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Chapter 288: Freak

Translator: WQL Editor: EbonyFrost

After killing a Hell-black spider and gathering a green ball of Soul Fire, Guo Miaolu caught sight of some hell black spiders rushing towards her. She dared not to stay still; instead, she hurriedly ran upward from the foot of the canyon. When she arrived at a safer place, before this elder sister from Zhixing Department gasped twice, she had already noticed that Zhang Tie, the common enemy of the girls in Zhixing Department was standing not far from her and was watching the fight between human and spiders in the 100-m deep canyon.

Last night, Guo Miaolu had already found out from other girls that Zhang Tie would go to the Dragon Cave to form Iron-Blood Battle Qi; however, she could never imagine she would see Zhang Tie here. This Dark Canyon was not like other places as it gathered most the Hell-black spiders and was much more dangerous than other places. Almost no newbie who had reached level 6 dared to gather battle qi here before being fully familiar with the fighting skills of these Hell-black spiders. The girls in Zhixing Department and the others had already fought the hell black spiders for over a month in other places. Many of them had already been able to feel Soul Fire entering their body. Therefore, they tried to challenge more Hell-black spiders in the Dark Canyon.

"Not bad. Soul Fire already entered your body." Having just found what was Soul Fire entering one's body, Zhang Tie instantly praised her like an experienced old man when he found Guo Miaolu was staring at him with enlarged eyes.

Guo Miaolu then slightly frowned. After glancing at Zhang Su at Zhang Tie's side, she immediately looked gloomy and asked in a bad mood, "What are you here for?"

"There are so many Hell-black spiders here, I'm here to form my battle qi!" Zhang Tie said bluntly.

"You are here to form battle qi?" Guo Miaolu became slightly dumbfounded, "You're going to die. How dare you come here? You are new here! Do you know how many level 6 newbies have been killed in the Dark Canyon? Over 100. Yesterday, one more died here. With so many Hell -black spiders here, once you enter the canyon, you might lose your life while being ambushed by them!"

"I didn't think that Miaolu cared about me so much!" Zhang Tie gave a bashful smile.

The moment Zhang Tie uttered her name, Guo Miaolu quivered all over, closely followed by a burning fury. With eyebrows raising up, she swore, "F*rt, I just don't want you to die here while owing a debt to the girls of Zhixing Department!"

"Trust me, I won't die. Besides being disgusting, these insects don't look like that sharp." Zhang Tie teased.

Before Guo Miaolu was able to say anything else, Zhang Tie had already jumped down onto the bulging rocks on the walls as swift as a goat and arrived at the bottom of the Dark Canyon in a short while.

"Senior brother!" Guo Miaolu looked at Zhang Su, "Is it...okay for Zhang Tie?" Although Zhang Tie was annoying, Guo Miaolu didn't want to see him die here.

"Don't worry, he'll be safe. He's a freak!" Zhang Su shook his head while added inside, "Hope you're not too shocked when you see for yourself."

Looking at the shadow of Zhang Tie at the foot of the canyon, Guo Miaolu became slightly curious, "What's his talent?" How could he make his cousin so reassured? He didn't even take a weapon."

There were huge bottomless seams on the ground of the Dark Canyon. It was bloody everywhere due to the bleeding corpses of the Hell-black spiders. Being stimulated by this bloody scene, more and more Hell-black spiders constantly climbed out of the seams. Zhang Tie saw these disgusting Hell-black spiders didn't even spare their partner's bodies. Once they found that their partners were killed, some hell black spiders would soon drag the dead bodies into hidden and gloomy places. Soon after that, Zhang Tie would hear terrifying chewing sounds from there.

In comparison to Zhang Tie, the other people in the canyon were all in groups of 2-3. For many level 6 newbies who had not formed their battle qi, their partners could help them out while being attacked by a group of Hell-black spiders.

Of course, some people who had greater fighting skills could take advantage of the topography in the canyon to deal with the Hell-black spiders. As a result, those dead hell black spiders would produce colorful Soul Fire, which would then automatically float towards those people who killed the spiders.

"Haha...I got one more Soul Fire!"

Along with the growls of people were exclamations which could be heard every so often.

Zhang Tie took a careful look around and found that most Soul Fires were grey and white; with a few of them being green, cyan, faint blue and red. According to his cousin, these Soul Fires came from resonance between the mysterious energy from the spiders and each person. Different colors represented different ranks and kinds of battle qi.

What a marvelous thing!

As they were all busy fighting Hell-black spiders, nobody paid attention to Zhang Tie. With the exception of Guo Miaolu, the other boys and girls from Zhixing Department didn't know that Zhang Tie was there yet.

The first Hell-black spider had already appeared in front of Zhang Tie less than one minute after Zhang Tie arrived at the foot of the canyon. Seeing that spider piercing its sharp forelimbs towards him, Zhang Tie instantly hacked towards its forelimbs using "Sword-like Palm", which was one of the free movements of Iron-Blood Fist Skill.

The forelimbs of Hell-black spiders collided with Zhang Tie's "Sword-like Palm...

Zhang Tie then cleanly cut off a forelimb of the Hell-black spider as if he had used a kitchen knife to slice bean curd. The moment the spider lost its balance and tilted towards him, Zhang Tie had kicked on the bottom of its head. After exploding his Iron-Blood Untouchable Strength, he instantly shocked its brain into a mess.

The fight ended in 2 seconds.

After killing this Hell-black spider, Zhang Tie continued to move forward. Soon after that, three hell black spiders appeared in front of Zhang Tie, one in the front, two in the back. This time, Zhang Tie suddenly paced up and surged forward before they attacked him, "Bang" "Bang" "Bang", with three sounds, their brains flew a second later...

Zhang Tie kept going.

Standing on top of the Dark Canyon, Guo Miaolu was shocked by Zhang Tie's swift movements. Those Hell-black spiders which frightened all the newbies didn't have the ability to even respond to Zhang Tie. However, she didn't know that Zhang Tie had already been able to kill those level 6 military officers of Sun Dynasty who had formed battle qi like chopping melons and vegetables when he was only level 4, let alone these hell black spiders which were used to form battle qi.

Guo Miaolu was really surprised by Zhang Tie's movements. However, she had never imagined that there were more surprises to come. When he swiftly killed the fifth Hell-black spider, a golden light had already started to gather from the corpses of the previous spiders. They became balls of golden Soul Fire and floated towards Zhang Tie.

In that pitch-dark valley, the golden Soul Fires were unique as they were as dazzling as sunlight.

"Golden...Soul Fire? That must be an illusion!" Guo Miaolu rubbed her eyes as she didn't believe what happened at the foot of the canyon...

When the first ball of Soul Fire entered his body, Zhang Tie had already killed six Hell-black spiders. When the second ball of Soul Fire entered his body, Zhang Tie had already killed eight spiders while the third ball of Soul Fire entered his body, Zhang Tie had already killed 11 spiders.

Obviously, Zhang Tie killed those Hell-black spiders faster than the Soul Fires could form. Later, the scene was as follows——When Zhang Tie was swiftly eliminating the Hell-black spiders which were rushing towards him, the golden balls of Soul Fire started to gather, rise and float towards Zhang Tie like golden comets. As a result, the gloomy canyon was filled with brilliant golden flying lights of different lengths.

Standing at the top of the canyon and watching those traces of golden light constantly flying towards Zhang Tie, Guo Miaolu suddenly felt they were exceptionally beautiful. She felt the golden lights were as beautiful as the feathers on the tail of the legendary phoenix...

Guo Miaolu was confused about how such a mean, lecherous, greedy and sinister guy could create such a beautiful and shocking scene. Compared to the constantly rising Soul Fire behind Zhang Tie, all the other sparse Soul Fires behind other people became ornaments.

Gradually, Zhang Tie arouse the public's attention as more and more people in the canyon started to pay attention to him. After noticing the increasing number of golden Soul Fire behind Zhang Tie, the others all became dumbfounded. "Who's that guy? How can he gather golden Soul Fire? That only belongs to top grade battle qis!"

...

When more and more golden Soul Fire automatically flew into Zhang Tie's dantian elixir field, Zhang Tie had already entered a wonderful state. He felt the Iron-Blood Untouchable Strength in his body had slowly changed in a strange way after integrating with the Soul Fire.

Being immersed in fighting Hell-black spiders, Zhang Tie completely forgot time...

Not knowing how long had passed, with a sound of "Paka...", Zhang Tie seemed to hear the sound of breaking eggs. At the same time, the golden swirl of spiritual energy in Zhang Tie's mind exploded, followed by a widespread golden brilliance. It started to completely integrate with the exceptional strength in his body. A wholly new strength then started to rise from the inside of Zhang Tie's body. Like a lion that suddenly broke out of its cage, he entered a new realm.

In a split second, Zhang Tie felt that each of his cells was filled with a huge strength.

Zhang Tie started to radiate a Soul Fire-like blurry shadow. An obscure, huge Hell-black spider started to grow bigger and clearer behind Zhang Tie which gradually turned into a real totem of a grim golden spider of 30-40 m in height. Behind this terrifying golden spider totem, bloody waves rolled in like banners...

...

In the Dark Canyon, at the sight of that huge golden totem and the rolling banner-like bloody waves behind him, that "cold-harrumph" youth who came here together with Zhang Tie and Zhang Su had completely changed his face as he mumbled, "Iron-Blood Battle Qi...Bloody Banners...Iron-Blood Battle Qi...Bloody Banners, that's not possible, that's not possible..."

At this time, the "cold-harrumph" youth was also attempting to form his battle qi. However, compared to that 30-40 m oppressive totem behind Zhang Tie, the battle qi totem of that "cold-harrumph" youth was only 2-3 m in height. In front of Zhang Tie's battle qi totem, it was as funny as a toy at the foot of the giant...

"Sister Fu", "Junior brother Yu", "Junior brother Feng", "Senior brother An" and "Senior sister Fang" who came to Hidden Dragon Island together with Zhang Tie on the same passenger liner were also in the Dark Canyon. As they were 4-5 km away from Zhang Tie, they didn't see the shocking image when the golden Soul Fire entered Zhang Tie's body. However, at this moment, when that terrifying huge battle qi totem behind Zhang Tie appeared, the five people naturally noticed it.

"Senior sister Fang, what...what's that?" Junior brother Feng pointed at the battle qi totem behind Zhang Tie and stammered.

