Chapter 71: Yin Soul Controlling Objects

On the An Family side, Martial Artists of the Jin Realm, such as Wang Da Xiansheng and Wang Tianma, were all fine and had no intention of going.

As for Force Realm Martial Artists like Ding Kui, they also generally knew their own level and were not planning to go either.

But a merchant guild has quite a large number of people, after all.

The forest is big, and there are all kinds of birds; there will always be those whose hearts are stirred.

In this world, no matter how inconceivable or undesirable you think a matter is—even if not even a dog would want to go—as long as a benefit is offered, there will surely be someone who wants to go.

Although they hadn't moved yet, there was hesitation and flickering in the eyes of some Martial Artists, though they didn't step out immediately, waiting to see the situation later; after all, there were seven days.

Seeing no one step out, the official runner was not angry, only saying: "Seven days, no waiting after the deadline, grasp the opportunity well; this time is very rare."

Having said this, the official runner turned and left.

The crowd had various thoughts, yet they all looked toward the Guild Leader and the Son-in-law not far away.

An Chenyu closed her eyes slightly in thought, stepped forward, and said indifferently: "If any of you wish to go, go tell the Steward yourselves and collect a portion of supplies, including weapons and silver; my An Family will not block your path."

"If you miss the An Family in the future, you can still come back to visit; it is all fine."

Looking around, she clapped her hands lightly and said: "Alright, go back to your own business."

The crowd dispersed.

An Chenyu tilted her head to look at the man behind her.

Song Cheng smiled and said: "An Jie, should I go?"

An Chenyu's cold and gorgeous face stared at him, then she leaned in close, her apricot eyes facing the black cloth, and her red lips whispered softly: "Are you willing?"

Her laughter was soft, and her words reminded one of the crazy scenes of "swans entwining necks and mandarin ducks playing in the water" these past few days, accompanied by the warmth of skin rubbing against skin and the stirring of soft moans.

Having said this, she did not wait for the youth to respond, held her head high, and walked away with her long legs.

Every time, she had seriously confirmed whether little Song was satisfied.

This "satisfaction survey" was always "highest star rating" every time.

Moreover, as time went on, she understood Song Cheng more and more.

He was cautious and careful, hiding his true depth; when he acted, he would not move unless necessary, but once he did, it would be fatal; and he was also a person who valued emotions.

Just now, Song Cheng was teasing her.

The unapproachable iceberg was only for outsiders; with Song Cheng, the iceberg had long since melted.

Song Cheng also smiled; he leaned on his new saber and headed toward the Library Pavilion, then found Zhao Hua, took his family's "Water Bird Strength," and had Ling'er read it to him.

Every martial arts school had its own heritage and did not leak it, but this absolutely did not include Song Cheng.

Song Cheng took "Water Bird Strength" just to test his own ideas.

In the sunlight, the Son-in-law had his eyes wrapped in black cloth.

The tea-scented maid held the cultivation manual, reading a book where she "only recognized the characters but did not understand the meaning," and it gave her a headache.

After reading one passage, Song Cheng fell into deep thought, while Ling'er looked at the scorching sun and said: "Son-in-law, I will go pour you some plum juice."

Song Cheng said: "Then bring the pot over; there are quite a few people in the Library Pavilion."

The tea-scented maid gave an unwilling "Oh."

Her eyes were set high above, and she actually only cared about the feelings of the Son-in-law and the Young Miss; why should she care about the Martial Artists in the Library Pavilion? However, since the Son-in-law had ordered it, she went.

Song Cheng scanned the panel: 【Skills】

Water Bird Strength (Yellow Grade Grade C) (Not Yet Initiated (0/4)) The youth only needed to think about it slightly to recall the entire content of this "Water Bird Strength."

It was just as he had guessed; this "Water Bird Strength" was between Comfort Force and Pouncing Force.

If he had already constructed the power paths of "Comfort Force" and "Pouncing Force" in his body, then... he only needed to do a little tidying up to practice "Water Bird Strength."

'Let's try it.'

Song Cheng thought to himself, then stood up, raised his hands, moved his fists, and pushed his palms.

The cultivation method recorded in "Water Bird Strength," following his movements, was practiced correctly and without error the first time; by the time Ling'er brought over a pot of plum juice, he was already practicing it with fluid ease.

Immediately following, the combat techniques of "Water Bird Strength" also blossomed in the youth's hands.

