Wang Zhi

Blood Refinement, beginner level!

Chen Sanshi exhaled a mouthful of Turbid Qi.

So-called Blood Refinement entry.

It meant cultivating a special strand of "qi and blood" within the body.

Those who practiced martial arts could draw upon this strand of qi and blood to strengthen their attacks.

The stronger one's qi and blood, the longer one could maintain peak combat strength.

Just as the Hundred Household Commander had said, only after reaching the Blood Refinement realm could one understand the importance of qi and blood quality.

And this was only the beginning. In the future, the gap between ordinary breathing techniques and the Vast Exhalation Breathing Technique would only grow wider.

"Stab me!"

Wang Zhi's shout came from beside him. "I told you to stab me with the spear!"

Chen Sanshi did not understand why, but he did not hold back. He grabbed the Plum Blossom Iron Spear, channeled his qi and blood into his right arm, and thrust at the Hundred Household Commander's face.

Clang—

Fatty Wang struck with his scabbard and confirmed that the force was right. "You really cultivated qi and blood?"

How long had it even been?

At the very most, six days!

Anyone who could cultivate qi and blood within a month possessed boundless potential.

What did it mean to succeed in six days?!

More terrifying still, he had practiced the Vast Exhalation Breathing Technique!

The Vast Exhalation Breathing Technique was indeed stronger, but that also meant it was harder to cultivate qi and blood through it.

Even so, it had taken only six days!

What kind of talent was that?

After his shock, Wang Zhi forced his expression under control. "You brat are passable, more or less."

"Passable my ass!"

Commander Liu and Commander Xiong, who had come over upon hearing the commotion, saw the scene as well.

Cultivating qi and blood in six days—even in the Eight Great Camps, that would count as top-tier genius talent, right?

What had the two of them missed?

If this young man entered the Eight Great Camps in the future and received important appointments, he might soar straight into the clouds, becoming a great regional official or even a first-rank minister.

By then, if he remembered their old connection and gave them a little support, they too could rise to heaven with the chicken and dog.

Though it was only a possibility, watching it slip through their fingers was infuriating enough.

"Old Xiong!"

Commander Liu rubbed the hilt of his saber. "Let's chop him up some other day!"

"No need to wait for another day."

Commander Xiong grabbed an axe from the weapon rack. "Today will do."

The Training Ground quickly became lively.

When everyone learned that Chen Sanshi had already cultivated qi and blood while some people were still learning stance training, they were all dumbstruck.

Luo Dongquan was drawn over by the noise as well, his face turning livid.

His disappointing nephew still needed at least another seven days to cultivate qi and blood. He was a full twice as slow.

"Get lost, I'm not in the mood to play with you!"

Ignoring the two Hundred Household Commanders, Wang Zhi led the youth into the tent.

He first poured himself a bowl of wine and drank it, then said, "Lord Thousand Households went to the County Town today. Once he returns, I'll report it. The Vanguard selection spot can belong to no one but you."

"Thank you, Commander Wang."

Chen Sanshi did not dare look down on this seemingly greedy fat man.

The fellow did not look remarkable, but his strength was anything but ordinary.

In that earlier thrust, Chen Sanshi had used his full strength, yet the other man had effortlessly blocked it with only his scabbard.

With such a vast gap in strength, one truly could not underestimate any military officer.

"You can now be considered a proper martial artist."

Wang Zhi asked, "What weapon do you plan to focus on in the future?"

Chen Sanshi had not considered that question.

Fatty Wang explained the Military Camp's rules.

"During recruit training, everyone is issued short spears.

"After the assessment ends, Warrior Recruits may choose weapons they like or excel at, while formation recruits can only be assigned according to the needs of their troop type.

"But don't think the Basic Soldier Spear Technique is weak.

"This spear technique was created by the foremost fierce general under the Founding Ancestor Sheng. If it were placed in the martial world, ordinary sects would absolutely treat it as a family heirloom.

"The reason it is used to train recruits is precisely because it is not easy to learn, allowing it to test a person's upper limit of talent.

"Once the test is over, naturally, you can switch to something else."

Chen Sanshi asked doubtfully, "Would changing weapons not affect martial training progress?"

