I Can Extract Divine Power-Chapter 42: Level 4 Blood Sword Dance, a Swordsman’s Visit

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Level 4 Blood Sword Dance, a Swordsman’s Visit

Before his eyes, the smoke twisted and solidified, finally forming a line of text that floated in midair.

[Blood Sword Dance Level 4 (Swordsmanship +8, Anti-Demon +8, Vibration +8, Sword Qi +8): 0/10,000]

Level 4.

Once Blood Sword Dance reached Level 4, not only did its original Attributes double, but Shen Bai had also gained the Sword Qi Attribute.

An ethereal, phantom-like figure materialized in Shen Bai’s mind.

Once the figure appeared, it held a Longsword in its hand.

The Longsword was ordinary, but in the figure’s grasp, it seemed like a Divine Weapon, capable of parting the clouds and scattering the mists.

A hazy, blood-red light coated the Longsword. As the light appeared, streams of Sword Qi began to swirl around the phantom figure.

The figure began its sword dance.

With every movement of the figure’s dance, each strike was accompanied by a surging torrent of blood-red Sword Qi.

The Sword Qi tore through Heaven and Earth. It carried a magnificent, righteous aura, like the very first sword strike at the dawn of creation, completely shredding the void before it.

A moment later, everything returned to normal.

’Sword Qi that forms a fine line, controlled at will.’

Shen Bai drew the Longsword from his waist and circulated the Qi within his body.

The next moment, a blood-red strand of Sword Qi coiled around the Longsword.

The Sword Qi was held in check, ready but unreleased, like a viper flicking its tongue, radiating a dangerous light.

’This is my ranged ability now,’ Shen Bai thought, overjoyed.

From the moment he received his Golden Finger until now, Shen Bai had been purely a close-quarters fighter.

But now, after the qualitative leap of his Blood Sword Dance, his weakness in ranged combat was completely covered.

Each stream of Sword Qi could carry the Attributes of Blood Sword Dance and could even be enhanced with the Mystic Heart Spell’s blessing.

’Now *this* is what you call being well-rounded.’

Shen Bai sheathed his Longsword, sensing the Qi within his body.

His two kidneys were now more than half full; he was not far from achieving First Treasure Perfection within the Three Treasures Realm.

’I just need two more Fourth-level Divine Powers, and I’ll successfully reach the First Treasure: Essence and Qi Perfection.’

By now, the sky was already beginning to lighten with the dawn.

Shen Bai’s stomach felt empty.

Although he had the new Qi Blood Medicine, continuously practicing the Blood Sword Dance had consumed a great deal of his qi and blood.

Shen Bai had planned to grind his Vajra Demon Subduing Fist, but since it was still early, he went out the door and headed for the nearest breakfast stall.

...

Shengyun County was as bustling as ever.

Even though a horrific family massacre had occurred in Huaxi Village, enough time had passed that the common folk had already forgotten all about it.

Sometimes, memory can be stubborn, but more often than not, it is fleeting.

The massacre might serve as a topic for idle gossip, but it couldn’t be allowed to interfere with daily life.

After breakfast, Shen Bai let out a satisfied burp and strolled leisurely back to the Shen Family Pawnshop.

Zhang Chaofeng wasn’t in, so he had to open the shop for business himself.

A man’s got to eat, after all.

The day passed quietly at the pawnshop.

At noon, Shen Bai popped out again for a meal, bought some oranges, and headed back to the pawnshop to continue slacking off, eating as he went.

Shen Bai had thought that would be all for the day.

But unexpectedly, someone came into the pawnshop that afternoon.

"Shopkeeper, how much for this?"

Shen Bai heard the voice and turned to see a plainly dressed, middle-aged man placing a Longsword on the counter.

’A Jianghu person?’

Although the man was dressed plainly, he carried the air of one long-tossed by the mortal world. The aura of hardship that washed over Shen Bai was not something to be taken lightly.

