Chapter 153: Five First-Class Martial Arts Acquired

Soon, all the crystals of evils were tallied up.

Including the grandmaster-grade crystals of evils, it came to a total of four thousand six hundred and fifty merit points.

Added to the eight hundred and fifty points Lu Yan had previously left over, Lu Yan's total merit points reached an astonishing five thousand five hundred.

During his last entry into the Pure Blood Grotto, because the quota was a gift from Zhao Sirong's father, no merit points were consumed.

Lu Yan took out his merit token, and an elder crossed out the previous eight hundred and fifty points, rewriting it as five thousand five hundred.

"The crystal of evils of a grandmaster-grade alone is enough to secure a top-three spot. The Zhao clan keeps its word and rewards a quota to enter Mount Kunwu, never breaking a promise. Take this token."

The burly man produced a golden token from inside his robe, with the two characters "Kunwu" inscribed upon it.

Clearly, the burly man had heard that someone had acquired a grandmaster-grade crystal of evils and had come fully prepared.

"There is still a year and a half before entering Mount Kunwu. When the time comes, you need only bring this token to the Zhao clan, and you may accompany them into Mount Kunwu."

"If you are a disciple of some grandmaster-grade faction, when the major factions vie for the Mount Kunwu quotas, you may use this token to advance-claim one quota from our Zhao clan."

"Furthermore, the quota to enter Mount Kunwu is an additional reward for the top three and does not deduct from your merit points."

The burly man explained.

"Thank you, senior."

Lu Yan expressed his gratitude and then carefully put away the two tokens.

"Whatever you wish to exchange your merit points for can be done right now. I will have someone take you."

The burly man said.

"This junior wishes to first exchange for a top-tier martial art, reserving some merit points for martial food or exotic beast meat later. Would that be permitted?"

Lu Yan asked.

"Of course. These merit points are permanently valid, as long as you don't lose the token."

"You two, take him to the Martial Scripture Pavilion."

With those instructions, the burly man turned and left.

"Little brother, please follow me to the Martial Scripture Pavilion."

An elderly man with white hair said.

Lu Yan nodded and, following the guide, arrived at the Martial Scripture Pavilion once again, heading straight for the third floor.

Soon, Lu Yan found two top-tier martial arts.

The Scarlet Flame Golden Body and the Nine Revolutions Profound Saber.

The saber technique went without saying; it was definitely Lu Yan's primary choice.

He was eager to know whether integrating a sufficient variety of top-tier saber techniques to the realm of human and martial arts as one could forge a supreme martial art.

As for the Scarlet Flame Golden Body, Lu Yan had also coveted it for a long time.

The Scarlet Flame Golden Body was a body-refining martial art. Once mastered, the body would become as indestructible as the gold of scarlet flames, possessing astonishing physical strength that greatly enhanced one's bodily power.

This was a very pure body-refining martial art, distinct from the Indestructible Vajra Skill.

The Indestructible Vajra Skill was fused from nine second-tier martial arts, the majority of which leaned toward offense.

Only the Vajra Body and the Savage Elephant Body were body-refining martial arts.

Therefore, the Indestructible Vajra Skill leaned more heavily toward attack. Although its defensive power was also extremely formidable, it still fell short compared to a purely body-refining martial art.

This could be seen clearly from Zhao Yi's Divine Dragon Body.

It was practically impervious to blades and spears, to the point that even Lu Yan could not breach his defense.

The box for the Scarlet Flame Golden Body had been empty the last time he was here, but now it had evidently been returned.

"I wonder if the Martial Scripture Pavilion has the Divine Dragon Body..."

Thinking of the Divine Dragon Body made Lu Yan even more tempted.

Even among top-tier martial arts, there were distinctions of strength and weakness.

The Divine Dragon Body was undoubtedly the absolute pinnacle of top-tier martial arts.

The mastery Zhao Yi had attained in it shouldn't have been exceptionally profound, at most reaching the peak of perfection, and perhaps not even quite reaching that level yet.

If it were cultivated to the realm where man and martial art become one, how astonishing would its defensive power be?

Unfortunately, after searching all around, Lu Yan could not find the Divine Dragon Body.

