Are Thief Cultivators truly capable of such feats? Even if techniques can be pilfered, their adeptness in using them shouldn't be so profound.
Zhang Gunli, though astonished, dared not let his guard down, as the confrontation with Feng Chongli demanded his full attention.
With a clink of two walnuts, smoke billowed from Zhang Gunli's form, accompanied by rising mist, flashes of fire, swirling dust, and incantations that resonated around him.
This was the manifestation of Zhang Gunli's most potent combat technique.
An excessive number of individuals had resorted to using magical treasures to settle their debts, leaving his personal storehouse overflowing with them.
He possessed the ability to deploy any of these treasures, yet none could anticipate which one he would choose.
A palpable sense of dread emanated from Feng Chongli, and similarly, He Haisheng, positioned at the doorway, along with Shen Rongqing, concealed in a corner, all felt the impending doom of facing Zhang Gunli's wrath in the very next moment.
This reaction wasn't born of cowardice; it stemmed from the oppressive aura of the Credit Cultivation Technique, a formidable source of intimidation.
In the realm of debt collection, all methods were permissible, and intimidation served as their most frequently employed stratagem.
Zhang Gunli needed no overt action; a mere menacing posture was sufficient to instill fear in every soul present.
The opportune moment had arrived, and Zhang Gunli prepared to unleash his next move.
Feng Chongli shielded his eyes momentarily with his hands before quickly parting them, his gaze locked intently upon Zhang Gunli.
As Zhang Gunli twisted the walnuts in his grip, a matchbox levitated, and a single match sprang forth, igniting upon the box's surface and transforming into a fiery projectile hurtling towards Feng Chongli.
Feng Chongli had anticipated this move; a spittoon launched from his backpack, revealing a jar of aged phlegm, which first extinguished the fiery match and then, with its viscous residue, enveloped the box, effectively neutralizing it.
Zhang Gunli was taken aback; how could Feng Chongli have been so prepared?
Had he divined it through sheer experience?
The walnuts met again with a clatter, and a pipe ejected a dense cloud of smoke directly at Feng Chongli.
Once more, Feng Chongli was ready, brandishing a sandalwood fan drawn from his sleeve.
The fan moved of its own accord, generating a powerful gust of wind that dispersed the smoke, rendering the pipe's assault utterly ineffective.
Twice in succession, he had been forewarned and prepared; this was far beyond mere conjecture.
Zhang Gunli had revealed his intentions to no one, nor did he adhere to any predictable sequence or habitual pattern when employing his magical treasures.
The sole logical conclusion was that Feng Chongli had perceived his intentions and made an astute preemptive assessment.
The crucial question, however, remained: how had such a prediction been possible?
To claim an absence of nervousness would be untruthful, yet Zhang Gunli maintained his composure. He possessed an arsenal of magical treasures, and he knew Feng Chongli, too, was well-equipped. As a business cultivator who had traversed vast distances, it was uncertain whose background held greater depth.
However, he was aware of Feng Chongli's current precarious circumstances, having already divested himself of his superior magical treasures. In terms of fundamental strength, Zhang Gunli felt no apprehension.
Tap! Tap!
The walnuts struck each other twice, and Zhang Gunli's physical form vanished from sight.
This was the effect of an invisibility talisman; no one could ascertain Zhang Gunli's next move or the timing of his assault.
Feng Chongli dismantled the abacus in his grasp, gave it a vigorous shake, and its beads scattered outwards, striking Zhang Gunli directly above his head.
The abacus beads embedded themselves in his flesh, detonating moments later.
Wounded and bleeding, Zhang Gunli retreated towards the window.
He maintained a cautious distance, wary of Feng Chongli's pursuit.
This marked the first instance he had felt apprehension towards Feng Chongli; each time, his opponent had accurately predicted his intentions, echoing a technique of extreme rarity.
"Did you employ 'Fairness to All Ages'?"
Feng Chongli inclined his head: "It is the merchant's sworn duty."
Zhang Gunli voiced his skepticism: "That is a technique exclusive to peddlers."
Feng Chongli offered no reply.
Zhang Gunli pressed further: "Are you the direct disciple of the peddler?"
Feng Chongli remained silent.
Zhang Gunli's desire to continue the fight waned as he recognized he had significantly underestimated Feng Chongli.
He Jiaqing's intimate knowledge of Zhang Gunli's patterns had unsettled him, and now, facing a direct disciple of a peddler, continuing the battle would undoubtedly be disadvantageous. Should the peddler himself appear, Zhang Gunli's life would hang in the balance.
He fondled the walnuts, intending to summon a magical treasure to facilitate his escape.
Tap, tap!
The sound was discordant, unfamiliar.
These were not his walnuts!
Zhang Gunli gazed down at the two walnuts clutched in his hand, a look of utter bewilderment on his face, questioning who could have possibly replaced them.
He Jiaqing?
He was indeed a thief cultivator possessing extraordinary skills, yet he stood directly before Zhang Gunli, and Zhang Gunli had not observed any movement from him. How then was the switch accomplished?
If he possessed such a capability, he would not find himself cornered by Green Flower with no avenues of escape.
Retrieving these walnuts was paramount; their significance was inextricably linked to his very foundation.
Zhang Gunli's form flickered, manifesting before He Jiaqing as he plunged a hand into the latter's chest.
It was the Credit Cultivation Technique, Bone Tapping and Marrow Sucking!
This formidable technique possessed the ability to drain He Jiaqing's very marrow and blood, even absorbing his soul.
A loud cry erupted from He Jiaqing: "Save me!"
Zhang Gunli recoiled in shock. Was this it?
Was this the extent of He Jiaqing's capabilities?
As Zhang Gunli had attacked, not only did He Jiaqing fail to evade, but he also offered no resistance even as the technique struck him.
Could this truly be He Jiaqing?
Feng Chongli, who was immensely fatigued and hesitant to engage Zhang Gunli directly again, did not move to rescue He Jiaqing.
Instead of crying out for his own aid, He Jiaqing shouted, "Master, save me!"
Master?
Who was this master?
Zhang Gunli delivered a powerful strike, not drawing forth marrow or blood, but merely a wisp of soul.
This was no He Jiaqing; it was a wandering soul!
Or, more accurately, it was a ghost servant masterfully assembled from multiple lost souls!
The reason Zhang Gunli had been deceived was that this ghost servant bore an uncanny resemblance to He Jiaqing. It had appeared concurrently with He Haisheng, who stood guard at the door, leading Zhang Gunli to mistake it for the real He Jiaqing.
Who was the true master behind this ghost servant?
What kind of extraordinary skill was required to create such a being?
Could it be that the person had finally arrived...
Once more, Zhang Gunli vanished from sight. This time, without the slightest hesitation, he needed to evacuate the premises.