67: Chapter 67 Changshan 5 Bandits (Seeking Recommendation Tickets) 67: Chapter 67 Changshan 5 Bandits (Seeking Recommendation Tickets) “Fortunately, I still have some time before I can upgrade the Purple Qi Divine Observation Technique to the fifth layer, so there’s no rush.”
Bai Ziyue thought to himself, then turned around and headed down the mountain.
“As for the Inner Cultivation Technique…
I can only obtain it by completing sect tasks.”
The Sunburst Gang is a gang, so naturally, they wouldn’t selflessly cultivate their disciples.
During the apprenticeship period, because of their young age and weak strength, the gang doesn’t require them to fight, so it’s relatively safe.
But once they become official disciples, various tasks would immediately be assigned to them.
If one wants to obtain cultivation techniques and martial arts skills, aside from the mentor’s teachings, completing tasks within the gang is the only way to exchange for them.
Even the daily expenses and the resources required for cultivation are mostly obtained by doing tasks.
The monthly allowance given by the gang alone is not enough to cover a martial artist’s consumption.
Of course, Bai Ziyue had previously mentioned the matter of the Inner Cultivation Technique to his mentor, but Liu Dong clearly believed more in a stable and steady cultivation method, only advising him not to aim too high and to first raise his strength to the Peak of External Forging.
Thus, he could only hold back and dared not bring it up again.
With a sudden burst of speed, Bai Ziyue utilized the Cloud Soaring Step.
Power surged downward, forming a unique pushing force, and lightly with a leap, he crossed several zhang of distance.
Then, with another step on a stone stair, he again covered several zhang of distance.
At this moment, his posture was relaxed and steady, moving like a swift swallow, his speed truly astonishing.
In the blink of an eye, he had already reached the foot of the mountain.
Just then, a figure slowly emerged from a small alley, heading straight towards Chongyan Mountain.
“It’s that Elder Scholar, the temple priest of Chongyan Mountain.”
Bai Ziyue’s heart moved slightly, and he nodded at him.
The other also slightly nodded in return and then continued up Chongyan Mountain leisurely.
For three years, Bai Ziyue often climbed the mountain and occasionally encountered this Elder Scholar.
Sometimes he felt like chatting with him, but the other seemed uninterested in making friends with him, often ending their conversations quickly and unpleasantly.
So when they met , Bai Ziyue would just nod slightly, considering it a greeting.
Sometimes, he found this person rather strange, but since it didn’t concern him, he didn’t delve deeply into it.
“Ziyue, your uncle returned today, come over to our place for dinner.”
Passing by Southeast Street, he saw his aunt tending a stall, and from a distance, he heard her shouting.
Back then, when Bai Erniu went to the countryside to hide, Bai Ziyue killed Wu Hao not long after, thus ensuring her safety.
Perhaps because of that incident, she developed a great interest in raising chickens.
Now, she had quite a sizable flock and occasionally sold some.
“No, I have something to do today.”
Bai Ziyue waved his hand.
“Then take a chicken with you, your mother mentioned last time how tasty my chickens are.”
Bai Ziyue shook his head repeatedly, quickening his pace.
Soon, Bai Ziyue arrived at the Sunburst Gang Branch.
Entering through the main gate, he made his way to a hall with ease.
“Ziyue, we have been waiting for you.”
A voice called out promptly.
Bai Ziyue saw two figures in the attire of Inner Sect Disciples not far away, one calling out and waving at him.
The youth waving at him was Qin Shaoping, with whom Bai Ziyue had some rapport.
Qin Shaoping had now reached early-stage External Forging, with the strength of External Forged Skin.
The other person, though called an elder, was merely in his forties.
He had been with the gang for many years, his strength long reaching the level of External Forged Tendons and Bones.
His name was Tong Zhan, whom Bai Ziyue and Qin Shaoping respectfully called Elder Tong.
Elder Tong had been in the gang for over twenty years, experienced in roaming the Jianghu.
Bai Ziyue and Qin Shaoping, as newly appointed Inner Sect Disciples, were placed under his guidance.
“What task do we have this time?”
Bai Ziyue asked curiously.
“This time, it’s a pursuit mission.
Pharmacist Xuu of Scorpio Pharmacy was found dead at home a few days ago.
The gang investigated and found it to be the work of the Changshan Five Bandits.
The reward is considerable.
Five bandits, thirty points each.”
Qin Shaoping said excitedly.
In the gang, contribution points were almost equivalent to silver taels.
One point of contribution could be directly exchanged for one tael of silver.
However, contributions could be used to redeem cultivation techniques, pills, weapons, etc., whereas buying these with silver would cost much more.
Therefore, all disciples valued contributions highly.
The total of 150 points for the Changshan Five Bandits was not a small number.
Bai Ziyue had seen the exchange list.
An Inner Cultivation Technique, the Golden Cicada Technique, required 500 points.
“The Changshan Five Bandits have long roamed the Changshan area.
They shouldn’t have had any interaction with Pharmacist Xuu.
Besides, considering Pharmacist Xuu’s status, avenging him shouldn’t warrant such a large reward, right?”
Bai Ziyue asked curiously.
He had always known that the Sunburst Gang’s Scorpio Pharmacy had an alchemist in residence.
The Qi Blood Pills given to apprentices monthly, and the Qi Blood Pills and Nourishing Essence Pills that regular disciples could redeem, were all provided by Scorpio Pharmacy.
Though Pharmacist Xuu was an alchemist, he could at most craft the lowest-grade pills like Qi Blood Pills and wasn’t highly regarded within Scorpio Pharmacy.
Of course, he was still better off than an average Inner Sect Disciple.
Alchemists were naturally revered by martial artists.
But given Pharmacist Xuu’s status, Bai Ziyue didn’t think the gang would go to such lengths to avenge him.
The Sunburst Gang wasn’t a charitable organization.
“It’s said that just before he was killed, Pharmacist Xuu received a Five Directions Alchemy Technique Secret Scripture from Pharmacist Dai.
The secret manual is now missing, evidently stolen by the Changshan Five Bandits.
The mission also states that if the secret manual is recovered, an additional 100 points of contribution will be awarded.
As for why Pharmacist Xuu got involved with the Changshan Five Bandits…
that’s a long story.”
Elder Tong’s face showed a slightly mocking smile as he spoke.
“Apparently, Pharmacist Xuu’s wife got involved with the third bandit of the Changshan Five and was caught in the act…”
Qin Shaoping said with a strange expression.
Bai Ziyue touched his nose, understanding what had likely ensued, and asked, “Do you know what their strength is?”
“The Changshan Five Bandits, it’s said that only the eldest had learned martial arts at the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall and was originally a formal disciple there, acquiring genuine martial skills.
Later, for unknown reasons, he left the hall and turned bandit.
His strength shouldn’t be weak, at the level of External Forged Flesh or possibly External Forged Tendons and Bones.
Of course, I’ll take care of him.
As for the others, even if they have martial skills, they were taught by the eldest, so they should be considerably weaker.
They shouldn’t be hard for you two to deal with.”
Elder Tong said confidently.
Nodding, Bai Ziyue knew Elder Tong was a seasoned veteran.
Given his confidence, it was evident he was well-prepared.
Without hesitation, Bai Ziyue asked, “Shall we set off?
Do we know their whereabouts?”
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If you’re interested, you might want to check it out.