Chapter 120: Yunwen Provincial Capital

"The schedule for the Water Qilin Cave has been finalized, and we have indeed secured our spots."

"This time, the Ironclad Department will dispatch thirty young Seventh-Rank experts transferred from various regions."

"In ten days, we will gather at the Tianyuan River."

Yun Ruo explained, "The Four Top-Tier Sects, as well as the various Second-Rate sects across the land, have all received a certain number of spots. I don't know the exact numbers, but there will definitely be no shortage of experts entering the Water Qilin Cave when the time comes.

Furthermore, the Fourth Prince has also obtained a spot to enter the Water Qilin Cave this time.

The main task for us thirty Seventh-Rank Ironclad Department experts is to protect him; competing for the resources within the Water Qilin Cave is secondary."

Upon hearing this, both Sun Biao and Shi Xin were startled.

Yang Ling was also somewhat surprised. He was going as a bodyguard?!

"The Fourth Prince displayed remarkable martial talent from a young age. At 22 years old this year, he is already an Upper Seventh-Rank expert."

Sun Biao's expression turned strange: "But he is, after all, a son of immense value. Why would he personally take such a risk?

If someone truly obtains a Water Bodhi seed inside, the Fourth Prince would still have ways to make use of it."

Shi Xin nodded subconsciously: "That's exactly the point. Why must the Fourth Prince go to the Water Qilin Cave himself?"

"His Majesty's birthday is approaching."

Director Yun Ruo lowered her voice: "The Fourth Prince intends to personally find a Water Bodhi seed, along with a few Qilin scales, to present as a birthday tribute to His Majesty."

"I see... Still, it seems rather risky."

Sun Biao murmured softly to himself.

Shi Xin, however, fell silent, his brow tightly furrowed.

Yun Ruo looked at Yang Ling: "Stay in the prefectural capital for a few days. Once I have arranged the affairs at hand, I will go with you to the Tianyuan River."

"Yes."

……

Returning to Lin Yan's residence, having a meal with Old Lin, Yang Ling then shut himself in his room.

「Heaven's Will Divine Blade, cultivation threshold: 60 Spirit points」

「Threshold met」

「Comprehend?」

"Yes."

In an instant, a wave of warmth surged into his heart and flooded Yang Ling's mind.

Yang Ling immediately gained memories related to the Heaven's Will Divine Blade.

"Wait, besides the first layer having no additional cultivation conditions, the layers after the second all have additional requirements?"

"Ice Blade requires cultivation in an icy, snowy environment?"

"Fire Blade also requires cultivation amidst fire?"

"Thunder Blade... requires being empowered by lightning to increase its Proficiency!?"

The details of the Heaven's Will Divine Blade left Yang Ling momentarily stunned.

A 60-point Spirit threshold was one thing, but the subsequent cultivation was this demanding?

Yang Ling's expression turned peculiar. He could be certain that the power of this flying dagger technique was extraordinary.

The cultivation conditions and difficulty represented the upper limit of a martial arts technique.

"So, it's highly likely that Spirit Nurturing Pills may not work on the later stages of the Heaven's Will Divine Blade... or they might only be effective if taken in specific environments."

"But... an icy, snowy environment is easy to find. Just head north during winter."

"What about cultivation amidst fire? Use fire oil to start a fire?"

"Even if that's feasible, Thunder Blade requires lightning. Where on earth do I find that? There's no electricity here, not even an outlet to touch. Do I get a lightning rod and attract lightning myself?"

Thinking this, Yang Ling couldn't help but laugh out loud.

His initial joy from obtaining the Heaven's Will Divine Blade gradually faded.

This flying dagger technique's cultivation conditions were too harsh.

Currently, he didn't even have the flying daggers, nor the conditions to cultivate.

Yang Ling immediately closed his eyes and began cultivating the Vajra Bright King Technique and the Divine Ape Contemplation Diagram.

The next day, he went to the Martial Market.

He had spent all his silver some time ago, but the Vermilion Gold Ore he dug up had restored his wealth to nearly a thousand taels of silver.

Arriving at that blacksmith shop, the Master Craftsman's demeanor was noticeably more respectful upon seeing Yang Ling than before.

Clearly, some detailed news about He Dongfeng's arrest had quietly spread throughout the prefectural capital recently.

Hearing that Yang Ling intended to have flying daggers forged, the Master Craftsman agreed without a second thought, promising to forge Centenary Refined Vermilion Gold flying daggers for him.

Because the material required was less, it relied mainly on craftsmanship.

