Chapter 161

The filter shattered again.

Qin Shi thought to himself; he had originally assumed that a peerless monster like He Lanchan would be roaming the Star Sea, braving secret realms, carving out a piece of heaven with his twin fists — yet in the end it turned out he had to rely on mining in the Netherworld, working for the Entropy Sea Bank.

"Is the end of the universe really just being a wage slave? Even a Half-step Martial God is no exception."

Qin Shi couldn't help but think this.

"To become a true titan, free from the influence or restraint of any superpower, besides being extremely powerful yourself, you must also control resources! Resources determine the future; if you lack the ability to create resources or monopolize them, you will ultimately be unable to contend with those mega-corporations or conglomerates, and will easily be manipulated!"

Super Xiao He said expressionlessly.

"Just like Dongxia's Great Expedition and Great Pioneering — only by continuously acquiring and producing resources can you avoid being strangled."

Qin Shi realized; he had seen many examples in historical readings.

During Dongxia's imperial era of utmost glory, it certainly shone its light across the galaxy, making any superpower dare not slight it.

But the subsequent Star God War and the Iron People Rebellion truly devastated the Dongxia Empire's vitality, forcing it into a fragmented, war-torn, turbulent darkness until the Nine Marshals appeared, only then beginning to restore order and reorganize the realm.

In this process, there were indeed instances of being humiliated and suppressed by superpowers.

For instance, the "Resource Sanctions" and "Route Blockades" written into history books.

If the Nine Marshals had not personally led campaigns to recover lost lands and win great victories.

Perhaps it would have ended up like other weak civilizations, carved up and devoured clean by superpowers as dishes on a plate.

"I've now achieved Mental Level Meditation Perfection, and have a Dao Nature Avatar with Spiritual Residence in my Inner Landscape; my mining efficiency shouldn't be low."

Qin Shi accepted this quickly; Xu Kong Coins had excellent exchange rates and could be traded for large amounts of resources at the Entropy Sea Bank.

"Let me order a batch of Star Skeletons and Xu Kong Marrow Crystals first; restocking takes quite a while anyway."

His fingers tapped, using his own account to purchase the relevant resources, his heart bleeding while he fantasized about their outstanding effects.

Very quickly, the net worth given by the credit assessment shrank by more than half.

"These fall within the repayment scope; no need to worry about rolling interest, ending up entangled in a Karma Loan."

Qin Shi settled all this and began circulating the Xu Kong Meditation Method; that altar was ancient and profound, inhaling the Netherworld Breath from beyond the Inner Landscape.

Wisp after wisp of thin, gray-mist-like airflow dripped down from above, refined by the altar into tiny crystals visible to the naked eye.

"Progress is still slow; at this rate, mining for two or three days might not even condense a single Xu Kong Coin."

Qin Shi's Spiritual Field Power was exceptionally concentrated, sensing the wave fluctuations of the Netherworld Ocean, like wave after wave of water striking.

In between, his mind reflected bizarre, strange scenes of all kinds, as if he had taken Devil Vine Powder, layers of illusions surfacing and constantly impacting The Brain.

"This is probably the risk of Netherworld mining."

Qin Shi guarded his true heart; the fundamental core of the Xu Kong Meditation Method was extremely "self-only," and it proved quite effective at resisting such invasions.

【27】 Letting the Netherworld's illusions grow thick and delirious whispers spread, disturbing his mind.

He let the Netherworld's illusions proliferate and delirious whispers pervade, disturbing his heart and spirit.

In the end, they were all refined into nothingness by that Xu Kong Ji Tan, sweeping away all hidden dangers.

Super Xiao He's words were not false; his aptitude combined with the Xu Kong Meditation Method.

Truly qualified as an Innate Mining Holy Body.

"If the Inheritance proficiency were higher, mining efficiency should improve by a few points."

Qin Shi entrusted the heavy task to Super Xiao He; with the Dao Nature Avatar idling, it produced one Xu Kong Coin every three days.

Accumulating little by little, gathering sand into a tower — eventual wealth was inevitable!

Becoming a Cryptocurrency Circle Big Shot starts with idling mining!

Qin Shi's spirit relaxed slightly, exiting the Inner Landscape, and he exclaimed:

"That Inner Landscape's mental clarity, extremely fast thought operation, and greatly enhanced comprehension buff — it's truly hard to let go of."