Clearly, the Zhao clan had not put certain supreme top-tier martial arts out for exchange.

However, Lu Yan did find three more top-tier saber techniques.

Including the Nine Revolutions Profound Saber, that made four.

A total of five top-tier martial arts.

Carrying the five top-tier martial arts manuals, Lu Yan came to the first floor.

"You want to exchange for five top-tier martial arts all at once? Let me tell you, even if you exchange for five at the same time, you only get half a year. After six months, all five must be returned together. Your best choice is to exchange for one or two at a time, so you have enough time to comprehend them."

The man in charge of registration advised.

"Indeed, and what is the use of exchanging for so many top-tier martial arts? Trying to chew more than you can swallow gets you nowhere. You'd be better off spending those merit points on martial food."

The white-haired elder who brought him here also advised.

Both were kind-hearted men who were genuinely looking out for Lu Yan's best interests.

Yet how could they possibly fathom Lu Yan's innate talent?

"Two seniors, my primary cultivation is in saber techniques, and I've hit a bottleneck today. I'm exchanging these top-tier saber techniques not to fully master every single one, but to use them as references to spark inspiration. Perhaps it will help my saber technique break through the bottleneck."

Lu Yan replied modestly.

Seeing that Lu Yan's mind was made up, the two men said no more. They registered the transaction for him and deducted two thousand five hundred merit points.

The exchanged top-tier martial arts manuals could not be taken away at will; if one wished to comprehend them, it had to be done in a designated area specified by the Zhao clan.

This was to prevent anyone from adopting a disguised identity and making off with the divine intent diagrams of the top-tier martial arts without returning them.

After all, top-tier martial arts differed from the Heart-Tempering Chronicles. The Heart-Tempering Chronicles could be repeatedly transcribed, but there was only a single copy of a top-tier martial art's divine intent diagram, and once taken, it would be permanently lost.

Having completed the exchange for the top-tier martial arts, Lu Yan followed the white-haired elder to a spacious courtyard.

The courtyard was guarded by experts from the Zhao clan.

Inside, there were cultivation chambers fully equipped with training apparatuses. If one wished to purchase martial food, they could communicate with the Zhao clan personnel at any time.

Lu Yan entered a cultivation room, opened the manual and divine intent diagram for the Scarlet Flame Golden Body, and began to study them.

Having already cultivated four top-tier martial arts to the realm where man and martial art merge as one, Lu Yan found comprehending a new top-tier martial art quite effortless. It didn't even take a month; in just over twenty days, he had grasped the fundamentals and entered the threshold.

Twenty-five days later, beside the Dao Book, a martial art clone for the Scarlet Flame Golden Body condensed into form.

Next, he opened the Nine Revolutions Profound Saber and began his comprehension.

Regarding saber techniques, Lu Yan found comprehension even easier, reaching the threshold in a mere twenty days.

Then came the second saber technique.

In less than four months total, Lu Yan had successfully comprehended the fundamentals of all five top-tier martial arts he had exchanged for, condensing a martial art clone for each.

Now, standing around the Dao Book was a row of newly initiated martial art clones.

There were seven top-tier martial art clones.

Along with five second-tier archery martial art clones.

And one Heart-Tempering Chronicle clone.

All of these needed to be elevated.

"I lack Dao nourishment."

Lu Yan sighed.

Putting away the divine intent diagrams and martial art manuals, Lu Yan rose, left the cultivation room, and went outside the courtyard. Stating that he wished to return the martial arts, someone naturally guided him back to the Martial Scripture Pavilion to return all five texts.

"What should I exchange for next?"

Lu Yan began to ponder.

Exchanging for five top-tier martial arts had cost two thousand five hundred merit points, leaving him with three thousand merit points remaining.

Unfortunately, there were no other top-tier saber techniques left in the Martial Scripture Pavilion; otherwise, saber techniques would have been his first priority.

Additionally, there were no top-tier archery martial arts available either.

Even if there were, the Zhao clan probably wouldn't put them out for exchange.

