Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Elena bent down and wrote down the number, then tore off a check and handed it to him.

"But you need to write an IOU."

"Can."

"As for interest..."

She deliberately dragged out her words, as if deep in thought:

"Nine out, thirteen back—that's what they say in the Eastern Continent, isn't it?"

Xilun frowned slightly.

"Borrow 500, actually give 450, and finally pay back 650?"

"You actually know that?"

"In the southern colonies, the moneylenders are even more ruthless."

Xilun spoke calmly.

If you borrow money in a low-lying neighborhood, you're lucky if you can repay the principal and interest.

Many creditors simply do not want debtors to pay off their debts.

What they really want is a house, land, or the debtor himself.

Elena noticed the fleeting coldness in his eyes and stopped joking.

"Fine, I won't charge interest."

"Pay it back when you have the money."

Write the IOU as is.

Xilun did not refuse.

He borrowed paper and pen from the armory registrar, carefully wrote down the amount owed and the date, and finally signed his name.

Elena took the IOU, folded it neatly, and put it in her purse.

"Aren't you afraid I'll add a few strokes to it?"

"You won't."

"You trust me that much?"

"Given your status, there's no need for you to do something like this for a few hundred pounds."

Elena gave a soft hum.

"I thought you would say it's because we're friends who've been through thick and thin together."

That's one reason too.

Celen added.

Elena paused for a moment, then smiled slightly.

"You know how to talk."

After the delivery of 600 pounds, the "Cang Lei Spear Technique" was officially registered under Xilun's name.

According to the rules of the armory, the gun manual can only be read by him and cannot be copied or passed on to others without his permission.

Violation of this rule will result in the loss of one's inner court status at best, and the loss of one's physical strength at worst.

Xilun put the gun manual into a waterproof leather bag.

Elena returned to the registration desk and casually flipped through the course schedule next to her.

"You're lucky."

"Tomorrow morning, there will be a lecture on the Azure Thunder Spear Technique at the Tide Spear Academy."

"The instructor is a fourth-level master from the inner court. In his youth, he used this spear technique to kill a fourth-level sea beast at sea and has a deep understanding of the power of naval mines."

She tapped the course name with a quill pen.

"Do you want to go?"

"go."

Xilun did not hesitate.

"Don't be late, six o'clock in the morning."

Elena yawned and slumped back onto the table.

"I still have to guard the armory today. If you have nothing else to do, you should leave now, lest I see you and be reminded that I was forced to go out and hide for two weeks."

"Aldridge is here to see you again?"

"Sirlen asked."

Elena paused slightly in her quill.

"no."

The answer was too fast.

That's obviously not the truth.

Xilun glanced at her but didn't press the matter further.

The Sea Demon Temple wields immense power.

He is only at the third rank now, and he cannot even defeat Tinos with certainty, so he has no right to interfere in the affairs of the deputy temple master's son.

Getting involved rashly will only drag both yourself and Elena into danger.

"I'll go back first."

See you tomorrow.

By the time we left the armory, it was completely dark.

The lights of the monastery were reflected on the surface of East Lake.

Xilun returned to the quiet room along the lakeside path.

After closing the door, he first laid down a mysterious, chilling aura around the doors and windows as a precaution, and then placed the golden spear within easy reach.

Only then did he take out the "Cang Lei Spear Technique".

The blue-black gun pattern was placed on the table.

The four small silver characters on the cover flowed faintly under the light, like thunder submerged in seawater.

Xilun turned to the first page.

The Cang Lei Spear Technique is not simply a set of moves.

The first thirty pages are dedicated to explaining the characteristics of water and thunder, and how to avoid conflict between them in the major tendons.

The water system possesses a flexible and enduring power.

Lightning-type energy is fierce and swift.

If mixed directly, it often causes premature eruption within the major tendons, resulting in minor injuries to the body or, in severe cases, loss of sensation in the entire arm.

The solution of the Azure Thunder Spear Technique is to use water-based energy as an outer shell to envelop the thunderous force.

When firing a gun, the water flow precedes the gun.

The moment he made contact with the enemy, Lei Jin tore through the outer restraints.

This is somewhat similar to how Allah enveloped thunder in purple water in the Sea of ​​the Dead.

Of course, Allah's mines have already been transformed naturally.

The Cang Lei Spear Technique remains at the level of mutual cooperation.

But for Xiren now, that's enough.

He continued flipping through the pages.

The first step is to draw in the tide.

There are nine basic spear stances in total.

Each move has no fixed end point and can be connected to the others according to the enemy's movements and changes in the water's flow.

