The Four Gates of Martial Dao, Ascending to Heaven Step by Step

"Ashamed, ashamed..."

Lu Yuan opened his eyes and climbed out of the wooden tub.

Second Blood Change was far from his end goal.

Third Blood Change wasn't either!

Third Blood Change: Blood Qi Like an Ox.

Sixth Blood Change: Blood Qi Like a Tiger.

Ninth Blood Change: Blood Qi Like an Elephant.

Twelfth Blood Change: Blood Qi Like a Dragon.

This was the information he had learned from Zhang Zhi.

Blood Qi Like a Dragon meant one could be called a Martial Dao Master.

The Four Gates of Martial Dao, each step a leap towards the heavens, every gate difficult to pass, separated by chasms.

Martial Dao Blood Change was destined to be a difficult and long process. Without sufficient resources, sufficient willpower, sufficient perseverance, and sufficient talent, many could only stop at the First or Second Blood Change.

The process for Second Blood Change was similar to First Blood Change, only some of the medicinal ingredients were different and more expensive.

From the moment he began his breakthrough to its success, he had soaked in the medicinal bath ten times.

This feeling of being able to directly perceive his incremental progress was more intoxicating than winning a game.

He was beginning to understand the existence of martial arts fanatics.

"Second Blood Change!!"

With a thought, Lu Yuan threw out a punch. His entire body's muscles instantly twisted like steel wires, unleashing power with a muffled thud in the air.

"The difference in strength between Second Blood Change and First Blood Change is indeed quite significant. His stamina is as long-lasting as a galloping horse, his strength like a fierce tiger, and his arms can wield a thousand jin of force."

He flexed his muscles, and with a slight movement, they bulged, resembling blocks of iron, incredibly hard and capable of maximally resisting external attacks.

Bang bang bang bang!

Extremely energetic, Lu Yuan couldn't help but swing his fists and feet.

If someone were outside, they would hear the deafening stomping sounds from the room. The entire room vibrated slightly, and the sound of air explosions followed one after another, as if air cannons were being fired.

Inside the room, Lu Yuan weaved and dodged. His fists were like fierce tigers, his strength like the Ox Demon. Each punch and kick sent gusts of wind, making the windows rattle like waves crashing against the shore.

"Now, I've mastered Ox Demon Fist and Great Gale Saber Technique at the Perfection level. Defeating veteran Second Blood Change martial artists like Uncle Zhang is effortless."

Lu Yuan retracted his fist and stood still. With a thought:

[Lifespan: 125 (Remaining Lifespan: 80 years)]

[Cultivation Methods: Ox Demon Fist (Peak 100%), Great Gale Saber Technique (Peak 100%), Dragon Elephant Longevity Art (Proficient 20%)]

After half a year of arduous training, not a single day of slack, the Dragon Elephant Longevity Art had finally reached the Proficient level.

For ordinary people, it would take at least ten to twenty years to reach this level.

"The Dragon Elephant Longevity Art has already increased my lifespan by 67 years, bringing my remaining lifespan to 80 years. I'll cultivate it more and accumulate a few more years before improving my talent."

An increase of 67 years should have meant 81 years remaining, but a year had passed, and he had aged one year, making him seventeen.

With only eighty years of lifespan left, Lu Yuan feared he might die of old age immediately after upgrading his talent to Genius.

"The Dragon Elephant Longevity Art is not just for extending my lifespan. No matter how tired I am, a single night's sleep can dispel all fatigue, and my recovery speed from injuries also increases several times when cultivating the Dragon Elephant Longevity Art."

During these past six months, Lu Yuan hadn't just buried himself in martial arts training. Sparring with Zhang Zhi was indispensable.

At first, Lu Cheng had enthusiastically sparred with him, but after a few times, he refused to come anymore, saying he didn't want to be beaten.

So, in the end, he could only spar with Zhang Zhi. Sometimes, when they got carried away, he couldn't help but use his full strength, and getting injured was inevitable.