He finally understood why the vast majority of people on the Spiritual Path are ultimately willing to abandon their flesh and fully merge into the Netherworld.

Different paths, enormous differences.

What the Martial Path enjoys is precisely Mortal Body Transformation, a powerful physical body.

The Spiritual Path is exactly the opposite: the more transcendent the mind, the more condensed the spirit, causing the fleshly shell to be limited everywhere.

Compared to roaming the Netherworld with the mind, spirit flying heaven and earth, easily injured, needing to eat — a useless flesh body naturally appears burdensome.

"Wanting to walk two paths — the difficulties are heavy."

Qin Shi circulated the Furnace Method again; boiling Breath surged and moved, flowing through the Bai Gu, smoothing out that discomfort.

Fortunately he had Spirit-Flesh Unity and Body-Mind Meditative Union, allowing him to accommodate both major paths.

"Assistant Teacher Qin, someone was looking for you just now."

Lin Yunqing had already entered her agent role; seeing Qin Shi finish cultivation, she hurriedly said:

"Senior Inspector Tan Cong from the Patrol Bureau's Action Division — he has business with you."

Qin Shi recalled; last time he had mentioned to Lao Chen that he hoped to find a teacher for weapon combat techniques.

On the Martial Path, armed combat and bare-handed fighting are completely two different matters.

The former increases combat power by at least thirty percent.

"Alright, I know."

Qin Shi nodded, took the elevator back to the first floor, took out several High-Energy Protein Bars and cans from the fridge, and began replenishing his expenditure.

"Chen Uncle sent over the internal data. Assistant Teacher Qin, there are a few people you need to pay extra attention to."

Lin Yunqing's face was all professionalism; she had just investigated the popular contenders for the Top Hundred competition.

She spread out several photos respectively, then pointed at one of them and said:

"Zhou Yuanchen. A graduate of Qiguang Heng University, he has already touched the Professional Grade Threshold, a top-tier talent aiming to claim the Martial Artist Title.

By rights, he shouldn't be qualified to participate in the Top Hundred, because he's already graduated from Heng University and doesn't possess the identity of a university student.

But Zhou Yuanchen's situation is special; he entered in year one, then jumped to year three in his second year, and in the second semester jumped to year four, rapidly completing his studies and then taking a post at the Central City Education Bureau.

This person's student status is still hanging at Heng University, equivalent to skirting the edge, squeezing into the Top Hundred by clinging to the line."

Qin Shi's gaze fell; the photo showed a short-haired man, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, possessing extraordinary bearing.

"Is there more detailed content?"

Lin Yunqing understood Qin Shi's meaning and continued:

"New Martial Arts school, SS-rank martial art, 'Ten Directions Freezing Demon Path'. He has undergone two implantation surgeries, but I'm not clear on the specifics."

Qin Shi nodded slightly; life force nearing the Hundred Point Threshold, double-S martial arts, plus resource investment from the Central City Education Bureau.

He is indeed a favorite to win the Top Hundred Tournament!

"Anything else?"

He continued asking.

"Strong contenders in the Top Hundred Tournament mostly come from Qiguang Heng University. For example, Ji Yuqi and Pei Han from the Martial Arts Department."

"And several from Central City: the Education Bureau, the Security Bureau, and the Hengzhou Martial Association each have a few."

"The one sent by the Education Bureau is Zhou Yuanchen, as just mentioned. For the Security Bureau, it's Zheng Xu. They are both New Martial Arts practitioners, each mastering a different SS-rank martial art, with strong combat ability."

"As for the Hengzhou Martial Association, they sent the Twin Stars who made a name for themselves in recent years, Xia Hong and Xia Ying, brother and sister. They follow the Old Martial Arts Tiwu school, battle maniacs, not to be underestimated."

Lin Yunqing was well-prepared and introduced everything clearly.

"Truly strong hands like clouds; the gold content of the Top Hundred Tournament is indeed high."

Qin Shi scanned the photos, memorized the faces, then flipped through the materials again, discovering that these people's life force was at least breaking ninety points, all reserve professional martial artists.

And each has their own specialty!

"That's good. My Third Rebirth Transformation feels like it could be even more perfect; with their tempering, plus the Divine Gate and Bone Gate Dual Cultivation taught by Lao Liang, perhaps I can make further progress!"

