Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 321 Making Money

Han Yi was so distracted that he didn't notice the steps under his feet and almost stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Sigh... practicing martial arts as well... this Nine-Bend Academy is getting worse with each generation..." The old man, reeking of smoke, smacked his lips on his pacifier, watching Han Yi's retreating figure, and sighed.

"No, it should be Jingtian Manor. Each generation is worse than the last..." he said wistfully, his tone filled with disappointment.

......

......

The Golden House, also known as the Jingtian Manor Library, has three floors. The first floor is dedicated to miscellaneous subjects, while the second and third floors are for martial arts, and admission is required to view them. It is considered one of the places with the largest collection of books in the entire Yunzhou.

Apart from a few paid martial arts manuals, most of the books are free to read, which is the biggest benefit for the disciples of Jingtian Manor.

At first glance, the lobby on the first floor is as big as half a football field.

The first floor of the library occupies a vast area and is evenly divided into four sections, each filled with numerous bookshelves arranged neatly. In addition, dozens of tall bookshelves line the surrounding walls, reaching straight to the ceiling, all densely packed with books.

It's still too early; the entire hall is empty.

Han Yi randomly selected a bookshelf, and rows upon rows of dark books immediately came into view.

"War and Cooperation," "On Demons," "Appreciation of Beauties of Yunzhou," "Intimate Paradise," "The Origin of Monsters"...

The books, their pages yellowed and exuding an antique ink fragrance, await to be turned and opened.

"A truly comprehensive collection of books, the best in Yunzhou, its nickname is indeed well-deserved..."

Han Yi looked around but did not find his target.

These miscellaneous studies are not useless, but he doesn't have time to study them now.

Finding herself without a destination, she walked to a huge map and looked at the book category section.

He then followed the markers on the map to a bookshelf.

The bookshelf has labels on it: Disperse Power, Dissolve Internal Energy, Restore Blood.

This indicates that the books in this area mainly fall into these three categories.

Han Yi's target is the technique of dispersing internal energy here.

The practice of cultivating multiple disciplines has a long history and was once very popular, serving as a primary method of training for martial artists in Yunzhou.

Later, a master found another way and created a new method for cultivating true skill, which focused on strengthening and accumulating internal energy.

Soon, the practice of combining martial arts with other skills was discarded, outdated, and disappeared as an old and corrupt method.

The so-called "dispersing power method" is a special technique that emerged during the period of merging and transitioning between ancient and new methods.

The principle behind this is to dispel the interference of one's own qi and blood with martial arts, thereby allowing the turbid blood to return to its original state and making it easier to cultivate true skills again.

only…..

"This thing has side effects?" Han Yi raised an eyebrow as he flipped through the introduction to the Dispersing Power Technique in his hand.

Dispersing one's internal energy, while allowing one's acquired qi and blood to return to their innate state, naturally comes at a price.

Dispersing one's internal energy is the process by which impure blood reverts to innate primordial blood. This process, to varying degrees, will cause some damage to the martial artist's body. For example, the conversion process will affect the overall quality and quantity of primordial blood. This is the most significant side effect; it is said that there are many other side effects as well.

Things like poor blood circulation, blood stagnation, etc.

"No wonder... Elder Wang told me that if I want to have a future, I have to go to Yuanmiao Sect..." Han Yi looked at the rows of books on the bookshelf.

"The Secret Technique of Sealing Blood," "The Method of Locking Strength," "The Nine Yang Eight Meridians Dispersing Power Method," "The Thirty-Six Forms of Dispersing Power," "The Six Yin of Ice and Fire Taiyi Blood-Returning Manual"...

There were many manuals on dispersing internal energy, but he was in a heavy mood and didn't take any of them.

At that time, Master Wang told him that if he wanted to achieve something, he had to find the right path in Yuanmiao Sect.

He had previously thought that Elder Wang's explanation was simply due to external factors such as the Yuanmiao Sect's immense power as a force suppressing Yunzhou, its superior cultivation techniques and secret manuals, abundant martial arts resources, and the exceptional teaching abilities of its masters. Now it seems…

It's not just these external factors, but more importantly, the internal factors.

Only in the Yuanmiao Sect can there be a method that can perfectly disperse and neutralize internal energy without damaging the body's foundation.

Only by entering the Yuanmiao Sect can he completely transform his turbid blood into innate primordial blood, thus gradually resuming his cultivation of true skills and reaching the pinnacle...

His innate blood volume had been tested before.

Like most people, his innate blood essence can only be differentiated a maximum of three times.

In other words, his physical aptitude only meets the minimum requirement for breaking through to the Grandmaster level: his strength needs to be enhanced three times.

