It's Not Too Late

Li Ji'an's initial disappointment abruptly lifted.

"Dragon-Tiger Visage?"

Having spent ten years in the martial academy in his previous life, he had an almost complete understanding of the martial arts information in this world.

The martial arts in this world placed particular emphasis on innate talent, a fact verified by generations over the past hundred years.

Apart from upper, middle, and lower-tier innate talents, there were even rarer talents that produced Immortal Seeds, possessing special characteristics that earned them specific titles.

The "Dragon-Tiger Visage" mentioned by the bone-reading master was a type of innate talent and physique with the greatest potential in the martial arts world of the Immortal Bestowed Dynasty. In the past hundred years, nearly eighty percent of those with this physique had either become Immortal Seeds or, at the very least, reached the pinnacle of martial arts in this world.

"Is this the effect of the Marrow Cleansing and Bone Strengthening starting at the age of eight in this world?" Li Ji'an suppressed his excitement and pondered carefully.

"It seems my body's talent shouldn't be bad either. Coupled with consistent, high-quality Marrow Cleansing and Bone Strengthening from the age of eight, this effect is possible."

The bone-reading master's old face flushed. No longer distracted, he closed his eyes tightly, using both hands to meticulously feel Li Ji'an's bones, inch by inch, as if afraid of missing any detail.

"Ah! How can this be? This... such a waste!"

Suddenly, the old master exclaimed and opened his eyes wide.

"Hm?" Li Ji'an's breath hitched.

Can't you stop being so dramatic? Can't you speak only when you're absolutely sure?

"May I ask, senior, my..."

"Boy, did you lack food and clothing when you were young, with little oil and salt?" The bone-reading master stared at Li Ji'an with apparent heartache, his hands still on Li Ji'an's body.

Li Ji'an nodded silently.

This was also something that had bothered him.

"Rejuvenation" could only last until the age of eight. The body before that age was the life he lived before awakening his past life's memories. He could change things after eight, but not before.

And before the age of eight, although his parents loved him dearly, they were just common folk living in the mountains. Being able to eat their fill was already their greatest effort, so how could they dream of rich oils, heavy salts, or high-calcium, high-protein foods?

"A pity, a great pity. If you had started nourishing your body in childhood, barring any accidents, you would most likely have developed the 'Dragon-Tiger Visage.' As it is now, your foundation is insufficient, and there's ultimately a deficiency. Moreover, the best time for Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Washing has passed. Even if you obtained the Divine Pill and Precious Medicine for Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Washing now, it would be too late," the bone-reading master sighed heavily, appearing more pained than Li Ji'an himself.

"..." Li Ji'an didn't rush to react. He waited quietly, wondering if there was anything else the master had to say.

"However... although it's not the Dragon-Tiger Visage, you do possess the Wild Sparrow Physique. If you don't aim for Immortal Seed, striving for Qi and Blood Grandmaster and establishing a Martial Family would allow you to command respect in one region." The bone-reading master gave his final assessment, looking at Li Ji'an with a newfound respect, even a hint of flattery.

Li Ji'an raised an eyebrow slightly. He was already very satisfied with this outcome.

As for the Divine Pills and Immortal Treasures for Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Washing he mentioned... too late?

For me, it's not necessarily so!

Before long, the two individuals, whose dispositions were both rated as superior, were personally led to the training ground by the bone-reading master.

The first step after entering the academy was to choose an instructor.

This was a two-way selection.

Apprentices hoped to be taught by experienced instructors.

Instructors also relied on apprentices to achieve performance evaluations.

In his previous life, when he came here at the age of thirty, if not for the new instructor Xiao Wu being willing to take him in, he would have likely ended up as a freelance trainee.

"Oh, new arrivals? Master Wan, what's their innate talent? What about their disposition?"

As the three entered the training ground, several instructors looked over.

Even Ma Yuan, a Gold Medal Instructor who wasn't paying much attention and was enjoying a drink under the pavilion, looked over because old Wan personally brought people.

