Perfect

Qi Yu mastered the Serpent Stance Cultivation Method, and without waiting, he hurried to Madam Liu's residence while the sky was still early.

Coincidentally, his father, Qi Changshun, was also home.

After a brief inquiry, Third Master Qi learned of the wager between the mother and son.

He sized up his son with a hint of curiosity, his expression stern but his tone gentle. "There are still three days left. There's no need to rush so much."

Naturally, Qi Yu couldn't actually wait until the seventh day. Even if he succeeded then, it would inevitably lower his parents' evaluation of him, which would affect the family support he needed for future martial arts training.

"Father, Mother, your son is ready."

Qi Changshun nodded slightly and immediately set the standard: "Then, half an hour."

As the words fell, Qi Yu took a deep breath, lowered his stance, and rooted his feet. His entire Blood Essence burned quietly like fire.

The standard of this Spirit Serpent Posture made a flicker of reminiscence flash in Qi Changshun's eyes.

His gaze drifted into the distance, as if recalling some past events.

As he thought, his pupils suddenly constricted...

Because he discovered that his son's posture was not only standard but also flawless, simply... perfect.

After the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, Qi Yu remained motionless, his body unwavering, his legs un-trembling.

Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the courtyard. The person who arrived had a square face and an imposing aura. It was Ding Yi, the captain of the mansion's guards, a seventh-rank martial artist.

Qi Yu had seen his combat power displayed above his head: 47-72 with a saber. This was significantly stronger than Qing Dai, who was beside his mother, at "32-52." However... it was far inferior to Uncle Song from the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall.

Uncle Song was also a seventh-rank martial artist, but without any weapons, his combat power already reached 55-110. It was clear the gap between them was not small. This was also why he insisted on going to the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall instead of seeking guidance from the guards at home.

Granny Zhao, who was guarding the door, naturally dared not stop the captain of the guards.

Ding Yi strode in quickly, stopping outside the door. He first respectfully saluted Qi Changshun and Madam Liu, then lowered his voice and called out, "Master..."

Qi Changshun slowly finished his nourishing tea and turned to Madam Liu, saying, "I'm going out for a bit."

Madam Liu looked at her husband with a solemn expression, but a faint smile played on her lips. "Aren't you going to watch Yu'er's posture?"

"One incense stick is enough to tell the tale."

As Qi Changshun rose and passed by, he gently patted his son's shoulder, a look of approval flashing in his eyes. "You've truly put in the effort."

With that, he left hastily with Ding Yi.

As soon as Qi Changshun and Ding Yi left, the room fell silent.

Madam Liu watched the departing figures outside the courtyard gate, her brow furrowed slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes.

Outside the courtyard...

Twilight descended, the blood-red setting sun in the severe winter... like frozen, malevolent fire. Even its light carried a chilling aura.

She slowly withdrew her gaze, sat down again, and her eyes fell on her son standing in the courtyard.

Qing Dai playfully blinked her eyes. "Madam, half an hour is up."

Madam Liu suddenly grabbed the ebony ruler from the table and walked up to Qi Yu, unexpectedly striking his thigh...

Crack!

Qi Yu's stance was as steady as a mountain. Despite the ruler strike, he didn't budge an inch.

Madam Liu's expression suddenly became peculiar.

"Yu'er, how much longer can you hold this stance?"

Qi Yu closed his eyes and sensed the Blood Essence within him. Not only did he not feel tired, but he felt his Blood Essence coming alive. He even felt so energetic that he could run a few laps with a heavy load.

He glanced at the panel: "[Cultivation Method: Serpent Stance Cultivation Method (2/2)]". A realization dawned upon him: ordinary people, even with minor success in cultivating a technique, would still have flaws when performing it. However, what he had learned was "flawless, eternally proven." It could be said that even Song Qinghong personally demonstrating the Spirit Serpent Posture might not be able to surpass him, because the Serpent Stance Cultivation Method he performed was already the most perfect.

