Changes After the Breakthrough

As for the other three in the dormitory.

Although Li Shan had said two days ago that he might have a chance, he had still fallen short on time and failed to gain entry into the fist art within a month.

Qin Yang had both good aptitude and comprehension, but he had spent the early days fishing for three days and drying nets for two. Even cramming at the last minute had failed to save him.

Xiao Sheng had been diligent and hardworking enough, but his aptitude and comprehension were both ordinary. In the end, he too had fallen just short.

Xu Yuan watched everyone's reactions, then thought of the order in which they had previously broken through to become first-vein martial artists, and felt deeply moved.

In the dormitory, Wang Huan had possessed the best overall talent, followed by Qin Yang, Gao Yuan, and Tian Yang. Yet the current evaluation results were rather difficult to describe.

As the saying went, only when the tide receded did one know who had been swimming naked. Even if heaven bestowed excellent aptitude, if one did not seize it wholeheartedly, one would ultimately achieve nothing.

Once the three martial masters finished testing everyone, they took the Heavenly Net Mirror and left.

The several dozen people in the field scattered one after another, carrying all manner of thoughts—resentment, regret, and more.

The people from the D-Class Room also gathered together and began talking among themselves.

Today was the beginning of the year, and they had a half-day holiday in the afternoon. After that, they would leave the dormitory. Once they chose their assignments the day after tomorrow, they would go their separate ways, and it would be hard to meet again in the future.

Xu Yuan had broken through to the second vein, so naturally he would not continue living here. He had passed the evaluation and become a Second Pattern Household Guard. Once he took his Jade Pendant to the Personnel Hall to register, he would be able to live in a single room.

At that moment, Wang Huan walked toward Xu Yuan and said with difficulty, "Xu Yuan... what happened that night was my fault..."

In truth, after the drinking incident, he had been vaguely isolated in the dormitory.

There was no need to mention Xu Yuan, Tian Yang, and Gao Yuan. Chen Sanli had beaten him, so reconciliation was impossible. Qin Yang had been distanced from Xu Yuan because of him and bore him considerable resentment as well.

Xiao Sheng was cordial enough, but he spoke little by nature, and they could not really converse. Only Li Shan would still occasionally say a few words to him.

From being the core of the dormitory to being ignored by everyone.

Wang Huan had actually been miserable beyond measure, but after seeing Xu Yuan's progress in both fist art and cultivation, fear and panic began to rise in his heart again.

After much deliberation, he still felt that he had to apologize. Otherwise, what if Xu Yuan tripped him up in the future?

Since today was also his final chance, he cast aside all hesitation and came before him.

On the Martial Path, the accomplished came first. And you were the one who started the conflict... Now that you're apologizing, you're still unwilling to call him Brother Xu?

Beside them, Gao Yuan watched Wang Huan coldly and shook his head slightly.

Xu Yuan glanced at him and said evenly, "No need. You should thank Li Shan."

He said nothing more and strolled away.

The others followed behind him, and the group gradually went farther and farther away.

Wang Huan remained where he was, relief welling up in his heart.

From what Xu Yuan meant, the matter should be considered over. He would not face any deliberate targeting in the future.

"That's good..."

Wang Huan murmured instinctively, but then he felt ashamed and angry at his own spineless appearance, bitterly hating himself for being so lax back then.

If he had used his spare time and evenings to practice like Xu Yuan, he would probably have become a second-vein martial artist long ago!

I'll definitely catch up to you... definitely!

Wang Huan stared at the empty training ground, his fists slowly tightening.

Meanwhile, as Xu Yuan walked back, Qin Yang suddenly stepped forward from behind and said, "Brother Xu, that night, I actually..."

"It's fine. I know what you mean." Xu Yuan waved a hand. He knew what Qin Yang wanted to say. He was a man who distinguished gratitude from grudges; he would not drag others into it.

Besides, Qin Yang had not done it intentionally. Wang Huan had been the only one spouting drunken nonsense.

After Qin Yang, Li Shan smiled and said, "Brother Xu, after my father heard of your deeds, he praised you highly. He would like to invite you to the restaurant for a meal tomorrow, if you..."

"No need. Please thank Uncle for his kindness." Xu Yuan shook his head and politely declined before Li Shan could finish.

Watching his retreating figure, Li Shan froze in place, clearly sensing the distance in Xu Yuan's attitude.

Yet he still did not understand. He had obviously been so friendly and generous to everyone, so why had things ended up like this?

Father, I really can't tell anymore.

Was the way of dealing with people you taught me actually useful?

Li Shan furrowed his brow and sank into thought.

After Xu Yuan returned to the dormitory and exchanged a few pleasantries with everyone, he headed to the Personnel Hall.

The beginning and end of each month were the busiest times for the Personnel Hall, but upon hearing that Xu Yuan had come, Zhao Qiusheng still made time to handle his household guard promotion.

"Your evaluation is over?" Zhao Qiusheng asked as he processed the documents. "How was it? Apart from you, was there anyone else whose fist art and cultivation both improved?"

"There was one person. A woman with short hair. She'll probably come over soon as well."

Zhao Qiusheng understood. By that count, among the newly advanced first-vein martial artists of the entire Shangyang Family, those who had achieved both could be counted on one hand.

As he wrote with his brush, he continued advising, "Although your talent is good, it's best to keep a low profile in daily life... After all, when one stands above the crowd, the crowd is bound to condemn him."

"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Zhao."

Xu Yuan naturally understood this principle. If there had not been so little time left, he would have wanted to hide his abilities for a while longer.

"I should have explained the assignments to you, but as you can see, the Personnel Hall is busy right now. By the way, you can go find Feng Xiao. He can answer those questions too."

After Zhao Qiusheng finished processing all the paperwork, he took out two sets of green robes, one for summer and one for winter, then handed over a waist token.

"Advancing to the second vein in our Shangyang Family means you have some standing now. Your food, clothing, housing, and travel will all be different from now on. You can feel the difference in the clothes."

Xu Yuan nodded. When he had been at the first vein, he had only possessed one set of gray robes. Now he had two sets, and they felt soft and delicate, the material clearly much better.

"As for housing, you can live in a single room from now on. It may not be large, but you'll have your own space... As for travel, that is not something we can speak of yet."

"Finally, there's food. First, you can eat ordinary meals in the cafeteria for free with your waist token. But if you want to eat better, you'll still have to pay out of your own pocket."

"Second, there is another benefit: the Precious Meat..."

After Zhao Qiusheng finished explaining, he handed over the documents for Xu Yuan to sign. After hurriedly giving him a few instructions, he rushed off elsewhere without stopping.

At noon, the sun shone brightly, driving away a trace of chill from the air.

Xu Yuan carried a food box packed with wine and dishes to the outer courtyard where he had once lived. He looked at the busy Laborers, but did not see a single familiar face.

They've probably been replaced by a new batch of people. As for those from before, they've likely been assigned to various places to do odd jobs and wait on others.

Xu Yuan felt sentimental. After the Shangyang Family's brief attention, unless the Laborers encountered an opportunity and broke through, they would eventually return to their original positions.

The days he had once spent practicing martial arts here had passed as swiftly as an urgent dream.

"Can a little brat like you sneak a look at my decades of craftsmanship?"

At that moment, a shrill voice rang out, interrupting Xu Yuan's thoughts.