Martial Saint

"Thinking carefully, the two senior sisters from just now, one was fifth layer, the other sixth layer."

"The two of them joined forces, but lost to a fourth layer junior brother, and were instantly killed..."

"If this gets out, they'll be the ones losing face."

"Let alone whether they have the face to spread this news, even if they reported it to the Elder, it would still be a matter of inferior skill. The Wenjian Sect has always revered the strong, if they dare to make a fuss, they'll only embarrass themselves further."

Although he was panicking internally, he didn't blame Gu Chengming.

After all, he was the one who suggested taking Gu Chengming to the market. If not for that, they wouldn't have encountered such an annoying matter.

Ultimately, it was his own lack of foresight.

Jiang Lu sighed and cupped his hands:

"However, there are still some improprieties in this matter, and it might not be so easy to resolve. I need to hurry back and report to Master, see what his old man thinks, and if he can mediate a bit."

"Junior Brother Jiang has gone to great trouble."

Gu Chengming also cupped his hands in return, with a hint of sincere gratitude on his face.

No matter what, Jiang Lu was indeed a good person.

"Thank you for leading the way today, Junior Brother. I gained a lot in the market."

Gu Chengming patted the storage bag at his waist and smiled:

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing regarding what happened just now, and I won't implicate you, Senior Brother Jiang."

Jiang Lu shook his head with a wry smile:

"Senior Brother, don't talk about implicating or not. We are all fellow disciples, and we should help each other. Moreover, the cause of today's incident lies with me."

"Then I'll take my leave first. After I see Master and get some news, I'll come and tell Senior Brother in detail."

With that, Jiang Lu no longer delayed, turned around, and left in a hurry, his retreating figure conveying a sense of urgency like "rushing to put out a fire."

Gu Chengming stood in place, watching Jiang Lu's receding figure, and stroked his chin.

This Junior Brother Jiang is a good person.

Just a bit timid.

Chapter 32: Chapter 31 Hundred Bones Ming, Help Me Refine Dragon Blood Grass!

Returning to the familiar courtyard, Gu Chengming closed the courtyard gate behind him, completely shutting out the clamor of the outside world.

Only now did he let out a long sigh of relief. He walked to the table, sat down, poured himself a cup of cool tea, and with a thought, summoned the system panel that only he could see.

Two lines of light blue text appeared before his eyes:

[Clear Heart Art: 45/Friendly]

[Hundred Bones Ming: 50/Friendly]

Looking at these two numbers, Gu Chengming remarked that Hundred Bones Ming had truly caught up.

Although Clear Heart Art had come first, thanks to today's "Market Bargain" combined with "Kill Above Level" combo, its affinity had directly soared, surpassing Clear Heart Art.

Was he truly a genius, the Protagonist of Strategy Start?

Gu Chengming stroked his chin, thinking to himself.

However, on second thought, rather than his own superb strategy skills, it was more like Hundred Bones Ming was self-strategizing.

The so-called Strength Faction truly only needed strength to be conquered.

Since Hundred Bones Ming had reached 50, Clear Heart Art couldn't fall too far behind.

He took out his Writing Brush, Ink, Paper, Inkstone from his Storage Bag and skillfully spread out the Xuan Paper.

The story he was writing had reached the crucial third part.

--The Master, having accidentally consumed Joyful Union Powder, experienced instability in her Dao heart. The Rebellious Disciple, to help the Master stabilize her Dao heart, had to make some "ancestor-defying" sacrifices.

This part of the plot required extremely delicate psychological depiction and atmospheric rendering, demanding exceptional writing skills.

Gu Chengming took a deep breath and dipped his brush in ink.

After an unknown amount of time, he laid down the last stroke. Looking at the flowing handwriting on the paper, he nodded in satisfaction.

He glanced at the panel again.

[Clear Heart Art looks at you with a hint of resentment, Chapter Breaker Dog broke the chapter again]

[Affinity +5]

[Clear Heart Art: 50/Friendly]

Gu Chengming was very pleased and stretched.

Both core cultivation methods had successfully reached the critical point of transitioning from "Friendly" to "Like."

This was akin to playing a Dating Sim Game, where the affinity of the two main Heroines had been maxed out. The next step would be to trigger a few key events to unlock "Intimate" or even "Oath" states.

Alas, this God of Strategy of mine is truly as lonely as snow.

The story time is over, and now it's time to get down to business.

His gaze fell on the bundle of "weeds" casually tossed in the corner of the table.

This was the "Dragon Blood Grass" he had bought for two spirit stones at the market.

Since the play had reached this point, he had to see it through to the end.

Gu Chengming's expression turned serious. He got up, walked to the window, and closed it tightly. He then set up a simple warning restriction at the door, fully preparing for "secluded cultivation to refine treasure."

Then, he sat cross-legged on the bed and solemnly pulled out a stalk from the bundle of herbs.

The leaves of this grass were withered and yellow, with a bit of soil still clinging to the roots, emitting a faint smell of earth and bitterness.

Gu Chengming's mouth twitched.

Was eating this thing raw really okay?

Never mind, to become stronger, no shame in that.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his facial expression to one of "anticipation and trepidation when facing a rare treasure," and then stuffed the stalk of Blood Activating Grass into his mouth, chewing vigorously.

...So bitter.

Although he was cursing inwardly, Gu Chengming's face instantly turned red, as if a violent energy was exploding in his mouth.

He gritted his teeth, his eyes wide open, and let out a suppressed roar from his throat, as if enduring some immense pain and impact.

