Welcome to Ability Store-Chapter 66 - 65: Warfare Expert

Upon hearing about the losses in his backyard, Chen Xuan instantly felt irritable.

However, he was equally intrigued by the Loose Cultivators’ display of magic; for instance, Liu Shuyue mentioned that in one assault involving multiple Loose Cultivators, one turned into a giant bear to battle her, while another spewed vast amounts of spider silk to impede her movements. These threads were nearly invisible yet tougher than steel. She was struck in the neck by the silk as she briefly lost focus, dodging the bear’s attacks.

And then there’s the mutated version of the Thousand Thoughts Sword, the Blood Sword, and the Spiritual Light Armor that can break through immobilizing spells, all quite novel to him.

Chen Xuan observed that as the number of opposing cultivators increased, their attack strategies became even more varied and troublesome. In just five days, Liu Shuyue was showing signs of fatigue. If the battle dragged on, and her spiritual qi consumption couldn’t keep pace with her recovery speed, her combat effectiveness would drastically decline.

He guessed the enemy was likely thinking the same.

As long as Liu Shuyue didn’t abandon the citizens of Jiufeng City, they could surround the city and slowly wear her down until one side completely collapses.

The purpose of the warning letter from the King of Qi was probably to force her out of the Wanshan Wilderness.

Fortunately, the time difference between the two worlds was becoming smaller. Liu Shuyue’s five days equaled just two and a half days on his side. His arrival was timely.

"Don’t worry, I’ve prepared weapons to arm Hot Pepper Village; these weapons are enough to level the playing field between the villagers and the Qi Kingdom army in terms of strength," Chen Xuan said with a smile. "Once Fu Jiaolu and the others learn how to use them, the battle will be decided immediately."

The intervention of just one person altering the battlefield’s strength disparity seems incredible, but Liu Shuyue had worked with Chen Xuan long enough that their trust level was unprecedented.

She had no doubt he could do it.

"But I need to collect the fee first." Chen Xuan took out the scanning gun.

"Mr. Shopkeeper, didn’t you promise to collect the fee after she’s won?" Lin Qing, sitting beside him, pretended to ask casually in a low voice.

Though spoken softly, it was just loud enough to be overheard by Liu Shuyue.

The latter couldn’t help but smile, "It’s okay, the shopkeeper never breaks his word. Collecting the fee now means he’s confident about the outcome."

Chen Xuan shot a glare at his store clerk and then stored the gun away, "It’s done."

"Huh?" Liu Shuyue was slightly surprised, "I didn’t see those floating boxes?"

"This is a one-sided transaction. I bestow an ability upon you, so it doesn’t require confirmation from both sides like before."

Now she felt genuinely anxious, "Why? Isn’t it supposed to be me giving you the ability?"

"Don’t be anxious yet," Chen Xuan explained. "Think back to your abilities or spells and see if there’s anything new."

Liu Shuyue complied and then widened her eyes, "A technique that can seize others’ abilities?"

"Yes, it would be wasteful for those Loose Cultivators to just die off. You can harvest more abilities before finishing them off, and these abilities are my fee."

The ability to seize other people’s skills came from Fei Wuniang.

Constantly exploiting Liu Shuyue alone wasn’t ideal. Even as a disciple of the Lotus Cloud Sect, her abilities would eventually be exhausted.

Now that Loose Cultivators from Great Qi and other countries were drawn in by the King of Qi, how could he not exploit them?

"I understand," Liu Shuyue said with a flash of realization. "But it seems quite sinister... able to seize cultivation techniques accumulated over years instantly..."

"Indeed, which is why it can’t fall into the hands of malevolent people," Chen Xuan promptly said with a solemn tone. "In my eyes, an ability is a weapon, inherently neutral. It’s good or evil depends on the user, and you are my most trusted user."

"Understood," Liu Shuyue agreed.

"Let’s unbox now." Chen Xuan clapped his hands.

...

The rifles sent by Walter Company weren’t placed in the Liu Family but were all sent to Hot Pepper Village.

According to Chen Xuan’s instructions, Liu Shuyue designated a team of two thousand, gathering them at the grassy lakeside near the village gate.

Though most had bathed in Dragon Blood, many hadn’t acquired combat abilities, with their roles leaning more towards gathering, fishing, and farming.

