“You aren’t afraid? Good, then prove it to me!”
“This is a secret technique I exchanged for within the Sect, named [Unmatched Ambition]. Only a cultivator harboring bravery and fighting spirit can cultivate it. If you can successfully cultivate it, you will prove that you truly still possess the heart to seek the Dao.”
Fang Chen tossed out a jade slip.
Xiao Qing instinctively caught it, then immediately paled in shock. “S-Senior Brother Fang, I cannot accept this!”
“Why can’t you accept it?!”
Fang Chen shouted sternly, “Do you lack even the courage to prove yourself?”
“No, that’s not it!”
Xiao Qing hurriedly said, “But I know this secret technique must have cost you a massive amount of contribution points!”
“I just felt cowardly in my heart and have already let Senior Brother down. How could I have the face to accept such a generous gift from Senior Brother now?!”
As far as he knew, this secret technique could not only temper the flesh to be like iron but also stimulate one’s combat strength. It was formidable and extremely expensive.
One should not accept a reward without merit. Xiao Qing already felt he should die of shame, so how could he possibly have the face to take such a gift?
Fang Chen said, “Heh, vulgar! Mere contribution points… do you think I am someone who cares for worldly wealth?”
“If my Junior Brother can become stronger because of it, then I do not care!”
At this moment, the corners of Fang Chen’s mouth curled up slightly. He offered a contemptuous sneer, revealing a hint of mockery toward worldly rules. His profound gaze contained no narrow selfishness, only deep care for his junior…
Like a towering mountain, heavy and vast!
Right then, Xiao Qing felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Large tears spilled from his eyes without warning, and an overwhelming swell of emotion made his chest ache.
First, Senior Brother Fang hadn’t hesitated to play the part of a dissolute young master, and now he was giving away a precious cultivation method…
All of this was to make him reignite his fighting spirit!!!
Since the other party was acting like this, how could he continue to be so coy?
In the next second, Xiao Qing bent his knees, dropping directly into a kneel. He used all his strength to roar:
“Senior Brother Fang, in the past, I failed your expectations.”
“From now on, I will prove to you that no matter what difficulties I encounter, I will absolutely never give up. I will definitely become the bravest cultivator in this world.”
“I, Xiao Qing, will forge ahead with indomitable will. Even if I die, I will have no regrets!!!”
Watching Xiao Qing kneel, Fang Chen nodded slowly and spoke with earnest weight, “Good. Take it and cultivate first. If there’s anything you don’t understand, remember to come ask this senior… ahem, remember to go ask the Elders at the Scripture Pavilion.”
“Yes! Thank you, Senior Brother!”
Xiao Qing was moved beyond words as Fang Chen helped him to his feet.
Looking at Xiao Qing’s appearance, Fang Chen felt extremely satisfied in his heart.
The original host had committed all sorts of wicked deeds while alive, but at least he left behind some inheritance!
Inside the Storage Ring were many cultivation methods he had collected to improve his innate aptitude, and this [Unmatched Ambition] was one of them.
Fang Chen had glanced at the cultivation method and felt he wouldn’t be able to learn it anyway. Plus, he barely recognized any of the characters, so he simply gave it to Xiao Qing!
First advising him with words, then gifting a cultivation method—he didn’t believe Xiao Qing still wouldn’t forgive him!
If even this didn’t work, he would use his strength to persuade the other party!
However, that move was too dangerous. It was very likely to trigger the Son of Providence to activate his cheats early and slap him right into an early grave!
This current situation of brotherly affection and respect was already enough, Fang Chen felt!
Subsequently, watching Xiao Qing’s emotions slowly stabilize, Fang Chen decided to invite him to the Combat Hall together to cancel their life-and-death duel.
But just then…
Ding—
The system’s voice abruptly sounded:
“Detecting that Xiao Qing will gain a new secret technique during the life-and-death duel: [Unmatched Ambition]. Automatically cultivating for the Host.”
“During the battle with the Son of Providence, please fully unleash this method so that the Son of Providence may gain a deeper understanding of this secret technique through combat!”
Immediately afterward, a warm current rushed through Fang Chen’s limbs and bones. At the same time, a massive amount of technique skills regarding [Unmatched Ambition] flooded his mind, instantly granting him ten years of experience in wielding this method.
[Unmatched Ambition] offered no obvious enhancement to one’s cultivation realm, but Fang Chen could clearly feel that if he wished to activate this method, he could immediately elevate his cultivation!
At this moment, Fang Chen was plunged into shock!
What was this situation?
Why had the system instantly granted him mastery of a technique he had just given away?
Did this mean… as long as he gifted cultivation methods to Xiao Qing, the system would immediately help him master them so he could teach Xiao Qing?
Thinking of this, Fang Chen froze, and his breathing began to quicken.
Then this… wasn’t this exploiting a bug?
If he kept gifting cultivation methods to Xiao Qing, wouldn’t he keep gifting them and keep getting stronger???
Rather than working hard himself, wasn’t it better to boost someone else?
Holy shit!
He had struck gold!
Then, the look in his eyes as he stared at Xiao Qing suddenly changed…
Xiao Qing was still steeped in his emotion, but Fang Chen’s gaze and rapid breathing made him shiver. He asked instinctively, “Senior Brother, what’s wrong?”
