25: Banquet
Qin Jiang frowned as he looked at the panel. In fact, two days ago, the Iron Arm Fist's experience value had already reached 199, but he just couldn't make that final Breakthrough.
He was also hesitating whether to use potential points for the Breakthrough.
However, in the past ten days, the potential points provided by that jade pendant had significantly decreased, perhaps not even reaching two points.
These days, he had also searched the market for artifacts that might contain potential points, but so far, he had found nothing.
He had also visited places like mass graves, but still no luck. Potential points were not easily generated.
It was too slow relying on his own search.
He needed to find a time to visit Master Li's house.
He sighed. If today's medicinal bath still couldn't help him achieve a Breakthrough, then he would use potential points. He couldn't keep dragging this on.
Since his Rebirth, whether it was the Essence Spirit, the so-called Yellow Heaven Cult, or the strange artifact mentioned by the Old Doctor's old lover, all made him feel very insecure.
Shaking his head slightly, he swept the food on the table into his stomach.
Unlike when he Cultivated the Five Animals Play, after practicing the Iron Arm Fist, his appetite greatly increased. This single meal was enough to equal his entire day's food intake from before.
A moment later, he wiped the medicinal liquid from his arms, revealing his strong, slightly grayish skin.
The Old Doctor's bronze Medicinal Pill's effects also weakened with his Cultivation these past few days.
However, he no longer had that delicate feeling. Now, he was tall and muscular, not much worse than Li Lang and his brother.
"Master Qin?" The servant who had just delivered the food pushed open the door and poked his head in.
"What is it?" Qin Jiang asked.
The servant walked in, "Just now, the owner of Lius Blacksmith Shop sent someone to say that their owner would like to invite you over."
Qin Jiang was a little surprised. Liu Yize? Why is he looking for me?
"I understand."
The servant responded, tidied up the plates, and left. Qin Jiang also put on his clothes and went out.
After wandering around for a while with no success, he went directly to Lius Blacksmith Shop.
"Master, you've arrived. The owner has already given instructions; you can go straight to the backyard. He's there."
It was still that servant, whose name he never knew.
Arriving at the backyard, Liu Yize stood with his hands behind his back in the center of the courtyard. In front of him, two iron anvils supported a four-meter-long spear, as thick as a baby's arm.
It was entirely black, with blood-red patterns like flames, especially the spear tip, which looked as if it was dripping blood.
"Brother Liu! Come quickly, come quickly!"
Liu Yize saw Qin Jiang coming and waved excitedly, unable to hide his joy.
Qin Jiang walked closer and looked at the large spear, "Is this the Blood Flame Golden Spear you mentioned?"
Liu Yize smiled and nodded, "Exactly! But it hasn't been sharpened or undergone the final tempering yet.
But even so, it's a rare divine weapon! I dare say that in the entire Black Mountain City, there isn't another spear that can compare to it!"
Saying that, he looked at Qin Jiang, "How about it? Want to try it out?"
Qin Jiang raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Why not?"
With that, he directly gripped the Blood Flame Golden Spear's shaft with his right hand and lifted it slightly.
"Clang!"
The Blood Flame Golden Spear was lifted a little before falling back down heavily, making a metallic clashing sound.
Qin Jiang looked at the Blood Flame Golden Spear in his hand with some surprise, so heavy?
It weighed at least a hundred catties!
He gripped the shaft with both hands, exerted force, lifted the Blood Flame Golden Spear, took a few steps, and began to wield it directly.
Whoosh—! Whoosh—!
Although there was no particular technique, just with Qin Jiang's current strength and the Blood Flame Golden Spear's own weight, it looked quite formidable.
Bang!
A moment later, Qin Jiang placed the Blood Flame Golden Spear on the iron anvil, slightly out of breath.
This spear was a bit too heavy; even he found it somewhat strenuous to use.
Liu Yize, on the other hand, was slightly surprised, not expecting Qin Jiang to wield it for so long and only be slightly out of breath.
"How does it feel?" he asked with a smile.
"A good weapon! If an ordinary martial artist were to be hit by it, they would either die or be severely injured!"
