Stop flattering me, system! I'm about to become a saint!

Chapter 13 Unwavering Asceticism

After Li Liang learned the "Eight Forms of Self-Sacrifice," Yang Song also took up the stance and began practicing this sword technique.

Sun Tao was watching closely from the sidelines, so he had to work very hard.

Even as your cultivation deepens, you dare not slack off in the slightest, and remain as diligent as ever.

If someone else possessed your extraordinary talent, they would probably have abandoned their spiritual practice long ago and indulged in pleasure. Why would they be willing to persevere in their arduous cultivation like you?

[Reward: Five days' worth of cultivation points]

"..."

Yang Song paused in his sword-wielding motion. If Sun Tao hadn't been watching him closely, he wouldn't have wanted to practice.

With your extraordinary talent and diligence, how could the other young people in the martial arts academy possibly keep up with you?

They could have shone, but your brilliance dimmed them. Every time you think of this, your heart aches, and you can no longer continue practicing your swordplay.

[Reward: Six days of cultivation points]

"Yang Song, don't get distracted."

Yang Song had only paused for two breaths when Sun Tao shouted, his tone stern.

Left with no other choice, he could only continue swinging his knife.

You originally wanted to pause and give the teenagers a chance to catch up with you, so that they could keep up with your figure.

But when you think of the countless people still suffering in misery, you realize that you can't wait any longer.

For the sake of all living beings, you have no other choice!

[Reward: Six days of cultivation points]

"That's really good."

While marveling at the system's eloquence, Yang Song continued to practice diligently.

They practiced without stopping until noon, when everyone stopped amidst the sound of gongs.

It's lunchtime.

Yang Song glanced at the crowd; everyone's clothes were soaked with sweat, and their eyes showed exhaustion.

But he was full of energy, and his spirit was indescribable.

The system would occasionally reward him with increased skill, which would completely wipe away his fatigue. Even though he had been practicing swordsmanship for more than two hours, his body was still in peak condition.

Name: Yang Song

[Realm: Body Tempering Realm (Late Stage)]

[Power Level: 1 years and 201 days of power]

[Technique: None]

[Martial Arts: Mountain-Pushing Palm (Low Grade) (Return to Simplicity), Eight Forms of Self-Sacrifice (High Grade) (Return to Simplicity)]

On his way to the backyard, Yang Song brought up his attribute panel and took a look.

"The Eight Forms of Self-Sacrifice are actually a high-grade martial art?"

Yang Song was a little surprised; he hadn't expected to learn such profound martial arts at the martial arts academy.

I learned from my predecessor's memories that the highest level of martial arts techniques circulating outside the sect was only of the superior grade.

To cultivate higher-level martial arts techniques, one must join a sect.

However, the amount of merit required to exchange for high-grade martial arts techniques at the county governor's office is extremely large.

Capturing fugitives, slaying monsters, and offering rare and precious treasures require years of accumulation to gather enough.

"The Eight Self-Sacrifice Techniques are powerful, but they are too ferocious, with each move involving risking one's life for another."

It's fine when facing someone of equal cultivation level, but fighting someone of a higher level is like injuring the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred of your own strength.

Fortunately, I've mastered this sword technique to a state of near-perfect simplicity, achieving complete control and mastery.

As he pondered, Yang Song pursed his lips.

He had been talking to himself for so long, hoping to get a reward from the system, but nothing happened.

"never mind."

Yang Song shook his head, deciding to stop thinking about it and just let things take their course.

He closed the attribute panel, glanced around, and realized that he was the only one left. Everyone else had lined up in the backyard, waiting to receive their lunch.

"Brother Yang."

Just as Yang Song reached the end of the line, Li Liang walked over carrying a large bowl in both hands.

A large bowl is piled high with tempting pieces of braised pork, beneath which sits fragrant white rice.

"Brother Yang, you can have this bowl of rice. I'll just wait in line."

Yang Song was initially surprised, then waved his hand and refused: "No, I can queue up myself, you eat yours."

Without saying a word, Li Liang shoved the large bowl into Yang Song's arms: "I rushed to the backyard to get the food so that you wouldn't have to wait in line."

If you don't eat, I'll smash the bowl!

"...Okay, thank you."

Left with no other choice, Yang Song had to catch the large bowl.

"Hey, Brother Yang, why are you thanking me?"

"I should be thanking you for teaching me swordsmanship so generously. You've been so kind to me."

After a pause, Li Liang said with a look of shame, "At Xiangmanlou, I was hiding on the sidelines watching the whole time..."

"Stop it."

Before Li Liang could finish speaking, Yang Song called for a halt.

"When we left the county magistrate's office this morning, you were already apologizing to me. I'm so tired of hearing it."

Save your energy for practicing your skills later.

Yang Song left those words and walked towards a side room.

Then, like the other teenagers, they sat on the steps and ate the rice in their bowls.

After eating only two pieces of meat, Lu Qiyang sat down next to him.

Yang Song glanced at the man sideways and said bluntly, "What's up? You're not trying to cause me trouble, are you?"

"How could that be?"

Lu Qiyang reacted strongly and quickly explained, "How could I have the guts? If the commander finds out, he'll skin me alive."

Yang Song raised his eyebrows slightly.

"I'd like to make friends with you. If it's convenient, I hope you can give me some pointers on my swordsmanship in the future."

Lu Qiyang spoke very sincerely, and his expression did not seem fake.

The hardest thing in the world is to know your own worth.

Lu Qiyang is so young yet he can understand this principle; no wonder he stands out among his peers.

This kid's got some talent. Not only does he have self-awareness, but he also knows how to curry favor with powerful figures. Given time, he'll definitely amount to something extraordinary!

[Reward: Seven days of cultivation points]

After listening to the system's words, Yang Song understood.

Lu Qiyang had no ulterior motives; he truly meant no harm.

"Brother Yang, I'm serious."

Seeing that Yang Song remained silent, Lu Qiyang immediately took out a long wooden box from his pocket. Inside were seven or eight ginseng slices of uniform thickness, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance.

"Brother Yang, here, this is just a small token of my appreciation."

Yang Song looked at Lu Qiyang in surprise. This kid was actually so generous?

The ginseng slices in the wooden box are probably quite valuable, worth a lot of money.

What are you doing?

Just then, Li Liang walked over carrying a large bowl.

He stared at Lu Qiyang with hostile eyes: "Was there poison smeared on the ginseng slices?"

"How is that possible?"

Lu Qiyang cried out his innocence: "If I had poisoned the ginseng slices, may I be struck by lightning!"

Li Liang curled his lip: "Many people make oaths, but no one has ever suffered retribution. Who would believe such nonsense?"

I believe you.

Yang Song said firmly.

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. Lu Qiyang took the initiative to show goodwill and adopted a very humble attitude. There was no need for him to push Lu Qiyang away and cause unnecessary conflict.

"Brother Yang!"

Li Liang exclaimed excitedly, "Have you forgotten what happened last night?"

Yang Song thought for a moment and said, "I appreciate your kindness, but please take the ginseng back. I cannot accept a gift without having done anything for it."