Chapter Nineteen: The Divine Vessel, Sealing Breath

Inside the room.

Yang Fan gazed at the two boxes on the table, feeling a surge of excitement—these were the foundations of his existence.

He opened the one on the left and found a red fruit, slightly smaller than a chicken egg. Instantly, a fragrant aroma filled the air, invigorating his spirits.

But he didn't recognize it.

The imprint in his mind quivered, and lines of words flowed before his eyes.

[Red Spirit Blood Fruit]: Classified as a rare spiritual item. Grows where many beasts have perished, nourished by their blood, absorbing the essence of blood and evil, producing the Red Spirit Blood Plant. Drawing energy from the earth below, starlight above, and blood as sustenance, it matures over nine years, blooms for three, bears fruit for six, and withers after the fruit falls. Contains abundant blood essence and has remarkable effects in replenishing vitality. Those blocked before the threshold of martial arts who consume it, eight or nine out of ten can break through and become true martial artists. Contains 4.3 units of vital energy.

Yang Fan's pupils contracted.

A tiny fruit that could help someone become a martial artist—he had never heard of such a thing.

"The world is vast, filled with wonders!"

He couldn't help but sigh.

The mention of vital energy delighted him—this was the first time he had encountered a spiritual item containing so much.

Truly an unexpected gift.

"This was probably prepared for Yang Tian!"

With that thought, Yang Fan used his Vitality Devouring ability to absorb the energy.

[Vital Energy: +4.3]

Total: 9.3

Yang Fan turned to the second item—a piece of silver metal flecked with purple light, light in weight yet extremely hard.

He picked it up; it felt as thin as paper, almost unbelievable.

[Purple Silver Essence]: A rare metal, originally refined silver, but mutated after absorbing Purple Spirit Jade. Light as a feather, indestructible, can be forged into divine artifacts controlled by the mind. Contains 1.2 units of vital energy.

"Divine artifact? Mental control?"

Yang Fan's pupils shrank.

Though he had only recently arrived in this world, he had only heard of martial arts, with no other cultivation systems.

Previously, there was the power of faith.

Now, divine control.

"Why does this world feel so abnormal?"

Yang Fan suppressed his swirling thoughts.

This metal was clearly extremely precious—Yang Tai likely wouldn't recognize it, nor would most people.

Would absorbing it be too wasteful?

He hesitated, but then resolutely absorbed the vital energy within using his ability.

Only by increasing his strength could he secure his own future!

After absorption, he crushed the Purple Silver Essence in his hand—it crumbled like sand and fell away.

He cleaned up the remnants and threw the two boxes under the stove to be burned.

Aside from this, there were six hundred taels in silver notes. For Tai Feng Restaurant, that was not much, but he knew the two slain men had carried a large amount of gold and silver.

Yang Fan looked at the last two books—one was the Wild Ox Fist, the other the Cloak Saber Technique.

He opened the Wild Ox Fist; it was identical to what he had already learned, so he set it aside.

He examined the Cloak Saber Technique—nine moves in total. After memorizing them, he burned the book as well.

Apart from the silver notes, almost all other traces had been erased.

"Next..."

Yang Fan felt a rush of excitement.

He had accumulated 10.5 units of vital energy—it was time to spend it.

"Improving my awakening increases my power across the board—strength, constitution, senses—all foundational attributes. It also enhances the might of my abilities."

"What about Night Vision and Swift Movement?"

"With Earth Sense, Night Vision isn't urgent."

"On the surface, I have no enemies, so Swift Movement isn't essential!"

"The awakening of my Fate is fundamental—both now and in the future, it must take priority."

With his decision made, Yang Fan began to allocate points.

He did so gradually, wanting to observe any changes and feel the transformation within himself.

With each point added, Yang Fan could distinctly sense his own improvement, fundamental and deep-rooted.

When his awakening reached fifteen percent, a new ability became available.

[Qi Lock: Using the skin as a barrier, seals one's blood essence, preventing leakage, contamination, or impurity, returning to a pure state. Enables passive self-adjustment, minimal energy consumption. Requires 5 units of vital energy to awaken.]

