Raising Orphans, Not Assassins

Chen Ye was overjoyed. He had anticipated that Da Ming's gratitude level would reach 80% within a day or two, but he hadn't expected it to be today.

Chen Ye sat up straight.

The last time he received a Director skill, it was [Indestructable Body], which made him immune to all harm. What would he get this time?

"System, draw a Director skill!" Chen Ye silently commanded in his mind.

【Ding!】

【Drawing...】

【Ding!】

【Congratulations, you have obtained the skill: Ground Shrinking Step】

【Ground Shrinking Step: You can shrink a distance of up to 100 meters into a single step, appearing at any reachable location within that range. No cooldown.】

Seeing this trait, Chen Ye was ecstatic.

This skill was incredibly powerful, not inferior to the Indestructable Body.

As Chen Ye read the skill's description, his eyes narrowed, focusing on the phrase "reachable location."

After some contemplation, he understood its meaning.

For instance, he couldn't appear directly 100 meters in the air.

If he could appear directly 100 meters in the air, it wouldn't be called Ground Shrinking Step; it would be called Skywalking.

"In other words, as long as I take a step, I can appear anywhere up to 100 meters away?"

Chen Ye stroked his chin, "This is a godly skill on earth. From now on, I won't even need a horse to travel; no horse could match my speed."

"One step, 100 meters. Who could possibly catch up?"

Chen Ye smiled slightly and opened his status panel.

【Orphan Cultivation System 1.0】

【Host: Chen Ye】

【Age: 20】

【Points: 5172】

【Possessed Director skills: Indestructible Body, Ground Shrinking Step】

【Indestructible Body: Your body cannot be harmed by anything in the world.】

【Ground Shrinking Step: You can shrink a distance of up to 100 meters into a single step, appearing at any reachable location within that range. No cooldown.】

【Current Task: Establish future career direction for the orphans (1/2)】

【Task Reward: 1000 points, 2 Orphan Trait draws】

"Pretty good, defense maxed out, agility maxed out. If I could draw an attack method, I'd probably dominate all martial artists."

After drawing the trait, Chen Ye lay down contentedly to sleep.

Just as he settled in, he was awakened by the cries of a child next door. It was Xiaofu.

Chen Ye sighed, rolled over, covered his ears, and hoped silently, "Xiao Lian, please take care of the little troublemaker."

In such situations, Xiao Lian would usually comfort Xiaofu for a while, soothing her until Chen Ye could continue sleeping.

Several minutes passed, and Xiaofu's crying didn't stop. Chen Ye realized something was wrong.

He got up and walked to the door of the room where Xiao Lian and Xiaofu slept, knocking softly.

There was no response from inside. Chen Ye activated the system map and noticed that Xiao Lian's red dot was not in the nursery.

It was in the southern part of the city.

Rubbing his forehead, Chen Ye muttered, "She's not giving me any peace of mind, especially during curfew..."

He sighed and pushed open the door, picked up Xiaofu, and began to calm her down.

...

In the southern part of the city, deep into the night, the moon hung low, casting a cool, silvery glow on the ground, just enough to see by.

"Dong dong..."

The sound of the night watchmen's bells echoed from the corners of the city.

Several patrols carried lanterns, yawning as they walked the streets.

Xiao Lian cautiously made her way to the south of the city, almost being spotted by the night patrols. Luckily, her petite stature allowed her to hide in the shadows, and the guards weren't too diligent to notice her.

Southern City, Southern City

Southern City is so big, where exactly am I supposed to meet her?

Xiao Lian hid under a tree, grumbling internally.

"You've come."

A calm, emotionless woman's voice came from behind Xiao Lian, startling her. She turned to see a woman in a black dress standing beside her.

The woman wore a veil, her eyes like clear autumn water, gazing at Xiao Lian.

It was Qin Yi.

Xiao Lian breathed a sigh of relief. She lifted her head, looking directly at Qin Yi with a determined gaze, her voice crisp, "I'm here."

Qin Yi glanced at her lightly, a slight smile tugging at her lips, "Is this how you greet your master?"

Hearing this, Xiao Lian's delicate face turned red. She stammered a bit before saying, "Master."

"Hmm." Qin Yi accepted this unexpected disciple.

Without much ceremony, Qin Yi took out three thread-bound books, two small and one large, handing them to Xiao Lian.

"The two small ones are the Fengyu Tower's 'Rain Technique Manual' and 'Drifting Rain Footwork,' the large one is the Tang Sect's 'General Principles of Hidden Weapons.'"

Qin Yi's voice was monotonous, but upon careful listening, one could hear a hint of elegance and gentleness.

Xiao Lian took the three books, feeling puzzled and asked, "Master Yu, I've already practiced the first volume of the 'Jinghua Finger.'"

"My surname is not Yu, it's Qin, and my name is Qin Yi."

"Fengyu Tower's assassins are all named by numbers. By rights, you should also take a number as your name."

"But since you are my disciple and not officially part of the Fengyu Tower, I won't insist on the name."

Qin Yi stood with her sword, the summer wind blowing, her black dress swaying, accentuating her graceful figure.

She paused and continued, "You haven't practiced any internal energy techniques. Reaching the small success stage with the Jinghua Finger technique is your limit. If you want to continue, you need to cultivate the Rain Technique Manual to at least the second level."

"Only then can you reach the level of a fourth-grade martial artist."

"I observed your exceptional talent with hidden weapons, so I'm giving you the Tang Sect's General Principles of Hidden Weapons."

"The Tang Sect specializes in hidden weapons. If you can master the techniques inside, the power and skill will far surpass that of the Jinghua Finger technique."

Xiao Lian listened, deep in thought.

From Qin Yi's tone, the Tang Clan's hidden weapons seemed to be far superior to those of the Fengyu Tower.

"How long did it take you to practice the 'Jinghua Finger technique' to  small success stage?" Qin Yi suddenly asked.

Xiao Lian blinked lightly, replying softly, "One month."

"Hmm?"

Qin Yi was visibly stunned by this answer, as if she hadn't heard correctly. She asked again, "How long?"

"One month." Xiao Lian repeated, puzzled.

Ripples appeared in Qin Yi's autumn-like eyes, her breathing becoming noticeably more rapid.

One month?

How was that possible!

Qin Yi had observed that Xiao Lian had no internal energy at all, yet she managed to reach a small success stage with the 'Jinghua Finger technique,' which made her believe Xiao Lian was exceptionally gifted.

Without internal energy to support it, achieving such progress should have taken years at the very least.

Even for a martial artist with internal energy, reaching a small accomplishment would still require several months of diligent practice.

Now Xiao Lian was telling her it only took a month?

"Where did you get the 'Jinghua Finger technique'?" Qin Yi took a deep breath, half-doubting and half-believing.

Xiao Lian then recounted how she had been abducted a month ago.

After listening, Qin Yi pondered deeply, realizing that Xiao Lian probably wasn't lying.

She remained silent for a long time before sighing, "What a pity. If only Tang Feng had the Dragon Beard Needle Manual on him."

"Otherwise, if I gave it to you, perhaps..."

Xiao Lian's bright eyes blinked twice, filled with curiosity.

Perhaps what?

Qin Yi didn't finish her sentence.

"Whether it's the 'Jinghua Finger technique' or the 'Drifting Rain Footwork,' don't reveal these techniques casually. They will bring you trouble."

"Take those three manuals back and study them on your own. I will stay in Yuhang County for three days. If you have any questions during these three days, come to Room 1, Ground Floor at the Guesthouse Inn to find me."