Holding the orange legendary-grade secret manual, Ma Jun acted with absolute decisiveness and chose to use it immediately.
After all, trying it wouldn't cost him anything.
What pleasantly surprised him was that there was no prompt indicating failure.
The manual was consumed.
Learning successful!
[Congratulations, player! You have learned the technique: Spirit-Linked Sword Codex!]
On the character attributes panel, under the Internal Cultivation slot, an additional icon appeared—a small emerald-green sword.
A translucent green sword aura surrounded it, etched with mysterious patterns resembling the Eight Trigrams.
Ma Jun tapped it.
[Spirit-Linked Sword Codex (First Layer)]
[Current EXP: 0 / 10,000]
[Can be leveled up through equipment–technique training]
[Current Effects: Strength +5, Physique +3, Agility +5]
[Unlocked Skill: Sword Heart Clarity — Sword-type weapon coefficient +50%]
[Unlocked Skill: Sword Control by Qi — Within a 3-meter radius, you may manipulate flying sword-type weapons]
Holy hell!
Ma Jun almost shouted out loud.
This was way too strong!
No wonder it was an orange-grade technique—this was only the first layer, yet the stat boost alone was outrageous.
Three attributes, for a total increase of 13 points.
At Ma Jun's current level, that was equivalent to leveling up thirteen times.
Straight-up cheating!
Of course, at Ma Jun's level, an ordinary person wouldn't even be able to learn an orange-grade technique.
What made it even more insane were the unlocked skills.
Sword Heart Clarity directly increased sword weapon coefficients by 50%.
That meant any sword-type weapon in Ma Jun's hands would deal 50% more damage than in anyone else's.
If someone else dealt 20 points of damage, Ma Jun would deal 30.
And then there was Sword Control by Qi—
Flying swords!
Of course, this skill required a flying sword-type weapon.
Such weapons were likely extremely high-grade, and Ma Jun didn't dare hope for one just yet.
Even so, what he could use right now was already absurdly powerful.
It was like a Qi Refinement cultivator suddenly being handed a magic treasure only usable at the Golden Core stage.
Pure bliss.
And internal cultivation techniques could be leveled up through training.
This was only the first layer—later layers would definitely grant even more terrifying bonuses.
Legendary-grade techniques truly lived up to their name.
Ma Jun was completely immersed in the joy of his newfound power.
Meanwhile, Daoist Jingming and Zhuang Xin were nearly dropping their jaws.
They were stunned.
The moment Ma Jun successfully learned the technique, a surge of sky-piercing sword qi erupted from his body.
The sword aura was fierce and peerless, making one's heart tremble at the sight.
"Th-this… this…"
Jingming's brain short-circuited.
He couldn't even form a complete sentence.
He had just been saying how hard this sword codex was to comprehend, how high its requirements were—
And Ma Jun had entered the door instantly, mastering the first layer on the spot.
Zhuang Xin was the first to recover.
"Sir Ma—are you serious?!"
"You actually learned the Spirit-Linked Sword Codex?!"
She grabbed Ma Jun's hand excitedly, shaking it nonstop.
Ma Jun nodded. "Looks like I've reached the first layer."
"You're way too talented!" Zhuang Xin exclaimed, unable to hold back her praise.
Jingming let out a long sigh.
"To master the first layer with just one glance… this can no longer be described as mere talent."
"Sir Ma, you were born with a sword body."
"You were destined to walk the path of sword cultivation from the moment you were born."
"A true sword cultivator!"
Ma Jun glanced at Jingming.
He wanted to retort, but seeing that the old Daoist was genuinely praising him, he let it go.
"Daoist, about this manual…"
Ma Jun hesitated.
This was an orange-grade legendary manual—its value was obviously astronomical.
With his few thousand points, there was no way he could afford it.
And now that he'd already learned it, he'd need the manual later to continue leveling it up.
He was already considering—if the Aberrant Association refused to sell it, how likely was it that he could just grab it and return directly?
After all, once he returned, no one would be able to find him.
A perfectly legal zero-yuan purchase.
"…Hmm."
Jingming pondered for a moment, then waved his hand decisively.
"Since Sir Ma has fate with this manual, I'll give you a discount."
