Yan Qing naturally doesn't have the luxury of choosing one of three game character classes to transition from; he can only follow the path of this world, either transforming into a Martial Arts Messenger or a Cultivator of the Path of Literature.
Judging by potential for development, a Cultivator of the Path of Literature is slightly better post-fourth-turn than a Martial Arts Messenger, because the primary attributes in the Martial Dao like 'Qi Blood' and related basic skills become less significant in the later stages. However, a Martial Arts Messenger's combat power from first to third turn completely overwhelms that of a Cultivator of the Path of Literature. Moreover, Yan Qing doesn't have access to the Cultivation Secret Realm, so he must start his extraordinary journey as a Martial Arts Messenger like the vast majority in this world.
Only a rare few geniuses and nobles with the means to squander literature mastery manuals can blindly pursue the theoretically highest power like game players.
The reason for delaying the transition until now is that transforming into a Martial Arts Messenger has two rigid requirements: Level 10 and any max-level Basic Body Techniques. Yan Qing had long achieved max-level in footwork, but even max-level footwork only got him to level five or six; he needed at least one more max-level skill to reach level 10.
Three days ago, "Ye Si" dropped a Basic Saber Technique Secret Manual from the Secret Realm, but Yan Qing had another use for this manual, so he planned to wait for the next one. Unexpectedly, this wait lasted three days, as the drop rates in the Three Mountain Secret Realm were unusually low in the following days; apart from Spiritual Jade and supplies, nothing else dropped. Fortunately, this morning, a Basic Saber Technique finally dropped, or else Yan Qing would have had to join this journey to Chang'an with ordinary people's strength.
Even though a First-Turn Messenger is still an insignificant weakling in this world, for Yan Qing, it's the moment he truly steps onto the extraordinary path. The surging Qi Blood and the Spiritual Power at his command made him profoundly aware that he was no longer in his original world—a mundane, ordinary world devoid of miracles!
It was once a paradise for the weak, but now it is a jungle for the strong.
Yan Qing gripped his White Iron Straight Saber, looking at his reflection in the blade.
From now on, there is only the saber in hand.
Before the cold iron dulls, who will emerge from this long night?
"Time to go."
Yan Qing gracefully spun his saber and sheathed it; such mundane level skills were as simple as breathing for someone with max-level Basic Saber Technique. He picked up his game console for a final check, confirming once more that all his contingency strategies arranged by 'automatic evolution' had no flaws—there were sure to be unexpected events, and all he could do was minimize their impact on his plans.
The sound of a chair being moved came from outside; though it wasn't time yet, apparently someone couldn't wait to get in position early. But before meeting up with his 'thieving companions,' Yan Qing had one last thing to do.
...
…
In the Thief Hall, everyone had different thoughts.
Since they were about to descend onto Vermilion Bird Avenue in Chang'an City, they couldn't continue wearing masks—if the masks drew attention on the street, it would be counterproductive.
Disguise was essential, and from each person's perspective, the other two seemed doomed to fail.
Pharmacist's Wish's disguise was the most thorough, with her figure and face showing no trace of her original self, she appeared as just another youthful, clean-cut young man.
Ying Rushi's disguise was clever, she pretended to be a vendor selling masks, wearing a half-fox mask herself, thus others wouldn't find it odd seeing her with a mask.
Shang Xinlei's disguise was the most perfunctory—she wore a pair of black sunglasses, seemingly a handcrafted gem masterpiece.
Seriously, you'd be better off wearing a mask, at least people in the North have seen masks, but no one's seen something as novel as sunglasses!
And sunglasses can't hide your features at all!
As the two internally criticized Shang Xinlei's poor disguise, they suddenly heard the door open and turned their heads, collectively stunned.
The hall fell into three seconds of silence, broken by Shang Xinlei's laughter.
"Pfft hahaha Yellow Dog, what on earth are you wearing!" Shang Xinlei clutched her stomach, laughing uncontrollably: "Did you bump your head or something?"
No doubt, Yan Qing's disguise method was simple, brutal, yet effective—he wrapped his head tightly with a mass of bandages, leaving only his eyes, nose, and mouth exposed, looking like a severely burned bandage monster.
Pharmacist's Wish couldn't hold back anymore: "If you don't have time for disguises, you can ask me for help; do you even know what a disguise is? A disguise is not drawing attention, but look at you, you'd be better off wearing a mask!"
Ying Rushi tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, maybe it's their first time, so they're not used to it..."
Pharmacist's Wish gritted her teeth and said, "Don't 'alright, alright' me; you're not much better than them. Who peddles masks without a cart? More importantly, what if someone wants to buy a mask? Compared to them, you're more likely to get entangled by others!"
"This is going to Chang'an to steal the Bingzi Pepper Forest, could you take it seriously!"
Pharmacist's Wish was truly frustrated; she had finally summoned the resolve to complete this mission and seize the Bingzi Pepper Forest for herself, but her teammates were more outrageous than one another, making her feel almost hopeless—would their first mission end in failure, forcing her father to rescue her?
How could a person like her have the confidence to accuse her father of wrongdoings, or the qualifications to restore the Pharmacist's glory?
"Snacks?" Shang Xinlei checked her belongings: "Ah, I forgot to bring snacks. What a pity, the kitchen prepared crab meat dumplings today..."