Chapter 3: Breakthrough, No Chickens or Dogs Left

After breakfast, Qin Feng felt a sudden urge and told Xiao Qing, "Go find Mei Yi and get a stalk of old ginseng; I need to train."

"Yes, young master!" Xiao Qing hurriedly rushed off.

Xiao Hong followed at his side, personally attending.

They were only about seventeen or eighteen years old; his mother had selected them early on to stay by his side, and while serving him they also grew up together.

Qin Feng looked toward the main house.

That was originally his parents' residence, now it stands empty.

He is the master of this manor, an indisputable fact.

But to become the family head, he still needed to convene a clan meeting, gain approval from the elders and others, only then would it be truly legitimate and allow him to mobilize all Qin Family resources.

"If it weren't for my father dying so suddenly, even my mother wouldn't have returned, and it wouldn't be this troublesome!" Qin Feng frowned, yet set aside his thoughts.

The righteous cause lies with me.

No rush.

The rain had lessened considerably, but it was still drizzling.

Qin Feng returned to the courtyard, felt a sudden urge, drew his long sword, and began practicing swordsmanship in the rain.

The sword technique was close and intricate, gentle as a spring breeze, yet hid endless killing intent.

This is precisely the Spring Wind Transforming Rain Sword Technique.

Altogether thirty-six forms.

A person in the rain, the sword light turns into rain.

Especially at the sword tip, a point of true qi transformed into a chilling gleam, unusually cold, continually dispersing the fine rain.

Qin Feng's figure grew ever faster, eventually seeming to merge into this vast rain curtain; after a long while he stopped, revealing a hint of joy.

"My speed in practicing sword technique has also increased greatly—could it be that my comprehension has improved as well?"

His genes had reached twice the level.

Perhaps his spirit had also increased accordingly.

The Heaven-Man Unity endowment of this day allowed him to harmonize with heaven and earth nature, perhaps also greatly enhancing his comprehension.

"The sword technique is already mastered; before long it will be perfected, and then I can train in advanced sword techniques!"

Everything was moving toward improvement, and Qin Feng was in high spirits.

At that moment, Xiao Hong walked over holding an umbrella for Xiao Qing; in Xiao Qing's hand was a tray bearing a bowl, steam wafting.

"Young master, the ginseng soup is ready!" She entered the pavilion.

Qin Feng leapt over.

Xiao Hong, having put down the umbrella, had already picked up a towel to wipe the rain from his face.

After a simple cleaning, he sat down.

Xiao Qing said, "Young master, I took century ginseng, sliced it into ten pieces, added Solomon's seal and astragalus, and simmered it into a Great Tonifying Vitality Soup."

Qin Feng nodded, drank it down in one gulp, and also swallowed the ginseng and other ingredients.

After just a moment, he felt a warm current rise in his abdomen, swiftly flowing to his limbs and bones; he quickly sat cross-legged on the stone bench and began practicing the Return to Origin Technique.

As the technique circulated, heavenly and earthly spiritual energy swarmed in.

After the medicinal effects were exhausted, Qin Feng then stopped.

"At this rate, I'll be able to break through in just a few days." Thinking this, he told Xiao Qing, "From now on, prepare one for me every morning, noon, and night."

"Young master!" Xiao Qing hastily advised, "Doctor Liu says this kind of great tonic easily causes internal heat; it's best taken once every three days, otherwise it may cause qi and blood to rebel."

"It's fine; I can fully digest it!" Qin Feng said without allowing doubt.

Xiao Qing pursed her lips.

In the blink of an eye, four or five days passed.

Morning, in the study.

Qin Feng sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes closed, cultivating.

Suddenly his aura surged greatly; the landscape paintings hanging on the walls moved on their own. "Breakthrough achieved, Martial Dao Fourth Rank!"

After cultivating a bit more, Qin Feng opened his eyes, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

He had originally guessed that, with the increase in gene multiplier, his life essence would leap, and combined with the boost of the Heaven-Man Unity endowment of this day, once he reached perfection at the third rank, breaking through would not be difficult.

