Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 160 - 84: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill Breakthrough Again, Obtain a Guardian Spirit Fragrance

Looking at the old servant who had fallen from midair, Shen Qing tidied the creases on his chest caused by the swirling heads, his expression calm.

"Although the Dragon Roar Armor is now only at the Small Success realm, and it is not an overly profound martial art, once mastered, even the Qi of a Qi Cultivation Realm martial master cannot break through its outermost layer."

"This was the first time I engaged with a Qi Cultivation Realm martial master. This layer of membrane was even tougher than I had imagined."

Shen Qing put away the heavy bow and suddenly felt a tremor in his consciousness.

Lines of ink-like text appeared in his vision within the Water Ink Panel.

Through constant use, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill had unconsciously met the conditions for a breakthrough.

[Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Skillfully/Fourth Transformation)]

[Progress: 501/500 points]

[Status: Upgradable]

[Note: The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill is a technique that reverses Qi and blood, containing violent power, which places a great burden on the body. The greater the later stage power, the heavier the burden. Further breakthroughs have a certain probability of transformation, removing negative effects.]

Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brows.

Up to now, due to the existence of the Blood Dominance Technique, not only was his Qi and blood quantity different from ordinary people, but the recovery speed was also extremely fast.

So, the side effects of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill were not very severe for him.

This was mostly because this technique was still at a relatively low level.

Once the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill level gets higher, the side effects would certainly become more pronounced. If the side effects could be eliminated, it would definitely be a good thing for him.

Shen Qing took a deep breath and didn't think much. His consciousness focused directly on the Water Ink Panel.

The next moment, the information on the Water Ink Panel immediately refreshed.

[Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Small Success/Fifth Transformation)]

[Progress: 1/600 points]

At the moment the Water Ink Panel refreshed, the Qi and blood contained within Shen Qing's body surged through his flesh and bones, continuously reversing, being compressed, and becoming fiery.

After experiencing four consecutive reversals, Shen Qing felt the Qi and blood within him start boiling.

Finally, at a certain moment, Shen Qing sensed the shackles within him being quietly broken, and this fiery Qi and blood began the fifth reversal.

He suddenly opened his eyes, pointed a finger, and a series of explosions resounded in the air, with Qi surging.

"The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill, the Fifth Transformation, has succeeded. Its power has exceeded its original level."

A slight smile appeared on Shen Qing's face.

The power from the Fourth Transformation was already sufficient to handle a Qi Cultivation Realm martial master. Now with an additional transformation, perhaps even a Qi Sea Realm martial master could be dealt with.

Looking at the sign of Small Success for the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill on the Water Ink Panel, Shen Qing's mind gradually relaxed. He was prepared to investigate the old servant's body.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness and weakness engulfed him.

Fortunately, after a moment, Shen Qing quickly reacted, realizing that this was the major side effect of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill. He hurriedly operated the Blood Dominance Technique to fill the void of Qi and blood in his body.

Under the effect of the Blood Dominance Technique, the dizziness and weakness caused by the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill only slowly dissipated after about eight breaths.

"The side effects of the Fifth Transformation have strengthened. Judging by these side effects, the unleashed power hitting someone might be an unexpected surprise," Shen Qing murmured to himself.

Once his body was no longer in serious condition, Shen Qing wasted no more time, leaping onto the rooftop and jumping next to the old servant's body.

At this moment, the old Zhou Family servant's eyes were wide open, his face frozen with shock and unwillingness, his limbs weakly sprawled, showing no signs of life.

Blood slowly spread from his back on the cold stone slab, forming a glaring red patch.

Shen Qing lowered his head and carefully searched the old servant's still warm body, but did not find anything of value.

He slightly furrowed his brows, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

"Sure enough, being a beast of burden for others, a slave, even with some skills, can't escape being a pauper."

Boom!

At that moment, a loud noise came from outside the city gate.

Shen Qing sensed a slight tremor on the ground.

He quickly raised his head toward the direction of the sound, seeing a cloud of blue smoke rising like a mushroom, mixed with a faint flash of lightning.

Shen Qing was all too familiar with this sight.

Martial Mechanism Bomb!

The Huang Tian Sect had started besieging the city.

Shen Qing's expression became serious.

[Eagle Eye] skill activated.

Immediately, scenes from around Taiping County appeared in his mind, forming a panoramic view from above.

Combined with the [Sharp Eyesight] ability, Shen Qing clearly saw the scene inside and outside the city. He noticed a large number of Huang Tian Sect disciples appearing in the four directions: south, west, and north, outside the city.

Time was of the essence, and he had to quickly find Xiao Hu.

Shen Qing's eyes swept around, using the abilities of [Eagle Eye] and [Sharp Eyesight] to continuously confirm Xiao Hu's whereabouts.

He first pinpointed around the courtyard, gradually scanning over it, spotting a few young men's corpses.

Shen Qing recognized that these people were not Shen Xiaohu.

Where in the world was he?

Time gradually ticked by. After a while, Shen Qing scanned the nearby streets and alleys again but still found nothing.

Searching aimlessly like this, if he wanted to find Shen Xiaohu in the county, he'd have to exhaust everyone in the county first.

Without half a day's time, it was impossible to achieve.

