408: Changes from the capital

The level of strength that Shen Bei "accidentally" displayed instantly shattered Old Man Qi's long-cherished wish for his grandson to become a Dragon.

After all, within the Martial Artist circle of Changtu County, Shen Bei was an idol pursued by many Martial Artists.

Qi Chuanyu indeed had the strength and immense potential to catch up to Shen Bei.

According to the information that had not yet been updated or widely circulated, Shen Bei was barely a fifth-rank Martial Artist before entering the Earth Cave.

Old Man Qi had placed a considerable amount of hope on his grandson being able to catch up to Shen Bei's rank.

In the future, when he went out and bragged to other retired old cadres, he would be the main character.

But looking at it now...

To hell with that!

This Shen Bei is too damn abnormal!

In just a few months, he skipped the sixth-rank and even advanced to the seventh-rank!

This is simply unreasonable!

Old Man Qi suddenly looked at Shen Bei, and although it was just a glance, it felt like a savage picking up a spear and suddenly thrusting it at a fish in a stream—this impression of "prepared suddenness"—and he said:

"You haven't joined the Apocalypse Cult's human experiments, have you?"

Shen Bei was full of questions, the sudden question left him bewildered: "What human experiments?"

"Oh, it seems you still have a bottom line for your character."

Old Man Qi drank his tea and continued, "I heard that some people in the capital are promoting a 'New School Martial Artist' movement, and I thought they had defected to the Apocalypse Cult."

Shen Bei immediately became interested, thinking that his delivery job was almost done and he had time, so he asked:

"Since returning from the Earth Cave, I've been busy with other matters and am completely unaware of any changes in the outside world, let alone the distant capital. Junior must humbly ask for your guidance, what is a New School Martial Artist?"

In fact, when Shen Bei heard the term "New School" at that moment, it was like trying to insert an English word into an ancient poem; no matter how hard one tried to integrate the latter into the former, and no matter how small and inconspicuous the latter was, it could not hide that strong sense of abruptness.

"There's a saying: 'When a whale falls, all things are born.'"

Old Man Qi took out a pack of red-cased cigarettes from his pocket, pulled one out, and put it in his mouth.

The next second, a seemingly invisible person appeared, taking out an invisible lighter. He made no movement himself, yet the cigarette tip spontaneously ignited: "I also heard this rumor from an old friend in the capital during a video call when he was idle."

"In the capital, Martial Artists have been continuously disappearing or dying recently, and clues subtly point to the Apocalypse Cult. There are even unreliable rumors that the Apocalypse Cult has developed something called the Mind's Eye Potion, which can turn ordinary people into Martial Artists or allow Martial Artists to advance one rank."

Shen Bei crossed his arms over his chest, looking as worried as an invigilator seeing his students' answers were completely off the mark.

The deep wrinkles on his face could even crush a pea.

Shen Bei asked in confusion: "Mind's Eye Potion? Let's not talk about the effects of this potion, but even if it's developed, what does it have to do with Martial Artists?"

Old Man Qi himself was proficient in pharmacology.

Just look at the Comprehensive Guide to All Things in Qi Chuanyu's hand, and you would know.

His entire life had been dedicated to excavating various plants from the Earth Cave and studying their Medicinal Pill effects.

It could be said that although Old Man Qi's strength was not high, in the history of Martial Artists in China, his contributions to Medicinal Pills were quite well-known.

Of course, this old man also had a selfish side and hoarded some private goods, which was the Comprehensive Guide to All Things, left for Qi Chuanyu's Legacy.

In other words, when Shen Bei and others were in the Luan County Earth Cave, it was the first time outsiders had read and compared Old Man Qi's private collection.

Although Old Man Qi did not personally go to the capital, based on his professional sensitivity, he probably guessed why Martial Artists needed to be assassinated to refine the Mind's Eye Potion.

Old Man Qi shared his conjectures.

Shen Bei made a simple summary.

Assuming the Apocalypse Cult in the capital is the mastermind, even the police don't have conclusive evidence to prove it; it's merely a guess.

And the continuously disappearing Martial Artists in the capital are people exploring ways to become "Martial Artists."

Becoming a Martial Artist is simple in some ways, and complex in others.

