Making a Fortune in Silence, Breakthrough Imminent

"Come, everyone, let's raise a toast to Junior Sister Zhang's breakthrough!"

In Zui Chun Lou, Shen He, Zhang Yuelu, Jiang Qi, Xiao Mei, Ye Chengxiao, and others sat around a round pear wood table inlaid with black lacquer and mother-of-pearl, raising their cups in celebration.

"Senior Brother Shen has gone to great expense for this," Zhang Yuelu, though the guest of honor, showed little outward joy.

Shen He, assuming she was feeling lonely due to the absence of Senior Disciple Brother Shi Tie and Feng Sheng, changed the subject:

"Don't be so formal. Is the bow I gave you comfortable to use?"

"Senior Brother went to a lot of trouble to find these two bows. However, I don't hunt much, so one is enough. It seems a shame to leave the other unused."

"It won't be unused," Shen He implied meaningfully.

"If Junior Disciple Ye can break through soon, perhaps Senior Sister Zhang will bestow the other one upon him?"

As these somewhat ambiguous words were spoken, everyone at the table wore subtle expressions.

"Senior Brother Shen flatters me too much. The Muscle Realm is extremely perilous. I only received the method a few days ago, how could I dare to boast here?"

"It is Senior Sister Zhang who has the patience to refine her skills. To achieve this success now is truly a model for me to learn from."

What?

Everyone looked at Ye Chengxiao in surprise, as if they hadn't expected the usually arrogant young prodigy to say such a thing.

But as Ye Chengxiao finished speaking, he couldn't help but look at Xiao Mei. Their eyes met, and a hint of tenderness flashed between them.

Before the incident, Ye Chengxiao had also believed there were no heroes in Chuqiu City and had adopted an arrogant attitude.

However, that attack had jolted him awake. The eyes blinded by his own arrogance finally saw the hostility within the Ye Family.

He had originally suspected Xiao Mei, but when she came to visit him, she didn't mock him. Instead, she offered words of encouragement, urging him to work hard and pull himself together. His doubts vanished instantly.

Now, looking at his fellow disciples, Ye Chengxiao felt a sense of disdain for some of Shen He's actions.

What was the use of scheming for connections or trying to please Zhang Yuelu?

No matter how many obstacles were on the path of martial arts, or how fierce the villains, as long as one was strong, they were nothing to fear.

Similarly, if he could break through to the Muscle Realm faster, even if he was only from a branch family, wouldn't Master Zhang look down on him? Perhaps she would even help him gain support within the Ye Family.

At that point, not just a bow, but even marrying Zhang Yuelu would be a natural progression. However, he already had Senior Sister Xiao in his heart.

Seeing Ye and Xiao exchanging glances, Zhang Yuelu felt a moment of speechlessness.

She had thought that after his setback, he would understand his precarious position in the Ye Family and would live reclusively, focusing on his cultivation.

Instead, it seemed his brain was in his lower half, wasting all his talent.

"In this regard, Li Sanlang is much better than Ye Chengxiao."

As the wine flowed, Shen He and the others' conversations became increasingly unrestrained. They mentioned the autumn hunt, saying that if Junior Disciple Ye could break through soon and fight alongside Junior Sister Zhang, they would surely overwhelm everyone else.

Ye Chengxiao, as stubborn as ever, got drunk and became arrogant again. Although he feigned modesty, his daydreaming clearly showed he considered the Muscle Realm within his grasp.

Finally, the banquet ended, and Zhang Yuelu was the first to take her leave.

After Ye Chengxiao also left in Xiao Mei's carriage, Jiang Qi couldn't help but ask Shen He:

"Do you think Ye Chengxiao saw through it?"

"Junior Disciple Ye is devoted to martial arts, so his understanding of human relationships is naturally immature. Don't gloat. Having another genius from a branch family in the Ye Family is a good thing for our families."

