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The waterfall roared loudly, splashing water on the rocks, making them wet.
The cliffs were a bluish color with a thin layer of moss, making them quite slippery.
Qiao Mu’s figure soared like a giant eagle, using slightly unfamiliar steps to quickly reach the top of the rocks, climbing higher along the cliff step by step.
Just halfway up the one hundred meters cliff, Qiao Mu slipped, losing balance and falling from the air. In the end, he landed with a "Shadow Step" technique, lowering his body to the ground.
"Another failure."
Qiao Mu thought deeply, looked up at the sky, and the sound of the waterfall continued rumbling.
He stayed in Wei En’ wooden house for only one or two days, and after his external injuries slightly healed with the help of Shape Changing Skill and medicine, he started practicing light skills.
Qiao Mu had only learned one set of light skills before, which was the Shadow Step passed down by the Heyang City Sheriff Qian.
Qiao Mu had already mastered Shadow Step, reaching a high level where his footsteps left no traces in the sand… But Wei En insisted that he climb the waterfall using the newly learned Heavenly Dragon Eight Steps instead.Wei En, who was nearby, also watched for a long time, with an expression that seemed hesitant to speak.
"Elder Lao’s talent and comprehension… seem a bit different than what I imagined? He is learning a bit slowly," Wei En felt somewhat puzzled.
As an elder of the Qiao family, Qiao Shui’s appearance was so old that it was hard to determine his exact age… Wei En estimated he was over eighty years old, but just how much older was uncertain.
In this age, being able to live a long life as a martial artist also signifies a certain kind of strength.
The martial artist who can use martial arts to defeat immortals is seen as a rare talent in Jiu Province, with exceptional natural abilities.
So, in Wei En’ opinion, Qiao Shui, as a man around a hundred years old, has martial arts skills and power that can break boundaries and defeat immortals, showing his exceptional talent.
When teaching Qiao Mu lightness skill, Wei En was prepared to amaze onlookers, expecting Qiao Mu to quickly excel in his training.
He was indeed amazed, but in a different way…
"Why are you progressing so slowly, much slower than I did at your age?" Wei En wondered.
"Could it be that Elder Lao’s talents and comprehension are just average? No, that’s not possible. Even with a lifetime of practice, one cannot reach Elder Lao’s level with average talents. It must be my fault."
"Did I make a mistake somewhere, causing a delay for Elder Lao? Or maybe this lightness skill is not suitable for him?"
"Or perhaps Elder Lao has serious internal injuries? Unable to practice effectively?" Wei En began to reflect seriously.
After pondering for a long time without figuring out the reason, he cautiously raised the issue, afraid of leading others astray in their training.
"So that’s what it is…" Qiao Mu chuckled lightly.
"I’m not really talented in martial arts, not a genius. I just spent a little more time practicing than most people."
"How much more can you improve?" Wei En was puzzled.
In this world, a martial artist who reaches the 3rd rank of the Spiritual Refining Period is already outstanding. Which Spirit Refining martial artist doesn’t work hard?
Martial arts is not an easy and short road. It’s dull and lengthy.
It takes decades of daily diligence and perseverance, along with excellent mental strength, to enter the Spiritual Refining Method.
Wei En, as a well-known 1st ranked martial artist, naturally has top talent, perseverance, and mental strength. Is Qiao Mu better than him despite his efforts?
"It’s different," Qiao Mu said calmly.
"While ordinary martial artists sleep, I’m practicing martial arts. While ordinary martial artists dream, I’m still practicing. By doing this throughout my life, it becomes natural."
When ordinary people sleep, Qiao Mu continues to have adventures, even in his dreams, for almost two hundred years. That’s how it goes.
"I see…Elder Lao is truly extraordinary," Wei En admired.
Although Qiao Mu said it casually, upon careful recollection, living almost two hundred years in a dream feels like an impossible journey.
Born immortal, one should live a little more joyfully, without restraint.
When it comes to martial arts, it’s about participation, being decent is enough. There’s no need to strive to be the best in the world.
Upon reflection, it might seem thrilling to become the best in martial arts, fulfilling Qiao Mu’s desire for fame and glory. But working towards it for hundreds of years in dreams seems pointless.
Anyway, he has plenty of time, so he can take it slow.
With endless lifespan, there’s no need to rush. Living in this world for a thousand years, practicing martial arts slowly can work too.
