Chapter 196: Chapter 195: Wind Shadow Step Perfection, Demon Skill
"Senior Brother Zhao, the villain Zhou Tong has been apprehended. However, his motive for slaughtering the village and the specific details still need to be sorted out. I’ll leave the interrogation to you all."
Fang Han’s gaze lingered on Zhou Tong for a moment before he turned to Zhao Qian.
"Rest assured, Junior Brother Fang. The credit for capturing the villain is all yours. As for the subsequent interrogation, recording his testimony, and organizing the case file—we consider it our duty. We’ll give it our all to make him talk!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qian’s spirits lifted. He immediately clasped his fist and declared in a solemn tone.
His words were firm, filled with the resolve to redeem himself.
The other six nodded as well, their gazes sharp as they stared at Zhou Tong.
They hadn’t managed to help capture the villain. If they couldn’t contribute in some other way, how could the seven of them return to the Sect to report their mission, having accomplished nothing? What face would they have left?
Fang Han gave a slight nod. Without another word, he turned and instructed the Zhou Mansion’s steward, who was waiting respectfully nearby.
"Prepare a quiet room for me."
"Yes, yes. Young Hero, please follow me."
The steward hastily bowed and led the way, his attitude the very picture of humility.
Fang Han followed the steward through several courtyards to a quiet, detached courtyard.
The courtyard’s furnishings were simple yet clean and elegant. It was clearly a place meant for hosting honored guests.
’Panel.’
After dismissing the deferential steward, who promised to keep a close watch on the Zhou Clan Members, Fang Han walked to the table, sat down, and with a thought, summoned the system panel.
A translucent screen of light silently unfurled, displaying the data clearly.
[Host: Fang Han]
[Root Bone Talent Amplification: 32x (Level 6 Amplification requires 1,000,000 silver)]
[Swordsmanship Talent Amplification: 32x (Level 6 Amplification requires 1,000,000 silver)]
[Stepping Talent Amplification: 16x (Level 5 Amplification requires 100,000 silver)]
[Secret Technique Talent Amplification: 16x (Level 5 Amplification requires 100,000 silver)]
[Wealth: 637,000 silver]
’I’ve never been this rich before!’
Fang Han couldn’t help but stare at his wealth of 637,000 silver. He had never been so rich before.
It would have taken ages to accumulate this much wealth just by doing missions. Arson and murder are the true paths to riches—what a pearl of wisdom.
And he had Chu Feng’s "special attention" to thank for this windfall.
’The importance of a good Step Technique is self-evident...’
Fang Han’s gaze fell on the option under [Stepping Talent Amplification]: "Level 5 Amplification requires 100,000 silver."
The importance of his Step Technique had been on full display during today’s battle with the Zhou Family masters.
If he hadn’t cultivated the Wind Shadow Step to the Great Success level, making his Body Technique far more agile than his peers, it would have been impossible to win so easily against the combined assault of two Seventh Grade and four Eighth Grade Martial Artists.
He would not only have been drawn into a bitter struggle, but his life might have even been on the line.
’Activate Level 5 Amplification for Stepping Talent!’
Fang Han focused his mind and made the selection.
The wealth value on the panel instantly decreased by 100,000 silver.
[Wealth: 537,000 silver]
And the line for [Stepping Talent Amplification] changed accordingly.
[Stepping Talent Amplification: 32x (Level 6 Amplification requires 1,000,000 silver)]
’A 32x amplification for Stepping Talent!’
Fang Han tried to mentally practice the Wind Shadow Step.
In that instant, it felt as though all the profundities of the Wind Shadow Step in his mind—the secrets of its Body Technique transformations, the subtleties of its integration with Wind Momentum—were like ore thrown into a furnace. They rapidly melted, reformed, and were refined!
Many subtle transformations that he had previously found obscure and difficult to grasp now became crystal clear with a mere thought.
A feeling of unprecedented clarity regarding the Step Technique washed over him.
He suppressed the urge to start cultivating immediately, and his gaze shifted down to [Secret Technique Talent Amplification].
’Should I increase the amplification multiplier for my Secret Technique Talent?’
Fang Han’s fingers tapped unconsciously on the tabletop as a contemplative look filled his eyes.
Increasing the Secret Technique Talent amplification to 32x would undoubtedly cause his Cultivation speed for the Spirit Nose Technique to skyrocket, rapidly improving his olfactory perception.
It would be a huge help for tracking and reconnaissance missions.
However...
’Good steel must be used on the blade’s edge.’
Fang Han slowly shook his head, having reached a decision.
Step Technique was directly linked to his combat strength and survival—it was his foundation for staying alive. Increasing its amplification was absolutely necessary.
Secret Technique, unlike the Step Technique, was ultimately an auxiliary method. It simply wasn’t as important.
His current 16x Secret Technique Talent amplification was already enough for his immediate Cultivation needs.
He could always increase the amplification for his Secret Technique Talent later, when he was more flush with cash. There was no need for it now.
Even though his current wealth of over 530,000 silver seemed like a lot, it was still a far cry from the one million needed to unlock the Level 6 Amplification for his Root Bone Talent.
With this in mind, he stopped hesitating and put aside the thought of activating the Level 5 Amplification for his Secret Technique Talent.
’Time to test the effect of the 32x Stepping Talent amplification!’
A fervent glint flashed in Fang Han’s eyes. He stood up, pushed open the door, and stepped out into the courtyard.
The small courtyard was paved with bluestone, roughly a few dozen feet square. It was surrounded by low walls with a few stalks of green bamboo planted in the corner. The tranquil environment was perfect for practicing his Step Technique.
SWOOSH!
