Chapter 13

“Essence Soul Bead?”

Seeing the last line of information in the simulation, Han Zhao thought of the black bead that Han Lin had brought back.

That thing was the source of energy for the notification to synthesize the Trait.

Without this energy, he would not be able to simulate it no matter how much money he had.

Han Zhao was not strong enough now. He could not keep up with the speed at which the Notification Fragment appeared. As his strength increased, he would not have enough Yin energy in the future.

The information in the simulation had already indicated that the Essence Soul Bead was related to the prefecture capital. He could not reach it for the time being.

Instead of fantasizing, it was better to cultivate diligently.

As long as he was strong enough, all problems could be easily resolved. There were still nine years before he turned 26 and the Cloud Prefecture got into chaos.

The Mountain Splitting Saber Technique was indeed more and more difficult to cultivate towards the end. With his four times Saber Dao Aptitude, his cultivation speed did not increase qualitatively, but it was much faster than when he was simulating it previously.

In the simulation, he did not have a system, so he could only rely on his own hard work. Fortunately, his nourishing true qi was powerful, making his external cultivation speed faster and faster.

“Master Lu is such a loyal person! I must not implicate him.”

Han Zhao thought to himself as his thoughts returned to the system interface.

[The simulation is over. You can choose one of the following.]

[1: Obtain Trait (Selectable)]

[2: Obtained attribute points]

[3: Obtain any part of the life experience.]

[Current Balance: 2 taels of gold]

Han Zhao’s eyes lit up.

Looking at the options in front of him, [Option 1] showed that he could choose it.

“One.”

[Received Trait: Basic Master.]

Basic Master: White Trait. The cultivation speed of basic martial arts is doubled. The probability of breaking through the upper limit is greatly increased. (Can be upgraded to Green Trait through cultivation. The upper limit is Blue Trait.)

“Could it be that I’m really lucky?! Or… is it that Han Lin’s spirit in heaven is protecting me?”

Han Zhao looked happy.

Although it was not a Green Trait, this White Trait was very useful to him.

This was because the Life Nurturing Technique was a basic cultivation method.

He just didn’t know if the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique counted.

All in all, it was a huge profit.

…

The next day.

In the morning.

Han Zhao woke up early to eat and cultivate the Life Nurturing Technique.

After obtaining the [Basic Master] Trait yesterday, he cultivated from noon to night.

Originally, he felt that his cultivation progress was a little slow, but in the end, his progress immediately doubled. This feeling fascinated him.

He really wished he could stay at home every day and break through to the Third Level of the Life Nurturing Technique before going out.

Of course, this was just his imagination.

After the cultivation of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique was on the right track, he didn’t have to go to the martial arts school every day. However, he had been going late and leaving early for the Flower Picking Bee recently. His attitude wasn’t good.

Although the Life Nurturing Technique could be cultivated by sitting down, the cultivation of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique still required a venue.

He could also receive Lu Yi’s guidance in the martial arts school and undergo actual combat training with Zhao Yuantu.

Han Zhao guessed that the Flower Picking Bee had broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm, but he still had the guts to chase after him. Other than being fully prepared, the most important thing was that he had practiced with Zhao Yuantu many times and had a relatively direct understanding of the combat strength of the Bone Tempering Realm.

After cultivating for a few hours, Han Zhao got off bed.

As he had cultivated many times, he basically had a rough idea in his mind.

Han Zhao walked to the courtyard and looked up in the direction of the sun. He roughly estimated the time and quickly flew to the wall. He stepped on the top of the wooden shelf and used the momentum to jump over the wall.

It was almost lunchtime.

Every day, he would rely on this meal to eat something good. Although Zhao Yuantu would leave food for him if he went late, it would be better if the two of them fought to eat.

Thinking of this, Han Zhao quickly ran toward the Yejiang District.

As soon as he entered the martial arts school, he saw only a few people practicing. The rest of the people were gathered in the middle of the front yard.

Surrounded by the crowd was the baldy, Zhao Yuantu.

Even Lu Yi, who usually lay on the rattan chair and munched on melon seeds most of the time, was all smiles.

“What’s going on?” Han Zhao asked an apprentice.

“Eldest Senior Brother has broken through to the Blood Tempering Realm and become a quasi-Martial Master!” the other party said excitedly. Envy, longing, and jealousy filled his expression.

“That’s indeed a joyous occasion.” Han Zhao’s eyes lit up.

Someone was going to treat them!

It wasn’t that Lu Yi had never taught a quasi-Martial Master in the Blood Tempering Realm in the past, but as he grew older and his strength decreased over the years, the qualifications of the disciples he accepted were indeed a little poor.

Of course, this was mainly related to his more hospitable way of charging.

The commoners with no background were naturally grateful to Lu Yi. However, to some rich children, Lu Yi would accept anyone and charge them so cheaply. They were unwilling to come.

Firstly, it felt like it was beneath him to mix with a group of low-class people.

Secondly, it was also because Lu Yi had not taught a quasi-Martial Master who cultivated the Mountain Splitting Saber, so they doubted his teaching standards.

For example, the top three martial arts schools in the city all had direct descendants of large families in the inner city learning martial arts. What they wanted was an expensive place.

