30: Understand!

Jiang Chen used the key in his hand to unlock the Teng Snake Step.

Finally, he saw its contents.

However, when Jiang Chen opened the Teng Snake Step Secret Manual, his face instantly darkened.

"Which good person would draw snakes on a Secret Manual!"

"And even a comic strip!"

When Jiang Chen saw that there wasn't a single word in the Secret Manual, his vision went black.

It was all drawings of snakes, and some even had a row of footprints drawn on them.

Adding feet to a snake would have been bad enough, but it added so many.

Why did Shangwu Pavilion have to be so inhumane, collecting such a thing and engaging in such a dirty deed?

Even so, he had already made his choice.

Jiang Chen could only brace himself and continue flipping through it.

To his surprise...

After Jiang Chen read through it a few times...

He discovered that this Secret Manual was not simple.

"The Teng Snake Step is actually a Medium Grade Profound Rank Martial Skill!"

Presumably, this Martial Skill would be considered a top-tier martial art in all of Dongfeng Town.

Soon, the Martial Dao Saint Body's destiny played its role.

Although the Teng Snake Step had no words, the patterns and footprints within it were the essence of the Secret Manual.

Its core lay in using a footwork method to trace the movements of a coiling Teng Snake.

To measure the Teng Snake with one's footsteps was the Profound Truth of the Teng Snake Step.

"The records here are precisely the three Realms of the Teng Snake Step."

"The first layer allows one to trace a three-zhang snake body. Within a three-zhang radius, one can be incredibly agile and flexible, excelling in close-quarters combat!"

"The second layer involves tracing a hundred-zhang snake trail. Within a hundred zhang, one can shrink distances, instantly activate, and move as swiftly as the wind."

"The third layer is a bit exaggerated; one can step on a snake's shadow, soar into the sky, like a Teng Snake riding the mist."

In other words, by Cultivating to the third layer, you can achieve temporary flight with this footwork.

If Jiang Chen remembered correctly, one would need at least Heavenly Martial Realm strength to fly through the air.

Of course, just the first two Realms...

Were already powerful enough for Jiang Chen.

The Teng Snake Step was primarily used for combat, not for traveling or tracking.

Of course, Cultivating to the second layer would also allow for very fast movement within a hundred zhang.

If he truly ran, it should also have a certain effect.

The third layer was a bit too mysterious.

However, since it was a martial world, Jiang Chen didn't completely give up hope.

With the Martial Dao Saint Body's destiny, Jiang Chen's memory for martial arts was like a printing press; he only needed to read it once to commit it to memory.

After finishing, Jiang Chen put the Secret Manual back.

When he reached the door, he also returned the unlocking key.

"Hmm? Finished?"

The old man guarding the door was slightly surprised to see Jiang Chen enter and exit so quickly.

When the old man saw the unlocking key in Jiang Chen's hand, he immediately recognized that Jiang Chen had chosen the Teng Snake Step.

At that moment, the old man had a wry smile on his face.

"I don't know if you're lucky or unlucky."

"The Teng Snake Step is one of the three Medium Grade Profound Rank Martial Skills in our Shangwu Pavilion, and you managed to find it."

"However, since the Teng Snake Step was collected, it has been fifteen years, and no one has been able to Cultivate it successfully."

The old man seemed to have a mischievous personality, deliberately saying this to see Jiang Chen's angry, disappointed, forlorn, and despairing expression.

Jiang Chen, at this moment, was immersed in the Teng Snake Step and didn't react much to the old man's words.

After returning the key and retrieving his token, he turned and left.

The old man shook his head slightly.

This kid was probably useless; no wonder he finished and left so quickly.

That Teng Snake Step Secret Manual was like a comic strip.

Once, a Black Yamen expert from the provincial capital even came here specifically to borrow the Teng Snake Step, but after reading it, he also shook his head directly.

He declared that...

With his Comprehension Ability, it would take at least a year to comprehend the first layer and at least six years to master it.

But without luck, he might not even enter the second layer within twenty years.

If it were a Body Tempering Realm or Houtian Realm Martial Artist, the time would have to increase by at least three times.

That is, it would take nearly twenty years to master the first layer.

By the time they reached that age, their bones would be old.

"Alas, it's useless, useless."

The old man brewed his tea to himself. Although martial arts were prevalent, without the guidance of a Great Master, even a Genius would only be buried, not to mention that most people were just of mediocre Aptitude.

Jiang Chen walked out of the core area.

