Chapter 272: Chapter 271: 128x Root Bone Amplification
"10,350,000!"
As his gaze fell upon [Wealth Owned], an irrepressible, brilliant light burst forth from Fang Han’s eyes.
Before leaving the Sect, his wealth was 3,200,000 taels.
Now, it was 10,350,000 taels!
After accounting for the wealth gained from converting the Weapons and Elixirs of several Martial Artists, the thousand-year-old ginseng alone had brought him a full 7,000,000 taels of silver.
’A thousand-year Spirit Medicine, as expected... Its value is truly astonishing!’
Even though he had anticipated it, seeing this explosive increase in wealth with his own eyes still filled Fang Han’s heart with an indescribable surge of excitement.
Most importantly, he had already reached his second ten-million-tael goal!
He could now activate his second Level 7 Talent Amplification.
Previously, because he was traveling and had to be constantly on guard against possible attacks, he hadn’t dared to activate the Level 7 Amplification to check its effects, even though he had enough wealth.
Now that he had returned to the Sect and was inside his completely safe Quiet Chamber, he could finally activate the Level 7 Amplification.
’There’s no need to even consider which one to activate.’
Fang Han’s gaze swept over his four Talents, and without the slightest hesitation, it landed on [Root Bone Talent Amplification].
With the improvement to his Swordsmanship Talent from the Sword-shaped Grass and the activation of the Level 7 Swordsmanship Talent Amplification, his Swordsmanship Talent had surpassed his Root Bone Talent.
Now, it was time to increase the amplification multiplier for his Root Bone Talent, allowing this fundamental Talent for Cultivation to catch up with his Swordsmanship Talent once more. This would ensure his Cultivation and Martial Techniques could continue to advance side by side.
’Activate Level 7 Root Bone Talent Amplification!’
As the thought formed, the wealth value on his panel instantly plummeted by ten million taels.
[Wealth Owned: 350,000 silver]
The text in the [Root Bone Talent Amplification] column blurred and distorted for a moment before becoming clear again:
[Root Bone Talent Amplification: 128-fold (Level 8 Amplification requires 1,000,000 gold)]
’A 128-fold Root Bone Talent Amplification!’
The amplification multiplier for his Root Bone Talent was now the same as his Swordsmanship Talent, reaching an absurd 128-fold amplification.
However, there was no earth-shattering phenomenon.
The panel’s amplification wasn’t a one-time improvement to his Talent, but rather a blessing. Its effects could only be felt when he was actively cultivating.
’Time to test the effects!’
Fang Han focused his mind, consumed two True Spirit Pills, and assumed the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture. The Profound Wind Technique slowly began to circulate.
The medicinal efficacy from the True Spirit Pills surged into his limbs and bones.
Under the terrifying 128-fold amplification, his Root Bone Talent efficiently captured and refined this medicinal efficacy.
It was converted into wisps of pure, condensed Profound Wind Technique Inner Qi, so deep in color it was almost pitch-black.
The newly generated Inner Qi merged with the rushing river of Inner Qi within him, driving it to grow at an unprecedented rate and pour into the acupoints he had already opened.
The speed of his Inner Qi growth had astonishingly doubled compared to before he activated the Level 7 Amplification.
His already terrifyingly efficient Cultivation had now become even more absurd!
After completing one full Circulation, Fang Han slowly concluded his practice and opened his eyes. A glint of deep cyan light swirled in their depths before vanishing.
Feeling the vast Inner Qi within him, which had grown considerably stronger, his mood was one of extreme delight.
"It really did double!"
Fang Han murmured to himself, his tone laced with the joy of confirmation.
He had consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to improve both Talents, and both now had a terrifying 128-fold amplification.
He estimated that his Root Bone Talent had now successfully caught up to his Swordsmanship Talent, putting them on equal footing.
’At this doubled rate of Inner Qi growth, it probably won’t be long before I can touch the bottleneck of the Late Stage of Fifth Grade!’
