activa-t Chapter 34 Cicada's Awakening: Crisis Approaching
Chapter 34 Cicada's Awakening: Crisis Approaching
【Wind Chasing Blade Technique (Combined 82%+)】
Song Shen looked at the Dao Fruit that had been upgraded, grabbed it, and refined it in an instant.
The power of time has been poured out once again.
In the first month, feeling the longsword becoming more and more connected to his body, Song Shen continuously practiced every change in the Chasing Wind Blade Technique, proving his skills once and for all, and the progress bar reached 79%.
The second month was still filled with the same monotonous training, but the progress bar slowed down considerably.
Wind Chasing Blade Technique 93%
In the third month, amidst this arduous journey, progress seemed so insignificant.
In the fourth, fifth, and sixth months, progress was extremely difficult. Countless attempts and drops of sweat yielded only a 3% improvement.
Song Shen looked at the panel with a troubled expression.
【Wind Chasing Blade Technique (Combined 96%)】
From that moment on, every inch of progress became extremely difficult.
The curve of progress became incredibly flat, and Song Shen finally understood why Cao Yu said that only true geniuses could comprehend the secret techniques after achieving oneness.
The irrefutable facts proved to Song Shen—
At the end of the realm of oneness, there is a vast chasm, and above this insurmountable barrier stands a towering peak.
To overcome this peak, one needs both continuous effort and a moment of inspiration.
Throughout this period, Song Shen was never able to grasp the meaning of this inspiration.
【Wind Chasing Blade Technique (Combined 98%)】
The progress bar came to an abrupt end, and Song Shen casually swung his knife.
A gas explosion was heard.
Like a gust of wind sweeping through the mountains and forests, bringing with it a chilling sensation, it was as if flowing blade light gathered at the tip of a blade, drawing a sharp arc and leaping vertically into the air.
It was as if something had been severed.
Subtle ripples of energy spread slowly through the air. With a flick of his wrist, Song Shenjian's longsword magically returned to its sheath.
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"She truly is my daughter."
Thinking about the operation of the fish farm, Cao Shenghai felt a sense of satisfaction.
It's absurd.
Even after his marriage, Cao Shenghai continued his habit of frequenting brothels. Cao Yu's mother was the most famous courtesan in the city, and for a time he was infatuated with her, eventually taking her as his concubine.
The eldest wife was furious. She was the legitimate daughter of a wealthy family in the prefecture. She had returned to him back then because of the prestige of the old patriarch of the Cao family.
Even so, he always harbored a strange suspicion about his daughter's origins, because Cao Yu's mother, a geisha, had been with more than just him.
That's why the resentment in my heart has never been eliminated.
But as his daughter's excellence became more and more unexpected, not only was the old patriarch of the Cao family increasingly satisfied, but Cao Shenghai himself was also deeply gratified.
The enduring prosperity of a family cannot be achieved solely through the accumulation of wealth by its ancestors.
Without capable successors, decline is only a matter of time.
Therefore, he was determined to find a way to ensure that his talented children each found their proper place.
Thinking of this, the eldest son, Cao Zhang, stepped through the door and asked:
"Father, Third Sister will go to the sect sooner or later. Do you really want her to stay and oversee the herb fields?"
No wonder Cao Zhang had doubts. The medicinal herb field could be considered one of the core industries of the Cao family, even more important than the fishing grounds.
The fact that the patriarch appointed Cao Yu to oversee the medicinal herb fields signifies that Cao Yu has entered the core of the Cao family's business.
This poses a threat to Cao Zhang's ambition to fully control the family business and turn the family into his private property.
Ever since Cao Yu's mother entered the family, Cao Zhang's mother has relentlessly persecuted her, and to this day, there is no turning back.
When asked by his eldest son Cao Zhang, Cao Shenghai, the head of the Cao family, responded very decisively.
"Since Xiao Yu took over the fishing grounds, she has done a great job in all aspects. Now, she has produced two talented individuals under her command: Duan Chong and Song Shen. However, things are not entirely peaceful in my Cao family's medicinal fields. The Medicine King Gang and the Huang family are harboring ulterior motives. Currently, the other young men in the family are all useless, and you and the second son both have to work in the government. Who will take over the family business?"
"That's easy..."
"There's no need to continue. Your so-called method is simply unworkable. Last time, one of your men was a traitor, and the losses to the manor were far more than ten thousand. You are the eldest son of the manor and will be in charge of the family in the future, so I didn't investigate further out of consideration for your feelings. Now, the Huang family has taken control of the Black Armor Army in the city, while our Cao family can't even control the city patrol. If we can't even protect our own property, then..."
"Father is right..."
Cao Zhang looked disheveled and dared not offer any excuses.
The spy incident that occurred last year not only caused heavy losses to the fish farm, but also resulted in the loss of many precious medicinal herbs in the herb field, leading to widespread doubts about his management abilities within the family.
That's truly hateful.
Every time Cao Zhang thought about this, he could only think about it bitterly.
However... his mother controlled the upstream pharmaceutical industry and pharmacists in the family's medicinal herb industry, so Cao Zhang wasn't too anxious.