Qin Shi's eyes brightened slightly, with the posture of rubbing his palms in anticipation.

He sincerely praised Lin Yunqing a few times, then wiped his mouth and took a taxi to the Patrol Division.

That dog woman was willing to lend me that Han Hai Conqueror to drive.

But Qin Shi refused, waiting for Fourth Senior Brother Nie Zongwen's investment to arrive.

He was determined to grit his teeth and buy a favorite commuter car.

Relying on the Third-Tier Credential, even though Qin Shi carried a weapon on his person, he calmly passed several security checks at the Patrol Division and entered the office floor of the Action Division.

"Xiao Qin, long time no see, this body is even stronger."

Tan Cong's hearty laughter arrived before he did.

"Inspector Tan..."

"Just call me Tan Ge, don't be so distant!"

Tan Cong walked with dragon-like strides and tiger-like steps, very heroic; his eyes stared fixedly at the military saber in Qin Shi's hand, almost emitting light.

"I heard from others that you performed outstandingly in the Heng Jian Xing Dong and received a Divine Blessing from a certain Pillar Deity; is it true?"

Qin Shi nodded vaguely, neither admitting nor denying.

"This is the item bestowed by a Pillar Deity? My goodness, you kid are really lucky! This thing in the Ancient Era was a 'Qi Luck Divine Weapon' that had been consecrated; you raise your arm and call out, and a large crowd will flock to you, hailing you as king!"

Envy appeared in Tan Cong's eyes; who in the Old Martial Arts school doesn't like a handy weapon?

Compared to the New Martial Arts school carrying machine guns on their shoulders and wearing exoskeleton power armor, they prefer using kinetic weapons, holding a long spear or a great blade, killing seven times in and seven times out to be satisfying.

"What era is it now, Tan Ge. One Star Annihilation Cannon shot, and even a Grandmaster has to be honest."

Qin Shi smiled; this Perfect Grade Electric Shock Military Saber of his was obtained from the four Pillar Bosses.

The quality shouldn't be too bad!

"Can I take a look?"

Tan Cong rubbed his hands, laughing hehe, like a lecher.

"Sure, Tan Ge, look all you want."

Qin Shi readily agreed; he also hoped Old Tan would teach him some real skills and not hold anything back.

"Good stuff! Truly good stuff! If this were in the Equipment Department, it would probably be outrageously expensive; I'd earn merit points for a lifetime and still find it hard to exchange for!"

Tan Cong gripped the dark red hilt, drew the blade from the Black Scabbard; the scraping sound was like electric current crackling through.

Hum!

The blade left the scabbard; the edge was matte dark black, like pitch-black iron that swallows light, the blade spine winding with a blood groove, like lava slowly flowing.

When Tan Cong held this military saber, there was a strong feeling, as if it were a living thing; hair-thin electric light cracks faintly appeared on the surface, flickering, like a mass of violent thunder imprisoned in a unified metal, making one unable to resist wanting to wield it and slash to kill.

"If I were ten years younger, I'd definitely go bankrupt and kneel to beg you to let me borrow this saber. For us Old Martial Arts practitioners, we indeed need such a weapon. Especially in Hengzhou, there are many Pollution Zones in the Wilderness; those precise technological devices can't be used; what's truly reliable is still swords and blades."

Tan Cong loved it and couldn't put it down, carefully fondling the hilt, then sheathed it back into the Black Scabbard and returned it to Qin Shi.

"Tan Ge, I heard from Old Chen that you're very skilled in saber techniques, a master."

Qin Shi said sincerely:

"Could you give me some guidance?"

Old Chen?

You dare call him that!

Tan Cong's mouth corner twitched, thinking, could this kid be Chen Ruofu's son-in-law?

The relationship is so close, and usually he's so close with Chen Yun.

"Master is too much to say; I can only say I know a little."

Tan Cong brought Qin Shi to the training chamber; those Action Division backbones wearing black vests, all muscle, seeing the young face walking behind, jumped in their hearts.

Someone shouted on purpose:

"Old Wei! Your love rival brother is here again!"

Wei Zheguang, who was exercising, turned black in the face upon hearing this and said angrily:

"Stop talking nonsense! My Brother Qin is a dragon among men, a genius boy! Sweeping away black and evil, the bane of crime! I've received two banners of merit; what love rival or not, I only have respect for Brother Qin!"

