Chapter 527: Blade Arts
Translator:Abyssruler
Editor:Lucas
In the Saint world, Wang Zheng practiced 8 Point Blade Techniques in the meditation room. Here, his Primordial Regression Technique was completely ineffective. Of course, the body strengthening was undeniable, but to be capable of using more power, the Blade Techniques were still necessary. Of course, even meditation needed time, which made Wang Zheng resent the shamelessness of the place.
With Wang Zheng's foundation of the Primordial Regression Technique, training the Blade Techniques went doubly quickly. But a clear difference was that although the energy points the two arts used were similar, but the order of progression was different.
Wang Zheng was sometimes worried if over-training would consume him, but the Saint world had solved this problem. Of course, its starting point was a monopoly – all the information, as crystal cards, could not be brought out.
It did not require a genius to figure out that if they wanted to bring something out, it would cost a stupendous fortune.
But even so, it would not stop those here from longing.
In just a few days, Wang Zheng had completed the Basic stage of the Blade Techniques. Because he had already passed the basic tests, he only needed to master the 8 Point Blade Techniques, and then participate in the rank-up battle.
The only thing that Wang Zheng was unsatisfied about was the usage of time. He had money, but on a closer look, much of it was notional. KING was not producing anything, currently just consuming cash. Tita Star… would eventually turn out well, but now the super-gravity energy ore was not being mined in large quantities. Even when mining started, it would take some time to begin production. Wang Zheng would not go and buy stocks either, that was just dumb.
Yan Xiaosu and Ye Zisu would definitely lend him money but OMG was expanding, and Little Lucky Star was venturing out as well. Each was spending money liberally, and the Saint world's spending was indeed a frightening sum.
Wang Zheng started to ponder if he could strike out by himself. This was a strength passed down in the Wang family. Where there were people, there was wealth to be had. His own father had depended on conning to feed a family of 3, even snagging up a thing like Old Merchant. Perhaps he had even tricked his own fate. Such people were rare.
In these few days, Wang Zheng had started to understand the Saint world a little better. The 'governance' here was weak. The mechanic of crystal card stealing, as well as the large amount of money in one place, made the sight of a forced duel frequent in the Sanctuary itself, let alone outside. Some might not care so much about the value lost, but it was a matter of dignity. To have one's possession stolen, and be beaten up in the bargain was intolerable.
Therefore, Wang Zheng felt like he could use these to his advantage and relieve his financial stress. After all, he was a man, and could not look bad in front of Aina and Lin Huiyin.
After roaming for half an hour, thank God he finally met somebody in distress.
6 masked people were surrounding 1 person. Of course they were here to deliver the goods.
The surrounded person was not wearing a mask, and looked young. Surrounded, he was pushed around.
"Punk, it's time to pay the protection fee!"
"Please, brothers, I don't have much left, I can't pay it."
PAH!
One of the men wearing a wolf-head mask delivered a sound slap, knocking the boy for a spin.
"Less of your nonsense! 10 hours, and not a minute less. If you offend the Hungry Wolves, forget about continuing anywhere near the Disciple tier. Quickly!"
"Please, brothers. I really need this time, I…"
The other guy delivered a cruel kick. "I… f*ck off. Do you really want us to force a duel? If each of us activates a duel, you won't even be able to afford pants!"
The young man was quivering with rage, but scared of retaliating. Forcing a duel within the Sanctuary for the first time was not expensive. The more one fought in a day, the higher the price, resetting each day.
Wang Zheng was overjoyed. As expected a gang always existed where there were people. It was time to fight off the baddies.
"Oi, you lot! It's time to pay the protection fee!" Wang Zheng shouted.
All 6 turned in unison. They all wore wolf-type masks, but the expressions were different, although each was suitably fearsome.
"Little punk, are you asking for death? A newbie, very good. Since you've delivered yourself to the door, it's a first time entry fee of 50 hours." The foremost Hungry Wolf closed in on Wang Zheng, wanting to grab him by the collar. But Wang Zheng advanced suddenly, turning it into a mask-against-mask situation, unnerving his opponent.
The guy kicked to the floor was called "Tree". He hurriedly held Wang Zheng back. "Brothers, please. This is my friend who does not know the rules. 50 hours is too much. 10? The normal rate is 10, isn't it?"
"F*ck off. How dare you interrupt when I'm speaking! I don't like the look of this guy. Charcoal, char your ass! 50 hours, and I'll beat you once for each minute less."
Wang Zheng shrugged free of Tree. He extended his hand, displaying 5 purple crystal cards. "Is it? That depends on your ability, though."
Saying that, he kept the cards. All 6 stared, and immediately surrounded Wang Zheng. Tree, at one side, was ignored.
Wang Zheng had not reacted. In front of him, light poured, and he was transported into a duel arena. He was surrounded by 6 guys, and Tree's face was ashen, helpless.
