Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Chapter 285: Chapter 284: Winning the Vajra Fruit

"Seven million five hundred thousand... going once!"

Lan Yuexin’s voice rang out.

Yin Huang clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes and was gone.

He took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the urge to take it by force.

This was the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s territory. Even as a Celestial Pride True Inheritance of the Netherworld Pavilion, he couldn’t act recklessly here.

"Seven million five hundred thousand, for the third time! Sold! Congratulations to our honored guest in the Autumn Leaf private room for winning this Vajra Fruit!"

The gavel fell, sealing the deal.

The Vajra Fruit belonged to Fang Han!

Yin Huang shot to his feet, the aura around him fluctuating and causing the temperature in the private room to drop by several degrees.

He shot a cold glance in the direction of Fang Han’s room, then turned and left.

’A Qingxuan Sect True Inheritor...’

He seethed inwardly.

’Shen You’s disappearance must be investigated. If he absconded with the funds, I’ll hunt him to the ends of the earth and execute him!’

’If he was murdered... then the person responsible must pay with their life.’

As for the Vajra Fruit... a cold light flickered in his eyes.

Given the relationship between the Netherworld Pavilion and the Qingxuan Sect, he certainly wouldn’t mind ambushing him and taking it.

However, since his opponent had won the fruit, he would likely consume and refine it immediately within the city. It would be difficult to find an opportunity to strike.

After the auction ended, Fang Han was led by a steward to the back to complete the transaction.

Parting with 9.9 million in silver notes made his heart bleed, but the thought that this wealth would be converted into Talent calmed him down.

The three-hundred-year-old ginseng, the Calm Heart Jade, and the Cold Jade Box containing the Vajra Fruit were carefully delivered into his hands.

Lan Yuexin came in person, her face bearing a perfectly measured smile. "Congratulations, True Inheritor Fang, on winning your desired item."

"Steward Lan has likely earned quite a bit this time. Congratulations to you as well, Steward Lan."

Fang Han offered a polite remark, and once the transaction was complete, he took his leave.

Back in his inn room, Fang Han shut the door tightly. After a thorough inspection to confirm that nothing was out of place, he placed the three items on the table.

Fang Han first picked up the Calm Heart Jade.

The jade was smooth and warm, yet cool to the touch. A faint, almost imperceptible coolness spread up his arm, truly calming his mind and spirit.

’I wonder what its specific effects are. If they’re significant, I wouldn’t mind keeping this item.’

Fang Han tried to mentally practice the move variations of the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting.

After a moment, he shook his head slightly and put the Calm Heart Jade down.

’It has an effect, roughly doubling my comprehension... but that’s compared to how I was before taking the Sword-shaped Grass.’

A twofold increase in comprehension was negligible for someone like him, who now possessed a 128-fold Swordsmanship Talent Amplification. It was practically useless.

Most importantly, a boost from an external object could not benefit from the Talent Amplification. The effect couldn’t be amplified from twofold to 128-fold.

’As expected, you can’t buy a heaven-defying divine artifact for 1.1 million silver.’

Fang Han hesitated no longer. With a thought, he summoned the system panel.

[Host: Fang Han]

[Root Bone Talent Amplification: 128-fold (Level 8 Amplification requires 1,000,000 gold)]

[Swordsmanship Talent Amplification: 128-fold (Level 8 Amplification requires 1,000,000 gold)]

[Stepping Talent Amplification: 64-fold (Level 7 Amplification requires 10,000,000 silver)]

[Secret Technique Talent Amplification: 64-fold (Level 7 Amplification requires 10,000,000 silver)]

[Wealth: 350,000 silver]

’Recharge.’

With a flicker of his thought, the Calm Heart Jade and the three-hundred-year-old ginseng vanished instantly.

On the system panel, the Wealth value changed.

[Wealth: 350,000 silver → 2,750,000 silver]

Although the two items were obtained at auction for a total cost of 2.4 million silver, when he recharged them, the wealth credited to the system panel was not reduced; his total wealth still increased by 2.4 million silver.

’Next up is the Vajra Fruit...’