Every Martial Artist knows the hardships involved, which need not be mentioned for now.

So, according to Old Man Qi's experience, there is one seemingly plausible entry point: in the short period after other Martial Artists die, through some means, extract blood rich in spirituality from their still vital bodies, and then use this blood as the primary Materials, combined with other auxiliary Materials, to refine the "Mind's Eye Potion."

And when Shen Bei heard this, he vaguely recalled a person.

That was during the period of waiting to enter the Xing Sha Dungeon in the capital.

He accepted Bu Jin's employment to clear a car accident scene, and at the funeral home, he saw Bu Jin pull a white ball of light from the deceased's forehead.

Why did it feel so familiar?

Shen Bei didn't know if there was any connection between the two, so he didn't delve deeper into the thought.

Back to the Mind's Eye Potion.

This process sounds simple, but without certain means, it would definitely be impossible to complete.

Old Man Qi also didn't know exactly how it should be done.

Therefore, this method was called "New School Martial Artist."

Distinguished from traditional Martial Artists who temper their bodies and develop their own attribute points, they can be called "Old School Martial Artists."

But Shen Bei stated directly: "There is no such thing as New School or Old School in this world. Such terms should not appear."

Old Man Qi nodded: "That's right, a potion based on the premise of other Martial Artists' deaths indeed shouldn't exist. New School and Old School are merely distinctions."

"What are your thoughts on this?"

"The capital is currently investigating for clues. However, I'm not too optimistic; after all, they are seasoned opponents, and it's not easy to catch them red-handed."

Shen Bei paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "As long as this fire doesn't spread to Changtu County, we can't afford the trouble."

"I'm old now." Although Old Man Qi wasn't leaning on a cane, he was indeed old and frail, in his twilight years. He smiled and said, "If something like this happened when I was young, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment; I'd pack my bags and head straight to the capital. I'm also curious how this Mind's Eye Potion is refined. But now, all I want is to hold my great-grandson within my lifetime."

"You will."

Shen Bei blessed him: "Now the country encourages early marriage and childbirth. Qi Chuanyu's 'artillery skills' are definitely not a problem."

"Though crude, it's very pleasant to hear." Old Man Qi burst into laughter.

Shen Bei stood up and tidied his clothes: "Then I won't bother you any longer; I still have to deliver packages."

Old Man Qi was startled: "I did hear from little Qi that you often do odd jobs. Why waste your time on this?"

"Different hobbies." Shen Bei smiled: "Master, you can also understand it as a flaw in my personality."

"No, if your hobbies don't harm others and don't threaten society, then it's your own business."

"Master, you have a much broader perspective than others."

"Not at all."

Old Man Qi stood up and waved his hand: "I'll see you out."

Shen Bei felt a bit flustered and uncomfortable.

After all, he was a Senior; it was just that he was old, and many things were beyond his reach, otherwise, what would Jian Shan and he have to do with the establishment and training of the Martial Artist reserve team in Changtu County?

Old Man Qi could handle it all.

"No need, it's too much trouble."

The two walked to the door, and Old Man Qi patted Shen Bei's shoulder, saying earnestly: "You and little Qi are both friends; you should help each other. I really want to hold my great-grandson."

Shen Bei grinned: "I can't help with that, but if he has other matters, there's no need to say more; we're old buddies."

"Good, good, good. This old man will entrust this good-for-nothing to you then."

Shen Bei waved his hand and rode away on his electric bike.

Originally, Shen Bei just wanted to find Qi Chuanyu to hang out.

And drag a free laborer along to help him deliver packages.

He didn't find the person, but instead learned that something had happened in the capital.

However, Shen Bei didn't care much.

The capital was too far; naturally, someone would handle that matter.

"Continue delivering packages!"

Shen Bei twisted the throttle, speeding towards the residential area.

The work that needed to be done had to be completed.

This was the meticulous Shen Bei.

Time passed.

After a day's work.

Shen Bei discovered a brilliant trick for delivering packages: just say he was a "Martial Artist."

Then the customer would definitely come down to pick up the package immediately.

This couldn't help but make Shen Bei reflect on the definition of a "Martial Artist"...