"What potent medicinal power!"

"As expected of Dragon Blood Grass! Even as just a seedling, the Qi and Blood power contained within is so astonishing!"

"Hundred Bones Ming! Help me refine it!"

He roared in his heart and immediately began to circulate the Hundred Bones Ming technique.

[Hundred Bones Ming responded instantly!]

[It sensed the host's call and also "saw" the host's heroic act of swallowing that divine medicine!]

[Here it comes! The legendary Marrow Cleansing!]

[It immediately mobilized all its bodily functions, preparing to welcome the immense medicinal power that was about to arrive!]

However, in reality, what entered Gu Chengming's stomach was only a meager amount of plant fiber and a medicinal power so weak it was almost negligible.

But!

Gu Chengming had a true trump card--Affinity.

Previously, the series of actions in the market, coupled with the recent Kill Above Level, caused the Affinity of Hundred Bones Ming to increase by 15 points in one go, reaching the mark of 50.

The Affinity of a cultivation technique is directly linked to Cultivation Efficiency and Compatibility. An increase of nearly 15 points in Affinity means a qualitative leap in the smoothness of the technique's operation, control over the body, and the efficiency of Spiritual Energy conversion compared to before.

Thus, when Gu Chengming began to circulate the technique, the Qi and Blood within his body seemed to ignite like dry firewood, instantly boiling.

The previously obscure and difficult meridian circulation routes became incredibly smooth, and the Qi and Blood that originally required a lot of mental effort to guide now spontaneously surged through his limbs and bones.

This also caused Hundred Bones Ming's attitude to change.

[Hundred Bones Ming thought: Holy crap, it's real?!]

[It actually had a sliver of doubt before, after all, that grass looked too much like roadside weeds.]

[But now, facts speak louder than words!]

[Is this the Child of Destiny?]

[Just going to some broken market and finding such a treasure that doubles cultivation speed, with this kind of Golden Finger, how can I, Hundred Bones Ming, not Achieve Dao and Become Saint?!]

[Hundred Bones Ming is utterly impressed with you.]

[Affinity +5]

Chapter 33: Chapter 32 She Dares to Come Looking for Trouble?

Meanwhile.

Jiang Lu hurried all the way, heading straight for the Siegong Hall.

As the important place within the Wenjian Sect responsible for recording disciples' merits and demerits and distributing tasks, the Siegong Hall was usually solemn and dignified, with disciples entering and exiting in hushed reverence.

Jiang Lu usually didn't dare to breathe loudly when he came here, but today the situation was urgent. His footsteps were hurried, and his expression showed unconcealed anxiety, drawing the attention of many fellow disciples.

He directly requested an audience with his Master, the current Elder of the Ministry of Works, Liu Enchuan.

Sandalwood Incense curled in the room. Liu Enchuan was seated at his Desk, reviewing the dossiers recently submitted by the outer disciples.

Seeing his disciple burst in so frantically, he frowned almost imperceptibly. But seeing Jiang Lu's pale face, he didn't scold him, only telling him to speak slowly.

Jiang Lu dared not conceal anything. He recounted the events in the market from beginning to end, in meticulous detail.

From how Gu Chengming "picked up a treasure" in the market, to how the two women from Daoning Gate blocked his path and caused trouble, to how Gu Chengming suddenly attacked and knocked them both unconscious, and even the absurd deduction about "Robber Cultivators" and how they separated and fled – everything was laid bare.

After hearing this account, Liu Enchuan was somewhat surprised. After all, swordsmanship was one thing, but the gap in Realm was still unavoidable.

However, Gu Chengming... this child's talent was indeed quite high, so it was normal for him to defeat the two.

Perhaps his cultivation had advanced further?

With this thought, his mood improved a little. He put away his distractions and began to ponder in secret.

This matter was not big if viewed broadly, and small if viewed narrowly. It was merely a private fight between disciples, and no lives were lost. It wasn't even considered a serious injury, at most it was physical pain and a loss of face.

But it was not small either, as that was Daoning Gate after all.

Within Wenjian Sect, although the various factions were united, private competition never ceased.

Those at Daoning Gate who practiced Mystical Arts were usually arrogant and extremely protective of their own.

Especially those Female Cultivators, they were the most difficult to deal with. If they found out that their own disciple was knocked unconscious on the street by an Outer Sect Sword Cultivator, they would likely not let it go.

If this was not handled well, Gu Chengming's future days within the sect would likely be filled with Trouble.

Liu Enchuan glanced at Jiang Lu standing below, sighing helplessly in his heart.

His own disciple had a good heart, but his nature was a bit too soft, and he tended to panic when encountering problems.

"Alright, I already know about this matter."

Liu Enchuan waved his hand:

"You may return now. Do not spread word. Continue cultivating if you should cultivate, and continue with your tasks if you should do tasks. As for Gu Chengming... tell him to avoid the market for a while."

Jiang Lu quickly bowed and retreated.

After his disciple left, Liu Enchuan picked up the Vermilion Brush again, but hesitated to put it down.

After pondering for a moment, he finally stood up, tidied his robes, and pushed the door open.

He couldn't make a decision on this matter alone; he needed to ask his Senior Brother for his opinion.

Behind Huiyuan Gate, in a secluded Courtyard.

Great Elder Ren Wencai was squatting on the ground without any regard for his image, holding a Spirit Grass and teasing a Spirit Crane he had caught from somewhere.