Friendly Match

Jiang Yuan stared intently at the mouthful of blood he had just spat out.

The blood had turned black and was making a sputtering sound on the floor, as if corroding it.

After a long silence, Jiang Yuan entered a meditative state again. This time, instead of circulating spiritual energy to strengthen his Exotic Bone, he followed the methods in the Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone Feather Ascension Scripture to circulate the power of his Exotic Bone.

A human-shaped silhouette appeared in Jiang Yuan's mind, and within that silhouette, his chest glowed a fiery red.

The Great Sun Blazing Fire Bone!

According to the Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone Feather Ascension Scripture, Jiang Yuan's Exotic Bone was currently a Fourth-grade Spirit-Absorbing Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone.

Fourth-grade referred to the rank, and Spirit-Absorbing referred to the realm.

Exotic Bones were divided into nine grades, from one to nine. Grade one was the highest and grade nine was the weakest. Here, strength and weakness referred to innate talent, not actual power.

A Heavenly Gifted individual with a high-level cultivation in the Ninth-grade could still defeat a Heavenly Gifted individual with a low-level cultivation in the First-grade.

As for the realm...

Jiang Yuan only knew about "Spirit-Absorbing."

Jiang Yuan didn't even know which martial arts realms corresponded to this realm.

However, Jiang Yuan's Fourth-grade Exotic Bone was still considered top-tier among mid-grade Exotic Bones, making it quite formidable.

Jiang Yuan wasn't concerned about these details. It was uncertain if there were even any Heavenly Gifted Martial Artists in the Hundred Cities Domain anymore.

What Jiang Yuan cared about now was his own strength.

Jiang Yuan didn't know his full strength when the Great Sun Blazing Fire Bone erupted completely, but he knew it was powerful enough to kill that blood-colored Abnormality.

However, there was an anomaly within the Exotic Bone that seemed to counteract the Abnormality's extra factors, so Jiang Yuan was unsure of his strength when his Exotic Bone was at full power.

But there was one thing Jiang Yuan did know.

Times had changed. Heavenly Gifted individuals now needed martial arts cultivation to activate their Exotic Bones, and martial power was required as a medium to release the Exotic Bone's power.

With his current Late Qi and Blood Stage strength, Jiang Yuan could only sustain a full outburst for a few breaths.

Instead, he could use the technique of imbuing his attacks with a slight amount of Exotic Bone power to inflict additional damage on Abnormalities for a much longer time.

However, his Exotic Bone's ability to devour the power of Abnormalities was something the Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone Feather Ascension Scripture had not mentioned at all.

Since the orthodox method of circulating spiritual energy from heaven and earth was completely unviable, perhaps he could pursue the path of devouring Abnormalities?

Jiang Yuan pondered this.

According to the Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone Feather Ascension Scripture, after devouring the blood-colored Abnormality, the Exotic Bone's power seemed to have entered the mid-stage of Spirit-Absorbing, but there were some abnormalities.

After devouring the Abnormality, the Exotic Bone appeared to need a period of digestion.

When Jiang Yuan attempted to use the method for circulating Exotic Bone power from the scripture, the accumulated energy in his Exotic Bone was rapidly digested.

Jiang Yuan's Exotic Bone cultivation truly broke through to the mid-stage of Spirit-Absorbing!

Jiang Yuan exhaled a breath of stale air and opened his eyes, a faint look of joy appearing within them.

He had initially thought that obtaining the Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone Feather Ascension Scripture would give him absolute understanding of his Exotic Bone, but he hadn't expected there to be further developments.

However, the Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone Feather Ascension Scripture was a systematic cultivation method for Exotic Bones. Jiang Yuan had instantly transformed from an unorthodox practitioner into a legitimate Heavenly Gifted Martial Artist.

There were so many methods for utilizing Exotic Bones within it.

Compared to these, Jiang Yuan's previously developed methods of imbuing attacks with Exotic Bone power and unleashing its full power were too crude.

Although some aspects remained unclear, this scripture had undoubtedly provided a significant boost to Jiang Yuan's strength.

Jiang Yuan did not immediately redeem any other rewards. Instead, he immediately opened his [Personal Backpack].

After clearing the First Life, he had received a Martial Arts Enlightenment Card, which could greatly enhance his understanding of martial arts.

Perhaps it could immediately improve his comprehension of the Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone Feather Ascension Scripture.

[Use Martial Arts Enlightenment Card?]