Anticipation filled Fang Han’s eyes, but he suppressed the impulse to immediately dive back into Cultivation.
He understood the importance of balancing work and rest.
He had been traveling long distances these past few days. Although his mind was stimulated by activating the Level 7 Root Bone Amplification, his body was quite fatigued and needed to recuperate.
He rose to his feet, pushed open the door of the Quiet Chamber, and walked out.
In the courtyard, the moonlight was like water, its clear brilliance casting a tranquil scene.
His Maid, Qiu Lan, was sitting under the veranda. Hearing the door open, she quickly stood up.
"Senior Brother."
"Mm. Has anything happened in the courtyard while I’ve been away? How are the negotiations with the factions interested in aligning with us? Have you run into any trouble?"
Fang Han walked over to a stone bench in the courtyard, sat down, and asked casually.
"Reporting, Senior Brother. Everything in the courtyard is fine; nothing special has occurred. As for the factions interested in aligning with us..."
Qiu Lan replied respectfully.
She gathered her thoughts for a moment and reported in a clear and organized manner.
"As you instructed, Senior Brother, I have made initial contact with and screened forty-seven factions. I have eliminated twenty-one of them due to unclear backgrounds, questionable reputations, or wavering intentions."
"For the remaining twenty-six, I have compiled a list with a brief overview of their assets, strength, and reputation. It is on the desk in your study, awaiting your final decision, Senior Brother."
Hearing this, Fang Han nodded slightly, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
’Qiu Lan is quite meticulous in her work.’
"Well done. During the negotiations, did anyone give you a hard time, seeing that you are just a Maid?"
"Not at all."
Qiu Lan shook her head.
"When those factions learned I was representing you, Senior Brother, they were all quite polite and respectful. No one dared to be disrespectful."
She paused for a moment, as if remembering something, and added.
"During the time you were away, Senior Brother, something did happen within the Sect. I think you should know about it."
"Oh? What is it?"
Fang Han looked up at her.
"I heard... that an Elder from our Sect with the surname Zhao was on a mission outside when he clashed with an Elder from the Netherworld Pavilion. They came to blows, and Elder Zhao was seriously injured. He was escorted back to the Sect by fellow disciples."
Qiu Lan’s tone was cautious.
"Because of this, the friction between our Qingxuan Sect and the Netherworld Pavilion, which had just started to calm down, might escalate again. You should be careful if you go out, Senior Brother."
"The Netherworld Pavilion..."
A cold glint flashed in Fang Han’s eyes.
Setting aside the rivalry between the sects, he had no good impression of the Netherworld Pavilion either.
After all, he had first been hunted by Netherworld Pavilion disciples, and later, the Gong Family, a True Inheritor family from the Netherworld Pavilion, had tried to forcibly seize assets from the Fang Family, leading to a conflict with him.
"I understand."
Fang Han acknowledged.
His gaze returned to Qiu Lan. With his current Cultivation, he could perceive a person’s Realm of strength to some extent through their aura.
If he wasn’t mistaken, Qiu Lan had already reached the Peak of Bone Refining. She was just one step away from being able to try condensing Inner Qi and stepping into the Inner Qi Realm.
He thought about how hard Qiu Lan had worked to manage the courtyard’s affairs and the faction alignments so well during this time.
He took out three small white Porcelain Bottles and handed them to Qiu Lan.
"These are three bottles of Qi Blood Pill. They are very helpful for Martial Artists below the Inner Qi Realm to solidify their foundation and attempt a breakthrough."
"Take them and cultivate diligently. Strive for an early breakthrough. If you can step into the Inner Qi Realm, I will apply for your promotion to a Sect Disciple."
"Thank you for your generous gift, Senior Brother! Qiu Lan will definitely cultivate diligently and not disappoint your expectations!"
Seeing the three Porcelain Bottles in Fang Han’s hand, Qiu Lan was extremely grateful.
