3: Dafeng Town

This world has Cultivators. Although Xu Sanyan had never seen them, he had heard of them. Moreover, the words “Cultivation Technique” and “Spell Cultivator” written on the panel also indirectly confirmed this.

Xu Sanyan had long paid attention to everything about the Immortal Realm, but he still had no clue.

Instead, this time… it seemed like there was a glimmer of hope.

Could someone really Cultivate to Refining Essence Perfection at eleven years old using a mortal Cultivation Technique?

Xu Sanyan was unsure, but he was skeptical.

Tang Huanhuan buried her head in the quilt, “The Ma family might have Cultivation Techniques. This rumor spread years ago but was never confirmed. Coupled with the Ma family’s power, it gradually died down until… Ma Tianqing appeared.”

Ma Tianqing reaching Refining Essence Perfection at eleven years old was seen by outsiders as simply extraordinary talent, but in the eyes of those with ulterior motives, it was not so simple.

The Jin Family’s move, Xu Sanyan mused, was probably not just to eliminate root and branch, but also had other intentions.

“What are you thinking?” Tang Huanhuan tucked her cold feet under Xu Sanyan’s leg to warm them.

Xu Sanyan still had his eyes closed, not answering but asking back, “What about you?”

Tang Huanhuan took a deep breath. There was a smell of stinky feet in the room, but she didn’t care. “Perhaps… this is fate’s favor upon us?”

“You know…”

Xu Sanyan slowly opened his eyes, “Wu Jue didn’t tell us about this. What does that imply?”

“Of course I know. That Old Ancestor wants to keep it all to himself.” Tang Huanhuan’s drunken eyes instantly became clear.

“Heh… yes, it’s Cultivation after all. Fathers and sons can turn against each other, let alone us two adopted sons.”

Xu Sanyan understood, but he did not accept it.

He wanted to compete, he wanted to seize it!

“How about we join forces and share the method of Cultivation?” Tang Huanhuan looked up, staring at Xu Sanyan’s profile.

Xu Sanyan smiled slightly, rolled over and pressed her beneath him, “Good…”

…

In a courtyard in the center of Tuzhai, Wu Jue lay in a rocking chair, eyes closed in thought. Behind him, a mature woman gently massaged his shoulders, her expression slightly melancholic.

After a moment, she slowly spoke, “My lord, can our son’s illness really be cured?”

Wu Jue sighed in his heart. He had killed countless people and committed many evils in his life. He hadn’t suffered retribution himself, but he never expected it to fall upon his son.

His son had been sickly since childhood, struggling even to stand and walk, let alone practice martial arts. Over the years, he had invited countless famous doctors and even consumed more than one precious medicine, but there was no improvement.

He even considered having another son to inherit the Family line, abandoning his eldest son.

But no matter how many times he tried, marrying several concubines, he still failed to conceive another child.

As for his son, he couldn’t be relied upon at all, because he was naturally impotent and couldn’t get it up.

The only solution now was Cultivation.

Perhaps after becoming a Cultivator, he could cure his son’s illness, and even if not, he himself could live longer and try to have another son.

He absolutely could not tolerate the Wu Family’s lineage ending with his generation. He was determined to become the Wu Family’s Old Ancestor, ensuring the Family’s prosperity for thousands of years, revered by generations of descendants.

He knew that being a bandit was not a long-term solution, so he had long prepared his retreat: a residence, gold and silver, martial arts Secret Manuals, land and fields—everything was ready.

But… the Wu Family seemed to be on the verge of collapse.

The trip to Dafeng Town would be his last chance.

No one knew about his children, not even Xu Sanyan and the others.

…

Second Boss Liu Hong stood in the courtyard, watching the night slowly descend, his heart fluctuating.

He knew he was the weakest. His martial arts were not even as good as Xu Sanyan’s. The reason he could sit in the position of Second Boss was, firstly, because he had been with the gang the longest, and secondly, because he was quick-witted and offered advice to Wu Jue.

