The Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 2339 - Well-doer of Nine Lifetimes, Bai Sheng, a Gift for You

Heishui City was huge, but it was still easy for Qing Shui to look for the Duke Palace. Furthermore, with its isolated location, nobody would notice even if it was destroyed. Of course, he wouldn't do something so heartless.

Now, he had to think of a way for these people to do fewer of such atrocities, but he couldn't think of a good way even after a long time pondering. Every power and every domain had its own set of circumstances. He couldn't just do as he willed; he didn't have that sort of abilities.

However, since he had already promised the villagers, he would have to do something about it. Some things couldn't be terminated completely, but reducing them was possible. Hence, Qing Shui planned on observing the Hei Clan. It would be good if they could exercise restraint; otherwise, he would find another clan to replace them.

"Brother, send me to Duke Palace!" Qing Shui waved down a beast carriage which served as his choice of transportation.

The cart driver was a young man who had noticed that Qing Shui's appearance was out of ordinary, and most importantly, he had great manners. It was possible that he was a member of the aristocracy, but these people usually had their own demonic beasts as transportation. It wasn't possible that they would ride a beast carriage like his.

Still, even though those were his thoughts, he still smiled and said, "Alright! Sit well!"

Qing Shui nodded and shut his eyes to regain some energy. His thoughts went back and forth about what to do. This Hei Clan had committed many sins, but their powers were at the expense of the blood from countless others, with bones standing still and tall. A General's accomplishment was built upon thousands of withered bones, much less than that of a powerful clan.

"Sir, we've arrived at Duke Palace!"

Qing Shui stepped down and paid the fares before fixing his attention on the luxurious manor in front of him.

That was the situation in the World of the Nine Continents. The extent of power and clan could be deduced from the manors. The greater their influences, the bigger their manors as well as the number of members. The manor in front of him was huge with doors standing at almost twenty meters high, fifteen meters wide. There were words written in gold.

Duke Palace!

The words were written in flamboyant and cursive calligraphy, with an indescribable arrogance. Qing Shui observed the forceful strokes which were filled with haughtiness. The words were well written, but there was something lacking. Words were just like humans, with just a glance, you could tell that the person who wrote it was domineering and brash.

Qing Shui could also feel what it was lacking too. It was reserve strength.

They were lacking in reserve strength!

The Hei Clan was the owner of Duke Palace, where the tyrant dwelled. With that logic, there should be great reserve strength here, why would they be lacking it? At this moment, a voice sounded. "Is there something wrong with the words? They were written by the owner of the Hei Clan; he's an Art Maestro at Heishui, and writing is his forte."

Qing Shui turned around and was met with a handsome, young man.

"It's well written. You are?" Qing Shui smiled.

"I'm Bai Sheng. You don't look familiar; how do I address you?" Bai Sheng laughed as he asked.

"I'm Qing Shui. I'm here to seek justice from the Hei Clan. Are they here?" Qing Shui retained his smile.

Qing Shui wasn't afraid of letting his presence known. Qing Shui didn't have anything to fear in the Demon King Domain, besides, this was a Duke Palace in the Water Nation. He didn't mind much about Bai Sheng either. He didn't care if he was a real member of the Bai Clan or someone from the Hei Clan pretending to be one.

"The Hei Clan runs the Duke Palace here. Brother Qing, I suggest that you don't advance further. How are you going to fight the Duke Palace alone?" Bai Sheng frowned as he spoke sincerely.

"Thank you for your concern, but there's no need to worry about me. If you're really from the Bai Clan, then I don't mind giving you a huge gift." Qing Shui smiled.

Qing Shui had long since realized that Bai Sheng's karmic luck was overflowing. It was superimposing perfectly with his physique of the legendary Well-doer of Nine Lifetimes. Most importantly, his might was truly decent. This was also why he figured that Bai Sheng wasn't part of the Hei Clan.

"Brother, it isn't worth it to die in vain," Bai Sheng continued to persuade.

"Can you tell me what's the strongest aspect of the Hei Clan? Do they have a formidable force backing them?" Qing Shui asked after some thought.

"The Hei Clan's strongest power lies in its Guardian Beast. Without the Guardian Beast, they wouldn't be able to stay in their position of power," Bai Sheng replied.

Qing Shui laughed. "Actually, you can ignore the Hei Clan's Guardian Beast."

"What?" Bai Sheng responded in disbelief.

"Do you know when did the Hei Clan write these words? Approximately?" Qing Shui probed.

"Five years ago!"

"Then, did anyone see the Guardian Beast for the past five years?" Qing Shui asked confidently.

"Well, I've not heard anyone who claimed they did. However, it's normal to not see Guardian Beasts and the like for a decade," Bai Sheng responded.

"That's why the powers in Heishui City didn't dare to make a move on the Hei Clan. None of you knew that the Guardian Beast of the Hei Clan had disappeared for five years. This could be because it died, or because of losing its will to fight. In any case, it's useless now."

Qing Shui realized this the moment he had seen the words written by the Hei Clan. He was an Art Maestro himself, at a higher level than the Hei Clan's patriarch. Qing Shui didn't care about the existence of the Guardian Beast when he came for the Duke Palace. He might even be looking for a reliable power to rule this Duchy instead. Now that he had seen Bai Sheng, the Well-doer of Nine Lifetimes, he had decided that Bai Sheng would be the one.

That was how the World of Nine Continents worked; they let their strength speak on their behalf. Even the previous standing in Duke Palace wouldn't know who the duke was. Anyone who was strong enough would be able to take over the position. However, lordship was different. You couldn't claim the title on your own even if you killed an aristocrat. Only the Emperor could bestow the title of lord.

"Go back and inform your clan. Tell them to get ready to take over the Duke Palace. Once you've taken over, I would help you out. This way, you'd be able to suppress this place." Qing Shui brought Bai Sheng to a mountain, awakening his physique and power of benevolence.

The power of benevolence allowed his might to increase tremendously. This unique body constitution held a shocking potential. Along with Qing Shui's medicinal pills and Gold Needles, he allowed Bai Sheng's powers to increase at an alarming rate.

Bai Sheng believed in Qing Shui completely now, regarding him as though he were a fairy.

"I'll go to the Duke Palace. You and your people prepare to head over. Remember, you'll be Heishui City's duke from now on." Qing Shui smiled as he brought him to Heishui City.

Although Bai Sheng had regarded Qing Shui as a fairy, he still found it inconceivable. He seemed to be at a loss as he watched Qing Shui.

"You're a Well-doer of Nine Lifetimes and have done many good deeds, right? To be honest, it takes too long for you to accumulate those good deeds in that manner. If you were a duke and perhaps even became an Emperor, then every decision of yours would be of a huge virtue," Qing Shui tempted him.

Qing Shui's words did its work in tempting Bai Sheng. He knew that too, but the Bai Clan hadn't had the ability to take over the Duchy in the past. It could be said that Qing Shui's appearance had him eager to give it a try.

"Don't hesitate anymore. It would have been easy for me to harm you or even the whole Heishui City. This proves that I don't have any ulterior motives." Qing Shui knew that he had to make a strong statement.