Chapter Eleven: Who Is Knocking at the Door?

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After all, this was a fragment of a great ancient power that had shattered, and some of the ancient historical records of the Frontier Continent were seriously incomplete. Yet, many still knew about the introduction of cultivation methods and secret manuals. The origins of these techniques were extremely mysterious; some were born from the heavens and earth, while others were created by great beings. The inventors themselves were incredibly diverse, which indirectly caused confusion in the ranking of cultivation methods. It was only after many consulted the records that the classification of cultivation techniques on the Frontier Continent became known.

Overall, there were eight levels: Mortal Study, White Study, Yellow Scroll, Profound Scripture, Earth Ranking, Heavenly Merit, Imperial Words, and Secret Arts. It was said that there were higher levels beyond these, but due to severe loss of ancient texts, the latter contents remain unknown.

The jade slip on the auction platform was a mysterious Profound Scripture-level cultivation method. From the technique’s name, Ye Feifan deduced it likely required sacrificing one’s blood to cultivate. Its drawbacks were obvious, but its effects should be powerful.

Poor Ye Feifan was somewhat helpless. The cultivation method before him was just to look at; the system had not granted him any cultivation skills to practice. All his training relied on the “Breath Spirit Absorption Technique” previously taught by Xun Tianxing, through which he absorbed spiritual energy from the world.

They say luck is rare, but Ye Feifan felt that with “Fei” in his name, he was prone to misfortune during the day. It was better to try his luck at night, as in the darkness, misfortune merged with the shadows, possibly increasing his chance of critical luck.

While Ye Feifan was pondering, the Profound Scripture was auctioned off starting at ten million gold coins. After buying the energy elixir, the heads of the Zhang and Yan families had a shortfall of four million gold coins, giving the Xun family an opportunity. Calmly, Xun Tianxing secured the Profound Scripture with fifteen million gold coins.

Seeing the distorted expressions of the Zhang and Yan family heads, Ye Feifan couldn’t help but admire Xun Tianxing’s acting skills; their opponents must be thoroughly frustrated.

After the auction ended, Ye Feifan left the main hall and went to the appraisal room, sitting down in a chair.

“After a small intermediary fee, all your auction earnings are inside this,” Zhang Zheng said, handing a spatial pouch to Ye Feifan on the table.

Ye Feifan did not take it immediately but thought for a moment and said, “I want to buy some rare spirit medicine seeds like Marrow Purifying Grass and Blood Extracting Flower. Use the auction earnings to buy another spatial pouch, and spend the rest on seeds. Deduct the cost from the pouch.”

Zhang Zheng frowned, seemingly realizing something but did not ask further. He simply said, “Okay,” and instructed his attendant to handle it immediately.

After a cup of tea’s time, a graceful figure personally brought back the spatial pouch, smiling as she placed it before Ye Feifan.

“Sir, is your name Nicholas?”

Gu Fangxiang!

Ye Feifan was surprised. At this moment, she was very charming, and he was momentarily distracted.

Her enchanting skills were impressive!

But having debuted as a master actor himself, such acting was not enough to fool him for long. He quickly recovered, softly uttering, “Mm,” then fell silent.

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The atmosphere became awkward. Gu Fangxiang was a bit annoyed but maintained her composure.

“I have a transaction—” she began, but Ye Feifan suddenly paused as a side quest appeared in his system.

“Side Quest: Midnight Knock: On a stormy night, a terrifying door-opening sound comes from the Zhang residence. Sometimes, people and their identities swap; you look at him, and he looks at you. Who is outside the door? Please arrive at the Zhang residence before midnight to uncover the truth or survive until dawn to complete the quest. Rewards vary based on outcomes, with a guaranteed lottery ticket. If you forfeit this chance, the quest will only resume on the next rainy night.”

“Sorry, I have some matters to attend to. Maybe next time…” Ye Feifan packed away the spatial pouch and left the appraisal room.

Watching Ye Feifan’s retreating figure, Gu Fangxiang’s bright eyes narrowed slightly.

“Master Zhang, what do you think?”

Zhang Zheng pondered for two seconds, then shook his head. “I can’t see through it. He must have backing too, but I don’t quite understand the transaction he mentioned.”

“I have a feeling we’ll meet again,” Gu Fangxiang nodded, puzzled that Ye Feifan seemed to be in a hurry, leaving before even completing the transaction.

...

Leaving the appraisal auction house, Ye Feifan hurried to scout outside the Zhang family residence. He found the Zhang and Xun families were equal in scale; their servants were ordinary people without cultivation.

With this discovery, Ye Feifan knew he only needed to knock out a servant, assume their identity, find a hiding spot, and investigate the truth at midnight.

The quest’s meaning was clear: choose one—either survive until dawn or uncover the truth. At first glance, survival seemed easier, but a closer look suggested the quest was about survival.

If survival was required, the task would not be simple.

On the surface, it was a choice, but in reality, it was a question with a known answer.

Stormy night, you look at him, and he looks back… The quest called for knocking, but the description said opening the door; the answer must lie here.

Ye Feifan always approached the unknown with reverence. It was not yet time for his performance. The Zhang residence surely had powerful guards; with his limited strength, barging in would be suicide. He needed careful planning.

After a full day’s observation, Ye Feifan found nothing unusual. Instead, the Zhang family’s young master went to a brothel with two servants. It seemed the energy elixir was working; tonight, Ye Feifan decided not to disturb his dreams.

Invisible to others, Ye Feifan saw a clock interface—a quest timer. The time was 18:23, with six hours remaining before midnight. There was still time.

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Not good!

Ye Feifan grew anxious. He had yet to find a way into the Zhang residence, though he found a dog hole seemingly tailored for him.

Could he fit?

Just as he was about to swear, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He nearly fell victim to the system’s “Irresistible Temptation” rule. Fortunately, even if he pressed the brakes now, breaking through his cultivation limit meant charging recklessly.

The system must have calculated his weakness precisely. Instead of threatening punishment, it used the word “stuck” to torment him, with obvious effect.

Outstanding!

At the Four Tribulation Realm, his strength was insufficient. He needed tools, but many good items in the system shop were unaffordable. His only way forward was the lottery!

Checking his points, he had over sixteen hundred—enough for sixteen draws.

Honestly, Ye Feifan was a bit afraid of his luck. He booked a room in an inn, planning to wait until nightfall to draw. With some time left before going undercover, he wanted to prepare his equipment.

He needed the Black Cloak of Battle to hide in the dark; the Concealment Mask to hide his true face; and the silent boots rewarded from a side quest…

Finally, Ye Feifan bought a limited edition leather coat and a military greatcoat, then set his sights on the strongest novice sword.

The sword glowed red, faintly tinged with a blood light. The system said it was once the novice weapon of countless players, having slain numerous low-level monsters (mostly chickens, ducks, and geese; the strongest it had slain were wild boars and tigers). Though sturdy and unbreakable, its effectiveness was limited to small monsters.

“Whether I survive depends on you… brother!”

The strongest novice sword had no scabbard as expected. Ye Feifan wrapped the blade in animal hide and slung it on his back, ready to draw it at a moment’s notice.

[PS: Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and kindness.]

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