Wu Jue had not told him the truth about the Dafeng Town matter this time. He was not present when the Jin Family sent people, and no one else knew what the two of them discussed.

But Wu Jue seemed to have forgotten that his mind was always active…

…

The next morning.

Xu Sanyan patted Tang Huanhuan’s bottom, “Get up.”

“Mm…” Tang Huanhuan let out a lazy hum, slowly pulling out her arm and stretching.

Xu Sanyan got up and dressed himself, habitually opening his panel for a look. His eyebrows instantly raised, and his face showed joy.

[Qi — 3]

Qi increased by one point.

After gaining one point, Xu Sanyan could now improve his cultivation!

According to past experience, this improvement should allow him to reach the Refining Essence Perfection Realm, catching up to Ma Tianqing’s Realm.

This point of “Qi” came at just the right time!

Xu Sanyan quickly dressed and went alone to the side room. With a thought, the three points of “Qi” were completely consumed.

In an instant, a surge of vital energy emerged from his internal organs, rapidly flowing into his limbs and bones, a refreshing sensation rushing straight to the top of his head.

This vital energy silently repaired his internal injuries, strengthened his bone density, increased his muscle toughness, and nourished his internal organs.

A moment later, Xu Sanyan stood up, clenching his fists tightly, feeling the increased strength within his body, his spirits uplifted.

His eyes flicked to the wall. He was confident he could punch through it, but after a thought, he lowered his arm.

Tang Huanhuan was still there.

After reaching Refining Essence Perfection, his strength and speed had greatly increased, and his body was also much tougher, his power more than doubled.

Twenty or thirty ordinary men couldn’t even get close to him.

Xu Sanyan returned to the room. Xiuhe had already prepared the meal. Tang Huanhuan narrowed her eyes at him, “You… seem a little different.”

“How am I different?” Xu Sanyan naturally sat at the table and ate.

Tang Huanhuan shook her head, “I can’t quite say.”

Xu Sanyan smiled, “Eat up. You need to be full to have the strength to do things.”

The two finished eating and gathered in the assembly hall. Everyone was basically present, over a hundred people, each on a horse, standing in the open space outside.

Wu Jue scanned the group, then waved his hand, “Mount up!”

This time, he didn’t plan to leave anyone to guard the home. Everyone would go. This might be his last battle.

If they succeeded, they wouldn’t have to be bandits anymore. If they failed, they wouldn’t have the chance to be bandits anymore either.

Over a hundred riders galloped out of the stronghold, heading straight for Dafeng Town.

An hour later.

Xu Sanyan squinted, looking at the town faintly visible in the distant yellow sand. This was Dafeng Town.

Just then, hoofbeats sounded from behind. Xu Sanyan looked back and saw a large group of people appearing behind them. Upon closer inspection, it was Geng the Cripple’s group.

“The Old Ancestor isn’t dead yet?” Geng the Cripple approached, swaying on his large horse.

“Hmph, I won’t die even if you do.” Wu Jue snorted coldly.

As the saying goes, fellow tradesmen are enemies. The two had been in the same territory, fighting for many years. Neither could do anything to the other, but the accumulated grievances were deep.

Geng the Cripple wasn’t in the mood to bicker with him. He waved to the back, “Go in and take a look.”

“Alright.”

Wu Jue also looked at Xu Sanyan, pulling out a golden key from his Pregnant. “Give this to the Jin Family’s doorman, and inquire about the situation.”

Xu Sanyan nodded, spurred his horse, and headed towards Dafeng Town.

As he slowly approached, Xu Sanyan could clearly see the appearance of the small town. The low city walls were built from rammed earth, and a team of soldiers, about thirty or forty men, guarded the city gate, each holding a long sabre and wearing leather armor.

Xu Sanyan rode in swaggeringly. The officials and soldiers didn’t bother him. Years of easy living had long dulled their vigilance. They would never have imagined that bandits would dare to target Dafeng Town.