In the study, the atmosphere was tense.
"Third Brother, will this incident with the young lord affect your promotion to the position of Commander of the Surveillance Division?" Su Ming asked gravely.
Su Wu's appointment as the Commander of the Northwest Surveillance Division was crucial for the Su family.
"It won't affect it. The Commander position was personally decided by the Chief Inspector and won't be changed," Su Wu replied. "However, if this matter isn't handled well, I fear the Blood Moon Cult and the Weeping Blood Marquis might join forces. In that case, even if I take control of the Northwest Surveillance Division, I'll certainly face constraints."
Su Wu's expression was equally serious. His collaboration with the Weeping Blood Marquis was meant to help him quickly gain control of the Northwest Surveillance Division after his appointment, but he hadn't anticipated this turn of events.
"What was the Blood Moon Cult's objective this time?" Su Ming pondered.
"To establish contact with the Weeping Blood Marquis and infiltrate the entire Northwest region," Su Wu said solemnly.
"We can't do anything about the young lord's poison. Now we can only wait for the Weeping Blood Marquis's decision. However, it won't be easy for the Blood Moon Cult to infiltrate the Northwest. After all, the Green Wood Sword Sect isn't to be trifled with," Su Ming said coldly.
"Second Brother, Fu City is our family's core territory. You need to be vigilant in your area," Su Ming then addressed the second Su brother, Su Hong, who had been silent.
"Elder Brother, I'll eliminate some hidden threats in the coming days," Su Hong replied. Despite his scholarly appearance, his words carried a sharp killing intent.
"Third Brother, the Blood Moon Cult has already infiltrated the Fu City Constabulary. I fear the Surveillance Division under the Prefecture Governor has also been compromised. Previously, I wanted Hao to join the Prefectural Surveillance Division when you became the Commander," Su Ming said, turning to Su Wu.
"Now, that seems inappropriate. Hao's strength is still lacking, and it might be dangerous for him at the Prefectural Surveillance Division. So, arrange for him to take charge of a county-level constabulary to gain experience before moving to the Prefectural Surveillance Division."
"I understand, Elder Brother. I'll inform Hao when he arrives later," Su Wu nodded after some thought.
Meanwhile, Su Hao entered the courtyard. He had intended to go to his father's study but decided against it when he saw his third and second uncles enter.
In his small room, Su Hao lay on the bed, checking his check-in points. He converted the newly acquired 500 points into 50 skill points, intending to upgrade his Golden Bell Shield to the second level.
Today's battle had excited Su Hao, but his low strength had forced him to watch from afar, unable to act on his enthusiasm. He knew he needed to improve his strength to realize his martial arts dream.
[Consuming 50 skill points to upgrade Golden Bell Shield to the second level.]
As the Golden Bell Shield reached the second level, Su Hao's strength instantly increased from the third stage of the Human Realm to the fourth stage. His blood essence doubled, circulating through his meridians, reinforcing his body and toughening his skin.
"Not only has my physique been strengthened, but my power has also increased," Su Hao thought excitedly, sensing the changes in his body. These improvements made him eager for future adventures.
Checking the Golden Bell Shield's attributes:
[Technique: Golden Bell Shield, Second Level (Upgradeable, consume 100 skill points to reach Third Level, increasing strength by 1000 jin, doubling physical prowess, and able to withstand ordinary club attacks.)]
"Reaching the Third Level would increase my strength by 1000 jin," Su Hao marveled. With such power, he could crush a person's body with a single punch. Combined with a weapon, the power would be formidable. He believed he could even slay an eighth-stage Human Realm warrior.
"I need to accumulate more check-in points to upgrade the Golden Bell Shield to the Third Level," Su Hao thought excitedly. He realized that in just a week, with his double check-in value, he would have over 2,500 experience points. Then, he could not only upgrade the Golden Bell Shield but also slightly improve other techniques.
Suddenly, Su Hao's stomach growled. The power increase had consumed a lot of energy, and he urgently needed to replenish it.
"I'll check the kitchen myself," Su Hao decided, heading to the kitchen instead of asking a servant to prepare food.
In the Su family kitchen, dinner preparations were underway. Su Hao smelled the aroma of meat as he entered. He asked the chef to prepare some meat dishes for him to take back to his room, not wanting to eat in the kitchen and risk being gossiped about.
Back in his room, Su Hao quickly devoured the prepared meat, satisfying his hunger. After having a servant clean up, he sat cross-legged on the bed to practice cultivation.
Despite having a cheat ability, Su Hao still wanted to experience cultivation firsthand. Today's events had shown him the cruelty of this world and the importance of strength. He wondered if the young lord would be in his current state if he had been stronger.
Su Hao prepared to practice his family's supreme technique, the Brahma Fierce Flame Technique. This first-rate technique was the foundation of the Su family's power. It had thirteen levels, and only the Su family's founder had ever reached the final level. Although no one else had mastered all levels, the Su family had produced several Celestial Realm experts throughout its history, maintaining its prominence for many years.
As Su Hao began circulating the entry-level Brahma Fierce Flame Technique, tiny streams of fire-red energy started flowing through his body. Although small, this energy was extremely domineering, burning his blood essence and converting it into Brahma Fierce Flame true qi.
Su Hao's face contorted in pain as his blood essence burned. Previously, he couldn't endure this pain and had only cultivated the technique to the entry level. His blood essence had also been insufficient for the technique's demands.
However, with the Golden Bell Shield now at the second level, Su Hao's blood essence had increased significantly, allowing the Brahma Fierce Flame true qi to burn his flesh and form new true qi.
Enduring the burning pain, Su Hao continued to feed his blood essence into the technique. As his blood essence was consumed, the tiny Brahma Fierce Flame true qi gradually expanded, doubling in size.
When Su Hao concentrated the Brahma Fierce Flame true qi in his finger, it turned fiery red, like a burning stick. He touched a wooden block beside his bed, and the contact point immediately smoked and charred.
"Impressive!" Su Hao exclaimed, amazed at the technique's power. "Truly a first-rate technique!" he marveled as he withdrew the scorching energy from his finger.
Just then, a servant's voice came from outside the door: "Third Young Master, the Master asks you to come to his study."
"The study? Weren't they discussing important matters? Why would they want a junior like me there?" Su Hao wondered, puzzled. Nevertheless, he tidied his clothes and headed towards his father's study.