Liu Shuyue was quite worried about this, but Chen Xuan had a different perspective — even without combat abilities, their physique was far superior to ordinary people, as sensing the circulation of spiritual qi tangibly enhances the body. Cultivators wielding guns are absolutely stronger than average individuals, thus reducing the probability of weapons falling into enemy hands.

The most crucial factor is that these villagers are trustworthy and loyal to Liu Shuyue, more so than the Liu Family and the citizens of Jiufeng City, putting him at ease.

Once the bullets are chambered, the rifles become extremely dangerous weapons. Even a ten-year-old child wielding it could pose a lethal threat to a cultivator.

He certainly didn’t want to see Liu Shuyue getting shot in the back.

Boxes were opened one after another, each containing brand new SR15 rifles, complete with sealed membranes and warranty manuals, clearly sourced directly from the factory.

During his previous inspection, Chen Xuan discovered that he had expected Walter to sell a heap of AK rifles to him, but the other party had clearly given enough face to the bureau.

This cost was much higher than procuring a batch of second-hand rifles.

Liu Shuyue was also exploring her new weapon—it was entirely deep gray, not resembling iron or wood, yet extremely light to handle.

This thing had no sharp edges, only about an arm’s length, seemingly harmless.

Others felt similarly.

"Master Shopkeeper, can this really be used against Loose Cultivators?" Fu Jiaolu asked boldly, "It seems less effective than my Dragon Sinew Bow or Firewood Axe."

"You can compete with her," Chen Xuan gestured toward Lin Qing, "The target could be those three wild deer across the river."

Everyone turned their gaze, searching for quite some time before spotting the deer Chen Xuan pointed out, roughly a mile away from the village gate. Only those with exceptionally keen eyes could see the green bean-sized spotted deer.

"A hunt?" Fu Jiaolu asked enthusiastically, "How to compete?"

"See who kills faster." Chen Xuan asked deliberately, "How long do you think it would take you to hunt these three deer?"

"At most ten minutes!" he answered confidently, "I’m not the same as I used to be!"

"And you?" Chen Xuan turned to Liu Shuyue.

"Me? Do I have to participate?" she pondered, "With no regard for cost, probably half a minute. I’d fly across the river using a Wind Riding Talisman, then slay them with a Steel Sword. Without flying, I’d use a Water-Walking Talisman. I could do it within two minutes."

The villagers couldn’t help but admire her as they discussed.

"No wonder she’s an Immortal Master!"

"As expected, Lord Liu is a rarity, emerging once every hundred years."

Fu Jiaolu was already an outstanding member of the Hunting Team, yet still noticeably inferior compared to an Immortal Master.

"It’s up to you now." Chen Xuan nodded.

When it came to firearms expertise, Lin Qing was arguably at an expert level.

She inserted the magazine, pulled the bolt into position, and continuously pulled the trigger. From firing to lowering her weapon, it took less than five seconds.

Chen Xuan noted she fired six shots in total.

The first three were probably the fire control computer adjusting for error, while the last three precisely pierced the brains of the three wild deer. If he hadn’t activated the Divine Eye Technique, he would have struggled to follow her shooting speed.

Others were startled by the sudden gunfire, without realizing what had happened.

Only Liu Shuyue’s expression changed.

She was amazed to see the three wild deer had fallen, with Lin Qing not even moving a step.

What kind of divine weapon is this!?

It can eliminate an enemy from a few hundred meters away, with the wielder needing only a flick of the finger?

If it can mortally wound soldiers wearing armor, all crossbowmen will lose their significance.

A moment later, Fu Jiaolu also realized, his gaze at the gun in his hand had completely transformed... becoming fervent and delighted, his voice quivering from excitement, "Lost, I lost! Master Shopkeeper, can we—can we manage to be like her?"

"That’s somewhat difficult, as you haven’t been fitted with implants," Lin Qing relished being the center of attention, "But with some practice, you should achieve an eighty percent hit rate within three hundred meters."

"Implants? What’s that?" the crowd asked curiously.

"It’s essentially a customized ability for a person," she waved her hand, "Unfortunately, there isn’t even a neural connection surgery room here, so don’t consider getting them fitted."

Even Chen Xuan was curious about what would happen if cultivators were implanted with cybernetic enhancements. If given the chance, he genuinely wished to try it on Liu Shuyue.

"Next, Miss Lin Qing will lead the training, teaching everyone how to use this weapon properly." Chen Xuan concluded, "Once you’ve got the basics down, you’ll be able to surprise the King of Qi’s army."