2 The Simple Cultivation Method

Qin Shu sat up and stood in the stone house. He threw a punch into the empty air with unwavering focus, and the numerical value of the Space-Breaking Fist on the interface instantly advanced by one point.

"This rate of cultivation is nothing short of genius, or perhaps even more remarkable."

A smile graced Qin Shu's face, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily lifted. Yet, he did not cease the motion of his fist.

In less time than it took to savor a cup of tea, Qin Shu's Space-Breaking Fist inched closer to the 99/100 threshold. Just one more punch, and he would ascend to the Entry Level.

"Breakthrough!" Qin Shu declared, releasing a deep breath as he propelled another punch into the void.

A distinct tearing sound resonated from within Qin Shu's body, the sheer force of his spiritual energy causing his sleeves to shatter and expose his robust arms. Upon his pale skin, a blood-red lotus flower emblem stood as an indelible mark. It had accompanied him for over two decades, causing no discernible side effects.

"I've broken through!"

Qin Shu's jubilation radiated as he once again circulated the spiritual energy throughout his body. The density of the energy seemed greater than before, and the flow of blood within his internal organs raced at a visibly accelerated pace.

"Level 5 Qi Refinement!"

Qin Shu's gaze locked onto the interface, and his heart lightened. Even in a confrontation with Wang He, he now held the confidence to emerge victorious.

"I must hasten my cultivation. Wang He may not concern me presently, but his brother, who has already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, is a formidable adversary."

A somber expression crossed Qin Shu's features. His foremost concern lay not in what Wang He might do to him, but rather in the relentless pursuit of vengeance that Wang He's brother would undoubtedly undertake upon his sibling's demise.

"If I seek to accelerate my cultivation, there's a path to do so."

Qin Shu turned his attention back to the Blood Burning Technique. With his current system and the Blood Burning Technique at his disposal, his cultivation rate was poised to soar like a rocket. However, this method came at a great physical cost.

Fortunately, he possessed the Life-Preserving Technique. Armed with this, and a supply of elixirs, the harm wrought by the Burning Blood Technique could be mitigated.

As Qin Shu took hold of the Burning Blood Technique, a notification from the system chimed in.

[Beep. Burning Blood Technique detected. Would you like to expend ten years of lifespan to simplify it?]

"Indeed!" Qin Shu affirmed, his determination unwavering. As he spoke, his lifespan dwindled to 30 years, and his vital essence weakened somewhat.

However, relying on the Life-Preserving Technique, he could recuperate a substantial portion of his lifespan in a single day.

Rather than plunging directly into cultivation after completing the simplification, Qin Shu initiated his spiritual energy, igniting the Burning Blood Technique. Then, he resumed his practice of the Space-Breaking Fist.

Theft, at worst, would lead to demotion to a servant disciple. However, the revelation of the Blood Burning Technique could jeopardize his standing as an outer sect disciple, as his credibility was far from assured.

Furthermore, this technique, while accelerating cultivation, devoured a significant amount of spiritual power. Without an ample supply of Spiritual Energy Elixirs to sustain the process, ordinary individuals would shy away from cultivating the Burning Blood Technique.

A single Spiritual Energy Elixir commanded a price of five spirit stones. After scouring his bag, Qin Shu unearthed a mere ten spirit stones. As for the bag containing the Blood Burning Technique, it held not a single spirit stone within its confines.

The foremost concern now was how to procure spirit stones.

Qin Shu promptly dismissed the idea of selling his fellow disciples' black iron swords and other items. Firstly, he lacked the means to do so discreetly. Secondly, if his involvement were to be uncovered, he'd likely find himself escorted directly to the Law Enforcement Hall.

"What should I do?" Qin Shu began to worry.

Just then, a commotion outside his door caught his attention, accompanied by a familiar voice.

"Qin Shu, come out and confess immediately! Not only have you stolen the belongings of your fellow disciples without permission, but you've also dabbled in the forbidden arts, cultivating the Burning Blood Technique. Do you truly believe the Law Enforcement Hall doesn't exist?"

"As expected, what is feared often comes to pass."

A glint of menace flickered in Qin Shu's eyes but was swiftly suppressed.

Outside Qin Shu's stone house, a group of individuals with stern countenances blocked the entrance.

The one at the forefront donned a dark robe and sported a sly expression.

There were several others brandishing weapons followed closely behind. Their dark-robed attire bore the insignia 'Law,' signifying their affiliation with the Blackheaven Sect's outer court Law Enforcement Hall.

