Second Meridian Accomplishment!

Outside.

A cold wind whistled past, bringing a chill that also blew away some of Xu Yuan's melancholy. It wasn't because of Wang Huan, but rather his feelings for Li Shan.

From a laborer to a martial artist now, having spent this time together, compared to Sun Rong, his bond with Li Shan was deeper.

Li Shan was indeed a good person, a typical nice guy, and it was easy to become friends with him at first.

But after spending more time together, one would realize that although he was approachable, it was difficult to become close friends with him, because he was generous and kind to everyone, including those close to him.

Just like today's matter, regardless of whether Li Shan's intentions were good or bad, he had ultimately taken a side, favoring Wang Huan, whom he hadn't known for long. Xu Yuan didn't mind giving him some face and letting the matter drop.

After all, if he were to act with his current strength, Wang Huan would have received a severe beating tonight.

"Forget it, those who abandon me are not worth mentioning."

Xu Yuan shook his head slightly and concentrated on washing up with the others.

Time flew by, and six days passed in a flash.

The time came to the afternoon of December 29th, the end of the month.

For Xu Yuan, the series of disturbances caused by his entry into Thunderclap Fist had passed.

He still practiced diligently every day, focusing on the Stone Platform Stance Practice, striving to break through to the Second Meridian Realm to obtain the qualification for six months of self-selected tasks.

Training ground, quiet room.

Xu Yuan silently circulated his stance practice, swallowed another portion of Meridian Nourishing Powder and Blood Activating Pill, and felt a swelling sensation in the area of his Governing Meridian.

At the same time, a membrane, like a bamboo joint, blocked the connection between the Ren Meridian's Blood Essence and the Governing Meridian, causing slight stagnation during circulation.

[Skills: Tai Chi Exercise (Major Accomplishment 3%) Stone Platform Stance Practice (Minor Accomplishment 97%) Thunderclap Fist (Minor Accomplishment 2%)]

[Aptitude: 9 (Exceptional Bone Structure)]

"Now, even a slight improvement in aptitude makes my stance practice speed up considerably. Coupled with the accumulation from entering Thunderclap Fist, only this bottleneck remains."

Xu Yuan took a deep breath, mobilized his Blood Essence, and once again rushed towards that bamboo joint.

This time, the bottleneck, which had remained motionless, suddenly showed a slight tremor, like a crack opening at the base of a city wall.

Although it wasn't large, it was already on the verge of collapse, and there was hope for a breakthrough.

"It will be today..."

Xu Yuan's eyes were deep. He wiped the sweat from his forehead haphazardly. After the medicinal effects wore off, he picked up the nearby precious medicine and took it.

Ordinary martial artists would not dare to fill themselves with medicine like he did, without regard for cost. Most would completely consume the residual medicinal effects before taking another dose after a couple of days, calling it "drops make a river."

Xu Yuan didn't care about that. He was only one step away from the Second Meridian now, so why hesitate for the sake of saving money?

Time passed quickly.

When the stars hung in the night sky and all was silent.

The quiet room was already dark.

Xu Yuan stood in a stance, his posture as steady as a rock. Large beads of sweat dripped down, splashing up fine dust.

His Blood Essence circulated within him, rushing out once more as usual. This time, just like when he broke through the first meridian, it pierced through an invisible barrier. His Blood Essence flowed unimpeded into the Governing Meridian, completing the circulation between the two meridians.

The Second Meridian Realm was achieved!

[Skills: Tai Chi Exercise (Major Accomplishment 3%) Stone Platform Stance Practice (Major Accomplishment 1%) Thunderclap Fist (Minor Accomplishment 2%)]

[Aptitude: 11 (Exceptional Bone Structure)]

"The panel increased by 2 points, but the aptitude evaluation didn't improve at all this time..."

Xu Yuan stroked his chin and pondered. It seemed that in the future, he would need multiple skill breakthroughs to cause a change in evaluation.

However, although the two points weren't much, the change they brought was still significant.

If he had to break through the Second Meridian from scratch again, his speed would be nearly doubled!

Xu Yuan felt excited. He suppressed this joy and secretly thought:

"Now that I've broken through to the Second Meridian, I can be considered a Martial Master. In the Shangyang Family, that would make me a Second Pattern Household Guard, with a basic monthly salary of three taels of silver."