"It looks like the battle qi totem of Iron-Blood Battle Qi, Bloody Banner...but how could it be that huge, that terrifying. Is there any from the imperial household of Norman Empire forming battle-qi?" Seeing that unprecedented battle qi totem, senior sister Fang became stunned for quite awhile before replied in an unimaginable look.

"Let's go have a look..." Senior brother An responded as he too was excited. Therefore he suggested taking a look there to see who was forming such a terrifying battle qi totem to broaden their horizons.

The moment senior brother An finished, they then started to run towards where Zhang Tie's location.

Only after running several hundred meters, a thunder-like long wail had drifted from the place where the huge battle qi totem rose. Being affected, all the Hell-black spiders close to the howl started to wail as they lay on the ground like shaking lambs waiting to be slaughtered. At the same time, all the other Hell-black spiders hurriedly retreated into the seams...

The whole Dark Canyon then became quiet.

This was a side effect and the most remarkable symbol and name card of all the top battle qi——totem shock! Those who could form these top battle qi were naturally threatening to those magical beasts and monsters that appeared on the battle qi totems. At this moment, Zhang Tie's long howl was due to the energy contained the totem shock of Iron-Blood Battle Qi.

...

"F*ck!" Even always being calm, Zhang Tie's cousin Zhang Su still couldn't help but swear...

All the people in the entire Dark Canyon started to run towards Zhang Tie. Looking at this boy who walked through those shaking Hell-black spiders towards her, Guo Miaolu almost couldn't connect this man with that guy in her mind.

The terrifying battle qi totem behind this person was as majestic as that of a God, which covered the entire Dark Canyon. However, in her memory, that bastard was a miser and lady-killer who didn't even spare 1 silver coin to support the girls' business. There was a great contrast...

"Am I dreaming?" Guo Miaolu couldn't help but ask herself...

"Ha...ha...Junior sister Miaolu, you have to call me senior brother from today on. Don't forget about our bet! You owe me 90 gold coins now. Erm. I'm always generous. Let's start calculating its interest from tomorrow!" Zhang Tie walked towards her with a smile!

Hearing Zhang Tie's words, Zhang Su's eye corner twitched once again, while Guo Miaolu started to grind her teeth. "I'm not dreaming! That's the douchebag..."

Chapter 289: Entering the Breaking Heaven Department

Translator: WQL Editor: EbonyFrost

If you don't enter the Breaking Heaven Department, you can't say that you've cultivated in Hidden Dragon Palace——This was what Zhang Su told Zhang Tie when they left Dragon Cave last night.

After coming back yesterday, Zhang Tie couldn't clearly remember the chaotic scene at supper anymore. When he appeared in the canteen last night, all the boys and girls who knew that Zhang Tie had formed Iron-Blood Battle Qi in one day had become dumbfounded. What made it more chaotic were the many senior brothers who rushed in from the Breaking Heaven Department as they were exclaiming loudly —— "Where's Zhang Tie? Where's the Zhang Tie who formed Iron-Blood Battle Qi with a battle qi totem as high as dozens of meters in one day? Where's the Zhang Tie who shocked the entire Hidden Dragon Island?"

When so many people poured into the Zhixing Department, it instantly became as noisy as a vegetable market. However, this was not the end. Closely after, there was another group of guys from the Breaking Heaven Department who rushed down the mountain. The latter ones shouted loudly—— "Where's Zhang Tie? Where's that liar? How could he form Iron-Blood Battle Qi in one day? Is he trying to cheat us out of our money? No way! We have to confirm it..."

To end this farce, Zhang Tie released his battle qi totem in the Zhixing Department——Bloody Banner once again!

When the huge spider of the horrific battle qi totem that was 40-50 m tall emerged which was over 10 times larger than that of common battle qi totems appeared behind Zhang Tie, it covered the entire Zhixing Department and the whole world seemed to stand still...

Everybody then raised their heads and watched the battle qi totem behind Zhang Tie with obsessed, admiring, envious, fearful, shocked, and confused expressions——Damn, what a freak!

Although being suspected of showing off, Zhang Tie found it was beneficial to his physical and mental health by doing this occasionally, especially when he looked at the girls' expressions, Zhang Tie felt pretty comfortable inside. "Guess how this senior brother will deal with you little girls..."

This was the last night that Zhang Tie slept in the Zhixing Department.

The next morning, although being only a short distance from the Breaking Heaven Department, as Zhang Tie's friends in Zhixing Department, Zhang Keliang, Wei Wu and the other guys still insisted on accompanying Zhang Tie there.

"If we knew that you'd have done it so easily, we would have put more gold coins as the wager!" When they bid farewell to Zhang Tie, Wei Wu said regretfully, "Who could have imagined that you were such a freak! How could you form Iron-Blood Battle Qi as easily as drinking water!"

"I really want to know, how much did you put on me?" Zhang Tie asked Zhang Keliang.

"I put 28 gold coins. Yunfei put 2 gold coins and 36 silver coins. Hongsheng put 13 gold coins and 79 silver coins. Wei Wu only put 11 gold coins, hahaha..." Zhang Keliang laughed heartily. After winning money, everybody became very happy.

Hearing those words, Zhang Tie didn't say anything, but he felt a bit moved. After staying with them for several months, of course, Zhang Tie knew that this time, Zhang Keliang, Zhang Yunfei and Zhang Hongsheng had used all their savings to support him. Although being a bit slippery, Wei Wu could only put 13 or 14 gold coins by then. Thinking of how his brothers picked up navy-blue iron ores in the ocean together with him and their sincere support, Zhang Tie felt warm inside.

Zhang Tie didn't say nothing; instead, he just tightly embraced them, "I'm waiting for you in the Breaking Heaven Department!"

"I will reach level 6 in two months. Then I will go form battle qi..." Zhang Keliang smiled, "Hongsheng and Xiaowu are still level 5, Yunfei will soon be level 5 too. We will soon meet each other in the Breaking Heaven Department!"

"After entering the Breaking Heaven Department, I've already got a plan to help us make a lot of money. I'm sure that we'll have enough money every day without having to do hard work anymore..." Wei Wu stealthily said.

"Wuh, what's that?" Zhang Yunfei asked out of curiosity. Even Zhang Tie moved his eyes onto Wei Wu. "This guy always has eccentric ideas. He might really have a way to make money in the Breaking Heaven Department." After hearing Zhang Su's introduction about Breaking Heaven Department last night, Zhang Tie had already considered how to make money.

"This is a very simple plan. We can rent a big tent like that of a circus that could hold several hundred people. The ticket price is 10 silver coins a person. Only by performing three times a day will we earn enough money!"

"You want to perform? If you were there, I'm afraid that you have to reduce the ticket price to 1 copper coin!" Zhang Hongsheng mocked him aside.

"Of course not me, heh..heh...who has ever seen the battle qi totem of Iron-Blood Battle Qi of 40-50 m in height? Once we drag Zhang Tie out and parade him around in a circle while releasing his battle qi totem to broaden the crowd's horizons, would the people on Hidden Dragon Island care about 10 silver coins? No matter what, if it was me, I would definitely pay to have a look. This is would definitely be a travel program on Hidden Dragon Island..." Wei Wu giggled, "Last night, I even thought about advertisements. Cough... dear elders and brethren, as you pass by, don't miss it. You only need to pay 10 silver coins, with only 10 silver coins, you will see a battle qi totem 40-50 m in height of the top grade Iron-Blood Battle Qi up close. Come on and have a look..."

Watching Wei Wu's hilarious performance, Zhang Tie pretended to kick his butts while Wei Wu smirked and jumped off. In this way, they departed from each other.

Watching the shadows of his friends, Zhang Tie really started to consider the feasibility of Wei Wu's joke. He then revealed a smile and shook his head. If he would really do this, Zhang Tie was sure that in a short while, he would definitely be killed by the assassins dispatched by Norman Empire——if one dared to take the secret knowledge of Norman Empire's imperial household as a joke, he must want to die.

After taking a deep breath, Zhang Tie turned and walked towards the Middle Castle of Hidden Dragon Palace.

The Middle Castle of Hidden Dragon Palace was in the middle of the mountain. The whole castle was over 70 m high and was completely composed of hard black steel rocks. It was much larger than the Lower Castle. The Middle Castle looked more magnificent than Wild Wolf Castle. It was the entrance to the Breaking Heaven Department. Only after entering Middle Castle could he make it to his destination. Standing at the gate of the Middle Castle, Zhang Tie raised his head and looked at various powerful defense facilities that faintly revealed a grim killing intent.

Previously, Zhang Tie was not even qualified to enter the Middle Castle. Now, Zhang Tie finally gained this qualification. After taking a deep breath, Zhang Tie lifted his luggage and walked towards the gate of this huge castle.

After arriving at the gate of the Middle Castle, under the gaze of two rows of fully-armored soldiers, Zhang Tie pulled out of his clan plate and inserted it into a card slot in a one person high metal machine as was told by his cousin Zhang Su. After doing that, Zhang Tie heard the sound of moving gears drifting from the inside the machine. Only after several seconds was Zhang Tie's clan plate spat out of the machine. At the same time, an iron gate that held access to the inside of Middle Castle also automatically open. After that, the two rows of fully-armored soldiers moved their eyes away from Zhang Tie.

Ever since he was born, it was Zhang Tie's first time to contact such a hi-tech machine. According to Zhang Su, Middle Castle was not only the entrance to the Breaking Heaven Department but also to the management point. Under the ground of Middle Castle, there was a steam-driven machine that could identify the special metal grains on the clan plates of Zhang Tie's family. Once Zhang Tie gained access to the Breaking Heaven Department, the gate of Middle Castle would be open for him.

After entering the Castle, what Zhang Tie first saw was a magnificent hall, in which, there was a counter while some youths in the uniform of the Breaking Heaven Department were queuing up. Having been told what to do by Zhang Su, Zhang Tie instantly joined them. Behind the counter were some scholars in rigorous uniforms.

Some in front of Zhang Tie were submitting gold coins over the counter while the others passed their paper tapes over the counter. Along with the gold coins and the paper tapes, were their clan plates. After receiving the gold coins and the paper tapes, the people behind the counter took a serious look at them before inserting each clan plate into a huge machine with more operating buttons and sophisticated keys which was similar to the machine outside the gate. After that, they pressed the buttons and the drawbars to withdraw the clan plate out of the machine.

