C6 Robbery of Talent!

A flash of the sword, and in the next instant, a spray of fresh blood arced through the air.

"Talent points accumulating."

Lin Fengyu had barely hit the ground when Chiang Jin's ears were filled with the system's electronic tone.

A thought flickered through Chiang Jin's mind as he hastily glanced at the attribute panel, his face transforming with shock.

Xu Ping, already petrified by the unfolding scene, watched Lin Fengyu fall. Her face drained of color, terror shaking her to the core. She collapsed, scrambling backward on the ground, the military crossbow forgotten beside her.

"Don't kill me, please don't kill me!"

"Chiang Jin, you're a man of great mercy. Spare my life! Everything before... it was all Lin Fengyu's doing, that bastard forced me!"

"I never meant you any harm!"

Snapping back to reality, Chiang Jin regarded Xu Ping with an icy gaze. Without a moment's hesitation, his sword swung down.

Having killed Lin Fengyu, he couldn't let Xu Ping live. Word of this couldn't reach the Sword Pavilion; it would cause an uproar.

And as for showing Lin Fengyu mercy? That was out of the question.

In martial combat, the slimmest chance of survival was all that mattered. Chiang Jin wasn't so foolish as to hold back.

"Hu..."

Exhaling softly, Chiang Jin's adrenaline subsided, replaced by the unsettling sensation that comes with taking a life for the first time.

His fingers felt icy. A self-deprecating smile crossed his lips after a moment. "It's done. What's there to regret? If there's any fallout, I'll face it with my sword."

Once he had calmed his mind, Chiang Jin recalled the system's prompt and quickly reopened the attribute panel.

Indeed, the Talent Points category showed an increase of four points.

Host: Chiang Jin

Realm: Mortal

Cultivation Technique: None

Skills: Light Fixing Sword Technique (Beginner), Body Searching Steps (Beginner)

Physique: Superior

Insight: Excellent

Talent Points: +4

Chiang Jin had suspected as much, and now it was clear. He gazed at the bodies of Lin Fengyu and Xu Ping, murmuring, "Could these Talent Points have been harvested from Lin Fengyu?"

The system's gifted Talent Points had to originate from somewhere.

Now Chiang Jin fully grasped that to maximize the potential of this extraordinary Talent System, he needed to seize the Talent Points of other prodigies for his own growth.

Given Lin Fengyu was the House Lord's direct disciple, his aptitude was undoubtedly impressive.

With Lin Fengyu's death, Chiang Jin had gathered four Talent Points, whereas Xu Ping had contributed none.

"It seems only by slaying those with high Talent Points can I gain more. The higher their talent, the more points they yield."

Chiang Jin's eyes shone with realization. This was how to truly harness the system!

The morality of seizing others' Talent Points didn't concern him. Was the act of killing in martial arts not a graver sin than taking someone's talent?

After all, it's the intent that makes an action righteous or wicked.

Talent, naturally, was best augmented sooner rather than later.

Another pang of pain hit him, though it was less intense than before.

Chiang Jin steadied himself and reviewed the attribute panel. He was pleased at first, then puzzled.

"My physique has improved from Superior to Excellent, but why hasn't my Insight increased?"

He understood then: "Beyond Excellent, a single Talent Point isn't enough for a major advancement."

"More Talent Points are needed to reach even higher levels of talent. What lies above Excellent?"

Chiang Jin was hopeful about the system's potential, uncertain of how many Talent Points would be necessary for the next upgrade.

Thus, he decided to pause adding points, saving them until he had enough to use all at once. The remaining two Talent Points were kept in reserve for unforeseen needs.

After enhancing his abilities, Chiang Jin searched Lin Fengyu and the other's remains, finding a wealth of gold, silver, and several vials.

He inspected each one, discovering most were pills distributed by the Sword Pavilion to aid martial practice. Only one vial contained a foul-smelling liquid.

Spilling a few drops inadvertently, Chiang Jin noticed the liquid hissed upon contact with the ground.

Intrigued, he poured the rest over Lin Fengyu and the other's bodies. The liquid swiftly corroded the flesh, leaving nothing but soiled water behind.

A single rain in these woods would erase any remaining signs.

"Lin Fengyu must have planned to use this to dispose of my body," Chiang Jin mused with a cold laugh.

The gold, silver, medicinal pills, and the military crossbow, he buried in a secluded spot, choosing not to return them to the Sword Pavilion.

After taking care of everything, Chiang Jin made his way to a secluded stream on the back mountain. With his clothes on, he plunged into the water to cleanse any lingering traces of blood and qi from his body.

Once he emerged from the stream, he immediately set to practicing the Wave Submitting Sword Technique.

The newly cultivated internal strength within him propelled the flow of qi and blood, steadily increasing his body heat. Relying on his own warmth, he evaporated the moisture from his clothes, yet he did not cease his sword practice.

It wasn't until his garments were thoroughly soaked with sweat that he sheathed his sword and paused.

"Today, I dedicated the whole day to the Wave Submitting Sword Technique in the back mountain," Chiang Jin softly murmured to himself, eyes closed. Upon reopening them, his mind had returned to a state of complete serenity. He picked up his iron sword and made his way toward the Sword Pavilion.

Approaching the pavilion, a disciple noticed Chiang Jin's drenched figure and promptly greeted him, "Senior Brother Chiang, have you just returned from sword practice?"

Chiang Jin offered a slight smile and a nod in acknowledgment, then continued on his way inside.

Behind him, hushed voices carried through the air.

"It's no surprise Senior Brother Chiang's swordsmanship is so formidable. He's out there every day, his clothes soaked through with effort."

"Indeed, hard work pays off! With Senior Brother Chiang's natural talent and diligence, how can we, mere ordinary disciples, ever hope to keep pace? He truly is admirable."

Chiang Jin overheard the comments, yet they left him unfazed. This was not the first time he had come back exhausted from intense training. In the past, such praise had never been directed at him.

They admired his strength, not the effort behind it.