It was only after he was injured for the first time that he discovered the boost to injury recovery from sleeping and cultivating the Dragon Elephant Longevity Art.

"Let me try my saber technique again!"

He put on his clothes, picked up Po Jun, and went into the courtyard.

Before long, saber light whistled through the courtyard, cold light flashing, stirring up fallen leaves in a tempestuous dance with great momentum.

Lu Yuan was almost completely obscured by the saber light; ordinary people couldn't track his movements. Not a single fallen leaf could approach him; any that came within a few meters would be instantly shredded.

Whoosh~~

The saber light retracted. The storm-like saber light vanished. Lu Yuan stood with his saber planted, exhaling deeply towards the sky.

The sun was just rising.

"Second Young Master, it's time for breakfast," a servant came to call Lu Yuan as usual.

The three father and sons were eating breakfast when a servant rushed in:

"Master! The three major families of Iron Dragon Stockade are outside!"

"Li Jing!"

Lu Longjing's face darkened, and he stood up abruptly. "Lu Cheng, go inform your Uncle Zhang, gather everyone, and bring your weapons!"

The Lu Family and Iron Dragon Stockade actually had no interaction except when paying passage fees; at other times, they had no dealings whatsoever.

The two sides had cooperated for several years, and this was the first time Li Jing had brought people to the Lu Family.

Although he wasn't afraid of these bandits making trouble in the county town, caution was still necessary.

Lu Yuan found it strange. Iron Dragon Stockade had grown stronger and stronger over the year, becoming notorious within a hundred-mile radius. The Lu Family paid their passage fees in full, so why would they come to the Lu Family in person?

Following his father to the entrance, Lu Yuan saw over twenty burly men standing there. Their leader, Li Jing, was powerfully built and exuded a sharp aura.

Glancing at them, Lu Longjing felt helpless and cupped his hands. "To the esteemed leaders of Iron Dragon Stockade, what brings you here?"

Li Jing laughed heartily. "Boss Lu, what's this? I've traveled all this way, and you won't even offer me a cup of hot tea?"

Lu Longjing played along, smiling. "We have hot tea and hot meals. Third Leader, please wait a moment, and I'll have a servant bring them right over."

No matter what, he definitely wouldn't let Li Jing and his men inside.

Li Jing smiled thinly, understanding Lu Longjing's intentions, and got straight to the point. "Never mind, I've already eaten. Boss Lu, my elder brother's birthday is approaching. Don't you have any token of appreciation?"

Lu Longjing nodded. "How could I forget the tribute to the Great Leader? Third Leader, please wait a moment."

With that, he gave a signal. Lu Yuan understood and immediately went to count out a thousand taels of silver.

What Lu Longjing said about not forgetting was, of course, nonsense. However, with last year's lesson, Iron Dragon Stockade's influence was something the Lu Family couldn't compare to. Even though they knew Li Jing was using his brother's birthday as an excuse to extort them, they could only submit.

In less than ten minutes, a chest of silver was placed before Li Jing. He counted it and smiled brightly. "Boss Lu, you're very sensible. I hope our cooperation can last for a long time!"

"Brothers, let's go!"

Li Jing shouted and led his men away triumphantly.

The smile on Lu Longjing's face slowly faded. He said with worry, "Iron Dragon Stockade is becoming more and more arrogant and overbearing. Now Li Jing dares to bring people into the county town so openly. Great chaos is imminent."

In the past, the leaders of Iron Dragon Stockade would never have dared to enter the county town. Even if they did, they would have disguised themselves and kept a low profile. When had they ever dared to be so brazen?

He knew that although Li Jing had been smiling the entire time, if he had dared to refuse the tribute, Li Jing would have turned on him without hesitation.

Lu Yuan witnessed all of this and his resolve strengthened once more:

"In this world, without strength, no matter how much money you have, you're just fish on a chopping block, waiting to be slaughtered. I must, I absolutely must, possess great power!!"