"Ouyang Guang has submitted 30 gold coins as the monthly payment for March in the Breaking Heaven Department..."

...

"Zhang Zhenyue has submitted 30 gold coins as the monthly payment for March in Breaking Heaven Department..."

...

"Zhang Wei has finished clan task No. Z125 and gained 120 clan contribution points..."

...

"Qi Fei has submitted 30 gold coins as the monthly payment for March in Breaking Heaven Department..."

...

"Zhang Guowei has finished clan task No. T14 and gained 50 clan contribution points."

The person in front of Zhang Tie who looked 2 years older was Zhang Guowei. After confirming that he had gained 50 clan contribution points, Zhang Tie heard him let out a sigh, "Can you check how many clan contribution points I have now please..."

After this person asked, Zhang Tie had noticed the people's movements behind the counter. After hearing Zhang Guowei's request, the people who operated that weird machine just pulled down a drawbar on that machine to run some gears. After that, a series of numbers showed up from an odometer-like visible window on the side of that person.

Of course, this machine was not a steam-based machine. Instead, it was a machine application terminal that was connected to the steam-based machine. Zhang Su said the steam-based machine that was underground was about three floors tall. With a steam turbine as the driving force, the perimeter of those gears in the machine, after being connected could circle around the Hidden Dragon Island several times.

"Along with the 50 clan contribution points by finishing this clan task, you have 176 clan donation points in total. Anything else do you want to know?"

"No, thanks!" Feeling a bit agonized, that one called Zhang Guowei shook his head.

After returning the clan plate from the machine, that operator gave it back to Zhang Guowei. When he left, Zhang Tie heard him mumbling while looking at the ceiling, "Alas, I still need 24 clan contribution points to learn Iron Elephant Skill..."

After he left, it was Zhang Tie's turn..

Chapter 290: Dreaming of Becoming an Alchemist

Translator: WQL Editor: KLKL

When he came to the front of the counter, Zhang Tie handed in his clan plate and the 360 gold coins that he had long prepared.

"If you have enough money, you'd better hand in 1 year's worth of expenses in advance."

This was what Zhang Tie's cousin suggested to him when he handed Zhang Tie's principal of 300 gold coins and the 900 gold coins from Zhang Haige to him.

It was said that Zhang Haige and his cousin really suffered a great loss this time. They lost both face and money. After paying the wager, the two people went out to do tasks for money on the same day. What poor brothers.

Because of this, Zhang Tie carried over 1200 gold coins at this moment. Plus with the debts from the girls in Zhixing Department, Zhang Tie was definitely the richest newbie in Breaking-Heavens Department now.

"I'm new here, today I want to make 1 year's worth of payment in advance..."

"Are you Zhang Tie?" That old scholar behind the counter took Zhang Tie's item as he lowered his head down, lowered his glasses and took a serious look at Zhang Tie.

After what happened yesterday, Zhang Tie knew that he was not a trivial person in Hidden Dragon Palace any more. Many people should have heard about Zhang Tie. Therefore, Zhang Tie was not startled by that old scholar's response. Instead, he just calmly nodded.

"Wait a moment, I have to check the source of this money since you entered the Hidden Dragon Palace!"

Zhang Tie nodded as that old scholar stood up from behind the counter and moved into another room that Zhang Tie could not see. After 1 minute, he returned.

Zhang Tie thought that the managers of Hidden Dragon Palace could easily find the source of a large amount of money from certain students based on their acknowledgement about the intelligence of clan apprentices. If they could not even figure out whether their students were carrying illegal money in, the Hidden Dragon Palace would lose face.

"The source of your money is legal. 1 year's payment in advance, are you sure..."

"I'm sure!"

"Fine!" After counting the gold coins, the man inserted the clan plate into the slot of that machine and made some operations.

"Zhang Tie, submit a year's payment, 360 gold coins..." The old scholar returned the status plate and 2 keys to Zhang Tie, "Your room is No. 7, the room headed by Xuan in Songtao Pavilion. Here are the keys for Songtao Pavilion and your room!"

"Thanks!" Zhang Tie took these items and glanced at that machine out of curiosity, "I wonder if I could ask, since you don't give me a receipt after I've paid 360 gold coins, what do I do if you dispute me later on?"

The moment he heard Zhang Tie's words, the old scholar widened his eyes and glared at Zhang Tie, "Dispute you? Unless Hidden Dragon Palace was broken into by force and the difference machine system in the Middle Castle was completely destroyed, your information in the database of the difference machine in Hidden Dragon Palace would never be mistaken, don't you know?" Saying this, the old scholar turned his head and loudly shouted to the other staff members in the room behind the counter, "Listen, the brat is doubting our machine saying it could make a mistake, what the f*ck..."

In a split second, all the other old guys wearing oversleeves in the room started to glare at Zhang Tie just like some pious believers whose religion had just been insulted.

Noticing that he'd stirred up big trouble, Zhang Tie hurriedly apologized and escaped.

After leaving the Middle Castle from the back door, Zhang Tie had officially entered the Lingtian Department. Not until he entered did Zhang Tie realize the magnificence of this place which was set off by the mountain scenery. Compared to the Breaking-Heavens Department, that courtyard of Zhixing Department was more like a preschool and kindergarten.

The Breaking-Heavens Department occupied a wide area of valley and woods in the hillside. The architectural style combined both Chinese and western features. Zhang Tie could see pavilions, terraces and open halls everywhere. It was like a palace here. Twisting corridors and raised eaves spread over the terrain. There was a waterfall among the mountains, forming a silver, heavenly waterfall in the Breaking-Heavens Department. Gurgling water could be seen everywhere in the courtyard while fish were swimming leisurely in the water. Exotic flowers and grasses were evergreen all year round. It was really Zhang Tie's first time seeing such beautiful scenery.

After looking around, Zhang Tie realized that the scale of Breaking-Heavens Department was only a bit smaller than those towns on the Hidden Dragon Island.

Being different from Zhixing Department where it was quiet in the daytime, the Breaking-Heavens Department was full of people and pretty vigorous. Under the heavenly waterfall, a large number of people were practicing swordsmanship. On the top of a cliff, many people were sitting there with legs crossed and were practicing breathing skills. In contrast, a lot of people were reading books and talking by the sides of the stream and in the pavilions.

Everyone here was busy doing something, except for someone who was walking fast on their way.

Because the residential area of Breaking-Heavens Department was centralized, Zhang Tie could easily find the Songtao Pavilion. It was a huge traditional Chinese building of five floors being close to a pinewood forest.

After entering the Songtao Pavilion using the key, Zhang Tie found that each floor of Songtao Pavilion had 8 rooms, each of which occupied a corner of the pavilion. The No. 7 room headed by Xuan was on the 4th floor of Songtao Pavilion, which faced southwest. On that early morning, Zhang Tie didn't meet anybody in the Songtao Pavilion before he arrived in front of his room. He thought they all must have gone out.

After opening the door, Zhang Tie put down his luggage as he finally let out a sigh. 1 gold coin a day, with the exception of the hard, wooden board bed, which remained the toughest feature of Hidden Dragon Palace, the other things were much better than that in Zhixing Department.

Besides the bedroom, there was also a toilet, a study room, a metal processing workshop and a cultivation room that faced directly towards the balcony. There were some thick crystal pillars at the corners of the room, each of which weighed heavier than 10 kg. Once he entered the room, being influenced by the powerful qi field of the "crystal generator", Zhang Tie had already felt his battle qi becoming a bit flexible and energetic.

Only after spending several minutes roughly arranging his luggage, did Zhang Tie leave the Songtao Pavilion.

Over 10 minutes later, Zhang Tie finally found the right place after asking many people along the way here.

This was a small building, which was located in the pinewood forest. It looked pretty trivial among the numerous tall and magnificent buildings in the Breaking-Heavens Department. In front of the small building, there was a horizontal board, on which was written——"Juveniles should have breaking-heaven ambitions!"

When Zhang Tie arrived here, there was a juvenile who had just walked out of the small building full of ambitions. Outside the small building, that juvenile made a big bow towards it before he left.

It was a great person who lived in the Breaking-Heavens Department. Zhang Su's cousin called this man the Bamboo Woods Man. Each person who was new here in the Breaking-Heavens Department should visit the Bamboo Woods Man before officially starting their lives in the Breaking-Heavens Department.

There was a strange rule for visiting the Bamboo Woods Man. It was free for all the newbies who came to visit him the first time. However, they had to pay him 100 gold coins and 100 clan donation points for the second time, then 1000 gold coins and 1000 clan donation points for the 3rd time. Everybody could only visit him 3 times in total.

As Zhang Tie was new here today, it was free.

Zhang Su told Zhang Tie that each person who came to visit the Bamboo Woods Man would have a great achievement. Therefore, he emphasized that Zhang Tie had to respect him.

Zhang Su also let Zhang Tie carefully consider his ambitions and suggested that Zhang Tie don't go to visit the Bamboo Woods Man before figuring out what he wanted to do and what person he wanted to be, in case he wasted the first chance.

Of course, Zhang Tie wouldn't waste this chance. His cousin's suggestion was acceptable, but Zhang Tie had long found the orientation of his soul and the target he dreamed of for in the rest of his life.

With a very dubious attitude, Zhang Tie arranged his clothes outside the small building and cleaned the mud on his shoes before he entered the small building.

An old man with an infant-like red and smooth face and white-snow hair was inclining his body against a soft bed on one side of a desk. The moment he saw Zhang Tie, he mumbled, which really stunned Zhang Tie.

"Another nuisance surnamed Zhang, alas..."

"Sorry to trouble you!" According to his cousin's directions, Zhang Tie smiled as he bowed towards the Bamboo Woods Man before standing in front of the desk with hands crossed modestly.

After glancing at Zhang Tie, the Bamboo Woods Man closed his eyes for quite a while. When he opened his eyes, he let out another sigh, "The path for you is too difficult. I'm afraid that nobody in Hidden Dragon Palace and Zhang clan can help you, even though they are powerful in this region!"

Zhang Tie's heart raced, thinking, 'I've not even opened my mouth, how could he know that? That's impossible! I've not mentioned my ambition to anyone else. Nobody could know.'