If even one of these three attempts falls short, the requirements for breaking through to the Grandmaster level will be unattainable…

Therefore, if he chooses to dissipate his internal energy and start cultivating the true skill, the Nine-Bend Cold Yin Palm, there's a 99% chance he'll be stuck at the second-level martial artist level for life due to insufficient vital energy and depleted qi and blood, unable to make any further progress.

Only then did Han Yi understand why Elder Wang had gone to such lengths to repeatedly urge him to join the Yuanmiao Sect.

By joining the Yuanmiao Sect, he obtained the method to perfectly transform turbid blood. Only with sufficient primordial blood could he possibly cultivate his true skills to perfection.

However, Yuanmiaozong did not accept him...

This undoubtedly foreshadows a dark future for him.

If you use scattered energy to cultivate true skill, you'll be stuck at the second level of martial arts master for life.

Without dispersing one's internal energy and simultaneously cultivating true internal energy, the path ahead is fraught with difficulty. Many classic texts and secrets have long been lost, and the fusion of internal energy carries extremely high risks, or rather, it is simply impossible to succeed.

Moreover, according to the texts he left behind by Bai Yuechou, and based on his own cultivation experience, in order to achieve the fusion of internal energy, he must also cultivate the Cold Yin Nine-Bend Palm to perfection.

However, if he doesn't disperse his internal energy and instead cultivate true internal energy, he will still be unable to perfect his cultivation due to a lack of sufficient vital energy.

In this way, it seems that neither of the two paths is viable.

“Dispersing my cultivation leads to insufficient vital energy. Not dispersing my cultivation also results in insufficient vital energy…” Han Yi sighed. This problem seemed to have formed an unsolvable closed loop.

"Forget it, let's put the matter of dispersing our cultivation on hold for now..."

Han Yi took a deep breath, rubbed his forehead, and finally decided to put the matter aside for now.

His current strength rests entirely on the Qianyang Skill and the Flying Dragon Skill. If he were to rashly disperse his power and lose his ultimate trump card, the Reverse Scale State, it would clearly cause his combat strength to drop significantly.

Those who practice both martial arts and internal martial arts have different levels of Qi and blood, and the extent of their strength coverage also differs from the average level of those who truly master martial arts.

Although practicing both methods doesn't completely cover all the vital points of the body like a true martial artist, it's not entirely without merit.

Any martial artist who practices both martial arts and qi will experience abnormalities in their overall qi and blood.

The abnormal qi and blood here is not a derogatory term, but rather refers to the fact that the qi and blood of a martial artist tend to accumulate in large quantities in the areas where they frequently practice.

This is also why Elder Wang Yunkai and Headmaster Zhong Yunxiu were able to tell at a glance that Han Yi was a practitioner of both martial arts and martial arts.

With a large accumulation of Qi and blood, these parts will naturally be frequently tempered by the strength.

These areas are mostly commonly used by martial artists, such as the arms, thighs, and head.

Therefore, when one's Qi and blood are abundant, a practitioner who also practices martial arts will often be a cut above those who practice true martial arts.

Of course, this is only the initial stage. In the later stages, after the strength is enhanced three times, the blood and qi of a true martial artist will catch up and suppress other martial artists of the same level who practice both martial arts and qi cultivation.

Therefore, the advantage of a martial artist who cultivates multiple skills lies in their strong combat power in the early stages. Han Yi also plans to take advantage of this, being one of the stronger martial artists of the same level, to go out and earn money.

There was no other way; he had no money on him, no way to pay his tuition for next month, and he still owed money to others. He had to find a way to go out and earn money.

Therefore, it is clearly inappropriate to rashly dissipate one's energy.

"Forget it, let's put this aside for now and focus on making money first..." He shook his head helplessly.

Originally, his initial purpose in coming to this Scripture Pavilion was to find a solution to the problem of insufficient Yuan Blood in his body when practicing the Cold Yin Nine-Bend Palm, based on the introduction of his senior sister Zhong Han.

Unexpectedly, while the method did exist, the final result did not satisfy him.

A martial artist without a future, even if they cultivate to the highest level, will have no hope or meaning. Forget about returning to resolve the demonic calamity someday; even compared to his current level as a second-tier martial artist, there will be no fundamental change. Therefore… he could only regretfully leave the library, dissipate his cultivation, and abandon all consideration, having to find another way.

perhaps…...

Before leaving, Han Yi looked up and glanced at the expensive second and third floors…

It is said that a large number of precious martial arts manuals of Jingtian Manor are preserved there, as well as countless experience notes left by predecessors. It is the most precious place in the entire Jingtian Manor.

There might be a way somewhere...

Han Yi secretly vowed to himself, he refused to believe that with the system at his disposal, he could not forge his own path!