"Since there are no more saber techniques or top-tier archery martial arts, I don't need that many other martial arts right now. At most, I'll exchange for one more body-refining top-tier martial art and one second-tier archery martial art."

"The remaining merit points will be used to exchange for rare spiritual herbs, such as nine-jointed ginseng, as well as some rare exotic beast meat and second-tier dried martial food."

"Right, I wonder if there is any martial food capable of curing my father's injuries. If so, I must exchange for it."

Lu Yan thought to himself as he walked down the mountain.

Lu Qinghan had suffered meridian damage from sparring with someone, and failing to receive prompt treatment over the years had led to chronic congestion within his meridians. Such injuries were notoriously difficult to heal.

Bone injuries and muscle injuries were both relatively easy to treat.

Meridian injuries alone were the hardest to mend.

Because meridians were the conduits for the circulation of Qi and blood, forming the very foundation of cultivation.

Li Wenxuan had rushed his cultivation and suffered meridian damage; even with all the resources at his disposal, it took him five years to recover, which spoke volumes.

Ordinary healing martial foods or spiritual herbs were completely ineffective for Lu Qinghan.

Otherwise, Lu Yan would have cured his father long ago.

Any martial food or spiritual herb capable of healing the meridians was exceptionally precious and scarce; he wondered if the Zhao clan possessed any.

Lu Yan intended to make some inquiries.

Descending from the blood-veined earth, he walked through the streets of Lingwang City.

Lingwang City was much quieter now than before, and there were far fewer martial artists walking the streets.

With the retreat of the evil entities, the crisis in Lingwang City had been resolved, the lost territory of East Mountain Commandery had been reclaimed, the Tu clan had returned to their own blood-veined earth, and the various factions that had rushed in from all directions to offer assistance had all packed up and returned to their respective domains.

After many days, Lu Yan once again arrived at the Mingxiang Mansion.

With no other choice, Zhao Sirong was the only acquaintance he had in Lingwang City.

"Brother Lu, I heard you obtained a grandmaster-grade crystal of evils and have been quietly comprehending martial arts lately. Have you made any gains?"

Seeing Lu Yan, Zhao Sirong's beautiful eyes lit up with a brilliant, shimmering light.

"Not bad. By the way, Sirong, I have some remaining merit points and wish to exchange them for martial food capable of healing meridian injuries. Does the Zhao clan have any?"

Lu Yan asked.

"Martial food for healing meridian injuries? We do have some, but it is extremely precious and there is no stock on hand; it needs to be prepared to order. If you need it, I can help you ask."

Zhao Sirong said.

"Thank you."

Lu Yan cupped his fists in salute.

"We are so familiar with each other, why be so polite? By the way, you should have obtained a quota to enter Mount Kunwu, right?"

Zhao Sirong asked.

"Yes."

Lu Yan nodded.

"Inside Mount Kunwu, there are numerous rare and exotic beasts. Second-tier mutated beast kings and Phoenix Blood Worms are the primary ingredients that can be cooked into martial food for breaking through to the grandmaster grade. Once you enter, these two things must not be missed."

"However, Phoenix Blood Worms generally hide underground and are extremely secretive. Acquiring them requires a bit of luck, so I suggest that if you have enough merit points, you trade with the Zhao clan for a stick of Phoenix Incense."

Zhao Sirong said.

"Phoenix Incense?"

Lu Yan was curious.

"Phoenix Incense is refined using Phoenix Grass paired with several precious spiritual herbs. Once lit, its unique fragrance has a chance to lure out Phoenix Blood Worms."

"However, the quantity of Phoenix Incense is extremely scarce. As far as I know, the Zhao clan only has three sticks left now. If you wish to exchange for one, the price will be exceptionally high."

Zhao Sirong said.

"It can actually lure out Phoenix Blood Worms."

Lu Yan's heart skipped a beat.

As long as he could catch a Phoenix Blood Worm, no matter how high the price, it would be worth it.

"Do you know how many merit points it requires?"

Lu Yan asked.

"If Brother Lu wants it, I can help inquire about it together with the rest. Why don't you come back tomorrow?"

Zhao Sirong suggested.

