125: Return

On the morning of the fourth day, amidst the faint morning light, the familiar yet slightly damaged silhouette of the "ten thousand seas" finally sailed slowly into the West Lake City port.

Qin Feng stood at the bow, watching the approaching pier. However, his heart held little joy from completing the mission or returning safely; instead, it was filled with an indescribable unease. That fleeting glimpse of the Blue-Clad Woman, the feeling of powerlessness from being crushed like an ant, and the profound yet real insights into the Dao of the sword within his body all weighed on his heart like a giant stone. Golden Opportunity and black warnings intertwined; whether the future held fortune or calamity was hard to predict.

As soon as the ship docked, Jin Wanguan, who had already received the news and was waiting expectantly at the pier, led his people forward to greet them warmly. The portly president's face beamed like a blooming chrysanthemum as he rushed forward, firmly grasping Qin Feng's hand and shaking it vigorously.

"Brother Qin! A triumphant return! You've worked hard, truly hard!" His voice was booming and full of excitement. "This time, it's all thanks to you and the heroes of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion! Not only was the cargo delivered safely, but you even destroyed the den of the Japanese pirates on Black Reef Island and slayed their leader, Sasaki in battle! The news has already spread. Our Four Seas Merchant Guild has gained immense prestige this time! From now on, in this West Lake City, let's see who dares to look down on us!"

As he spoke, he took a finely crafted jade box from an attendant behind him and solemnly handed it to Qin Feng. "Brother, this is what you deserve. The five spirit flower, intact. Please accept it!"

The jade box felt cool to the touch. Through the translucent walls, one could see a strangely shaped Spiritual Plant lying quietly inside, emitting a faint five-colored glow. It was indeed the primary ingredient for refining the king breaking pill—the five spirit flower!

Qin Feng took the jade box, his heart settling. He had finally completed one of the primary goals of this trip. "President Jin is too kind. It was merely my duty."

He paused, remembering that he needed another medicinal ingredient to remove the rusted seal on the bronze mud sword, and asked, "Brother Jin, does the guild or any of your connections happen to have 'Blazing Sun Grass'?"

"Blazing Sun Grass?" Jin Wanguan thought for a moment, then patted his chest and said, "We do! Although it's not common, I happen to have a few in stock in my warehouse! I'll have someone deliver them to you at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion later!"

Qin Feng was delighted to hear this and was about to ask the price, but Jin Wanguan seemed to see through his thoughts. He waved his hand in feigned displeasure and said, "Hey! Brother, you're being too formal by mentioning money! Compared to how you helped our guild through its crisis and earned us such a great reputation, what are a few stalks of Blazing Sun Grass? Don't mention money, or I'll truly be angry!"

Qin Feng knew the other party was intentionally trying to build a relationship, so he no longer declined. He cupped his hands and smiled, "In that case, thank you, Brother Jin! When I have time another day, I will certainly pay a visit and have a few drinks with you."

"Of course, of course! You're welcome anytime!" Jin Wanguan laughed heartily.

After bidding farewell to Jin Wanguan, Qin Feng looked at Xiao Chun beside him. The young girl's face seemed even more flushed than when they were on the ship, but her eyes were somewhat dazed, and she fanned herself with her hand from time to time.

"Xiao Chun, how are you feeling? Do you feel unwell anywhere?" Qin Feng asked with concern.

Xiao Chun shook her head, saying somewhat confusedly, "Brother Feng, I feel... I feel hot all over, as if I have endless energy, but I'm also a bit dizzy... A bath after we get back should fix it, right?"

Qin Feng understood that this was likely a normal reaction after the Blue-Clad Woman stimulated the potential of her Body of a Hundred Medicines. He nodded and said, "Mhm, go back and get some good rest."

He then looked at the silent Ji Ruxue. Although her injuries hadn't fully healed, her aura was much steadier than before. "Sister Xue, thank you for your hard work this time. Go back and rest well to recover."

Ji Ruxue nodded slightly. Her cold eyes glanced at him, but she said nothing, her figure quietly blending into the shadows of the crowd disembarking... That night, back in his quiet room in the Green Bamboo Courtyard of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion branch, Qin Feng cast aside distracting thoughts and sat cross-legged. Despite his physical exhaustion, he desperately wanted to know what changes had occurred within him after that miraculous event.

Exactly at the zi hour, the System panel unfolded as scheduled.

[Ding! The zi hour has arrived! Daily Intelligence has been refreshed!]