The Qi Blood Pill’s medicinal efficacy far surpassed that of ordinary Qi Blood Pills, making it the most suitable Elixir for Martial Artists below the Inner Qi Realm.
Just a single one was worth ten taels of silver—an astronomical price for an ordinary servant disciple.
That was why, even though she was already at the Peak of Bone Refining, she could never bring herself to spend the money to buy them.
Now that she had received such a reward, her heart was filled with immense gratitude.
"Mm, you may go."
Fang Han waved his hand, his tone placid.
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
Qiu Lan bowed once more before carefully cradling the Elixirs and retreating.
Fang Han watched Qiu Lan’s departing figure, his expression calm.
Giving her the Elixirs was both a reward for her competence and an investment.
He couldn’t possibly do everything himself. He needed a loyal and capable subordinate, and for now, Qiu Lan seemed worth nurturing.
...
「The next day.」
Fang Han finished his morning Cultivation and slowly withdrew his power, a sharp glint of light contained within his eyes.
Under the 128-fold Root Bone Talent Amplification, his Inner Qi Cultivation speed was far greater than before, unprecedentedly fast.
Just one morning of Cultivation had increased his Inner Qi by a large margin, causing a very noticeable growth in the Inner Qi within his Shaohai Acupoint.
After a simple breakfast prepared by his Maid, Qiu Lan, Fang Han left his courtyard and went to the Library Pavilion located on the mountainside.
Ignoring the numerous gazes of awe and curiosity on the first floor, Fang Han went straight up to the third floor.
"True Inheritor Fang, do you need to exchange for a Cultivation Technique? Just tell me what you need, and I will be sure to find a suitable one for you!"
The one on duty on the third floor was still the same middle-aged Steward with a stern face and a rigid expression.
In the past when Fang Han came, this Steward had always been strictly professional, his expression aloof.
But today, as soon as Fang Han stepped onto the third floor, the middle-aged Steward’s face was instantly plastered with an enthusiastic and even slightly fawning smile.
"Thank you, Steward. I’d like to exchange for a Middle Grade Scent Tracking Secret Technique."
Fang Han’s expression was calm, unsurprised by the Steward’s enthusiasm. As a True Inheritor on the Celestial Pride List, he held a transcendent status within the Sect, a station that was already above that of an ordinary Steward.
It would have been stranger if this Steward had remained as aloof as before.
He nodded slightly and stated his purpose directly.
"A Middle Grade Scent Tracking Secret Technique? True Inheritor Fang, please look at this book!"
The middle-aged Steward opened a blue-covered book on his desk, quickly flipped to a certain page, and presented it to Fang Han.
"This pavilion houses seven Middle Grade Scent Tracking Secret Techniques. Their descriptions are recorded here. Take your time choosing, and once you’ve picked one, just let me know. I’ll retrieve the manual for you immediately."
Fang Han’s gaze swept across the page.
During his trip to the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, despite having the Spirit Nose Technique at the Perfection Level, he had deeply felt that his current tracking abilities were insufficient when faced with a Spiritual Object like the thousand-year-old ginseng and the interference of countless scents in the complex mountain forest environment.
Exchanging for a High Grade Tracking Secret Technique was imperative.
He carefully browsed the descriptions of the seven Secret Techniques:
Ten-Mile Breath Tracking Technique: Focused on tracking distance, but had extremely high Inner Qi consumption.
Qi Identification Spirit Technique: Excelled at distinguishing mixed scents, but placed a heavy strain on the user’s mind.
Soul-Locking Incense: Required the use of special incense, making it rather restrictive.
...
Finally, his gaze landed on a Secret Technique called the Spirit Smelling Technique.
This technique not only granted a stronger sense of smell than a Low Grade Scent Tracking Secret Technique but also excelled at capturing, analyzing, and locking onto specific scent sources. It was especially adept at eliminating interference in complex environments to pinpoint the target.
The exchange required 150 Contribution Points.
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