Chapter 19: Geng Metal Sword Technique

Lan Rui picked up the storage bag in front of him and began to examine it. After a cup of tea time, finding nothing strange, he tried to probe it with his divine sense.

Immediately, the storage bag opened effortlessly. Without hesitation, he poured out all its contents.

Dozens of spirit stones, several talismans, a few jade bottles, a sword, and two books tumbled onto the ground.

He first counted the spirit stones, and the total surprised him, exactly one hundred pieces. He set aside his shock and proceeded to examine the rest of the loot.

The talismans came in several types. Among them, he instantly recognized the Fireball Talisman, Light Shield Talisman, and Cleaning Talisman.

These were common tools that every low-level cultivator carried, and the sheer quantity surprised him.

"Perhaps I'm not the first victim."

Then, his gaze fell on two talismans with a similar pattern. These were also highly sought-after in the market. Concealing Talismans.

Activating one of these talismans would erase his presence, allowing him to blend with his surroundings.

However, they had a major flaw, if he made any significant movement, the effect would immediately be canceled.

Despite this drawback, they were considered lifesaving tools in emergencies and were valued at five spirit stones each.

Shifting his attention, Lan Rui picked up the silver-colored sword. It was four feet long, with a black hilt and a small square guard, more decorative than functional.

He sent his divine sense across the entire blade, gathering the necessary information.

A First Rank Middle-Grade Magic Sword.

That was all he could determine, but even that much was shocking.

A First Rank Low-Grade Magic Tool alone could range from 15 to 50 spirit stones, depending on its type.

His talisman brush was only worth 15 spirit stones, but a sword of the same rank would soar to 30 or even 40 spirit stones.

As for Middle-Grade Magic Tools, their price started at 100 spirit stones and could reach an astonishing 500 spirit stones.

That was why he was shocked knowing that the sword in front of him had the potential value of 500 spirit stones.

"Are robbers always this rich?"

Pushing aside his shock, he focused on the two books beside him.

The titles were simple.

Fireball Spell, a widely used offensive technique among low-level cultivators.

Geng Metal Sword Technique.

He set aside the Fireball Spell and immediately began reading the Geng Metal Sword Technique.

After an hour of study, he came to a realization, this technique was either derived from or an advanced version of the Geng Metal Finger technique he already knew.

The Geng Metal Sword Technique had two levels: Geng Infused Finger and Geng Infused Sword

Recalling the black-cloaked figure who had cut open his lock, he immediately understood.

"So he used the first layer of this technique, Geng-Infused Finger. I need to increase my proficiency in Geng Metal Finger before I can learn this technique."

He glanced at his panel.

[Lifespan]: 21 / 105

[Spirit Roots]: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth

[Realm]: Fourth Layer Qi Refining Realm (8/100)

[Cultivation Technique]: Five Elements Cultivation (Beginner Level 141/200)

[Techniques]: Cleaning Technique (Beginner Level 79/200), Earth Pillowing Technique (Minor Achievement 12/300), Cloud Rain Technique (Minor Achievement 45/300), Entanglement Technique (Beginner Level 1/200), Geng Metal Finger (Beginner Level 32/200)

[Skills]:First Order Talisman Master: Cleaning Talisman (Minor Achievement 10/200), Light Shield Talisman (Beginner Level 38/200), Evil-Repelling Talisman (Beginner Level 23/100), Fireball Talisman (Beginner Level 10/100)

[Comprehension Points (CP)]: 0

"I'll put aside talisman-making for now. I need to increase my strength. If I were even slightly stronger or had a technique specialized in offense, I wouldn't have needed to risk a close-range attack."

"The Geng Metal Finger was originally designed for killing pests in the spirit field. But if I refine it to a higher level, it could become a true weapon against cultivators."

.....

Three Days Later, in the Courtyard

A youth clad in a dark green robe stood drenched in sweat.

Before him, a tree bore numerous wounds and punctures evidence of relentless training.

Lan Rui took a deep breath and channeled spiritual energy from his dantian to his fingertip. The energy condensed, transforming into sharp, metallic qi.

After a brief moment of accumulation, he released it.

A streak of Metal Qi shot out from his fingertip, piercing straight through the thick tree trunk before dissipating several zhang away.

Geng Metal Finger (Minor Achievement 1/300)

After three and a half days of relentless cultivation, he had finally broken through to Minor Achievement

"Now, I can finally start to comprehend the Geng Metal Sword Technique."

He sat beneath the tree, recovering his spirit energy. After a few incense sticks' worth of time, he reopened his eyes and retrieved the book from his storage bag.

"Let's review everything before I begin."

Once he finished reading, he set the book aside and began following the steps described within.

He channeled spiritual energy from his dantian into his finger, smoothly transforming it into Metal Qi, a process he had already performed hundreds of times.

But the real challenge was just beginning. He needed to cover two fingers with Metal Qi and extend the energy outward, forming a blade-like edge.

Unfortunately, before he could even shape the Metal Qi, it scattered and dissipated.

Yet, his expression remained calm.

"Failing on the first attempt is expected. It would be strange if I succeeded immediately."

He began again.

Time passed as he repeated the process, incense stick after incense stick burning away.

On the eleventh attempt, he sighed.

"If I go past twenty tries without progress, I'll use Comprehension Points to upgrade it directly."

However, he was reluctant to spend CP on a low-level technique, knowing that he would need them for more critical breakthroughs in the future.

But time wasn't on his side.

While he cultivated in solitude, the market outside was anything but peaceful.

The conflict was escalating, and it wouldn't be long before it reached his doorstep.

.....

HAPPY EID MUBARAK TO ALL MY MUSLIM BROTHERS AROUND THE WORLD!!!!! ☪️