Promoted to Escort Leader, Status Soars

His tall frame, over six feet, filled out his sleeves with bulging muscles, his face sharply defined and as imposing as a fierce beast.

This imposing, tower-like strongman simply standing there cast a shadow that enveloped both Zhang Lishi and his daughter.

Zhang Lishi was certainly not intimidated by a youth with such a rugged appearance. The crucial issue was that just one day prior, the young man hadn't looked like this.

After eliminating all impossible factors, when the only answer surfaced in his mind, no matter how unbelievable, Zhang Lishi couldn't help but ask:

"Li Cunxiao, have you broken through to the Muscle Realm?"

Li Cunxiao cupped his hands and bowed, as if a giant tree bending in a fierce wind:

"Thanks to Master's meticulous guidance, last night I had a realization and felt the opportunity was too good to miss, so I attempted a breakthrough. Fortunately, it was successful in one go."

"I hope you can forgive me for not heeding your instructions."

When breaking through the Tiger Demon Fist, it involved bone-scouring and blood-replacing. A single mistake could lead to severe qi and blood depletion. Therefore, although Zhang Lishi had bestowed the potent medicine, he had repeatedly instructed that the breakthrough should only be attempted under his supervision.

But at this very moment, feeling the furnace-like, vigorous qi and blood within the young man, he found himself unable to utter any words of reproach.

Zhang Lishi was only momentarily surprised before stepping forward and throwing a punch. His face, with its feigned anger barely concealing his delight, instantly filled Li Cunxiao's entire field of vision:

"Let your Master test your mettle first, then you can beg for forgiveness!"

Li Cunxiao's pupils contracted as if pricked by a needle. Instantly, his hair stood on end, and the blood flames within his limbs and bones surged and condensed, transforming into a coiled Blood Tiger.

His thick forearms crossed, his ten fingers, dark and sharp as blades, gleamed with a cold light. The moment he exhaled and exerted force, a muffled thunderous rumble emanated from his chest and abdomen.

CLANG!!!!

A wave of qi, accompanied by a sound like metal striking metal, spread from the junction of his arms and fists. It ruffled Li Cunxiao's hair and made the branches behind him crackle and snap. The few remaining leaves fluttered down, leaving bare branches against which a red sun was already beginning to dip below the horizon.

"You've achieved Minor Accomplishment in the First Training right after breaking through? Not just Muscle and Bone Training, but Minor Accomplishment in the Second Training?!"

Hearing his father's low murmur, Zhang Yuelu, even though she had just recovered from her shock, couldn't help but show renewed astonishment.

Minor Accomplishment in the Second Training?!

In the Muscle Realm, there were three crucial stages: Muscle Training, Bone Training, and Skin Training. Within each stage, there were further divisions: Entry, Minor Accomplishment, Major Accomplishment, and Perfection.

Because the Tiger Demon Fist emulated the Tiger Demon, martial artists who broke through naturally possessed Steel Muscles and Iron Bones without further cultivation. Of course, this Steel Muscles and Iron Bones was not in its complete form from the outset; it would only become impervious to blades and spears as cultivation deepened.

However, during cultivation, due to the augmentation of Steel Muscles and Iron Bones, disciples of the Tiger Demon Fist had a higher starting point and faster cultivation speed. Generally, within one or two months after breaking through, they could achieve Minor Accomplishment in either Muscle Training or Bone Training.

If their foundation was deep, they might even directly achieve Minor Accomplishment in Muscle or Bone Training after breaking through. For instance, the Senior Disciple Brother Shi Tie achieved Minor Accomplishment in Muscles and Tendons as soon as he broke through. And Zhang Yuelu herself also achieved Minor Accomplishment in Bone Training after her breakthrough.

For Li Cunxiao to achieve Minor Accomplishment in both Muscle and Bone Training, breaking through to the Second Training in one go, causing such exaggerated and sensational visible physical changes, was truly astounding.

