Translator: CinderTL
In this world, there are indeed cultivators. Although Xu Sanyan had never seen one, he had heard of their existence. Moreover, the terms "cultivation techniques" and "spells" on his status panel served as indirect evidence of this fact.
Xu Sanyan had long been paying attention to everything related to the cultivation world, but so far, he had found no leads.
However, this time… it seemed like he might have found a clue.
Could someone really reach the Peak Stage of Qi Refinement at the age of eleven, relying solely on mundane techniques?
Xu Sanyan wasn't sure, but he was skeptical.
Tang Huanhuan buried her head in the blanket. "There have been rumors for years that the Ma family might possess cultivation techniques, but they were never confirmed. With the Ma family's influence, the rumors gradually died down… until Ma Tianqing appeared."
To outsiders, Ma Tianqing's achievement of reaching the Peak Stage of Qi Refinement at the age of eleven was merely a sign of extraordinary talent. But to those with a discerning eye, it wasn't that simple.
Xu Sanyan silently pondered. The Jin family's actions were likely not just about eliminating a threat—they probably had other motives.
"What do you think?" Tang Huanhuan stuck her cold feet under Xu Sanyan's legs to warm them.
Xu Sanyan kept his eyes closed and countered with a question of his own, "And you?"
Tang Huanhuan took a deep breath. The room smelled of stinky feet, but she didn't seem to mind. "Perhaps… this is fate's favor upon us?"
"You know…" Xu Sanyan slowly opened his eyes. "Wu Jue didn't tell us about this. What does that imply?"
"Of course I know. That old man wants to keep it all for himself." Tang Huanhuan's drunken eyes instantly cleared.
"Heh… indeed. Even father and son can turn against each other when it comes to cultivation, let alone us, who are just adopted sons."
Xu Sanyan understood but refused to accept it.
He wanted to fight. He wanted to seize it!
"Let's join forces and share the cultivation techniques. What do you say?" Tang Huanhuan lifted her head and stared at Xu Sanyan's profile.
Xu Sanyan smiled slightly, then flipped over and pinned her beneath him. "Alright…"
...
In a courtyard at the center of the stronghold, Wu Jue lay on a rocking chair, eyes closed in deep thought. Behind him, a mature woman gently massaged his shoulders, her expression tinged with melancholy.
After a while, she spoke softly, "Master, can our son's illness really be cured?"
Wu Jue sighed inwardly. He had killed countless people and committed many atrocities in his life, yet he had never faced retribution himself. Instead, it seemed to have fallen upon his son.
His son had been weak and sickly since childhood, struggling even to stand and walk, let alone practice martial arts. Over the years, they had consulted countless renowned doctors and even consumed precious herbs, but there had been no improvement.
He had even considered the idea of having another son to carry on the family line, giving up on his eldest.
But despite his numerous efforts and taking several concubines, he had not been blessed with another child.
As for his son, he was completely useless—born with a congenital defect that rendered him impotent.
Now, there was only one solution left: cultivation.
Perhaps by becoming a cultivator, he could cure his son's illness. Even if he couldn't, he could at least extend his own life and try to father another son.
He could not bear the thought of the Wu family line ending with him. He was determined to become the Wu family's ancestor, ensuring the family's prosperity for generations to come, worshipped by his descendants.
He knew that being a bandit was not a sustainable path, so he had long prepared for his future. He had houses, gold and silver, martial arts manuals, and vast lands—everything he needed.
But now… it seemed the Wu family might be doomed.
The trip to Dafeng Town would be his last chance.
No one knew he had a son—not even Xu Sanyan and the others.
...
Second-in-command Liu Hong stood in the courtyard, watching as night slowly fell, his heart unsettled.
He knew he was the weakest among them. His martial skills were even inferior to Xu Sanyan's. The only reason he had risen to the position of second-in-command was because he had been in the gang the longest and had a knack for strategizing, often advising Wu Jue.
