Dusk
A gentle orange-red blaze spread across the horizon, as though a jar of honey had been overturned, dyeing the wisps of cloud a translucent amber.
By the time October arrived, the evening breeze carried a refreshingly cool chill.
Since everyone knew that the monthly exam rankings would be released today,
traffic outside No.7 Middle School, a key high school, had already turned into a bustling jam.
Many parents had gotten out of their cars, smoking in the evening breeze and chatting with other parents who had come to pick up their children.
Zhou Xinmin naturally followed suit. He bent slightly and respectfully lit a Liqun cigarette for the middle-aged man beside him, whose straight-backed posture carried the air of a longtime official.
After the two had puffed away for a while, message notifications sounded from their phones one after the other.
The upright middle-aged man received his first, while Zhou Xinmin's came a moment later.
However, after they had each read the news about this month's exam on their phones,
Zhou Xinmin hurriedly moved closer to discuss the results, taking the opportunity to further build their relationship.
"Director Ye, your Young Master's grades have improved rapidly. Getting into the Elite Class by the final exam is practically guaranteed. At this pace, he'll definitely make the Nine Schools Alliance this year."
Though there was some flattery in his words, Ye Jianhua could not help smiling at Ye Liuyun's steadily improving grades. His stern expression softened considerably.
"Your two younger relatives are quite good as well. Especially little Zhou—improving by five places at once even while in the Elite Class shows considerable potential."
Once they began talking about the outstanding children in their families, the two naturally traded compliments, and their conversation became much livelier.
"Speaking of which, another genius emerged at No.7 Middle School in this monthly exam. He jumped from 240th place to 82nd in one month. His talent is exceptionally strong."
"Huh? That happened?" Zhou Xinmin was somewhat surprised.
He had only paid attention to the rankings of his two children and Ye Liuyun, so he had not noticed anyone else.
"It's a student named Li Xijun. In just one month since school started, his Blood Essence Level rose from 5.7 to 6.4. He has extraordinary talent in martial arts, especially in actual combat. He even caught the attention of an Exterior Scenery expert from Clear Spring Dawn Palace."
"Huh? Is that speed even possible?!" Hearing this for the first time, Zhou Xinmin found it hard to believe.
"That child was an orphan. He was already talented in his first year of high school, but he had no resources. He also accumulated hidden injuries through harsh training, which held him back for a time, so his Blood Essence Level could not rise. Later, Teacher Zhang from Class Six recognized his talent and reportedly helped him apply for financial aid and other support. Once he had enough resources, he soared straight into the sky!"
"If he can make the top thirty in his grade by the end of the term, then becoming that expert's disciple will basically be a done deal."
As he spoke of this, Ye Jianhua could not help revealing an envious expression.
That was Clear Spring Dawn Palace, one of the Imperial Capital Two Heavens. Every Exterior Scenery expert it produced stood at the peak of combat power among their peers, with limitless prospects ahead.
To be noticed and personally taught by an Outer Scenery Expert like that, who knew how many benefits one could gain.
Meanwhile, after hearing a somewhat familiar name,
Zhou Xinmin gradually recalled the connection between that person and his nephew, Zhou Yibai.
His heart began beating faster, though he continued agreeing with the other man on the surface.
Then, when he saw Zhou Shenghao and Zhou Yibai leave the school gates, he immediately bid Ye Jianhua farewell.
Almost impatiently, he pulled the two of them back into the car.
The moment the doors closed, before the engine had even started, Zhou Xinmin turned around and spoke with a broad smile.
"Yibai, you truly are your uncle's good nephew. You have an excellent eye for friends—far better than your cousin's."
"You can stay in touch with that friend who often ate with you and went home with you before. Bring him over for a meal sometime. Young people should get to know each other more, and let him become friends with your cousin too."
"Oh, right. One of your uncle's friends gave me a box of Spirit Nourishing Tea a few days ago. Tomorrow, invite him to have a meal and some tea on the second floor of the cafeteria."
Zhou Xinmin talked on and on, eagerly giving instruction to his son and nephew like a teacher.
Yet as he spoke at length, he did not notice Zhou Shenghao and Zhou Yibai's increasingly uncontrollable expressions.
Just as Zhou Shenghao could no longer hold back and was about to explode, Zhou Yibai could not help quietly interjecting.
"Uncle, I'm afraid I can't invite Brother Li anymore."
That day
Da Sheng World
Having broken through the Skin and Flesh Realm, Li Xijun naturally went to Life-Slaying Martial Hall to find Yu Xiangyang and learn the remaining forty-eight forms of the Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist for tempering his tendons and bones.
However, when Li Xijun arrived at the entrance,
one of the martial hall apprentices usually responsible for guarding the gate spotted him and ran over from afar.
"Junior brother Li, Senior Brother Yu instructed me earlier that when you came today, you needn't go to the small courtyard. Just head straight to the Martial Arts Hall in the Martial Hall Main Residence."
"Oh? What's going on?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xijun instinctively asked cautiously.
But the gatekeeping apprentice kept his mouth shut and merely smiled at him.
Li Xijun immediately took out several silver coins and casually handed them over. Only then did the other man speak.
"I don't know the specifics either, but I heard it was the hall master's order. Junior Brother Li, it would be best for you to watch your words and conduct after you go in."
This made Li Xijun even more puzzled, but he nodded calmly on the surface. Without showing the slightest abnormality, he crossed the outer Training Ground and entered the Martial Arts Hall of the Martial Hall Main Residence directly.
"Disciple Li Xijun—"
Before Li Xijun could finish his formal greeting after entering, the white-haired, bearded old Master seated in a grand tutor's chair and drinking tea flashed a sharp light in his eyes the instant he saw him, then burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha! I originally planned to give you a helping hand, but I never expected you to break through to the Skin and Flesh Realm even faster than I imagined."
"You truly are astonishingly talented—far beyond my expectations!"
Zhang Fuhu's bold, rough laughter shook the roof beams slightly.
The seven or eight people in the Training Ground all revealed surprised expressions as they looked at Li Xijun.
Yu Xiangyang was surprised because Li Xijun had broken through earlier than he had estimated.
As for the Short-Garbed Youth and the braided girl who had been present when Li Xijun paid to join the martial hall, their expressions truly slipped out of control, their eyes filled with disbelief.
They knew very well that Li Xijun had joined the martial hall only a little over twenty days ago.
Yet when they saw him again, he had already reached the Tendons and Bones Realm!
One had to know that in small inland cities, a Tendons and Bones Realm martial artist could already serve as the chief constable of the local yamen or captain of the security force.
Even in Jinmen, where martial culture flourished, if one did not wish to save money and take risks for Viscera Refining, one could still easily find a comfortable job with a wealthy family or merchant guild.
Yet Li Xijun had accomplished it in such a short time!
With this talent, along with his immense wealth, Tendons and Bones and Viscera Refining would likely pose no difficulty for him. He was surely destined to become a Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster!
Thinking this, the siblings Meng Qifeng and Meng Zihan could not help exchanging a glance. Both felt some regret at having handed such a peerless genius to Yu Xiangyang for instruction.
"Good, very good. As for the Tendons and Bones Realm portion of the Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist, I will personally teach you."
Zhang Fuhu stepped forward and pulled Li Xijun to the center of the spacious Martial Arts Hall.
At the same time, he waved to several trusted disciples of the martial hall whom he had originally been instructing.
"That will be all for today. Go attend to your own matters."
Before you continue