There wasn't much time left now.

Shen Qing already saw that the north gate had been breached by inside and outside forces.

The Huang Tian Sect's disciples had already stormed into the county.

Now they left the east city gate. It was evident they used a surrounding and isolating tactic.

Once Taiping County fell, the city would undoubtedly be sealed.

If he didn't leave now, it would soon be difficult.

Not finding Shen Xiaohu's body suggested he was more likely alive.

There were still many hunters from Hongshan Village in the city who hadn't left, plus Shen Xiaohu had also practiced some martial arts himself, with strength far greater than ordinary people, making him more capable of self-preservation compared to those unarmed ordinary people.

After considering comprehensively, Shen Qing decided it was best to leave now and come back later when the place settled down to inquire about Shen Xiaohu's whereabouts.

Shen Qing returned to the courtyard entrance, quickly untied the horse reins, leaped onto the horse's back, spurred, and galloped toward the east city gate, his silhouette gradually disappearing from the courtyard's entrance.

Taiping County, county government.

Huang Tian Sect's disciples fearlessly charged up.

Some Yellow Angels and Holy Sect disciples who had already infiltrated the city led the group, killing several officials, then took out a yellow triangle flag, forming a seal in their hands, pointing repeatedly in the void.

Soon, the triangular flag spun in his hand, unfurling without wind.

Waving the yellow triangle flag twice, the Yellow Angel incited, "The Dog County Magistrate's mansion has endless grain, money that cannot be spent, treasures that cannot be exhausted. With Yellow Heaven above, whoever enters shares in the spoils! Charge!"

Waves of yellow radiance flashed.

Following them, many disciples of the Huang Tian Sect had their desires and fury awakened.

They seemed to recall various suppressed memories and charged fearlessly towards the government office's gates.

Some disciples strapped with Martial Mechanism Bombs rushed up, perishing together with officials.

The booming sound was endless.

"Lord County Magistrate, Team Leader Wang from the garrison was killed by the Huang Tian Sect's Commander who stormed in. The north gate has fallen, and now the west gate has also fallen. We can't hold Taiping County," the County Governor said anxiously.

County Magistrate Du Yuntong, his face ashen, replied, "So quickly?"

"They prepared for a long time and came with strong momentum. We were caught off guard. It's not your fault, Lord County Magistrate," the County Governor quickly said. "We must leave immediately and report the situation here to the county government, so the county town can dispatch troops to suppress the bandits here."

County Magistrate Du Yuntong gritted his teeth: "Go call Team Leader Wang to come with us."

He removed his official robe hastily running into the back hall.

Under the arrangements of Wang Yanjun and a group of trusted subordinates, he didn't bother with any valuables, and the group rode horses straight out of the encirclement, disappearing quickly from the government office's back courtyard.

Seeing this, the disciples of the Huang Tian Sect were greatly encouraged and quickly occupied the government office.

The Yellow Angel mixed among the numerous believers had a clear purpose, heading straight to the study of former County Magistrate Du Yuntong and rummaging around.

He searched through drawers and finally found a sandalwood box, eagerly opening it.

Inside lay a bundle of incense.

"Hahaha, found it! The Zhou Dynasty issued the Guardian Spirit Fragrance to officials as part of their salary, using it merely to assist in refining Wish Power Pearls. But for us, it is the perfect treasure for meditation cultivation; leaving it in their hands is sheer waste."

The Yellow Angel suddenly closed the sandalwood box, glanced around, and quickly flashed to the government office's back courtyard, slipping out the door.

As soon as he exited the door, he was met head-on by a handsome young man riding a tall black horse charging toward him.

The Yellow Angel's expression changed.

The other party's aggressive momentum was clearly coming to snatch my Guardian Spirit Fragrance.

To hell with him!

He hurriedly took out a Martial Arts Thunder, preparing to throw it over and blow him to pieces.

Sitting on the horse, when Shen Qing saw that familiar object, his heart jumped. He instinctively extended a finger.

Boom!

The Wind Force shot out, striking the Yellow Angel's neck.

The Yellow Angel did not quite understand what happened, just noting a dizzying spin and losing perception of his body, slowly losing consciousness.

"I… damn…"

Looking at the Yellow Angel, whose head was separated from his body, Shen Qing's face turned grim.

The disciples of the Huang Tian Sect were truly madmen, killing whoever they saw; staying in the county was absolutely untenable.

Just as he was about to urge the horse to leave, he suddenly noticed the opponent clutching a wooden box. Without giving it much thought, purely by instinct, he snatched both the sandalwood box and the unexploded Martial Arts Thunder into his arms and immediately rode away.

On the dock outside Taiping County, atop a Zhou Family tower ship.

Fifth Young Master Zhou Xintong stood on the deck, gazing at the distant blaze over Taiping County, his expression somewhat impatient. He commanded the steward Zhou Hao below, "Set sail, return to Yongzhou."

The steward Zhou Hao didn't ask any reason, promptly agreeing, "Yes, Young Master."

"Young Master has ordered, set sail!"

"Set sail!"

The many servants aboard the tower ship quickly moved into action, lifting large oars high on both sides of the ship, dropping them into the water, starting to row.

The tower ship slowly left the dock, gliding downstream.