Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

In the sunlight,

after practicing for two consecutive hours, the spiritual power of the elixir in his belly still hadn't been fully consumed, continuing to overflow at a steady pace, extremely gentle and easy to absorb.

"Tenfold!"

Jiang Ding's eyes were filled with shock.

"With the refined 'Eagle Taking Off Sword Technique' combined with practicing elixirs, one can increase the speed of cultivation by tenfold. A single day of practice is equivalent to ten days of hard labor."

"Today, I have finally experienced the cultivation speed of the truly gifted."

It took some time for him to barely calm his tumultuous heart.

"I have five elixirs, which can shorten the time to reach the Large Circle of Vital Energy by a bit over a month... After all these elixirs are consumed, and I practice for a while, I should be able to reach half way through the Large Circle of Vital Energy. Each of the Twelve Meridians thoroughly tempered and nourished with a thousand threads, I can then begin to break through the bottleneck of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians."

He felt it was a pity that there were only three Centennial Magical Ginsengs, and they had all been consumed already.

The only possible places they could exist were in the hands of the major powers.

"Should I or should I not?"

Jiang Ding's killing intent surged and then he extinguished it.

"No, there are plenty of good things belonging to others. Should I rob them all? That's seeking death."

"Moreover, it's not an indispensable thing. With enough time, I could achieve it on my own, needing only safety. It's not wise to forsake the essentials for the trivial."

His heart slowly settled down.

Thump, thump, thump!

Dragon Three's knock on the door was naturally heavier than Huang Deyou's, this time even more urgent.

"Come in."

Dragon Three entered somewhat frantically, carefully closing the gate behind him and giving a small bow: "Young master, today's Blue Luminous Butterflies have been delivered. There are 4,221 pairs, and it is estimated that you will have the required quantity in seven days."

After a moment's hesitation, he clenched his teeth and said, "The street where you reside…"

"Is under heavy surveillance, right?"

Jiang Ding said calmly.

Several days ago, people started showing up on Lanban Street, tea drinkers, peddlers, shop owners, and other various identities, all of them Inner Qi Martial Artists who had practiced techniques for concealing their presence, highly skilled and not something a small faction could deploy.

He didn't drive them away.

What else to do?

The Blue Luminous Butterflies still needed to be delivered daily. The enemy, by doing this, was lulling him into complacency and wouldn't make a move.

"And you?"

Seeing his calm demeanor, Dragon Three was no longer panicked.

That day, at the foot of Fierce Tiger Village, he was just this calm.

After thinking it over, Dragon Three lowered his voice.

"Young master, there has been a significant occurrence in Jianghu recently."

"Many talents listed on the Dragon and Phoenix List have been attacked simultaneously within a few days. The culprits appear to be black-clothed individuals, usually groups of fifteen or sixteen, mostly from the Internal Qi Realm. Over twenty talents from the list have gone missing."

"Even the diabolical outlaws from Diabolism attacked 'Green God Sword' Song Qing, the true disciple ranked ninth from Qingniugong, who managed to escape and make the matter public, causing an uproar."

"It is said that these Diabolism scum are extremely loyal, committing suicide by poison when captured. Fortunately, the Xiantian masters of Qingniugong are skillful in martial arts and have restrained a few of them. They are currently trying to force out their origins, and the truth may soon come to light..."

He left his words at that.

He still had a good impression of this young hero.

Measured in his dealings, if the Sihai Trading Company could diligently handle mundane matters for those high up, perhaps they could gain a favor from this person in the future.

If a sufficient price were paid, this young hero might be willing to put in some effort to resolve a critical issue for them. The likelihood of a backstab was small, offering a different value to the Sihai Trading Company.

Of course, the matter had to be in line with the Righteous Path, something that seemed important to him.

"The truth will out so soon? Alas!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ding sighed lightly and gave Dragon Three a bow, thanking him for his kindness.

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Forces with a strong demand for Inner Qi Realm Martial Artists with talent and potential, when thinking it through, could only be the Hou Mansion, and even self-deception was not an option.

If the Xiantian experts from Qingniugong really had astonishing methods and could torture the information out of someone, the Hou Mansion would instantly become the target of everyone in Jianghu.

To protect themselves, they would probably need to take significant action.

"Is there any danger to the Sihai Business Association, and do you need help?"

Jiang Ding did not ignore the many gestures of goodwill shown and asked.

If it was within his means, he would help, provided that he could ensure safety.

As far as he knew, the Sihai Business Association had deep conflicts with both the Jinlong Business Association, pushed by the Hou Mansion, and the ambiguous Fierce Tiger Village.

Yes, a resolution had been reached, but that was in the past.

"Thank you for your kindness, young master, but the Sihai Business Association can protect itself."

Dragon Three showed a moved expression, feeling that true character is revealed in times of adversity. To think of him in such a situation, this young master was truly a person of character.

After some thought, he shared some information.

"The Sihai Business Association has always been neutral, doing business with all sorts of heroes in Jianghu... with 'that person' as well, there are conflicts on regular days, and there are businesses, both are true."

"Is that so?"

Jiang Ding fell silent.

Perhaps this is the reality of the world—there's no such thing as justice or not, as alliances and positions are constantly changing.

It's just the common people who suffer, busying about for things they claim to care about, living and dying for them.

Dragon Three said nothing more.

He always knew that this person had such character and probably didn't like these things.

"Do me a favor."

Jiang Ding said lightly, "As for Huang Deyou, Han Lin and the other guys, take them to work at the Sihai Business Association today. From now on, just ensure they have enough to eat. You don't need to cover for them if they commit any crimes or engage in corruption."

"If they encounter irresistible forces, there's no need to forcibly resist either."

This scenario was probably unlikely; all these people were born and raised in East Ling and didn't possess anything unusual or desirable that would provoke envy.

"I will do as the young master wishes!"

Dragon Three was touched and responded solemnly.

The character of this young master was unquestionable. As an enemy, one might mock him, but as a partner, he was someone who could be reassuring.

"You may leave."

Dragon Three bowed slightly, said his farewells, and left with Huang Deyou and others, saying there were cooperative matters to handle at the trading company.

Huang Deyou came in to pay his respects and, after receiving Jiang Ding's confirmation, he ensured that today's samples were properly organized before leaving.

The general store that had been open for several months was now back to its original quiet state.

Hum!

Jiang Ding paid no mind to these matters, as the Talisman Sword flew up before him, dancing in the sunlight, shining bright, occasionally revealing a magnificent sword light upon a touch, which would then disappear in the blink of an eye.

The more he practiced, the more fluent Jiang Ding felt, with many feelings and insights emerging.

This "Great Bright Sword Technique" was one hundred percent a Flying Sword Technique, which explained why no matter how he practiced it before, it always felt wrong and awkward.

Night fell, and it was the early hours before dawn.

After collecting today's Blue Luminous Butterflies and samples, Jiang Ding did not light the lamp but sat cross-legged at the same spot to cultivate, continuously digesting the spiritual power generated by the Elixir and refining his meridians with a high efficiency.

At one moment, he opened his eyes.

Through the drone's view, a force of about a hundred, including many Inner Qi Realm Martial Artists in heavy armor, was silently advancing towards this place in a strict and orderly formation.

One of over ten Inner Qi Realm Martial Artists who had been surveilling the area stepped out early to meet them.

"That's enough."

Jiang Ding took one last look at the small courtyard he had occupied for months—the first home he had in this strange world. With a step, his figure vanished into thin air.

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