I Cheated While Cultivating

‘Silver Lucky Bag?’

So, he would receive a Lucky Bag too after defeating an opponent?

Zhou Heng was delighted.

Could he open it and obtain another type of Solo Nine Swords?

He was very eager to open the Lucky Bag. At the same time, he felt that if he did it, it would lose some of the ceremonial air of opening Lucky Bags.

It would be better to open them after washing his hands at home.

Although doing so would not affect his pulling luck, it would still give him some peace of mind.

He won?!

Zhou Heng actually won?!

One could easily tell from their facial expressions that a majority of the surrounding apprentices could not believe their eyes.

Zhou Heng had practiced martial arts for two years and was yet to become a qualified martial artist. He had actually prevailed against an experienced ninth-class martial artist, Lin Cang!

That was truly incredible!

Even Lin Cang himself was dazed. He believed he was dreaming before realizing Zhou Heng had already placed his palm by the side of his neck.

He had actually lost.

This kid had actually acquired the skills of Eighteen Divine Power Styles!

“Lost? I’ve lost?!”

Lin Cang lowered his voice and mumbled to himself. After a brief moment of disbelief, he laughed out loud and said, “Hahaha! I’ve lost. Alright! That’s alright!”

He did not grow furious just because he had lost to his apprentice in public. Instead, he was extremely delighted.

To Lin Cang, the happiest moment for a martial arts practitioner was to witness his own apprentices become stronger gradually until they surpassed him.

He often said to his apprentices that when the opportunity arose, they should give their best to defeat him.

Moreover, the martial arts school would reward him for this. As such, it was a double blessing.

However, Lin Cang still had questions haunting him.

How did Zhou Heng actually acquire the skills of Eighteen Divine Power Styles?

He could not recall actually teaching him the technique.

Besides, given Zhou Heng’s financial status, it was highly unlikely for him to spend money in order to grasp the skill.

It was simply not possible for him to pick it up as they exchanged moves just now, right?

That would just be ridiculous.

“You’re good, kid. You’ve advanced so much in just these few days! Haha!” Lin Cang patted Zhou Heng’s shoulder. He laughed and said, “By the way, when did you learn the Eighteen Divine Power Styles?”

“Ugh…”

Zhou Heng organized his thoughts to himself as he tried to come up with an excuse.

He could not simply blurt out that he cheated and learned it, right?

When the other apprentices on the spot heard Lin Cang’s words, they suddenly realized this thing.

How did Zhou Heng actually learn Eighteen Divine Power Styles?

Normally, all of them practiced in the big hall. As such, everyone could take note of each other’s progress.

No one had ever noticed Zhou Heng practicing Eighteen Divine Power Styles before.

“Could it be that Big Brother Heng acquired that skill during the combat just now?” Yun Xiu guessed and said softly. She knew that this was not possible. But at the same time, she also hoped that it was true.

Big Brother Heng was very good-looking. Of course, it was only natural that he was awesome too!

“What…?”

As Yun Xiu spat out these words, instantly, the surrounding apprentices could not help but inhale and widen their eyes.

What the heck?!

That was impossible!

How could someone acquire martial arts skills through direct contact with the person? Let alone combat between an apprentice and a ninth-class martial artist!

That was outrageous!

Despite Eighteen Divine Power Styles being only a ninth-class martial art, it was not easy to cultivate either.

If an apprentice wanted to truly cultivate that martial arts skills, he would take at least a month of practice before even learning the basics, even if he was in the presence of a professional practitioner to guide him every day.

It would be more difficult if one were to apply it during real-life combat.

If Zhou Heng had indeed learned the skill via actual combat and was able to apply that martial arts to gain victory…

What level of talent was this? What sort of comprehension skills did he have?!

He must be cheating!

How could there be a genius like him on earth?!

“Actually, I think Zhou Heng should have gained a certain understanding about the Eighteen Divine Power Styles long ago.”

Yu He broke the silence and said, “He likes to observe other people as they practice. Most of us are also aware that there are among us who actively practice the Eighteen Divine Power Styles.”