Team duel card!
Also known as the group beating card.
"Punk, we gave you an easy way out, but you didn't take it. We're gonna be rich now!" All 6 Hungry Wolves' eyes were gleaming with greed.
A group beating card was not cheap, unless one met an unbearably fat prize. Like this one!
"Boss, I'll go test the waters!"
After a victory, the winner could choose a card. One of them could wait no more.
A Blade Technique card appeared, and his body was infused with light. With a wild cry, he rushed Wang Zheng.
Wang Zheng rushed up as well. BOOM…
Wang Zheng had been handed his ass, left on the floor instead!
It was the first time in many years. F*ck, here the difference between having an art and not was indeed big.
Tree's face had lost the last vestiges of color. He knew that this Charcoal was well-meaning, but he had really gone and done it now. If he had not come, at most Tree would have taken a beating. But now this was worse. Besides, he could not give others his understanding. He would die before he let that happen!
Wang Zheng was not satisfied. He rushed up again, in a head-on confrontation. BOOM…
The other 5 Hungry Wolves had been a little worried that their opponent was an expert. But seeing the situation unfold, it looked like it was just an over-anxious newbie.
Wang Zheng picked himself up from the ground. He knew that if he did not use the Blade Techniques he would not win, so he took out his own Blade Techniques card.
Seeing Wang Zheng's Blade Techniques card's color, all 6 laughed loudly. "Clearly sick in the brain, although I haven't seen this brand of madness before. A basic stage Blade Techniques actually dares to try his hand at being a mafia?"
"Punk, does your family know you're so cool? Let us teach you a lesson today!"
All 6 were Advanced Stage Blade Techniques. 8 Point Blade Techniques was divided into Basic Stage, Intermediate Stage, Advanced Stage. Once Advanced Stage was reached, one could participate in the rank-up battles until one succeeded.
Normally in the Disciple level, those not at Advanced Stage moved with their tail between their legs. This punk had guts though. Trying to be a hero with only a Basic Stage card.
The Blade Technique entered him, and suddenly things changed. Whoosh…
Wang Zheng's figure disappeared, reappearing in front of his opponent. The opponent had just raised a hadn in response, when Wang Zheng's elbow scythed out, connecting directly at his throat.
PING…
Exploded.
One of the Hungry Wolves' bodies exploded into light fragments dissipating on the battlefield, and Wang Zheng's account gained another 18 hours and a few cards. Wang Zheng celebrated. He had finally found the most lucrative job.
The other 5 only responded then. They rushed up as one. Wang Zheng showed no quarter. He slipped like a fish through them, throwing blows that exploded them into fragments.
After a short while, the battlefield was empty, leaving just Wang Zheng and Tree. Both had been allocated the spoils equally.
After the battlefield faded, the two were still in Sanctuary.
Tree stared at a beaming Wang Zheng blankly. This… was a devil???
He had been in Saint for a few years, but had never heard of a Basic Stage Blade Techniques defeating an Advanced Stage Blade Techniques user. Furthermore, a 1 v 6???
The final spoils left Wang Zheng speechless. "Damn, a bunch of poor scum. Still trying to collect protection fees?!"
Clearly those that ventured out to do such things would not bring all their valuables with them. The few cards he got were trash, and not worth much at all.
"Big… big brother, I still have half here. I'll return it to you." Tree was shaking with fear now. This person was scary.
Wang Zheng waved it off. "Forget it, we'll split it. Besides, I wouldn't have found such a good deal without you. If you get beaten up next time, let me know."
Tree was stunned…
"Brother Charcoal, are you in need of money?" Tree suddenly asked.
"Of course. I'm no tycoon. From the looks of you, you're in the same boat, aren't you? Could it be that you're going to sponsor me?" Wang Zheng joked.
This one was something different also. To hold on despite being bullied. Since he couldn't beat them, he could have just run and be done with it.
"Brother Charcoal, I see you're a man of uncommon means. There are challenge competitions. Why don't you try your hand? The prize is 100 hours, and a random 16 Point Martial Arts card!" Tree said. This black-metal-masked man was strange.
Logically, those with such ability were not broke,
"Haha, there's such a thing? Come, bring me!" Hearing 100 hours, Wang Zheng's eyes glowed.
Wang Zheng then found out that his own tool panel was too sparse. Each month, the Disciple level held some limit challenges. This was the best way to get time and martial arts, especially for those who were unbelievably strong, yet inconvenienced in coin.
The place that Wang Zheng and Tree arrived in was crowded.
The Training Sanctuary.
Anybody with a little confidence and ability would come to try their hand here. The 8 Point Blade Techniques alone would not allow one to rise to the Acolyte level.
Today's challenge was the Knife Mountain Trial.