But it was undeniably real, happening right before their eyes.

Zhang Lishi forcefully patted his disciple's shoulder. The surging force even directly triggered Li Cunxiao's burst state, yet he paid it no mind.

Could it be innate Tiger Bone? Such compatibility? Such genius?

So exhilarating!

"Good! Good! Good!"

Saying "good" three times, Zhang Lishi's satisfaction with this disciple grew. He reached out with a large hand and grabbed him:

"Let's go! You've come to the house at the perfect time. Go and pay your respects to your Master's wife. Tonight, we're having a family feast!"

Li Cunxiao's suspended heart finally relaxed. Happily yet helplessly, he was pulled by Zhang Lishi towards the manor. As they passed Zhang Yuelu, he didn't forget to nod in greeting.

"Yue'er, what are you standing around for? Hurry up and follow."

Zhang Yuelu's expression was complex. Witnessing such a genius-like leveling speed, no one who had struggled at the Muscle Realm stages could remain indifferent.

But in the end, a sense of relief inexplicably welled up within her.

Fortunately, the Flying Tiger Escort Agency got Li Cunxiao first. If he had been poached by the Three Great Families...

She smiled with understanding and followed with light steps:

"Junior Disciple Brother, you have to have a good drink with Father tonight!"

"Master, I really can't drink anymore."

Li Cunxiao quickly pleaded as Zhang Lishi opened another jar of wine. Behind them, wine jars were already piled up, and servants were waiting behind him to move them. His capacity for alcohol was truly terrifying.

Actually, after advancing to the Muscle Realm, Li Cunxiao's physical fitness had become superhuman. In theory, he wouldn't get drunk even after dozens of jars, let alone a few.

But Zhang Lishi was a master of a higher realm. Was the wine he drank ordinary?

The moment Li Cunxiao took his first sip, he realized the wine was definitely spiked. Although it had the sweet fragrance of fruit wine upon entry, like ordinary grape vintage, after a short while, his entire body felt warm and burning, clearly indicating it was also a tonic.

He could still drink it, but he couldn't possibly remain stiff and unyielding in front of the many female members of the Zhang household, could he? That would be too embarrassing.

"Husband," Madam Zhang discreetly pinched her husband's waist, and only then did he reluctantly put down the wine jar, switching to a wine cup.

"I'm just happy..."

"Mucha, was the lamb tonight delicious?"

Madam Zhang looked at Mucha, who was sitting next to Li Cunxiao. Zhang Que'er, who was secretly talking, guiltily turned her head away.

"Delicious!"

Mucha didn't understand why he was also seated at the Chief Escort's family dinner, but since Big Brother was beside him, he just went with it!

"My wife has taken great care of Mucha, and I am deeply grateful. I'll toast you."

Seeing Li Cunxiao offer a toast, Madam Zhang smiled warmly and drank it down generously, displaying a bold and unrestrained demeanor.

"You two brothers are both good lads. Now that you're family, there's no need for such formalities."

"It's truly wondrous how fate brought us together. I once said Sanlang and my husband were destined to meet, and it has indeed come true."

Seeing his wife smiling and chatting, Zhang Lishi couldn't help but stroke his beard in admiration.

He had initially thought they were just a pair of unfortunate brothers he'd taken in on a whim, but who would have guessed they'd found a monstrous genius?

With opportunity handed to him on a silver platter, Zhang Lishi naturally intended to seize the moment.

"Cunxiao, since you've already broken through to the Second Realm, you are now the ninth Escort Leader of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency."

"As per regulations, an Escort Leader's monthly salary is thirty taels. You can continue to manage the Warehouse Manager duties for now. There's no rush for escort missions; Cui Er has been clamoring for a helper, so you can lead those new recruits and take on a teaching role as well."

"This way, with you handling two positions, your monthly salary will be raised to fifty taels. There are also a few raw medicine shops you can..."