Chapter 47: 46 Awakening, Part 2

Another half month has passed.

The case has been closed.

The killer was a wandering vagrant who saw Shao Quanhua getting off a carriage, looking quite wealthy, and approached him to demand money.

Shao refused, and was subsequently slain, having his throat and head cut.

Shortly afterward, the vagrant was swiftly executed at the public market.

Everything settled down.

Zhang Rongfang had initially worried about being discovered, but unfortunately, until the case closed, he was never suspected.

Not even the constables from the yamen had questioned him.

Everything was brushed off casually.

Late February.

Huaxin County experienced flooding, with the water level of the nearby Duxi River rising wildly, submerging many bridge surfaces.

Some streets could only be navigated using small boats.

Outside the city, within the mountain forest.

Zhang Rongfang wore tight-fitting black clothes, with his face covered except for his eyes, and a black hood on his head.

Apart from his eyes, his hands were gloved in thin material.

He did not carry the Wish Wheel Separation Injury, as it was somewhat large, opting instead for a steel dagger the length of his palm.

Great Spirit’s forging abilities were commendable; steel was not difficult to obtain.

However, Great Spirit stipulated that ordinary people were not allowed to purchase weapons without the appropriate documentation, which required payment for registration.

Thus, Zhang Rongfang was forced to improvise, acquiring a dagger and some valuables from the Shao family’s residence.

The dagger was a standard, with the craftsman’s name engraved near the hilt.

As for the money, Zhang Rongfang only found thirty-some taels, the rest disappearing mysteriously.

It was likely divided among the Shao family’s servants or taken by officials from the yamen.

Gathering his thoughts, Zhang Rongfang slowed in the forest, stopping by a small stream.

This was a small patch of meadow, previously occupied by two dead trees, which he had cleared away.

It now became his dedicated practice space.

He had too many secrets hidden on his person, and revealing them within the city would be easy and restrictive.

But in the forest, there were fewer concerns.

Since he had determined his goals—to rise and achieve high rank—he needed to quickly improve any aspect that could be enhanced.

Position ratings would raise accessible resources and influence, exposing him to different circles.

Many valuable things were only accessible within certain circles.

Zhang Rongfang did not forget that his purpose in rising high was for resources and safety.

Resources would accelerate his accumulation of attribute points. Authority would better protect him from harm.

Placing the water bag aside on the ground.

Zhang Rongfang closed his eyes once more, focusing on his eyelids, causing the attribute panel to appear.

Only then did he open his eyes.

This was his newly discovered method. Simply focusing on his eyelids activated the attribute panel.

Compared to before, his attributes had changed somewhat.

’Zhang Rongfang—Life 25-26.

Skills: Rejuvenation Purification Talisman Manual-Mountain-shaped Talisman (Limit-breaking) (Limit-Breaking Skill: Heavy Mountain).

Void Observation Skill (First Layer Essence Aperture).

Dragon and Snake Ascension Skill (Limit-breaking) (Limit-Breaking Skill: Shrinking Earth).

Morning Energy Talisman (Limit-breaking).

Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada (Initiate).

Fused Limit-Breaking Skill: Shrinking Step Heavy Mountain.

Available Attribute: 2.’

“Life hasn’t changed… aside from Void Observation Skill, only Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada has reached initiation and can improve. All others are already at limit-breaking.”

Zhang Rongfang sighed inwardly.

The previously used attribute points had accumulated again, back to two.

Similarly, the purchased herbal remedies had finally been consumed.

Next, he must spend money to buy more. Otherwise, his attribute accumulation speed would revert to previous levels.

Before, it took him two months to gather a single point.

Now, taking herbs daily reduced that to ten days per point.

This efficiency had increased tremendously.

Having adapted to this growth, Zhang Rongfang was reluctant to return to the past.

“Forget it, let’s focus on improvement first.”

At the moment, clearing distractions, he focused intently on Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada.

The body technique was incredibly beneficial, so maintaining this advantage was essential.

He had come to understand that in a year, he would inform his master about breaking through to Second Tier, allowing his rank to be established and a position to be assigned.

Now, Zhang Rongfang imagined himself gently tapping the plus sign behind Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada.

Instantly, the text in the brackets blurred rapidly, then reappeared as ’Mastery’.

Simultaneously, a flood of memories and realizations about practicing Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada surged into his mind.

Having gone through this experience multiple times, Zhang Rongfang had become somewhat accustomed.

He merely shook his head slightly, glancing down at his legs.

Yet, this time, he was somewhat disappointed that elevating Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada to mastery only caused a slight numbness and swelling in his legs, with no significant physical transformation.

He suddenly recalled the concept among martial artists regarding physical limits…

Even with continuous limit-breaking, everyone’s body has a natural cap.

This is predetermined by innate structure.

It’s also the inherent material of a person’s body, defining boundaries.

“Am I already nearing my limit now?” Zhang Rongfang felt uneasy.

Not even the Rejuvenation Purification Talisman Manual of Qinghe Palace could push every disciple beyond innate limits solely with time and rigorous training.

Each had their own inherent limit.

Some people are inherently weak and can only reach the second rank at most.

Some can reach the fourth rank.

