Unrestricted Dao Lord

Qingquan Prefecture, the Gu Family!

Zhang Su knew all about them.

The Gu Family was incredibly famous.

Ten years ago, they were the most prominent philanthropic family in Qingquan Prefecture, a title even Su Half-City couldn’t claim.

Unfortunately, the Gu Family had offended a ruthless man.

This ruthless man was named Zhou Sandao, known as "Thousand-Mile Solo Journey." In truth, he was nothing more than a common brigand.

Hearing that the Gu Family possessed a priceless treasure, he snuck in to steal it.

Unexpectedly, he alerted the guards hired by the family.

Having failed his first attempt, Zhou Sandao returned a second time.

This time, the Gu Family was prepared, and several guards joined forces to injure Zhou Sandao.

Zhou Sandao harbored a grudge and secretly called upon his sworn brother, Jiang Kui, known in the Jianghu as "Blood Hand."

Jiang Kui stormed the Gu Family estate.

He slaughtered all the household guards, killed Landlord Gu and his sons, and finally made off with the treasure.

From then on, the sole survivor of the Gu Family was their only daughter, Gu Ying.

In the ten years since, even though Gu Ying grew up and took over the business, the Gu Family’s fortunes plummeted.

Now, their former glory was long gone.

"Miss Gu, you came personally to offer me funding?"

"Yes. Please examine it carefully, Young Master."

After Gu Ying spoke, the handmaiden behind her respectfully presented a funding contract.

Zhang Su took it and opened it.

A look of surprise instantly appeared on his face.

"A First-level Funding Contract?"

Gu Ying nodded. "Yes. My Gu Family offers a First-level Funding Contract to help Young Master Zhang advance to the Inner Sect!"

But Zhang Su wasn’t ecstatic.

He knew very well.

He had indeed cultivated an Unparalleled Divine Technique and broken through the limits of the human body, so many people wouldn’t mind that he was over the typical age.

Still, he would have been fortunate to get Second-level Funding.

Many would hesitate to offer first-level funding.

After all, a First-level Funding Contract meant five thousand silver a month—sixty thousand silver a year.

It was a huge sum.

With that kind of money, one could easily find a genius who was the right age and had also broken through the body’s limits.

For instance, the top three of the Ten Great Outer Disciples had also cultivated Unparalleled Divine Techniques, and they too received first-level funding.

Good things don’t just fall from the sky.

"Miss Gu, let’s hear the conditions."

Gu Ying was silent for a moment before speaking slowly. "Since Young Master Zhang is from Qingquan Prefecture, you most likely know about my family’s tragedy, don’t you?"

Zhang Su nodded.

"So, I have only one condition. Once Young Master Zhang advances to the Inner Sect and has sufficient strength, you must kill Jiang Kui and Zhou Sandao."

"If you agree, Young Master Zhang, we can sign this funding contract immediately."

Zhang Su understood.

’So that was the reason.’

"Then why doesn’t Miss Gu use this money to hire an expert to hunt down Jiang Kui and Zhou Sandao? Sixty thousand silver a year should be enough to find an expert, shouldn’t it?"

Zhang Su asked.

"Jiang Kui is no ordinary Martial Artist. He has a fearsome reputation in the Jianghu. Many experts of Inner Strength have tried to kill him, but none could succeed. It’s very difficult to find a Martial Artist guaranteed to kill him."

"Besides, for you, Young Master, this First-level Funding Contract is charcoal in snowy weather. If I can use it to build a good relationship with you, it will also be of great benefit to the Gu Family. To be honest, my family’s current situation is not good. Beyond revenge, we also need the backing of a powerful expert to deter petty villains."

"So, when I heard about your situation from Chairman Yan, I decided to take a gamble. I’m betting that you will definitely advance to the Inner Sect in the future and that your potential is limitless!"

Gu Ying said earnestly.

"You are certainly frank, Miss Gu..."

Zhang Su considered for a moment.

"Fine."

He agreed.

’Once I have enough strength, I just have to kill Jiang Kui. It’s not a big deal.’

And the first-level funding, five thousand silver a month, was a huge sum.

With this funding, Zhang Su wouldn’t have to worry about Cultivation Resources at all before entering the Inner Sect.

Zhang Su immediately took out a brush and wrote his name.

The contract was sealed!

"Young Master Zhang, this is five thousand silver. From now on, it will be delivered at the beginning of each month!"

Gu Ying had her handmaiden present five thousand in silver notes.

Zhang Su accepted them.

"According to the contract, if the Gu Family is in trouble, you can ask for my help. So long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."

"Then, my deepest thanks, Young Master."

Zhang Su put away the contract and immediately stood up to leave.

After watching Zhang Su and Du Tian leave, Yan Bo looked at Gu Ying. "Miss Gu, you are truly decisive, offering first-level funding right away. Sixty thousand silver a year... you could have started with Second-level Funding, and then given more after he actually advanced to the Inner Sect..."

Gu Ying shook her head. "By the time Zhang Su actually advances to the Inner Sect, anything more I give would just be adding flowers to a brocade. It is easy to add flowers to a brocade, but difficult to deliver charcoal in snowy weather. If I want my revenge, my only choice is to deliver the charcoal."

