Chapter 95

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Zhou Zhiruo gripped the倚天sword and said, "Rest assured, I will definitely complete the mission! I will make you a fortune."

"Quite the opposite," Lin Qing suddenly embraced Zhou Zhiruo's slender waist and said in a deep voice, "I want you to swear to me right now. No matter what dangerous situation you encounter, you must prioritize your own survival. Absolutely do not engage in any lowbrow tricks like going down with the ship. I have invested 1000... no, all my efforts in you, and you cannot disappoint me."

Zhou Zhiruo smiled faintly, gazing at Lin Qing for a long time before resting her head on his chest and whispering, "You too. When I met Li Huamei today, I always felt that she is not someone to be easily bullied. Without some means, it would be impossible for her to have such a large business and command tens of thousands of subordinates. You must be extra cautious when you sail with her, so you don't get eaten by this Xiang Feihu. Hehe!"

Lin Qing's heart stirred, and he couldn't resist pressing forward.

Zhou Zhiruo skillfully dodged, her face flushed, and she suddenly said, "Right. I thought about it, and it's not right for you to not have any internal martial arts to protect yourself. Although you have the [White Ape Cliff] map and the hope of obtaining the Nine Yang Divine Skill left by Zhang Wuji, it's too far away to help in the current situation. Since you are in a stormy and unpredictable situation, I suggest you exchange for the Emei Nine Yang Skill!"

When it came to serious matters, Lin Qing immediately became serious, "Yes, after you reminded me, I remember that luck points can be used to exchange for the main character and female lead's martial arts skills. Since I have a connection with you, I can exchange for your skills. But how is this Emei Nine Yang Skill?"

Zhou Zhiruo showed Lin Qing the attributes of the Emei Nine Yang Skill.

[Emei Nine Yang Skill]: A unique internal martial arts technique of the Emei Sect, derived from the part of the Nine Yang Scripture that Guo Xiang memorized when Jueyuan recited it before his death. The foundation of the Emei Sect's martial arts is based on this part of the Nine Yang Scripture, which is the same source as the Shaolin Nine Yang Skill, Wudang Nine Yang Skill, and the Nine Yang Divine Skill later practiced by Zhang Wuji. [Emei Nine Yang Skill] can be practiced up to the 10th level. Although it is suitable for women, it is a righteous and upright skill, and anyone can practice it. This skill is a C-level internal martial arts technique. Since you have Zhou Zhiruo, you can exchange it with luck points. The first level requires 2000 luck points, and each subsequent level requires 1000 points. Effect: Each level increases internal energy attributes by 2 points.

Internal Energy Attributes: Each point of internal energy provides 10 points of internal energy and 1 point of internal energy defense (automatic damage reduction). In non-combat states, using internal energy to heal can restore health at 5-10 times the normal rate. Full health can be restored within 2 hours.

"Wow!" Lin Qing exclaimed, "So expensive?"

"It's still cheaper than exchanging for the Nine Yang Divine Skill, which costs 10,000 luck points!" Zhou Zhiruo rolled her eyes at Lin Qing and whispered, "With internal energy, your attacks will be transformed and become much more powerful. The earlier you start practicing, the better. It will be too late to regret it if you wait."

Lin Qing nodded.

Zhou Zhiruo wouldn't deceive him.

Ironically, as the leader of the Emei Sect, he didn't know a single Emei skill.

This [Emei Nine Yang Skill] would be a good start.

Although it would cost money, practicing his sect's skills felt a bit strange, but Lin Qing knew the rules of the space—there's no free lunch, no free benefits. High-level skills cannot be given away, no matter how good the relationship.

He gritted his teeth, used 2000 luck points, and exchanged for the [Emei Nine Yang Skill].

A thin booklet appeared in Lin Qing's hand, containing the first level of the [Emei Nine Yang Skill].

Zhou Zhiruo said, "I will set sail as the admiral at dawn. I can only teach you the essentials of the [Emei Nine Yang Skill] in the remaining two hours. Listen carefully."

Lin Qing was moved.

He knew that Zhou Zhiruo was worried about him following Li Huamei on the mission and feared he wouldn't be able to protect himself, so she was teaching him out of concern.

Lin Qing immediately sat down and began practicing the [Emei Nine Yang Skill] in a cross-legged position.

With a skilled teacher guiding him, the effect was completely different from self-study.

When the rooster crowed and the sky began to lighten, Lin Qing was sitting cross-legged on the ground, drenched in sweat as if he had just been fished out of a pot.

In his skill bar, the third slot was burning fiercely.

The success or failure of this attempt would determine everything.