Three taels of silver!

Even for ordinary families in the outer city, if they were frugal, it would be enough to live on for more than half a year. Now, it was just his monthly salary.

Even though Xu Yuan had a lot left on him, the expenses of a martial artist were enormous. Without new income, it would be consumed quickly.

Moreover, due to the time factor, he broke through so quickly and used medicines without regard for cost, which was equivalent to two or three times the expenditure of others.

"I probably have about thirty taels left now."

Xu Yuan estimated in his heart. The consumption of just two precious medicines cost nearly six taels, plus most of his meals were meat and vegetables, so the expenses were naturally not small.

"Now that I've broken through to the Second Meridian, the speed of medicine consumption will also increase. In the First Meridian, one portion of Meridian Nourishing Powder and Blood Activating Pill was enough for three days. In the Second Meridian, it's only enough for two days, meaning a month would require seven taels and five qian... These expenses are too exaggerated."

Xu Yuan swallowed his saliva. He would have to be more frugal next month.

A moment later.

He opened the quiet room and walked outside, feeling as if the air was much fresher.

Feeling the sticky sweat on his body, he went to the laundry room for a hot shower.

When he returned to the dormitory.

Most of the others had already finished washing up and were sitting on their beds chatting.

Chen Sanli was the first to greet him when he saw him enter, "Brother Xu, you're back?"

Xu Yuan nodded. Even though he knew about the other man's intentions and character, he felt a bit better towards him after seeing him choose sides before. He had become much closer to him recently.

Tian Yang, Xiao Sheng, and Gao Yuan also greeted him one after another, and Xu Yuan replied to each of them.

Wang Huan, sitting on the innermost bed, watched the scene with cold eyes, feeling quite displeased. Once upon a time, only when he entered would he receive such 'courtesy'.

"What a bunch of guys who just go with the flow!"

Wang Huan grumbled inwardly, then cleared his throat and deliberately raised his voice, "The end of the month is almost here. How is everyone's training going?"

Before his voice even faded, he added with a hint of smugness, "I feel the bottleneck of the Second Meridian is starting to shake. It should happen in the next day or two."

Li Shan also looked somewhat excited, "I think it's close for me too. I can control my strength a little longer now."

"What about Yangzi?" Wang Huan continued to ask.

Qin Yang coughed dryly. He hadn't intended to answer, but seeing the expectant look on Wang Huan's face, he could only reply with a hint of dejection:

"I don't think I'll make it."

It wasn't that Qin Yang couldn't learn the martial art. In fact, he felt that if he had a little more time, he would definitely be able to get started.

But the problem was that he had been too playful in the past and wasted precious time. Now, it was too late to regret it.

"What about Yuanzi?" Wang Huan shook his head slightly, a sense of superiority growing in his heart, and continued to ask.

"I got started with the martial art this afternoon," Gao Yuan replied calmly.

As soon as he said this, everyone turned to look at him, and naturally, there was a round of congratulations.

Wang Huan's expression turned a little sour. He had originally wanted to find a sense of presence among these people, but who cared if you had broken through and gotten started?

"How about Little Xiao?" Wang Huan coughed a few times, bringing the conversation back to the main topic.

Xiao Sheng hesitated, "I can't say for sure. I have some feeling, but I don't know if it will happen these next two days."

Wang Huan's expression softened slightly. He scanned the room and asked seemingly casually, "What about Little Tian?"

After he spoke, there was no response for a long time. He turned to look and saw Tian Yang looking at Xu Yuan, as if asking with his eyes.

Wang Huan's expression sank. He subconsciously continued, "What about Sanli?"

Chen Sanli, however, smiled without saying a word and lowered his head to pick at his toenails.

Wang Huan's expression became even more displeased. He took a deep breath and finally asked, "Then... what about Brother Xu?"

Xu Yuan glanced at him, thinking that this was probably the last time they would report their progress in the dormitory. So, he said, "It should be soon."

Wang Huan hadn't expected him to answer. Upon hearing this, he was first stunned, then a deep sense of disdain welled up in his heart.

What a load of crap!

I'm recognized as the most talented in the dorm. I've been training since the beginning of the month and I'm only just about to break through. Don't I have more say than you?

To be honest, how long have you even been practicing Stance Practice?