Chapter Fifty-Two: The Invitation

System notification, squad channel: Captain Qi Guanbei has gifted you "Sword Demon 72 Styles Skill Book" x1, do you accept?

“Hm?” Xiao Zhang glanced at Qi Guanbei.

“I got it in another dungeon long ago.” Qi Guanbei shrugged, exhaling smoke from his cigarette. “An old man like me has no use for it, and the rookies in the organization can’t handle it. If you can make use of it, consider it yours.”

Xiao Zhang looked into Qi Guanbei’s eyes, momentarily at a loss for words. Still, it would be a waste not to accept, so he took the skill book without hesitation.

“But it’s not a gift for nothing,” Qi Guanbei said with a faint smile. “This dungeon is dangerous. You’re the only one around with any combat ability, so you’ll need to protect your unlucky little comrade yourself.”

“Thank you, Qi Guan,” Xiao Zhang replied, without any embarrassment. After all, they were more or less like family.

Qi Guanbei waved him off. “See if you can learn it first.”

...

Sword Demon 72 Styles Skill Book: The legendary secret techniques of the Sword Demon, a B-level skill book. Usage restriction: Must equip a B-level or higher weapon. (Note: This skill can be advanced further.)

Xiao Zhang stared at the skill book in his interface and hit confirm. The skill book in his inventory shattered and disappeared.

In its place, knowledge of various sword techniques flooded his mind, as if he had been enlightened. Taking up his Spider Cutter, he swung it several times, and a sense of innate familiarity surged within him. Now, Xiao Zhang felt he could match blades with the Resentful Ghost.

But a question arose: why hadn’t the previous skill felt like this? Maybe it was because Bai Bai hadn’t joined to complete his system yet? He searched his storage, and at the very bottom, found a damaged skill book—the one for Great Fireburst he had learned earlier.

Without hesitation, Xiao Zhang opened it.

As the skill book faded away, he felt his mind fill with minor techniques.

So it could be used this way. Xiao Zhang enveloped his blade in flames—this was an unexpected use of Great Fireburst.

With a casual wave, a small fireball coalesced in his palm. As soon as the thought occurred, the flames and fireball vanished, suggesting he could use this as a backup move.

Then Xiao Zhang tested the unlocked skills from the Sword Demon book.

First: Triple Slash. Second: Silver Flash Slash. Third: Demon Chain Slash.

He noticed the difference between this skill book and his previous one. This book unlocked abilities from basic to advanced, while Great Fireburst went from ultimate skill down to minor skills...

...

Still, the Sword Demon’s set looked impressive, and since it could be advanced, its power must be formidable.

Below, there was a note: Mastery of the skill at maximum level unlocks the next tier.

However, Xiao Zhang lacked a skill bar notification, so he had no idea when these skills would upgrade.

Qi Guanbei watched Xiao Zhang and said, “You can test it outside.”

Xiao Zhang stepped into the open space beyond the temple. With a single stroke, his blade became a silver crescent, slicing the ground with a crack.

Then came a flawless triple slash, followed by a demon chain slash.

Xiao Zhang exhaled, a thrill surging through him—so this is what it feels like to unleash skills!

“Looks like you’ve got the hang of it,” Qi Guanbei remarked from behind, casting a cool glance at Xiao Zhang. “But remember: every skill, whether unique to you or just standard, consumes your energy and stamina. The more you use, the greater the drain. You seem sturdy enough, but still, be cautious when you use them.”

Xiao Zhang nodded. Energy was probably the blue bar—he didn’t have one. As for stamina, he guessed his recovery was faster than the skill consumption.

At this moment, Zhao Bai finally woke up and staggered weakly to Xiao Zhang’s side. “What happened? Why did I faint?”

“You’re really something—so weak you passed out after a few whiffs of smoke. If Qi Guan hadn’t protected you, you’d have become fertilizer for those vines.”

“It was my first dungeon, okay?” Zhao Bai replied awkwardly, accepting the healing potion Xiao Zhang handed him. “Rookies deserve a chance, right?”

Xiao Zhang sighed at the sight of his hapless comrade. “You really are a liability, you know.”

“What did you just say?” Qi Guanbei interjected.

“Ah?” Xiao Zhang was caught off guard.

“Not you, step aside.” Qi Guanbei pulled Xiao Zhang away and asked Zhao Bai, “What did you just say?”

Zhao Bai was confused. “Give rookies a chance?”

“No, the line before that.”

Zhao Bai’s mind stalled. “I said, said…”

Xiao Zhang frowned, “He said this is his first dungeon.”

...

Qi Guanbei looked at Zhao Bai. “Kid, want to join my organization?”

Zhao Bai was bewildered. What was this about?

Qi Guanbei had his reasons. After all, a rookie whose first dungeon was a myth-level dungeon was bound to become a big player—like Haonan, for instance.

Xiao Zhang, seeing Zhao Bai lost, turned to Qi Guanbei. “Qi Guan, could you let Zhao Bai join your squad first?”

Xiao Zhang expected Qi Guanbei to refuse or at least question him, but Qi Guanbei agreed without a word.

Soon, the system notified them.

Notification, squad channel: A new member has joined your Dragon Five squad.

Xiao Zhang looked at Qi Guanbei, who simply turned away, saying, “I have no ill intentions. I just like to recruit promising newcomers.”

“Thanks, Qi Guan!” Xiao Zhang called after him.

Qi Guanbei no longer insisted on Zhao Bai joining his organization, and Xiao Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. Otherwise, if they fell out with Qi Guanbei, surviving this dungeon would be uncertain.

Only Zhao Bai remained confused. What are you guys doing?

...

Xiao Zhang gripped his blade and glanced at Qi Guanbei in the distance. “Qi Guan, where do we go next?”

Zhao Bai stood behind Xiao Zhang, whispering, “Doggy, have you contacted Miss Mo yet?”

Xiao Zhang acted as if he hadn’t heard, simply waving Zhao Bai off. Truth was, he had tried, but couldn’t reach her.

Seeing this, Zhao Bai fell silent and just followed along quietly behind the two.