Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior

Seeing that the Baili Siblings did not hesitate in the slightest, Su Mu chuckled lightly.

"I am but a nobody from a remote place... My name is Su Mu."

Although there was an investigative look in the siblings’ eyes, everyone understood that in this world, each person has their secrets. It was rare for someone as cautious as Su Mu to reveal his real name.

Immediately, the three held a simple ceremony of oath with wine.

"With Heaven above, and Earth as witness!"

"Today, Baili Feng, Baili Hongtang, and Su Mu, though of different bloodlines, share the same ideals and wish to become sworn brothers, bound by friendship and loyalty."

"From today forth, we will be united in destiny and share our fortunes; we will reach the depths below, untouched by evil. We will share joys and sorrows, and will not abandon each other in life or death."

"We do not seek to live and die together, but to return to the Dao together."

"The Heavens and Earth bear witness, if we betray this bond, we will be punished by heaven and man alike!"

The three raised their bowls towards the moon, the ceremony completed, and then rose to exchange smiles.

"Elder brother, second sister."

"Third brother!"

Baili Feng patted Su Mu on the shoulder, "Third brother, you call me elder brother, though I came in a hurry and didn’t prepare anything special. These few trinkets will serve as our meeting gifts."

Three different shimmering spiritual lights floated into the air.

The central item glowed with intense blue light; as soon as taken out, dense Water Spiritual Qi almost formed into a mist, revealing it as a Fourth Grade Treasure Armor with six Artifact Patterns.

To the left was an object whose spiritual light was dimmer than that of the armor—a delicate cyan Profound Order with cyan fish and wave patterns, inscribed with ancient characters spelling ’Cyan Fish.’

The final item was an ancient scroll with an air of antiquity. Su Mu could instantly discern the scroll’s material was identical to that of the printed copy of the "White Flood Dragon Flipping River Map."

"This Profound Flood Dragon Armor belongs to an elder of the Baili Family. Though activating it consumes much, it can withstand three Half-Step Fourth Grade strikes, but doing so will damage the armor. Remember ... Holding the Seven-Striped Cyan Fish Order allows passage through most Cyan Fish Gang territories except certain restricted areas, and access to the Flying Fish Pavilion for borrowing any three books once every decade except from the top floor ..."

"As for the last item, third brother, you can browse it yourself."

The Fourth Grade Treasure Armor is a defensive Dharma Artifact, an item preserving life, with a value far exceeding that of Fourth Grade attack-type Dharma Artifacts, usually equating to the value of two such items easily.

This Profound Flood Dragon Armor, at first glance, appears just like ordinary Dharma Armor, and can even resist three strikes from a Half-Step Great Cultivator when fully activated, proving its extraordinary rarity and preciousness, truly an invaluable defensive weapon!

Additionally, the Seven-Striped Cyan Fish Order freely allows passage through Cyan Fish Gang territory and access to the Flying Fish Pavilion, borrowing any three books but not from the top floor.

Each single piece of these meeting gifts is exceptionally valuable, and combined with the third item—ancient scroll material identical to "White Flood Dragon Flipping River Map"—they are invaluable.

Baili Feng’s meeting gift is truly generous, showcasing not only his generous and hearty nature but also Baili Feng’s high regard for Su Mu.

"Thank you, elder brother."

Su Mu accepted without reservation, expressing his thanks and directly receiving the gifts.

"Third brother, second sister isn’t as wealthy as elder brother but has prepared a modest gift, hoping you won’t dislike it." Baili Hongtang timely interjected, as she flipped her palm, three streams of light flew out.

"Third brother, since you’ve cultivated Gang Force and Martial Momentum, these three bottles of Blood Tempering Pill should assist your cultivation."

"I observed your Fist Technique bears traces of military Martial Arts. An ancestor of the Baili Family was once a military general. This ancestral cultivation journal would be more valuable in your hands."

"As for the last three volumes, they are ancient Pill Formulas."

Blood Tempering Pill is an ancient pill, alike a support for Martial Artists to refine and nurture Qi Blood, yet its efficacy is multiple times that of the Three-Turn Qi and Blood Pill, tens of times that of a standard Qi and Blood Pill.

A standard Qi and Blood Pill is valued at roughly one hundred taels of silver, whereas a single Blood Tempering Pill exceeds one thousand taels, making the three bottles worth at least thirty thousand taels.

As for the Baili Family ancestor’s cultivation journal, from one who created the "Flood Dragon Shocking Skill" and nearly reached the strength of a Second Grade Martial Dao Great Grandmaster, its value is inestimable.

The last three volumes of ancient Pill Formulas are likewise challenging to procure.

"Thank you, second sister."

Su Mu expressed thanks again and accepted the meeting gifts given by Baili Hongtang.

Seeing Su Mu accept the meeting gifts, the siblings showed smiles and secretly sighed in relief, unbeknownst to them, Su Mu felt similarly. Now, having formed the sworn brotherhood, all grudges will be set aside.

Su Mu need not worry about Baili Family and Cyan Fish Gang pursuing the "Flood Dragon Shocking Skill" issue.

The Baili Siblings were also relieved and delighted, for with Su Mu’s demonstrated monstrous talent and potential, even a fool would opt to ally with him rather than making him an enemy.

At present, the three drank and conversed. Su Mu thought for a moment before deciding to ask.

"Currently within the Cyan Fish Gang, there are three factions. With Uncle’s prestige, he needs only emerge from retreat briefly to stabilize hearts and suppress Gongyang Jue’s improper ambitions."

"There’s no urgency. Father is at a critical moment in seclusion and can’t be disturbed. However, third brother, don’t worry too much. Father has extraordinary talent and is protected by destiny, likely he won’t take long to achieve Great Success in his divine skills."

Baili Feng was slightly silent, while Baili Hongtang interjected with a light smile.

Su Mu listened and nodded slightly, but inside, he knew the matter was not so simple.

Li Family’s patriarch Li Heng has been stuck at the Upper Three Grades for years without breakthrough. The Upper Three Grades barrier is not easily crossed, and in Donglai County’s vastness, for over a thousand years, the number of Great Cultivators known openly and secretly has rarely surpassed twenty.

Moreover, it’s unheard of for a Gang Leader in seclusion to remain entirely unseen for five or six years. Su Mu speculated there might be hidden circumstances involved.