Regarding the matter of Dafeng Town, Wu Jue had not revealed the truth to him. When the Jin family's envoy had arrived, Liu Hong had not been present, and no one knew what the two had discussed.
But Wu Jue seemed to have forgotten—Liu Hong's mind was always sharp…
...
The next morning.
Xu Sanyan patted Tang Huanhuan's butt. "Time to get up."
"Hmm…" Tang Huanhuan let out a lazy grunt, slowly pulling her arm out from under the blanket and stretching.
Xu Sanyan got up and dressed as usual, then habitually checked his status panel. His eyebrows shot up, and a look of delight spread across his face.
[Vitality — 3]
His Vitality had increased by one point.
With this additional point, Xu Sanyan could now improve his cultivation!
Based on past experience, this improvement should allow him to reach the Peak Stage of Qi Refinement, matching Ma Tianqing's level.
This point of "Vitality" had come at just the right time!
Xu Sanyan quickly finished dressing and went to a side room alone. With a thought, he consumed the three points of "Vitality."
In an instant, a surge of energy emerged from his lungs and rapidly spread throughout his limbs, a pleasurable sensation rushing to the top of his head.
This energy silently repaired his internal injuries, strengthened his bones and muscles, and nourished his internal organs.
After a moment, Xu Sanyan stood up, clenching his fists tightly, feeling the increased strength in his body. His spirits soared.
He glanced at the wall, confident he could punch through it, but after a moment's thought, he lowered his arm.
Tang Huanhuan was still here.
After reaching the Peak Stage of Qi Refinement, his strength, speed, and physical resilience had all improved significantly. His overall power had more than doubled.
An ordinary group of twenty or thirty men wouldn't even be able to get close to him.
Xu Sanyan returned to the room, where Xiu He had already prepared breakfast. Tang Huanhuan looked at him and narrowed her eyes. "You… seem a bit different."
"What's different?" Xu Sanyan naturally sat down at the table and began eating.
Tang Huanhuan shook her head. "I can't put my finger on it."
Xu Sanyan smiled. "Let's eat. We'll need our strength for what's ahead."
After breakfast, the two headed to the meeting hall. Almost everyone had gathered—over a hundred men, each mounted on a horse, stood in the open space outside.
Wu Jue scanned the crowd, then raised his hand. "Mount up!"
This time, he didn't plan to leave anyone behind. Everyone was coming. This might be his final battle.
If they succeeded, they would no longer need to be bandits. If they failed, they wouldn't get another chance.
Over a hundred riders charged out of the stronghold, heading straight for Dafeng Town.
An hour later.
Xu Sanyan squinted at the town faintly visible in the distance through the yellow sand. This was Dafeng Town.
At that moment, the sound of hoofbeats came from behind. Xu Sanyan turned to see a large group of people approaching—it was Geng the Cripple and his gang.
"So, the old man's still alive?" Geng the Cripple rode up, swaying on his horse.
"Hmph, I'll die long after you," Wu Jue snorted.
As the saying goes, rivals in the same trade are enemies. The two had been competing in the same territory for years, neither able to gain the upper hand, but the accumulated resentment between them ran deep.
Geng the Cripple had no interest in bickering. He waved his hand toward the back. "Let's go in and take a look."
"Alright."
Wu Jue turned to Xu Sanyan and pulled out a golden key from his pocket. "Give this to the Jin family's gatekeeper and see if you can gather any information."
Xu Sanyan nodded, then spurred his horse toward Dafeng Town.
As he approached, Xu Sanyan could see the town's appearance clearly. The low walls were made of rammed earth, and at the gate stood a group of about thirty or forty soldiers, each armed with a long sword and wearing leather armor.
Xu Sanyan rode in boldly, and the soldiers didn't even bother to stop him. Years of peaceful living had dulled their vigilance. They would never have imagined that bandits would dare to target Dafeng Town.
(End of the Chapter)
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