However, when Qin Feng saw the information on it, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning and suddenly stood up from his meditation cushion!

[Today's Intelligence:]

[Red Intelligence: The 'Myriad Medicine Body' hidden within Su Yuchun (Xiao Chun) has been unexpectedly activated and awakened by the power of ???. The Myriad Medicine Body is the final form of the Body of a Hundred Medicines. Its affinity for all medicinal plants in the world has reached the extreme. The speed of cultivating wood-attribute and healing-type Cultivation Techniques will skyrocket, the effectiveness of healing techniques will increase by more than five times, and the 'Medicine Spirit Perception' ability will be awakened. Her blood can save all things.]

[Red Intelligence: The green jade talisman obtained by Su Yuchun (Xiao Chun) is a guardian mark left by ???. In a moment of crisis, it can be automatically triggered to summon a Clone projection of ??? or the descent of ???, possessing the power of ???. It can be used once.]

[Red Intelligence: The 'Sword Heart' and 'Sword Bone' within the Host's body have been cleansed and sublimated by the power of ???, upgraded from Elementary to 'Advanced'. Sword Dao comprehension is greatly enhanced, the cultivation speed for sword-type Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills is increased by three times, their power is increased by fifty percent, and the 'Sword Intent Resonance' ability has been preliminarily awakened.]

Three pieces! All of them were Red Intelligence! Moreover, two of them were directly related to him and Xiao Chun! What was even more shocking was that all the key information had been replaced by "???"!

"Myriad Medicine Body? Advanced Sword Heart and Sword Bone?!" Qin Feng's breathing suddenly became rapid, and his heart pounded wildly, almost bursting out of his chest!

He impatiently called up his attribute panel:

[Name: Qin Feng]

[Age: 18 years old]

[Rank: Late-stage Grand Martial Master (Peak threshold)]

[Aptitude: Sword Heart (Advanced), Sword Bone (Advanced)]

[Cultivation Technique: Primordial Unity Qi Art (Third Layer Peak), "Daoist Primordial Chaos Art" Volume One (Not yet started)]

[Martial Skill: Finger Sword Among Flowers (Earth Rank Advanced · Proficient), Hundred Flowers Sword Technique (Earth Rank Advanced · Proficient), "mysterious rank, extreme grade" · Perfection, Wind Spirit Illusion Steps (Earth Rank Advanced · Minor Achievement), Butterfly Dance Steps (Profound Rank Advanced · Perfection), Breath Concealment Art (Profound Rank Advanced · Major Achievement)...]

[Weapon: qingming sword (Destroyed)]

[Armor: Black Tortoise Armor (Profound Rank Advanced)]

[Status: Light injuries (recovering rapidly), Sword Heart Clear, Sword Bone Resonating]

Looking at the attribute panel which clearly displayed [Sword Heart (Advanced)] and [Sword Bone (Advanced)], and seeing that the Primordial Unity Qi Art had jumped directly to the Peak of the third layer, just one step away from the Perfection of the Grand Martial Master Realm, Qin Feng's entire body trembled with excitement.

He could clearly feel that the illusory small sword in his consciousness had become more solid and sharp, as if it had its own life rhythm. The bones throughout his body seemed a bit lighter, yet they contained unimaginable toughness and power. His affinity for the "sword" had reached a whole new Realm! The Incomplete Manual of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art, which had seemed obscure before, now felt as if many of its bottlenecks had suddenly opened up!

And the Blue-Clad Woman's casual tap had such a miraculous effect?! This was simply a complete transformation!

He recalled the woman's disdain when she evaluated his "Aptitude" as "too poor." Only now did he truly understand that in the eyes of such an existence, his previous Sword Heart and Sword Bone were probably just in a "pathetic" state that had only just sprouted.

"Xiao Chun's Body of a Hundred Medicines actually evolved into the Myriad Medicine Body... and that jade talisman that can summon a Clone..." Qin Feng's heart surged with emotion. He was both happy for Xiao Chun and felt an even deeper, unfathomable awe for the Blue-Clad Woman's identity and strength.

This sea voyage, though filled with life-and-death situations and narrow escapes, had ultimately yielded rewards far beyond his imagination!

He had obtained the five spirit flower, his Sword Heart and Sword Bone had been promoted to Advanced, and he had even acquired the Incomplete Manual of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art, which was suspected to surpass the Heaven Rank, as well as that mysterious bronze mud sword!