And some can reach the fifth rank.

For most martial artists, if they can’t reach a high enough level before the age of thirty, they’ll be unable to advance further.

That’s because after thirty, their Qi and Blood will start to decline.

Zhang Rongfang recalled his own situation.

’Counting all my martial skills, I’ve broken the limit three times: once with the Dragon and Snake Ascension Skill, once with the Mountain-shaped Talisman, and once with the Morning Energy Talisman.

So, does that mean I’m at the boundary between the third and fourth ranks?’

Zhang Rongfang suddenly remembered his master or perhaps fellow disciples mentioning the concept of the third-rank barrier.

’Could it be that I’ve reached the third-rank barrier?’

He looked at his attributes panel.

Without hesitation, he invested his remaining attribute point into the Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada.

Suddenly, the brackets after Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada blurred and instantaneously changed to the new word (Perfected).

An overwhelming flood of practice memories surged into his mind.

Zhang Rongfang swayed slightly, feeling somewhat dizzy. This time, there was not much change in the strength of his legs, but his overall muscles became more proportionate and streamlined.

After a while, he finally returned to normal.

Standing on the grass, Zhang Rongfang took a quick step forward and ran over ten meters.

As before, his running was silent and highly stealthy.

But this time, after enhancing the Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada, his burst speed was faster than before.

’The speed has increased by at least 20%. Not bad.’ Zhang Rongfang stopped, roughly assessing the improvement.

’And my ability to make small turns and control has improved greatly, unlike before when turns were sluggish.’

Satisfied, he pondered.

Zhang Rongfang went under a tree to have a drink of water.

’With my current level of body technique, I wonder what level I stand at in the whole of Huaxin County. In addition to my martial power, I wonder which level of experts I can compete against.’

’Without comparison, there is no basis for discussion. Only through a lot of practical combat can I accumulate experience and avoid panic and injury from sudden attacks in the future.

It seems…. I need to engage in some real battles.’

Only by knowing my position can I better gauge my actions.

But how to compare…. how to engage in combat….

Zhang Rongfang already had an idea.

*

*

*

In the afternoon, in the North District of Huaxin, Black Fist Sect.

Compared to the business-focused Mi Gang, the Black Fist Sect is genuinely struggling.

Initially, this sect was a small organization spontaneously formed by laborers.

The aim was to unite for warmth and negotiate greater benefits with businessmen.

After undergoing multiple changes and adjustments, the Black Fist Sect gradually transformed.

Within the sect, there are positions such as the Sect Leader, sitting leaders, team heads, and ordinary members.

Compared to Mi Gang’s wealth, Black Fist Sect’s greatest strength is its Sect Leader, Zhuang Dali.

Rumor has it this person has practiced Black Arm Fist to the fifth layer, meaning he has broken the limit five times, and according to official definitions, that places him at the fifth rank.

At this moment, Zhuang Dali was intently watching several apprentices dismantling each other’s moves in the dojo.

Lately, a sudden upheaval happened in Mi Gang, with Qinghe Palace aggressively wrapping things up, causing a stir in Huaxin County.

Originally, Mi Gang was actually in the same league as Qinghe Palace. Now, however….

After the Mi Gang incident, the most direct outcome was the reduction of Qinghe Palace’s influence in Huaxin County.

Zhuang Dali pondered whether it was time for Black Fist Sect to expand its territory….

Bam!

Suddenly, the courtyard gate of Black Fist Sect was pushed open with great force.

A stout man, dressed all in black, slowly walked in.

Behind him, two Black Fist Sect disciples guarding the entrance quickly entered, closing the gate behind them.

“Who are you?!” one of the Black Fist Sect experts shouted sharply.

In an instant, the gaze of over ten people in the courtyard fell upon the newcomer.

Zhuang Dali’s expression was cold as he stared at the visitor.

“Friend, since you’re here, why hide your face and not show yourself?”

The visitor said nothing and tossed a wooden board, which landed in front of Zhuang Dali.

On the board, the words “Challenge” were clearly written in black. Attached was a silver ingot, following Black Fist Sect’s rule that challenges require money, ten taels each time.

If the challenger wins, they take the money back.

If they lose, the money stays.

So this money is considered the prize.

Zhuang Dali’s expression remained unchanged. Black Fist Sect had stood for a long time with countless challengers.

He glanced at Yu Wenguang, who lazily stood up from his seat.

Yu Wenguang was a towering figure, standing over one meter eighty, with most of his hair shaved off, leaving only a small egg-sized portion braided into a small braid trailing behind.

He was the skilled member sitting in the dojo today.

Black Fist Sect had five sitting leaders, each having practiced Black Arm Fist to at least the third rank.

They are the unified force produced by the whole sect’s concentrated resources.

“I’ll play with you a bit.” Yu Wenguang stepped into the arena, cracking his knuckles. “In this day and age, still playing masked challenges? You think others are playing games with you? That during a fight they can’t even rip off your face mask?”

Zhang Rongfang said nothing, positioning one foot forward and one foot backward, his hands slightly raised.

Swoosh.

Without words, both stepped forward simultaneously.

One clenched a fist, the other extended a palm, fiercely meeting with a move.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep