A glint of anticipation shone in his eyes.
In the Empire’s Martial Dao system, First-level Killing Techniques, Second-level Killing Techniques, and Third-level Killing Skills all fell into the category of "Mortal Martial Arts."
They did not involve the use of Mental Power, relying purely on Control over one’s physical body, the application of energy, and incredibly refined techniques to generate killing power.
Third-level Killing Skills, however, represented the very pinnacle of this category.
The complexity and difficulty of practicing any Third-level Killing Skill were far beyond those of a Second-level Killing Technique.
But by the same token, if a Martial Artist could practice a Third-level Killing Skill to the Control Realm, their understanding of "power" and "technique" would ascend to a completely new level. It would be enough to grasp one principle and have all others become clear.
At that point, they would earn the revered title of "Martial Arts Grandmaster."
After taking stock of his own strength, the repulsive figure subconsciously surfaced in Qin Feng’s mind once more.
’Shi Dang... how much stronger have you become in these past ten years?’
With practiced ease, he brought up the Subspace Network and opened the blood-red bounty mission he made a point to check periodically.
The mission page was still flashing.
At the very bottom, the "Failure Count," a grim reminder of death, was still a jarring, blood-red "2."
In the past decade, it seemed no other powerful individuals had fallen to Shi Dang.
But this didn’t mean Shi Dang had gotten weaker.
Quite the opposite. As Qin Feng’s gaze fell upon the updated mission intelligence, his brow furrowed involuntarily.
According to combat data analysis from encounters between bounty hunters and Shi Dang, his vitality index had reached a staggering height—5,400 points!
Not only that, but the intelligence also clearly stated he had mastered multiple bizarre and powerful Fourth-level Killing Techniques bestowed by the Chaos Blessing.
He was currently still on the run in the Empire’s Border Star Realm, seemingly trying everything in his power to cross the defensive line forged from countless Interstellar Fortresses and escape to the even more chaotic and vast Battlefield of Ten Thousand Races.
’The border defenses are ironclad and impregnable. It won’t be so easy for you to escape.’
Reading this, the corners of Qin Feng’s mouth curved into a cold smile.
He knew the Empire would never allow a worshiper of "Khorne" with such immense potential to escape unscathed.
A Heaven and Earth Net had surely been cast along the border, just waiting for him to walk right into it.
However, this cunning wolf seemed to have sensed the danger and had kept himself well hidden for the past decade.
Qin Feng shook his head and closed the mission page for Shi Dang.
The enemy’s strength would only serve as motivation for him to press forward.
He entered the Imperial Trading House. After carefully browsing and comparing the dazzling array of Third-level Killing Skills, he finally chose a spear technique.
[Name: "Heaven and Earth Spear"]
[Level: Third-level Killing Skill]
[Description: This spear art is named for the concepts of Heaven (Qian) and Earth (Kun). Its techniques are grand and sweeping, blending hardness and softness. It possesses both the might of a collapsing mountain and the finesse to deflect a thousand pounds with a mere ounce.]
"Purchase."
As his Contribution Points were deducted, an immense and incredibly complex stream of data transformed into a beam of light, surging directly into his Subspace to be stored within his personal status panel.
Qin Feng didn’t rush to accept a mission. Instead, he once again entered a state of seclusion.
This time, however, his goal wasn’t "aperture fusion" but to comprehend this new Third-level Killing Skill.
However, just reaching the "Initiate" level proved to be unprecedentedly difficult.
「One month later.」
Qin Feng finally familiarized himself with the exceedingly complex techniques and power application methods of the Heaven and Earth Spear. He performed the entire set once in the training grounds, meeting the system’s standard for the "Initiate" level.
"Third-level Killing Skills are truly difficult."
He stood in the center of the training grounds, holding his spear, "Dragon Koi," and sighed to himself.
’Back when I first learned a First-level Killing Technique, I could probably reach the ’Minor Accomplishment’ stage in a month, let alone the ’Initiate’ stage. Now, my insight, experience, and martial foundation are thousands, even tens of thousands of times greater than before, yet it still took me a whole month just to barely reach the ’Initiate’ level.’
’And this is just a Third-level Killing Skill.’
This gave Qin Feng a much clearer understanding of just how difficult the higher-level Fourth-level Killing Techniques, which required Mental Power, must be.
’Oh well, one step at a time.’
Qin Feng put away his Long Spear.
’There are no shortcuts on the path of the Martial Dao.’
Having successfully reached the Initiate level with the Heaven and Earth Spear, he knew it was time to get back into action.
"Hammer, find me a ’Warrior Level’ team mission."
"Yes, Master. Filtering now..."
Soon, a new mission appeared before him.
[Mission Name: Green Tide Purge]
[Mission Objective: Travel to Planet Y-34 and completely eliminate all Greenskin lifeforms within Area A-7, currently occupied by the "Shattered Bone" tribe.]
[Danger Level: Warrior Level]
[Mission Reward: 24,000 Contribution Points, 72,000 Warband Reputation]
[Party Size: 4]
’Greenskins?’
Qin Feng was no stranger to this race. In fact, he was extremely familiar with them.
The generous reward indicated this was one of the most difficult missions within the Warrior Level classification.
But Qin Feng wasn’t concerned and submitted his application to join the party directly.
His application was approved almost instantly.
It seemed the reputation he’d built up in the "Warrior Level" mission zone over the last decade was still quite effective.