Realm-Hopping Martial Master

"Jiang Shu, why are you back?"

After finishing her ice cream, Jiang Yanyue finally turned to ask Jiang Shu.

It was well known that after Jiang Shu began practicing martial arts, he was so dedicated that he didn't even check his phone messages. When he trained at home, there were times he would be gone for a day or two before returning. After going to the Jiangnan Academy, he would only video call home every two or three weeks, or even just once every month or two.

Is the sun rising from the west today? she wondered. Actually coming back before the summer vacation?

"I might be busy for a while later on, so I came back to see you all first." Jiang Shu smiled, his lips pursed, and placed his luggage in the living room.

Before reaching the Refining Internal Realm, he had slaved away night and day to increase his proficiency. Even after reaching that stage, he couldn't afford to rest. According to the information he had gathered, the Danxia chamber of commerce had a method to test one's bone age. The threshold for a genius to step into the Refining Internal Realm by the age of eighteen was very rigid. The time left for him was running short.

In the next month or two, he planned to head to the newly discovered Class-C Secret Realm in Heining Province. One reason was to improve his combat abilities through life-and-death struggles. The other was to consume the flesh and blood of third-tier Mutant Beasts to enhance his strength.

Up to now, he had only consumed the flesh of two kinds of third-tier Mutant Beasts. The flesh and blood of the Fog Python had enhanced his vital organs. The other, an unknown leopard-shaped Mutant Beast, had provided him with considerable strength during his Bone Forging Realm stage, allowing him to consistently lead in strength among those at the same level.

「Yongning County City.」

Compared to Pingling County, it was indeed much larger, but it had the same problems. The internal hierarchy was rigid, and there was no external danger. The mountains to the east were too small to harbor many third-tier Mutant Beasts; even if any appeared, they would be eradicated by the expert retainers of the Ten Great Clans. The rivers to the south were wide but very calm, with no reports of Mutant Beasts in recent years. To the west and north lay flat plains, all peaceful counties, with no Mutant Beasts whatsoever!

It was difficult for him to improve through life-and-death combat. Acquiring resources could only be achieved by joining the government, a chamber of commerce, or one of the Ten Great Clans! Therefore, for ordinary Martial Artists in the county city, if one lacked sufficient background or outstanding talent, one's path and future were already determined from the start.

Only he could travel between the Two Realms.

If the county city isn't an option, then I'll first increase my strength in the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm of Xuanxing. Once my strength and Realm are sufficient, I'll go to the Danxia chamber of commerce to verify my genius status! Gain investment in resources not available on Xuanxing! Cultivation Techniques, Martial Arts, Elixirs! Step by step, from the Refining Internal stage to Blood Changing. From the county city to the state city!

"Where are Mom and Dad? It's about time for them to be back."

Jiang Shu had eaten dinner at the Jiangnan Academy before coming home, arriving nearly at four o'clock in the afternoon. The Jiang Family always had dinner at five o'clock, so his parents should have been home preparing the meal by now.

"I'm not sure. Dad goes fishing every day and usually doesn't come back until about four-thirty now. Mom cooks all the meals. She said she had to withdraw a fixed-term deposit from the bank today and left at one in the afternoon. She still hasn't returned; she's probably out buying groceries," Jiang Yanyue replied quickly, her eyes still glued to the palace drama.

"Alright. We'll just wait then."

He had planned to explain the dosage instructions for the Blood Strengthening Pills and Blood Purifying Pills as soon as he got home, if his parents were around. These two types of Elixirs were intended for Martial Artists. For his parents and sister, who were still Martial Artists, the dosage would naturally have to be reduced. As for exactly how much to reduce it, he would have to experiment to find out.

Jiang Shu sat on the sofa, relaxing and watching the palace drama with his sister.

Actually, Jiang Yanyue's talent for martial arts wasn't weak. If she put in more effort, she could have at least reached the Realm of complete circulation of qi and blood throughout her body by now. It was even possible she could manifest Bright Force and become a true Martial Artist. After all, Jiang Yanyue wasn't lacking in resources at all now. And as for guidance from a skilled teacher, he, during his Dark Force stage, could easily guide a Martial Artist like her.

However, as her older brother, Jiang Shu naturally wouldn't nag.

Not every Martial Artist had an interface like he did, able to see their proficiency increase every day. Many people practiced martial arts day after day, only to find themselves making no progress, unable to see a single step forward on their path. That's why so many gave up halfway. Besides, practicing martial arts was really exhausting. He enjoyed it, and since he didn't have strong desires for worldly pleasures like wine, women, wealth, or status, he had managed to come this far step by step.

But as for his younger sister... Xuanxing was quite safe now, without any major dangers. She loved snacks, milk tea, watching TV shows and movies, and sleeping in. Why should she give up all these hobbies for the sake of practicing martial arts? Besides, to advance one's Realm, apart from grinding... one could also spend money! He, Jiang Shu, certainly had the means for that!

Thinking about his parents returning and his plan to give them the Blood Strengthening Pills, Jiang Shu couldn't help but drift off in thought.

Elixirs... To him now, they seemed extremely miraculous. Such a small pill actually contained a tremendous amount of vital energy. He could somewhat understand the Blood Strengthening Pills. But the Lesser Rejuvenation Pill! Just one pill could detoxify, heal internal force injuries, and enhance one's internal force. It was practically a panacea, a single pill with multiple uses. This simply defied science. Then again, he himself practiced martial arts. A single punch from him could start at ten thousand catties of force. What was the point of talking about science!

Jiang Shu was lost in thought when the fingerprint lock clicked open again.

Jiang Yongyi returned, holding a fishing rod in one hand and an empty bucket in the other.

"Eh, Shu, you're back!" Jiang Yongyi's eyes lit up. Then, he suddenly looked sheepish and peered into the kitchen, checking if Xu Lizhi was there. "Yanyan, where's your mom?"

"I don't know. She went to the bank to withdraw a fixed-term deposit; she still hasn't come back."

"Try calling her. Shu, why didn't you tell us you were coming back? If I'd known, I would have gone fishing earlier and definitely caught a big one! Never mind the high price of that Mutant Beast meat; when it comes to freshness and flavor, nothing beats a fish I've just caught!"

"Oh." Jiang Yanyue reluctantly tore her gaze from the projection screen and picked up her phone from the other side of the sofa. Only then did she notice hundreds of messages flashing in her Ji City gossip WeChat group, apparently all discussing some major event. Videos were being furiously sent one after another. After only a brief glance, her expression suddenly froze, and her face turned deathly pale.

"Dad... at which bank does Mom have her fixed-term deposit?" she asked, looking at her father, who hadn't yet changed his shoes. Her expression was somewhat dazed.

A video seemed to be playing on her phone. Slightly chaotic noises replayed constantly, with police sirens wailing intermittently.

"The Xia Country Bank, I suppose. She always deposits her money there. Even though we've moved and it's a bit farther now, it's only a twenty-minute ride on the electric scooter, and processing is usually quick. Could it be crowded today? That shouldn't be it. Your mom's a VIP customer at the bank now. If she calls ahead, the staff always have everything ready for her."

Hearing Jiang Yongyi's specific answer, Jiang Yanyue seemed to crumple. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Jiang Shu, panic-stricken, and stammered, "Brother, the Xia Country Bank on Yong'an Road... I think... I think it's being robbed right now!"

SNAP.

At the entrance, the smile that had been on Jiang Yongyi's face since seeing his son return home instantly froze. He immediately looked towards Jiang Shu, his eyes wide with terror and panic. The fishing rod and bucket slipped from his grasp, crashing to the floor.