Chapter 41: Perpetual Prodigy State

'There's not enough money...'

Outside Yanggu County, dozens of kilometers away in Xianyun County, Fang Can spent the night at an inn and stared at the three taels of silver left in his possession.

According to the purchasing power of this world, those three taels of silver would suffice for an ordinary person to live frugally for nearly half a month.

But for someone like him, always on the move, it wasn’t enough to cover even these past few days’ inn fees and meals.

'Should’ve brought some gold when I crossed over,' Fang Can sighed as he collapsed onto the inn’s bed, pulling out a stack of receipts from his robe.

These were letters of allegiance from every major faction within a hundred li, each allowing him to collect protection fees monthly from martial academies.

Fang Can flipped through the receipts, marking on his mental map the factions he’d visit next to collect payment.

Based on the due dates, he selected three receipts: Liyang Martial Academy, Qingyan Cottage, and Heishi Gambling Den.

With these receipts in hand, he could earn at least three hundred taels tomorrow—ensuring he wouldn’t worry about money for a year—then flee with the cash and wander the world.

'I heard Jiang’s Ruin Sword Mountain lies in Liangzhou, quite far away—should I go seek her out?'

Fang Can lay on the bed, legs crossed, letting his mind drift aimlessly.

But he immediately recalled her suggestion that he undergo the Egg-Swap procedure, and instinctively dismissed the idea.

Gazing out the window at the scattered stars, Fang Can’s consciousness grew heavy, slipping slowly into sleep.

Lying on the bed, Fang Can had only dozed for two hours when a chilling sensation rose from the back of his skull.

In an instant, that unmistakable feeling jolted him upright; his right hand seized the Longquan Sword beside him, eyes darting around like a startled hound.

He knew this chill well—it was his talent, Ni Ji Tai Lai, activating, meaning someone lurking nearby intended to harm him.

'Where’s the enemy?' Fang Can scanned the room, sword drawn, heart empty.

Calming himself, he sat cross-legged on the floor, closing his eyes to sense the changes in Ni Ji Tai Lai.

He realized the ability had indeed triggered—but unlike before, when it flared violently for a short time, it now maintained his talent at a steady, continuous level.

'Does Ni Ji Tai Lai think the hidden threat is real but not serious, so it’s just giving me a token boost in talent?' Fang Can speculated.

Comparing with the panel, he found his talent now hovered at roughly three times his normal level—nothing like the dozens-of-times boost from arsenic—but more like the minor risk of tripping while walking.

Though the increase was small, it was stable: three times his baseline talent meant he was perpetually in a minor prodigy state.

Since the ability judged the threat as minor, Fang Can ignored it—after all, having someone quietly watching him, boosting his talent for free, was no bad thing.

When they finally show themselves, I’ll crush them outright.

He looked out the window—the sky had just begun to lighten, faint sunlight bathing his body, continuously charging his cells.

Now fully awake, he packed his belongings and set out to collect debts; his first target, naturally, was the nearest Liyang Martial Academy.

With his long sword on his back and short hair, Fang Can passed through the morning crowds; since leaving Hushan Gate, the proportion of martial artists around him had dropped sharply.

Of the eighty or ninety people he passed, only a few had steady steps and radiant blood qi; not one had crossed the First Xuanguan.

After all, martial cultivation requires willpower, and even those with good talent must train for two years just to barely reach the First Xuanguan.

But this realm is unstable, rising or falling with one’s mental state.

Most people train to rise above others.

Yet during the day they toil in the fields, enduring their boss’s scolding, accumulating rage; even if they stay disciplined at night, their deeply depressed mindset only hinders cultivation, making effort futile.

Unless you’re wealthy, you won’t even get the chance to train—if your life is full of bitterness, you’ll never cross the martial gate.

Facing the morning glow, Fang Can arrived at the gates of Liyang Martial Academy, gazing up at the bold, powerful characters carved on the signboard, and nodded slightly.

'May I ask, brother, what brings you to Liyang Martial Academy?' The gatekeeper stepped forward.

As he spoke, he sized Fang Can up—his attire and the sword on his back clearly weren’t ordinary, so his tone softened slightly.

Fang Can didn’t waste time, pulling out the receipts: 'I’m from Hushan Gate.'

Hearing 'Hushan Gate,' the gatekeeper’s tone dropped another notch, bowing deeply with utmost respect:

'Please wait a moment, sir—I’ll inform the academy master at once.'

Watching the gatekeeper rush off, Fang Can thought the man’s reaction was excessive.

But then he saw another guard placing a chair behind him, bowing obsequiously: 'Please sit, sir—he’ll be back before the incense burns out.'

Fang Can: '...Oh, you’re too kind.'

The guard, flustered, waved his hands: 'Sir, don’t mention it—it’s our duty.'

Inside the academy, the messenger sprinted into the meeting hall and reported to the current master, Ye Yonglie: 'Master, Hushan Gate has come to collect rent.'

'Oh?' Ye Yonglie, just risen, tilted his head in confusion: 'Why so early today? They usually come at You hour.'

'I don’t know. And unlike previous messengers, this one’s a new face—never seen him before.'

'A new disciple?' Ye Yonglie frowned slightly: 'Did he say how much he wants? Five hundred taels? A thousand?'

'He didn’t say.' The guard scratched his head. 'But he looks young—probably just graduated from the Training Hall, inexperienced. Maybe he’ll ask for less.'

'Hard to tell.' Ye Yonglie found the situation tricky. After a moment’s thought, he said: 'Bring him in.'

'Yes, Master.'

Watching the guard hurry out, Ye Yonglie sat patiently in his high-backed chair.

Not long after, a young man with commanding presence entered under the guards’ escort; Ye Yonglie rose immediately:

'Truly, heroes emerge in youth! I am Ye Yonglie, current master of Liyang Martial Academy. Another young talent from Hushan Gate—I’m honored. May I ask your name?'

'Call me Fang Can. You know why I’m here.' Fang Can smiled, pulling out the receipts from his pocket.

'Ah, of course, no problem!' Ye Yonglie smiled, handing him a money pouch: 'A small token from me.'

(End of Chapter)