81: Headquarters
“Get lost!”
Han Yi, a Martial Artist in the Lianxue Stage, exploded with imposing Aura, immediately scaring the shifty-eyed man into scrambling away.
Even so, the man continued to mutter obscenities under his breath, “If you don't want to trade, then don't. Why be so fierce? It's just the Lianxue Stage...”
Han Yi shook his head, no longer paying attention to this small interlude, and continued to browse the items in the booklet.
“Thread Pulling Art?”
This exchange booklet actually offered Cultivation Techniques with Entering Vigor contemplation diagrams. However, to comprehend the contemplation diagram, one would need to exchange it for a D-grade low-level merit.
“This is simply a pie in the sky, completely out of reach...
“The Bureau of Unusual Matters is clearly enticing Martial Artists, making them constantly accept missions. Their methods are truly clever!”
Han Yi chuckled bitterly in his heart a few times, continuing to flip through the booklet. He wasn't lacking in other martial arts techniques; he just wanted to find a martial art suitable for the Xuan Tie Sword.
Unfortunately, in this white jade-level Investigator exchange booklet, he did not find a suitable martial art.
The Xuan Tie Sword, while appearing like a sword, is essentially a knife. Although its shape is that of a sword, the way force is applied is somewhat similar to a great saber.
If he only cultivated a sword technique, he wouldn't be able to fully unleash the power of the Xuan Tie Sword. But if he chose a Blade Technique, his ‘Basic Knife Technique’ had not yet reached mastery.
Perhaps, such a martial art exists in the green jade-level Investigator exchange booklet?
But with the effort it would take to become a green jade-level Investigator, it would be better to go look properly within the Sect to see if there are suitable martial arts!
No, absolutely not!
The thought that had just arisen in Han Yi's mind was immediately dispelled by himself.
He secretly warned himself not to be tempted by the rewards of the Bureau of Unusual Matters, to chase after trifles and forget his original purpose.
I came here to find a way to increase my Origin Power value, not to work myself to death like an ox or horse for others!
“Hmm, this is...”
On the last few pages of the exchange booklet, Han Yi glimpsed a name he seemed to have heard somewhere before.
‘Yang Flame Arrow, forged by Secret Art Masters using superior fire crystal stones. Its power is immense and it is extremely effective against Yin energy. Each arrow requires one C-grade high-level merit. This arrow requires the Strength of a Martial Artist in the Tongmai Stage to activate, or the consumption of vital energy by a Martial Artist in the Late Blood Refinement Stage to activate.
‘Note: If the user is in the Late Blood Refinement Stage, it may reduce lifespan. Use with caution!’
fire crystal stone, this long-unheard-of name, awakened Han Yi's long-dormant memories.
When he was an Outer Sect Disciple, his daily task was to go into the mine and excavate fire crystal stones...
He had even guessed the use of fire crystal stones before, but he never expected to see their true purpose here.
The Yang Flame Arrow was forged using superior fire crystal stones!
Suddenly, another matter came to Han Yi's mind. When he was at the Outer Sect Mining Camp, the Black Wind Stronghold had once plundered fire crystal stones, even sweeping away the superior fire crystal stones secretly transported by the Sect's Dark Affairs Hall.
Moreover, when he encountered a Black Wind Stronghold bandit earlier, the bandit had something like the Manpower Gu in his possession.
Was this a coincidence, or was there some conspiracy involved?
“Han Boy, it's been a while. Haven't you chosen yet?”
Bai Sanren, who was sitting in the hall, called out.
Bai Sanren and Qian Xue had nothing to exchange, so they simply waited in the hall.
“Alright, I'm coming over now!”
Han Yi stopped letting his thoughts wander. No matter what, improving his Strength as quickly as possible was definitely the right course.
However, he didn't need martial arts techniques, weapons, or armor for the time being. In the end, he used a C-grade medium-level merit to exchange for a bottle of ‘Essence Blood Pill’.
Essence Blood Pill is made from the essence of animal and poultry flesh and blood, plus precious medicinal ingredients like ginseng. Therefore, it contains very few Impurities and is said to be the most suitable pill for Martial Artists in the Refining Blood.
“Han Boy, if you have too many pill toxins in your body, you must remember to take a Spirit Cleansing Pill to remove them...”
“Yes, Sanren Bai is right...”
Han Yi showed a helpless smile. Bai Sanren seemed a bit dissatisfied that he had exchanged for a bottle of pills, and had been giving him instructions ever since leaving the Bureau of Unusual Matters.
It's just that, along the way, it felt like someone was missing...
“Qian Xue, why are you so quiet today? This isn't like you.”
It took Han Yi a while to realize that the usually lively Qian Xue had been unusually silent along the way, for some reason.
“Hmph, you only remember me now!
“I feel like Bai Sanren is here to protect you!
“Nobody is looking after me at all!”
Qian Xue pouted her lips and tilted her nose up, saying discontentedly.
Han Yi and Bai Sanren were silent for a moment, then started to laugh.
“Qian Xue, didn't you miss breakfast? Come on, let's go wander around the snack street in Yuqing Ward again.”
Han Yi's skill in changing the subject was first-rate, successfully diverting Qian Xue's attention to something else.
“Okay!”
When it came to food, Qian Xue's eyes lit up, and she instantly became energetic. The unhappiness from before was instantly thrown to the back of her mind.
Heyue Ward
“Sanren Bai, you can go back first. I still have something to do.”
Han Yi planned to visit the Li Residence to see Li Feng.
“Hmm, this old man was also planning to go see an old friend... See you tonight then...”
After leaving Heyue Ward and crossing a few streets.
Soon, Han Yi arrived at Shan Zhong Ward.
Shan Zhong Ward is the Red Flame Sect Headquarters, where various halls are located. Similarly, Inner Sect Disciples, deacons, Hall Masters, and Elders mostly reside here.
For various reasons, this was Han Yi's first time visiting the Red Flame Sect Headquarters. He walked forward, observing carefully.
The Red Flame Sect Headquarters was no different from a city within a city; it could be called a small inner city.
The dark walls, while not as towering as the outer city walls, were clearly more solid just by looking at the black stone city walls, which were cast as a single unit.
In addition, the two large iron gates and the Disciples on the city walls, wearing black leather armor with crimson patterns on the corners, patrolled with knives like soldiers.
Figures flickered in the surrounding arrow towers and wall watchtowers, indicating that people were stationed inside.
The Strength of these Disciples was all between ‘20~30’, all of them Martial Artists in the Refining Bone Stage.
As expected, the Red Flame Sect's foundation is indeed deep... Han Yi sighed inwardly.
At the city gate entrance, several teams of Disciples were strictly inspecting those entering the city. Only those with confirmed identities were allowed in.
Although Han Yi had not yet been issued his Inner Sect Disciple identification, fortunately, Li Feng had sent a token with his reply yesterday.
“Inner Sect Disciple, Han Yi, guest of the Li family, with Elder Li's written order, allow passage!”
After checking the token several times, a guard captain allowed Han Yi to pass.
Han Yi casually cupped his hands towards him, then turned and stepped into the Red Flame Sect Headquarters.
Or rather, into the Red Flame City.
As soon as Han Yi entered the city, he was slightly shaken.