He stood in the courtyard. With a single thought, the Heart Method of the Wind Shadow Step began to circulate naturally.
His feet barely moved, and his body instantly blurred into motion!
At first, his steps were slow and relaxed, like a leisurely stroll.
Then, his speed began to increase.
His figure traced faint cyan trails across the courtyard. At first, afterimages were still visible, but soon he became a complete blur, a wisp of light smoke flickering, weaving, and spinning at high speed within the confined space.
His feet seemed to have broken free from the ground’s pull. He landed without a sound, not disturbing a single speck of dust.
The airflow around him was highly agitated and under his complete control. He was no longer just using the currents to accelerate; it was as if he had become one with the wind.
The wind was him, and he was the wind!
Previously, certain aspects of his Cultivation had been a struggle: the transitions in his Body Technique, his breath control, the coordination of his Inner Qi. They had required repeated trial and error. Now, however, everything flowed effortlessly, executed with a natural smoothness, completely unhindered.
His understanding and application of Wind Momentum deepened at an unprecedented rate.
The 32x amplification of his Stepping Talent had a remarkable effect. He could clearly feel the massive leap in his aptitude for Step Techniques.
His Step Technique, already at the Great Success level, rapidly approached the Realm of Perfection.
Fang Han was completely immersed in this wonderful state of soaring aptitude and astonishing Cultivation efficiency, losing all track of himself and the world around him.
An unknown amount of time passed.
BUZZ!
It was as if an invisible barrier within his body had been shattered!
Fang Han felt a lightness spread through his body, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, as if he had broken free from some invisible shackle.
The airflow beneath his feet was no longer just an aid; it had become a part of his body, as easy to command as his own arms and legs.
Where the mind willed, the body would follow!
A sense of perfect, flawless harmony and effortless freedom washed over him.
He tapped his toes lightly on the ground, and his body—as if weightless—rose several feet into the air. He took a step on the air itself, as if climbing an invisible staircase, before drifting silently back down like a falling leaf.
As he landed, the surrounding airflow settled, as if he had never moved at all.
’The Wind Shadow Step... perfected!’
Fang Han slowly relaxed his stance, standing in the middle of the courtyard. An irrepressible, brilliant light erupted from his eyes.
Feeling the endless current of Inner Qi within him and the unprecedented lightness and control in his feet, he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from curling into a subtle smile.
At the Perfection Level, the Wind Shadow Step’s speed, agility, and ability to change direction were all enhanced several times over.
This made his movements more effortless and far more unpredictable. He could even, to some extent, use the Wind Momentum to glide for short distances or hover in the air.
His survivability and threat level in actual combat had taken a qualitative leap!
He felt that now, even against an ordinary Sixth Grade Martial Artist, he would be able to put up a fight.
「Night fell, and lanterns were lit throughout the Zhou Mansion.」
After reinforcing his Wind Shadow Step, which had just reached the Perfection Level, Fang Han was preparing to return to his room to rest.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from outside, stopping right at his courtyard gate.
"Junior Brother Fang, are you asleep?"
It was Zhao Qian’s voice, laced with an unconcealable gravity.
Fang Han’s figure flickered. In an instant, he was at the gate, pulling it open.
Outside the gate stood Zhao Qian and his six companions.
Under the lamplight, the seven of them no longer had the relaxed expressions they’d worn during the day. In its place was a heavy solemnity.
Their brows were knitted, their eyes a mixture of shock, worry, and even a hint of lingering fear.
"Senior Brother Zhao, please, come in."
Sensing the gravity of their expressions, Fang Han quickly ushered them into the courtyard. "What did the interrogation reveal? Why do you all look so grim?"
Zhao Qian exchanged a look with Li Ming and Zhang Yuan beside him, and he saw the same grim weight in their eyes.
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and spoke in a low voice, as if afraid to disturb the silence of the night.
"Junior Brother Fang, according to Zhou Tong, he didn’t slaughter the one hundred eighty-three people of Huangshi Village for some common revenge or robbery. He did it... to cultivate a Demon Skill!"
"A Demon Skill?"
Fang Han’s pupils contracted. Even with his composure, his expression changed at the words.
He instantly recalled Elder Chen Xuan mentioning this forbidden type of Cultivation Technique. The Elder had worn a grave expression as he spoke of the Sect’s rules and the various schools of the Martial Dao.
Demon Skills were a type of Evil Daoist Technique. They used extremely cruel methods—plundering the life essence, blood qi, and even souls of others—to forcibly raise one’s own Cultivation.
Practitioners of this path could advance with frightening speed, even with mediocre talent. They could break through their natural limits and overcome bottlenecks that would have otherwise taken a lifetime. However, their minds would gradually become twisted, turning them cruel, bloodthirsty, and utterly insane.
They were known to slaughter entire cities and villages at a whim, creating a tide of death and destruction.
For this reason, they were hunted down and exterminated by the combined forces of the Great Chu Dynasty and the world’s orthodox sects. Most of the relevant texts were destroyed, and they hadn’t been seen in years.
’I never expected them to resurface now, in the Zhou Family of Yellow Leaf City!’
"Why did he cultivate a Demon Skill? Where did the Cultivation Technique come from?"
Zhao Qian’s expression was grim. He said in a low voice,
"According to Zhou Tong, he had been stuck at the bottleneck of the Late Stage of Seventh Grade for nearly ten years. With no hope of a breakthrough in sight, a mysterious person approached him a few months ago and gave him a Cultivation Technique called the Blood Demon Skill."
"A mysterious person?"
Fang Han’s heart tightened.
"What’s this mysterious person’s background? What’s his Cultivation level?"