The second layer, thunderclap.

The key is not in the spear techniques, but in concealing one's internal strength.

The deeper the lightning energy is hidden, the more sudden its eruption will be.

The third level is the Thunderous Overturning of the Sea.

It requires the strength of the third-level extreme realm muscles and an extremely large reserve of energy.

When using it, first use the momentum of the spear to draw in the surrounding water vapor, and then use the force of thunder to detonate it all at once.

Xilun read through all the content in its entirety.

He did not get up to practice immediately.

The internal energy circulation in spear fighting is more important than the surface techniques.

Trying something rashly before fully understanding it could easily damage the newly repaired tendon again.

Xilun closed the spear manual and took out the book "The Golden Body Without Leaks".

Compared to the Azure Thunder Spear Technique, the requirements for the Flawless Golden Body are even more stringent.

Even just getting started requires five rare and extraordinary materials.

Two of them are not even on the regular exchange list in the inner courtyard.

Cultivators themselves must also have at least three physical levels at perfection.

The skin has been properly tempered.

Meat-making is complete.

The Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Technique) has reached its full potential.

In other words, one must at least reach the fourth level of extraordinary cultivation to be qualified to truly attempt cultivation.

Xilun has only completed the first two levels so far.

The third level of the Overturning Sea Technique has just crossed the starting point.

Even with all the materials, you can't force yourself to get started.

"Not enough."

Xilun closed his flawless golden body.

This method can seal off bodily vulnerabilities and reduce the corrosive effects of pollution, which is extremely important to him.

But the more this is the case, the less impatient we should be.

Otherwise, if the flawless golden body is not cultivated, it may instead completely seal the remnants of evil gods and various forms of pollution inside the body.

Xilun put away the books and sat cross-legged on the bed.

The Great Thunder Sound Breathing Technique was slowly activated.

The breathing sounds were initially very faint.

Then it gradually became low and deep, as if an ancient bronze bell was vibrating inside the chest.

hum.

The subtle vibrations penetrate the skin, muscles, and tendons.

Xilun controlled the intensity of the thunder, tempering his body little by little.

At the same time, Lei Ling slowly awoke from the depths of his blood and qi.

A wisp of bluish-white lightning traveled along the major tendon of his right arm and finally gathered in his palm.

Xilun did not allow it to erupt.

He recalled the records in the Azure Thunder Spear Technique and tried to use his affinity for water to condense a thin layer of water vapor to envelop the lightning.

sizzle.

The water vapor was instantly dispersed by the lightning as soon as it approached.

The first attempt failed.

Xilun remained unmoved.

Water vapor condenses again.

The second time, the lightning penetrated the water film, leaving a faint scorch mark on my palm.

the third time.

the fourth time.

It wasn't until the seventeenth time that the blue-white lightning finally remained still in the water film for a single breath.

The water film broke down after just one breath.

But a hint of understanding had appeared in Xilun's eyes.

The direction of the Azure Thunder Spear Technique is correct.

Thunder Spirit, Aquatic Talent, Storm Bloodline.

These three are inherently connected in some way.

If he can truly master this marksmanship, he might be able to further tap into the storm power dormant deep within his bloodline.

The night outside the window grew deeper and deeper.

Xilun tried again and again, only to fail time and time again.

Fine scorch marks gradually appeared on the palm of my hand.

But he didn't stop.

Late into the night, the lightning was finally stabilized and enveloped by the water film.

A pale blue light shone through the thin layer of water, illuminating Xilun's calm face.

Xilun opened his eyes.

The water film in his palm quietly dissipated, and the bluish-white lightning entered his flesh and blood.

……

The next morning, before the sky had fully brightened, a layer of light white mist rose from East Lake.

Xilun finished his breathing exercises for the night.

He opened his right hand, and water vapor silently gathered in his palm, forming a thin film of water as thin as a cicada's wing.

A bluish-white lightning bolt emerged from deep within the flesh and blood, was enveloped by a film of water, and remained still for three breaths.

sizzle.

Just after the fourth breath, a thin crack appeared on the surface of the water film.

The lightning then dissipated.

Xilun looked down at his palm and did not continue trying.

After practicing more than ten times a night, he had roughly figured out Lei Ling's current limits.

If you only control it in your palm, maintaining it for three breaths is not difficult. But once you push it along the tendons to your arm, the water membrane will be subjected to the dual impact of blood and qi and the tidal force of the Overturning Sea Technique, and it will shatter instantly.

When actually used in guns, it would be even more difficult.

After all, the gun barrel is several feet long.

