Martial Arts!
The Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique!!
At the sight of the characters on the Merit Scroll, Qin Zheng's movements momentarily hesitated.
Immediately after, a surge of ecstasy crazily welled up from the bottom of his heart!
In his past life, he had some understanding of this martial arts technique, rumored to be the supreme Dharma Protector Divine Technique of the Esoteric Sect.
It was a unique martial arts scripture that was unmatched in the world!
In his knowledge from the past life,
this martial arts technique had thirteen levels of Realm, and each level mastered granted the strength of one dragon and one elephant!
Upon mastering ten levels, one could possess more than a thousand jin of tremendous strength!
However, this world was different from his past life, and the upper limit of martial strength here was higher, so the upper limit of this technique should also be elevated!
Although it was marked 'incomplete', given the ability of the Merit Scroll to show that it could be assimilated, it seemed that it could be used!
As long as he acquired this martial arts technique and used the merits from the scroll to enhance it, it wouldn't be long before he could easily deal with the threat from Shi Dian!
Truly, it was like finding something sought after without any effort after much searching!
The martial arts he had been yearning for was actually hidden within this ordinary string of Buddha Beads!
In this moment, Qin Zheng had already made up his mind to get this string of Buddha Beads at any cost!
This string of Buddha Beads would be the key to helping him break through the predicaments ahead!
However, no matter how shocked or delighted he was internally,
Qin Zheng maintained a calm appearance on the surface.
"My lord, have you taken a liking to this?"
Seeing Qin Zheng's actions, Steward Xu asked with a smile nearby.
Without giving anything away, Qin Zheng toyed with the Buddha Beads and slowly spoke, "I have committed too many killings, having such Buddha Beads could serve as some consolation."
After speaking, he turned to look at the steward and calmly asked, "How much for this string of Buddha Beads?"
Steward Xu smiled and said, "This string of Buddha Beads is a private collection of the upcoming Helmsman of the Cicada Gang, and it is of decent quality."
"However, since our people were quite disrespectful earlier, this small item will be given to you as an apology."
After all, it was just something from Cicada Gang's possession and not something very valuable; it would be better to use it to foster good relations with a martial artist who had just entered the Skin Refinement Realm.
Although they were men of Colonel Ji Changyin, Black Goose City was not dominated by him alone.
It was a worthwhile business to establish good relations with an officially entered martial artist using some inexpensive trinkets.
Qin Zheng nodded upon hearing this and didn't refuse, directly placing the Buddha Beads into his bosom.
Even though he wanted to assimilate the Buddha Beads right now to avoid complications later,
firstly, assimilating the Sarira in the Buddha Beads required one tael of merit, which was more than the merits he currently possessed.
Secondly, he had just boarded the flower boat, intending to look at martial arts, and then receiving the Buddha Beads immediately after.
Anyone could see something was amiss with this situation.
If the steward asked for the Buddha Beads back, that would only add to the trouble.
So, maintaining a calm demeanor, he once again stepped onto the stairs and ascended to the second floor of the flower boat.
The number of people here was evidently far fewer than on the first floor.
However, likewise, the items displayed here were even more precious than those on the first floor.
Upon Qin Zheng showing up here, many people cast curious glances at him.
The scene that had just unfolded in front of the flower boat was also clearly observed by the people on the second floor through the windows.
Qin Zheng ignored the many glances and looked around; he didn't see any books or volumes about martial arts.
Turning to the steward, he saw the latter smiling and saying, "Please, follow me."
Having said that, he led Qin Zheng to a room on the second floor where there were tea tables and chairs and steaming hot tea.
"Please take a seat, our people will bring the martial arts here soon."
After seating Qin Zheng, the steward also sat opposite him.
"My name is Xu Shan, steward of this flower boat and a soldier under Colonel Ji," the steward introduced himself.
"I find you somewhat familiar, sir, may I know where you are from?"
During the waiting period, steward Xu Shan asked Qin Zheng.