This was not an exaggeration. With Qin Jiang's current strength, if he were to Face his past self who had completed the third layer of the Five Animals Play, he could win completely in less than ten moves.
If he had this Blood Flame Golden Spear in hand, one move would probably be enough to severely injure!
"Haha! Brother Liu's strength is extraordinary! This Blood Flame Golden Spear weighs one hundred and forty catties. Only experts like the County Magistrate can wield it as easily as an arm. For Brother Liu to use this spear to such an extent already makes me feel ashamed." Liu Yize laughed.
"Come, I have prepared tea. Let's go inside and talk."
Inside the house, the two sat opposite each other, and Liu Yize poured tea for Qin Jiang.
"Brother Liu, the reason I invited you here this time is actually at someone's request," he said.
"At someone's request?" Qin Jiang was a little puzzled.
"It's the County Magistrate. In three days, I will deliver this Blood Flame Golden Spear to the County Magistrate's residence, and the County Magistrate also wants to hold a banquet with this occasion," Liu Yize said.
"What does that have to do with me?" Qin Jiang asked.
"It has nothing to do with you, but the County Magistrate mentioned yesterday that he wanted you to see the world. I had no choice; I couldn't possibly refuse the County Magistrate's Face," Liu Yize said.
Qin Jiang nodded slightly, "I thought it was something serious. No problem, I also wanted to visit the Inner City, so going together will save me trouble."
In fact, he had always wanted to visit the antique shops in the Inner City, but it was troublesome for people from the Outer City to enter the Inner City, so he never had the opportunity.
Now, taking advantage of the opportunity to deliver the spear was perfect, and there was no need to make up any excuses.
Liu Yize smiled upon hearing this. He had originally been afraid that Qin Jiang would find it troublesome and be unwilling to go, which would make it difficult for him to explain to the County Magistrate.
Now it seemed he had completely overthought things.
However, it seemed that Brother Qin was probably not from a prominent family, but just a talented Outer City person.
This was good too; he genuinely considered Qin Jiang a friend. If the other party were from a prominent family, it would be difficult to open up to him.
A moment later, Qin Jiang stood up, "Brother Liu, I still have a medicinal bath this afternoon, so I won't stay long. I'll take my leave."
"Brother Liu, please. If you have free time, you are welcome to sit here for a long time."
After leaving Lius Blacksmith Shop, Qin Jiang, still unwilling to give up, searched again but still found nothing. Helpless, he could only go for his medicinal bath first.
"Brother Jiang, it's been a few days, and you've grown much sturdier, haven't you?" Li Bo said with a smile.
"It's my growth spurt; I eat more, so naturally, I gain weight," Qin Jiang said with a smile.
Li Bo nodded silently upon hearing "growth spurt." He then remembered that Qin Jiang seemed not yet to have reached adulthood.
He recalled that when he had reached adulthood back then, he had only just finished Cultivating the Iron Arm Fist.
Entering the courtyard, Qin Jiang's students couldn't help but look at him. A few days ago, Qin Jiang, finding it troublesome to go back and forth, had moved a wooden stake back.
After a few days, they had no idea what level Qin Jiang had reached.
Because Qin Jiang's strength was improving too quickly!
Perhaps, in just one or two months, he would be able to Breakthrough to the second layer?
Knock, knock. He walked to the front of the house and knocked.
The door opened, and Wang Minglang was copying the Iron Arm Fist Secret Manual. In recent days, more people had come to apprentice, and the previous stock was running low.
"Just come in, I'll take the medicinal bath after I finish writing this one," he said.
After waiting for a moment, Wang Minglang put down his pen and rubbed his eyes.
"I'm really getting old; my eyesight isn't good anymore. You young people are so lucky!"
Qin Jiang smiled slightly, "Uncle Wang, you're still strong and vigorous. Why are you admitting old age?"
Wang Minglang smiled, shook his head, lit his pipe, and took a puff, "I can't help but admit old age. I've already retired from the Red Tiger Gang, so it's just that I'm old and useless now."
At this, his gaze became a little melancholic. After two seconds of silence, he burst into laughter, "Hahahahaha, enough of this talk, let's go, I'll give you your medicinal bath!"