He set down the apparatus in his hand and looked toward Qin Shi's figure. How long had it been since they last met? Why did his Qi Life Force feel even more surging?

His cultivation speed was like riding a rocket, climbing up with a whoosh, truly despairing.

"No wonder, back when we were studying, the school would specially put the Top Scholars in one class."

Wei Zheguang wiped his sweat and said helplessly:

"The existence of geniuses is such a blow to ordinary people's Dao hearts!"

Above the fighting platform not far away, Qin Shi paid no attention to the gazes focusing on him; he was concentrating on listening to Tan Cong imparting the essentials of saber technique.

"Xiao Qin, the essence of striking soldiers is just four words: ghostly, deceptive, changing, pressing.

The 'ghostly' word formula means using the false to cover the real, luring a counterattack; the 'deceptive' word formula emphasizes attacking the heart above all, with a special 'Sight Technique', combined with powerful spirit, to shatter the enemy's courage;

the 'changing' word formula is adapting form to the enemy, requiring the skill of 'Listening to Blade Power', sensing the enemy's intentions through the vibration of the saber body;

as for the last 'pressing' word formula, it suits you best, using momentum to overwhelm others, advancing by pressing with steps, rushing forward, holding blades with both hands on the left and right of the center line and chopping continuously, like an iron anvil striking, breaking through the defense line."

Tan Cong explained very carefully and clearly, in a simple and profound way, covering both fighting methods and practice methods.

He casually took a wooden saber, demonstrated stances to Qin Shi, breaking down moves while saying:

"The saber technique I can teach you is very simple, just a few moves. First is 'Dragon Roll Stance', rotating the body rapidly with the waist as the axis, the saber light like a dragon roll wind wrapping sand and stone, where the blade passes dust rises in a spiral; if the enemy blocks, their weapon will be wrung away, the flaw is that the back is wide open when finishing the move, need to pay attention to..."

Qin Shi imitated him, similarly gripping the dark red saber handle with both hands, the Electric Shock Military Knife locked inside the Black Scabbard, swinging out with a whistling wind sound.

About two hours or so, he was focused, altogether learning "Dragon Roll Stance", "Prairie Fire Stance", "Light Swallowing Stance".

According to Lao Tan, when the three stances are combined and reach Perfection, one can comprehend "Eternal Calamity Stance", slashing out nine times in one breath, Blade Glow condensing like a true vacuum blade, creating an illusion that crosses time and space and cannot be resisted.

"How is it, Xiao Qin, do you have any insights?"

Tan Cong, whose mouth was dry from speaking, gestured for someone to bring a bottle of water.

Wei Zheguang was more quick-witted, hurried forward, and leaned against the edge of the fighting platform to "sit in on the class" by the way.

"Saber technique is different from fist and foot techniques; its essence lies in 'form extremely simple, momentum extremely grand'. Every move must strive for simplicity, not complexity, but the momentum must be sufficient, the spirit must be great, otherwise power cannot be unleashed."

Qin Shi slashed again and again with the Electric Shock Military Knife; that saber momentum played frame by frame in his Brain Sea, and with Muscle Memory, was imprinted in his body.

"You understand just like that?"

Tan Cong's drinking motion paused, and he almost choked.

He looked in astonishment at Qin Shi, whose movements now looked proper, with almost no flaws to be found.

"Brother Tan teaches well, and I study quite seriously. It doesn't feel very hard, first like this, then like that, then like that again, right?"

Qin Shi's military knife had not been drawn from its scabbard, but his movements were exceptionally fierce; his footwork was very steady, making his stances very solid, and it was hard to find any flaws.

Even when executing "Dragon Roll Stance" with grand openings and exposing openings, he could quickly connect with "Light Swallowing Stance".

"You..."

Tan Cong licked his lips, wanting to speak but stopping, not knowing what to say.

A genius student like Qin Shi truly gives teachers no sense of achievement!

"This like which like?"

Wei Zheguang, who had sneaked close to the fighting platform, thinking to listen to a few sentences, was also completely baffled.

He simply couldn't figure out, what exactly does "first like this, then like that, last like that" mean.

Are geniuses so willful?

Can you understand just by looking and listening?

(Chapter End)