Chapter 39

Beitang Wan'er smiled and said, "In addition to this, the salt profits from this street will all belong to your Sword Robe Hall. The Beitang family will only take three-tenths."

Zhuang Wudao was slightly moved. Two cultivators at the second level of the Qi Condensation stage, if combined with these double-armed chain crossbows and large eight-ox crossbows, would be enough to defend this hall compound. Even a few mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators working together would not be able to break in.

As for the protective spirit array, it naturally could not compare to those of the major sects in the cultivation world, which could even defend against meteorite impacts from the sky. It was likely just a simple spirit array that could strengthen the outer walls of the compound. There were also some trap-like restrictions that could trigger from a distance, alerting the attackers. If they were unfamiliar and accidentally triggered them, it would also activate pre-buried Daoist spells and spirit techniques. Though not very effective, it was better than nothing.

The salt profits, however, were no small matter. In Yuecheng, the most profitable business was not the mining trade, but salt.

People needed to eat salt to have strength, especially the mine slaves who needed to work hard every day, whose demand for salt was extremely high. The reason the Beitang family could now dominate as the first family in Yuecheng was because a few years ago, during a major upheaval, they seized most of the official and private salt trade from the Guyue family, almost forming a monopoly.

The monthly salt profits from Yuxi Street were estimated to be around 500 taels, which would be a significant help to the Sword Robe Hall.

Zhuang Wudao couldn't help but sigh. Adding the things Beitang Wan'er had sent him that day, this was his price for selling himself.

"Have you been closed in your room for these past twenty days, cultivating hard? How has your progress been? Hmm, your aura seems different from when we were on the ferry. I wonder how you compare to that person from the Guyue family?"

As Beitang Wan'er spoke, her figure suddenly moved forward, appearing in front of Zhuang Wudao. Without even a greeting, she pointed at his chest and abdomen.

Zhuang Wudao instinctively dodged backward, his body moving like a ghost. Not only did he avoid the attack, but he also positioned himself for a counterattack, a result of his continuous practice of the Six Harmonies Xingyi Quan's Six Harmonies Steps over the past twenty days.

Only then did Zhuang Wudao realize that this was likely another test from Beitang Wan'er, probably to see if her previous investment was worthwhile.

So be it! Since the other party had already paid, it was only right to show her his capabilities.

With a cold snort, Zhuang Wudao fiercely punched out. He didn't deliberately aim for Beitang Wan'er's vital points but instead collided with her slender fingers.

A dull sound echoed, and Zhuang Wudao felt a strong wind hit his face, with a slight pain in his finger joints. Beitang Wan'er's strength was concentrated in her fingers, and the force of her single finger strike penetrated deep into his arm bones.

Fortunately, Zhuang Wudao also used the force techniques of the Great Stone-Crushing Hand, and the Bull Demon Yuan Body made his body as hard as steel.

After a few breaths of pain, he 'thumped, thumped, thumped' retreated three steps and was completely unharmed.

He sighed inwardly. Even with the Bull Demon Yuan Body and the Great Stone-Crushing Hand, he was still overpowered by Beitang Wan'er's armor-piercing sharp finger technique. To defeat her without relying on Yun'er's help, he would have to wait until he reached the first level of the Six Harmonies Xingyi Quan and combine it with the subtle techniques from the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming.

Beitang Wan'er was also thrown back, landing ten steps away and sliding a few more steps before stopping. Her wrist seemed numb, and she kept shaking her right hand, her eyes filled with surprise. "Good skills! On the ferry, you indeed concealed some of your strength! Your finger strength didn't penetrate, but your power was still several times greater than mine!"

At this point, Beitang Wan'er seemed to recall something, and her surprise turned to astonishment. "Strengthened by magnetic elements, with the power of a magic rhinoceros! You cultivate the Bull Demon Yuan Body!"

"Miss, your discernment is unparalleled!"

Zhuang Wudao bowed solemnly. Although Beitang Wan'er spoke casually, he dared not be impolite in front of this young princess of the Beitang family.

"I have only achieved a quick success, not fully mastering it. I apologize for any shortcomings. I had no choice and did not mean to hide anything. I hope Miss will not be angry. I wonder if I have met your expectations?"

"Of course, I am very satisfied!"

Beitang Wan'er's eyes, clear and bright, curved into a crescent moon, looking very beautiful. "Originally, I only had a one in ten chance, just a gamble. I didn't expect you to have cultivated a top-notch hard qi technique. With this, once you break through the Qi Condensation stage, you will have a forty percent chance of winning! Uncle indeed has a keen eye and did not misjudge you."

The "uncle" Beitang Wan'er referred to was naturally Beitang Cangjue.

At this moment, Beitang Qin suddenly stepped forward, her eyes cold. "Quick success? How did you achieve quick success with the Bull Demon Yuan Body?"