Qin Zheng looked at him but kept silent without speaking.
Receiving no response, the steward didn't feel awkward and immediately laughed it off, changing the topic to talk about other matters.
After a while, a servant knocked on the room's door and then walked in.
"Steward Xu, here is what you requested."
The servant held a tray with both hands, on which lay a thin booklet.
Following a nod from Xu Shan, he placed the tray on the table in front of Qin Zheng.
Qin Zheng lowered his head, his gaze immediately fixed on the booklet on the tray.
The brand-new cover of the booklet was flamboyantly inscribed with four large characters — "Cicada Shedding Its Shell."
"Sir, this is the Qinggong handwritten copy we obtained from the Cicada Gang."
Steward Xu Shan said to Qin Zheng with a smile.
Qin Zheng nodded, then reached out to pick up the booklet and opened it.
The booklet emitted a faint fragrance, clearly, even as a handwritten copy, it was made of expensively priced paper.
After briefly browsing, he discovered that the content was only half complete.
Qin Zheng slightly closed his eyes, and after a few moments, he opened them and spoke, "How much? I'll take it!"
A smile appeared on Xu Shan's face before he spoke, "Sir, how much can you offer?"
Qin Zheng didn't delay and immediately said, "Get me paper and a pen!"
The smile on Xu Shan's face grew wider, and the servant beside him immediately understood and turned to leave the room.
After a short while, the servant entered again, this time carrying a tray with paper and a pen and another similarly thin booklet.
After placing the paper and pen in front of Qin Zheng, he picked up the pen and immediately began writing down various aspects of the Ghost Head Saber Technique from his mind.
A moment later, Qin Zheng stopped writing and handed over the content he had written to Xu Shan across the table.
Xu Shan hurriedly took it, intensely examining the content, his eyebrows first furrowing then relaxing.
After reading, he looked up at Qin Zheng, nodded, and said, "Okay."
On hearing this, Qin Zheng continued to write down the essentials of the saber technique.
It was only half an hour later that Qin Zheng stopped writing, having penned down the complete essentials of the saber technique and some cultivation insights.
After all, this saber technique wasn't particularly powerful, and being able to exchange it for two martial arts skills made Qin Zheng feel somewhat embarrassed.
"Done," he said.
He then reached for the other thin booklet.
After browsing through this booklet, the Merit Scroll above his Heart Sea subtly vibrated.
New words then appeared on it.
[Detected martial art: Cicada Shedding Its Shell, can be refined, requires three qian of merit, proceed with refinement?]
Possible!
Qin Zheng felt a surge of joy inside but maintained a calm exterior.
He then put both booklets into his chest pocket, stood up, and said, "The deal is complete, I shall take my leave!"
With those words, he turned to leave the room.
"Hold on a moment!"
At this, Xu Shan's voice rang out.
Qin Zheng frowned and turned towards him.
Xu Shan, wearing a smile, then said, "Sir, since you've traded for this Qinggong, only you can practice it; you must not teach it to others!"
Qin Zheng nodded, said "I know," and then quickly turned and left.
He needed to leave that place and hasten to assimilate the Qinggong!
After Qin Zheng's figure had left, Steward Xu Shan picked up the papers detailing the Ghost Head Saber Technique.
He left the room and headed towards a room on the third floor.
There, Ji Changyin, dressed in casual clothes, was leisurely drinking hot tea, looking at a booklet in his hands.
Flamboyantly written on it were four large characters, precisely the Cicada Gang's Qinggong — "Cicada Shedding Its Shell!"
"Master Ji, the task you assigned has been properly handled, and that man has already left," Xu Shan said respectfully as he handed the papers to Ji Changyin.
Ji Changyin put down the Qinggong booklet he was holding and then took the papers from Xu Shan.
He scrutinized the Ghost Head Saber Technique recorded on the papers.
A moment later, he chuckled and said, "To derive an entry-level saber technique from the process of decapitation."
"I didn't expect such a genius under my command!"