"There aren't many cultivation techniques here."
The room housing the treasured cultivation techniques was not large, with only three cabinets filled with secret books.
Lin Fan casually pulled out a book and opened it. Inside, there were many annotations, insights from the person who compiled the book regarding the cultivation of this technique. Turning to the last page, there was a name written.
"Demon Hunting Mansion, Mu Bai."
The people staying at the Demon Hunting Mansion were mostly young masters from noble families. They came here to accumulate enough merit and prepare for the Immortal Sect examinations in the future.
Therefore, unless the matter involved demons or monsters, the people of the Demon Hunting Mansion usually wouldn't interfere.
"Well, not bad. At least someone here in the Demon Hunting Mansion cared enough to leave behind some secret books. Guess they're decent folks."
Lin Fan carefully selected a book.
So far, he hadn't found any first-class cultivation techniques; they were all unranked, third-class, or second-class.
"Looks like the good stuff is being hidden away."
Suddenly,
Lin Fan discovered a cultivation technique that seemed promising.
"Head of Steel."
Second-class.
After pondering for a moment, he decided on this cultivation technique.
Paired with "Wild Boar Charge," it would definitely unleash even greater power.
At present, every time he used his head to ram people, he felt like his skull could explode at any moment.
For the sake of his own head, this cultivation technique was absolutely necessary.
When he left, he didn't see Li Zhiyong.
Thus, he didn't linger at the Demon Hunting Mansion.
If he encountered Li Zhiyong, he truly wanted to know more about that formidable faction. Even though it was terrifying and dangerous, it also represented more potential loot.
The government-provided residential area.
"Hm, training this technique is a bit tough," Lin Fan muttered as he flipped through the secret book, studying it attentively. The annotations were very thorough, detailing potential issues during cultivation and how various herbs could assist in the process.
Head of Steel (Second-class): External hardening skill, embodying the force of masculinity, combined with inner resilience. It is composed of the techniques Bronze Attendant Bowing to the Buddha, Diamond Lifting the Cauldron, Golden Boy Striking the Drum, and Diamond Striking the Bell.
This Head of Steel technique incorporates the Hunyuan Stance, supported by inner strength.
In the backyard.
Lin Fan approached a tree, placing his palm on the rough bark. This would be the first step in cultivating Head of Steel—it required gradual progression and could not be forced.
He had already memorized the cultivation method for Head of Steel. Looking around to ensure no one was watching, he finally exhaled in relief.
"Here I go."
Lin Fan lowered his head and charged straight at the tree bark. The force was mutual. He only felt his head buzzing and a sharp pain.
"What kind of lousy auxiliary method is this? By logic, shouldn't I instantly master it?"
Feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness, he thought to himself that for the sake of dominating the midgame, the early game's steady grind was indeed necessary. Endure hardship to rise above others!
A little extra effort and suffering didn't bother him.
As long as it worked, that was all that mattered.
Bang!
Bang!
In the backyard, Lin Fan fully immersed himself in cultivation. The tree, as thick as a bowl's rim, shook violently with each impact, sending its leaves cascading down like rain.
An hour later.
"Is it an earthquake? Why is the sky spinning like this?" Lin Fan felt dizzy, stumbling as if he couldn't walk straight. Soon, blood trickled into his eyes—he had cracked his head open.
"Damn it! This is too painful!"
Lin Fan spread his legs, slowly squatted down, and began deep breathing, entering the Hunyuan Stance to cultivate the inner strength specific to Head of Steel.
Before long,
Threads of inner strength started flowing within his body, gradually increasing until a thumb-thick stream surged to his head. In an instant, his mind became much clearer, and the dizziness vanished.
The pain in his head also eased significantly.
"Ah, Wild Boar Demon, your innate divine ability just isn't powerful enough. If it were, I wouldn't need to suffer through training Head of Steel."
Lin Fan muttered to himself. The Wild Boar Demon's divine ability made him tough and durable, but with no inner strength, its defense was hard to penetrate. Yet, these days, everyone he encountered possessed cultivation.
If he charged at them recklessly with his head, it'd probably result in him splattering his brains everywhere.
Jiangdu City, at the docks.
"Sun Tao and Lu Nian are both dead," reported a man inside a room. "Sun Tao escaped prison but was killed by Lin Fan. Lu Nian was mistaken for an assassin and murdered in a teahouse. After examining his body, I found that he didn't have the silver note. I suspect he took our silver taels and fled."
Smash!
Listening to the report, the Serpent Gang's Third Master, Nu Hetian, smashed his teacup on the ground, his face dark and terrifying, "That bastard! Took the silver taels, killed my men, what the hell! He deserves to die!"
Then, as if struck by a thought.
"Did they recover the ledger?"
Nu Hetian was most concerned about this issue. If the ledger fell into their hands, it'd cause serious trouble since the information it contained was far from simple, with implications spanning wide areas.
"Third Master, Sun Tao hid the ledger in a dry well. It was about to be discovered, but Wei Xiong set the well's secret chamber on fire, burning the ledger completely," said the man.
Nu Hetian stood up, walked to the window, and stared at the boundless river outside. "Are you certain it burned? Not hidden away for use as leverage against us later?"
The man lowered his head and frowned in thought. "What do you mean, Third Master?"
"Only dead men stay silent," Nu Hetian declared.
"Understood, Third Master." The man replied, realizing what needed to be done.
"Who is this Lin Fan? He's killed two of the Serpent Gang's deputies already," Nu Hetian asked.
"Third Master, according to inquiries, Lin Fan just became a constable a few days ago. Promoted by Wang Zhou to arrest officer, he worked with Zhao Desheng in investigating the Ten Mile Zone. Lin Fan was also the one who discovered where the ledger was hidden. If Wei Xiong hadn't intervened, the ledger would likely be in Wang Zhou's hands now," the man reported.
"Hmm." Nu Hetian pondered before speaking again, "A few days as a constable, and already an arrest officer. Tracked Sun Tao from the Ten Mile Zone. This person cannot be allowed to live. Find an opportunity to eliminate him."
"Understood," the man replied. "Should we report this matter to the Boss?"
"No need," Nu Hetian gestured dismissively before saying nothing further.
The man quietly withdrew.
He needed to arrange manpower and prepare to take action.
...
"Officer! Officer! If there's anything troubling you, just talk it out. You can't go down the path of suicide!" Wang Baoliu exclaimed as he entered the backyard, only to find Lin Fan repeatedly ramming his head into a tree. Such an act would terrify even fools, especially as his head was bleeding—a truly horrifying sight.
He had to stop Lin Fan immediately.
Whatever the issue, it must be discussed rationally.
Why resort to this?
Lin Fan ceased his actions. "What suicide? I'm cultivating Head of Steel."
"Ah, you've come at the right time. Head to the pharmacy and fetch these herbs for me. Here's the list. Move quickly."
He needed to prepare some herbal concoctions to aid his cultivation of Head of Steel.
Things were feeling pretty good right now.
Except for the bleeding head—wet, sticky hair was a hassle.
Perhaps...
He should just shave it all off?