He only needed to guide one more apprentice who passed the Martial Arts Examination into the Prefectural City Immortal Seeking Academy to be promoted to Head Instructor, receive a Ninth-Rank Official Position, and become a true official.

However, with eighteen counties across three cities, Shangyi County was just a minor county. Finding a promising talent who could pass the top thirty at the age of fifteen was like searching for a needle in a haystack; it wasn't easy.

"Hahaha, I've brought you good seedlings. As for who they ultimately choose, that will depend on your performance," old Wan laughed heartily, appearing quite ostentatious.

"Hm? Old Wan is praising good seedlings?" All eight instructors were curious, and seven of them quickly stepped forward.

The Gold Medal Instructor Ma Yuan was particularly startled. He hurriedly told the apprentice serving him to quickly clear away the wine and food from the pavilion, so as not to affect his image in the eyes of the newcomers. He then tidied himself up solemnly and walked over quickly.

"This child has superior innate talent and a superior disposition," old Wan said in a low voice, not playing coy.

"Whoa~ As expected, anyone praised by Master Wan must have superior innate talent." The seven instructors looked at Qingyun like wolves spotting a little white rabbit.

"Young master, I am an old instructor at our academy. I have twenty years of teaching experience and have had two disciples admitted into the Prefectural City Immortal Seeking Academy. If you join my tutelage, I will spare no effort to send you to the Immortal Seeking Academy." The experienced instructor immediately began to recommend himself.

"My experience is also considerable, and I am in the Bone Forging Realm of the Body Tempering Three Realms. I can not only teach you Skin Grinding to handle the Martial Arts Exam but also lay the foundation for Bone Forging from the beginning, ensuring you go further on the path of martial arts."

Apart from the first experienced instructor, the other five instructors were relatively slow to react.

It wasn't that they were slow-witted, but the academy hadn't had an apprentice with such dual superior qualifications in two years.

Moreover, under normal circumstances, it was usually the apprentices who sought connections beforehand, intending to join their tutelage. It had been a long time since such a situation arose where instructors vied for apprentices.

"Silence! What kind of behavior is this? We instructors are here to impart knowledge and resolve doubts, not to be noisy like a marketplace! You are demeaning yourselves!" Suddenly, after the six men were busy boasting, Ma Yuan, who had been holding back, sternly rebuked them.

As the most likely candidate for promotion to Head Instructor, the other instructors, though resentful, dared not offend him directly.

Ma Yuan swept his gaze over the six men with an air of authority, nodded with satisfaction, and then gave Qingyun a profound smile. "Young friend, do not be afraid. I am Ma Yuan, the sole Gold Medal Instructor of the Shangyi County Martial Academy. With twenty-eight years of teaching experience, I have personally sent nine individuals to the Prefectural City Immortal Seeking Academy. Follow my guidance, and I guarantee there will be no surprises in your Martial Arts Exam two years from now. I must also emphasize that I provide special care and additional resource allocation for geniuses."

"...Shameless."

The six instructors, who had just swallowed their pride after Ma Yuan's reprimand, were stunned. Their gazes toward Ma Yuan became even more contemptuous.

Qingyun looked at Ma Yuan with a blank expression, his attitude no different from how he viewed the other six instructors. He then turned his head to look at Li Ji'an.

A strange smile appeared on Li Ji'an's face.

In his previous life, he had spent considerable effort and resources on Ma Yuan in his search for a good teacher.

In the end, Ma Yuan had taken advantage of him, freeloading and freeloading, not only turning his back on him but also mocking and belittling Li Ji'an while elevating himself in similar situations.

At the time, if Li Ji'an hadn't already experienced a lot and possessed a strong will, he would have been utterly humiliated and his resolve shattered on the spot.

Ma Yuan's serious demeanor, his righteous attitude, his constant claims of acting for Li Ji'an's own good... especially those hurtful words that seemed to come from the perspective of the martial academy and his own position, were still fresh in Li Ji'an's memory.

However, fifteen years had passed. Li Ji'an no longer harbored any desire to settle scores. Having lived longer and seen more, he knew there were many such people in the world.