Chapter 50: Promotion to First Grade
Tonight, Linjiang City, under the falling snow, is filled with dark currents. On the surface, the South City seems like a dead city, yet it is actually under close scrutiny from all sides. This battle will greatly determine the future landscape of Linjiang City.
As the battle gradually draws to a close,
reactions from various sides differ, even the usually aloof noble families have had varying degrees of response.
Being at the heart of the battle, tonight the South City is destined to be turbulent. Countless civilians hide trembling indoors, while people from different factions are either frightened, worried, or perhaps happy, such is the myriad of life’s emotions.
The South City Hundred Households Office is bustling,
with people treating wounds, handling corpses, pursuing and raiding homes, and tallying situations. This is a night where rest will not be possible.
At this moment, Gu Zhan, supported by several doctors, arrived at the office. With his injuries, he should have gone to rest earlier, but on a night like this at the South City Hundred Households Office, he must remain vigilant, ensuring he can be found at any time.
Until the early hours, when the sky was about to brighten,
only then did Gu Zhan find some spare time. However, he didn’t rest; instead, he opened the system page to check it.
That night, the battle reaped significant gains for him,
accumulating a total of 6258 Experience Points.
Immediately, he started adding points to Profound Yuan Skill:
[Use 5000 Experience Points]
[Profound Yuan Skill upgraded to Ninth Floor]
[Current Realm promoted to First Grade]
...
In an instant, Gu Zhan felt his Inner Strength within boil up, an overwhelming force seeming to hint at breaking free,
this is First Grade Peak,
the realm nearest to Innate,
a realm where one can attempt converting Inner Strength into True Qi.
Vaguely, Gu Zhan even felt the pain in his chest wound diminish.
"Sir."
At this time,
Chen Fei walked in from outside carrying a bundle. His body was also covered in injuries, both new and old, having pursued fugitives with several Small Banners after the battle.
"Is everything done?" Gu Zhan asked.
"No," Chen Fei shook his head, saying: "This is not something that can be finished in one or two days; the brothers have been working hard all night and should rest now."
Gu Zhan nodded, saying: "Indeed, it is time to take a rest. You should rest early too, as there will be many tasks in the coming days."
"I understand."
Chen Fei spoke while taking down the bundle he carried, slowly opening it to reveal a black wooden box, containing a book inside.
"Sir," Chen Fei took out the book, saying: "This was found in You Yangsheng’s house, You Yangsheng’s Absolute Techniques Archery Secret Manual. I noticed you specifically picked up his bow and arrow earlier, guessing you might be interested in this archery skill."
Gu Zhan raised his eyebrows, slowly picking up the book to read.
This indeed is You Yangsheng’s renowned Absolute Technique, Meteor Arrow Technique.
After a brief browse,
Gu Zhan was somewhat amazed—this archery skill indeed is ridiculously powerful, no less than the Jinghong Saber Technique, even to a certain extent, surpassing it in power.
This archery skill only needs to be cultivated to Entry Level for one to become a Divine Archer capable of Hundred-step Piercing Willow, and at Minor Success Level, reaches You Yangsheng’s realm, capable of piercing the heart from several hundred meters away, and usable as a rapid-fire weapon in close combat.
Certainly, at Great Success Realm,
it is on an entirely different level,
Gu Zhan suspected You Yangsheng’s final arrow was at Great Success Realm, but just barely entered it.
According to the introduction in the Martial Arts Secret Manual,
when cultivated to Peak of Perfection Realm, one can even make Feathered Arrows turn in mid-air, firing randomly from several hundred meters away, releasing multiple arrows in one shot to siege the enemy from different directions, making it impossible for the enemy to pinpoint the archer’s location.
"Powerful!"
Gu Zhan was astounded and immediately used the system to record Meteor Arrow Technique, then checked the system page:
Player: Gu Zhan
Realm: First Grade
Cultivation Technique: Profound Yuan Skill (Great Success)
Skill: Wind-Breaking Saber Technique (Great Success)
Big Goose Skill (Great Success)
Mountain-Opening Saber Technique (Great Success)
Jinghong Saber Technique (Great Success)
Cloud Platform Three Falls (Great Success)
Golden Bell Shield (Great Success)
Meteor Arrow Technique (Not Entered0/120)
Experience Points: 1258
...
Just then,
another set of hurried footsteps sounded outside the office, Ma Lang walked in from outside.
Ma Lang, walking with a limp, was using a cane.
During tonight’s battle, he was so seriously injured he nearly became disabled, but ultimately remained standing without falling.
He cupped his hands and said: "Chief Banner Gu, there’s news from Changling Town, Hundred Households Gu and his men were ambushed and are continuously hunted, needing support!"
Gu Zhan slightly squinted his eyes,
as he expected, Luo Bingsheng is making moves on both fronts this time, personally handling Gu Chuan in Changling Town while leaving confidants in the city to confront the Hundred Households Office, aiming to resolve everything in one stroke.
Thinking of this, Gu Zhan immediately said: "You two immediately gather personnel, everyone in the Hundred Households Office capable of battle, take a short rest, and after dawn, depart with me to Changling Town."
"Yes," "Yes!"
Ma Lang and Chen Fei cupped their hands and left.
Gu Zhan watched the two leave, raising his head to gaze at the sky which was already faintly bright,
this night has passed,
but the battle which truly holds decisive significance has just begun.
Earlier, the Celestial Water Gang’s high-level members escaped from the city and were spotted in Changling Town; Gu Chuan went to Changling Town.
Earlier, there seemed something amiss,
but now, both sides have revealed their swords,
two possibilities:
One, Gu Chuan successfully captures the Celestial Water Gang’s high-level members and brings them to justice, Luo Bingsheng’s faction in the Thousand Households is wiped out, and Gu Chuan rises to power.
Two, Gu Chuan fails, suffering heavy losses among his subordinates, resigns due to culpability, wiping out Gu Chuan’s faction entirely, and Gu Zhan cannot escape the fate of being purged.
Gu Zhan took a deep breath, once again opened the system page, and began adding points:
[Use 120 Experience Points]
[Meteor Arrow Technique upgraded to Entry Realm]
[Use 350 Experience Points]
[Meteor Arrow Technique upgraded to Minor Success Realm]
[Use 600 Experience Points]
[Meteor Arrow Technique upgraded to Great Success Realm]
...
Successfully using over a thousand Experience Points,
directly upgrading Meteor Arrow Technique to Peak of Perfection Realm.
In that instant,
Gu Zhan felt a significant transformation in his body’s senses, in this misty dawn his eyes were able to see very clearly, with his perception of the surroundings enhanced many times over.
Even hearing the snow gently fall from leaves of the banana trees outside the window.
He slowly stood up and took down the Hardwood Bow and quiver hanging on the wall.
These were You Yangsheng’s bow and arrows, custom-made, and definitely not ordinary items.
When he grasped the bow,
Gu Zhan knew he had become a Divine Archer!