"The 2 most exclusive top ancestral blood lines had been awakened in the Zhang clan of Huaiyuan Palace. Any of the two blood lines could lead to rune manufacturing, which was also the top profession among human beings. Most of the Zhang apprentices who come to Hidden Dragon Palace desire to be rune manufactures. The professional rune manufacturers from Zhang clan of Huaiyuan Palace could rank first in the entire Waii Sub-Continent. Do you know how many people in the entire Waii Sub-Continent want to learn how to manufacture rune products? However, you..." tilting against the soft bed, the Bamboo Woods Man glanced at Zhang Tie with a bitter smile, "As a direct descendant of the Zhang clan of Huaiyuan Palace, you obviously meet the top requirements needed to be a rune manufacturer, which the others could never dream of, how could you dream of becoming an alchemist? I don't know whether to swear at you for your stupidity or praise you for being ambitious?"

Zhang Tie was instantly shocked, 'F*ck, he really knows that...'

Chapter 291: Lay a Solid Foundation

Translator: WQL Editor: Millman97

Looking at the shock in Zhang Tie's eyes, the Bamboo Woods Man revealed a faint smile, "Don't be curious about how I know that you are dreaming of becoming an alchemist. It's not telepathy, but a round of calculation by the skill of yi. It's just a small trick; no need to be curious about that!"

Hearing his words, Zhang Tie's heart pounded as he recalled a mysterious oriental profession——augur. It was said that people in this profession could use a calculation skill called "yi", by which they could predict many things. It was truly a marvelous profession.

"You...you're an augur?"

"I'm not an augur. He...he...as I've studied the law of yi for dozens of years, I just know a bit of it!" The Bamboo Woods Man gave a smile as he touched his beard.

Hearing his words, Zhang Tie relaxed a bit. If the old man could really see through him and know everything about him at the first sight of him, Zhang Tie might have already been scared away.

Since he attended that auction in Kalur City, when he witnessed the power of the alchemists, Zhang Tie had already been greatly moved and thoroughly believed that "true heroes should act like alchemists". Having entered the Breaking-Heavens Department, of course Zhang Tie would not give up on his dream due to only one person's suggestion. Perhaps the Zhang clan of Huaiyuan Palace could really cultivate powerful rune manufacturers, but compared to the talent of "touching a stone to turn it into a piece of gold", the great deterrence that an alchemist could bring to a country was more attractive to Zhang Tie.

A guy who could produce horrific "thermal bombs" and casually change common stones into priceless items was far more than "cool"——"Treasure Manufacturer", "Walking Vault", "All-Purpose Stone Speaker", "Thermal Weapon Converter in Cold Weapons Age", "Humanoid Bomb"——When he thought about the reputations of alchemists; Zhang Tie would feel his blood boiling.

To be an alchemist was Zhang Tie's greatest dream that he had found since he was born 15 years ago.

"My dream will not change. What can I learn from you?" Zhang Tie looked at that Bamboo Woods Man with expecting eyes.

"I can only teach you one sentence——lay a solid foundation!" After saying this, the Bamboo Woods Man glanced at Zhang Tie before adding, "Alchemy is the most powerful profession among human beings. Only 1 or 2 out of 100 million people have the ability to stride over the threshold to become an alchemist. Each alchemist is one of the most excellent human beings or has a very exceptional aptitude. If you want to learn from an alchemist, you have to be at least a powerful fighter above LV 9. Igniting 34 surge points and becoming a LV 9 fighter is the lowest condition to come into contact with alchemy. As you are just LV 6, you could not even touch the lowest threshold to be an apprentice of an alchemist, even if there are chances in front of you, you will be not qualified to touch them!"

"The lowest threshold to be the apprentice of an alchemist is LV 9 fighter?" Zhang Tie widened his eyes and asked.

"Of course, each alchemist would always go to the underground world. They have to explore and cultivate in places that are out of commoners' imagination, how could they not even protect themselves? Even though they are LV 9 fighters, they could still barely protect themselves, as they are just fighters! The more powerful the profession is, the higher the threshold would be. If you can not break through the surge points on your spine, your cultivation would be useless. In many powerhouses' eyes, to be a LV 9 fighter is just the beginning on the road of cultivation!" After saying this, the Bamboo Woods Man revealed a faint smile to Zhang Tie while lying on the soft bed, head inclined, "Do you think that LV 9 fighters are powerful?"

Zhang Tie forced a bashful smile. Ever since he was born, he had never encountered a fighter above LV 9. When in school, Miss Daina had promised them if any one could be a LV 9 Bloody-Scorpion fighter, she would marry him. Therefore, Zhang Tie always thought that a LV 9 fighter was pretty powerful. LV 9 was once Zhang Tie's target. As for the ranks after LV 9, he really didn't know. This was determined by the knowledge, background, and experience of Zhang Tie. However, according to the Fibonacci Number Series, there are definitely more powerful ranks after LV 9.

"Can you talk about the ranks after LV 9? I'm still confused about the ranks after LV 9. When I was in school, we learned that it was related to Fibonacci Number Series." As the Bamboo Woods Man was in front of him and this lesson was free, Zhang Tie seized this chance and asked in a respectful way.

The old man smiled, "Most commoners might not be able to reach LV 9 in their whole lives. But in the eyes of the truly powerful men, a LV 9 fighter is just someone who has ignited 34 surge points on their spine. He or she has only just entered the ranks of cultivators."

"When you ignite 55 surge points, you will be a strong fighter."

...

"When you ignite 89 surge points, you will be a fighting master."

...

"When you ignite 144 surge points, you will be a great fighting master."

...

"When you ignite 233 surge points, you will be a fighting spirit."　　

...

"When you ignite 377 surge points, you will be a fighting monster."

...

"When you ignite 610 surge points, namely when you have ignited all the surge points, you will be a fighting general."

The Bamboo Woods Man patiently explained.

"It turns out that with the exception of the shrine surge point, there are 610 more surge points!" Zhang Tie mumbled. As he realized that he had just ignited 20 surge points out of the 610, Zhang Tie started to ooze cold sweat. Even if he was a LV 9 fighter and had ignited 34 surge points on his spine, he would still have 576 surge points to ignite. Yesterday, when he reached LV 6, Zhang Tie was very pleased about that. However, now, Zhang Tie finally knew that compared to those surge points that he had not ignited, his current achievement was just the first step for a long march.

"Precisely, in the eyes of many powerful men, in the stage of igniting surge points, namely during the process that you ignite all the surge points before you reach LV 15. To a greater extent, the 15 levels could be divided into fighter, strong fighter, fighting master, great fighting master, fighting spirit, fighting monster and fighting general. Of course, each rank could be further divided. Do you understand why a LV 9 fighter is only the lowest threshold to be an alchemist?"

"I know. My current strength does not even reach the lowest threshold to be an alchemist!" Hearing his words, Zhang Tie didn't feel frustrated at all; instead, he just calmed down with a great ambition rising up from inside him once again, "Is there any greater existence after the fighting general?"

"Of course, it will come to knights after the fighting ranks. You don't need to know about knights now. Sometimes, it might be not good for a young man to know too many things as you might lose your motivation!" The Bamboo Woods Man stared at Zhang Tie with wise eyes, "I could only tell you that many top alchemists are above knights themselves!"

"You said nobody in Hidden Dragon Palace and Zhang clan could help me to become an alchemist. What about the entire Waii Sub-Continent? Will I be able to find someone who can help me become an alchemist there?" Zhang Tie still didn't give up.

"No!"

"Why?" Zhang Tie became surprised.

"Because the inheritance of alchemists is different from common inheritance as the first one involves abhiseca, which is a sophisticated and deep inheritance ceremonial pattern that can only be mastered by alchemists who have reached a certain level. As there are few alchemists, let alone those master alchemists. Although there are some alchemists in the entire Waii Sub-Continent, not one of them would be able to carry out abhiseca!"

Abhiseca? It was Zhang Tie's first time to hear this word. He had not imagined that the inheritance pattern of alchemists was so rarely seen.

"You mean that the alchemists in the entire Waii Sub-Continent basically adopted abhiseca in other areas?"

"Almost. According to my knowledge, including the alchemists of Jinyun Country, none of the alchemists in Waii Sub-Continent adopted abhiseca in Waii Sub-Continent! There are too few alchemists who can carry out abhiseca in human beings!"

"How can I gain the abhiseca inheritance of alchemists then?"

"It depends on two things: fortune and real strength. Fortune is uncontrollable, yet real strength is under your control!" The Bamboo Woods Man smiled, "Although you cannot gain such a fortune in Hidden Dragon Palace, it could grant you the real strength to be close to fortune. Am I clear?"

"Thanks, I'm clear!" Zhang Tie nodded as he made the decision inside.

"You can ask me another question!" The old man reminded him.

"As I've awakened the precise throwing skill, I would like to know how I can further improve it so as to gain a new ability!"

Besides gaining the old man's guidance on the direction one should develop in and their future ambitions, each person who came here could also ask him about how to improve their ancestral blood line. This was a very precious opportunity, which was almost equal to a gift that Breaking-Heavens Department sent to each newbie. Of course Zhang Tie would not give up such a good opportunity.

...

After several minutes, with the method to further improve his precise throwing, Zhang Tie respectfully left. At the same time, he heard a faint snore from the Bamboo Woods Man lying on the soft bed.

When Zhang Tie stood outside the small building, he bowed towards it before leaving.

He had not imagined that he could improve his precise throwing in this way. On the way back, Zhang Tie thought about the method as was told by the old man. He then felt it very inconceivable. The information on alchemists was also precious to Zhang Tie.

'If you don't break through the surge points on your spine, your cultivation would be useless. Lay a solid foundation.' Zhang Tie mumbled, not realizing that he had been surrounded by some women who did not look kind..

Chapter 292: Curriculum

Translator: WQL Editor: Millman97

Those who surrounded Zhang Tie were all older than him and between the ages of 18 and 20. In black uniforms, they looked pretty cool. Additionally, as they usually did sports, they all had very hot figures. Of course, if he wasn't being glared at by them, Zhang Tie would really enjoy being surrounded by so many women.

"Are you that mean, shameless, lecherous, and sinister Zhang Tie?"

'F*ck, is that a greeting?' Zhang Tie carefully looked at them as he really could not remember whether there was any relation between him and them. However, they looked like they'd caught a person, who owed them several hundred coins, wandering around in a brothel.

"I'm sorry, you've got the wrong person, I'm not the person that you want!"

After saying this, Zhang Tie immediately walked away.

