Blood Crystal?
Qin An thought of the blood-red meatball.
His place was bare, except for the meatball from the demon sow just now; he couldn't think of a second thing.
Chen Chun touched the small mustache on the right side of his face with his forefinger and said, "Blood crystals are a great tonic for cultivators in the Qi Storage Realm."
Qin An pondered for a moment, playing with the dagger, and asked, "What is the Qi Storage Realm?"
Although he had contact with this circle, it was like a blind man feeling an elephant; he understood nothing.
Now in a dangerous environment, with Chen Chun as someone knowledgeable, Qin An wanted to take this opportunity to ask.
Chen Chun suddenly remembered that Qin An had just entered the circle and smacked his forehead, saying, "Almost forgot, what level have you reached in the Wind-breaking Saber Skill?"
Speaking of this, Chen Chun felt a bit sour.
In such a short time, Qin An had already grasped the basics of the Wind-breaking Saber Skill.
He had spent so many years, and the skills passed down from the Evil Extermination Bureau had only just reached Small Success.
Comparing with others could truly infuriate a person.
Qin An said calmly, "I just got started."
From Chen Chun's expression, he could see that his cultivation speed seemed a bit too fast.
The talent from his profession as a butcher had perfected the Wind-breaking Saber Skill, but it was best to keep it low-key to avoid attracting attention, so Qin An understated it.
Chen Chun nodded and said, "That's as I thought. You've just started, so you probably haven't sensed the presence of Qi. Perhaps the demon sow was careless, which is why it fell into your hands."
Qin An followed with, "That's right, it thought I was just an ordinary citizen."
He didn't know what Qi was, but there indeed was a warm current in his body.
However, now was not the time to mention it.
Chen Chun organized his words and said, "Storing Qi is the threshold that distinguishes cultivators from ordinary people. To generate Qi from blood and store it within oneself is storing Qi."
"When Qi circulates through the brain, body, and limbs, filling the entire body, that is the peak of storing Qi."
"Unfortunately, using skills to store Qi is ultimately slow."
Qin An listened and asked, "What does it mean to use skills to store Qi?"
After Chen Chun's explanation, Qin An could conclude that the warm current was indeed Qi.
As for what Chen Chun meant by using skills to store Qi, Qin An didn't understand.
If you don't understand, ask.
Chen Chun said, "In this world, there are two kinds of cultivators: those who practice the laws and those who use techniques. The laws are the core and can enhance realms; techniques are skills that can be used for combat. Techniques can enhance realms, but extremely slowly, and without the core of the laws, one can only store Qi at best for life."
Qin An listened attentively and analyzed the information continuously in his mind, quickly grasping the concept.
In simple terms, the laws are Inner Strength, and techniques are moves.
Moves can generate Qi, but not to a high level, at most reaching the Qi Storage Realm.
"Is there a Heart Method?" Qin An asked.
Chen Chun paused and, with a twitch at the corner of his mouth, said, "Methods of cultivation are all treasures. Whether it's the Evil Extermination Bureau or sect powers, they keep them tightly guarded. I've already given you the Wind-breaking Saber Skill, where could I find a Heart Method?"
Qin An responded with an "Oh" and said, "What is a blood crystal?"
He understood the matter of cultivation, but he was still in the dark about the meatball known as a blood crystal.
Considering Chen Chun's reaction, it seemed this thing was very precious.
Chen Chun glanced at the kitchen and said, "Demons also cultivate. Any demon that cultivates and has abundant blood energy will have a blood crystal. To merge Qi with a blood crystal is a great tonic for the Qi Storage Realm, saving a lot of time."
Qin An understood; this thing was just a supplement.
Chen Chun licked his lips and said, "You don't have a Heart Method. Using this without a Heart Method to circulate it will cause your body to explode. It's better to give it to me. If I get stronger, it benefits you too."
Qin An pondered for a moment and shook his head: "I could give it to you at other times, but not now. I'm also caught up in the vortex."
Although he didn't have a Heart Method and couldn't absorb the blood crystal using it, he was already embroiled in the conflict, so he needed to keep the thing.
With upheaval in Daqian, he hadn't been here long since crossing over, and his life had almost been lost.
Now that the Golden Finger had awakened its talent, Qin An felt he had to seize it.
Though he was young, he could handle it.
Keeping the blood crystal, he could bring it out when needed later.
Upon hearing this, Chen Chun showed a hint of regret in his eyes but didn't say more and changed the subject.
"You got involved with the pig demon because of butchering. Now that the pig demon is gone, there might not be any danger, but you still need to be careful. Hide the blood crystal well; don't let anyone discover it."
Qin An nodded, indicating that he understood.
Chen Chun stood up and walked to the door: "I'm leaving. The matter of me being an informant can't be spread around. I won't cause you trouble, but I can't guarantee the Evil Extermination Bureau won't come after you."
The implication wasn't a threat but rather advice.
Qin An watched Chen Chun leave, then closed the door, redoing the bell on the ground, before sitting back on the bed, placing the dagger within easy reach.
"The world is in chaos, demons are rampant, and the only thing I can rely on is the Golden Finger."
"The scholar is a newly acquired profession, requiring little proficiency. Tomorrow, I'll go to the bookstore to read and improve the scholar's proficiency."
Qin An made up his mind.
He could only rely on himself and the Golden Finger he crossed over with now.
The scholar profession was the second one obtained, and it would awaken new talents at level three.
Qin An didn't know what the talent would be, but since the butcher's talent was so strong, the scholar's talent surely wouldn't fall short.
Additionally, raising the butcher profession further required 400 proficiency points, and currently, Ding County wasn't stable.
With the government colluding with demons, even if he unintentionally got involved, there was no guarantee it wouldn't happen again.
First work on what's quick, deal with what's slow later.
As for starting a new profession, Qin An didn't have time for it now.
Outside, darkness completely engulfed the surroundings, as if ink had been spilled.
Qin An slept fully clothed, holding the dagger in his hand.
...
The next day.
A ray of sunlight filtered through the window, bringing a refreshing warmth.
Qin An got up early and, after a simple tidy-up, went out the door.
On his way to the bookstore, Qin An stopped by a street stall and ate two buns.
Qingfeng Bookstore was the largest bookstore in Daqian, with many branches.
Ding County was just an insignificant small branch among them.
Daqian prioritized martial arts and promoted literature; every county and state had bookstores for scholars to peruse.
Although they charged money, aspiring scholars seeking to gain fame flocked there.
Qin An wasn't a scholar, but Qingfeng Bookstore was open to the public, so he wouldn't be turned away at the door.
Before reaching the bookstore entrance, Qin An heard a commotion.
Focusing his eyes, he saw a crowd of scholars in Confucian robes encircling the entrance in layers, as if there was some monkey show to watch inside.
Getting closer, Qin An saw what was happening inside.
A young man in a short earthen yellow outfit, with a long saber hanging at his waist, was violently beating a frail scholar.
The frail scholar's face was bruised and swollen, with several teeth knocked out.
Although the surrounding scholars were watching, seeing the fierce demeanor of the saber-wielding man, not one dared to step forward and stop him.
The saber-wielding man planted his foot on the scholar's back, spat, and disdainfully said, "Worthless thing, writing poems and essays to insult the River Saber Sect. If I don't knock out all your teeth, I won't bear the surname Zhao."