I became a martial arts saint while playing games.

Bai Jingye already understood and said, "Exchanging martial arts techniques is certainly not a problem. However, if I were to teach you this footwork, I wonder if you could forgive and forget about the past and not bring up the matter of the Thief Saint again?"

He thought that since he had been retired for many years, he didn't need any extraordinary skills to be a waiter. He also didn't plan to take on any apprentices in his life, since he was going to take these skills to his grave anyway.

Anyway, the other party was an official of the Demon Suppression Bureau. Many secret techniques from various sects in the martial arts world had already been given to the Demon Suppression Bureau. Although his own movement techniques were unique, he didn't think they were more valuable than those sects' ultimate techniques. As long as it could bring him a peaceful life, handing them over to the Demon Suppression Bureau was fine.

Gu Yan said, "I, Gu Yan, swear in the name of Zhenyue Xuanjun, the first commander of the Demon Suppression Division. If you hand over your body technique to me, I will never divulge a single word about the Thief Saint. If I break this oath, I will be punished by Xuanjun, forever banished from the demonic path, and all my efforts will be wasted."

His words were deliberate and resolute. Bai Jingye felt a chill run down his spine and immediately believed him to be about 80%.

People in the martial arts world always keep their word. Bai Jingye also knew that the Zhenyue Xuanjun mentioned by the other party was the first Demon Suppression Commander who sealed off the territory of ten thousand demons a thousand years ago, and was also the spiritual ancestor in the hearts of the current Demon Suppression officials.

The Demon Suppression Division has strict laws, and everyone reveres the divine power of Xuanjun. Since the other party is a member of the Demon Suppression Division, and has sworn an oath to this, Bai Jingye can trust him.

Bai Jingye has lived a secluded life in the city for several years, residing at the Tongyue Inn, where he has long regarded the simple pleasures of life as his home. He only wishes to spend his life peacefully with his loved ones, and no longer wishes to wander the world.

Once his identity is exposed, he will still have a chance to escape on his own, but he will absolutely not be able to take the people in the inn with him.

The two moved to a secluded, open area. Bai Jingye said, "The movement technique I cultivate is called the Thunderous Shadow Chasing Step. This is the incantation..."

He recited the incantation in detail, then focused his energy and personally demonstrated the martial arts.

He activated his identity, his inner energy surged, and for a moment it seemed as if tiny sparks of electricity were running through his body. His steps rose and fell like the wind and lightning. He lightly touched the ground with his toes, his figure moving swiftly and unhindered, advancing, retreating, turning and twisting without any hindrance. His afterimages were layered upon layered, coming and going like fleeting light and lightning, elusive and hard to grasp.

He moved his feet in a rhythmic footwork and explained the techniques of circulating qi and channeling energy.

After the entire set of footwork was performed, Bai Jingye turned around, his gaze suddenly fixed, and he froze on the spot for a moment.

Behind him, Gu Yan had already begun his stance according to the instructions, stepping down with perfect precision. Although he was not as free and easy as Bai Jingye, and the lightning was faint, his footwork and breathing techniques were perfectly in sync, without the slightest error.

Bai Jingye: "???"

He thought that even the most basic martial arts skills in the world require constant practice and refinement to take shape.

The Thunder Shadow Step is a unique skill, with many of its techniques and footwork methods being quite counterintuitive. Even if one tries to imitate it and slowly step on the correct steps the first time, it is still very difficult.

How can you learn something just by watching one audition?

Oh, wait, that's not right.

He suddenly realized that he had just finished his rehearsal, and when he turned around, he saw that Gu Yan was already performing the movements quite skillfully. This meant that he hadn't even finished his rehearsal; he had probably only memorized the incantation once, and Gu Yan already knew it...

Bai Jingye was momentarily speechless: "You...I...you...?"

"I understand now." Gu Yan stopped after taking a step and smiled. "It really is a strange and wonderful movement technique. Thank you for the gift, Thief Saint. Well then, I would like to ask Brother Bai for a small favor."

Bai Jingye recovered from his daze and frowned, saying, "My lord, didn't you just say that as long as I taught you the movement technique, you wouldn't mention the Thief Saint again? Why are you asking me to do other things?"

He thought that if the other party kept using this as leverage to blackmail him, wouldn't he have to work for him for the rest of his life?

Gu Yan laughed and said, "Brother Bai, you misunderstand. I have indeed sworn not to reveal your whereabouts, but that's because I respect you as a person and know that the Thief Saint is not a vicious villain."