Seeing Zhang Tie walking away, they obviously became stunned as they had not imagined that Zhang Tie would deny his identity. Not until Zhang Tie had walked several steps away did those women realize what had happened and surrounded Zhang Tie once again with contemptuous looks.

"Are you are man or not? Don't you dare to admit your status?"

"That's it, how could such a person enter the Hidden Dragon Palace?"

"Dare you say that you are not Zhang Tie‽"

The women then started to mock Zhang Tie.

"As for whether I'm a man, the most qualified one to answer this is my woman. You're not my women, therefore, you are not qualified to ask that question!" With arms crossed, Zhang Tie remained smiling, "You're right, I'm Zhang Tie. It's just a common name as many people are given this name. But I don't know about that mean, shameless, lecherous, and sinister Zhang Tie you mentioned. You must have found the wrong person. If you are looking for the fair, handsome, kind, and generous Zhang Tie, here I am!"

"Humph..." A women replied with a cold harrumph, "Truly as said by those sisters in Zhixing Department, you are eloquent. No crap. We are looking for you!"

"Why are you looking for me, senior sisters?"

"Do you know the rules for newbies when they enter Breaking-Heavens Department?"

"What rules?" Zhang Tie asked even though he already knew.

"Okay, I will tell you. We found you today to notify you that we have applied to be your training guides on two compulsory subjects for fighters, namely the basic moving skills and shield defense skills. When you have enough clan donation points and want to learn the two compulsory subjects, we will spare some time to guide you well!" One of them said as she emphasized the word "guide", indicating a malicious intention.

"I'm afraid that you have not even skimmed over your curriculum. You will know it when you see it. Humph, don't beg us for forgiveness then. Let's go..." Another one of them glared at Zhang Tie before making a cold harrumph and turning her head. Closely following her, the other proud women then turned around and left.

Twiddling his mustache with his hand, Zhang Tie watched their faintly twisting and rhythmic butts and finally understood a fact. He didn't know when, but his "good reputation" as the "Public Enemy of Female Students" in Zhixing Department seemed to have spread to the Breaking-Heavens Department, as they had already found him trouble on the first day when he came here to register.

After knowing that he could easily form Iron-Blood Battle Qi, those LV 7 little girls still dared to find him trouble. It meant that they must have something to back their confidence. There might be something eccentric and mysterious in the two compulsory fighting courses.

'Never mind. Just wait. This father doesn't believe that those little girls could queue up to bite me! If they truly have stirred me up, I will fiercely whip their butts.'

After glaring at their swaying butts, Zhang Tie forcefully swallowed his saliva and returned to his room in the Songtao Pavilion.

This time, when he came back, there was already a magazine-like book on the top of the message box which was installed on his door. Zhang Tie took a look at it and noticed a line of big words on the cover of it: "A Brief Introduction on the Arrangement of the Compulsory Courses in the Breaking-Heavens Department of Hidden Dragon Palace and Elective Courses".

In the following hour, Zhang Tie was studying this book during which time he started to have a deeper understanding on the Breaking-Heavens Department.

With the exception of special situations, newbies had to meet the following conditions before officially leaving the Breaking-Heavens Department.

Condition 1: One should reach at least LV 9 and ignite 34 surge points on one's spine.

— This was the lowest requirement.

Condition 2: Males have to reach 20 years old and undergo the capping ceremony. Females have to reach 20 years old and undergo gyerye.

— This was the lowest requirement on age.

Condition 3: One should pass all the compulsory courses and subjects in Breaking-Heavens Department.

— This was the lowest requirement on ability.

The first two requirements were easy for Zhang Tie to meet; however, the last requirement really dumbfounded him. He finally understood why the people in the Breaking-Heavens Department were so busy all day long. Take his cousin for example, besides being busy making money, Zhang Su was also busy earning clan donation points.

Damn, it turned out that all the compulsory courses and subjects had tuition fees of gold coins and clan donation points. Additionally, so many cultural courses were included in those compulsory subjects besides pure cultivation.

At the sight of those compulsory cultural courses, Zhang Tie instantly became even more dumbfounded.

"General History of Human Beings" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 10 gold coins.

"A Study on the Two Holy Wars Between Human Beings and Demons" — Compulsory Course —

Payment: 20 gold coins and 20 clan donation points.

"A Study on the Political Systems in the Countries across the Waii Sub-Continent" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 15 gold coins and 5 clan donation points.

"General Introduction on the Human Culture of Continents" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 10 gold coins.

"Geography" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 10 gold coins.

"The Science on the Inside of Earth" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 20 gold coins and 20 clan donation points.

"War Geography" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 10 gold coins.

"An Exploration on the Technical Development in Different Industries in the Black Iron Age" —

Compulsory Course — Payment: 10 gold coins and 5 clan donation points.

"The Great Brilliant Charter" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 1 gold coin.

"Practice on Business Group Management and Trade" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 100 gold coins and 100 clan donation points.

"Clan System and The Wealth of Nations" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 5 gold coins.

"Military Strategies" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 50 gold coins and 50 clan donation points.

"How to be a Qualified Battlefield Commander" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 30 gold coins and 30 clan donation points.

"Survival Skills in Extreme Environments" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 15 gold coins and 15 clan donation points.

"Music" — Compulsory Course — Payment: 10 gold coins.

...

Those cultural subjects were basically all the high-end knowledge that Zhang Tie hadn't touched before, which covered history, politics, geography, culture, and military. There were 20 cultural subjects in total. After taking a serious look, Zhang Tie realized that with the exception of Hebrew that he had already learned, he would need learn all the other cultural courses.

However, for commoners, too much money was required to learn all these courses. If he referred to the previous income of his family in Blackhot City, his whole family might not be able to pay for those courses even after 30 years of work, if the clan donation points were not included.

In a contrast, the expense of those compulsory cultivation courses was even more amazing. However, there were only a few cultivation courses, namely: basic moving steps, basic swordsmanship, shield defense skills, preliminary archery, flying skills, and horsemanship.

Advanced cultivation courses were not included in compulsory courses, but in elective courses. Reading them, Zhang Tie's eyes radiated a gleaming light. As he turned each page, he would forcefully swallow his saliva.

31 battle qi ranging from middle-class battle qi to high-end battle qi were available.

17 swordsmanship were available.

9 marksmanship were available.

56 palm skills, fist skills, and finger skills were available.

8 leg skills were available.

4 secret methods that could be used to improve spiritual energy were available.

3 secret methods on polishing surge points by spiritual energy were available.

Over 100 kinds of secret knowledge, fighting skills, eccentric weapons, and even poisoning skills were available.

Some of the elective courses made Zhang Tie more stunned — advanced courses on professions like alchemy, rune manufacturing, tricks master, beast training, fengshui architecture and tactical deployment master.

The elective courses on alchemy progressed from herbal apprentice, knapsack pharmacist and bottle suspending alchemist, which were also the 3 stages to be an alchemist.

The elective courses on rune manufacturing progressed from craftsman apprentice, craftsman to copper hammer craftsman, which were also the 3 stages to be a rune manufacturer.

The elective courses of all the other professions all included the first 2 to 4 stages of them. Of course, one had to pay a lot for these courses. It would take one 2000 gold coins and 1000 clan donation points to choose the craftsman apprentice; the 1st stage to be a rune manufacturer. This was a huge amount of money.

At this moment, Zhang Tie was once again shocked by the great power and background of the Zhang clan of Huaiyuan Palace.

The whole Hidden Dragon Palace was like the clan elites school of the Zhang clan, where the Zhang clan could cultivate some special professions. What a great power!

Scanning this curriculum, Zhang Tie recalled those women who applied to be his "training guides". He then smiled and knew that he would be busy in the Breaking-Heavens Department from then on..

Chapter 293: Use the Dead as a Mirror

Translator: WQL Editor: EbonyFrost

People in Breaking Heaven Department were free to arrange their learning and cultivation courses. Nobody would force you to do anything. As long as you could afford 30 gold coins a month on Hidden Dragon Island, you could even treat Breaking-Heavens Department as a senior island and live here for the rest of your life. But it was not possible for you to casually leave the Hidden Dragon Island before finishing all of your courses.

In the Breaking Heaven Department, besides learning and cultivation, you had to accomplish some mandatory courses that you had freely chosen. You could make money or clan contribution points through doing these clan tasks. You might also be able to legally leave the Island to finish some tasks on the continent.

However, all the tasks that required one to leave the Island were of great difficulty. Some of them were even very dangerous. Two-thirds of the clan apprentices who lost their lives when cultivating in the Breaking Heaven Department were killed when they left Hidden Dragon Island to do clan tasks.

Breaking Heaven Department was a school, an army and a furnace. It had two sides, the free side and the hard side. The temperature here could sublime you or turn you into residue and ashes.

If you don't want to be residue and ashes, the only thing you could do was work harder, harder, and even harder. You would have no other choice but to constantly grit your teeth and grow more powerful.

On the first night when he entered the Breaking Heaven Department, Zhang Tie had received his first mandatory task. When Zhang Tie was still in the room, someone directly push the first task letter under the door to his room.

It was such a funny task——to do cleaning for one week, by which he could gain 5 clan contribution points. This was the first tasks for everyone that entered the Breaking Heaven Department.

At the beginning, Zhang Tie felt this task was hilarious. But soon, he changed his mind as he was going to clean the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion in the Breaking Heaven Department.

Elites Sacrifice Pavilion was a shrine in Breaking-Heavens Pavilion that was used to honor those clan members who sacrificed themselves or died during cultivation in the Breaking Heaven Department.

At 6 am the next morning, according to regulations, Zhang Tie had already arrived at the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion when the dawn had just arrived. There was only one senior who was guarding the entrance. After Zhang Tie arrived, the old man brought Zhang Tie into the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion.

As soon as he entered the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion, Zhang Tie had noticed many spirit tablets, which frightened him greatly.

"The Elites Sacrifice Pavilion will be open from 9 am to 9 pm. Therefore, you'd better come here 3 hours before it opens. it is composed of 3 floors, each floor holds 1183 spirit tablets. You need to clean all the floors, handrails, windows and spirit tablets. After it closes in the evening, you should also clean it one more time! After that, I will check it. If you cannot clean it well, you will have to do it again! During opening hours, if anyone wants to worship here, you should also keep it clean from time to time..." The old man took Zhang Tie around the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion as he told Zhang Tie how to clean and what to take care of.

