Heart's Disposition

"Reporting to the steward, it was I who did it."

Xu Yuan stepped forward and bowed respectfully to him.

"Oh? You're a formal Martial Artist too, not bad." Zhao Qiusheng turned his head to look, his expression softening slightly, no longer hiding his obvious favoritism.

Upon hearing this, the other laborers around suddenly looked up, their eyes filled with surprise, as if they couldn't quite believe it.

After all, in their eyes, although Xu Yuan was diligent, his aptitude was very mediocre. After practicing for so long, there had been no progress.

He usually didn't reveal any progress, probably to save face.

Who would have thought that this Xu Yuan, without any fanfare, had also become a formal Martial Artist?!

At this moment, after a bit of reflection, they realized that Xu Yuan had been diligently practicing since the first day, calmly and without any disturbance, unaffected even by the strange looks from others.

This kind of diligent, low-key performance left them speechless and ashamed!

Xu Yuan's eyes were calm, unaffected by their complex gazes. He replied, "I was fortunate enough to break through tonight and was planning to inform Master Feng tomorrow."

"Hmm, your name is Xu Yuan, right? Now is not the time to talk. When you move to the training camp tomorrow, you can find me at the registration desk. Just give my name, Zhao Qiusheng."

After speaking, Zhao Qiusheng turned and left, not even glancing at Tian Yang.

"Brother Xu, thank you so much this time!" Tian Yang, having recovered his composure, said gratefully.

He was filled with regret, almost wishing he could die. He was about to become a Martial Artist and change his life, but because of his big mouth, he had almost lost his life, and everything would have been over!

Last month, he had told his family that he would definitely become a Martial Artist. If he failed and instead sent back a corpse...

Tian Yang couldn't even imagine that scene!

"It's good that you're alright," Xu Yuan waved his hand. Seeing the complex looks from the laborers, he opened his mouth as if to say something.

He coughed and spoke first, "Alright, that's all for tonight. Everyone still has work to do tomorrow."

Immediately, he returned to his bunk, pulled up his blanket, and lay down, then closed his eyes.

"You can sleep over at my place."

Tian Yang moved his blanket over and whispered to the laborer sleeping next to Xu Yuan.

Tian Yang already had a high status in the dormitory, and now that he had become a Martial Artist, that laborer naturally dared not refuse.

Xu Yuan saw this but didn't pay much attention.

Because of Liu Hong's incident, he had become somewhat vigilant. Even if someone wanted to harm him, he could react quickly.

Tian Yang lay beside him, finally feeling a little sense of security. However, he didn't sleep, his eyes occasionally scanning his surroundings.

This harrowing experience had left him with significant after-effects.

Most of the others were also awake. Tonight, they had first encountered Liu Hong's attack on Tian Yang, who was then killed on the spot. Then, Xu Yuan, whom they had previously overlooked, had broken through to become a formal Martial Artist.

This series of shocks left them agitated and unable to sleep.

The next day.

Xu Yuan, as usual, got up with the others, washed up, and ate breakfast.

Tian Yang, who had wanted to stay in bed, followed suit, seeing Xu Yuan's example.

When they arrived in the courtyard, Xu Yuan felt frequent gazes upon him. Unlike the previous sarcasm and amusement, these gazes were filled with respect and admiration.

This was naturally because the events of last night had spread throughout the courtyard. Everyone knew what had happened, and considering the context, they couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for Xu Yuan.

Some laborers with poor aptitude even saw him as a role model, becoming even more low-key and diligent in their training.

Xu Yuan remained indifferent to this. He lowered his head and performed his chores, splitting a large round log with a single chop.

Having witnessed Zhao Qiusheng's strength, he had long since shed his complacency. He had indeed entered a new realm.

However, the road ahead was still very long.

At this moment, Chen Sanli also walked over. This guy was a bit older than most of the laborers present, with an irrepressible shrewd aura about him.

When he spoke compliments, he could truly lift one's spirits.

As the saying goes, one doesn't strike a smiling face. Xu Yuan neither treated him specially nor deliberately kept his distance.

His attitude was as usual, polite yet distant.

By the hour of巳 (9-11 AM).

Feng Xiao strode in. The laborers quickly finished their tasks and lined up.

Then, they looked towards Xu Yuan and Tian Yang.

"Master Feng, we've broken through."

Xu Yuan and Tian Yang raised their hands simultaneously, then picked up the wooden boards placed before them and pressed them down to register.

"Oh?"

Feng Xiao was both surprised and delighted. Two people had broken through to become formal Martial Artists at the same time!

That was a full two taels of silver directly in hand!

Moreover, compared to Wang Huan, Li Shan, and the others, Xu Yuan's breakthrough was a complete surprise.

As for Tian Yang, that slacker, he could have broken through long ago but stubbornly dragged it out until now. No need to even mention him.

Moreover, Feng Xiao had told everyone before that the timing of their breakthrough to the First Meridian would greatly influence the family's assessment of their aptitude.

He couldn't be bothered to see if everyone had actually listened.

After the joy subsided, Feng Xiao suddenly noticed that when he had first arrived, Xu Yuan had still been silently chopping wood and doing chores.

"As a laborer, breaking through to become a Martial Artist is like ascending to heaven. This kid can still maintain such caution, patience, and meticulousness!"

With that thought, he couldn't help but give Xu Yuan a deep look.

"Although his aptitude is a bit lacking, with such a disposition, he might achieve something in the future."

After a moment of thought, Feng Xiao's smile became even brighter. Of course, the news of the two breaking through together was the main reason.

Immediately, under the envious gazes of the other laborers, he went to the dormitory again to help the two move their luggage.

Upon reaching the dormitory, Xu Yuan naturally wouldn't let him help with his belongings. He picked up his luggage himself and, as they were leaving, let Feng Xiao go first.

This respectful attitude undoubtedly pleased Feng Xiao greatly, and he praised the young man for being down-to-earth and handling matters smoothly.

Tian Yang had pondered for most of the night and, recalling Xu Yuan's actions over time, deeply admired how thorough and experienced he was.

At this moment, he even followed suit, treating Feng Xiao with caution and respect, not letting his thoughts wander at all.

With Feng Xiao's experience, he naturally saw the difference between the two. One was deliberately trying to please, while the other was sincere and genuine, without any pretense, acting naturally.

"In comparison, that Wang Huan is far inferior."

When Feng Xiao had helped Wang Huan move his luggage back then, Wang Huan had stood by, pretending to help, but after a polite remark from Feng Xiao, he didn't insist.

Feng Xiao could tell that although Wang Huan appeared respectful, his heart was filled with arrogance. He probably thought he would break through to the Second Meridian soon?

In short, he didn't even put on a good show, making people feel uncomfortable.

In contrast, Xu Yuan, on his first day, was severely reprimanded by Feng Xiao but remained unfazed. Now, after experiencing such ups and downs, he could still maintain his original intentions, which was truly commendable.

"Let's see how he performs when he reaches the Second Meridian realm."

Facing someone like Xu Yuan, he was willing to show some goodwill, but if he were to invest, he still needed to clearly assess his aptitude.

If his talent was insufficient, it would be difficult for him to go far on the Martial Path. In this world, he would ultimately lack influence, and thus, everything else would be out of the question.