In the end, nothing strange happened. What appeared in their sight was a skeleton covered in ancient armour and rags. The skeleton was a head taller than Su Mo, which impressed him.
'As expected of a general, what a tall build.'
He also used the insight of his Demon Eyes, but found nothing unusual about the skeleton. Nor were there any organs and traps here. This made him feel strange.
[Why was the sarcophagus chained? If nothing is wrong here, then what exactly needed restraining?]
This thought made Su Mo frown. After hearing this, Yang Qingxi also fell into deep thought. Unfortunately, she was also clueless.
"Is it this?"
At this time, Zhang Xulin's exclamation sounded. They turned around to see Zhang Xulin picking up two ancient-looking scrolls.
"Should I open it?"
After getting the two's affirmation, Zhang Xulin opened the first scroll, and after reading, she frowned.
"What's wrong?"
Yang Qingxi asked, seeing the subtle changes in her expression. 'Did something go wrong?'
Just when she was worried, Zhang Xulin gave her the scroll and said with an embarrassed smile. "Miss, I don't understand the language written on it."
"…" Yang Qingxi
"…" Su Mo was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Give it to me?"
Yang Qingxi didn't object, as she didn't want to spend her precious luck points when there was a ready-made translator available.
Su Mo activated his Devil Eyes and started reading the first scroll.
"From pain is born strength, from death's edge comes rebirth."
Just the first line made Zhang Xulin exclaim, profound. Ignoring her silly behaviour, Su Mo continued. "This is Berserker Breathing Sutra. A Top Human Grade Qi cultivation technique, derived from the Mid Heaven Grade Demonic Berserker's Sutra."
"Human grade? Heaven Grade?" Zhang Xulin became confused.
Yang Qingxi kindly explained. "As I told you before, the skills are divided into ranks going up from E-D-C and so on. Likewise, techniques are often divided into grades. Ordinary Level is the lowest with no distinction. Then there's Human, Earth, Heaven, and Immortal. They are further divided into three tiers—Low, Mid, and Top."
"I see!" Zhang Xulin nodded in realisation, then bowed to her gratefully. "Thank you, Miss, for your explanation."
"It's fine." Yang Qingxi waved her hand. "Su Mo, you continue."
Su Mo nodded and translated for them the description of the cultivation technique inscribed in the scroll.
"This method thrives on suffering and struggle. Each injury endured, after recovery, accelerates cultivation. The more battles fought, the faster the user's Qi refines. Even standing at the brink of death fuels breakthroughs, allowing the cultivator to rise stronger from near destruction."
"In simple words, the more you get beaten, the stronger you get."
After listening to his words, Yang Qingxi sighed. "This technique is very suitable for… Battle Maniacs."
"You probably meant to say masochists." Su Mo corrected.
[Ye Chen really is a masochist. That interrogation scene with the police heroine—of course, he'd suit this brutal technique.]
Yang Qingxi rolled her eyes at him and asked. "Anything else?"
"Well, a warning…" After a pause, he continued. "Prolonged reliance on this Sutra will leave crippling hidden injuries, which may one day shatter the body and sever the path of cultivation."
Zhang Xulin frowned and looked at Yang Qingxi with worried eyes. "Miss, how about you don't use such a dangerous cultivation technique?"
She didn't want Miss Yang to go through such suffering.
Yang Qingxi had no change in expression as she asked. "What if you were given a chance to practice it? Would you have opted not to practice it because of pain and suffering?"
"How is that possible?! I will stay by your side to protect you, even if it means death. Let alone a little pain. I'm not afraid, Miss!" Zhang Xulin said in a firm tone full of seriousness.
Both Yang Qingxi and Su Mo could see that she wasn't lying. Yang Qingxi was very moved at this moment. However, Su Mo's inner voice interrupted her.
[Is it because of loyalty? Or is she also a hidden masochist like Ye Chen?]
Yang Qingxi's lips twitched. Was Su Mo just playing with her mind? Still, when she looked at Zhang Xulin, curiosity took over: Does Sister Xulin really have such hidden hobbies?
"Sister Xulin, this cultivation technique is for you. You don't have to worry about the side effects. I'll find a solution to solve it."
"Miss…" Zhang Xulin's eyes became moist as she looked at Miss Yang with a moved expression. She firmly placed her right hand above her heart and swore. "I promise to live up to your expectations, Miss. Even if I die."
Su Mo patted her shoulder and said, "Don't be so serious. With me here, you don't have to worry about any side effects and can practice without worry."
Upon hearing his words, their eyes lit up as they looked at him with surprised expressions.
"I'll show you later." Su Mo said with a smirk.
Zhang Xulin became delighted and thanked him. Yang Qingxi thought it must be Su Mo's healing technique he said before. 'It means I don't have to save luck points for the healing medicine I planned earlier.'
She was very happy at this moment. Recruiting Su Mo was one of the best decisions she had made in her life.
"Now let's see what's in the next scroll." Su Mo said as he opened the scroll to look. After all, it was this scroll that was more interesting to him than the cultivation technique.
"Empty Steps! Supreme Movement Technique: Rank-S"
"He who treads the path of emptiness leaves no trace, for his steps fall upon nothing, yet cross all things…"
After reading it, he closed it and returned it to Yang Qingxi. "It seems to be the right one. After we return, I'll give you the translated copy."
Yang Qingxi took it and sighed. "These sons of luck indeed have amazing luck. They can find this kind of amazing treasure just by raiding a tomb."
Zhang Xulin was confused, while Su Mo nodded along. Soon, system reminders sounded in Yang Qingxi's mind.
'Let's see the harvest.'
After a glance, her expression froze. 'What the?! This is different from what I expected!'