Then, Fang Han’s gaze fell on the chillingly cold jade box, which held the Vajra Fruit, worth 7.5 million silver.

The crimson-gold fruit looked even more mystical up close, seeming to pulsate faintly as if alive, containing a tantalizing aura of blood qi and energy.

’Should I keep it and consume it myself...’

Fang Han pondered.

If he consumed the Vajra Fruit, his physique would undergo a qualitative leap in a short time, and his physical strength would be comparable to a Martial Artist who specialized in Body Hardening Techniques.

It would surely boost his combat prowess and greatly increase his overall strength.

But doing so would mean using up 7.5 million silver. Would spending 7.5 million silver for a one-time power boost be too extravagant?

He quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

’The boost from the Vajra Fruit is a one-time thing, but the improvement to my Stepping Talent is permanent. It has far greater long-term value...’

Fang Han made his decision.

Recharging the Vajra Fruit and using the wealth to activate the Level 7 Amplification for his Stepping Talent would grant a permanent increase to his Body Technique cultivation speed. Its long-term value was far greater than what a one-time physical enhancement could offer.

’Recharge!’

At his mental command, the Jade Box and the Vajra Fruit within it vanished.

[Wealth: 2,750,000 silver → 10,250,000 silver]

His total wealth had once again broken the ten-million mark, enough to activate another Level 7 Amplification.

’Activate Level 7 Amplification for Stepping Talent!’

A brilliant light erupted in Fang Han’s eyes. Without any hesitation, he recited the command in his mind.

His wealth decreased by ten million, dropping to a pitiful 250,000 silver.

The text in the Stepping Talent column blurred for a moment before becoming clear again.

[Stepping Talent Amplification: 128-fold (Level 8 Amplification requires 1,000,000 gold)]

There was no earth-shattering phenomenon, but in that instant, Fang Han felt as if all his insights and thoughts about Body Techniques had been injected with a vibrant life force!

Many of the difficult and stagnant points he had encountered while cultivating Wind and Cloud Escape now became clear with just a slight turn of his thoughts.

The subtle transformations of his footwork, the deeper mysteries of integrating his aura with his Body Technique—all of it appeared in his mind with perfect clarity.

A deeper level of insight and control over the "Momentum" of "wind" spontaneously arose within him.

’One hundred and twenty-eight-fold Stepping Talent...’

Fang Han slowly closed his eyes, savoring this wondrous state.

Although it wasn’t as exaggerated as the near-epiphany he experienced with the Swordsmanship Talent Amplification, the feeling of mental clarity and the explosive increase in his speed of comprehension were very real.

He could predict that under this terrifying amplification, his Cultivation progress in Wind and Cloud Escape would accelerate dramatically.

The time needed for Wind and Cloud Escape to break through to the Minor Achievement stage would be drastically reduced.

’Although it’s still not as good as my Swordsmanship Talent, at least the gap isn’t as wide anymore...’

Fang Han slowly exhaled, suppressing his excitement.

His wealth had once again shrunk to 250,000 silver, but in exchange, his Stepping Talent had taken another leap forward.

Talent was the foundation of everything. Compared to the one-time boost from the Vajra Fruit, improving his Talent was what truly mattered.

...

「West Jinhuang City, in a luxurious residence.」

This was one of the Netherworld Pavilion’s properties in the city.

Inside a brightly lit Quiet Chamber, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the dead calm before a storm.

Yin Huang stood before a window with his hands behind his back, radiating a heart-palpitating chill.

His face was as dark as water, and his eyes roiled with suppressed rage and a trace of imperceptible anxiety.

Shen You had vanished, along with more than four million in silver notes. This had caused him to fail in his bid for the Vajra Fruit and delayed his subsequent Cultivation plans.

How could he not be furious?

He felt that Shen You’s disappearance was highly suspicious.

’A mere ordinary disciple absconding with the funds?’

He didn’t believe it for a second.

Shen You didn’t have the guts, nor the ability, to pull a fast one right under his nose.

Then, the most likely possibility was... the man was already dead, and the money had fallen into someone else’s hands.