The favor I'm about to ask is purely out of friendship. Brother Bai, you can help if you're willing, or not if you're not.

But I have always known that Brother Bai is a man who hates evil and has repeatedly vanquished demons for the people without seeking recognition. The matter I have entrusted to you is also related to vanquishing demons... Moreover, if it is not handled properly, it may endanger the entire Xuancang City.

However, this matter is difficult to handle, so I would like to borrow the legendary skills of the Thief Saint.

Bai Jingye pondered.

In his early years, his master taught him martial arts that required him to be mortal enemies with demons. Therefore, although he was a master thief, he also often helped the people subdue demons, which is one of the reasons why he was known as the master thief in the martial arts world.

Since it was related to exorcising demons, and the other party said it might endanger Xuancang City, Bai Jingye, who had already settled in Xuancang City and integrated into the lives of its people, was naturally worried upon hearing this.

Bai Jingye thought for a moment and said, "If it's about slaying demons and eliminating evil, we martial artists are duty-bound to do so. But I still need to know the specifics first."

"Alright," Gu Yan said. "Then wait for me at Falling Star Slope outside the city at midnight tonight. The outcome will be clear then."

After saying that, he got up and left without waiting for Bai Jingye to reply.

Gu Yan left Bai Jingye and returned to the headquarters of the Demon Suppression Division while reviewing his current martial arts techniques.

Having just learned the Thunderous Shadow Step, he immediately added points to the beginner level, consuming approximately a thousand potential points. Compared to the Yin-Yang Harmony Technique, another martial art at the Qi Control Realm, the consumption was significantly higher.

Of course, this is also because he had first learned the Shifting Universe Technique, which, being from the same lineage, greatly reduced the energy consumption during cultivation. Otherwise, although it consumed slightly less energy than the Thunder Chasing Shadow Step, it probably wouldn't have been much less.

After wandering around the city, he returned to the Demon Suppression Division. Soon, subordinates from the Demon Suppression Division found Gu Yan's dormitory and informed him of the good news: his merits had been verified by Shen Qinghan and had been approved, so he could go and choose martial arts techniques.

Without stopping for a moment, Gu Yan went straight to the armory of the Demon Suppression Division.

The person in charge of the books and laws in the armory of the Demon Suppression Division is an elderly and virtuous deacon surnamed Chen.

When Gu Yan entered, Elder Chen was flipping through ancient texts. Without looking up, he said, "For cultivation techniques at the Qi Control Realm and below, choose one based on your merits and register here."

The cultivation techniques required to reach the Qi Condensation Realm must be applied for and reported in advance, and approval is only granted upon review.

The rules didn't need to be explained to him; Gu Yan already knew them. The martial arts he chose weren't anything special either; they had been decided long ago.

Although Gu Yan had already reached the Qi Control realm, his main means of attack was still the Thirteen Swords of Subduing Demons from the Solidifying Yuan realm. After that, he mostly relied on the Shifting Universe technique to parry and counterattack when fighting others, relying entirely on the wonder of the Shifting Universe technique. However, when he needed to take the initiative to attack, he actually lacked the means to do so.

We need to make up for it now.

Gu Yan first selected two palm techniques and presented them to Elder Chen.

Elder Chen put down the book in his hand, looked up and took a look. He saw that it contained two palm techniques.

One is a palm technique at the Solidifying Yuan Realm called "Azure Rift Wind-Splitting Palm," and the other is a palm technique at the Controlling Qi Realm called "Mysterious Mountain-Suppressing Palm."

Gu Yan said, "By the way, please help me register a cultivation technique for breaking through to the Condensation Realm. I need the 'Azure Mountain Dragon Nourishing Technique,' and my accumulated merits should be enough."

Elder Chen looked surprised.

Green Hill Wind-Splitting Palm, Mysterious Mountain Mountain-Suppressing Palm, plus Azure Mountain Dragon-Nourishing Technique...

Elder Chen had been in charge of the martial arts manuals here for many years, so his knowledge of martial arts was naturally extensive. Therefore, as soon as he saw these three techniques, he immediately recognized that they were all prerequisite techniques for a world-renowned martial arts technique.

There is almost no doubt that the young man in front of them is after that famous martial arts technique.

Elder Chen asked, "Young man, do you wish to learn the 'Azure Dragon Cloud-Severing Palm,' the most powerful and yang-like martial art in the world?"