Su Fan arrived at the fourth floor. The cultivation techniques here were much fewer and appeared more refined, as if specially processed.
Su Fan quickly selected three skill books.
Golden Bell Shield
Type: Defense
Releases a shield equivalent to one's defense, capable of withstanding at least one attack that exceeds the shield's strength. The excess damage will not harm the user.
This skill is equivalent to a life-saving skill. No matter how high the opponent's attack power is, it can at most shatter the shield, but it cannot instantly kill Su Fan.
Unceasing Flow
Type: Offensive
Passive, increases damage by 50%. Each consecutive hit increases damage by 5%.
A passive offensive skill, it is actually more suited for speed-based warriors. For a strength-based warrior like Su Fan, it is somewhat unsuitable. However, there were no better skills available. Su Fan chose this one to fill a slot. Compared to other skills, this one was still more fitting for Su Fan.
Last Minute Preparation
Type: Offensive
Buff skill, after use, increases weapon damage by 100% for 30 seconds, with a 40-second cooldown.
This skill is a very powerful buff. It directly doubles weapon damage, which is quite impressive, especially since it hasn't been upgraded yet. It will be even more potent after upgrading.
Su Fan directly took these three cultivation techniques downstairs.
The senior disciple saw the three skill books Su Fan had chosen and immediately gave him a thumbs-up.
These three were the most powerful among the non-spell cultivation techniques. Su Fan truly had a discerning eye.
"May you achieve victory."
The senior disciple handed the instance copies of the three cultivation techniques to Su Fan and said to him.
Su Fan smiled. He would be back later, so there would be opportunities to meet again.
After Su Fan left the Scripture Pavilion, he immediately learned the three skills.
"Su Fan? Where have you been these past few days?"
Xiao Yan suddenly appeared in front of Su Fan and ran over, asking with curiosity.
Xiao Yan's arrival was timely, saving Su Fan the trouble of finding him to say goodbye.
"I'm leaving."
Su Fan said calmly to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan was stunned.
His expression immediately became serious.
"When did this happen?"
"Don't be discouraged. Terminal illnesses are not necessarily incurable. You can try begging the Manor Lord; perhaps he can save you."
Xiao Yan patted Su Fan's shoulder and said sincerely, his eyes even welling up with tears.
Su Fan: ...
"Go to hell! I said I'm leaving the Baiyue Manor!"
Su Fan pointed at Xiao Yan's nose and cursed.
What kind of person is this? His thought process is a bit abnormal.
"Ah? You mean that?"
Xiao Yan sighed with disappointment.
"If you're leaving, then leave. Who are you going to rob this time?"
Xiao Yan assumed Su Fan was just leaving Baiyue Manor to suppress bandits and didn't think in any other direction.
"I'm going to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament."
Su Fan suddenly said.
Xiao Yan was instantly stunned. This time, he understood what Su Fan meant.
"Are you trying to die? Participating in the Martial Arts Tournament?"
Xiao Yan looked at Su Fan with a serious expression. Participating in the Martial Arts Tournament was no trivial matter.
"I'm serious. Wait for my good news."
Su Fan patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and said with a smile.
Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and followed Su Fan's footsteps.
"I'll go with you!"
Su Fan looked at Xiao Yan with a strange expression.
"You're also participating in the Martial Arts Tournament? Are you out of your mind?"
"Participate my ass! I'm going to collect your corpse!"
Xiao Yan said with a laugh and a curse.
"It's so you don't have anyone to collect your corpse if you die. Being left exposed in the wilderness is terrible. At least I'll erect a grave for you," Xiao Yan said with a smile.
"Fine, make sure it's a good tombstone then. Engrave 'Tomb of Su Fan, the Most Handsome Man Under Heaven' on it, hahaha."
"What tombstone? A wooden plaque would be good enough. If you want a stone tablet, give me tens of millions. I'll definitely custom-make the best tombstone for you!"
"Get lost. When you die, I'll burn a few maids for you, so you won't die a virgin down there."
"You're the virgin!"
...
The two walked towards Tianlong City, exchanging curses and banter.
Tianlong City.
The capital of the Tianlong Dynasty, it was several times larger than Tianxin City. Its prosperity was incomparable to Tianxin City. There were no bandits around, not even a one-eyed fly could be found.
"It's my first time in Tianlong City, it's truly lively!" Xiao Yan said excitedly, looking at the bustling streets.
Su Fan was not very interested. This level of prosperity didn't even compare to a large-scale mall event.
Su Fan followed his memory of the environment to the Martial Arts Tournament registration site.
It wasn't as crowded as he had imagined. Instead, it was rather deserted. There was no one at the registration counter, and even the staff were slumped over, sleeping.
"Master? I'm here to register."
Su Fan walked over and called out to the person.
The person groggily opened his eyes and frowned slightly, as if annoyed by being disturbed from his rest.
"Name, age, write it yourself."
The person didn't even bother to move his hand and pushed the paper and pen towards Su Fan, telling him to write it himself.
Su Fan didn't mind and picked up the brush to write his information.
"When does this Martial Arts Tournament start?"
Su Fan asked after filling in his information.
"In a week."
The person replied and then slumped back down to sleep.
[Ding! Mission completed. Gained 10,000 experience points, Martial Essence Stone * 1.]
[New Mission: Martial Arts Tournament Preliminaries. Participate in the Martial Arts Tournament preliminaries and successfully advance.]
[Ding! Congratulations on leveling up.]
Su Fan had already reached level 27 while completing sect missions. The experience from completing the main mission allowed him to level up again, successfully reaching level twenty-eight, and he also obtained a Martial Essence Stone.
Su Fan could choose one skill to upgrade.
It had to be Last Minute Preparation!
Only Last Minute Preparation was a skill that directly increased damage. Although Unceasing Flow could also increase damage, it required coordination with attack speed. Last Minute Preparation was better.
Su Fan immediately upgraded the skill level of Last Minute Preparation.
Last Minute Preparation+
Type: Offensive
Buff skill, after use, increases weapon damage by 200% for 30 seconds, with a 40-second cooldown.
The damage increase was 100%, which was not bad.
"Are you serious?"
Xiao Yan saw that Su Fan had actually registered for the Martial Arts Tournament and still found it hard to believe.
Participating in the Martial Arts Tournament was a matter of life and death. Not a single participant ever stepped down completely unharmed. Even those who won would not have a good outcome; they would either be conscripted for battle or taken in by officials as guards.
They might gain fame and fortune, but their freedom would be lost.
"Yes, want to join?" Su Fan asked, nodding.
Xiao Yan immediately shook his head. He didn't want to die so soon.
Su Fan was naturally aware of the consequences of participating in the Martial Arts Tournament, but without participating, he would not be qualified for the Martial Arts Hegemony. The latter was the true meaning of the game. Those who participated in the Martial Arts Hegemony were all renowned figures in the martial world: sect leaders, rising stars, and heroes of the greenwood – all individuals whose names were known in the Jianghu.
The main mission asking him to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament was actually to increase his fame. With fame, he could then participate in the Martial Arts Hegemony.
As for how to refuse the officials and nobles after winning the championship, Su Fan already had an excuse.