Even in the inner city, there were quite a few people coming and going; some people preferred to do business in such a place.

As Jiang Chen walked, he recalled the drawings in the Teng Snake Step in his mind.

With the surging crowd before him, the drawings of the Teng Snake Step became clearer in his mind.

It even seemed to move rapidly in Jiang Chen's mind.

"That's right, the snake-like movements are extremely flexible and can detect danger in advance!"

Perception, reaction speed, and body control.

Jiang Chen's physical fitness had increased ten thousandfold compared to when he started.

When his thoughts connected, Jiang Chen's body could immediately follow and be controlled.

The crowded street and the endless stream of people before him — Jiang Chen's mind moved, and he took this place as the best training ground.

Step... Jiang Chen's footsteps shifted. What appeared in his mind was no longer the Teng Snake image, but the series of footprints beneath the Teng Snake's belly.

Thump, thump, thump... Within a three-zhang radius, Jiang Chen's consciousness would fall, and he could quickly arrive, even resisting any approaching risks during this process.

Finally, in just half an hour, Jiang Chen was drenched in sweat.

But the first layer of the Teng Snake Step had already been successfully Cultivated!

Now, he just needed to continuously familiarize himself with and master it.

"It's done!"

Jiang Chen's heart was invigorated.

Clearly, this was the effect brought by the Martial Dao Saint Body's destiny.

Just as Jiang Chen was excited, a stall owner next to him couldn't help but speak.

"I say, young man, you've been circling my stall for half an hour."

"Are you going to buy green beans or not!"

Jiang Chen then realized that he had been circling the man's stall the whole time.

"Cough, cough, how much are your green beans?"

"Ten coins a catty."

"I'll take two catties."

Jiang Chen carried two catties of green beans back to Bancheng Inn.

Among the Xia Sisters, Xia Sixuan had already woken up. Xia Si柠 had woken up once in between, but still needed more rest. After learning that both sisters were safe, she ate something and went back to sleep.

Seeing Jiang Chen return, Xia Sixuan and Cheng Yurou quickly went to greet him.

"Xiao Chen."

"Young Master Jiang."

Xia Sixuan bowed to Jiang Chen.

"You're awake? How is your sister?"

Jiang Chen asked.

"Sister is much better and is still resting. Thank you, Young Master Jiang, for saving our lives."

"No need to be polite."

"Rou'er, look, I am now a member of the Black Yamen."

Jiang Chen showed off the token in his hand.

Cheng Yurou took the token with a shocked expression, and seeing the words 'Black Yamen' on it, she was even more overjoyed.

"Xiao Chen... Xiao Chen is truly amazing!"

Cheng Yurou was genuinely happy, and tears of excitement welled up in her eyes.

Xia Sixuan, standing nearby, also felt relieved in her heart after hearing this.

So Young Master is a member of the Black Yamen.

"Oh, Tailor Yang has already sent two sets of clothes. Go try them on."

"That fast?"

It had only been one day, and Yang Shishi had already finished the clothes. She truly was a Great Master.

Jiang Chen then went to change into a new set of clothes.

These were meticulously tailored by Yang Shishi, using very comfortable and understated fabric.

After putting them on, Jiang Chen's figure appeared even more upright. The cuffs and pant legs were perfectly trimmed, and the color was bluish-gray.

It wasn't too eye-catching, but it was also understated and tasteful.

"Handsome!"

Cheng Yurou praised him.

Xia Sixuan, beside her, also had stars in her eyes.

Jiang Chen's masculine aura and handsome face, now enhanced by the clothes...

Plus Jiang Chen's miraculous arrival last night...

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a dream lover.

"There's also a cloak. I looked at the fabric; it's very good, waterproof and light-absorbing."

Cheng Yurou also fastened the cloak for Jiang Chen, and he instantly looked imposing, with an even more dashing and heroic air.

As for Cheng Yurou's dress, it was also of a simple, elegant style.

It perfectly accentuated Cheng Yurou's figure.

"Tailor Yang's craftsmanship is indeed excellent."

Jiang Chen tugged at his clothes and found the fabric to be very sturdy, not easily tearing, and not restricting movement.

Recalling Yang Shishi's performance yesterday, if he had time, he should go and properly praise Yang Shishi.

Afterward, Jiang Chen also ordered some food from the inn.

After dinner, Xia Sixuan stayed in the inn to take care of Xia Si柠.

Cheng Yurou went out with Jiang Chen to see if there were any suitable residences.