Zhou Zhiruo stood by, somewhat worried, watching Lin Qing break through the first level.

Lin Qing had no internal energy foundation, which was his biggest obstacle.

But as a martial artist, internal energy is the foundation of everything. Without a foundation, everything else is unstable, and no technique can be used effectively.

Lin Qing's abdomen felt like it was burning with a flame, but he persisted.

The flame in the skill bar finally extinguished.

A new skill appeared, showing a woman sitting cross-legged in meditation.

[Emei Nine Yang Skill] first level, completed!

"You have learned an internal skill."

"Do you want to convert your existing general attributes (Spirit/Energy) into internal energy attributes?"

"Note: If you decide to follow the path of Chinese martial arts, you must choose to change. Your existing 4 points of intelligence will be replaced."

Lin Qing, of course, didn't hesitate and immediately agreed.

His Spirit/Energy attributes burned with a flame, and when the flame extinguished, they had been converted into a new [Internal Energy] mark.

"Your C-level internal skill [Emei Nine Yang Skill] first level is completed. You have gained 2 points of internal energy attributes! Your current internal energy is 20 points."

Completing the [Emei Nine Yang Skill] and gaining internal energy made Lin Qing's face glow with a healthy vitality, as if he had been reborn.

Zhou Zhiruo smiled and drifted away.

After a moment, Lin Qing came to his senses, his body covered in sweat and grime.

He quickly took a shower and felt an indescribable lightness in his body.

"Is this the effect of practicing internal energy?" Lin Qing felt refreshed and invigorated, "No wonder so many experts spend their lives practicing. Practicing really is addictive. It gives a mysterious sense of pleasure."

There was a loud knocking on the door.

Yang Xien's voice called out, "Richard Huison! The admiral has notified us to gather at the dock! Our detachment fleet has returned."

Lin Qing knew it was time and quickly headed to the dock.

When he arrived, he was stunned by the magnificent scene before him!

Along the main dock, in the golden area, a row of large Chinese three-masted sailing ships stood, each 50 meters tall, 100 meters long, and three stories high, like giant beasts resting in their nests, licking their claws. Flags waved, cannons lined up, and sailors swarmed, serving these prehistoric giants.

On the flagship "Huachen" of the Li family fleet, the Li family's flag was already flying high, a sign that they were about to set sail.

Yang Xien was waving a whip, directing hundreds of sailors to load cargo and supplies onto the "Huachen" and the "Chunshen" and six other main merchant ships.

Below him, various navigators, captains, first mates, and second mates were passing down orders, with commands and bugle calls echoing, and thousands of people were busy on this powerful fleet! The scene was breathtaking!

Speaking of the "Huachen," it was Li Huamei's flagship and the most powerful long-distance ship that Hangzhou could produce. It was a large Chinese three-masted sailing ship with 11 compartments, 3 masts, and 80 durability points. After being reinforced with iron plates, its durability increased to a terrifying 120 points. It could accommodate 260 sailors, with a bow cannon and 40 cannons on each side.

Just one such bare ship cost 74,000 gold coins, and with modifications, it cost a staggering 110,000 gold coins!

The Li family fleet had five such large Chinese three-masted sailing ships!

In addition to these giants, there were several medium-sized Chinese sailing ships, which were likely the detachment fleet Yang Xien mentioned.

The total value of these ships exceeded 1 million gold coins.

Lin Qing shrugged and sighed helplessly, "Alright."

He had seen the power and dominance of the Li family, who ruled the Ming Dynasty's coastline and repeatedly contested for dominance in East Asia with the Raishima family!

Even if they were besieged by corrupt officials, pirates, powerful enemies from Japan, and Western powers, Li Huamei, the woman known as Xiang Feihu, was so formidable that with her superior leadership and skills, she had built such a vast fleet!

On the flagship "Huachen," Li Huamei stood proudly on the figurehead, which was a majestic dragon king coiled around the bow, ready to fly.

The Dragon King figurehead!

This was a legendary figurehead, said to increase the ship's cannon power by 0.5 times!

Her dominance was evident!

The salty sea breeze gently lifted Li Huamei's skirt, and the red-clad beauty seemed to be about to fly, exuding a commanding presence without anger.

Seeing Lin Qing, who was like a despicable rat, timidly and fearfully looking up at the powerful fleet he had built, Li Huamei felt a sense of contempt.

Though she was under the heavy pressure of corrupt officials, pirates, powerful enemies from Japan, and Western powers, like carrying three mountains on her back, her pride, skills, vision, and ambition had already transcended the constraints of this era and this country.

She was Li Huamei!

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End of the chapter.