Meng Zhao's Inner Core Was Shattered

Meng Anli saw his complex, confused gaze and didn't explain. She just said, "Master, I'm leaving. I'll come practice my colorful feathers after class tomorrow."

Yun Jing waved his hand.

Meng Anli left, her back limping.

But her heart was filled with joy.

How could she not be happy to have found such a powerful master who was so good to her?

*

The Meng family.

Meng Mingde found the Medicine Immortal to treat Meng Zhao's injuries.

The Medicine Immortal withdrew his hand from Meng Zhao's pulse, his expression conflicted and his eyes heavy.

"Let's talk outside."

"No," Meng Zhao shouted, "I want to hear. I want to know the condition of my body right now."

Meng Mingde said, "Just say it here."

The Medicine Immortal considered his words and said, "He has several bone fractures and several severed meridians. Those are easy to treat, but... his inner core has been shattered."

"What?!"

Meng Mingde, Meng Zhao, and Meng Xiuchen shouted in unison.

Meng Shiwan threw herself onto him, tears streaming down her face, "Second brother, does it hurt? We're all flesh and blood, how could sister have been so heavy-handed?"

Meng Zhao's fists clenched abruptly, veins bulging on his knuckles.

He gritted his teeth, and the pain still escaped from his throat.

"I'm going for revenge! I'm going to kill Meng Anli!"

Meng Xiuchen roared, about to rush out.

"Stop!" Meng Mingde reprimanded him and gave the Medicine Immortal some silver.

The Medicine Immortal, being perceptive, said, "I'll go mix some bone-setting medicine and get some bandages."

After the Medicine Immortal left, Meng Mingde looked at the furious Meng Xiuchen, the silently suffering Meng Zhao, and Meng Shiwan crying on Meng Zhao's body.

He pulled Meng Shiwan up. "Wanwan, don't cry. Things aren't irreversible yet. Meng Anli had her inner core dug out, so we can seek out Huan Dan Grass. Your second brother can do the same, of course."

Meng Zhao's tightly clenched teeth loosened, but then he shook his head in pain.

"It's no use. I was beaten by Yuan Tuo."

"Yuan Tuo?" Meng Mingde was also shocked.

Meng Zhao nodded and repeated what Yuan Tuo had said to Meng Anli.

Meng Shiwan's eyes were almost overflowing with jealousy.

Why did she have such good luck?

Meng Mingde, however, was relieved. "Then it doesn't matter. He was just momentarily confused by Meng Anli. Once he discovers your alchemy talent, he will help you too."

Meng Shiwan pretended to be happy and said, "Sister is truly good at charming people. It's great that she has such an opportunity."

"That's because Yuan Tuo hasn't met Wanwan yet."

Meng Xiuchen looked at her with adoration. "Once he meets you, sister, he'll be unable to resist giving all his affection and tenderness to you."

Meng Shiwan shook her head. "I have my father and three brothers, and that's enough."

Her words made the three men present feel very pleased.

Meng Xiuchen couldn't help but curse Meng Anli again. "Ungrateful wretch. These great gods are just curious about her now. Once their novelty wears off, she'll be crying and begging to return to the Meng family."

Meng Mingde agreed wholeheartedly, looking at Meng Shiwan's delicate face.

"Wanwan, I've found another academy for you in the mortal world, called Qilian Academy. It's slightly inferior to Xuantian Academy, but it has quite a few strong disciples. They can compete with Xuantian Academy disciples in the competitions. You go there to study first, and then win the top spot in the competition."

To return to the mortal world again.

Meng Shiwan suppressed her dissatisfaction. "Thank you, Father. I will cultivate diligently."

"It's all Meng Anli's fault that Wanwan has to go to the mortal world and be separated from us," Meng Xiuchen said, getting angrier. He couldn't help but say, "Why don't I go to Qilian Academy too?"

"No, you can't go," Meng Mingde stopped him. "You need to stay at Xuantian Academy and have more opportunities to interact with Yuan Tuo, gain his favor, and let him see Meng Anli's true colors."

He affectionately stroked Meng Shiwan's hair ornament.

"After the competition, Wanwan's reputation will soar. With just a word from Yuan Tuo, Wanwan will surely be able to enter Xuantian Academy."