“Han Zhao.”

Seeing the smiling Han Zhao behind him, Zhao Yuantu pushed aside the crowd around him and walked to his side.

“Senior Brother, congratulations!” Han Zhao cupped his fists.

“Hehe, I didn’t expect to suddenly break through either. I’m lucky.” Zhao Yuantu scratched his head and smiled like a fool. He was already 24 years old this year and was less than a year away from the age of 25. In the end, he happened to break through before the limit.

“You don’t have to eat in the kitchen today, right? You’ve become a quasi-Martial Master, so you have to treat us!” Han Zhao smiled.

Unless Force Tempering Martial Masters were mortal enemies, they would not fight at all. If there was a problem, it would be the disciples below. A quasi-Martial Master in the Blood Tempering Realm was already the top combat power in the city.

“That’s for sure.” Zhao Yuantu stretched out his fan-like hand and patted Han Zhao’s shoulder.

Seeing how close Zhao Yuantu was to Han Zhao, some apprentices could not help but regret not befriending Zhao Yuantu earlier.

Previously, although Zhao Yuantu was the eldest senior brother and had even helped Lu Yi teach the newcomers, he was almost 25 years old and had little hope of breaking through. Therefore, he was not taken seriously by those apprentices with good conditions. They did not offend him, but they would not deliberately rope him in.

After all, they were only interested in people of the same level, or the four people in the inner courtyard other than Han Zhao.

Now that Zhao Yuantu had broken through and become a quasi-Martial Master, he had made a comeback. He was now a famous figure in Blackrock City.

“Yuantu, you only broke through when you were almost 25 years old. You’re only 15 years away from reaching the peak of blood qi at the age of 40. You have to work hard to have a chance to grasp Internal Force. Don’t be arrogant and complacent.” Although Lu Yi was happy, he still poured cold water on Zhao Yuantu. However, he understood this disciple’s personality, so he spoke very bluntly.

“Yes, Master. I’ll work hard,” Zhao Yuantu said seriously. He had always listened to advice.

“The next step is to find a good place for you,” Lu Yi added. Grasping Internal Force required a large number of resources. Someone like Zhao Yuantu, who had no background, had to rely on a large faction.

“Thank you, Master.”

After Lu Yi finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Han Zhao and asked, “What’s your situation recently?”

“Teacher Lu, I’ve recently taken on some work as I’m short of money.”

“Okay, as long as your cultivation progress doesn’t fall behind, it’s fine. I’ll check it regularly.” Lu Yi nodded.

“Yes, Teacher Lu,” Han Zhao said respectfully.

Lu Yi nodded and left the martial arts school.

“Let’s go, Han Zhao. Let’s go celebrate.” Zhao Yuantu pulled Han Zhao out.

He also called a few apprentices who were usually on good terms with him.

At this moment, Xu Ling said charmingly, “Eldest Senior Brother, Han Zhao, do you mind if I go too?”

Zhao Yuantu was stunned for a moment before saying, “Of course not.”

“That’s right! It’s best if Senior Sister Xu goes with us.”

Hearing that Xu Ling wanted to go, the other youths immediately revealed excited expressions. Naturally, they were even happier to eat with their beautiful senior sister.

Xu Ling looked at Han Zhao.

“You’re welcome.” Han Zhao nodded. After all, he was a sugar daddy, and Zhao Yuantu had agreed.

“In that case, Eldest Senior Brother shouldn’t mind adding two more people, right?” Su Yun and Zhang Tianwen also walked forward.

Zhao Yuantu was different from before. A Blood Tempering Realm expert was very valuable to rope in.

Especially to Zhang Tianwen who was not the heir, it would also increase his status if he could rope in a Blood Tempering Realm expert for his family.

“Let’s go together.” Zhao Yuantu scratched his head.

As he spoke, he was about to return to his room to get the money.

“How can Eldest Senior Brother pay? This meal is on me.” Zhang Tianwen said casually, “Let’s go to the Splendid Cloud Pavilion in the Yonghe District. I just sent someone to reserve a room in advance.”

When the apprentices heard this, they all looked envious.

Their backgrounds were not bad, but it was too extravagant to let them go to the Splendid Cloud Pavilion for a meal.

“How can we do that?” Zhao Yuantu shook his head.

“Don’t worry, Eldest Senior Brother. Soon, someone will rush to invite you to a banquet. You have to get used to it in advance. You won’t refuse to give me face, right?”

Zhang Tianwen smiled.

“This…” Zhao Yuantu scratched his head. He still didn’t feel too good. He subconsciously glanced at Han Zhao.

Seeing this, Han Zhao smiled. “Senior Brother, Senior Brother Zhang is so kind. You don’t have to be polite.”

“Alright then.” Zhao Yuantu finally agreed.

Zhang Tianwen glanced at Han Zhao in surprise. He did not expect Eldest Senior Brother to have such a good relationship with Han Zhao.

The group walked out of the martial arts school. There were already three carriages parked outside.

Zhang Tianwen pulled Zhao Yuantu very intimately and walked towards the carriage at the front, wanting to ride with him.

When the remaining apprentices saw Su Yun’s unapproachable expression, they consciously entered the second carriage.

Han Zhao followed.