Juniors, Martial Sage Guidance

The sky was painted with a soft, orange-red hue, like a spilled jar of honey, tinting the clouds a translucent amber.

The evening breeze, now in October, carried a comfortably crisp coolness.

Because everyone knew today was the day the monthly exam results would be posted, The entrance to the Seventh Middle School, a key high school, was already experiencing a traffic jam of voices.

Many parents had gotten out of their cars, enjoying the evening breeze as they lit a cigarette and chatted with other parents who were also picking up their children.

Zhou Xinmin, not wanting to be outdone, slightly bowed his head and respectfully lit a cigarette for the middle-aged man beside him, who stood tall and carried the air of someone who had held a high official position for a long time.

After they had both exhaled smoke for a while, their phones began to chime with message notifications, one after the other.

The middle-aged man with the straight posture received his first, with Zhou Xinmin a beat behind.

However, after both of them had finished reading the news about the monthly exam on their phones, He quickly leaned in to discuss the exam results, using the opportunity to further their acquaintance.

"Director Ye, your son's grades have improved so quickly. It's a sure thing he'll get into the Elite Class for the final exams. If he keeps up this pace, he's practically guaranteed a spot in this year's Nine Schools Alliance."

Although there was a hint of flattery in his words, seeing Ye Liuyun's steady progress, Ye Jianhua couldn't help but smile, his stern expression softening considerably.

"Your two juniors are also doing well. Especially young Zhou, moving up five spots within the Elite Class is quite promising."

As they discussed their respective children's achievements, both men naturally lauded each other, their conversation flowing more freely.

"Speaking of which, there's another genius at the Seventh Middle School from this monthly exam. He jumped from 240th place to 82nd in just one month. His talent is incredible."

"Oh? Is that so?" Zhou Xinmin asked, feigning surprise.

He had been so focused on his own children's and Ye Liuyun's rankings that he hadn't paid attention to anyone else.

"His name is Li Xijun. In the month since school started, his Blood Essence Level has gone from 5.7 to 6.4. His martial arts talent is exceptional, and his performance in actual combat even caught the eye of an Outer Scenery expert from the Clear Spring Dawn Palace."

"What? Is that speed even possible?!" Zhou Xinmin, hearing this for the first time, was incredulous.

"That child was an orphan. He had talent in his first year of high school, but lacked resources. He also sustained old injuries from overtraining, which held him back, preventing his Blood Essence Level from rising. Later, Teacher Zhang from Class Six recognized his potential, and I heard he applied for a scholarship and assistance. With sufficient resources, he's soared!"

"If he can break into the top 30 by the end of the semester, it's basically a guarantee he'll be taken on as a disciple."

At this point, Ye Jianhua couldn't help but express a hint of envy.

That was the Clear Spring Dawn Palace, one of the Imperial Capital Two Heavens. Everyone who came out of it was an Outer Scenery expert, at the peak of combat power for their generation, with boundless futures.

Being noticed and mentored by such an Outer Scenery expert would undoubtedly bring immense benefits.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xinmin, upon hearing a familiar name, Began to recall the connection between that person and his nephew, Zhou Yibai.

This caused his heart to race. Outwardly, he continued to agree with Ye Jianhua, Until, upon seeing Zhou Shenghao and Zhou Yibai emerge from the school gate, he immediately bid farewell to Ye Jianhua, Almost in a rush, he pulled the two into the car.

As soon as the car doors closed and before the engine was even started, Zhou Xinmin turned around, a wide smile on his face, and said:

"Yibai, you truly are my good nephew. Your taste in friends is impeccable, much better than your cousin's."

"You often ate with him and friends who visited your home. Feel free to keep in touch with them. Bring them over to our place for dinner sometime. Young people should get to know each other more, let him become friends with your cousin too."

"Oh, and my friend gave me a box of Spirit Nourishing Tea a few days ago. Tomorrow, let's invite him to the second floor of the cafeteria for a meal and some tea."

Zhou Xinmin spoke at length, lecturing his son and nephew with the air of a seasoned mentor.

However, as he was speaking so enthusiastically, he failed to notice the increasingly strained expressions on Zhou Shenghao and Zhou Yibai's faces.

Just as Zhou Shenghao was about to lose his temper, Zhou Yibai couldn't help but interject softly:

"Uncle, I don't think I can call Brother Li that anymore."

That day

In the Da Sheng World

Having broken through to the Skin and Flesh Realm, Li Xijun naturally went to the Life-Slaying Martial Hall to find Yu Xiangyang and learn the latter forty-eight forms of the Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist, which focused on strengthening tendons and bones.

However, when Li Xijun arrived at the main gate, An apprentice who usually guarded the gate saw him and ran over from a distance.

"Junior Brother Li has arrived. Senior Brother Yu instructed me earlier that you don't need to go to the small courtyard today; you can go directly to the main hall's training room."

"Oh? What's going on?"

Hearing this, Li Xijun instinctively asked for more information with caution.

But the apprentice at the gate remained tight-lipped, only smiling at him.

Li Xijun immediately took out a few silver coins and handed them over. Only then did the apprentice speak:

"I don't know the specifics, but I heard it was the Hall Master's order. Junior Brother Li, it would be best to be cautious with your words once you get there."

This made Li Xijun even more puzzled, but outwardly he nodded calmly, passing through the outer training grounds without showing any abnormality and heading straight into the main hall's training room.

"Disciple Li Xijun."

Before Li Xijun could finish his polite greeting after entering, the white-haired, bearded old man sitting in the grand tutor's chair drinking tea had his eyes flash with a sharp light the moment he saw him. He immediately burst into laughter:

"Hahaha, I originally intended to lend you a hand, but I didn't expect you to break through to the Skin and Flesh Realm faster than I imagined."

"Truly astonishing talent, exceeding my expectations!"

Zhang Fuhu's bold and rough laughter made the beams of the house tremble slightly.

The seven or eight people in the training hall all looked at Li Xijun with expressions of surprise.

Among them, Yu Xiangyang was surprised that Li Xijun was earlier than he had estimated.

As for the young man in short attire and the braided girl who were present when Li Xijun paid his fees to join the martial hall, their expressions were truly out of control, their eyes showing disbelief.

They knew very well that Li Xijun had only joined the martial hall for a little over twenty days, and yet, upon seeing him again, he had already achieved the Tendons and Bones Realm!

It should be known that martial artists at this realm, in small inland cities, could already become local constabulary captains or security team leaders.

Even in Jinmen, where martial arts were prevalent, if one didn't want to save money and take risks for the sake of refining organs, they could easily secure a comfortable position in a prominent family or merchant guild.

And Li Xijun had accomplished this in such a short time!

With this talent, coupled with his immense wealth, it was likely that the Tendons and Bones Realm and the Organ Refining Realm would be no trouble at all. He was clearly destined to become a Marrow Washing Grandmaster!

Thinking of this, Meng Qifeng and his sister Meng Zihan couldn't help but exchange glances, both regretting having handed over such a uniquely talented genius to Yu Xiangyang for instruction.

"Good, good. Next, I will personally teach you the 'Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist' for the Tendons and Bones Realm."

Zhang Fuhu stepped forward and pulled Li Xijun to the center of the spacious training hall.

At the same time, he waved his hand to the martial hall's trusted disciples who were originally receiving instruction.

"That's all for today. You can all go about your business."