But Fang Chen didn’t answer. Instead, he suddenly pulled a massive pile of jade slips out of his ring…
…
“Senior Brother, there’s no need, no need! Just these five will do. Any more would be biting off more than I can chew…”
Xiao Qing wore a bitter smile as he pushed many of the jade slips back to Fang Chen.
Although his current contribution points were abysmally low and he greatly coveted so many jade slips, he knew one had to understand contentment and avoid greed!
For every bit of kindness Senior Brother showed him, Senior Brother had to pay a price.
Taking five jade slips was already too much!
If he took any more and demanded further from his Senior Brother, it would be terribly ungracious on his part!
For Senior Brother’s sake, no matter how much he wanted these jade slips, he had to endure it!
“Do you really not need them? This [War Blade] and [Cloud Sealing Technique] are also very suitable for you…”
Fang Chen spared no effort in his sales pitch.
Xiao Qing forcibly suppressed the longing in his heart. Thinking that he must endure in order to avoid dragging his Senior Brother down, he said, “I don’t use a blade, nor do I know sealing arts. Senior Brother, please take them back!”
“It’s fine, I don’t mind. You can learn!”
Xiao Qing shook his head resolutely.
Ultimately, Fang Chen had no choice but to put the jade slips away.
Although his expression remained calm, a hint of deep reluctance flashed in his eyes…
Having experienced being mocked during a long, agonizing low point in his life, Xiao Qing’s mind had long since become incredibly sensitive.
Seeing this fleeting flash of reluctance in Fang Chen, Xiao Qing felt his heart ache all over again…
Senior Brother must also be feeling the heartache of spending so much money, right?
Yet for Xiao Qing’s sake, Senior Brother hadn’t said a word of complaint!
Thinking of this, Xiao Qing felt another indescribable surge of emotion fill his chest. After a moment of thought, he suddenly turned around and ran into his inner room.
Seeing this, Fang Chen paused in surprise. What was he going to do?
Before he could even ask, he suddenly heard a voice ring out in his mind:
“Ding—”
“Detecting that Xiao Qing will gain a new spell technique during the life-and-death duel: [Gale Step]. Automatically cultivating for the Host.”
“During the battle with the Son of Providence, please fully unleash this method so that the Son of Providence may gain a deeper understanding of this secret technique through combat!”
As the warm current washed over him, Fang Chen felt his feet become incredibly light and nimble, but his expression clearly froze.
Why was it only one technique?
He had just given away five!
He hastily called out to the system, “System, that’s not right. Junior Brother Xiao still has four spell techniques to learn. Why aren’t you teaching them to me? What if I can’t beat him and die in a single second?”
“Besides, if you don’t teach me, how am I supposed to teach him?!”
The system’s mechanical voice chimed, “Host, of the other four spell techniques the Son of Providence will learn, three are required for alchemy, artifact refinement, and spiritual farming. They do not impact the life-and-death duel!”
“The final technique can only be mastered after the life-and-death duel. If the Host also masters it, it would allow you to defeat the Son of Providence, preventing you from dying as planned. Thus, there is no need to teach it to the Host!”
Hearing these words, Fang Chen’s face darkened. This damned system truly couldn’t wait for him to die!
Right after, he finally figured out how to use this system’s bug!
It seemed the system would only help him master cultivation methods that could influence the life-and-death duel.
Those that took too long to cultivate, or belonged to the auxiliary class of spell techniques, couldn’t affect a life-and-death duel half a month away, so they were all invalid!
Thinking of this, Fang Chen instantly fell into distress.
What should he do next, then?
Giving away more cultivation methods would be useless!
After all, there was only half a month left until the life-and-death duel. No matter how much of a Son of Providence Xiao Qing was, logic still had to apply.
He couldn’t possibly learn over a hundred cultivation methods in such a short time!
Hmm?
Wait a minute!
That’s not right!
Cultivation methods weren’t the only things that could influence a life-and-death duel!
Fang Chen’s eyes abruptly lit up again!
Just then…
Xiao Qing ran out from the inner room, holding a cloth bag in his hands. He offered it to Fang Chen, saying, “Senior Brother! This is for you!”
“What is this?”
Fang Chen was stunned.
“Spirit Stones. Let’s go to the Combat Hall to cancel the life-and-death duel! As for the cancellation fee, I’ll pay it!”
Xiao Qing smiled.
There was a hint of heartache in his eyes, but for the sake of his Senior Brother, he was willing to pay out this final inheritance from the Xiao Clan!
Hearing this, Fang Chen paled in utter shock.
Cancel the life-and-death duel?
That absolutely would not do!
If the life-and-death duel was canceled, where would he go to continue cultivating?
Fang Chen hastily said, “No, you can’t!”
“How could I let you spend these Spirit Stones? Furthermore, our life-and-death duel is not permitted to be canceled.”
Xiao Qing was bewildered. “Why?”
“Because, uh…”
Fang Chen froze, but then his gaze suddenly turned profound. “Defeating me at the ninth level of Qi Condensation will allow you to make a name for yourself in the Danran Sect, making that fiancée of yours who failed to recognize your true worth regret everything!”
Xiao Qing was instantly stunned…