Of course, there’s one condition…he has to defeat King Qin first.
"If this wave kills King Qin, then I’ll change my face and go on vacation," Qiao Mu thought to himself.
Qiao Mu practiced by the cliff for half an hour, while Wei En suddenly glanced towards the distance.
Two people were approaching on the mountain path in the distance, it was Hu Han and his daughter.
Hu Han was holding another Fragrant Insect Bottle, obviously he found Qiao Mu’s trail based on this strange insect.
Qiao Mu had lost his own Fragrant Insect Bottle after passing out, but his body had a scent beforehand, so Hu Han could still find him.
"So, Elder Lao is here." Hu Han led his daughter forward, and they exchanged information.
"What? The news of Dao Xu’s death hasn’t spread?" Qiao Mu was slightly surprised, but quickly understood:
"It seems King Qin purposely kept the news suppressed… Covering things up when faced with difficulties is quite normal."
"It’s okay, once he’s dead, the lid won’t stay on anymore."
Qiao Mu thought King Qin must be very worried because the Immortal Gate has a special way to confirm the life and death of disciples, and the truth cannot be hidden.
"King Qin is indeed in a hurry," said Hu Han with a serious expression.
"Today, King Qin took action… He mentioned that a man named Qiao, who called himself Qiao Shui, recently caused trouble in the Great Qin Prefecture."
"This man named Qiao visited King Qin, claiming to be from the famous Qiao family!"
The famous Qiao family… obviously refers to the Qiao family that Qiao Mu belongs to.
"King Qin welcomed the visitor, thinking that they both oppose inhuman practices. But to his surprise, Qiao Shui betrayed him and secretly joined forces with the Great Dao Sect, inhuman beings, and the wealthy Li Gongde from the Imperial Capital."
"Fortunately, King Qin has great skills and managed to defeat Qiao Shui. However, Qiao Shui narrowly escaped, leaving Li Gongde, his accomplice, captured by King Qin."
"Early this morning, King Qin plans to publicly torture Li Gongde in the market square of the Great Qin Prefecture, as a warning to others, showing the consequences of working with inhuman beings."
"King Qin mentioned that Qiao Shui may be a rebellious member of the Qiao family, disregarding their rules. If a true and honorable Qiao family member comes forward to explain and uphold their values, the misunderstanding can be resolved."
Hu Han felt puzzled when he heard this.
"Elder Lao, which play do you think King Qin is acting in?" asked Hu Han.
"I went to the market this morning and saw Li Gongde, who weighs hundreds of pounds, hanging there, his skin peeled off, one of his hands chopped off and left to feed dogs at the market," said Elder Lao.
"How can anyone use their own men to deceive Elder Lao with such an obvious plot of pretending to be a victim? Who would fall for it?" Hu Han wondered.
After Hu Han spoke, Qiao Mu and Wei En remained silent.
They exchanged a glance, their brows furrowed unconsciously.
Li Gongde’s intentions were unclear, making it difficult to determine if he was a friend or a foe.
Wei En suspected that it might be a performance but wasn’t entirely sure, considering that he had been spared by Li Gongde before.
"Wei En, do you think King Qin has discovered that Li Gongde is acting against him? Might he have secretly… spared my life?" furrowed Qiao Mu.
"This is King Qin’s cunning plan, he always acts recklessly. If he doesn’t catch Li Gongde as bait, he can easily catch some townspeople." Wei En sighed.
"King Qin is always ruthless and decisive. He made such a decision in just one day."
"Whether it’s true or false depends entirely on King Qin’s words. If Elder Lao goes to the market square execution ground, he might end up unfairly blamed."
"If Elder Lao doesn’t go…" Wei En didn’t continue.
The outcome was easy to guess.
Ever since Qiao family member and three hundred old soldiers left the Hundred-mile Desert, gaining fame in Zhong Province, they were also acclaimed alongside Earth Sword Immortal.
The higher you climb, the harder you fall.
"It seems there is no time at all for rest and training." Qiao Mu stood up.
"Hold on. Elder Lao should think carefully." Wei En gestured.
"I’m not stopping Elder Lao from going, but if Elder Lao goes, it will be falling into a trap."
"If this happens once, then the enemy will know it’s a weakness of the Qiao family member, and there will be more in the future."
Wei En, as a skilled detective, has met many people and understands the minds of those who are hard to read.
