Long Xingyu: I Want Some Peace and Quiet

The dark green medicinal liquid gradually turned transparent over time.

The medicinal properties of the herbs Long Xingyu had refined into the clear water seeped into every limb and bone of Long Haoyu and Long Haochen.

The increase in their physical strength was obvious. Long Haoyu felt himself growing stronger by the second, until that sensation finally faded after an hour.

"Dad, is it over?" Long Haochen asked as he looked at Long Xingyu.

Long Xingyu nodded. "It's over. The Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Washing is complete. You two brothers can come out now."

Obediently, Long Haochen climbed out of the vat, took the clean clothes Bai Yue had brought over, and quickly changed into them.

Once he saw that Long Haoyu had also put on clean clothes, he could no longer suppress his excitement. "Big Brother, I feel like I've gotten stronger."

"Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Washing will definitely make you stronger, but don't become too obsessed with it."

Long Haoyu spoke pointedly. As he lectured Long Haochen, he cast a sidelong glance at Long Xingyu.

Who was Long Xingyu? He noticed every one of Long Haoyu's little movements, and his mouth nearly twisted with anger.

Am I really that useless? I went through so much trouble to obtain those precious ingredients for Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Washing, then brewed two huge vats of medicinal liquid, yet I can't even hear a single 'Thank you, Dad'?

His composure cracked slightly. With his hands clasped behind his back, Long Xingyu gave a soft cough. "Since the Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Washing was successful, I'll now test the Spirit Energy you two currently possess."

"Seeing is believing. You both know how much Spirit Energy you had during the Attendant Knight assessment. Once you test yourselves again, you'll naturally understand just how extraordinary the secret arts of our Knight Temple are."

As a Ninth Order Divine Seal Knight and one of the people standing at the very peak of the Holy Demon Continent, Long Xingyu naturally possessed treasures capable of testing Spirit Energy at any time.

However, whether intentionally or not, what Long Xingyu took out was a special wooden stump similar to those used at the Odin Sub-Temple.

After placing the wooden stump in front of the Thatched Cottage, Long Xingyu took out two very ordinary iron swords.

"A Wooden Sword can only withstand up to 20 points of Spirit Energy. Use these iron swords for your test now; they can measure your current Spirit Energy more accurately."

With a flick of his hand, Long Xingyu sent the two iron swords flying. They planted firmly before Long Haoyu and Long Haochen, embedded a third of their length into the ground.

"Um... the iron sword seems to be stuck on a rock under the dirt." Long Haochen was eager to test his Spirit Energy immediately, but he could not pull the iron sword from the ground.

Long Haoyu gave the iron sword a calm glance. After pulling out his own, he went over and pulled out Long Haochen's as well.

A strange look fell upon Long Xingyu. He had deliberately driven the iron swords deep into the ground, clearly intending to embarrass them a little.

Heh. Childish.

Long Haochen took the iron sword, assumed a standard Knight's forward stance, drew a deep breath, and slashed at the wooden stump.

Long Xingyu's mouth twitched slightly. He understood the meaning in Long Haoyu's eyes and ultimately turned his attention to Long Haochen.

Bang!!!

With a muffled boom, the Stone Pillar inside the wooden stump shot upward and stopped only at the 40-point Spirit Energy mark.

"My Spirit Energy actually rose to 40 points? Is Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Washing really this effective?" Long Haochen's eyes widened, unable to believe the result.

He clearly remembered that he had possessed only 18 points of Spirit Energy during the previous test. This was more than double!

Amid his surprise and delight, Long Haochen hurriedly looked at Long Haoyu. "Big Brother, my Spirit Energy increased so much! You already had 35 points of Spirit Energy before, so hurry and test yours!"

Long Haoyu gave a sound of acknowledgment, then swung his heavy sword down fiercely at the wooden stump.

Amid another dull impact, the wooden stump shook slightly, and the Stone Pillar inside leaped high into the air.

40, 50, 60... It finally stopped at 75.

"Se... seventy-five points of Spirit Energy?" Long Haochen shouted excitedly, "Big Brother, you've reached Level 7 Attendant Knight!"

Long Haoyu was somewhat surprised. He knew Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Washing would have a major effect, but seeing his Spirit Energy rise directly to 75 still left him astonished.

At 100 points of Spirit Energy, one became a Level 10 Attendant Knight. With one more point of Spirit Energy, he could participate in the Quasi-Knight Assessment.

His original 35 points of Spirit Energy had soared to 75. Factoring in the enhancement No Edge could provide him in actual combat, his Spirit Energy was still at the level of an Eighth Order Attendant Knight.

Such an increase could not be called anything but rapid.

"Dad, Big Brother and I have both improved so much. You said that after we pass the assessment, you'll take us through Special Training. What kind of Special Training will it be?" Long Haochen's eyes shone with anticipation.

Long Xingyu fell silent. Long Haochen's 40 points of Spirit Energy were not too far beyond his expectations, but Long Haoyu's 75 points suddenly left him at a loss for words.

Long Haochen's question was unintentional, yet it felt like a steel needle stabbing straight into his Solar Plexus.

Thinking of the place he had chosen for the brothers' Special Training, he suddenly did not know how to answer.

Could a place like the Ant Nest still withstand their destruction?

For the first time in his life, Long Xingyu felt a little uncertain. He remained silent for a long while without giving even a single word of reply.

"Dad, Dad, are you feeling unwell?"

Seeing this, Long Haochen asked curiously.

Long Xingyu came back to himself. "Dad's fine. Dad just wants some peace and quiet."

"Mm... you'll find out about the specific Special Training tomorrow."

Long Haoyu could roughly guess Long Xingyu's current thoughts. After adjusting to the strength gained from Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Washing, he headed directly back to his Thatched Cottage.

"Thanks."

As he passed Long Xingyu, he stiffly tossed out those words.

Long Xingyu's face darkened. Looking at Long Haoyu's independent manner, then at the mark where the Stone Pillar had stopped on the wooden stump, pain once more filled his eyes.

He was just too talented!

But why...

Long Xingyu let out a heavy sigh.

Bai Yue was sincerely happy about the two children's improvement and did not even notice Long Xingyu's unusual behavior.

After preparing dinner, she knew Long Haoyu and Long Xingyu were at odds, so she specifically had Long Haochen bring dinner to Long Haoyu.

By the time night fell, Long Haoyu had finished dinner and felt no anticipation whatsoever for the Special Training that would begin tomorrow.

"System, enter Shadow Space!"

With a silent thought, Long Haoyu's consciousness blurred as he entered the Shadow Space.

The Shadow Space remained as it had been after its transformation. The words "Treat life and death lightly; if you don't submit, fight" were still conspicuous upon the enormous Stone Pillar.

The Shadow Instructor had already taken form the instant Long Haoyu entered the Shadow Space.

Its aura was even more profound than Long Haoyu's, having improved again and reached the same level as his current strength.

"You have already truly encountered killing."

"Next, I will begin your real Special Training!"

Upon hearing the Shadow Instructor mention real Special Training, Long Haoyu's interest was immediately piqued.

He had been looking forward to the real Special Training that could come from the Shadow Instructor's mouth.

Bowing at the waist, Long Haoyu's eyes filled with eager anticipation. "Instructor, please!"