Rise to God with Life Skill Professions-Chapter 287 - 277: Arrival at the Ancient Battlefield Ruins
The dim lanterns flickered in the room, casting shadows on the surrounding scenery, making it seem vague and indistinct.
As a wisp of smoke curled up in front of Qin An, it quickly condensed into a line of clear text.
[Dancer lv.11 (0/8000): Your dance moves are more graceful and can captivate the mind and boost morale]
[Talents: Mastery of Body Techniques in the Pulse Condensation Realm, Epiphany Mastery of Body Techniques in the Pulse Condensation Realm, Body Control Enhancement in the Pulse Condensation Realm]
"Finally broke through to level eleven."
Qin An looked at the gradually dissipating text, unable to suppress a slight smile at the corners of his mouth.
He didn’t pause, and taking advantage of this successful promotion, he pulled a cultivation technique book from his bosom.
The cultivation technique was called the Shadow Body Skill, which Qin An had recently exchanged for from the Confidential Library, saving him the night’s back-and-forth journey.
Counting the last mission and a Demon Pill that Qin An himself had, he had enough for six Demon Pills, enough to advance his body technique to the Outer Elixir Realm.
By the dim light of the oil lamp, Qin An flipped through the book in his hands.
By the time Qin An had finished the last page, his proficiency in the scholar profession had increased slightly, and he fully understood this body technique at the Pulse Condensation Realm.
Qin An slowly stood up, Five-Colored True Essence flowing through his body like a river, circulating according to the Shadow Body Skill’s path.
This body technique had a unique trait: landing without a sound.
When Qin An performed the technique, it would create wind sounds and the sound of footsteps.
Although imposing, such a commotion would often become a hindrance.
Hence, he intended to use this body technique to erase its original shortcomings.
When Qin An executed the Shadow Body Skill, shadows flickered throughout the room, but no sound was emitted, not even the rustle of his robes.
Subsequently, when Qin An’s footsteps halted again, a line of smoke appeared before him.
[You practiced the Shadow Body Skill, activating the dancer talent]
[Shadow Body Skill (Mastery)]
Since the Shadow Body Skill was already at the Pulse Condensation Realm, it reached mastery level immediately under the dancer talent’s amplification.
Qin An didn’t pause; the Five-Colored True Essence circulated again.
This time, however, following the path of the Dragon Roar Wind Shadow Step.
When the body technique was performed again, the smoke burst forth, then condensed into a new line of text floating in the air.
[You possess both Dragon Roar Wind Shadow Step and Shadow Body Skill and wish to combine them, but due to insufficient talent, the fusion failed]
[With great anxiety, knowing you’ll soon enter the ancient battlefield ruins, and with demon pseudo-gods eyeing you eagerly, you’re well aware that you must refine your body technique before setting off]
[After sitting in contemplation for years, you plan to burn your vital energy and blood]
[Massive blood burns, and a spark of insight emerges in your mind, though it’s not enough to fuse the two techniques]
[Having already burned one Demon Pill, you burn another Demon Pill]
[After another Demon Pill burns, a sudden realization dawns on you, sparking the dancer’s epiphany talent]
"I actually triggered the epiphany talent!" Qin An’s eyes shone with excitement, "Truly, heaven is helping me."
The dancer profession, much like the scholar profession, possesses the epiphany talent.
This epiphany allows Qin An to perceive cultivation techniques without expending Demon Pills.
Qin An didn’t expect his luck to be so good, triggering the dancer’s epiphany.
In the next moment, the smoke regrouped.
[You fused the two body techniques into one, understanding a new body technique, naming it Dragon Roar Shadow Step]
[Dragon Roar Shadow Step (Initial)]
The words dispersed with a roar, transforming into copious information that poured into Qin An’s mind.
Qin An closed his eyes in reflection, and a moment later, his eyes snapped open.
A sharp light flickered in the depths of his eyes.
"It’s a success!"
Now, the Dragon Roar Wind Shadow Step and Shadow Body Skill combined into the Dragon Roar Shadow Step, an Outer Elixir Realm body technique.
