Three Immortal Swords

In the backyard of the county office, Tan Zhen'an was practicing a set of powerful fist techniques. Each strike produced a deep sound that resonated like a war drum, causing those around him to feel a sense of tension.

After a while, Tan Zhen'an stopped and turned to Hua Shizhong. "Have you thoroughly investigated the matter?" he asked.

Hua Shizhong nodded. "Yes, I have. The best inner strength practitioner in Pingyin County is Hua Linjin of the Zhao Family. He was brought back by the Zhao Family's ancestors from outside the county. He's not considered weak even in the Visceral Tempering Realm. And there are also the Li Family's Water Drop Sword and the Zhang Family's Sky Treading Sparrow techniques, both of which are extraordinary."

"Bring some people back in ten days and retrieve these cultivation techniques," Tan Zhen'an ordered.

"But I'm afraid those people won't agree," Hua Shizhong said.

"Find an excuse and ally with a few aristocratic families. There will always be someone willing to help us act as the vanguard," Tan Zhen'an replied.

Hua Shizhong smiled cruelly. This was his favorite thing to do. Getting these aristocratic families to surrender their resources was just the beginning. The next step was to devour a portion of the families and seize their assets. This would minimize resistance and maximize benefits.

"Oh, and a few friends from the Green Forest want to join us. Do you want to accept them?" Hua Shizhong asked.

"Do as you see fit," Tan Zhen'an replied, taking a sip of tea. "After you get those secret manuals, send them directly to me."

Hua Shizhong bowed and watched Tan Zhen'an return to his study with reverence in his eyes.

The following morning, the Zhang family approached Chen Fei with a request to refine the Qi Rejuvenation Pill. The rebel army had demanded not only silver but also a large number of medicinal pills and grain from all the aristocratic families in Pingyin County, leaving them in a desperate situation.

In the face of such a powerful force, these usually arrogant aristocratic families seemed no different from ordinary people.

Although Chen Fei did not have a good relationship with the Zhang family and had even reneged on his promise to share the formula for the Light Spirit Pill last time, he agreed to their request after careful consideration. After all, staying with the Zhang family was still relatively safe, and he didn't know when he could leave Pingyin County, given the dangers outside.

Chen Fei's cultivation was too weak, and he lacked the experience of surviving in the wild. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to complete his mission if he traveled a long distance.

The refining task the Zhang family gave him was indeed heavy for an ordinary alchemist. But Chen Fei had already perfected the formula for the Qi Rejuvenation Pill and was able to produce the maximum number of pills from each furnace, which meant he only needed four hours to complete the task.

He kept the remaining medicinal herbs for himself since there were no more available in Pingyin County, and it was impossible to hire refugees to leave the city due to the rebel army's blockade.

At the black market.

After being closed for three days, the black market quietly reopened. However, compared to its former liveliness, the dark market was now deserted, with food and medicinal pills being the most sought-after items.

Food was a given, but pills could be traded for some food from the aristocratic families. In the end, eating was the most important thing.

"Is there really no way to leave Pingyin County?" Chen Fei asked Chi Defeng as they sat in a small house. Despite Chi Defeng always fooling Chen Fei with fake medicine, the two of them had a good relationship.

Chen Fei knew that Chi Defeng, having been a black market peddler for so many years, was undoubtedly much stronger than him in terms of social connections.

"There is a way to leave Pingyin County, but we don't have any caravans going to the Cloud Sword Sect," Chi Defeng said helplessly as he reclined on a chair.

"I don't have to go directly to the Cloud Sword Sect. I can go to other places first," Chen Fei whispered.

As the various aristocratic families handed over supplies and the rebel army restrained their soldiers, Pingyin County was only a little quieter than usual, with no major killings or looting. However, perhaps due to his cultivation of the Clear Heart Formula, Chen Fei felt a storm brewing. Something else might happen ten days later.

Before that, if there was a chance, Chen Fei still hoped to leave Pingyin County.

"No, there isn't," Chi Defeng shook his head, "there were already very few caravans before, and recently, there hasn't been a single one."

"What are your plans then?" Chen Fei asked Chi Defeng in confusion. This shrewd man must have a backup plan.

"Wait for these rebels to leave," Chi Defeng stood up and rubbed his waist. "Those rebel soldiers are targeting those aristocratic families. No one cares about civilians like us. As long as we are careful, we can get through this."

Chen Fei looked at Chi Defeng suspiciously but said nothing, turning and leaving the black market

As time passed, the Zhang family came to collect the Qi Rejuvenation Pills every day, and the security of Pingyin County began to deteriorate. The restrained soldiers gradually started to show their true nature, and robbery and murder started to appear in Pingyin County.

Most were committed by the rebel army, and some by the people of Pingyin County themselves. In such an environment, the evil in some people's hearts found its way out.

Chen Fei listened to the occasional cries and did nothing, as it was beyond his ability. Instead, he worked harder to cultivate, never wasting a moment. 

Chen Fei was unsure if it was due to the pressure, but on the fifth day, he managed to crack the recipe for the Light Spirit Pill and successfully made it for the first time.

[Alchemy Technique: Light Spirit Pill (Beginner 1/100)]

"Simplifying the Light Spirit Pill... Simplification was successful... Light Spirit Pill to Qi Rejuvenation Pill!"

A smile appeared on Chen Fei's face as he couldn't buy any medicine on the market lately. Now that he could make the Light Spirit Pill, he could finally be self-sufficient with the materials he had saved up.

On the eighth day, the three martial arts secret manuals he received from the Zhang family were completely integrated by Chen Fei.

[Martial Arts: Ascending Clouds Steps (Great Completion)]

Compared to the Cloud Crossing he had before, Chen Fei's speed had now fully increased to his previous brisk walking state. If he briskly walked now, there was a feeling of lightning-fast speed.

Although it might be a bit exaggerated, Chen Fei's martial arts had indeed improved.

On the eleventh day, in the evening, Chen Fei buried his head in cold water.

At some point, the world seemed to become quiet. Chen Fei stood up unconsciously, looking at the surroundings and sensing every thought that floated through his mind.

A feeling of complete control over himself rose in Chen Fei's heart.

Instinctively, he picked up the long sword next to him and used the Fire Sword.

Although he had already practiced the Fire Sword to Great Completion, he had never felt as thorough as he did now.

In a moment of contemplation, the Immortal Way shot out instantly.

The next moment, three sword lights flashed, finally merging into one in mid-air, flickering for a moment before slowly dissipating.

Chen Fei joyfully watched the sword light. Just now, he had used the Immortal Way three times in an instant, which was impossible in the past. But today, he did it.

"Three Immortal Swords?"

"Bzzzt!"

Chen Fei muttered to himself when a sudden dizziness attacked his brain. He stumbled and leaned against the wall.

After a while, Chen Fei opened his eyes and found that the feeling of control he had just experienced was gone.