Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Li Xian mused, "In my current state, if Zhao Ranran sees me, she will definitely kill me. This matter of flattering elite families must be abandoned for now. However... I can lay strands of hair along the way, observing and eavesdropping on their conversations."

He swiftly departed, using his eyesight to observe from afar, deducing paths and preemptively scattering strands of hair. He couldn’t help but sigh, "Wherever they go, there are people showing great respect and offering generous gifts. Yet I face capture and humiliation. Ultimately, it’s just a difference in family background and strength."

Suddenly, the Jingyao Divine Bird appeared, frolicking among the clouds. Li Xian thought, I spared your life in the past, but your master tried to kill me. Resentment brewed, and his gaze was as sharp as a needle.

The Jingyao Divine Bird trembled all over and fell from the sky. Zhao Ranran was astonished, quickly used Lightweight Skill to catch it, gently soothing it, her mind filled with confusion.

Tuolong Chunfeng frowned, "Ran sister, what’s the matter? Little Jing has never been like this before." Su Tiexin, employing Lightweight Skill, stepped onto a mountain wall, leaped to the top, surveyed the surroundings, and shouted, "Who is fooling around! Dare you show yourself?"

The shout echoed out, trees rustled and fell, the soundwave seemed to become tangible, rushing forth. It caused the trees in the vicinity to lean heavily. This was the "Ten Thousand Enemy Roar" of the Su family. Legend has it that the Su ancestors once guarded Jade City, using a roar to scare off tens of thousands of enemy troops, causing chaos and retreat. Whenever this feat is mentioned, they pride themselves on the creation of the martial arts known as "Ten Thousand Enemy Roar."

Yet despite observing in all directions, no trace was found. Su Tiexin returned to horseback, concerned and asked, "Miss Zhao, are you hurt by hidden arrows?"

Zhao Ranran, with a peculiar gaze, gently stroked the Jingyao Divine Bird, and said, "It is not seriously harmed, just suffering some lingering injuries. These lingering injuries should never resurface. Yet today..."

Gazing into the distance, her fist clenched and unclenched, her mood was both somber and baffled. Tuolong Chunfeng witnessed this and asked, "Ran sister, who could harm the Divine Bird? When was it injured, and why was I unaware?"

Zhao Ranran said, "An unknown bandit, quite skilled in Archery. At least at the level of Perfection. Once hit Xiao Jing’s wings."

Tuolong Chunfeng said, "Strange. Jingyao Divine Bird... Even if carelessly hit and wounded, falling, it should not become a startled bird. Have Xiao Jing’s injuries been inspected?"

Zhao Ranran shook her head, "I too find it strange. Even if Xiao Jing were shot down, it shouldn’t be so frightened. But tracing this matter has become difficult, why it suddenly reappeared today, it really... really perplexes me." The playful spirit has dissipated.

Yet still headed towards "Jade Pillar Mountain." Su Tiexin said, "Indeed, I have some tasks to attend to, received a few token tickets recently. Since Brother Ji and Miss Zhao are here, why not take a look together?"

Su Susu, with hands on hips, said, "Alright, my sisters also wanted to visit the ’Willing Death Valley,’ asked you for the tickets, you said they were gone, turns out you were lying!"

Su Tiexin laughed, "Haha, little sister, don’t be mad, don’t be mad." Zhao Ranran asked, "Willing Death Valley?"

Su Tiexin said, "These tickets are quite extraordinary. Even in Jade City, they are high priced. Behind the Willing Death Valley lies the red... A name inconvenient to mention. You understand."

Tuolong Chunfeng became intrigued, asking, "What are they used for?" Su Tiexin said, "It’s a thoroughly savage place. Disregard all education, only fight to the death."

Su Tiexin said, "Have you ever imagined, if one day we lost our Cultivation, our Martial Arts skills, what would happen?" Tuolong Chunfeng laughed, "Such a possibility cannot exist; our diligent practice is inherently part of us. Why ponder over these things."

Su Tiexin said, "Willing Death Valley is designed to contemplate this possibility. Anyone with vision can sign the ’Life Contract,’ abandoning Martial Arts, abandoning everything in the valley, leaving only blood and blade. The most primitive combat, if victorious... there are benefits, either transformative, successful, or gain a position, earn respect. If defeated... then death and demise."

Tuolong Chunfeng said, "This kind of thing?" Su Susu said, "Father says, Jade City has been stable for too long, needs blood and fire tempering. This Willing Death Valley evokes the bloodthirsty spirit, just right."

Tuolong Chunfeng was indeed interested, eager to try. Su Tiexin said, "Brother Ji, let’s just observe. Though the Willing Death Valley allows anyone regardless of identity to attempt, truly participating is extremely dangerous."

Tuolong Chunfeng keenly interested, "Oh? I believe the strong always prevail. Ran sister, what do you think?"

Zhao Ranran, lightly stroking feathers, her mind drifting elsewhere. Tuolong Chunfeng holding reins, head high, exuded an extraordinary demeanor.

Li Xian, strands transmitting sounds and sights, happened to overhear the conversation. Thought, "Willing Death Valley... This might be an opportunity, a chance to risk everything to escape! Since Jade City has divine craft, magnificent mountains and towers... must also have a bloody, cruel side. Only by choosing the most perilous path, can I escape from this situation sooner. Yet... the Willing Death Valley is by no means simple!"

Gathering his mood, he returned to the wooden dwelling. Su Tiexin wielded considerable influence, summoned guards to array the gathered jade samples neatly.

Su Susu, highly skilled in divine craft, knowing Zhao Ranran’s curiosity in this art, explained its uses to her. Li Xian mixed among the crowd, after listening, suddenly enlightened.

Indeed... the treasure jade is the "heartbeat" of Jade City. Divine craft requires the installation of the "Jade Heart." Divine craft consists of "components" and "Jade Heart." Ordinary Jade Hearts, totaling "sixty-four" types, correspond to the sixty-four hexagrams.

Jade City’s "Return Gate," equipped with ten heavy crossbows. As tall as several buildings, once employed can penetrate a small mountain, causing the ground to tremble fiercely. It is a divine craft that is both large in scale and cleverly matched.

The intricate "components," matched perfectly with sixty-four rare Jade Hearts. As if "Heaven and Earth complete," lacking nothing. Once employed, it will astonish heaven and earth, weep ghosts and gods.