Shen Bai picked up the Longsword, examined it for a moment, then said, "Five taels of silver."

The pawnshop had dealt with Jianghu People before, so Shen Bai was used to it.

These types, who lived by the blade, were never easy to deal with.

The sword was indeed a good one—far better than the one Shen Bai currently carried.

But a pawnshop had to turn a profit, and Shen Bai wasn’t about to offer a high price.

The middle-aged man fell silent for a long moment before looking up. "Give me the five taels. When my business is done, I’ll pay you back ten taels. If I fail, this sword will be delivered to Shengyun County along with my corpse."

Shen Bai raised an eyebrow at his words.

In the Jianghu, only the weakest of Cultivators ended up in such miserable straits.

After all, they all possessed Ultimate Techniques. At the very least, they could serve as Guards for a major power and live without a care.

Although the middle-aged man before him appeared destitute, Shen Bai could tell he was a master.

It was a feeling—the intuition of a master of Swordsmanship.

His Level 4 Blood Sword Dance had already made Shen Bai exceptional in the art of Swordsmanship, and he could sense it in the other man.

"If you’re not willing, then forget it."

The middle-aged man assumed Shen Bai wouldn’t agree, so he picked up his Longsword and prepared to leave.

Shen Bai asked, "What makes you so sure you can pay me back ten taels?"

The man shook his head. "Shopkeeper, it’s better for you not to know some things."

With that, the middle-aged man took his Longsword and left the pawnshop.

Shen Bai yawned, not giving the matter a second thought.

In a television drama, the protagonist would have generously handed over the five taels of silver and chosen to trust the man.

But in reality, five taels of silver was still money.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully.

When night fell, Shen Bai closed the pawnshop and began grinding the Skill Level for his Vajra Demon Subduing Fist.

...

The night passed without incident.

As dawn broke the next day, Shen Bai let out a long breath.

[Vajra Demon Subduing Fist +300]

After a sleepless night of grinding, Shen Bai had gained three hundred points of Skill Level.

Added to the one thousand points he had converted previously, his Vajra Demon Subduing Fist now had a Skill Level of 1,300, a major breakthrough.

’Time to get some sleep.’

Even with the aid of his Qi, grinding all night without rest left Shen Bai feeling physically and mentally exhausted.

He lay down on his bed, and it wasn’t long before he drifted off to sleep.

Shen Bai didn’t wake until the sun was high in the sky.

After some rest, Shen Bai felt full of vigor, and his stomach started rumbling again.

After quickly tidying up, Shen Bai slung his Longsword over his shoulder, went out, found a food stall, and ordered a large meal.

As he ate, Shen Bai contemplated his next steps.

’If I grind Vajra Demon Subduing Fist to Level 4, and then grind the Bright Jade Evil Body to Level 4, I’ll be able to reach the Second Treasure realm.’

’After that, I’ll grind the Mystic Heart Spell.’

The Skill Level required to go from Level 4 to Level 5 was much greater. Shen Bai didn’t want to specialize too heavily, so he decided to develop his skills in a balanced way.

It would be a terrible situation if he ran into danger before he could grind Blood Sword Dance to Level 5 while his other Divine Powers remained unimproved.

His mind made up, Shen Bai finished his food in a few quick bites and stood up, ready to head back to the pawnshop.

But just then, a clamor suddenly erupted.

Shen Bai turned toward the source of the noise and saw Zhou Qing leading a group of constables. They were carrying someone and rushing toward the County Magistrate’s Office.

Their path took them right past the food stall, so Zhou Qing and his men drew closer and closer to Shen Bai.

When Shen Bai saw the person they were carrying, he froze for a second.

It was the middle-aged man. His eyes were closed, he was still clutching that same Longsword, and his body was covered in wounds. He was on the brink of death.

The deep wounds covering his body looked as if they had been inflicted by an animal’s claws.

Shen Bai sensed a strange aura emanating from the wounds.

’An Aberration!’