Chapter 2: Instinctive Comprehension of the Heart Technique

After crippling Zhang Yong, he was ready to throw him out. He hadn’t even stepped out the door when he heard voices murmuring outside.

“To have the audacity to provoke Zhang Yong—he must be tired of living.”

“Hahaha! He’s been a menial servant for ten years, of course he’s tired of life.”

This made Xiao Yang frown briefly, but his expression quickly relaxed. Dragging Zhang Yong out in full view of the crowd, he casually tossed him onto the ground, then turned and returned to his room.

A few moments of silence passed. Then, chaos erupted outside.

“That… that’s Zhang Yong!” an outer disciple exclaimed, barely able to believe his eyes.

“He’s mad! That useless wretch actually beat Zhang Yong like this. Zhang Long will never let him go.”

“With Zhang Long’s reputation, he’ll definitely kill that wretch.”

The mention of Zhang Long stirred Xiao Yang’s memories. He recalled such a person—when he first joined the sect, Zhang Long had become an outer disciple in just one week. From then on, it had been smooth sailing for him. By now, he should already be a core disciple of the Giant Spirit Sect.

In the past, Xiao Yang might have felt some fear. But now that the system had been activated, there was no longer anyone he needed to fear.

Thinking of the system, he remembered that apart from the Full Attribute Experience Card in the first charge gift pack, there were still a few other items.

With a thought, he summoned the system inventory. Besides the experience card, there were three items: a cultivation manual, a set of equipment, and a martial technique.

Without hesitation, he opened the manual’s information.

Name: Nine Saints Origin Return Scripture
Quality: Unique
Progress: Not yet initiated
Description: The greatest technique under heaven!

He immediately began to learn it, taking advantage of his peak comprehension to cultivate as quickly as possible. Right now, his comprehension had reached the absolute limit of what a human could achieve.

“Ding! Congratulations, host has successfully learned the unique-grade cultivation manual: Nine Saints Origin Return Scripture.”

“Ding! Full attribute state detected. Automatically comprehending the manual…”

Xiao Yang paused, surprised by the automatic comprehension. He turned to the martial technique.

Name: Triple Force
Quality: Yellow-rank, mid-tier
Cultivation Progress: 0/3
Description: Instantly unleashes three bursts of inner strength

“A mid-tier yellow-rank technique—barely adequate.” He learned it without delay. Soon, Triple Force was also in automatic comprehension.

Xiao Yang knew that those seeking to curry favor with Zhang Long would not let this opportunity slip by. He had to strengthen himself as much as possible.

Sitting cross-legged, he quickly entered a cultivation state. Above him, a vortex of spiritual energy began to form.

Ten breaths passed!

Xiao Yang’s eyes snapped open, and joy flickered across his face as he felt the changes within himself.

“I actually broke through.”

His cultivation had now stabilized at the second level of Warrior. He had been stuck at this stage for ten years, yet under the boost of full attributes, it had taken only ten breaths to break ten years of shackles.

He dared not linger. Closing his eyes, he continued to cultivate. His progress was nearly visible to the naked eye.

Third level of Warrior!
Fourth level of Warrior!
Fifth level of Warrior…

By the time the first ray of sunlight pierced the room, Xiao Yang’s cultivation had reached the peak of Warrior. But he stopped there.

“Ding! Full Attribute Experience Card has expired. Attributes have returned to normal.”

With the card’s effect gone, even if he continued cultivating, with his previous pitiful talent, breaking through would be as difficult as stumbling upon a divine artifact.

“Ding! Congratulations, host has comprehended the first level of the Nine Saints Origin Return Scripture: Power of the Mountain Saint.”

“Ding! Triple Force…”

Xiao Yang quickly checked.

Name: Power of the Mountain Saint [Level One]
Trait: Triples host’s strength [Passive]
Description: The Power of the Mountain Saint consists of nine levels; every three levels grant a unique ability.

He drew a sharp breath.

Having spent ten years in this world, Xiao Yang knew of secret arts that could amplify strength. Most spent their entire lives for a mere doubling of power. Yet the first level of the Mountain Saint’s Power already granted him triple strength.

If he cultivated to the ninth level, who knew how many times his strength would multiply?

In that instant, Xiao Yang finally understood why the Nine Saints Origin Return Scripture was of unique quality. The abilities gained from mastering it were simply astounding.

He remembered he had also comprehended Triple Force yesterday and decided to check its progress.

“Nine levels?”

But upon seeing the cultivation progress, Xiao Yang was stunned. It was supposed to have only three levels—where did nine come from?

“Ding! Host’s extraordinary comprehension has enabled the martial technique to automatically evolve beyond its original limits.”

Hearing the system’s response, Xiao Yang understood. He glanced at the technique’s quality.

Name: Ninefold Force
Quality: Profound-rank, top-tier

Description: Instantly unleashes nine bursts of hidden force, dealing immense damage to enemies.

Techniques of this level were rare even within the Giant Spirit Sect. This was absolutely a top-tier martial skill.

From outside the house came an angry shout.

“Xiao Yang, get out here!”

“Coming!” he replied, eyes narrowing. He had just been looking for a chance to test his new technique—how convenient for a test subject to present itself.

He opened the door. By now, the area outside was crowded with onlookers, all there for the spectacle.

“That good-for-nothing’s come out!”

“I can’t believe he didn’t run away under cover of night—what an idiot.”

“Heh, he’s probably going to die here today.”

The chatter rose, with no one bothering to hide their words. They spoke openly, as if Xiao Yang’s thoughts mattered nothing.

“Xiao Yang, you’ve injured a fellow disciple. Today, at someone’s request and by the rules of the sect, I will execute you!” Liu Yuan said coolly, gripping a large broadsword.

His arrival sent the crowd into a frenzy.

“Senior Brother Liu Yuan is making his move—this wretch is dead for sure.”

“Heh, a useless waste who’s been a menial servant for ten years. If I were him, I’d have killed myself already. Can’t believe he still dares to live.”

“Senior Brother Liu Yuan is one of the top hundred outer disciples. To die by his hand is a gift for that wretch.”

Xiao Yang listened to their mockery without the slightest ripple in his heart. In fact, he spotted a junior he’d once mentored among the crowd. Yet these people now spoke ill of him, taking his kindness for granted.

He swept his gaze over the crowd, said nothing, and only let out a soft sigh.

In Liu Yuan’s eyes, Xiao Yang was sighing for his impending death.

“Kill yourself. I’d rather not dirty my hands with you.”

This drew another burst of laughter from the crowd.

“That’s right! Don’t dirty Senior Brother Liu’s hands. You’d better kill yourself, you wretch.”

“Hahaha!”

Amid the jeers, Xiao Yang suddenly laughed aloud.

“Hahaha!”

He looked at Liu Yuan with utter disdain.

“You think you’re strong?”

“Not especially, but I’m a hundred times stronger than a waste like you.”

The crowd roared with laughter.

“Hahaha!”

“He’s not even worthy to carry Senior Brother Liu’s shoes.”

“Of course not. He’s lower than a dog—how could he even think of carrying Senior Brother Liu’s shoes?”