Indeed, after reaching the limit, he smoothly broke through the shackles.

The dantian space inside his body expanded greatly.

The cultivation of Martial Dao Ninth Rank is actually quite simple: before entering the rank, one cultivates a thread of qi vigor, then opens up the dantian's qi sea, which counts as stepping into the first rank.

Thereafter, each breakthrough consists of breaking the dantian's confinement and expanding the qi sea.

The qi sea has nine layers of barriers; breaking them all completely constitutes Martial Dao Ninth Rank.

As for the various changes during this process, they naturally have corresponding transformations.

Qin Feng came to the courtyard; the sun was already high, and Fu Ye Ye was waiting here.

"Young master!"

"Fu Ye Ye, please sit!"

Under the pavilion, Qin Feng sat down.

Fu Ye Ye remained standing at his side, saying in his words, "Rules cannot be abandoned."

"Have you gathered everything?"

"We're still missing a blood bat! There are none in the city; after inquiring, we found they appear in Cloud Mist Mountain beyond a hundred li away. We've already sent people with an old hunter to go there; they should return in about two days."

"As soon as they return, send it to me right away!"

"Yes!" Fu Ye Ye said after consideration, "The Sima Family has sent people over to purchase our Dye Workshop."

Sima family?

Hmm, in the city it can only be considered a third-rate force.

Interesting! What's the bid?

One-third of the market price, spoken arrogantly, with an insolent bearing.

This is a pawn, testing our attitude. Qin Feng frowned, "I didn't expect someone to lose patience so quickly. But can we guess which family is behind it?"

It seems they're close to the Cao family. Old Master Fu said.

Cao family? Qin Feng shook his head. "In the city, the Xiang, Liu, and our Qin family are the three dominant powers; the Lü and Cao families are somewhat weaker. Given the Cao family head's sly nature, he shouldn't make a move at this time. Anyway, no matter who it is, since they dare to jump out, we'll chop them up!"

One-third of the market price? This isn't just probing, it's humiliation. If we don't retaliate, we're telling everyone we've truly become a sick tiger, not even daring to show our fangs. Qin Feng's eyes narrowed, killing intent flashing, "At this moment we cannot retreat; retreating a step is an abyss of ten thousand fathoms. Old Master Fu, tonight we will annihilate the Sima family, leaving not a chicken or dog."

Xiao Feng, you've really grown up. Old servant I thought, I thought... Fu Ye Ye listened, very moved, eyes moist, unable to restrain himself, he said, "Young master, old servant has been rude."

Old Master Fu, you're still being formal with me. Qin Feng smiled. "These days, you've worked hard."

Not hard, not hard, young master has grown up, matured, taken responsibility, and gained even more grandeur. Even if I were to die now, I could close my eyes in peace.

Ah, what's this talk of dying? Our Qin family still needs you to look after it. When I have a son in the future, I'll still need you to continue teaching him!

Old servant awaits that day!

Old Master Fu hurried away in excitement.

It was obvious that he was very satisfied with Qin Feng's decision.

Just as he reached the gate, his steps halted and he loudly said, "Ninth Uncle, you've come!"

Hmm, steward, I've come to see my nephew; if you have business, go attend to it. A young man walked in with his hands behind his back.

Old Master Fu frowned, thought for a moment, and upon considering Qin Feng's change, he didn't turn back.

But looking at the guards in the distance, his gaze turned cold.

In the courtyard! "Greetings, Ninth Uncle!" Seeing the arrival, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong hurriedly bowed in salute.

The young man completely ignored him, still with hands behind his back, looking at Qin Feng and said rudely, "Xiao Feng nephew, Ninth Uncle has arrived—hurry up and greet him!"

Qin Ying, you're putting on airs! Qin Feng lifted his eyelids, his expression unpleasant.

(End of chapter)