"Yes."

[Please select martial art]

A row of martial arts appeared, all of which Jiang Yuan knew.

Jiang Yuan then frowned slightly.

The Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone Feather Ascension Scripture was not among these martial arts.

Jiang Yuan immediately recalled the origin of Heavenly Gifted individuals. Could it be that the Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone Feather Ascension Scripture was not considered a martial art?

Jiang Yuan didn't dwell on it for too long.

He plunged headfirst into the Heavenly Formed Exotic Bone Feather Ascension Scripture. Since he couldn't use the Martial Arts Enlightenment Card, he had to study it thoroughly himself.

After all, it wasn't just about cultivation experience; many aspects required personal exploration and practice.

He was lost in the vast ocean of learning, unable to extricate himself.

Just as Jiang Yuan thought he would be engrossed in his studies for the entire day, someone gently knocked on the door.

Jiang Yuan immediately snapped out of his learning state and looked sharply towards the direction of the small courtyard gate.

He slowly stood up, pushed open the door, and saw Wenzhao standing at the entrance of the small courtyard at a glance.

Jiang Yuan's brow subtly relaxed.

His nerves had indeed been quite taut recently.

"Uncle, what's wrong?"

"People from the Fengxing Family are here," Wenzhao said gently.

"They're here again...?" Jiang Yuan suddenly remembered something and shut his mouth.

The elder from the Fengxing Family, who was quite close to Wenzhao, had an agreement with Wenzhao.

Every three years, he would bring disciples from the Fengxing Family to the Zhenyuan Escort Agency for exchanges.

It wasn't about competing for supremacy, but purely to broaden the horizons and improve the strength of the disciples from both families.

This exchange could essentially be called a friendly match.

No wonder...

No wonder he encountered the Fengxing Family at Soul-Losing Mountain. It was indeed the time for the two families to exchange.

Jiang Yuan then recalled carefully.

The mask he had worn on his face back then should have concealed his appearance. As for his build, it was inconsequential.

Jiang Yuan naturally hummed in agreement and followed Wenzhao towards the reception hall of the Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

The reception hall was quite grand, like a small palace, showcasing the Zhenyuan Escort Agency's deep foundation.

Jiang Yuan stepped into the reception hall with Wenzhao.

At a glance, he saw two men in dark black robes sitting in their seats, conversing with three men in blue robes.

Behind the three men in blue robes, four young boys and girls stood obediently.

Upon seeing Wenzhao's arrival, everyone immediately stood up.

"Lord Wen!"

Wenzhao waved his hand.

Jiang Yuan stood behind Wenzhao and cupped his fists in greeting to them as well.

The three men in blue robes were naturally the three Hua Jin experts Jiang Yuan had encountered at Soul-Losing Mountain before.

As for the two men in dark black robes, Jiang Yuan didn't recognize them, but judging by their attire, he knew they were also Hua Jin experts at the level of escort masters.

At the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, one could only become a formal escort master after breaking through to Hua Jin.

Otherwise, no matter how rich their escort experience, they could only serve as an escort hand.

The Zhenyuan Escort Agency was rather strict and rigorous in its hierarchy.

Wenzhao saw the four people behind the Fengxing Family and showed a strange expression. He said in a deep voice, "Yu Hai, why are there only four people this year?"

The oldest-looking man among the three Hua Jin experts from the Fengxing Family heard Wenzhao's words and replied with a somewhat gloomy expression, "My father's injuries haven't healed yet..."

Before Yu Hai could finish speaking, Wenzhao's expression darkened.

"Hmph! It's those despicable and scheming matters again." Wenzhao snorted, took out a letter from his sleeve, and handed it to Yu Hai, saying, "Give this letter to your father."

He then chatted with Yu Hai for a few more words.

At this moment, the young boys and girls behind Yu Hai and the others were secretly sizing up Jiang Yuan.

They were all guessing who Jiang Yuan was.

Jiang Yuan felt their gazes. If he wasn't mistaken, Wenzhao would arrange for them to spar with some of the escort agency's disciples next, and Jiang Yuan would likely be included.

Among the four young boys and girls, the gender ratio was fifty-fifty. Both girls were petite and somewhat shy, like lolis.

The two boys were one honest and sturdy, and the other with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes.

Jiang Yuan recognized the one with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes as the hot-headed youth who had wanted to join the fight between Hua Jin experts back then.