And under the epiphany talent’s effect, Qin An only expended two Demon Pills to reach the Outer Elixir Realm Initial.
Upon reaching the Outer Elixir Realm, besides the original speed and maneuverability, it also inherited the silent landing effect of the Shadow Body Skill.
Qin An paused briefly, circulating Five-Colored True Essence, leaving a shadow in place.
Then, Qin An silently appeared in another part of the room.
"This cultivation technique can engage directly in confrontation or attack secretly from the shadows, truly a perfect weapon," Qin An thought to himself.
The night had fallen, and with only a few days until entering the ancient battlefield ruins, Qin An decided to rest briefly.
"I won’t take on any tasks in the coming days."
Qin An blew out the oil lamp, lay on the bed, and thought to himself, "Rest and rejuvenate, obtain the Wooden Divine Sense in the ancient battlefield ruins, then enhance other professions."
Having made up his mind, Qin An ceased overthinking and closed his eyes, falling into a deep sleep.
...
The next day.
As the first ray of morning sunlight streamed through the window, Xunyang Prefecture felt as though it was waking from slumber, gradually becoming lively.
People bustled about, and the shouting of vendors filled every street and alley.
Qin An headed to the Evil Extermination Bureau, obtained a fast horse, packed enough rations, and left the city.
Though there were still a few days before entering the ancient battlefield ruins, Qin An decided to head there in advance.
Resting at the Evil Extermination Bureau brings a constant stream of disturbances from the Prefecture Generals; it’s better to wait quietly at the destination, free from their bother.
On the official road, riding swiftly, Qin An’s figure quickly vanished at the road’s end.
...
Black Cloud Mountain lies several hundred miles east of Xunyang Prefecture, making it quite a distance away.
Even at a gallop, it takes a considerable time to reach Black Cloud Mountain from Xunyang Prefecture.
Qin An initially intended to reach Black Cloud Mountain in one go, but the horse beneath him couldn’t endure it, so he took the nearest fork in the road, planning to rest at a postal station.
The official post closest to Black Cloud Mountain is named Cangnan Post Station.
At the moment, Cangnan Post Station is already crowded.
A large number of Jianghu people have gathered here.
The ancient battlefield ruins are not just for the people of the Evil Extermination Bureau; Jianghu people also enter them.
However, the number who can enter is limited, and the right to enter is firmly controlled by the Evil Extermination Bureau.
At this time, these Jianghu people resting at the station are the ones about to set out for the ancient battlefield ruins.
These people are gathered in small groups, clearly distinguished from each other, and are extremely vigilant of one another.
The treasures belong to those who are capable, and one must guard against not only the demonic forces and pseudo-gods but also their fellow companions.
Thus, even without having entered yet, those present already bear vigilant hearts.
Beside a round table, several silhouettes in dark clothing are calmly drinking tea at the moment.
The mountain patrol badges hanging at their waists glint with a chilling light under the sun’s reflection.
The group is quite young, comprising three men and one woman.
But upon closer inspection, one would find that the woman mountain patrol copper general leads this group.
The female mountain patrol copper general is quite attractive, especially her two eyebrows, exuding an impressive heroism.
"I heard that Hu Hai and his group were killed by a newly appointed mountain patrol copper general." The female mountain patrol copper general placed down her teacup, gazing at the ripples in the tea bowl, and said calmly.
With these words, the other three mountain patrol copper generals fell into silence.
At this point, the female mountain patrol copper general raised her hand, brushing away the hair blown across her forehead by the wind, her eyes showing a hint of murderous intent.
"No matter what, they were members of the Talent Association. Back when the Talent Association was established, it was agreed to watch out for one another. I have obtained the information about that person. Let’s discuss, as he too will enter the ancient battlefield ruins."
The mountain patrol copper general on the left raised an eyebrow and said, "Ye Rou, even though they are members of the Talent Association, is it really worth it for us to give up the resources in the ancient battlefield ruins just to avenge them?"
The other two mountain patrol copper generals nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with this statement.
Ye Rou’s eyes moved slightly: "Who said anything about giving up the resources in the ancient battlefield ruins?"
