Bandit points are hard to come by, so it's never wrong to be frugal.
He pondered the Lingbo Weibu again, inwardly calculating the bandit points needed for martial techniques.
Beginner, Minor Success, Major Success, Perfection.
Without a doubt, these were the four realms of cultivating any martial technique.
Lingbo Weibu was unquestionably a master-level martial technique.
If all martial techniques were divided into four tiers, without other techniques for comparison, it would be impossible to determine which tier Lingbo Weibu belonged to.
But there was no doubt that Lingbo Weibu was no simple master-level technique.
Just looking at the bandit points it required made that clear.
Fifty thousand for Beginner, two hundred fifty thousand for Minor Success.
Major Success would cost one million two hundred fifty thousand.
A fivefold increase.
Without a doubt, reaching Perfection would require six million two hundred fifty thousand.
That amount exceeded what was needed for the tenth layer of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art, being half of what the eleventh layer required.
Based on the bandit points needed for post-natal and pre-natal level techniques.
Martial techniques required far fewer bandit points than cultivation arts, usually about half of what a same-level cultivation art needed.
So, using the eleventh layer of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art as a benchmark.
Lingbo Weibu could probably be classified as a third-tier martial technique.
Of course, this was only a preliminary guess.
The specifics would require obtaining multiple master-level techniques in the future for comparison and planning.
But from now on, he would have to factor in the bandit points needed for martial techniques as well.
This Lingbo Weibu had given him a taste of the benefits.
The bandit points required for each layer of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art were too far apart, the numbers too large.
There would inevitably be a lengthy preparation and transition period in between.
Cultivating martial techniques was a good way to boost strength.
He would also need to carefully consider which specific martial techniques to cultivate.
With the innate War God talent, having just successfully cultivated Lingbo Weibu to the Minor Success realm, Li Daoqiang could already sense the complexity within martial techniques.
They couldn't be cultivated casually.
For instance, he was certain that Lingbo Weibu wasn't really suited for him.
This was determined by his cultivation art and personality.
The Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art emphasized overwhelming force.
His personality leaned toward controlling and suppressing everything with sheer power, favoring grand, imposing martial techniques.
It aligned quite well with the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art, and with the innate War God talent, the three complemented each other perfectly.
Lingbo Weibu was different, focusing more on dodging, grace, and a style of striking after the opponent.
A mismatch meant he would need to spend more time and effort to cultivate it.
Even if he reached Perfection, the actual effect would be somewhat inferior compared to someone more compatible.
Of course, with his innate War God talent, he wouldn't have issues with application.
But if he cultivated techniques that suited him, he could succeed with less time and effort while unleashing greater power.
Between the two choices, anyone knew which to pick.
He could already foresee that after cultivating Lingbo Weibu to Perfection, or even Major Success.
He would modify it based on his own circumstances.
To make it more fitting for himself.
In the world, the strongest were never martial arts, but the person.
Cultivating martial arts was never about the best technique being good; it was about what suited you best.
Under the innate War God talent, Li Daoqiang understood this principle very well.
All martial techniques were for combat and killing.
What suited you best was the best method for combat and killing.
Putting away the Northern Dark Divine Art and Lingbo Weibu, he took a stroll around the Langhuan Blessed Land. Finding no other major gains.
Li Daoqiang picked up the jade statue and flew toward Blood Saber Old Ancestor and the others.
The jade statue was even larger than Li Daoqiang, carved from a single piece of flawless, top-grade jade.
Its value was incalculable.
He certainly wouldn't let it go.
Even if it was hard to sell, he'd take it first and think later.
Blood Saber Old Ancestor and the other two were startled to see Li Daoqiang return with such a large jade statue.
Was there some treasure under the Wuliang Cliff?
They thought so but dared not show any sign of it on their faces, respectfully bowing.
Li Daoqiang set the jade statue down. Under the sunlight, it shimmered brilliantly, a beautiful sight.
Not bad to keep as decoration.
Li Daoqiang thought to himself.
He ordered, "Wrap it in cloth, no damage allowed."
"Yes."
Blood Saber Old Ancestor and the other two immediately responded and began working.
Li Daoqiang's gaze shifted to the northwest, hesitating.
Since he was already out, should he make a trip to the Lingjiu Palace?
The Life-and-Death Talisman was one of the things he wanted most right now.
But...
After a moment of thought, he gave up.
Now wasn't the time.
He was confident he could defeat the Tianshan Child Elder, but she was also a stubborn, arrogant character, an old monster who had lived for years with formidable skills.
Without the right timing, getting the Life-and-Death Talisman wouldn't be easy.
Moreover, he had designs on the Thirty-Six Islands and Seventy-Two Caves, even the entire Lingjiu Palace.
So he couldn't rush.
Frowning slightly, if not the Lingjiu Palace, where to go now?
Just go back?
He glanced at the jade statue. With this and the gains from Lingbo Weibu and the Northern Dark Divine Art, it was indeed enough to return.
But thinking about what was about to happen soon, he didn't want to go back.