Yang Fan's eyes lit up.

He was tempted.

Having just broken through, and with increased awakening, his vitality surged like a furnace, his whole being sharp as an unsheathed sword.

If a martial artist saw him now, they'd quickly notice something was off.

He had planned to refine himself early tomorrow, trying to restrain his blood essence; if he failed, he'd ask Da Hu for a day off.

Unexpectedly, this ability appeared.

Without hesitation, he awakened Qi Lock.

In an instant, he felt a strange power flow into his body, settling between his skin and muscles, causing subtle changes.

At the same time, he instinctively understood how to activate Qi Lock.

Though he knew how but not why, it felt as natural as breathing.

Such was the wonder of supernatural abilities.

His basic information also changed.

[Imprint Holder: Yang Fan]

[Fate: Mountain Patrol Envoy]

[Awakening: 15%]

[Awakened Abilities: Vitality Devouring, Earth Sense, Intimidation, Qi Lock]

[Available Abilities: Night Vision (passive talent, requires 5 units of vital energy); Swift Movement (requires 4 units of vital energy)]

[Earth Vital Energy: 0.5]

[Cultivation: Martial Arts, Ninth Rank]

Though it seemed little had changed, in truth, Yang Fan's strength had transformed dramatically—he could now easily defeat his former self before becoming a martial artist.

"If I faced Yang Tai, setting aside combat experience, I could suppress him directly, maybe even kill him."

Judging from last night's battle between him and Liu Kaiming, Yang Fan had a rough estimate.

"At last, I've gained the power to protect myself!"

His mood relaxed a little.

Yang Fan closed his eyes and sank into sleep.

That night, however, many others lay awake.

That night, unforeseen consequences were set in motion.

The next day.

Yang Fan woke early and practiced the Wild Ox Fist. He had nearly mastered it.

But as he trained, he realized something—the effects had grown negligible.

After all, it was merely a foundational technique.

He finished his practice and, with a thought, gathered his blood essence into a ball, moving it at will.

Transforming energy into tangible blood essence, gathering and dispersing as desired—such was the marvel of martial arts.

After feeling these changes, he activated Qi Lock. He noticed his skin had changed, his pores adjusted, firmly locking in his blood essence without any leakage.

Yet the pores weren't fully sealed—nothing could be seen from the surface.

This was a change beneath the skin.

Remarkable.

His sharp aura faded instantly, returning to its former ordinary state.

Plain, unremarkable.

Next, Yang Fan pondered the Cloak Saber Technique. After much thought, he tried practicing with a short sword but found it awkward.

He knew he needed to buy a proper blade.

When Da Hu came to call him, the two went to the academy together, discussing yesterday's events.

Sure enough, when they arrived, talk centered on Liu Kaiming's death.

After breakfast, Manager Wang gathered them and sternly instructed that no one was allowed to go out for the time being.

Those living in town had to return home immediately after dinner.

He also told them to keep an eye on Yang Xiang's whereabouts, though it was suspected he too might be in trouble.

But without a body, there was still a sliver of hope.

At lunch.

"Did you hear? Last night, after Yang Tai killed Liu Kaiming, he returned home and found his house had been robbed," Da Hu said excitedly while holding his bowl. "Apparently, two thieves stole his belongings, but were then killed by others, and their loot was snatched in the chaos. When Yang Tai found out, he nearly went mad."

"His only son is dead, his house robbed—anyone would go crazy," Yang Fan said quietly. "He won't have an easy time ahead."

"Right. He killed the county officer's cousin, and that man won't let it go. I heard from Han Li that the county officer may use this chance to kill Yang Tai and wipe out the Yang family."

"Han Li?"

"Yeah, that guy's from the county city—keeps a low profile, but he's got great sources. He also said there might be big trouble here. Otherwise, why would the county officer's cousin come to do business? Why would the Blood Wolf Bandits risk annihilation by coming here? Why is the Apothecary Hall recruiting apprentices? And why are the One-Horned Wolves appearing on the outskirts of the mountains?"

"Someone who can say all that must be clever. Why would he reveal it to you?" Yang Fan was surprised, and deeply shocked.