"Elder Lao shouldn’t rush to go, change into some night clothes, change his identity…"
Wei En talked about this matter with a lot of experience.
Many martial artists in the martial arts world have two masks, one for the public and one for hiding.
When faced with a problem, you can use a fake name and identity to separate yourself from your public identity.
The killings and fires are done by impostors, while publicly they can be respected heroes.
Among the criminals Wei En has caught, there are quite a few people like this, even Wei En himself had a fake identity when wandering in the martial arts world, just for a different purpose.
Wei En is like a detective in the story, so he must speak and act politely and follow the laws of Great Yan.
But when there are situations that the laws of Great Yan cannot handle, like cases involving rich and powerful people, Wei En sometimes has to wear his night clothes and come back at night.
Wei En got more and more excited as he spoke, and even in front of Qiao Mu, he opened the secret door in the cellar of the house.
The house in the mountains looked simple, but inside the cellar, there were actually seven or eight spare sets of night clothes, and Wei En generously offered to give two sets to Qiao Mu.
"You make a lot of sense," Qiao Mu nodded.
"But I don’t want to," he said.
"Wei En, you have your experience, but I have mine," Qiao Mu calmly said.
"I once had a friend named Guo, who taught me a lesson with his life," he continued.
"A thousand plans are not as good as being bold."
After saying this, he stood up, walked out, and didn’t look back.
…………….
He stopped his steps only when he reached a place in the mountains where no one was around.
Although it’s described as reckless, it doesn’t mean acting without thinking.
Acting without thinking is falling into the trap of King Qin’s deception, as Wei En mentioned. Even if it succeeds this time, there will be another King Qin, and another one after that.
Wei En has his own experience, and Qiao Mu has his own thoughts.
On this trip, he wasn’t going to save people, but to harm them.
In TV shows, when someone is threatened, they are usually shown to drop their sword. But in reality, both the hostage and oneself are likely to die.
"Next, I need a fresh body as complete as possible."
Qiao Mu stood alone in the forest, pointing at his own forehead with one finger, pressing hard and piercing his skull.
"Five years, indeed feels quite long when you think about it."
His eyes quickly lost focus, and his body slumped to the ground.
………………….
Opening his eyes, Qiao Mu found himself in a dream.
His thoughts sank into the Long Life Lock in his heart, and a message appeared.
Death Assessment this time: C- (very creative)
Lifespan consumed by death: 5 years (1*5)
Remaining resurrection chances this week: 4 out of 5
Age: 210 years old (5 years remaining)
Health: 21%
Skills: basic
"Is it really five years?" Qiao Mu muttered to himself.
Self-harm refresh allows the body to restore to optimal condition.
The original body would take a long time to recover with the Shape Changing Skill, so Qiao Mu made this decision.
However, the resurrection time is at least one year, and with the Long Life Lock’s two chains broken, time in dreams is multiplied by five.
"The next step should I practice the Long Life Fist first, or the light skill Heavenly Dragon Eight Steps?"
"King Qin, as a more expensive Golden Body Taoist soldier, must have a stronger body than the Copper Skin and Iron Bone Taoist soldier."
"After practicing Long Life Fist for five years, even if one’s energy and blood may increase a little, it cannot be compared to the use of the body and immortal materials."
"Let’s start by practicing light skills."
With a single thought, the surroundings suddenly changed, turning into the familiar cliffs and wooden houses, only without Wei En beside.
He leaped up, releasing his internal strength, and swiftly climbed up the waterfall wet with water droplets.
Soon after, he slipped again, falling into the water basin, splashing large water flowers.
With another thought, the water stains on his clothes had dried up, and he stood once again at the bottom of the waterfall.
"In dreams, you are not afraid of getting hurt, and you won’t truly die. Practicing martial arts in dreams allows you to be more unrestrained, with much better efficiency than practicing in the real world."
"The only downside is… it can be boring."
Qiao Mu sighed softly.
He had been reading for ten or twenty years without falling in love with studying. He had been practicing martial arts for nearly two hundred years, but even though it had become a habit for his muscles, he still found it dull.
………………..
In the forest, another person emerged and helped up the fallen "Qiao Shui" who had just died. They gently pressed their fingers against Qiao Shui’s head.
Next to them, a colorful stray cat sat licking its paw, tilting its head and staring blankly at the two Qiao family members.
Okay, even though it didn’t understand why, it wasn’t as surprised anymore.
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