Cannon Fodder Cultivation Guide

Chapter 152 - Interest Beyond Tactics

As it turns out, Lin Jin'er is indeed the kind of carefree and easy-going person who makes friends without hesitation. Unsurprisingly, after experiencing Zhang Yiyi's swordsmanship, she decisively conceded, jumping down from the platform on her own without requiring Zhang Yiyi to finish her off with a kick. She admitted defeat with a smile. "Thank you, Sister Han, for your mercy. Since I didn't receive that last kick, I managed to exit the platform with my dignity intact."

Below the platform, after suppressing her chaotic energy, Lin Jin'er sighed in relief and enthusiastically waved at Zhang Yiyi on the stage. "Sister Han, don't forget, I'll come looking for you soon to have some fun." Zhang Yiyi wasn't the only one amused; many in the audience found Lin Jin'er's lighthearted demeanor entertaining, easing the previously tense atmosphere of the tournament.

"Investigate the background of this female cultivator with the surname Han," Tang Jin instructed, his tone thoughtful. From where he stood in the Qinghe Tang family's area, he watched intently. Unlike others, Tang Jin could see the fight clearly: this female cultivator was more than just powerful. Although she used the same sword move each time, each opponent felt its force differently. Her precision and control were remarkable, worthy of admiration. Was such a talented sword cultivator truly just an ordinary guest of the Wang family? Tang Jin doubted it.

Based on her real age, she was around twenty years old. Even if she had started cultivating from birth, reaching the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment within two decades would put her on par with the best talents from the top five families. Not to mention, her combat power likely surpassed the average Golden Core cultivator. When did such a sword-wielding prodigy emerge?

Shortly afterward, his subordinate returned and quietly reported, "Third Master, the female cultivator on the platform was recruited as a third-grade guest by the Wang family just a month ago after successfully challenging and defeating a Golden Core opponent. She has a Golden Core-stage elder brother who was promoted to first-grade guest status after saving the Wang family's fifth young lady. Before this, both were unaffiliated cultivators, and no further information is available."

"Unaffiliated cultivators?" Tang Jin chuckled meaningfully. "Have you ever seen such powerful unaffiliated cultivators?" Even the top five families struggled to produce such talented disciples, let alone unaffiliated cultivators without any foundational resources.

"My apologies, Master; aside from this, I could find nothing further. The siblings' past before joining the Wang family seems to have been completely erased, and the Wang family's own investigation has been equally fruitless," the subordinate admitted, apologizing for failing to meet his master's expectations.

"Enough, I understand," Tang Jin waved him off without further scolding. The subordinate exhaled in relief and resumed his respectful stance, ready for the next order.

It seemed that Tang Jin was intrigued by the female unaffiliated cultivator on the platform. In all his years, he had never seen Tang Jin so curious about anyone or anything, and he couldn't tell if it was a blessing or a curse for this mysterious cultivator.

Meanwhile, another challenger stepped onto the platform, but Tang Jin could see that this opponent would be no match for Zhang Yiyi—one sword move and a kick would be more than enough. In fact, the remaining contestants in the preparation area were no match for her, and her "one sword, one kick" solution would continue to be effective. Thankfully, tournament rules limited her to ten rounds; otherwise, Zhang Yiyi would likely dominate the entire Foundation Establishment competition, leaving no room for the other families.

Losing interest in the now predictable battles, Tang Jin turned his sharp gaze toward Luo Qiheng standing among the crowd on the opposite side. This was the brother of that formidable female cultivator. Tang Jin's keen eyes noted an uncanny similarity in the siblings' aura—a purity and intensity unmatched by ordinary cultivators. This confirmed that the two shared an extraordinary and mysterious background.