“Furthermore, he has completed one of the ninth class saber techniques. There are many similarities between the palm technique and saber technique. As such, he has more or less managed to grasp the technique. Perhaps, with these accumulated experiences, he was only one step away from truly learning the technique.

“Master Lin fought with him using Eighteen Divine Power Styles. It might be all that he needed to cross the final step before he can actually acquire the skills of Eighteen Divine Power Styles.”

The rest of them who heard his words nodded and agreed with him. Even Master Lin also nodded thoughtfully.

Zhou Heng, who had been thinking hard to cover-up for himself was very touched by him, and he nearly cried.

Indeed, he was a good buddy!

‘He has even found myself an excuse for my cheat code!’

Zhou Heng immediately took advantage of his excuses and continued, he nodded and said, “Indeed. Yu He’s right. I’ve learned Eighteen Divine Power Styles by myself long ago. Initially, I only want to refer to its palm technique to test if I can improvise Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to achieve perfection.

“Never have I expected that after completing that saber technique, I’ve gained much insights pertaining to the palm techniques which I previously did not know about. Coupled with the combat with Master Lin just now, naturally, I learned the skills.”

As he explained himself, he did not blush, and neither did his heart race due to anxiety.

He said it as if it were true.

After all, while Zhou Heng went to school on Earth, he was a student who often used the excuse of “I-did-my-homework-but-forgotten-to-bring-it-to-school.”

As such, his psychological state was unlike any ordinary people.

“Hmm, if that’s the case, there’s nothing special about it.”

Lin Cang nodded faintly and accepted that explanation. He then smiled and said, “Even so, you’re still considered as a talented person since you’ve learned one of the ninth class martial arts by yourself.

“I’m very happy with your improvement. It’s been a while since Prosperity Martial Arts School has a talented apprentice like you. Tonight, I’m treating all of you to a meal at Jade Fragrance Mansion. Order all that you want. Haha!”

He was a generous person in nature. When he felt happy, he liked to treat everybody to a meal or a drink. Jade Fragrance Mansion had always been his favourite place.

The word ‘Fragrance’ meant the fragrant smells from the rice, dishes and wine.

Please do not let your mind enter the gutter.

Of course, he would only treat the seven apprentices under his guidance, including Zhou Heng and Yu He, to the meal.

If he rashly treated apprentices under different practitioners to a meal, this would mean he broke the martial arts school rules.

Despite Jade Fragrance Mansion not being considered as a high-class dining place at Yellow Wood City, it was considered as above-average standard.

Lin Cang ordered a private room for the treatment of meals for seven people. This alone simply cost more than ten taels of silver, which was equivalent to Zhou Heng’s half-year salary.

After a few cups of wine, Yu He’s face turned red as a result of the drinking. He sighed and said, “Zhou Heng’s very strong. Did you all know about that? The moment I saw him applying Eighteen Divine Power Styles to counter attack, I was dumbfounded.”

The rest of the people nodded after hearing him.

“Indeed. That time, I thought he must be losing. Who would have thought he has actually acquired the skills of Eighteen Divine Power Styles!”

“Zhou Heng’s indeed very talented!”

“Not only is he talented, he’s also very hardworking. He has completed Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Techniques.”

“Rumor has it that Zhou Heng was going to compete with Sun Zhengpin from Unity Martial Arts School, right? I’ve an intuition that Sun Zhengpin is definitely no match for him!”

“I feel the same too!”

Regardless of whether they spoke out those words out of genuine feelings or merely wanted to play up to him, during the drinking session and under alcoholic influences, they praised Zhou Heng and likened him to a martial arts genius who could only be seen once in a lifetime.

After hearing their words, Zhou Heng felt a bit awkward.

“Come, Zhou Heng. Follow me.”

Suddenly, Lin Cang stood up. He held his belly, waved his hand at Zhou Heng and said, “Come with me. I’ve drank a lot and am afraid I cannot walk steadily.”

“Alright!” Zhou Heng hurriedly rose up, followed Lin Cang, and left.

