Chapter 1529: Taking a Master

Jian Changsheng had nothing.

No talent, no background. The only thing he could trade with Bai Qi was the soul and body of his next life... He was betting his next life to reach the peak in this one.

For Bai Qi, this was indeed the best choice. After all, he had no hope in this life. If Chen Ling could restart the world, he would have another chance to start over... And next time, he could directly possess a body.

This was indeed a good trade.

"I can help you," Bai Qi said slowly after a long time.

Before Jian Changsheng could show joy, Bai Qi added:

"However, I am currently just a remnant soul and do not have enough killing intent to assist you internally... If you want to break through, you can only forcibly introduce external killing intent and use it to temper yourself..."

"External killing intent..." Jian Changsheng seemed to realize something. "The Soldier Path Ancient Treasury?"

In this world, the only place that might still contain that kind of ancient killing intent was the deepest part of the Soldier Path Ancient Treasury.

"Correct... But I will tell you in advance: this is an extremely painful and difficult process. You might even end up with no bones left and your soul scattered... If you die, I will not be responsible, and our trade will continue."

Bai Qi’s conditions were quite harsh, even extremely unequal. Not only did he not guarantee that Jian Changsheng would survive, but even if he died under the pressure, the Jian Changsheng of the next life would still have to become Bai Qi’s accessory... And the only thing Bai Qi paid in this process was a "method."

But Jian Changsheng didn't hesitate much and gritted his teeth, nodding:

"Fine, I agree!"

"Since that is the case, swear upon the Bai Qi Order... This is an item I created using the foundation of the Soldier Path. Even if the world restarts, as long as the Soldier Path Ancient Treasury exists in the next world, and as long as our souls are near, the oath will remain in effect."

Bai Qi tossed the token to Jian Changsheng’s feet.

He paused for a moment and added:

"Regardless of the process, since I am going to teach you personally, from now on, you can be considered half a student of mine..."

"After you take the oath..."

"Bow to me as your master."

……

"Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck—cluck~~"

"Cluck, cluck~~"

Chen Ling opened his sleepy eyes, and a loud clucking of a hen drifted into his ears.

The dim sunset spilled into the bridge tunnel, gilding the flowing river with a layer of gold. Chen Ling slowly sat up, looking outside through the crude cardboard and creaking "beams," as hens walked past with their heads held high...

"Where is this..."

Chen Ling rubbed his eyes to confirm he wasn't dreaming.

Isn't this Jin Fugui’s "property"?

How did he end up here?

He got off the broken bed that seemed like it would fall apart at any moment and staggered outside. Although he was awake, he was still dizzy. His brain felt like it had been drained, and weakness and fatigue filled his body and mind.

"What's going on? A dignified General Jian, and you can't even catch a single fish?!"

"You... I... you just wait until my injuries are fully recovered!"

"Cut the crap. Let me tell you, one thing is one thing, even brothers have to settle accounts clearly. You guys have been living here for free for so many days. If you don't catch me a few more fish to improve the food... heh heh..."

"Hey, you Jin Fugui, what if I don't catch any?"

"Then I'll spread the word that the '6' generation are all freeloaders! Let's see if you have any face left!"

"You...!!"

"Get to work! No dinner until you catch ten fish today!"

"No, why aren't you bothering Club?! Why does he get to lie in the dirt while I have to work like a beast?!"

"He paid for his food! A whole silver coin! Do you have money?"

"I... Club, can you pay for me too?"

"Spade, I'm out of money QAQ..."

“……”

In the sunset, Jin Fugui was holding a foxtail grass he’d picked up somewhere, using it as a whip, flicking it *snap-snap-snap* against Jian Changsheng, who was wrapped in bandages. Although it caused almost no damage, it was extremely insulting.

Jian Changsheng gritted his teeth, unable to lash out, and could only roll up his pant legs, stand in the water, and try to catch fish earnestly.

Seeing Chen Ling walking over from afar, everyone was stunned.

"Heart? You're awake?"

"Lord Red King~!! Oh my, why did you come over yourself? I was just about to grill some fish and send it over to you later, hahaha..."

"??? You Jin Fugui! So I'm the only soft persimmon here!"

Chen Ling chatted with them blankly for a few sentences, only then learning that five days had passed since they came out of the Ghost Path Ancient Treasury.

Among the "6" generation, the first to wake up was Jiang Xiaohua, who had the lightest injuries. After confirming that the others were not in life-threatening danger, he found a place and buried himself. The second to wake up was Jian Changsheng, who was immediately put to work as a beast of burden upon waking, doing everything from catching fish to turning soil and feeding chickens before his injuries were even fully healed.

Chen Ling was the third to wake up, and Sun Bumian, who had consumed a large amount of Reincarnation Power, was still sleeping.

"Is Lord Red King hungry? There are plenty of ingredients. How about we cook a hot pot?"

Jin Fugui said, pointing to a corner. A pile of ingredients was stacked there, from rice, flour, and oil to pork and beef, everything one could need.

Chen Ling was stunned: "Didn't you say you had no money? Where did all these ingredients come from?"

"Oh, it's strange. Recently, every time I go out to beg, I come back to find more wild ingredients... um... and some wild medicine. I don't know who sent them."

"I tested them, they aren't poisonous," Jiang Xiaohua’s muffled voice came from the dirt.

Chen Ling stared at these things blankly for a long time, as if realizing something, and looked in a certain direction with a complex expression.

"You guys eat first, I need to go out."

Although Chen Ling was hungry, he waved his hand and walked straight toward another street.

"Be careful out there. The Tian-Shu Domain is... a bit messier than you'd think," Jin Fugui kindly reminded him.

"Got it."

Chen Ling’s mental strength hadn't fully recovered, so naturally, he wouldn't take risks.

He walked through several remote and narrow streets, arrived at a deserted corner, and spoke softly:

"Come out."

As Chen Ling’s voice fell, a shadow-like figure stood up quietly from the corner’s shadows... It seemed she hadn't been there from the start, but had followed Chen Ling all the way from the bridge tunnel.

No... she had even been guarding in secret while Chen Ling was unconscious, and even Jin Fugui and the others hadn't noticed her existence.

"Liu Qingyan greets Lord Red King," Liu Qingyan lifted her skirt and spoke respectfully.