From the palm to the spearhead, the force of the naval mine needs to go through several turns, and must also be coordinated with the waist, back, tendons and footwork.

If there is any deviation, the Thunder Force will erupt prematurely.

"Just understanding it doesn't mean you can use it."

Xilun folded his five fingers together.

The remaining moisture in my palm turned into a few drops of water, which dripped down between my fingers.

He was not complacent about the progress made last night.

Gunmanship is the art of killing.

Even if you practice a thousand times, you can't be considered to have fully mastered it until you actually face the enemy.

Xilun changed into a clean set of inner and outer robes from the disciplinary academy, wrapped the golden spear in black cloth, slung it over his back, and then glanced at the timetable on the table.

The Chaoqiang Lecture Hall is not located in the main building in the inner courtyard.

The teaching location is called Thunder Cliff, located on the mountainside north of the Holy Light Monastery.

It was originally a place specifically for extraordinary practitioners of water and thunder magic to cultivate. Because of its treacherous terrain, water vapor would gather there all year round, and on rainy days, muffled thunder would be heard from the cliffs.

The person in charge of giving the lectures was Elder Swain.

Xilun put the "Cang Lei Spear Technique" into a waterproof leather bag, pushed open the door, and walked out of the quiet room.

The monastery was very quiet in the early morning.

Several disciples from the ascetic branch, shirtless, were washing their bodies with ice water by the lake.

From the woods further away, the faint sound of a long sword cutting through the wind could be heard.

Two apprentices from the Pharmacy Department carried bamboo baskets and collected the dew that had not yet evaporated from the leaves along the stone path.

West London headed north.

The closer you get to Thunderclap Cliff, the higher the terrain becomes.

East Lake gradually fell behind, and the trees on both sides of the stone steps became shorter.

Moist air wafted in on the mountain breeze, carrying the mixed scents of rocks, moss, and rainwater.

As we rounded a bend, we heard laughter and conversation coming from ahead.

Three or four inner court disciples stood beside a black stone inscribed with the words "Ming Lei Cliff".

Elena was among them.

She changed into a fitted dark gray inner court uniform, with two swords hanging at her waist and a silver-gray rope wrapped around her left wrist.

After these days of rest, her injuries have largely healed, but her complexion is still slightly paler than usual.

She was speaking to a burly man.

The man was about thirty years old, with rough skin, his hands covered with thick calluses from practicing shooting, and an honest and kind face.

Even dressed in an inner courtyard robe, he couldn't hide the air of someone who had toiled in the wind and rain year after year.

The other person was a young woman in her late twenties.

She had charming eyes and eyebrows, her long reddish-brown hair was tied back, and she wore a light purple long coat.

The lapels and cuffs were embroidered with intricate patterns, which was out of place with the simple attire of the monastery disciples.

The young woman spoke with a beaming smile.

Whether facing Elena or the silent man, she could naturally keep up with the conversation and ensure that no one felt left out.

The woman's eyes lit up slightly when she saw Xilun approaching.

"Is this Junior Brother Xilun, who entered the Inner Court along with Junior Sister Elena?"

Her voice was soft, with a slight upward inflection at the end, naturally conveying a sense of intimacy.

Xilun stopped in his tracks.

He was certain that he had never met the other person.

"I am Xilun."

"It really was you."

The woman covered her mouth and smiled, looking him up and down, but did not show any offensive behavior.

"These past few days, quite a few people in the monastery have been talking about you. You brought back evidence of more than forty pirates in the battle of the Black Abyss Forest, and you also brought back the body of Blue Sword Hogg with your junior sister Elena."

Among the newly recruited disciples in the inner courtyard, your reputation is the greatest.

"Just lucky."

Xilun neither admitted nor explained.

The real cause of Hogg's death involves too many factors.

Even if Allah has already realized that the marks on the body were not left by one person, Siron will not tell anyone unless Allah asks him directly.

The woman clearly knew how to behave appropriately.

Seeing that Xilun was unwilling to talk about the Black Abyss Forest, she immediately changed the subject.

"I forgot to introduce myself."

"My name is Veronica, and I'm actually related to my junior sister Elena."

My maternal grandmother and her paternal grandmother were from the same clan, though they were quite distant, but I could still be considered her cousin.

Elena crossed her arms and added casually:

"Every time she brings up this relationship, it's usually because she wants to get something out of me."

"Your words are quite hurtful."

Veronica sighed softly, her expression subtly revealing a hint of grievance.

"I heard you were injured, so I specially sent you two bottles of top-quality medicinal wine. How can that be considered taking advantage of me?"