What concerned him most were the two exceptionally talented first-class guards under Cao Yu's command.
Especially Song Shen, who was able to climb to this position in such a short time, which is enough to show that he is not only exceptionally talented and calm, but also extremely loyal to Cao Yu.
die-hard elements.
This child must not be allowed to live.
"Father is wise. However, my younger sister will eventually join the sect. I believe that the talents cultivated by the family should try their best to be devoted to the family. For the sake of the family, I think Father should personally employ and control them so that they can greatly benefit the family in the future."
"You mean Song Shen, right?"
"That's right."
Cao Shenghai pondered for a moment, then his gaze shifted to Cao Zhang's face.
"What do you want to say?"
"Let Third Sister go to the herb field, and Song Shen will remain at the fish farm. I have heard that this boy grew up by the water and is skilled in both water and swordsmanship. He should be sent to Bailang Town, which has just been developed by the manor. Such a pioneering general should be placed in such a pioneering place."
Cao Shenghai, however, looked intently at Cao Zhang.
"You will be the head of the family in the future, you shouldn't treat your younger brothers and sisters like this."
Even though Cao Shenghai was a man who indulged in pleasure and disliked practical matters, one could still sense that Cao Zhang's move was aimed at eliminating Cao Yu's supporters.
By dismantling his left and right arms, when Cao Yu goes to the sect, his subordinates will find it difficult to cause trouble, thus completely eliminating his influence.
This was indeed Cao Zhang's idea.
Cao Zhang said in a deep voice, "Father, my third sister will be here in the future..."
Cao Shenghai said calmly, "Don't say anymore. If your third sister goes to the sect in the future, we can't let her only have resentment towards the family in her heart. Do you understand?"
Sect?
Cao Zhang snorted coldly in his heart.
His mother's younger brother was in the sect, so he didn't admire the sect to the point of fear.
Even if Cao Yu goes to a sect, what difference will it make? Most disciples who come from sects still need to rely on their families to improve.
Cao Shenghai spoke earnestly and patiently.
"The position of Deputy Commander has finally become vacant, and I've already made arrangements in the prefectural city. What you lack now is merit! Think about how to earn a great achievement. The family has fully supported you to get to where you are today, so don't let everyone down!"
"Yes, Father."
"Also, you need to improve your cultivation. If you want to become a commander, you need to be at least at the peak of the Visceral Organs level. You've spent so many resources, but..."
"I understand this even if you don't say it, Dad."
In fact, Cao Zhang, at the age of twenty-something, had already reached the level of "living with internal organs," which was already a very impressive level.
However, given his ambition, his own cultivation level is indeed somewhat inadequate.
While tendon training can be aided by a high-level wizard, and bone forging can be achieved by investing heavily in resources, the internal organs cannot be forged by others.
It was precisely because his improvement in strength was so remarkable among geniuses that even though he had an uncle in the Ziyang Sect, he was unable to get into the sect.
A sense of powerlessness rose within Cao Shenghai.
Over the years, he has indulged in pleasure, allowing his first wife and eldest son to control most of the family's power. Now, even as the head of the family, he has to think twice before speaking.
"This year, people from the Ziyang Sect will come to Xinyu. Your sister has excellent talent. If she can become a Celestial Seedling, her future achievements will be limitless. Huang Xuanzhen of the Huang family is very popular. If he can become a Celestial Seedling and my Cao family does not have a genius of equal talent, our clan will be in a very passive position in the future."
"Yes, Father."
Cao Zhang didn't listen any further, but silently got up and said, "Then I'll go and get busy."
Cao Shenghai nodded silently.
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"Why are the effects of the Blood Nourishing Pills getting worse lately?" Song Shen frowned.
This has happened more than once.
Even if he were slow to realize it, Song Shen should know that this was no coincidence.
Calmly analyzing the situation, I wondered who had the motive and the means to consistently provide me with these ineffective or even toxic tonics?
That young master...
As a first-class guard, Song Shen certainly knew that the Cao family's core industry was the medicinal herb fields and the pharmaceutical technology built upon them. The Cao family's elixir technology was extremely advanced, bringing in a large amount of revenue every year. Their products were not only popular in the city and prefecture, but their influence could even extend to neighboring prefectures.
The pharmaceutical industry of this manor is controlled by the First Madam.
The fake medicine I received was certainly not the work of the pharmacists in the manor.
In other words, as long as he doesn't submit to him, the monthly cultivation rations he receives from the manor will still be tampered with.
Thinking about this, Song Shen finally understood the style of this eldest son and even the eldest son behind him.
Arrogant and self-important.
He treats power and interests like a wolf with a piece of meat in its mouth, never letting go. If anyone poses a threat to him, he will use any means necessary and without any bottom line to strike back.
Even relatives are no exception.
greedy,
Selfish,
arrogant.
Song Shen made a judgment about this person.
He had only shown a portion of his potential when he was persecuted.
Will there be more persecution to come? Song Shen pondered all possible effective countermeasures.