Chapter 15

Gu Yang spent a long time fully digesting those martial arts experiences.

Sixty years of accumulation, extremely complex, the sword techniques and other martial arts he mastered, both in quality and quantity, exceeded the total of all previous simulations.

He looked outside the cave, where the sky was already faintly bright.

A total of eight life simulations actually took an entire night.

Gu Yang's expression was somewhat solemn.

The system's balance was down to just over a thousand, allowing for only two more simulations.

He tried various methods, taking different life paths, but none of them allowed him to break through to the Sixth Rank.

It was really too difficult.

"It seems that relying on luck to become a martial arts master is impossible."

In this world, practicing martial arts alone is not enough; one must also cultivate the mind, especially at the Sixth Rank.

From Ninth Rank to Seventh Rank, known as the Lower Three Ranks, they are considered third-rate martial artists.

From Sixth Rank to Fourth Rank, known as the Middle Three Ranks, they are considered second-rate experts.

Above Third Rank, known as the Upper Three Ranks, they are considered first-rate masters.

The transition from Seventh Rank to Sixth Rank, and from Fourth Rank to Third Rank, are both critical points, and breaking through them is not easy.

"I can only take a risk."

Gu Yang steeled his resolve and began the ninth simulation.

[At the age of 22, you became a Seventh Rank martial artist and left Liu Family Village. In Wang Family Gully, you saved Su Qingzhi of the Su family and agreed to escort her to Ping Prefecture.]

[The next day, the Liu family tracked you down. With one sword, you swiftly killed ten people. The Liu family's Sixth Rank martial artist immediately intervened. After ten moves, a sword pierced your chest, but you avoided the fatal blow at a critical moment. You countered with a slash, wounding the opponent.]

[At this moment, you finally broke through the mental barrier and advanced to the Sixth Rank. Unfortunately, you were severely injured and still no match for the opponent. After five moves, a sword pierced your forehead, and you died at the age of 22.]

Finally, Sixth Rank!

Gu Yang let out a sigh of relief.

This time, it was a matter of life and death, facing the Liu family's Sixth Rank martial artist who had left a psychological scar on him with the strength of a Seventh Rank.

It was no different from suicide.

If he hadn't broken through, he would have wasted another simulation opportunity.

In that case, he would have to give up the 30,000 taels of silver reward and run away with Zhang Xiaohai.

He wouldn't do something as foolish as suicide.

[Simulation ended. You can retain one of the following.]

[1. Martial arts realm at the age of 22.]

[2. Martial arts experience at the age of 22.]

[3. Life wisdom at the age of 22.]

"I choose one."

Instantly, Gu Yang's true qi exploded within him, as if burning, breaking through numerous acupoints.

"Ouch—"

Zhi Xing, the young maid, who was sound asleep, felt a burning sensation in her palm and woke up, instinctively pulling her hand back. She had felt as if she was holding a red-hot iron.

When she opened her eyes, there was nothing unusual.

Her young lady's hand was still clasped with the benefactor's, and she was curled up beside him, sleeping soundly.

Looking at the benefactor, he also had his eyes closed, seemingly asleep.

"What happened?"

Zhang Xiaohai, who was sleeping on the opposite side, was woken up and asked cautiously.

"Nothing... nothing..."

The young maid said sheepishly, thinking it was just her imagination, "I... had a nightmare."

"It's fine."

Zhang Xiaohai saw that it was almost dawn outside, stood up, and quietly walked out.

Zhi Xing, worried about her young lady, still sat by her side, looking at the clasped hands, remembering how her hand was also held by that large hand last night, her face blushing.

She closed her eyes, not daring to think further, and certainly not daring to put her hand back.

...

"Huh?"

Gu Yang, during his breakthrough, couldn't control the Red Sun true qi within him. He had been continuously sending true qi to the two women beside him, and this time, he sent too much.

The young maid was burned and pulled her hand back.

However, Su Qingzhi showed no reaction.

Soon, Gu Yang noticed the anomaly; his true qi was flowing into her body through her hand.

Then, a cool and refreshing qi flowed back from her body, feeling very comfortable.

"This is—"

Although Gu Yang didn't know what this cool qi was, his extensive martial arts experience told him it was not harmful.

On the contrary, it was beneficial.

The Red Sun Technique, although incredibly powerful, has a significant flaw.

The true qi cultivated by this technique is extremely yang.

As the saying goes, a solitary yang cannot last; the higher the realm, the greater the damage to the body, especially at the Upper Three Ranks, where there is a risk of self-immolation.

Because of this, although this technique is widely known, no noble family's children would practice it. It is only passed down to their guards and subordinates.

It is said that only those with special constitutions can cultivate this technique to its highest level.

However, such people are extremely rare.

Even so, for someone like Gu Yang, who comes from an ordinary background and has no outstanding talent, the Red Sun Technique is the most advanced technique he can obtain.

In the Great Zhou, techniques that can be cultivated to the Upper Three Ranks are monopolized by major noble families and sects. They are not passed down to non-core members.

For ordinary people, learning such techniques is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Gu Yang originally planned to address this hidden danger after reaching the Sixth Rank.

Switching techniques is troublesome, but with enough time, it's not a problem.

What he lacked was a high-level yang technique.

Now, Gu Yang unexpectedly triggered the cool qi within Su Qingzhi, which could neutralize the most yang part of the Red Sun true qi, making his true qi less aggressive and more resilient.

After several cycles of cultivation, Gu Yang's true qi was nearly twice as strong as before, and its purity was incomparable.

Gu Yang opened his eyes and looked at the woman beside him. She was still asleep, her fair face now tinged with a light blush, beautiful to the point of being dazzling.

"Yin and yang in harmony?"

He could confirm that she had no true qi, definitely not a martial artist.

So, there was only one possibility: she had a special constitution, with yin qi accumulated in her body, which was likely the reason she, from a noble family, had never practiced martial arts.

At this moment, Su Qingzhi's long lashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes, meeting his gaze.

She realized she had fallen asleep leaning on this man, and her hand had been held by him all night. She was instantly filled with shame and anger, jumping back and pulling her hand away.

"You—"

Su Qingzhi's face flushed red as she pointed at him, ready to scold him, but saw him turn his head and close his eyes, ignoring her.

For a moment, she felt a surge of委屈 (grievance), almost bursting into tears.

He had taken advantage of her, yet he acted as if nothing had happened.

The young maid, seeing the situation, quickly said, "Miss, let me help you go wash your face."

She then pulled her young lady out of the cave.