Finally, he guided Zhang Tie into the tools room. After explaining to Zhang Tie how to use the tools, the old man let out a sigh, "Alas, the latest spirit tablet was placed 2 months ago. They were all young men..." Saying this, the old man shook his head as he left, leaving the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion to Zhang Tie.

Trying to recover his composure, Zhang Tie started to clean. Although he had killed people and seen blood before, he was still a bit frightened when he cleaned the spirit tablets and caught sight of the black and white photos on the stony spirit tablets.

On the positive side of each spirit tablet was a photo and a name. On the back of each spirit tablet was a simple introduction on that person's life experiences. A person's life was recorded in only a few lines——one's parents; the year one entered Hidden Dragon Palace; one's events; why one died at an early age.

Each person had curiosity. After he gradually became less frightened, when he cleaned each spirit tablet, Zhang Tie couldn't stand but take a look at the life experiences and cause of death of the people on the back of the spirit tablets. Unless one didn't want to see the words on the spirit tablets, you would always notice them.

The more he cleaned, the more he saw. Gradually, Zhang Tie started to form an strange mood.

Although they lived in different ways when they were alive, they all died due to numerous causes.

Some were born to be talents, who had awakened many kinds of ancestral bloodlines and had reached level 10 at the age of 17-18 were meant to be powerful fighters. Finally, during their cultivation, they didn't listen to other's advice and wanted to break through a certain cultivation bottleneck, which caused them to be possessed by a devil and to spit out blood before death.

Some were average. After entering the Hidden Dragon Palace, he or she couldn't stand the rapid rhythm here and was gradually lagged far away by others. He or she then complained everyday and finally died due to frustration and grief. 　

Some overestimated their real strength when they accepted clan tasks. As a result, they died when they executed their tasks.

Some became kind and hesitated when they carried out some special tasks. However, after they forgave the enemy, they were killed.

Some died on some occasions due to carelessness when they were carrying out common tasks.

Some already had deep enmity with others before they entered the Hidden Dragon Palace. Finally they were killed by their enemy.

Some had gained great progress after cultivating in the Hidden Dragon Palace for many years. They were so ambitious that when he returned home and gathered with their previous partners, they violently showed off. After being drunk, they were set up and killed by some of their previous partners who were jealous of them.

Some always bullied their junior brothers and classmates due to their family background and were finally killed purposefully with the excuse of it being a mistake during a sparring exercise.

Some were innocent. Being lured by the others, they violated the regulations of Hidden Dragon Palace by selling intelligence of Breaking Heaven Department and were finally killed.

Some were troubled by love affairs in the Breaking-Heavens Department and were finally killed.

Some directly disappeared when they entered the underground world or dived in the sea for exploration...

...

After cleaning all the spirit tablets, Zhang Tie was so scared that he even oozed a cold sweat. The 1183 spirit tablets were definitely live textbooks which told you how to leave Hidden Dragon Palace alive. Zhang Tie finally knew why there were not too many rules in the Breaking Heaven Department and why his first task in Breaking Heaven Department was to clean the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion. Because all the rules of Breaking Heaven Department were in the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion. Each name and each story on each spirit tablet could work as a mirror for people to reflect themselves.

During the next week, Zhang Tie almost lived in the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion. He would come here to clean at 6 am and did another round of cleaning after 9 pm when it was closed before returning to his room in the Songtao Pavilion. As no one arrived there during the day, Zhang Tie would always stay in the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion and gaze at the spirit tablets as he thought about the stories on the spirit tablets. He then always asked himself——If that was him, would make the same mistake? Why would he make such a mistake? How could he avoid making such a mistake?

It was a process to constantly ask and reflect on himself. Although the other people considered it pretty boring in this gloomy place, Zhang Tie had different achievements each day. Through constant reflection, Zhang Tie found that he became more mature mentally.

One week soon passed...

In that evening, before he left the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion, Zhang Tie seriously cleaned each corner and each spirit tablet in the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion. After that, he arranged his clothes and washed his hands. He then burned three incense sticks and bowed towards the spirit tablets three times on the first floor before inserting the incense sticks into the incense table.

"Dear senior brothers and sisters, this younger brother has accompanied you for one week. I will not come here tomorrow. Thanks for your lessons. As this place is not big enough, I'm sure that I will not strive for a place here with you. When in festivals and the new year comes, I, Zhang Tie will definitely come here to bring you enough paper notes.

"This kid is teachable!"

A sound drifted from behind Zhang Tie as the old gatekeeper who should have long went to bed at this time had already stood behind Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie turned back and saw that haunch-back old man touching his mustache and smiling at him.

"Kid, you really have a nice consciousness and a good heart. If you have troubles, later on, come here and have a look. Think it over carefully! No disasters could match death in the secular world. Once alive, one will always be able to handle it. If one dies, one wouldn't able to handle it any longer..." The old man watched Zhang Tie as he satisfactorily nodded and talked to Zhang Tie.

"Yes, I've remembered it!"

"Hmm, you can leave now. Don't come here tomorrow. It's not early, go to bed soon!" The old man said as he patted 3 times on Zhang Tie's shoulders and left.

...

When Zhang Tie returned to his room in Songtao Pavilion, it was already 12 am. After washing up, Zhang Tie lay on the bed and prepared to sleep. However, only after a while, Zhang Tie suddenly recalled a fairy tale told by Donder. The protagonist of the fairy tale was a monkey. When the monkey went to learn skills, his immortal master knocked three times on his head. The monkey suddenly realized the meaning of his master and silently slid to his immortal master's room at three am and truly got the true knowledge.

Did it mean that the old man had the same meaning by patting his shoulders three times——thinking of it this way, Zhang Tie instantly became awake, "Is that old man a great powerhouse who lives in seclusion in Hidden Dragon Palace. Did he pat me to test whether I'm smarter than a monkey?"

Therefore, when it was 2:30 am, Zhang Tie got up and put on his clothes. Being a bit thrilled, Zhang Tie fumbled in the darkness and silently arrived in front of the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion several minutes before 3 am.

However, after standing outside the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion and hearing tweets of insects for quite awhile, Zhang Tie saw nobody at all. Finally, he arrived outside the small room where the old man slept. He heard the old man's snores from time to time.

Standing there for quite awhile, Zhang Tie then shook his head and forced a smile before returned to his room in Songtao Pavilion and a had a good sleep. The next morning, when Zhang Tie woke up, he took his clan plate and rushed into the Tasks Center on the second floor of the Middle Castle.

These days, as this mandatory task had occupied all of his time, Zhang Tie's plan to further evolve his ancestral bloodline was delayed. After this task was accomplished, Zhang Tie had a decent amount of free time. He felt it was the right time to evolve his ancestral bloodline and was very excited about it.

Chapter 294: Yaksha in the Sea

Translator: WQL Editor: Millman97

"You've already completed the first one-week task in the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion and gained 5 more clan contribution points, making it 55 points in total. Can I do anything else for you?" A beautiful young girl standing behind a service window in the task assignment hall on the second floor of the Middle Castle enthusiastically asked Zhang Tie.

"No, thanks. I'd like to look around!", as soon as he finished the mandatory LV 6 task, Zhang Tie suddenly felt as free as a bird in the sky and a fish in the ocean. From then on, he could freely manage his time before he reached LV 7. Zhang Tie really liked this feeling.

"Fine, the task board is over there, if you need any help, just come here and ask me!"

These young girls on the second floor were much better at talking compared to those stubborn scholars downstairs. Their words sounded much more comfortable. When he took his clan plate back, returned by that beautiful young girl behind the window from that machine's slot, Zhang Tie saw another cousin of Breaking Heaven Department walking out of a door on one side of the task hall.

"What's that small room for?" Zhang Tie casually asked.

"The clan's secret tasks are assigned there. They are not opened to the public. Only one person could enter at a time!"

'Secret task?' Zhang Tie was attracted, "Can I enter now?"

"You need to reach LV 7 at least. Additionally, you have to pass all the compulsory modules before taking on a secret task!"

"Okay, thanks!"

It wouldn't be difficult for Zhang Tie to reach LV 7. However, when he recalled the 6 compulsory courses — fundamental moves, fundamental swordsmanship, shield defense skill, preliminary archery, flying skills, and horsemanship — Zhang Tie let out a deep sigh. Based on his current conditions, he had enough gold to buy these compulsory courses; however, he had too few clan contribution points. It turned out that he had to spend a lot of time to gain more clan contribution points.

'I will have a look at the open task notice board to see whether I can do some tasks to gain clan contribution points!'

Thinking of this, Zhang Tie left the reception desk and moved to the the open task notice board to carefully read it.

— Island Patrol, 8 hours a day, 15 days for each task. 30 clan contribution points as a reward.

...

— Security officer around five towns. Be stationed in five towns; being responsible for maintaining order in towns by punishing trouble-makers. 7 days for each task. 50 clan contribution points as a reward. LV 7 and above is required.

...

�� Scouts in Dragon Cave. Explore deep into the inside of Dragon Cave to pay close attention to any abnormal situations and relevant intelligence in the underground world. 7 days for each task. 70 clan contribution points and 7 gold coins as a reward. LV 8 and above is required.

...

Zhang Tie glanced over at the notice board one column after another. He started to frown as he didn't like most of those tasks or didn't meet the requirements of those he favored. All of a sudden, Zhang Tie noticed a task on the notice board.

——Yaksha in the sea, being responsible for patrolling in the sea near the pearl field of the Hidden Dragon Island by driving away sharks and other dangerous maritime living beings. When huge maritime creatures get too close to the pearl field, Yaksha should promptly send a warning. 7 days for each task. 60 clan contribution points as a reward. Note: task receivers should pass an on-site examination.

'Ha, that's it!' Zhang Tie became highly spirited. This was the ideal task in his mind. For Zhang Tie, with this task, he could both gain clan contribution points and continue to absorb sea water to increase basic energy storage in the Castle of Black Iron without having to be afraid of being noticed. Besides, he could also stimulate the growth of Iron-Body Fruit. It's really like killing three birds with one stone.

Zhang Tie then jubilantly ran towards the task handling counter and officially applied for the task to be a Yaksha.

"Although this task could also be done by LV 6 people, it requires excellent swimming skills. Even many LV 7 ones could not do it. Are you sure you want to apply for this task?" The young woman behind the counter kindly asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure!"