If handled well, the upcoming gains wouldn't be small.
Li Daoqiang fell into silent contemplation.
The more he thought, the more he saw potential.
Maybe he could even extort a big haul.
His eyes narrowed, glinting with sharp light.
After a while, he made up his mind. If you don't take risks, how can you make money fast?
He immediately decided.
"Prepare to send the jade statue back to the stronghold immediately.
Blood Saber, you stay behind and gather people to keep an eye on the Wuliang Sword Sect and a man named Zhong Wanchou.
Just watch from a distance, don't alert them." Li Daoqiang commanded.
"Yes."
Blood Saber and the others immediately responded.
Li Daoqiang's face showed a slight smile as he looked at Blood Saber Old Ancestor and said gently, "Blood Saber, don't disappoint me."
Blood Saber Old Ancestor, hearing the meaningful words, felt a tremor in his heart.
He instantly understood Li Daoqiang's warning—don't think about running.
Without any hesitation, he firmly said, "I will not let the Chief down."
"Hmm."
Li Daoqiang gave a noncommittal response, his expression calm. Without saying more, he left with the other two and the jade statue.
He didn't seem too worried about Blood Saber Old Ancestor taking the chance to flee.
Watching Li Daoqiang's figure disappear.
Blood Saber Old Ancestor's respectful, obedient expression vanished instantly.
His eyes narrowed, a natural, unruly ferocity spreading across his face.
Like a vicious wolf freed from its chain.
His eyes were full of hesitation.
Should he take the chance to escape?
This was the opportunity he had once dreamed of.
If he fled immediately, the world was vast, and Li Daoqiang might not chase him across it.
After a moment of silence, he didn't flee but followed Li Daoqiang's orders to gather people.
The Black Dragon Stronghold's intelligence network was the fastest-growing, covering the entire world.
Though crude, it had people in all key locations.
The Dali region was no exception.
On the other side.
Li Daoqiang personally escorted the two innate experts to transport the jade statue back to the Black Dragon Stronghold.
The jade statue was a treasure; he wouldn't be careless.
Only by escorting it himself could he rest easy.
Besides, with two new divine arts in hand, it was good to start arranging them early.
There was time; no need to rush.
Over ten days later, he returned to the Black Dragon Stronghold with the jade statue.
After storing the jade statue properly, Li Daoqiang handed Lingbo Weibu to Qi Fang that very night, telling her to study it well.
Two days later.
Li Daoqiang arrived at a manor.
"Greetings, Chief."
Qi Fu hurried forward, bowing respectfully.
"Hmm, where's Xuemei?" Li Daoqiang nodded.
Qi Fu kept his head low, speaking softly, "Miss isn't here; she went out."
Li Daoqiang glanced at him, his expression calm and unreadable, but it made Qi Fu break out in a cold sweat.
He immediately bowed deeper.
After a moment of silence, Li Daoqiang took out a scroll and said flatly, "Then give this to her when she returns, tell her to study it well."
"Yes."
Qi Fu breathed a sigh of relief, taking the scroll inscribed with Lingbo Weibu.
Li Daoqiang didn't linger, turning and leaving immediately.
He could easily sense Huang Xuemei inside the courtyard.
But since she didn't want to see him, so be it.
As long as she still acknowledged being his woman and the bandit points didn't disappear, that was fine.
He could let it slide.
The strong had privileges—that was an eternal truth.
He wouldn't lack for beautiful women.
Giving her Lingbo Weibu was to boost her strength, lest she get ambushed someday.
Of course, it was also a way to build rapport.
After seeing Li Daoqiang off, Qi Fu quickly walked into a room.
"Miss, the Chief has left and left this for you to study." Qi Fu said softly, a hint of worry in his voice.
Huang Xuemei's face was cold as she said icily, "Leave it."
"Yes." Qi Fu sighed softly, set down the scroll, and withdrew.
Huang Xuemei's gaze shifted to the scroll, a flicker of complexity in her eyes.
...
Two more days passed.
Li Daoqiang met with He Qinghua.
He looked at her coldly, making her feel uneasy.
The proud woman couldn't help but avert her gaze, saying awkwardly, "What do you want?"
Li Daoqiang snorted lightly, then without a word, picked her up and carried her to a room.
"Li Daoqiang, did you call me just for this?"
"Stop, stop."
...
"I can't take it anymore, stop, stop."
...
Nearly two hours later, Li Daoqiang had straightened his clothes.
His expression was cold, tinged with a hint of chill: "Remember, if you act up again and defy me, I'll keep you like a caged bird."
Lying in bed, weak and flushed, He Qinghua felt a chill run through her.
Then she glared at Li Daoqiang angrily.
Her eyes fierce.
Bastard, turning cold after getting what he wanted.
If you had the guts, don't come to my bed.
Of course, she dared to think it but didn't dare say it now.
Through Huang Xuemei's incident, she had fully grasped the essence of the man before her.
This was an extremely selfish, self-centered, cold-hearted man.
(Thanks for the support.)
...