Zhuang Wudao glanced at her, not startled. He knew that when he revealed this hard qi technique, others would ask this question. He replied coldly, "I took earth marrow!"

Yun'er had once said that just three drops of earth marrow could make him quickly master the Bull Demon Yuan Body. Using this as an excuse was the perfect explanation.

"Earth marrow? No wonder. If I were you, I wouldn't want others to know either."

Beitang Wan'er understood, her eyes shining. "So, there is a magnetic element eye outside Yuecheng? I know you have been leaving the city frequently this past month. Could it be for this reason? You said it was to avoid Shi Hu's revenge, but in reality, you were cultivating the Bull Demon Yuan Body. With your boxing skills, how could Shi Hu and his group be your match?"

"Nothing to say!"

Zhuang Wudao did not want to answer. The more lies, the more mistakes. Let the Beitang family guess on their own.

"As for the magnetic element eye, it does exist! However, I am unwilling to reveal it to anyone who is not close and trusted. Or, if you can pay the price."

The magnetic element eye was no longer useful to him and would eventually be revealed. Only the Beitang family could offer a price that satisfied him.

Beitang Wan'er understood his meaning and pondered, "This is indeed a dilemma. How about this? I will send you fifty sets of fine iron armor, a half-body spirit weapon, a treasure prohibition talisman, and two Blood Essence Pills. Brother Wudao, can a person be insatiable?"

Zhuang Wudao's expression remained unchanged. "I want four Blood Essence Pills!"

With four Blood Essence Pills, the few brothers around him, who had good martial arts talent but were limited by their innate qualities and had no hope of breaking through the Qi Condensation stage before the age of twenty, would have a chance to become cultivators.

He would eventually leave, so he wanted to leave a solid foundation for the Sword Robe Hall brothers, so they wouldn't be bullied after he left.

"Deal!" Beitang Wan'er agreed readily. "I will send the items tomorrow!"

Beitang Qin was suddenly very anxious. "Miss! How can you—"

Blood Essence Pills were in high demand but short supply in the market. Even the Beitang family, the first powerful clan in Yuecheng, had limited stock.

Beitang Wan'er waved her hand, indicating it was fine. This was not the price for the magnetic element eye but an additional investment in Zhuang Wudao.

If he could suppress the person from the Guyue family, even four Blood Essence Pills would be worth it, let alone eight or ten.

Beitang Qin had to stop, but she became even more displeased with Zhuang Wudao. "Your luck is really good, to have such a rare encounter! Unfortunately, you are a bit stupid. Do you think you can hide from Mr. Cangjue? Does he really not see that you have cultivated a hard qi technique? Ridiculous!"

Her words were laced with envy and jealousy, even though she didn't realize it. If she had a drop of earth marrow, she would now be a cultivator at the sixth level of the Qi Condensation stage. Earth marrow had the power to cleanse and strengthen the bones and meridians, and her future prospects would be much broader. She might not have to stop at the mid-stage of the Qi Condensation stage.

Zhuang Wudao remained silent, pretending not to hear Beitang Qin's words. Such a woman, no matter what he did, would not like him. He took out a silk map from his pocket and threw it to her. "The location is a hundred miles outside the city. Follow the map. Do you know how to find the element eye?"

He had already planned to sell it, so he had already drawn the map.

Beitang Qin looked at the map and laughed. The magnetic element eye could distort one's senses, creating a maze-like environment, which was a well-known fact.

This place might be useless to others, but to the Beitang family, it was a treasure.

Clan members could cultivate here, and even if they couldn't achieve the first level of the Bull Demon Yuan Body before the age of twenty, those with slightly poorer cultivation aptitude could still have the strength comparable to early-stage Qi Condensation cultivators after thirty or forty years. There might also be outstanding individuals among the younger generation who could achieve something.

Moreover, there were not only Bull Demon Yuan Body techniques that required magnetic element qi.

"This is a significant matter, so I will return first. I originally planned to challenge you to a duel to stretch my muscles. But since you cultivate the Bull Demon Yuan Body, I might not last thirty rounds. It would be no fun if you had to let me win. I'll take my leave!"

Zhuang Wudao showed no sign of pride, looking at Beitang Wan'er's left shoulder. "Miss is too modest. If your injuries were not still healing, I would surely lose!"

Beitang Wan'er indeed overestimated him. Even now, without 'Yun'er' helping him, he couldn't defeat Beitang Wan'er within two hundred rounds.

He was also curious about what kind of injury could take almost a month to heal.

"That's true. I was hit by a cultivator at the ninth level of the Qi Condensation stage with a Mystic Ice Sword half a year ago. Although my injuries are mostly healed, the cold qi inside needs to be