"However long Mother wants me to stand, I will stand."

Madam Liu's expression turned surprised. Her expression grew more subtle. She lowered her gaze slightly, then quickly raised it again, scrutinizing her son repeatedly. After confirming he wasn't just forcing himself, she fell into deep silence again.

After a long while, she slowly said, "Alright, A Bi will temporarily stay in your courtyard."

Qi Yu retracted his stance, exhaled a long breath, his eyes clear, and he smiled. "Mother, it's actually not about A Bi. It's mainly because your son has become obsessed with practicing martial arts recently. Even without A Bi, your son would still practice."

Upon hearing this, Madam Liu suddenly clasped her hands together and bowed towards the heavens, relief shining in her eyes.

"My Yu'er has truly opened his eyes and grown up. Thank heavens, thank heavens."

Saying that, she pulled her son to sit beside her and said earnestly, "Yu'er, since you've become sensible, you should understand why Mother had to be the bad guy and take A Bi away from you, right?"

Qi Yu replied, "Mother did it all for my own good."

Madam Liu's relief deepened, but then she continued, "When you eventually get married, it might not be good for A Bi to stay by your side. It's better for her to leave now, and Mother will find a good home for her."

Qi Yu clenched his fists, his eyes burning. "Mother, don't worry. Your son's martial arts will only get better and better, so good that even after taking a wife, I'll be the one in charge of domestic affairs."

Madam Liu fell silent, occasionally looking at the young man opposite her as if pondering something. After a long time, she said, "A Bi will temporarily stay in your courtyard. But if any potential in-laws come calling, she will still be moved to Mother's side. However, this time, Mother promises you, I will not marry her off."

She paused, then held up two fingers. "If you truly want to keep A Bi, first defeat Old Gu, then surpass Qing Dai. If you can truly do that, Mother will believe you have the ability to manage the inner household, and A Bi's whereabouts will be up to you from then on. Mother will never interfere again."

As she spoke, her tone suddenly turned serious. "But if you use your martial arts to bully others, fight recklessly, or seek temporary enhancement from secret medicine only to harm your health, this agreement will be void."

Qi Yu nodded solemnly.

Madam Liu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, broke into a smile, and said in a gentle tone, "From now on, for the Essence Replenishing Soup and other tonics to nourish your Blood Essence, Mother will arrange them for you. Where would good things be kept in the kitchens? And how could that little maid A Bi find them?

As for stretching and manipulation, Mother will specifically invite a master from the medical hall to look after you."

The mother and son chatted...

Qi Yu suddenly asked, "Father and Uncle Ding suddenly went out just now, did something happen?"

Madam Liu replied, "It's just some trivial matters concerning the Qi Family's business. If Yu'er truly wants to know, why not let the steward take you to the herb-gathering building at the foot of Wei Mountain to take a look."

Although the Qi Family's business involved all sorts of industries, the core business that truly controlled their lifeline was "medicinal materials."

It was said that the "secret formula for poisons" within the "Poison Water Army" came from the Qi Family.

One could say... it was the Qi Family using the government's money to buy their own medicine and raise their own Poison Water Army.

The source of the "medicinal materials" was some mysterious herbs from a secret location on Wei Mountain, and the Qi Family's herb-gathering building was located there.

As the Qi Family's main industry, the herb-gathering building involved all three branches of the Qi Family. However, the Old Master Qi had not clearly designated its ownership, and there was naturally much hidden strife among them.

Qi Yu said, "Never mind, I'll practice martial arts first."

He understood his mother's intentions very clearly.

His mother was just placating him.

His father and Ding Yi had most likely not gone out for family business.

Qi Yu vaguely felt it might be related to Master Chen, who had visited a few days prior.

However, he was still too weak. Even though he had won his stance practice today, even though he had shown his changes, in his mother's eyes, he was still a child who needed protection, so she naturally wouldn't tell him these secret matters.

If he wanted more right to know and more say, he still needed to become stronger.