nine Swords—Broken Sword Style. High Level: 1/3000

“Congratulations! Your level of proficiency for the Eighth-Class Solo Nine Swords—Broken Sword Style has reached a high level. This has automatically increased the level of proficiency in the theory of the same solo swords. The level of proficiency for the Eighth-Class Solo Nine Swords—Broken Qi Style increased by 1000.”

Once again, Zhou Heng experienced time in a different space.

Eighth-Class Solo Nine Swords—Broken Qi Style. Intermediate Level: 300/2000.

‘What a chain reaction. Such huge gains!’ Zhou Heng was overwhelmed with joy. He had never expected the addition of one point for a level of proficiency to lead to such growth!

‘That’s so cool!’

Compared to his old self from just a few breathing moments ago, he had grown significantly stronger.

A ninth-class sword-wielding martial artist might no longer be a match for him. Even an eighth-class sword-wielding martial artist may be defeated with confidence.

He may have trouble against a seventh-class martial artist. As long as it was a human, Zhou Heng was not a match for him. Even if that person used a sword, he would not make it past a few moves.

After all, the level of a seventh-class was also known as a form of transformation. One’s strength would be improved significantly.

However, if he were to face a ghost, coupled with his special attribute of special attack against Yin Spirits, he was confident that he still stood a fighting chance. With the assistance of the thunder technique, he would even stand a chance of exterminating a ghost with a sword.

‘It’s about time to go to the administrative office in the city. This is to prevent that ghost from doing as it pleases.’ Zhou Heng picked up his steel saber and walked toward the administrative office in the city.

The silver moon was bright in the night sky.

The mayor in the administrative office of Yellow Wood City was very dutiful and responsible. The office was open around the clock.

When Zhou Heng arrived, it was still brightly lit inside and outside the office.

Apparently, there were still a number of officials and errand boys handling affairs.

Before he had even entered, he bumped into a familiar face.

“Constable Meng?” When Zhou Heng saw him, he greeted him.

Meng Xing frowned and looked troubled, as if he had faced some difficult situation. His head was lowered as he walked. He lifted his head only when he heard Zhou Heng’s greetings. He asked in surprise, “Mr. Zhou, why are you here?”

“I’ve some matters to discuss with the mayor.” Zhou Heng said truthfully.

“It just so happens that I also have some news to report to the mayor,” Meng Xing seemed quite anxious and he continued, “Let’s go in together.”

“Alright.” Zhou Heng nodded. As he was about to enter with Meng Xing, he shifted his gaze abruptly and looked to the north. He asked in puzzlement, “Why is there a flash of red light over there?”

After he had just finished speaking.

Thump!

A deafening loud sound was heard. Both Zhou Heng and Meng Xing felt their spirits shudder and looked toward the direction incredulously.

‘That’s not a flash of red light!’

It was a fire that had risen to the sky. A blazing flame like a gigantic flaming bird had soared into the sky, illuminating half of the northern district of the city!

‘The Incoming Joy Restaurant is that way!’

Zhou Heng’s pupils were inevitably constricted. He sensed a bad omen. Without further ado, he rushed toward the north with a lightweight martial art.

The foundational attribute of a one-point increase for agility took its full effect under his command!

His speed was lightning fast!

Within a short time, he disappeared into the night.

Meng Xing froze at the sight. His face turned dark. He gritted his teeth and said, “Qian Buduo, did you do this too?!”

With that, he followed Zhou Heng and rushed toward the northern part of the city.

He sped up as fast as he could. He exerted the lightweight martial art skill which caused the blood in his body to boil.

The level of proficiency kept increasing.

But he no longer had time to pay attention.

All Zhou Heng wanted at that moment was to get there as soon as possible. He prayed hard that Yu He and his family were safe.

Ever since he had been transmigrated to this world, Yu He had been his bosom friend of the same age.

He could call him his brother.

‘I’m still too slow!

‘Way too slow!’

Zhou Heng was so anxious that he wanted to instantly teleport over.

However, his strength of lightweight martial art was limited by his level of proficiency. Even if he had the foundational attribute of a one-point increase in agility, he still could not reach the northern district of the city within a short period of time.

Just then, he felt his elixir field suddenly turning blazing hot.

The Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique had actually activated on its own by transferring his modest internal qi to both of his legs. It further increased his speed!

The profound art of the Daoism technique was a self-operating form of internal energy. Theoretically speaking, it had to be cultivated for twenty-four hours a day consecutively. Zhou Heng’s cultivation had not reached a certain level, therefore, he had not been able to produce such a divine effect before.

With the purest faith and his strength that came from the boiling qi and blood circulation, his inner energy had been jumpstarted, finally flowing on its own.

With that, Zhou Heng’s physical strength improved drastically, and his legs were leveled-up by internal qi. Therefore, he became faster!

Meng Xing was about to catch up Zhou Heng only to see him accelerate. Within a short while, he lost track of him. Once again, he was left far behind.

‘C-Can he really be an unranked martial artist?” Meng Xing almost wondered if he was hallucinating!

He was at least a seventh-class martial artist himself!

Even if he didn’t run as hard as he could, how could an unranked kid possibly be faster than him?!

That was ridiculous!

Zhou Heng did not even notice Meng Xing following him. He maintained his fast pace and got a close view of the fire in front of him.

At that moment, a shadow suddenly wandered toward Zhou Heng. It was extremely fast, like an arrow having been fired from a bow!

Zhou Heng was extremely fast. Even so, that dark shadow came before Zhou Heng in an instant!

The two of them met face-to-face!

The shadow on the ground suddenly stretched out a black spike, like a pitch-black and sharp sword piercing through the air. With a hissing sound, it flew at Zhou Heng’s throat!

“What a coincidence! Indeed, God’s giving me a hand too! Go to hell, you little thing! Let your Yang energy become my nourishment!”

Right then, Zhou Heng’s expression remained unchanged. His gaze was cold, and there was no sign of panic at all. As he was facing the sudden attack of that so-called sword, he was extremely calm.

In fact, he could even see through the changes in the trajectory of that so-called sword. As such, the attack from that shadow was not a threat.

Just then, he shifted his right hand which held the hilt of his sword. He swung it outward with all his might!

Clank!

The sword was drawn out from its sheath, revealing its crystal clear form!

Under the moonlight, the saber was released from the sheath like a flash of silver and white waterfall. This was all in the hand of Zhou Heng’s palm.

This time, he did not execute a saber technique.

He thrust forth in a stab!

He penetrated the weak point of that shadow’s attack!

The substitution of a sword with a saber!

This was labeled as Broken Sword Style!