"Those two bottles of medicinal wine sell for fifteen pounds outside. The thing you asked my father to do for you is worth at least one hundred and fifty pounds."

"Shouldn't such meticulous calculations among relatives damage relationships?"

"So you've never suffered a loss."

Elena showed no mercy.

The rough-looking man beside him kept his head down, as if he was already used to this conversation.

Veronica wasn't angry; instead, she smiled and said:

"Junior Brother Xilun, did you hear that? Elena has always had this temper since she was a child."

Everyone says she's aloof, but she's just shy and embarrassed to admit she cares about others.

Elena's gaze turned cold.

"If you say another word, I'll throw you off this cliff."

Clouds and mist churned at the edge of Thunderclap Cliff, which was at least several hundred feet below.

Veronica glanced at the edge of the cliff and naturally stepped back behind the burly man.

"Elder Swain's disciple is here, you can't make a move."

The rough-looking man looked slightly helpless when he heard his name being dragged into this.

He nodded to Xilun.

"My name is Bruno."

His voice was muffled, and his words were brief.

Xilun nodded in return.

He sensed a heavy and restrained aura emanating from Bruno.

The other person was simply standing quietly, yet he resembled a reef that had been eroded by the sea for many years, his feet almost merging with the ground.

Third-order extreme realm.

Moreover, its foundation is extremely solid.

If I'm not mistaken, this honest-looking man should be Elder Swain's personal disciple.

Veronica stepped out from behind Bruno again.

"Junior Brother Xilun, I opened a restaurant called Drunken Flower House at the foot of the monastery mountain."

"There are fine wines and extraordinary ingredients brought from all over the world, and young and beautiful girls to serve you. When you are tired from cultivation, you may wish to go and sit down."

"Just mention my name, and you'll get a 20% discount on your first visit."

Xilun glanced at her.

Only then did he understand why the other party was so enthusiastic.

"So it was a sales pitch."

"To do business, you naturally need to make more friends."

Veronica showed no embarrassment at being exposed; instead, her smile became even brighter.

"But I'm not lying to you. The food and drinks at Zuihuaju are very famous in this area, and many monastery teachers and elders also patronize it occasionally."

"I'll go if I have the chance."

Xilun made a polite remark.

He wasn't very interested in so-called pretty girls.

As for the food and drinks, the monastery's exceptional ingredients are expensive enough.

With only a few hundred pounds left and debts to pay, he simply doesn't have the spare money to enjoy himself in a place like this.

Veronica seemed to see through his perfunctory attitude.

Her eyes flickered slightly, and her tone suddenly changed.

"Of course, Zuihuaju is not just a place to eat and drink."

"We also receive extraordinary individuals and act as a matchmaker for families, caravans, and workshops."

If Junior Brother Xilun urgently needs money, he can also come to me.

"I know many families and forces that urgently need the protection of extraordinary individuals. Some are escorting goods, some are clearing out sea monsters, and some are dealing with troubles that are not convenient for the monastery to know about."

She spoke her last words very softly.

Elena frowned.

"Don't introduce him to any shady dealings."

"How could that be?"

Veronica looked completely innocent.

"I'm doing legitimate business; at most, my employer just doesn't want to make a fuss. Besides, I know the rules of the monastery very well, and I won't cause any trouble for your correctional institution."

Xilun seemed to be deep in thought.

He is indeed short of money right now.

After purchasing the "Cang Lei Spear Technique," I no longer had enough cash to support long-term training.

The materials required for the Breath of the Styx are expensive, the Thunder Spirit needs thunder-based nourishment, and the Flawless Golden Body is more like a bottomless pit that can't be seen yet.

The limited resources distributed monthly by the inner court are far from sufficient.

If a suitable exceptional commission comes along, it's worth a try.

"I'll go check it out when I need to."

This time, Xilun's tone was more serious.

Veronica immediately noticed the change.

She took out a business card with a faint floral scent from her sleeve and handed it to Xilun.

The address of Zuihuaju was written in gold lettering on the front of the business card.

Behind it is a blooming red sea flower.

"I'm ready to serve you anytime."

A deep, resonant chime suddenly came from afar.

clang.

The water vapor between the cliffs trembled gently.

Bruno looked up at the sky.

"The lecture is about to begin."

Veronica wasn't there to listen to the lecture, so upon hearing this, she bid farewell to everyone.

Before leaving, she winked at Xilun.

"Remember to come find me."

After saying that, she opened a delicate little black umbrella and walked down the stone steps.