"Then I'll trouble you, Sirong. If you ever have need of me in the future, I, Lu, will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Lu Yan said earnestly.

Zhao Sirong chuckled softly and said nothing more.

The lodging Lu Yan had previously rented had long since been given up, so he casually found an inn to stay in.

The next day, Lu Yan came to the Mingxiang Mansion once again and met with Zhao Sirong.

"Brother Lu, I've inquired for you. The meridian-healing martial food can be exchanged, but it will cost five hundred merit points."

Zhao Sirong said.

"Acceptable."

Lu Yan did not hesitate at all.

"And as for the Phoenix Incense, it can also be exchanged for merit points, but it requires two thousand merit points."

Zhao Sirong continued.

"Very well, I'll exchange for that too."

Lu Yan still showed no hesitation.

As long as he could catch a Phoenix Blood Worm, any amount of merit points was worth it.

The value of a Phoenix Blood Worm far exceeded two thousand merit points.

His only worry previously was that the Zhao clan might be unwilling to let it go for exchange, or that his own merit points would fall short.

After expressing his thanks, Lu Yan took his leave and headed straight for the Affairs Mansion.

"Little brother, we meet again. What do you need to exchange for this time?"

The white-haired elder asked.

"I need to exchange for a portion of meridian-healing martial food, and a stick of Phoenix Incense..."

Lu Yan stated.

"Exchange for Phoenix Incense? You really know how to pick. But I'll need to go check on the situation; after all, even our Zhao clan doesn't have much Phoenix Incense. Wait here a moment."

With that, the white-haired elder hurried away.

This wait lasted a full two hours.

Two hours later, the white-haired elder walked over holding an exquisite wooden box.

"The Phoenix Incense can be exchanged, and I've managed to secure it for you. Have a look."

The white-haired elder opened the wooden box to reveal a roll of special aromatic paper. Unfolding the paper finally exposed a stick of incense roughly the thickness of a chopstick.

A refreshing, invigorating fragrance immediately drifted over.

The elder rolled the aromatic paper back up, closed the lid, and said, "However, exchanging for the Phoenix Incense costs two thousand merit points. Furthermore, the martial food to heal meridian injuries needs to be prepared to order; you'll need to come back in seven days, and it costs five hundred merit points."

"Aside from these, what else do you wish to exchange for?"

Lu Yan pondered for a moment.

He had originally intended to exchange for another top-tier body-refining martial art, but now, with only five hundred merit points remaining, that was clearly not enough.

He decided to exchange for a second-tier archery martial art instead, along with a few roots of nine-jointed ginseng, and spend the rest on second-tier dried martial food.

Lu Yan stated his requirements.

These were standard items kept in regular stock, and the Zhao clan had them fully prepared. Soon, the second-tier archery martial art, the nine-jointed ginseng, and a large crate of dried second-tier martial food were all delivered.

And Lu Yan's merit points were completely exhausted.

Carrying his items, Lu Yan returned to the inn. Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. Lu Yan visited the Affairs Mansion once more and collected the portion of meridian-healing martial food.

East City, Mingxiang Mansion.

"Sirong, I've come to bid you farewell. During my time in Lingwang City, I am deeply grateful for your care, Sirong. Otherwise, my trip here certainly wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

Lu Yan raised his cup and said sincerely.

"You saved my life, and a life-saving grace is greater than the heavens."

Zhao Sirong raised her cup, clinked it against Lu Yan's, and drank it down in one gulp. Two flushes of red appeared on her fair cheeks as her large eyes fixed on Lu Yan. "Brother Lu, will we ever meet again?"

"Naturally."

Lu Yan nodded.

"Not necessarily. Up until today, Brother Lu hasn't even shown me your true face, has he? And the name Luren—meaning a passerby—is also a fake name, right? Ah, it seems Brother Lu still maintains a high degree of wariness toward me."

Zhao Sirong remarked.

Are women's intuitions all this terrifying?

Lu Yan was utterly speechless.

"My real name is Lu Yan."

After a brief pause, Lu Yan spoke up, while his features rapidly shifted, restoring his true appearance.

A young, handsome, and resolute-faced youth appeared before Zhao Sirong.