Master Lin was really skilled at getting him out of trouble with the excuse of needing to go out to pee!

When both of them stepped out from the private room, coincidentally, someone from the next door left his room too. However, that person’s expression looked troubled. He shot a quick glance at both of them before he left.

It looked like he was one who really needed to use the washroom…

Outside Jade Fragrance Mansion, Lin Cang found a secluded area, he chuckled as he said, “So, Zhou Feng, how does it feel like being flattered by others?”

Zhou Heng shook his head, smiled bitterly, and said, “I nearly wanted to hide myself under the table.”

“Hehe! You’ll hear more of this flattery in the future,” Lin Cang laughed as he said, “Don’t be complacent. As you embark on a martial arts profession, you’ll have to be courageous and keep improving, at the same time, you’re on thin ice and have to be vigilant too.”

“Yes. I understand.” Zhou Heng nodded.

“I’m relieved that you’ve been serious in your martial arts practice all the while.” Lin Cang lowered his head. Then, he looked to his left and right. After confirming no one else was around, he lowered his voice and said, “The main reason I asked you to follow me is to inform you about this.

“Prosperity Martial Arts School, Evergreen Martial Arts School, and Unity Martial Arts School are under Longevity Sect. Every three years, Longevity Sect will select external disciples from the martial arts school. You should be aware of this too, am I right?”

Zhou Heng nodded.

The world had a complete martial arts system. A slightly larger and powerful sect would build martial arts schools at various cities and counties.

These martial arts schools would recruit a lot of apprentices and pass on basic martial arts of the sect to them. From there, they would assess the apprentices’ talents. The sect would arrange people to undergo the assessment in order to select a few elites to become its external disciples.

If one were selected to become the sect’s external disciples, his welfare would be greatly enhanced. It would even be much better than the ninth class practitioners’.

Longevity Sect was one of the most powerful sects at Yellow Wood City. The sect leader was a fifth class grandmaster and was extremely powerful. Overall, it was considered an average sect in all of Great Qara.

Longevity Sect owned many martial arts schools in many cities. It had three martial arts schools at Yellow Wood City, and this was only considered a small part of it.

“After a month, Longevity Sect would arrange people to perform the assessment. There’s only one slot for the external disciple at Yellow Wood City. Each martial arts school can only have one participant,” Master Lin continued in a serious manner.

“Evergreen Martial Arts School and Unity Martial Arts School will be sending their best apprentices to take part in the assessment at that time. The only ones who are qualified must have completed at least one of the ninth class martial arts.

“Initially, Prosperity Martial Arts doesn’t have any suitable candidates. But now, we have you. I plan to suggest to the master of the martial arts school to send you over. So, you’ll have to be well-prepared.”

“Yes. I will.” Zhou Heng nodded. Then, he lowered his voice and asked, “By the way, what are the benefits for external disciples? How many taels of silver will I earn per month?”

Lin Cang fell speechless.

After hearing his words, Lin Cang rolled his eyes and said, “You mammon, let me clarify this to you, an external disciple will receive five taels of silver per month, three sets of customized uniforms and one set of customized weapons.

“Besides, you’ll be arranged to stay inside Longevity Mansion located at North District. Despite being a medium-sized room, it’s much better than your worn down house. Besides, you’ll only need to pay ten taels of silver for the rent annually.”

‘What the heck!’

After Zhou Heng heard his words, he nearly jumped for joy. He kept nodding and said, “Master Lin, please be rest assured that I’ll certainly be the one to fill the slot for external disciple!”

Longevity Mansion was actually a high-class restaurant at Yellow Wood City. Even its medium-sized rooms were decorated exquisitely, and it included a bathroom, living hall, kitchen, and every other necessary facility.

These were similar to the hotel apartment on Earth, except that they were more spacious.

Generally speaking, the rental rate for a Longevity Mansion medium-sized room would cost at least hundreds of taels of silver annually.

It cost only ten taels of silver now!

If he could rent it out, he would be earning loads!