A single flying dagger cost 50 taels of silver.

Yang Ling ordered ten, totaling 500 taels, and paid half as a deposit.

Then he spent another fifty taels to buy a hundred ordinary flying daggers.

The Master Craftsman immediately had his assistants run to several cooperating blacksmith shops to gather a hundred ordinary flying daggers.

He also gifted Yang Ling a belt with a hundred slots, perfectly fitting the hundred flying daggers.

After finishing all this, Yang Ling went to the Chu Family Medicinal Shop and used his last bit of money to buy one Spirit Nurturing Pill.

He was unwilling to give up; he absolutely had to test the cultivation conditions of the Heaven's Will Divine Blade.

Returning to Lin Yan's residence, Yang Ling diligently practiced the Heaven's Will Divine Blade in the courtyard.

At first, he couldn't control his strength well, and the flying daggers were never accurate enough.

But in less than half an hour, he felt he had gotten the hang of it.

60 points of Spirit gave him terrifying perception.

This played a huge role in cultivating the flying dagger technique!

Time passed bit by bit.

The Proficiency of the Heaven's Will Divine Blade also continuously increased.

On the second day, as a wave of warmth washed over him.

The Proficiency of the Heaven's Will Divine Blade finally surpassed one hundred, advancing to Beginner's Insight.

Seeing this, Yang Ling immediately consumed the Spirit Nurturing Pill.

「Please select the martial skill Proficiency to enhance」

「Boulder Crushing Fist」

「Tiger-Capturing Saber Technique」

「Ethereal Steps」

「Twelve Paths Vajra Legs」

The Heaven's Will Divine Blade was not listed.

Yang Ling frowned slightly, "I choose the Heaven's Will Divine Blade."

The game aspect gave no feedback.

He tried several more times, finally confirming that the Spirit Nurturing Pill indeed could not affect the Heaven's Will Divine Blade in this environment.

He needed to find an icy, snowy place to increase the Heaven's Will Divine Blade's Proficiency.

"Forget it, enhance Ethereal Steps."

He still hadn't given up. Since the Spirit Nurturing Pill had no effect, he continued cultivating the Heaven's Will Divine Blade.

Several hours passed, and not a single point of Proficiency increased.

Only then did Yang Ling finally give up hope.

Another day passed. Director Yun Ruo had already arranged her work affairs. Yang Ling and she, each on a horse, rode straight out of Changhe Prefectural Capital, following the official road towards the Tianyuan River.

During the journey, Yang Ling chatted casually with Yun Ruo, gradually gaining a deeper understanding of some matters in the Zhao State.

For example, the Zhao State's administrative hierarchy for its territories.

First, the Capital was the largest, but besides the Capital, there were three Princely Capitals, each garrisoned by a prince.

The Princely Capitals' administrative level was second only to the Capital.

Below that, there were seven Provincial Capitals and ninety-seven Prefectural Capitals.

Below the Prefectural Capitals were large and small county towns, like Green Mountain City.

Below that were countless villages and towns; even Yun Ruo didn't know the exact number.

"The Tianyuan River we're heading to this time runs through all seven Provincial Capitals, even into the territory of the Rong tribe."

"However, it's closest to Yunwen Provincial Capital, so we will stay there, then rendezvous with the others before proceeding together to the Tianyuan River to await the opportunity to enter the Water Qilin Cave!"

Yun Ruo said with a faint smile.

She paused, then asked, "Have you been cultivating the Heaven's Will Divine Blade these past few days? Have you gained Beginner's Insight?"

"Not yet, for the time being."

Yang Ling's expression was utterly calm, carrying not the slightest burden of lying.

"That's understandable. This flying dagger technique is extremely difficult to gain insight into. After the Water Qilin Cave mission concludes, if you still haven't gained insight, you can simply accompany me to the Capital."

Yun Ruo said no more after that, focusing on the journey.

Traveling day and night, they finally arrived at Yunwen Provincial Capital seven days later.

Outside the city gates, Ironclad Department Constables were already waiting quietly.

Seeing the Eighth-Rank Ironclad Armor worn by Yang Ling and Yun Ruo, they immediately stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Ninth-Rank Ironclad Constable Qin Mo of Yunwen Provincial Capital's Ironclad Department, greets you two superiors!"

The leader cupped his hands and bowed. He had handsome features and a towering physique, standing a full two meters tall.

Among this group of Ninth-Rank Ironclad Constables, he stood out like a crane among chickens.

Many young women and married ladies nearby were secretly stealing glances, their cheeks flushed.