Don't Be Polite, We're All Brothers

In the blink of an eye, another half a month passed.

Qi Residence, courtyard, afternoon.

Thump...

Thump...

Thump-thump-thump...

In the courtyard, the young man's eyes were sharp, his fists clenched, charging forward like the wind.

Fist to elbow, elbow to fist, he unleashed a series of continuous strikes like a storm, smashing into the sandbag with a steady "thump-thump" sound.

After completing the sequence, the young man suddenly retreated three steps, spun on his toes, and like a spirit serpent weaving through grass, circled to the side. After a feint, he fiercely surged forward again...

BOOM!!

The sandbag flew into the air, its chains creaking under the immense strain.

The young man stood with his fists clenched, their surface exhibiting a faint black, metallic sheen.

As the cowhide sandbag fell back, he suddenly sank his waist and lowered his stance, throwing a right punch from under his ribs.

CLANG!

This punch produced a sound like metal striking metal. The sandbag let out a mournful roar and spun on its hook, nearly breaking the iron rod.

Qi Yu stared at the groaning iron rod and fell silent.

These past few days, he had thoroughly grasped all three foundational stances. As a result, the skill points provided by each stance were not the same.

Five Plum Blossom Fist provided 2 points, Rooster Fist provided 1 point, and Mystic Tiger Fist provided 2 points.

During his training, he also came to understand two things:

First, if the cultivation method being practiced was too similar to previous ones, the rewards would decrease. The foundational stance of Rooster Fist was somewhat similar to Spirit Serpent Fist, hence it only yielded 1 point.

Second, although he had practiced the three foundational stances, his combat power hadn't changed in any discernible way. Yet, he felt a peculiar sense of becoming stronger. This feeling was subtle but undeniably real.

As he was contemplating this, a voice came from outside the courtyard.

"Young Master."

Sun Da Yun had arrived again.

Qi Yu beckoned and said, "Come."

Sun Da Yun was accustomed to this. He cupped his hands and said, "Young Master, forgive me!"

Then, he let out a low growl, his arms turning red as blood energy surged.

Qi Yu looked at him, the faint black sheen rapidly covering his own fists.

The two charged at each other, and at the point of their collision, a continuous barrage of punches and kicks erupted.

Half an hour later...

A Bi, as usual, carried a tray from outside.

On the tray was a basin of hot water, a towel, and a black box of liniment for bruises and sprains.

The young maid had just stepped through the courtyard gate when the sight before her made her eyes widen.

Her young master's hair was disheveled, his black hair falling loosely around him as he sat casually on the bluestone ground. Meanwhile, Steward Sun stood motionlessly to the side, his left hand resting gently on his right arm, his expression a mixture of complexity and strangeness.

A Bi assumed Steward Sun had injured her young master. Her delicate eyebrows instantly shot up, and she scolded him loudly with a charming pout, "Sun Da Yun! What exactly are you doing?!"

Qi Yu waved his hand casually and said heartily, "Go to the storeroom and collect ten taels of silver as a reward. Tell them it's because your young master has advanced to the Eighth Rank and I'm feeling joyful."

Eighth Rank?

A Bi blinked, then her face lit up with joy.

Just then, Steward Sun gasped sharply, the sound tinged with pain.

A Bi glared at him, chiding, "You're too careless! You actually injured the young master, and you look so pleased about it!"

"Miss A Bi, you're wrongly accusing me. How could I possibly be pleased?" Steward Sun said with a wry smile. He moved his left hand away, rolled up his right sleeve, revealing a red, swollen fist print on his forearm, and said, "It wasn't me who injured the young master; it was the young master who injured me."

A Bi froze, then stammered, "You... you... Sun Da Yun! How could you not seriously spar with the young master!"

Steward Sun's expression grew even stranger. He scratched his head and said, "I was serious! But I never expected the young master to be this fierce once he broke through to the Eighth Rank..."

Fierce?

Huh?

A Bi was dumbfounded.

Qi Yu leaped up, grabbed the liniment A Bi had brought for bruises and sprains, and handed it to Sun Da Yun. He then waved his hand and said, "You may go. Rest up and come back tomorrow."

Sun Da Yun bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, Young Master."

The burly man then left in a daze, his eyes still filled with disbelief.

A secret medicine?

Was this the effect of the secret medicine?

Is the secret medicine this strong?

Qi Yu looked at his arm and clenched his fists. He felt a strange heat emanating from his blood, rapidly spreading to every part of his body, as if igniting his flesh and blood. His fighting spirit burned like a raging fire, unceasing.

Wisps of white blood energy also floated up from around his body, but they were very weak, rising less than an inch before dissipating into the air.

He glanced at his status panel:

[Qi Yu]
[Realm: Eighth Rank Blood Burst]
[Combat Power: 20-30]
[Skill Points: 5]
[Cultivation Technique: Spirit Serpent Skill Mastery (1/16)]
[Blessing: None]

After just one breakthrough, his combat power had increased from the original "10-20" to "20-30". This even slightly surpassed Sun Da Yun, who had entered the Eighth Rank earlier.

Keep in mind, Sun Da Yun had also cultivated a killing technique, which brought him to the "18-30" level.

"Is this the importance of foundation? The better the foundation, the stronger you become after breaking through."

The year-end was approaching.

The city began to liven up.

Stalls selling New Year's goods lined the streets and alleys. The already bustling streets were even more crowded, with people shoulder to shoulder...