Jiang Qi naturally understood this:

"Xiao Mei hasn't made a move yet, I suspect she wants to use the Primal Yang of the Muscle Realm to break through the bottleneck."

"Fortunately, Junior Disciple Ye is from a branch family, and his family's inheritance is incomplete. It doesn't matter if his virgin body is broken. At most, it will delay him by a month or two. With his cultivation, if he learns from his shame, his achievements might even be higher than they are now."

Shen He nodded in agreement.

He was a man too, and he knew that when one's lower brain controlled the upper one, words were useless. The person had to suffer a bit.

"After he suffers a loss, he will naturally understand who his friends are and who his enemies are."

"With such a genius on our side, the Escort Agency and Master Zhang will have to consider the wishes of our families more in the future."

Xiao Mei lay lazily in the carriage, soft, vibrant silk cushioning her, highlighting her fair skin and the alluring fullness of her figure.

The seductive sight was too much for her personal maid to look at directly:

"My lady, with a little trickery, you have Ye Chengxiao eating out of your hand. It's a shame he has such a reputation."

Xiao Mei smiled, "You think he's stupid?"

"He knows my reputation for promiscuity, and his relationship with Ye Rongzu is unclear, yet he still believes I genuinely care for him?"

"He's not stupid at all."

"Men are like this. They hope a virgin is wanton, yet they wish for a prostitute to remain chaste. Even if they know it's fake, they have to try before they regret it."

"Tsk, I almost feel bad."

"What about that Young Master Ye?"

"Wait another half a month. After Ye Chengxiao breaks through, I'll have my own plans. Sigh, can't the young talents in the Escort Agency be more numerous?"

". This is the method for breaking through the Tiger Demon Fist," in the Escort Agency's study, Zhang Lishi picked up his teacup to moisten his throat. Just as he was about to say something more to Li Cunxiao, light footsteps were heard from outside.

"Dad, I'm back."

Zhang Yuelu knocked and waited for a moment before pushing the door open. She saw the incense smoke in the room was faint, clearly indicating that the two had been talking for some time.

'Ye Chengxiao and the others probably never imagined that while they were playing their games of pretense, someone had already gained the upper hand. Life is truly unpredictable, which is quite amusing.'

Seeing Zhang Yuelu enter, Li Cunxiao offered a courteous greeting:

"I haven't yet congratulated Third Lady on her successful breakthrough."

"No need for formalities," Zhang Yuelu, just emerging from the world of social niceties, was not one for excessive politeness.

"How has your recent contemplation been? Feel free to ask me if you have any questions. I've just broken through, and my experience should be useful to you."

Seeing his daughter's composed and dignified demeanor, Zhang Lishi's face was filled with relief. He also exhorted her:

"Yue'er is right. Compared to the methods of the families in the inner city, the breakthrough method of the Tiger Demon Fist is considered gentle, but it still involves purging and changing the blood."

"If the attempt fails and injures your vital energy, it will take months of recuperation before you can try again. Furthermore, the higher you go, the lower the success rate."

"You achieved Blood Qi Perfection in two months, so you can afford to hone your skills for a longer period. Although I have told you the breakthrough method, I don't want you to be impatient or rush forward."

"If you feel the time is right, come to my mansion, and I will protect you during your breakthrough. If anything unexpected happens, it can be prevented."

Li Cunxiao gratefully cupped his hands. "Master's considerations are truly thorough."

However, what he was thinking was that the Vajra Scepter was his deepest secret, and it would be best not to have anyone else present when breaking through with it.

After all, this was a breakthrough to an entire major realm. Through Master Zhang's teachings, he understood that a martial artist with or without a demon within them were fundamentally different matters. If any anomalies occurred, it would be difficult to explain.

With this thought, Li Cunxiao silently contemplated the Vajra Scepter. Golden light emanated from his entire body, with only the very tip of the sharp cone remaining somewhat dim.

Tonight, he would break through to the Second Realm!