Changes After Breakthrough

As for the remaining three in the dormitory.

Although Li Shan had said a couple of days prior that he had a chance to succeed, he ultimately lacked the time and couldn't achieve basic proficiency in his fist techniques within the month.

Qin Yang had good aptitude and comprehension, but he was inconsistent, slacking off three days and working hard for one. Even cramming at the last minute didn't lead to success.

Xiao Sheng was diligent and hardworking, but his aptitude and comprehension were average, and he ultimately fell short.

Xu Yuan watched everyone's reactions and thought about the order in which the First Meridian Martial Artists had broken through previously, feeling quite emotional.

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

As the saying goes, when the tide goes out, you see who's been swimming naked. Even if heaven grants you good aptitude, if you don't grasp it with your heart, you'll ultimately achieve nothing.

After the three Martial Masters finished their tests, they left with the Heavenly Net Mirror.

The dozens of people on the field dispersed with various thoughts of unwillingness or regret.

The people from the D-Class Room also gathered together, conversing with each other.

Today was the beginning of the year, and they had half a day off in the afternoon. After that, they would be leaving the dormitory. In two days, after choosing their assignments, they would go their separate ways, and it would be difficult to meet again.

Since Xu Yuan had broken through to the Second Meridian, he would naturally no longer be living here. He had passed the assessment and become a Second Pattern Household Guard. After he registered with the Jade Pendant at the Personnel Hall, he would be able to live in a single room.

At this moment, Wang Huan walked towards Xu Yuan and said with difficulty, "Xu Yuan... what I did that night was wrong..."

In fact, after the drinking incident, he had been subtly ostracized in the dormitory.

As for Xu Yuan, Tian Yang, and Gao Yuan, there was no need to elaborate. Chen Sanli had beaten him again, so reconciliation was impossible. Qin Yang was alienated from him by Xu Yuan, and he also resented Wang Huan quite a bit.

Xiao Sheng was friendly, but he was naturally a man of few words and they couldn't find common ground. Only Li Shan could still talk to him normally.

From being the core of the dormitory at the beginning to being ignored now.

Wang Huan was actually dying of discomfort. However, seeing Xu Yuan's progress in both his fist techniques and cultivation, he began to feel some fear and panic again.

So, after much deliberation, he decided he had to apologize. Otherwise, what if the other party deliberately caused trouble for him in the future?

Seizing this last opportunity, he came forward without any reservations.

In the Martial Path, the accomplished leads the way. Moreover, you were the one who initiated the conflict... Now, when you come to apologize, you won't even say "Brother Xu"?

Beside him, Gao Yuan watched Wang Huan with cold eyes and shook his head slightly.

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

He didn't say anything else and walked away.

The other few followed behind, and the group gradually moved further away.

Wang Huan remained in place, feeling a sense of relief.

Judging by the other party's words, the matter should be considered over, and he wouldn't be deliberately targeted in the future.

"This is good..."

Wang Huan muttered subconsciously, but immediately felt ashamed and indignant at his own pathetic state, hating himself for being so lax in the past.

If he had also practiced during his free time and evenings like Xu Yuan, he would probably have become a Second Meridian Martial Artist by now!

I will definitely catch up to you... definitely!

Wang Huan looked at the empty training ground, his fists gradually clenching.

Meanwhile, on Xu Yuan's way back, Qin Yang, who was behind him, suddenly stepped forward and said, "Brother Xu, that night, I actually..."

"It's alright, I know what you mean." Xu Yuan waved his hand, knowing what the other party wanted to say. He was a person who distinguished between favors and grudges and wouldn't involve others.

Besides, Qin Yang didn't do it on purpose. Only Wang Huan had spoken nonsense while drunk.

After Qin Yang, Li Shan smiled and said, "Brother Xu, my father heard about your deeds and praised you highly. He wants to invite you to a meal at the restaurant tomorrow. I wonder..."

"No need, thank you for your father's kind offer." Xu Yuan refused without waiting for him to finish.

Looking at the other party's retreating back, Li Shan stood frozen, clearly feeling the distance in his attitude.

But he still didn't understand. He had been so friendly and generous to everyone, so why had it ended up like this?

Father, I really can't tell anymore.

Is the way of dealing with the world you taught me actually useful?

Li Shan frowned and fell into thought.

After returning to the dormitory, Xu Yuan exchanged pleasantries with everyone and then headed to the Personnel Hall.

The end of the year and the end of the month were always the busiest times for the Personnel Hall, but upon hearing that Xu Yuan had arrived, Zhao Qiusheng still made time to process his promotion to Household Guard.

"Are your assessments over?" Zhao Qiusheng asked while handling a document, "How was it? Besides you, were there any others who improved in both fist techniques and cultivation?"

"There was one person, a woman with short hair. She'll probably be here soon."

Zhao Qiusheng understood. Calculating this way, among the new First Meridian Martial Artists of the Shangyang Family, those who achieved both were only a handful.

He picked up his brush and wrote, then cautioned, "Although your talent is good, it's best to be low-key in the future... After all, when one's actions rise above others, they will inevitably be criticized."

"Thank you for your reminder, Uncle Zhao."

Xu Yuan naturally understood this principle. If he hadn't been running out of time, he would have liked to conceal his abilities for a while longer.

"Normally, I should be telling you about your duties, but as you can see, the Personnel Hall is swamped right now. Oh, right, you can go find Feng Xiao; he can also answer these questions for you."

Zhao Qiusheng finished processing all the documents and took out two sets of blue robes, one for summer and one for winter. Then, he handed over a waist token:

"Being promoted to the Second Meridian in our Shangyang Family means you have some status. From now on, your food, lodging, and travel will all be different. You can feel the difference in your clothes too."

Xu Yuan nodded. He only had one gray robe from when he was in the First Meridian. Now he had two sets, and the material felt much finer, clearly of better quality.

"Regarding lodging, you can now live in a single room. Although it's not large, you'll have your own space… As for travel, we can't really talk about that yet."

"Lastly, there's food. First, you can eat regular meals at the mess hall for free with your waist token, but if you want something better, you'll have to pay out of your own pocket."

"Second, there's another benefit, which is the Precious Meat…"

After Zhao Qiusheng finished explaining, he handed the paperwork over for Xu Yuan to sign. He gave a few hurried instructions before rushing off elsewhere.

It was noon, and the bright sunlight dispelled the slight chill in the air.

Xu Yuan carried the packed food and wine containers to the outer courtyard where he used to live. He looked at the busy laborers but didn't see any familiar faces.

I guess they've replaced them with new people. As for the ones before, they've probably been assigned to various places to do odd jobs and serve others.

Xu Yuan sighed inwardly. After a brief period of attention from the Shangyang Family, if the laborers didn't have a stroke of luck to break through, they would eventually return to their original positions.

The time he spent practicing martial arts here felt like a fleeting dream.

"My decades of skill, are you a little brat who can just peek at it?"

Just then, a sharp voice rang out, interrupting Xu Yuan's thoughts.