The water bird flies swiftly, its beak patrols the shallow bottom, the two phases resonate—chirp!!

A sharp, crisp sound rang out as the youth's fist swept upward, sounding like the cry of a white bird.

Ling'er blinked her eyes as she watched, clapping her hands desperately from the side. And this chirping sound also startled Zhao Hua, who was not far away, contemplating how to integrate "Water Bird Strength" with "White Snake Strength" and "Fuliu Jin Jin Jin."

The bird's cry was a sign of "Water Bird Strength" reaching Great Accomplishment.

But Big Brother hadn't practiced this technique before, right? He just got the manual, right? Huazi felt a bit restless inside, but also a bit proud, feeling that Big Brother was truly a god-like figure.

Song Cheng stopped his movements and glanced at the panel.

In just a short while, "Water Bird Strength" had changed from "Not Yet Initiated (0/4)" to "Great Accomplishment (1/16)."

What he did was actually very simple: he simulated the force, and all his attention was placed on the transition of the "force," just like digging a few more shovels of dirt between two large river channels to make the connection between the two channels smoother.

"Son-in-law, Son-in-law, drink some plum juice."

Ling'er still played a little trick; although she brought the pot and everyone had soup to drink, she had quietly taken a few rare ice cubes from the cellar.

These ice cubes were only placed in the Son-in-law's bowl; no one else had any.

At this time, she brought the plum juice with the ice cubes and delivered it to Song Cheng.

Song Cheng did not refuse Ling'er's kindness and took it to drink.

The sour and sweet, icy and cool taste was truly refreshing.

And the ice cubes in his mouth were even more crunchy when chewed.

"Call everyone over to drink plum juice."

Song Cheng gave the order, and Ling'er ran off again, then put her hands on her hips and said not too happily: "The Son-in-law invites you to drink soup."

A group of Martial Artists ran outside one after another, each surrounding Song Cheng to drink.

As they drank, they naturally started chatting as well.

"That government runner is clearly here to conscript soldiers; who would go?" Wang Tianma said casually.

Another Martial Artist chimed in: "No matter how good the benefits are, you still have to go to the battlefield to fight. But the front lines are chaotic right now; nobody knows what will happen if you go."

Everyone spoke one after another, mostly saying the same thing.

However, suddenly a Martial Artist said: "But I heard that the Mountain River Martial Hall and White Camel Manor are both extremely powerful forces. Usually, there is absolutely no way to get in. Now, they are willing to provide an opportunity..."

This was a disciple from one of the seven small martial halls. Before going out, he had naturally heard his own hall master say, "The Mountain River Martial Hall, White Camel Manor, and Zhushan Pass are the true powers behind Hanping Prefecture; even the Prefect and the County Magistrate are their people."

Such transcendent forces are truly tempting.

That government runner was right; wealth and status are sought amidst danger, and the opportunity is rare.

Immediately after, another Martial Artist said: "Bullshit, they're just bluffing you. Do you really think you can join and cultivate their techniques? It's all a trick to get you to risk your life."

In reality, no one is a fool.

Song Cheng listened silently.

After finishing their sour plum soup, the group stood up to take their leave and went back to continue their cultivation.

Time flew by, and another three days passed.

In the morning.

Song Cheng rose early, raised his hand, and threw a punch; the power of the Water Bird Strength at Completion was unleashed one by one in his palms.

Ordinary strength-cultivators cultivate river channels, but he was merely repairing and patching, making the connection between the two river channels smoother.

In just three days, he had cultivated the "Water Bird Strength" from "Not Yet Initiated" to "Completion." He hadn't used a single point; it was purely through his own cultivation.

However, the "Six Strengths" in the "Xuanwu True Strength" did not become "Seven Strengths."

The reason was simple: this "Water Bird Strength" did not count as an extra strength.

Nevertheless, Song Cheng's strength still jumped up, changing directly from "139~278" to "141~282."

At this point, he had finished cultivating all the techniques available to him from the An Family and even the martial halls of Shanghe County.

But it did not matter; last night, when he took the last Soul Strengthening Pill and completed his first Soul Strengthening, his Soul had already grown, growing enough to produce a small qualitative change.

This qualitative change was called: Object Manipulation.

Song Cheng did not intend to visit the martial halls in the Prefecture City; he wanted to try a different method: Soul leaving the body, stepping on the moon in the dead of night, sneaking into other martial halls, and then using Object Manipulation to flip through books and study their techniques.

(End of this chapter)