"You've only just entered the path and have not studied deeply. Switching is easy."

Wang Zhi said, "There is also a saying: 'A month for the staff, a year for the saber, a lifetime for the spear, while treasured swords are kept at one's side.'

"Without question, the spear is the hardest to learn, followed by the sword.

"With your talent, if you learned the saber under me, your cultivation would progress faster. So, how about it? Want to consider it?"

Chen Sanshi understood the principle that an inch longer meant an inch stronger.

When he went to war in the future, long weapons would theoretically have a higher ceiling.

Besides, though spear techniques were difficult, it was not as if he could not learn them.

He had never pursued quick success. Advancing step by step would make his foundation more solid.

"I'll continue practicing the spear."

Chen Sanshi made his decision.

"You do have ambition."

Wang Zhi did not press him further, instead changing the subject. "But Sanshi, with me, Old Liu, and the others fighting over you, do you feel like you're about to rise to glory?"

"No."

Chen Sanshi knew the value he had displayed might indeed be considered decent.

But he was not foolish enough to think it was truly secure.

Before a possibility became reality, it was only a possibility.

He believed there had never been any shortage of so-called "geniuses."

But those who truly survived to the end and stood at the heights were not necessarily among that batch of "geniuses."

Besides, he had never believed himself to be some top-tier genius.

More than anything, he relied on his own effort.

The fact that Fatty Wang had said this showed that he truly regarded Chen Sanshi as one of his own.

Chen Sanshi cupped his fists. "Thank you for the reminder, Commander Wang."

"It's good that you understand, but there's no need to be overly cautious either."

Wang Zhi personally poured two bowls of wine and handed one over. "Though I am only a Sixth Rank Hundred Household Commander, within Poyang County, I can still protect my own subordinates."

"I will remember that."

Chen Sanshi raised the bowl and drained it in one gulp.

Commander Wang finished his bowl as well, then tossed it aside and patted his belly as he headed out. "I'm off. Tonight, I still have a mission to carry out with Lord Thousand Households—bathe in blood and slaughter enemies!"

Woooo—

Immediately afterward, the Military Camp sounded the assembly call.

Commander Wang and Commander Liu gathered their men and set off for the city.

"Entering the city again... They're probably still searching for barbarian assassins?"

Chen Sanshi calculated. "With things so chaotic lately, it really won't be easy to make a move..."

But he could not delay any longer.

Qin Feng had already become a true disciple. The longer he waited, the more troublesome it would become.

He needed to think differently.

Since things were already so chaotic, the deaths of one or two people should be perfectly normal, right?

"Lord Wang, you're so bad~"

"You're so big~ Hahahahaha!"

Chunman Tower.

Inside a private room.

Wang Zhi had beauties in both arms, grapes constantly being fed into his mouth, with fine wine added from time to time. He was enjoying himself immensely.

Across from him.

Two young men sat there.

One was richly dressed, holding a folding fan, every inch the elegant young gentleman. He too held a lovely woman in his arms. He was Liang Zhan, the Young Master of the Academy from Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy.

The other young man wore a long robe and was likewise handsome and dignified. He was Qin Feng.

There were no women beside him. He simply sat there somewhat stiffly.

"Come, Commander Wang. This little brother offers you a toast."

Liang Zhan raised his cup in invitation.

"Good, good, good!"

Commander Wang heartily drank it down.

"Commander Wang."

Liang Zhan set down his cup and asked with a smile, "How have you considered the matter of that country hunter?"

"Which person is Young Master Liang talking about?"

Wang Zhi wore a blank look.

"..."

After a moment of silence, Liang Zhan took a twenty-tael silver ingot from his sleeve and smilingly slapped it over. "Commander Wang, a noble man has a short memory indeed!"

Wang Zhi glanced sideways, pursed his lips, and swept out his hand. In an instant, the silver vanished.

"Look at this memory of mine!"

He slapped his forehead. "I remember now. You mean that fellow surnamed Qian who lives in Sujia Village, right? I'll deal with him later. Don't worry."

"Lord Wang, you remembered wrong."

Qin Feng could no longer hold it in. He abruptly rose to his feet. "The one I mentioned is Chen Sanshi from Yanbian Village."