Yan Bo nodded.

In truth, this funding was a huge risk.

What if Zhang Su failed to advance to the Inner Sect?

Or what if he wasted many years before finally generating Inner Strength? Then Gu Ying’s investment would be a total loss.

But then again, what investment comes without risk?

Gu Ying carried a blood feud on her shoulders and single-handedly supported the massive Gu Family.

She desperately needed a powerful ally!

In the past, true geniuses had countless offers of funding.

Under normal circumstances, even if she offered more silver than others, they wouldn’t necessarily choose her.

After all, funding was a two-way street.

"This time, I must thank Chairman Yan for notifying me at the earliest opportunity..."

Gu Ying waved her hand, and the handmaiden presented an exquisite Wooden Box.

A smile appeared on Yan Bo’s face.

He hadn’t notified anyone else, going straight to Gu Ying. Naturally, this was because of the various benefits she had promised.

Now that the benefits were in hand, he was very satisfied.

...

"Du Tian, you head back first. I’m going to the Instructor Pavilion."

"Alright."

Zhang Su and Du Tian parted ways.

First, Zhang Su deposited all five thousand silver into his Identity Token.

The silver became five thousand contribution points.

Then he headed straight for the Instructor Pavilion.

Entering the Instructor Pavilion, Zhang Su moved with familiarity to the bookshelf where the Swordsmanship manuals were stored.

’I had already decided. My Compatibility with Basic Sword Technique was the highest.’

’That means I’m naturally suited for Swordsmanship.’

’If I’m going to choose an Unparalleled Martial Technique, my first choice will naturally be a sword art.’

The Instructor Pavilion had a great many Swordsmanship techniques, and by extension, a large number of Unparalleled Swordsmanship manuals as well.

Zhang Su examined each of the Unparalleled Swordsmanship manuals one by one.

"Spring Breeze Rain Sword Technique, Compatibility 15%."

"Thunder Shocking Sword Technique, Compatibility 23%."

"Fufeng Swordsmanship, Compatibility 11%."

"Broken Wave Sword Technique, Compatibility 25%."

Zhang Su looked over all sorts of Unparalleled Swordsmanship techniques.

The Compatibility scores were actually decent.

Many were above 20%.

However, Zhang Su wasn’t in a hurry to choose.

He had to examine every single Unparalleled Swordsmanship technique.

He was going to choose the one with the highest Compatibility.

In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Zhang Su finished looking through all the Unparalleled Swordsmanship techniques.

He had already made his decision.

"Light and Shadow Killing Sword, Compatibility 35%."

This Swordsmanship technique had the highest Compatibility.

However, this technique was also very special.

In theory, it was a Fast Sword technique.

It emphasized killing in a single strike.

But it was incredibly difficult to practice.

It required one to integrate with their surroundings, making use of conditions like light and shadow.

That was why it was called the "Light and Shadow Killing Sword."

"You’re the one!"

Zhang Su wasn’t worried about the difficulty of the Light and Shadow Killing Sword.

After all, he had eight Compatibility Value points.

He only needed to spend seven of them to raise his Compatibility with the Light and Shadow Killing Sword to 100%. At that point, he would surely reach Perfection in the technique.

For Zhang Su, the difficulty was not an issue at all.

So, Zhang Su immediately went to find the Elder of Skill Transmission to exchange for this Unparalleled Swordsmanship technique.

"Elder, this disciple would like to exchange for a Martial Technique."

"Hand it over."

Zhang Su took out his Identity Token.

"This disciple wishes to exchange for the Light and Shadow Killing Sword."

"Hm?"

The Elder looked up slightly, his gaze fixing on Zhang Su.

"You want to exchange for the Light and Shadow Killing Sword?"

"Yes."

The Elder fell silent.

"At the Qi Blood Realm, this Unparalleled Swordsmanship is the most difficult of all sword techniques. Are you sure you want to exchange for it?"

"I’m sure."

The Elder didn’t try to persuade him further.

The Light and Shadow Killing Sword was an "Unparalleled" tier Martial Technique and required one thousand contribution points to exchange.

After making the exchange, Zhang Su went straight to a Cultivation Room.

Watching Zhang Su’s retreating back, the Elder shook his head and sighed softly. "Another one... Over the years, if it’s not a thousand Outer Disciples who have exchanged for the Light and Shadow Killing Sword, it’s at least eight hundred. But not a single one has ever practiced it to the Great Success stage..."

If an Unparalleled Martial Technique isn’t practiced to Great Success, it’s better to have just practiced a Top Martial Technique instead.

He had some impression of Zhang Su.

He was the one who had cultivated the Great River Divine Technique but failed to produce any Qi Blood.

A whole year, wasted for nothing.

’I thought he would have learned his lesson after that failure, but I didn’t expect him to still be so bull-headed. He’s the type who won’t turn back until he hits a brick wall. This time, he’s exchanged for the Light and Shadow Killing Sword... I wonder how much more time he’s going to waste...’