"Investigate! Investigate this thoroughly for me! I want to see him if he’s alive, or his corpse if he’s dead!"

Yin Huang spun around, his voice raspy and cold, like a blade scraping against bone.

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

Below him, a disciple in Netherworld Pavilion attire with a sharp, capable face bowed and replied, fine beads of cold sweat forming on his temples.

This person was named Zhao Ying. Although his Cultivation was only at the Late Stage of the Sixth Grade, he possessed a unique and secret skill—Tracking.

He was especially skilled at tracking by scent and had a minor reputation within the Pavilion.

Zhao Ying didn’t dare to delay. He immediately took two subordinates and left in a hurry, carrying some of Shen You’s personal belongings.

Yin Huang watched them leave, a cold light flickering in his eyes.

He had a hunch that Shen You’s disappearance was no accident and was definitely connected to certain people.

And someone who had recently appeared in Jinhuang City, who had both the motive and the ability to act against a Netherworld Pavilion disciple...

The first person who came to mind was that Qingxuan Sect True Inheritor who had just won the Vajra Fruit—Fang Han!

’Fang Han...’

Yin Huang muttered the name, his gaze as venomous as a viper’s, filled with killing intent.

He had to get that missing fortune back!

If the investigation revealed that the Qingxuan Sect’s True Inheritor Fang Han was responsible, he wouldn’t mind seeing a Celestial Pride True Inheritance from the Qingxuan Sect fall.

Even though doing so would likely cause quite a stir.

「Two days later, at dusk.」

Zhao Ying hurried back to the stronghold, his face showing a trace of fatigue, but even more so, gravity and unease.

"Senior Brother, I have news."

He came to the Quiet Chamber and reported in a low voice to Yin Huang, who was meditating with his eyes closed.

"Speak!"

Yin Huang’s eyes snapped open, his gaze like lightning.

"I followed the main road and, about a hundred li north of the city, I tracked down Shen You’s lingering scent..."

Zhao Ying swallowed and said with difficulty.

"In the dense woods beside the road... I found where Shen You was buried. The body had already begun to decompose, but the fatal wound was a single finger strike to the heart—sharp and domineering. It must have been... the work of an expert of the Fifth Grade or higher."

’Just as I thought!’

Although he had expected it, upon hearing confirmation of Shen You’s death, the aura around Yin Huang still fluctuated uncontrollably, and the temperature in the Quiet Chamber plummeted.

He was indeed double-crossed!

A terrifying glint shot from his eyes as he asked.

"Were you able to track the killer’s scent?"

"The killer was extremely cautious. The scene was left spotless, with almost all traces erased. I couldn’t smell the killer’s scent at the scene."

Zhao Ying looked troubled.

"Useless!"

Yin Huang snorted in anger.

"Forgive me, Senior Brother. I was incompetent."

Zhao Ying trembled in fear.

"You may leave."

Yin Huang suppressed his anger and waved his hand. Zhao Ying, as if granted a great amnesty, hastily retreated from the room.

Although the tracking had failed and there was no evidence pointing to Fang Han, his suspicion of Fang Han deepened nonetheless.

’Fang Han... it must have been you!’

The corners of Yin Huang’s mouth curved into a cold smirk.

Shen You died less than a hundred li from Jinhuang City, and Fang Han, a Qingxuan Sect True Inheritor on bad terms with the Netherworld Pavilion, just happened to appear in Jinhuang City at this very time.

Moreover, he also happened to possess the strength to kill Shen You easily.

How could there be such a coincidence in the world?

"Keep a close watch on Fang Han’s every move in the Jinhuang Inn and report back to me at all times!"

Yin Huang walked out of the room and gave a cold order to a Netherworld Pavilion disciple.

"Yes!"

The Netherworld Pavilion disciple hastily complied.

’Fang Han, the moment you leave Jinhuang City... will be the day you die!’

Yin Huang muttered to himself, his voice filled with killing intent.

It was inconvenient to act within Jinhuang City with too many eyes and ears around, so he decided to wait until Fang Han left the city to make his move.