Chapter 36: Comprehension

Back home, Qin Hanyue specially bought some meat and cooked a lavish dinner. Years of hardship had transformed her from a pampered young lady into a capable mother and homemaker today. Her cooking skills were so excellent that even Qin Xue—who’d studied cooking since childhood—was amazed.

Qin Li ate joyfully and carefully. He knew his mother had some money, but not enough. His years of martial arts training had already drained the family’s limited savings. If he didn’t earn money fast, life would become truly difficult.

“Sister Qin Xue, I’m leaving. This household is in your hands now,” Qin Li said, lifting his head and gazing seriously at Qin Xue.

“Ah, Young Master, you shouldn’t call me sister—it’s too much for me,” Qin Xue replied in a fluster, her cheeks reddening.

“It’s not too much. It’s just a title. No one is born noble.”

Recalling her own years of struggles, Qin Hanyue sighed softly and spoke to Qin Xue. “If you don’t reject me, I’d like to adopt you as my daughter. I’d be happy to have someone like you!”

Qin Xue froze for a second, then choked up, answering fervently, “I’m willing! Of course I am! I’ve been an orphan since childhood. Since Madam doesn’t think I’m unworthy, I’m more than glad!”

“Good! I’ve got another sister now too!” Qin Li beamed happily. In Qin Xue, he saw his own former shadow—an orphan… Only someone like him understood the aching longing for parents. Those who hadn’t lived it never would.

Qin Xue solemnly stood up, knelt before Qin Hanyue, and knocked her head three times on the floor. Tearfully, she whispered, “Mother!”

Qin Hanyue helped her up, wiping her own eye with a smile. “Yes, my good daughter.”

Nightfall arrived. Seen from afar, the humble home glowed with dim light yet radiated peace and contentment. Passersby felt its warmth.

The next morning, Qin Li got up early. Without disturbing his mother or Qin Xue, he resolved firmly to act. A man must see his vows through.

As he vanished from sight, Qin Hanyue and Qin Xue stepped outside, dressed and ready. They leaned against the run-down gate, staring longingly in the direction he’d gone.

Much later, Qin Xue murmured, “Mother, let’s head back. The morning dew is heavy—don’t catch a chill.”

Qin Hanyue nodded, pressing her lips tightly. She refused to show vulnerability again. Her son, who’d once only cared about training, was finally grown up, mature, and responsible! Like a fledgling eagle, he was spreading his wings to face the vast sky. As a mother, her role was to silently bless from afar, not shield him any longer beneath her wings.

An eagle must soar to the heavens!

Drawing insight from his past life’s martial knowledge, Qin Li finally grasped the true strength of the Sovereign of All Battle Skill. This technique could fuse with any other Combat Technique, unleashing even greater power! Of course, the main credit lay with the unnoticed Foundation Essentials—but Qin Li remained unaware of this now.

On the Tianyuan Continent, martial artists knowing multiple Combat Techniques wasn’t rare. Like knowledge, having diverse skills was an asset.

But warriors dreaded being “a jack of all trades, master of none.” So, a martial artist usually practiced just one or two Combat Techniques, seldom exceeding four or five. Techniques usually didn’t connect to each other.

The Sovereign of All Battle Skill, however, acted like a virus. It could infect and blend with any technique learned—a virus every martial artist craved! Because it amplified the power of every technique mastered!

This was especially true for someone like Qin Li, who mastered many martial arts. Once, he’d regretted his old inner and external skills being useless here. Now, they’d all become Combat Techniques—unique to this world!

This made him incredibly happy!

Last night, while sharing insights with Qin Xue after dinner, he also understood the differences between Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and God-Level Combat Skills.

Simply put: Prime Force was the foundation. Combat Techniques were the moves. Cultivation Methods within them set the techniques’ Five Elements attribute.

For example, after mastering a fire-attribute sword Combat Technique, as long as the warrior’s Prime Force held out, every strike of their blade could unleash fire-powered skills!

The difference between Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and God-Level Combat Skills was like the purity of fire. As known, flame temperatures rise from red, orange, yellow, yellow-white, white, blue-white, to blue.

Basic Combat Skills resembled red or orange—red at the start, orange once mastered. Intermediate Skills matched yellow or yellow-white. Advanced Skills equaled white or blue-white. God-Level? That was blue!

God-Level Combat Skills were rare on Tianyuan Continent, mostly legends. Of course, the huge continent held countless hidden sects and masters. But to ordinary folk, God-Level Skills seemed as unreal as legendary warriors who broke through to Heavenly Rank.

Though labeled God-Level, nobody respected the Sovereign of All Battle Skill anymore. To fighters, practicing even a Basic Skill beat this technique a hundred times!

Each Nirvana cycle dropped one’s power drastically—like falling from Earth Rank to Mysterious Rank. Strength improved slightly versus before starting the Only I Dominate Technique, but Nirvana could never fully heal the soul’s wounds! Nirvana was mere self-protection.

Over years, many gambled lives to prove this point—no debate needed.

Thus, Qin Li’s luck inspired envy. Watermelon, who’d unknowingly mastered that Cultivation Method and crossed paths with him, shared that immense fortune.

Advancing to Mysterious Rank’s fourth stage? Qin Li knew it wasn’t genius—just superb natural foundation. He’d stored vast energy before its release.

Various chances blended perfectly—progress was unstoppable.

At the Hunter’s Guild entrance, few people gathered. It was early for meeting Ahu, so Qin Li simply sat on the steps and meditated. Hard work underpinned success. Innate Purple Qi didn’t come daily, yet cultivation must not slacken.

Just as he settled deep, a surge of powerful hatred locked onto him. Startled, Qin Li opened his eyes to see Qin Yong—the steward expelled from the Qin Family—gleaming with utter loathing. Qin Li wondered: What luck! What’s he even doing here?

As hunting specialists, the Qin Family naturally knew the Hunter’s Guild well. Since his exile, Qin Yong often came here to post tasks and earn money. For a former Qin steward, cash wasn’t a problem—but the shame of banishment scarred his soul.

To meet that little bastard Qin Li here today? Qin Yong’s face twisted in a fierce grin. He strode straight toward Qin Li.