In the evening, a servant arrived in a hurry, respectfully holding an invitation in both hands. He trotted up to Qi Yu and presented the invitation, saying, "Young Master, this is an invitation sent by Young Master Wang Yuan."

Qi Yu took the invitation and unfolded it. On the letter, the handwriting was elegant and flowing: "Brother Qi, the year-end is near. Old friends are returning to the city, and new friends have joined us. It is a time for gathering and sharing a drink. Let us meet tomorrow at noon at the Fragrance Containing Pavilion. This is your family's establishment, so you should be the host, naturally."

The Fragrance Containing Pavilion was an establishment of Qi Changshun's lineage. This restaurant had five floors, making it one of the tallest buildings in Mount Wei City.

The top floor was known as the Sky Garden.

This fifth floor had only one spacious hall.

The surrounding scenery was excellent.

To the north lay Wei Mountain, where clear skies and sea of clouds could often be seen in winter. To the southwest were the orderly streets and alleys of the mortal world. To the east flowed a winding river, like a jade belt.

Qi Yu held the letter and smiled.

Previously, because of the matter involving Chu Xiao, he had promised to treat Wang Yuan to drinks.

Now, Wang Yuan was acting as if he was gathering a group of people to extort him. But... as a scion of a noble family, why would he fear such extortion? Especially since the Fragrance Containing Pavilion was an establishment of Third Master Qi's family, he had even less reason to fear it. Not only did he not fear it, he even welcomed it.

A single letter conveyed all the brotherhood of the past.

Most importantly, Wang Yuan hadn't even asked if he agreed or given him any chance to refuse.

Qi Yu temporarily put aside the joy of breaking through to the Eighth Rank and summoned the steward, instructing him, "Make arrangements. Tomorrow at noon, prepare a banquet on the fifth floor of the Fragrance Containing Pavilion to entertain Young Master Wang Yuan and his guests. If anyone has already booked... negotiate with them and cancel their reservation."

The next day.

Fragrance Containing Pavilion, fifth floor.

Beaded curtains swayed gently, incense filled the air, and a woven gold carpet spread out like rosy clouds.

Behind a screen, several dancers in gossamer dresses swayed their slender waists, their charming eyes filled with emotion, awaiting the host's summons.

At the main seat, Qi Yu reclined lazily in the sable fur of a sandalwood chair, idly playing with a crystal cup. The wine in the cup sloshed gently. This was a secret brew of the Qi family – Hundred Flowers Brew, a rare commodity in Mount Wei City that money couldn't buy.

To his left, Wang Yuan, his brocade robe unbuttoned, his dark hair loose, leaned against a table. His gaze was filled with interest as he observed his brother, who had undergone a transformation and was now incredibly strong.

To his right sat a slender young man named Zhou Wen. He was the legitimate son of the City Lord's third wife. He sat upright, engrossed in a painting he had somehow acquired, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.

Further down sat Hong Chun and Han Tao, two dandies who frequented the Golden Hook Quarter. They were dressed in bright clothes, but their eyes held a hint of sycophancy. They chatted intermittently, discussing events in the city to liven up the atmosphere.

Qi Yu's gaze swept across the attendees, and he suddenly asked, "Why don't I see A Li today?"

The "A Li" he mentioned was Sun Li, a young man from a family subordinate to the Qi family, who used to be his little follower.

Wang Yuan let out a scoff and poured himself a drink from the wine pot. "To avoid suspicion! A Li is now following your cousin. Your cousin, Qi Feng, is doing very well for himself and is about to take up a position as a lieutenant in the Poison Water Army. Tsk tsk, your second uncle is already a captain in the Poison Water Army, and now... is the Qi family patriarch going to hand over the business of the Poison Water Army and the Herb Gathering Pavilion entirely to your second uncle?"

Just then, the beaded curtain rustled again.

A slender, charming girl walked in.

She was followed by two handsome young men.

However, as soon as they entered, she reprimanded them, "Go wait on the first floor. This is not a place for you."

The two handsome young men quickly departed.

This young woman was Qian Fu.

Upon seeing Qi Yu in the main seat, her steps faltered slightly. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she turned to Wang Yuan, "Brother Wang, this... do you know him?"

Wang Yuan stretched out his arm, affectionately slinging it over Qi Yu's shoulder, and laughed heartily, "Know him? Brother Qi and I are like brothers!"

Qian Fu's gaze drifted, recalling the matchmaking her mother had arranged, and she glanced at the male companions waiting outside the door. Wang Yuan had helped her arrange all of them. Since Qi Yu and Wang Yuan were brothers, then...

Forget it.

This arranged marriage could be dropped.

However, even if the marriage didn't work out, the friendship could still remain.

Brother Wang was an interesting person. Since he was brothers with Qi Yu, then... she should be able to get along with Brother Qi too.

Understanding this, a natural, uninhibited smile curved Qian Fu's lips. She then walked straight up to Qi Yu and called out crisply, "Brother Qi!"

Qi Yu glanced at the male companions waiting outside the pavilion, then at the young woman before him, and smiled, "Don't be so formal, we're all brothers."

Just then, Zhou Wen, who had been looking at a painting nearby, suddenly stood up and moved aside.

Qi Yu asked strangely, "Brother Zhou, what is this..."

Zhou Wen replied, "It's obvious you two have a story. I'll let you sit together."

Qian Fu giggled and unceremoniously sat down next to him.

"Is there anyone else?"

Qi Yu asked.

Wang Yuan said, "Let's wait a bit longer, there's one more."