"Then what do you mean?" the mountain patrol copper general asked in confusion.
"My meaning is simple." Ye Rou gently caressed the long sword at her waist: "If we encounter him in the ancient battlefield ruins, we’ll deal with it then. If not, we’ll talk after the ruins event."
"Mr. Jin said at the time that we would settle accounts after this person became a mountain patrol silver general, but we are of the same generation. If he dies in the ancient battlefield ruins, even Mr. Jin will have nothing to say."
Upon these words, the three mountain patrol copper generals fell into contemplation.
The mountain patrol copper general who first spoke continued: "What are this person’s characteristics?"
Evidently, they all tacitly agreed to Ye Rou’s proposal.
The Talent Association is an extremely loose organization, but it’s a place for this batch of mountain patrol copper generals to support each other.
Therefore, the reputation of the Talent Association cannot be tarnished.
Otherwise, it would be like a thousand-mile dyke collapsing due to an ant hole, causing this hard-earned loose organization to gradually fall apart.
Ye Rou paused slightly, then described Qin An’s characteristics: "This person is quite handsome, usually carrying a straight blade with him, and his demeanor is extremely aloof."
With each sentence Ye Rou spoke, she paused slightly to let her three companions absorb the information.
But as Ye Rou slowly spoke, she suddenly sensed something amiss.
The mountain patrol copper general on the left had a look of curiosity in his eyes that gradually vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.
His eyes were fixed on the entrance of the station, and even after Ye Rou reminded him, he did not move away.
Ye Rou slightly furrowed her Liu Mei, then turned her head towards the entrance, and her expression became the same as that of the mountain patrol copper general.
The expressions of the four could not escape the observation of the surrounding Jianghu people.
The crowd also turned their gaze to the entrance of the station, all frowning together.
At the entrance of the station, a silhouette in dark clothing led a horse forward.
This person’s expression was extremely indifferent, like a calm lake.
The most striking thing was the straight blade hanging from his waist, with faint evil qi emanating from it.
Everyone speculated about this person’s identity.
Ye Rou’s eyes grew increasingly solemn, she turned to the three mountain patrol copper generals and signaled to them: "That’s him, don’t act rashly for now!"
The three mountain patrol copper generals immediately understood and pretended to lower their heads to drink tea.
After Qin An entered the station and looked around, he noticed that this group of Jianghu people had all directed their gaze at him, but he didn’t mind much.
Then, Qin An noticed the four mountain patrol copper generals sitting in the corner and slightly furrowed his brow.
He could clearly feel that they were just watching him before.
But soon they moved their gaze away.
This disguise only highlighted a problem.
After pondering for a moment, Qin An found a table a bit further away and sat down with his horse.
He came here for the wooden divine sense in the ancient battlefield ruins, so he didn’t plan on creating any extra complications.
The horse was taken for feeding by the station staff while Qin An took out some dry rations from his bag and ate them with tea.
The solemn atmosphere around slightly eased.
Most of the Jianghu people, seeing nothing unusual happen, resumed their vigilant rest.
Half an hour later.
Once the horse had rested sufficiently and Qin An had eaten his fill, he planned to head off toward Black Cloud Mountain.
His horse was brought over by the post station staff, and after giving some silver coins, Qin An took the reins and directly left the station.
After Qin An left, Ye Rou and the remaining three mountain patrol copper generals finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Ye Rou turned her head and glanced at her three colleagues, lowered her voice, and said: "Among the people entering the ancient battlefield ruins this time, how many are comrades from the Talent Association?"
The mountain patrol copper general on the left thought for a moment, then replied: "About ten, but the others haven’t arrived yet; adding us, there are a total of fourteen."
"Fourteen... that’s enough!" Ye Rou pondered for a moment, her eyes flashing with cold light, put down the teacup, stood up, and said: "Follow him closely! Make plans after entering the ancient battlefield ruins!"
The remaining three mountain patrol copper generals nodded slightly, stood up, and left this place following Ye Rou.
Shortly after, the post station fell into tranquility.
Jianghu people got up one after another and headed towards Black Cloud Mountain.