"Five thousand points. It's yours."
Before Ma Jun could respond, Zhuang Xin cried out.
"How much?!"
"This manual—for five thousand?!"
"Old man, what's gotten into you today?!"
"If this were before, you wouldn't even let someone look at it for five thousand points!"
Jingming chuckled.
"Times change."
"Being able to befriend an outstanding young talent like Sir Ma is a blessing for our Aberrant Association."
"Five thousand points—consider it the price of friendship."
Zhuang Xin was speechless.
Ma Jun, on the other hand, was very satisfied.
As long as he could buy it, that was perfect.
This way, he could stay in this instance longer and continue exploring.
He had a feeling there were still plenty of good things hidden here.
Returning right away wouldn't be ideal.
"Oh, right."
Jingming suddenly clapped his hands.
"We also have a sword scabbard here, meant to be used together with the Spirit-Linked Sword Codex."
"Since you've taken the codex, I might as well sell you the scabbard too."
Jingming walked to another white jade shelf and took out a scabbard from the bottom layer.
The moment Ma Jun saw it, his eyes lit up.
Perhaps because he had practiced the Spirit-Linked Sword Codex, he felt an inexplicable sense of affinity toward it.
The scabbard was entirely black, about the size of an ancient zither.
Its material was unknown, and it exuded an ancient, austere aura.
"A treasured sword belongs with a hero. Leaving this scabbard in the Association would only let it gather dust."
"It'd be better to give it to you, Sir Ma, and let it shine in your hands."
Ma Jun eagerly accepted the scabbard.
After checking its description, he froze.
[Star-Spawn Sword Sheath (Orange)] — Crafted from Star Mantis hide. Can be used together with the Spirit-Linked Sword Codex]
[Requirement: Spirit-Linked Sword Codex at First Layer]
[Effect 1: Allows sword-type weapons to be stored within. After being stored for twelve hours, a normal sword-type weapon can be granted a one-minute flying sword effect]
[Effect 2: Enhances the power of sword-type weapons stored within. Effect increases over time—every twelve hours increases power by 5%, up to a maximum of 300%]
A massive surge of excitement flooded Ma Jun's heart.
He had been worrying about not having a flying sword—
And now the problem was solved!
As long as he casually put a sword inside, not only would it grow stronger over time, it could even gain flying sword effects.
This wasn't just broken—this was ridiculous.
Another legendary-grade item.
The only issue was the price.
Ma Jun spoke honestly.
"Daoist… I'm afraid I can't afford this."
He had less than 1,500 points left.
The manual alone—half sold, half gifted—had already cost him 5,000.
This orange item? 1,500 points was laughably insufficient.
Ma Jun firmly believed there was no such thing as a free lunch.
He had briefly considered adding money from the one-million reward he'd just earned—
But Jingming had just charged two tycoons fifty million each.
That one million wouldn't even be enough for tea.
Yet Jingming appeared unusually generous.
"I've already said it—without the Spirit-Linked Sword Codex, this scabbard is completely useless."
"So…"
"Sir Ma, you have no idea what kind of trouble you've gotten yourself into this time."
[Congratulations, player. You have triggered a hidden quest: Lin Family's Nether Stronghold!]
[This quest is of relatively high difficulty. Players may seek assistance from the Aberrant Association!]
Ma Jun smiled.
This system really had a sense of humor.
The quest itself came from the Aberrant Association—who exactly was he supposed to ask for help?
Zhuang Xin pursed her lips, as if having made up her mind.
"Sir Ma, I'll go with you."
"If something happens to you… I can at least help collect your body."
Ma Jun shot her a sideways glance.
"Let's skip the corpse-collecting."
If things really became unmanageable, Ma Jun would choose to return at the first possible moment.
He wasn't an idiot.
Daoist Jingming brought his palms together and performed a Daoist salute.
"Then I'll wish you success, Sir Ma—may you triumph at once!"
Ma Jun lifted the sword sheath.
Its cool, smooth texture felt comfortable in his hand.
As an off-hand weapon, the sword sheath could be combined with any sword-type weapon and used as part of a weapon set.
For now, Ma Jun still couldn't put it to use.
A relaxed smile appeared on his face.
"I will not fail the Daoist's trust."
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