"Brother Wang He, do you genuinely believe that Qin Shu possesses such audacity? Let's not even discuss theft; cultivation of the Burning Blood Technique is unequivocally prohibited," an outer court disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall queried.

This individual sported a face bristling with stubble and a robust physique, his clothing appearing on the verge of bursting. He firmly gripped an iron rod. Despite his current expression, a gleam of curiosity sparkled in his eyes, overlaid by a subtle, fierce light.

He was Xiong Tie, one of the outer court deacons of the Enforcement Hall, an accomplished peak Level 5 Qi Refinement expert.

"Brother Tie, a few days ago, I sensed something amiss with Junior Brother Qin. He seemed perpetually anxious. Subsequently, I discovered that he frequented the black market, prompting me to tail him covertly."

He continued. "I found that he first sold Senior Brother Wang's Black Iron Sword, then he went to the Field Mouse, a regular peddler of cultivation techniques. He engaged in a covert exchange for a storage bag."

"I was concerned that Junior Brother Qin might fall victim to deception, so I apprehended Field Mouse and interrogated him. To my shock, it became evident that Junior Brother Qin had descended into madness due to an obsessive fixation on elevating his cultivation realm."

"Nonetheless, as outer sect disciples of the Blackheaven Sect, I cannot turn a blind eye. I implore Brother Tie to extend clemency and spare Junior Brother Qin's life."

Wang He appeared visibly disappointed and emitted a series of disheartened sighs.

"Very well, given our shared sect allegiance, I will advocate on behalf of Junior Brother Qin before the elders. Brother Wang needn't worry." Xiong Tie nodded with an air of solemnity in response.

"Indeed, I shall open the door for Senior Brother Zhao. Junior Brother Qin may have succumbed to madness. Timely intervention is imperative."

Wang He promptly advanced and seized the door handle, his excitement palpable.

The previous night, he had orchestrated a vicious scheme with no intention of sparing Qin Shu's life. Qin Shu's death would divert attention away from his recent illegal sales of forbidden techniques and shift blame for recent thefts onto Qin Shu.

What a great solution to both problems.

"You don't need to intercede on my behalf."

Just as Wang He's hand reached for the door, his anticipation brimming with fantasies of success, the door swung open of its own accord. Qin Shu emerged unhurriedly and surveyed the individuals encircling his doorway. He spoke with a composed demeanor.

"You... How is this possible?"

"Junior Brother Qin, confess swiftly! Perhaps leniency can mitigate your punishment and spare your life." Wang He's countenance transformed from shock to disbelief. However, he swiftly corrected himself, realizing he had misspoken.

"I disagree."

"Junior Brother Qin, I have witnessed your actions first hand. If you are taken to the Law Enforcement Hall, physical suffering shall be the least of your concerns," Wang He offered friendly advice, but a sly smile had already crept onto his face. Though he remained uncertain about how Qin Shu had survived, the Burning Blood Technique and the storage bag were now in Qin Shu's possession. There was no escape from the accusations.

"Is that so? What if I were to assert that last night's events were recorded? Would you believe me?" Qin Shu chortled heartily, casting a smiling gaze toward Wang He.

"Brother Tie, please apprehend Junior Brother Qin. He has lost his sanity and is speaking incoherently," Wang He urged, a sudden discomfiture plaguing him.

"Qin Shu, despite your past acts of kindness, the black iron sword within that storage bag was found on you. The evidence is incontrovertible." Several disciples encircled Qin Shu, conducting a thorough search before handing a storage bag to Xiong Tie. He examined it attentively with his spiritual power, his expression growing increasingly serious.

"Who says it belongs to me? If someone seeks to frame me, they could still report it to the authorities. Isn't that correct, Senior Brother Wang?"

"You are not Junior Brother Qin; you are merely pretending!" Upon observing Qin Shu retrieve the Fallen Shadow Stone, a cold gleam surfaced in Wang He's eyes. He applied pressure to his feet, delivering a punch to Qin Shu without restraint.

His punch contained nearly all the vitality coursing through his body. Under normal circumstances, even a Level 5 Qi Refinement expert would struggle to withstand such an attack.

However, at that precise moment...

Qin Shu bent slightly, left hand clenched into a fist, beckoning the surrounding spiritual energy to flow into his body. As Wang He's fist closed in on his face, Qin Shu retaliated with a punch of his own. It was as if a formidable tiger had descended from the mountains, emanating an imposing aura without the slightest hint of anger!