"Father's words are reasonable," Meng Zhao's eyes flashed with hope. "Then, obtaining Huan Dan Grass will also be much simpler."

Meng Xiuchen's fighting spirit surged. "Leave it to me."

Meng Mingde said cautiously, "You need to change your temperament. Do as I say and don't act impulsively, lest you fall into Meng Anli's scheme."

"Yes."

Meng Anli was practicing Water Arts at the moment.

Lu Yao was in her private alchemy room, while Meng Anli sat in the outer room practicing Water Arts.

She practiced ten Water Arts over the course of one night.

They were all simple ones, such as the Cleansing Art, Irrigation Art, Water Pillar Attack Art, Water Sphere Condensing Art, and Water Sphere Attack Art.

She felt refreshed and invigorated the next morning.

Lu Yao also emerged from the alchemy room, stretching with a yawn. She said regretfully, "The pills this time were difficult; I couldn't refine them all night."

"It's okay, take your time."

"I know, I won't rush for quick success," Lu Yao said, looking at Meng Anli's face, which had completely healed without a single trace left. She sighed in admiration, "As expected of a level twelve medicine, it works so fast."

"Mm."

Meng Anli smiled. Her master was truly generous, giving her a full-level medicine right away.

"How is your Water Arts book coming along?"

"Let me show you the Cleansing Art first."

Meng Anli recited the incantation to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao, who had been refining pills all night, felt instantly refreshed from her sticky body.

Lu Yao cupped her face. "Our Anli is truly amazing."

Meng Anli removed her hands. "Alright, we don't need to wash up. Let's hurry to the back mountain to get good spots."

They were supposed to meditate in the back mountain at the Mao hour.

After that, they would have breakfast, and after breakfast, they would return to their respective lecture halls, where the teacher would arrange the day's lessons.

Yuan Tuo had arranged for theoretical knowledge to be taught in the morning.

In the afternoon, they would be allowed to practice.

Meng Anli discussed theory with Lu Yao during lunch.

In the afternoon, Lu Yao joined them at the training grounds.

Yuan Tuo had them line up, observing each disciple sternly.

"To possess supreme magical power, you must also have a good physique and martial arts. On the battlefield, it all comes down to physique and martial arts in the end. If you strike faster than him, endure that one extra breath, and can launch one more attack, you win."

This was a novel concept for Meng Anli.

Her previous teachers had told her that as long as her magical power was strong enough, she could successfully ascend.

Her teachers hadn't elaborated on what would happen after ascension.

Yesterday, Teacher Yuan Tuo had explained that after ascending, one would witness more changes over time, the various states of the Seven Realms, and wars.

One needed to be strong enough themselves.

The teacher was right; if one encountered an evenly matched opponent, once both sides' magical power was depleted, it would come down to physique.

"Furthermore,"

Yuan Tuo paced slowly from the left to the right. "Applying magical power to your moves makes your attacks stronger and easier to improve."

Meng Anli nodded. The difference in damage and power between a casual palm strike and one imbued with magical power was naturally significant.

Yuan Tuo then paced slowly from the right back to the left.

"I don't know your skills yet. There are fourteen of you, so you can pair up two by two for sparring matches, allowing me to see your current skills."

The disciples began to discuss amongst themselves.

Lu Yao pulled Meng Anli. "We're just doing simple palm pushes and leg kicks. Let's team up."

Just as Meng Anli was about to agree, a red head popped into view.

"Meng Anli, do you dare to spar with me?"

"No," Lu Yao objected. "You often get into fights, so your hand-to-hand combat skills must be better than Anli's. We can't fight you."

Guang Ling sneered, "Lu Yao, are you Princess Anli's little maid? Your master hasn't even spoken yet, what are you shouting about?"

"You!"

Meng Anli pulled her hand. "She's my best sister, so of course, she'll protect me. Don't you protect your brothers?"

She said this while looking at Mo Ziqian.

Guang Ling subconsciously looked over as well.

Mo Ziqian: "?"

The smile mask on his face fell, replaced by confusion.

Guang Ling shouted, "Don't drag him into this. Do you dare to fight me?"

Meng Anli retorted, "What's there to be afraid of?"