"Fine, you can have a test at the Long Wind Pearl Field to the east of the Hidden Dragon Island in the afternoon. If you are qualified, this task will begin tomorrow."

"Good, thanks!"

After completing his application, Zhang Tie turned around and left the task assignment hall on the second floor of Middle Castle. When he went downstairs, he encountered a familiar man.

"Zhang Tie..."At the sight of Zhang Tie, Liu Xi instantly showed a big smile, "I was completing tasks outside these past few days and was only just told that you had already entered the Breaking Heaven Department a week ago. I was thinking about inviting you for a dinner!"

Thinking of the meeting between him and Liu Xi when they met in the Black Dragon Town several days ago, Zhang Tie also smiled, "I thought senior brother Liu had already forgotten about it!"

"Haha, how could I forget about that! Are you free at the moment?"

Hearing Liu Xi's words, Zhang Tie realized that he wanted to make friends with him. As Liu Xi left a good impression on Zhang Tie, of course, Zhang Tie was willing to accept his invitation. "I've just finished the task in the Elites Sacrifice Pavilion, so I'm free for the next couple of days. I will be there whenever you call me!"

Seeing that Zhang Tie's attitude towards him was the same as the first time he met him even after miraculously forming Iron-Blood Battle Qi and shocking the entire Hidden Dragon Palace, Liu Xi started to respect Zhang Tie even more inside. Once Zhang Tie left Hidden Dragon Island, he would definitely be prominent and gain a high position in the Zhang clan.

"That's fine. How about having a gathering with some of my friends in the Ocean Hotel in White Dragon Town tomorrow night. We'll drink until dawn!" Liu Xi happily said.

"Sure!"

"Oh, have you got a new task?"

"Yeah, I got one, Yaksha in the sea. I'm heading for the Long Wind Pearl Field to test my swimming skill!"

"Haha, brother, you really have a great talent. Few people across the Hidden Dragon Palace could do this task!"　

"I'm just going over to try the test. It depends whether I can pass it!" Zhang Tie modestly said.

Liu Xi revealed a smile, "Brother, based on your swimming skills when you were picking navy-blue iron ores from the deep oceanic trenches, I definitely believe that you will pass it!"

After chatting for a while, they agreed to meet to drink alcohol tomorrow night before going their separate ways.

After leaving the Middle Castle, Zhang Tie didn't immediately go to the Long Wind Pearl Field to test his swimming skill; instead, he first went to the Secret Knowledge Pavilion in the Hidden Dragon Palace.

"This brat again!" At the sight of Zhang Tie who was stealthily appearing outside the door of the Secret Knowledge Pavilion, the old man who was drinking tea in a green robe instantly widened his eyes and blew up his beard. Last time, this green-robe old man had said so many words, only to be treated as a no-paid teacher by Zhang Tie and choked by Zhang Tie's response. Therefore, the old man had a deep impression on Zhang Tie.

"Haha, you look good, old man!" Seeing his bad look, Zhang Tie hurriedly flattered him.

The old man lowered his head as he used a spoon to move the tea leaves in the cup and kept his mouth tightly closed.

Having not imagined that old man was that narrow-minded, Zhang Tie put it straight, "I want to learn medium-level fish-like diving skill!"

When he came here last time, Zhang Tie knew that medium-level fish-like diving skill required 50 clan contribution points. Unlike the preliminary level, the medium-level fish-like diving skill involved the application of battle qi under water. Therefore, only those who had reached LV 6 could learn it.

Now that he wanted to take the task, Zhang Tie felt that it was necessary for him to upgrade his diving skill in case others had doubts about him if he performed well as a person who had only just learned the preliminary fish-like diving skill.

This time, compared to the preliminary fish-like diving skill, Zhang Tie had a much easier time learning the medium-level fish-like diving skill. It only took him less than 40 minutes to master it. What he needed to do was only to practice it adroitly.

After learning the medium-level fish-like diving skill, Zhang Tie directly walked out of the Hidden Dragon Palace and arrived at the Long Wind Pearl Field which was over 10 km away from Hidden Dragon Palace.

A castle with a perimeter of more than 500 m was established on the hillside near the sea, which was over 30 m away from the corner of the wall of the castle.

There were some smaller buildings surrounding the castle. On some of the reefs below the castle, there was a place which was used to anchor boats. Zhang Tie also saw some boats on the sea a bit further away. The girls of the Zhixing Department were constantly jumping off and climbing onto the boats with something in their hands.

It was an extreme form of training and a test for girls to pick up pearls in the sea.

Looking at the several big words "Long Wind Pearl Field" above the coastal castle, Zhang Tie didn't hesitate to enter the castle. After clarifying his intention to the manager of the Long Wind Pearl Field, Zhang Tie was taken to start the test.

That person took Zhang Tie onto a boat below the castle. With a small triangle sail erected on the boat, they soon arrived at a place on the sea which was about 2 miles away from the castle.

"It's deeper than 100 m here. There's a tiny iron octopus at the bottom of the sea. It swims fast. If you can get one iron octopus in 2 hours, you will pass the test! Then, you can come here to officially join the team of Yakshas!"

"Erm, how many Yakshas do we have in this sea area? Only me?" Zhang Tie asked as he took off his clothes on the boat.

"We have four. This sea area requires at least four Yakshas to ensure the safety of those girls from Hidden Dragon Palace and the pearl picking girls in our pearl field. Three of them are from Hidden Dragon Palace, while the other is an old man in our pearl field. If you pass the test, our old man will retire. After all, he's too old and cannot match you young men!"

Zhang Tie nodded.

After taking off his clothes, that person gave Zhang Tie a mask that could cover the greater part of his face, "Here's the deep-sea diving goggles, once you take it, you will be able to dive as deep as 400 m. This pair of diving goggles might prevent your eyes from being hurt by the octopus' ink! If you can't complete the task, return as soon as possible. Don't force yourself. Do you need diving shoes..."

"No, thanks!" Zhang Tie shook his head while that person gave him a thumbs up.

After putting on the diving goggles, Zhang Tie adjusted them before diving into the water with a net in hand.

After anchoring the boat and lowering the sail, the man sat on the boat quietly. He then took out a stick of tobacco and watched the pearl picking boat in the distance while faintly narrowing his eyes. Iron octopuses liked to stay in the deep water zone. They responded so fast that as soon as any danger drew close to them, they would escape. They swam very quickly under water and could reach as fast as 35 km/h. If one wanted to be a Yaksha, he had to be able to catch iron octopus alive under water!

Yakshas catch iron octopuses — this was an old rule on selecting Yaksha that had been used for several hundred years. "Yaksha" was an honor for men with good swimming skills! The alleged water ghost [1] was nothing in front of a Yaksha in the sea!

'I really wonder how long could that young man stay under water! It will be a tough challenge for him to catch a live iron octopus in 2 hours!' Sitting on the boat, the uncle took a mouthful of tobacco as he waited for Zhang Tie to come out of the water to take another breath.

However, before he finished that stick of tobacco...

With a sound of "bada", the net that he had given Zhang Tie was thrown into the cabin of the boat. While the boat was slightly swaying, Zhang Tie popped his head out of the water while supporting himself on the side of the boat.

"These little things are really agile, I only got 3. Look, are these iron octopuses?" Zhang Tie revealed a big, innocent smile.

The uncle fixed his eyes on the 3 iron octopus with his mouth widely open while his tobacco dropped out of his hand...

[1] Water ghost is a kind of animal or ghost that lurks in water to hug swimmers or divers and drag them into the water to drown them. It's always mentioned by old men in China. However, few people has seen it.

Chapter 295: Preparations

Translator: WQL Editor: EbonyFrost

After smoothly passing the test on Yaksha in the sea, being close to the Long Wind Pearl Field, Zhang Tie returned to Hidden Dragon Palace. After eating lunch in the Breaking-Heavens Department, Zhang Tie returned to his own residence before going to the Items Department with money.

Previously, when Zhang Tie came to the Items Department, he was here to submit navy-blue iron ores. This time, he was here to prepare for the first evolution of his ancestral bloodline. He needed to order something here.

It was boisterous in the Items Department. The blast furnace in the department was emitting hot waves. Over 100 people were here. Zhang Tie could hear the sound of knocking iron instruments everywhere. Some of those people were his senior brothers in the Breaking-Heavens Department.

"It's not that easy to be a craftsman apprentice. Do you think that it's like girls' embroidery?" The moment he entered the second gate of the Items Department, he had already heard a loud,rude shout. "Hold the heavy hammer and maintain your strength and rhythm. Have you seen the steam-driven forging hammer? When you can keep outputting a steady level of strength for twelve hours straight like that machine, I will teach you something new. If you cannot even match a machine, how can you dream to be a rune manufacturer..."

Although he didn't know who was being scolded in the courtyard, hearing the acrid words, Zhang Tie was also frightened as he shrugged his shoulders. "It's so difficult to be a rune manufacturer, what about being an alchemist then? As is expected, each step towards the top professions is pretty difficult."

After passing the exterior of the Items Department, Zhang Tie directly came to the weapons store in the the core area. It was a 5-floor pavilion. The higher the floor was, the more expensive the items being sold would be. Because Zhang Tie didn't need very expensive items, he just took a look around the first floor in the weapon store.

When he was in the Iron Blood Camp, Zhang Tie had visited the arsenal of the Iron Horn Army twice, therefore, he knew weapons well. Only after a look around on the 1st floor, Zhang Tie had been surprised as even the common weapons on the 1st floor were obviously better than those lieutenant-level weapons in the arsenal of the Iron Horn Army of the Norman Empire. Each item here was of top quality in the Iron Horn Army.

The 1st floor of the weapons store covered several hundred square meters, which was filled with rows of weapon hangers. On the hangers, there were all sorts of weapons like sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, tomahawks, hooks, forks, soft whips, hard (iron) whips , hammers, claws, tangs(a weapon that was composed of a stick handle and a half-moon like head with a pike between the two wings of the half moon), sticks, shuos (a heavy weapon for cavalry, which is the heavy- and elite-type of long spear), maces, iron or wooden crutches and bolas. Zhang Tie didn't even know some of their names. Perhaps it was a man's nature, as when Zhang Tie saw the sparkling weapons, he felt his adrenaline surging heavily as his eyes started to shine.