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Jingtian Manor, Huahu Villa.

After having a buffet lunch in the dining hall, Han Yi, feeling full and satisfied, patted his belly and swaggered to the Flower Lake Villa. Huang Rong had indeed gone to the Nursing Home, but burdened with a mountain of debt, she was still diligently taking on tasks to work and pay off her debts as quickly as possible.

Han Yi arrived at the training ground where he had undergone the enlightenment test when he first entered the sect.

"Making money?" At this moment, Huang Rong was yawning with boredom, waiting for the next batch of disciples who needed to be tested to gather enough people.

She quickly glanced around and, finding no one, said, "What I'm doing now is, do you want to come? It's not difficult, it's just a matter of seeing if the newcomer is qualified, and... showing respect."

She's doing the same job Zongwu did back then: giving introductory tests to newcomers.

It's not difficult, the work is easy, and there's occasional extra pocket money, but it requires a lot of training time, and the rewards are disproportionate.

She secured this position because of her good relationship with her senior brothers in the inner courtyard and her long time in the academy, which gave her a clear understanding of the rules.

"No way, I don't have that kind of relationship with you." Han Yi shook his head. "Besides, you know my personality. I hate wasting time, especially when other people keep asking me questions."

He was looking for a shortcut that offered high pay, fast speed, wouldn't interfere with his cultivation time, and allowed for a certain degree of freedom of movement—a quick way to make money.

“That’s true, your personality is indeed not suitable for this job.” Huang Rong tilted his head and thought for a moment. “However, your requests are not even a possibility within our Jingtian Manor. They are impossible to have.”

"So you mean...the outside?" Han Yi understood instantly.

"That's right. It's relatively easy to make money in the inner courtyard of Jingtian Manor. After all, we have many martial arts masters who have reached the Meridian Opening stage. They're in high demand everywhere outside."

"I'd like to hear the details." Han Yi perked up.

"Let me make it clear first: while these missions outside have many benefits, they also involve contact with many people and encounter challenging situations. Often, the difficulty of the mission, as initially stated, can change due to unexpected events or unforeseen circumstances, and this process inevitably carries some risks."

You should think this through. Our internal tasks may not be highly paid, but they are stable and offer a steady, long-term return. As long as you work diligently, you'll eventually accumulate enough. But outside, most situations are unpredictable and uncontrollable. If danger arises, don't blame me for not warning you.”

Huang Rong sat cross-legged on the cushion, his back straight, his expression serious.

Han Yi was silent for a moment: "Yes, there will be danger, I know. But if we are careful, we should be fine. If it's just dealing with martial artists of the same level, I am still confident."

"Okay, that's enough for you." Huang Rong naturally knew that Han Yi was a martial arts master. He was able to travel all the way from Pingzhou to Yunzhou, so his true strength was definitely not as low-key as he appeared. She was just reminding him out of kindness as a friend.

"As I just said, our Jingtian Manor, especially the inner disciples, is highly trusted by the major local forces, so we can take on quite a few jobs when we go out."

One option is that the local government hires these personnel to maintain order and apprehend criminals. These missions are mostly conducted within the city, and even when they venture out, they involve large groups near official roads. While there is some danger, it's not high; at most, you might occasionally encounter petty thieves. Therefore, the compensation… is only slightly better than our internal missions.

Secondly, we accept missions from other forces, such as large families or merchant guilds. Because of our Jingtian Manor's good reputation, they often come to hire our disciples, mostly for escort, protection, and transportation.

The rewards for these kinds of tasks are significantly higher than those from government offices. Furthermore, accepting these tasks might allow you to meet influential figures from other factions and gain additional opportunities and benefits. However, it's important to note that these tasks are only offered to those who are particularly difficult or targeted, or those whose items are being monitored. Therefore…”

Huang Rong winked at Han Yi, giving him a knowing look.

Han Yi immediately understood. Yunzhou and Hepingzhou were different; there weren't nearly as many bandits and robbers here. Plus, with the Yuanmiao Sect suppressing everything, no one dared to do business outside without any initial investment…

They must all be ruthless people who would risk their lives.

"In other words, during the mission, we are very likely to encounter enemies whose strength far exceeds our expectations?"

"That's right, this kind of mission inevitably carries a certain degree of danger." Huang Rong nodded in satisfaction. One thing she thought highly of Han Yi was his exceptional comprehension; he grasped things very quickly.

"Is there anything else?" Han Yi asked again.

"If you're satisfied with either of the above..." Huang Rong thought for a moment, then said, "There's only one path left..."

Looking into Han Yi's expectant eyes, she slowly uttered a sentence: "That is, to go out and hunt demons..."