Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

He had the urge to kill Ma Jun.

The man had taken his payment, failed to get the job done, and then died.

’Consider yourself lucky. I’ll let you live a little longer.’

He never considered that Xu Yang could have killed Ma Jun, because it was simply impossible.

Forget the fact that Xu Yang hadn’t even reached Gang Qi Minor Achievement; even if he had, he couldn’t have lasted ten moves against a Gang Qi Great Success Martial Artist, let alone kill one.

At first, he suspected Xu Yang had killed Ma Jun. However, he checked Xu Yang’s exchange history at the Hidden Skills Hall and found no record of him acquiring any Saber Techniques for practice. Xu Yang couldn’t possibly be the Blazing Blade.

Besides, many people speculated that the Blazing Blade was likely an Inner Sect Disciple.

’First, I’ll deal with Chen’er and Su Man’s engagement. After that’s settled, I’ll take care of you.’

The Su Family had already agreed to marry Su Man to Xiao Chen. To be able to marry up into the Su Family, the engagement ceremony had to be a grand affair.

Soon, Xiao Hua’s attention shifted from Xu Yang, and he began to ponder the details of Xiao Chen and Su Man’s engagement.

...

A piece of news spread among the Outer Disciples: on the day of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion auction, the Blazing Blade hadn’t killed seven people, but eight.

Members of the Dawn Association had recently confirmed that Ma Jun, an Outer Sect Hall Master for the association, had also been slain by the Blazing Blade.

"Good riddance!"

Zhang Yong and Jiang Ping both clapped and cheered.

Although they hadn’t been directly exploited by the Dawn Association, it was the association’s backing that emboldened Cao Rong to exploit them.

"Why didn’t he kill Gu Haoming and Cao Rong too? I heard they also won a Ten-Perfection Rejuvenation Pill at the auction," Zhang Yong said with regret.

’So close!’ Xu Yang thought, growing wary of the Dawn Association’s capabilities. ’To think they could even find the battlefield.’

’From now on, I won’t use the Fiery Sun Gang Saber unless I’m killing someone.’

He never expected the Blazing Blade’s reputation to grow so much. If the Dawn Association found out that the Blazing Blade was merely an Outer Disciple who had yet to reach Gang Qi Minor Achievement, they would surely not let the matter rest.

"Junior Brother Xu, come over here for a moment," Sun Tao beckoned.

Xu Yang walked over, and Sun Tao whispered, "I heard some news. Li Fire Peak is holding a selection process recently. They say that if you get chosen, it’s great for your cultivation.

Zhang Yong, Jiang Ping, and I are all planning to go. Do you want to come along?"

’Li Fire Peak is holding another selection?’

Xu Yang was stunned for a moment. ’That’s right. The last batch of refined Spiritual Gold and Spirit Iron was completely wiped out by the Blood Lotus Sect. If they don’t refine more, Li Fire Peak will probably run out of Spirit Iron to use.’

Xu Yang whispered, "The group of people who died last time went because of a selection just like this."

He couldn’t be bothered whether Zhang Yong and Jiang Ping lived or died, but he had to look out for Sun Tao.

In an instant, the three of them felt a chill run down their spines, and their faces turned pale.

"Of course, last time was an accident. The mission itself isn’t actually dangerous and does offer great benefits. I can’t say if it will be dangerous this time, so you’ll have to weigh the risks yourselves," Xu Yang said.

If it weren’t for the Blood Lotus Sect, the Spirit Iron refining mission would be an excellent opportunity. Forget the contribution points; it would be worth doing even if you had to pay for it.

But the last time had left a shadow on him. Besides, the tempering effect of the Earth Vein Spiritual Fire had greatly diminished for him, so he wouldn’t go again.

"So what if it’s dangerous? As long as it’s good for my cultivation," Zhang Yong said through gritted teeth.

He still hadn’t reached Gang Qi Minor Achievement. If he didn’t take a gamble, when would he ever make a name for himself in the Outer Sect?

The small family he had married into could still provide some help back in Qingyuan County, but in the Purple Sun Sect, the dozen or so taels of silver they gave him each month were just a drop in the bucket.

"I’m not going!"

Compared to the others, Jiang Ping, the young master, lacked the courage.

After all, two of the Ten Heroes Geniuses had died last time.

Sun Tao gritted his teeth and said, "I’ll go with you."

He and Xu Yang were both facing threats from Xiao Hua and desperately needed to increase their strength. If Xu Yang had the guts to go down the mountain for an auction, it made no sense for him not to dare to participate in a mere selection.

Zhang Yong smiled. "A lot of people are participating in the selection, so we might not even get chosen. We’re just going to try our luck."

Hearing this, Xu Yang’s interest was piqued. "Do a lot of people know about this?"

Zhang Yong nodded. "It’s spread throughout the Outer Sect. Most people should know about it by now."