When Zhang Tie stood in front of a 2-m longer weird, horrible battle sword which was hung on a hanger and recalled his "Man's Certificate", one person had already walked in front of him.

"Junior brother, are you choosing weapons?"

Zhang Tie looked at him and found it was a senior brother in Breaking-Heavens Department, "Yes, I want to buy something here!"

"Hehe, take a look slowly. If you have enough money, you can choose something better on the 2nd floor. Each weapon over there is more than 100 gold coins. Each item on the 3rd floor is worth more than 500 gold coins. Each on the 4th floor is worth more than 3000 gold coins. As all the items on the 5th floor are rune weapons, I don't suggest you to take a look there, as they are so expensive they'll make you lose your passion for life..."

Hearing the senior brother's words, Zhang Tie burst out laughing, "Senior brother, are you also here to be a rune manufacturer?"

"Not that easy..." The youth then forced a bitter smile, "I'm not even a craftsman apprentice now. I've just hammered in the ironware processing workshop for half a year. After passing the test, I was dispatched here to be familiar with the quality, duration, material, forging techniques, design ideas and styles of each weapon on the 1st floor. At the same time, I can also look after the store for the manager. Not just being a waste!"

"You are so modest, senior brother. Many people are not even qualified to look after this store even if they wanted to!"

"Oh, junior brother, which weapon do you want? I can provide some suggestions for you!"

"I want to have a look at the long spears or javelins!"

"Thrown weapons? Come here, I will show you these weapons..." The senior brother then led Zhang Tie to another hanger, on which some javelins were displayed. Zhang Tie casually took one and had a try. That familiar sense reappeared. These javelins were definitely of the best quality that Zhang Tie had ever seen. The body of the javelin was designed in terms of aerodynamics. It consisted of several sections, each of which had different thicknesses, giving it an obscure but beautiful look.

"Senior brother, what's the price of these javelins?"

"The javelins here are all sold by group. Each group contains 9 javelins and is equipped with a backpacked metal container. Each group weighs 116 kg in total. They are very powerful. The price of each group of javelins is 34 gold coins. You can also have a look at this one..." Saying this, the senior brother took out a short javelin. With a casual handshake, the 30-cm javelin instantly became longer than 1 m, "This is the hidden type telescopic javelin. It is more portable. When you don't use it, you can carry it with you. When you use it, only by shaking the handle, you will see its body. A group contains 42 javelins. They are suitable to fight enemy within short distances!"

Zhang Tie took it and realized this telescopic javelin is really of a delicate structure. Although being very portable, it was not his target here.

After putting that hidden telescopic javelin onto the hanger, Zhang Tie asked, "Senior brother, can I customize javelins here?"

"Of course, the items workshop can produce all the items you require!"

"That's great. I want to customize a batch of special javelins. Here's are the requirements..." Zhang Tie took a common javelin and started to talk about the requirements with this senior brother.

The javelins required by Zhang Tie were divided into different groups. Those that were normal size were placed in one group; those that were 1 inch smaller than normal size were placed in one group; those that were 2 inches shorter than normal size were placed in one group; and those that were 3 inches shorter than normal size were placed in one group; Likewise, the size of the javelins gradually reduced by 1 inch one group by another. The last group was only 3-5 inches. To tell truth, these items could not be called javelins any more as they were even much shorter than the head of a javelin.

Hearing Zhang Tie's requests, the senior brother was really shocked as he had never been met with such a request. However, he didn't ask why, because everyone in the Breaking-Heavens Department had their own secrets. It was not good to be too curious here.

"Junior brother, as you've ordered 40 groups here, it will cost you a lot!"

"Hmm, I know it will cost me a lot. Therefore, I only need 6 javelins for each group. This way it'll be much cheaper."

"Yes, you can save on one-third of the price this way. Follow me, I will calculate the price of these items for you!"

Zhang Tie and the senior brother came to the counter on the 1st floor. After that, the senior brother took a pen and started to record these items before calculating the price of them on paper.

"Junior brother, if your requests are met, you need to pay 418 gold coins at least!"

Hearing the figure, Zhang Tie also became a bit hesitant as it was truly not a small amount of money for a newbie in the Breaking-Heavens Department. He had to save money. When he was picking up navy-blue iron ores from the sea, he could only make a few silver coins for one day's hard work. Although he had money now, he knew that he should be frugal in preparation of worse scenario.

"Senior brother, how about a bit cheaper?"

"The javelins need to be made of special alloy. Plus its material expense, processing fee and other necessary cost and profit, this is the lowest price."

"Hmm, my items are just consumable. They don't need a special alloy. Just use some steel with high endurance. Can they be cheaper then?"

"If so..." The senior brother then started to calculate on the paper once again, "If you use common high-intensity steel, you could truly save a lot. Here it is...you only need to pay 189 gold coins! Are you sure that you only need high-intensity steel? This material could only last a few years!"

A few years, hehe, that's enough. It will not take me that long to finish my first round of evolution of my ancestral bloodline.

"I'm sure!" Zhang Tie nodded.

"We need to settle the bill here. Have you brought your money junior brother?"

"Yes, I have!" Zhang Tie directly paid the 189 gold coins.

The senior brother then opened an order for him, "You can come back for them in 3 days!"

Zhang Tie hadn't imagined that he could get these things in only 3 days.

After exiting the Items Department, Zhang Tie returned to the teaching building of the Breaking-Heavens Department and paid for the compulsory courses during the first year

Zhang Tie chose the following courses: "General History of Humanity", "Review on Human Culture on the Continents", "Geography", "The Great Charter of Brilliance", "Clan System" and "National Wealth Theory". All the above courses were Zhang Tie's shortcomings that he might not have been able to learn about when in Blackhot City.

All the above courses only required gold coin instead of clan contribution points. After submitting the gold coins, Zhang Tie could come to the Breaking Heaven-Department to listen to these courses at any time. Each course would be allocated between 3 teachers in the Breaking-Heavens Department. As the teaching schedules of these teachers were staggered, one could choose the appropriate teacher's class at their discretion.

As long as one felt that they could pass the test for a course, one could apply for the examination at any time of the year, even if one didn't attend the class at all. By contrast, if one failed to pass the test, he had to take the course again to be qualified to attend the exam the next year. That meant that one had to pay for the course again. The resources in the Breaking-Heavens Department could never be used for free.

After checking the schedule of these courses and his number for the examination, Zhang Tie finally had the feeling that he had truly started learning in the Breaking-Heavens Department and have become a member of the Department.

After finishing to affairs in the Hidden Dragon Palace, Zhang Tie rushed to the wharf to set free fish as per usual. After that, he returned to the canteen of the Breaking-Heavens Department to have supper. When he went back to his residence in the Songtao Pavilion, Zhang Tie received the first letter from home.

One week prior, Zhang Tie's elder sister-in-law gave birth to a healthy, fat son for Zhang Tie's elder brother. It weighed 2.3 kg. The third generation of Zhang Tie's family finally came into this world. Zhang Tie, although being only 16 years old, had enjoyed the honor of being an uncle. His whole family became so excited that Zhang Tie's dad named the baby Zhang Cheng'an[1].

"Cheng'an...Cheng'an...can he really be safe?:" When he thought of the holy war between humans and demons, Zhang Tie suddenly felt a heavy burden on himself.

Over the next 3 days, Zhang Tie became more diligent as he was trying to improve his real strength and broaden his horizons each day.

In the morning, as a yaksha in the sea, Zhang Tie had to be in the pearl field 1 hour before those girls arrived at the Long Wind Pearl Field so as to check the situation of the sea near the pearl field and drive away sharks and some other dangerous marine organisms. If he couldn't drive them away, he had to kill them without letting them bleed.

After clearing up the dangerous creatures in the pearl field, Zhang Tie started to swim in the sea area around the pearl field with the other yakshas and formed several safety lines and flowing sentry posts underwater near the pearl field. It was a very labor-intensive work as yakshas had to stay in water for over 10 hours a day. Besides taking a breath every so often, they even had to rest under water. It became completely impossible for them to eat and drink.

Yakshas couldn't leave the sea until all the pearl divers and girls in the pearl field had left the water and the safe lamp of the lighthouse, which was built on the top of the castle beside the pearl field, was turned on.

People who were capable of doing this work should have the following qualities: excellent diving skills, good physical strength, and a strong willing with a sense of responsibility.

On the second day after Zhang Tie met and made the appointment with Liuxi for a drink, on the table, Zhang Tie was introduced to some friends of Liu Xi. As they were all of the same age and had no estrangement, they soon became familiar with each other. Knowing that Zhang Tie was a yaksha in the sea, they began to admire Zhang Tie's diving skills. Through the new friends' introduction, Zhang Tie knew more about the rules in the Breaking-Heavens Department.

Not until then did Zhang Tie know that there was still a Hidden Dragon List in the Breaking-Heavens Department. There were 4 sub-lists under the Hidden Dragon List: Hidden Dragon Wealth List, Hidden Dragon Fighting Force List, Hidden Dragon Clan Contribution Points and Hidden Dragon Craftsmanship List. People who could rank first on the four sub-lists would be instantly arranged in an important position by the clan and became an outstanding person once he left the Hidden Dragon Palace. People whose names could be seen on the 4 sub-lists were definitely remarkable in the Breaking-Heavens Department. Everyone that cultivated in the Breaking-Heavens Department hoped to see their names on the 4 sub-lists.

Those figures on the 4 sub-lists were all above level 7 and the elites of the Breaking Heaven Department.

"Where can I see the 4 sub-lists?"

"Hehe, as you are new here, you might not be familiar with it. You can see the 4 sub-lists in Qinyun Palace. Qinyun Palace is the place where we trade items and exchange intelligence. "Liu Xi replied.

Zhang Tie then kept the sub-lists and the name of Qinyun Palace in mind and planned to go there to see the excellent figures of the Breaking-Heavens Department.

Speaking of lists, Zhang Tie suddenly recalled the two senior brothers who chased after Deng Tong, the sea monster above water, and killed him on the passenger liner. The two senior brothers had distinctive styles, which greatly impressed Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie speculated that their names might be on the Hidden Dragon Fighting Force List.

...

On the third day, after Zhang Tie finished his work as a yaksha in the sea and set free the fish, he came to the Items Department for his javelins. They were put in 3 big crates...

[1] Cheng'an, 承安, which means to be safe forever.