’Is the fucking Purple Sun Sect using this as bait? Are they trying to lure the Blood Lotus Sect into attacking again? Otherwise, why was the matter so secretive last time, but so widely publicized this time?’

However, he didn’t try to dissuade them further. With so many people participating, it was uncertain if they would be selected, just as Zhang Yong said. Besides, the location of the Earth Vein Spiritual Fire was indeed a treasured land.

Especially for those who had not yet reached Gang Qi Minor Achievement, that place represented their hope of a breakthrough.

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed since the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion auction.

Among their batch of Dragon Ascending Disciples, many had already reached Gang Qi Minor Achievement. Of the Ten Heroes and the Top Ten, only Xu Yang had yet to reach Gang Qi Minor Achievement, and more and more people were starting to question him.

Xu Yang paid them no mind. He secretly went down the mountain again, and after finishing the refinement of the Blood Coagulation Pills, he received another Guiyuan Pill from the Zhu Family.

Fuyue Bear Scripture Gang Qi Chapter · Minor Achievement (1913/4000)

Phantom Star Gang Fist · Minor Achievement (1772/2000)

Stepping on Gang and Chasing Wind · Minor Achievement (1918/2000)

He had taken all the elixirs, and his progress on the Fuyue Bear Scripture was nearly halfway complete.

The sheer power of his Gang Qi had nearly doubled.

Stepping on Gang and Chasing Wind was also close to reaching Great Success, as was Phantom Star Gang Fist.

’I need to find a way to get more Martial Arts.’

After refining the last remnants of the Guiyuan Pill’s medicinal power in his body, Xu Yang sat on his bed, contemplating. He needed to practice new Martial Arts to farm points.

Exchanging for them at the Hidden Skills Hall was undoubtedly the best method, but that required contribution points, which he currently planned to use only for exchanging Elixirs.

’Then the only option is the black market.’

He had been to the black market once before. They sold Martial Arts there, but no one knew their origins. It was possible that many were secret techniques of the Purple Sun Sect not meant to be passed on.

’It should be fine as long as I only practice them and don’t use them.’

He calculated on his fingers and realized it was the tenth of the month, the very day the black market opened.

As he walked out of his room, he saw Zhang Yong, his face glowing with delight. He had passed the Li Fire Peak selection, while Sun Tao, who went with him, had not been chosen.

"Congratulations!" Xu Yang said, cupping his hands.

With Zhang Yong’s talent, after being tempered by the Earth Vein Spiritual Fire, he should be able to reach Gang Qi Minor Achievement.

"Is Xu Yang here?"

Just as Zhang Yong was about to speak, a voice called out from the Outer Sect area.

"I am Xu Yang. For what reason does Senior Brother seek me?"

Xu Yang stepped out of the courtyard and saw a disciple he recognized from Li Fire Peak.

"By order of Senior Brother Gao Lin, you are to gather at Li Fire Peak at the chen hour tomorrow to participate in the Spiritual Gold refining mission."

’I clearly have an ongoing mission and didn’t even participate in the selection. Why are they making me go refine Spiritual Gold with the Earth Vein Spiritual Fire?’

Xu Yang’s brow furrowed slightly. He cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Senior Brother, I have other missions to attend to."

The man shook his head. "This was specifically assigned by Senior Brother Gao Lin. The Task Hall has already been notified to halt your current mission. Find some time to settle your contribution points and remember to be at Li Fire Peak on time tomorrow."

After speaking, he turned and left without another word.

"You didn’t even participate in the selection, and they still gave you a spot?" Zhang Yong and Sun Tao were flabbergasted.

Sun Tao had worked his tail off for a month like a beast of burden and wasn’t chosen. Xu Yang, on the other hand, didn’t even want to go and had a spot forced upon him.

"I’d rather not have it!" Xu Yang said, speechless.

’This refining mission might be a trap, and we disciples are the bait.’

’I thought I’d gotten out of it, but Gao Lin specifically assigned me.’

’I don’t know if he’s trying to look out for me or if he felt the bait wasn’t sufficient, so he’s having a Ten Heroes Genius like me participate.’

’It’s really not a good thing to be famous. However, if this is a trap, the Purple Sun Sect should be well-prepared this time. It won’t be like last time when not a single expert came for support.’

He actually hoped the refining mission was a trap. That way, there would be experts protecting them from the shadows. Although still dangerous, it wouldn’t be as severe as last time.

He went to the Task Hall to settle his contribution points, receiving a total of nearly fifty. Soon, night fell.

Sun Tao and the others had already returned to their rooms to cultivate. Xu Yang prepared his silver banknotes, left the courtyard under the cover of darkness, and quickly passed through the sect’s main gate.

In a secluded spot, he changed into Night Clothes, put on a mask, and headed for the black market.