Bone Quality Improvement, Breakthrough to the Zhuqi Realm

Chen Xuan left the Treasure Pavilion through the back door.

He twisted and turned through the alleys of the county city, and only after confirming that no one was following him did he find a quiet inn to stay in.

"Marrow Cleansing Pill..."

Chen Xuan poured the pill out of the porcelain bottle and examined it closely.

The surface of the pill was covered in fine patterns, resembling the meridians of a human body, and it emitted a faint, refreshing fragrance that cleared the mind the moment he smelled it.

Without hesitation, he opened his mouth and swallowed the pill.

The pill melted upon contact, transforming into a stream of warm energy that flowed down his throat into his abdomen before spreading to his limbs and bones.

"Ugh—"

Chen Xuan let out a muffled groan, his forehead instantly covered in cold sweat.

Cleansing the marrow and cutting the bones—how could it be an easy task?

Wherever that warmth passed, it felt like thousands of fine needles were piercing him simultaneously; from his skin to his muscles, from his bones to his internal organs, there was nowhere that did not ache.

Chen Xuan gritted his teeth, sat cross-legged, and circulated the mental cultivation method of the Vajra Technique to guide the medicinal power through his body.

Half an hour later.

Chen Xuan's skin was covered in a layer of pitch-black grime that emitted a pungent, fishy odor; these were the impurities expelled from his body.

"Medium aptitude!"

At this moment, Chen Xuan felt his body was lighter and more transparent than ever before, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from him.

He could feel that his once thin and weak qi meridians had become much tougher; although they still could not compare to those geniuses with superior or top-tier aptitude, at least they were no longer unremarkable.

Medium aptitude meant he possessed the potential of an average person.

Host: Chen Xuan

Fate: Zhaoxi Bizheng

Aptitude: Medium

Realm: Body Tempering 9th Layer (Huajin)

Martial Arts: Giant Whale Body Refining Technique/9th Layer, Mountain Crushing Fist/Great Success, Vajra Technique/4th Layer (Qi Meridians Opened: 1/36), Nine Shadow Killing Sword/1st Layer Great Success

Zhaoxi Value: 9

"My aptitude really did improve!"

Chen Xuan looked at the panel, a flash of joy in his eyes.

An aptitude column had appeared on the panel, and the aptitude displayed there had reached the medium level.

"Let's test the effect!"

Chen Xuan focused his mind.

He used all nine points of Zhaoxi Value to upgrade the Vajra Technique.

Hum—

Chen Xuan's body shuddered as countless insights flooded his mind. The changes brought about by his medium aptitude manifested immediately; what would have taken a year of bitter cultivation to open one qi meridian now took only three months.

A year of bitter cultivation could open four qi meridians, and nine years of bitter cultivation would be enough to open all thirty-six.

The moment the thirty-sixth qi meridian was opened, Chen Xuan felt as if his body had exploded.

The thirty-six qi meridians crisscrossed to form a precise web within his body, and his internal energy surged through them at a speed several times faster than before.

Once, twice, thrice...

After thirty-six cycles, the internal energy condensed into true qi.

The first wisp of true qi was born in his dantian.

It was as thin as a strand of hair, yet dozens of times more solid than his previous internal energy. A faint golden luster flowed across its surface, warm and heavy, like the first ray of light cast by the rising sun.

With the first wisp came the second, the third... more and more internal energy was converted into true qi.

These wisps of true qi did not gather in the dantian but instead wandered through his internal organs and limbs, further tempering his physical body.

In the cultivation of the Vajra Technique, the Body Tempering realm was only the beginning.

Upon reaching the Zhuqi Realm, one must temper their body with true qi day and night until they reach a state of being flawless, immune to all poisons, and indestructible—only then could it be considered great success.

On the other side.

The Treasure Pavilion auction was also drawing to a close.

The atmosphere in the hall was even more heated than before, as the final item—the Seven Kill Sword—was about to appear.

Zhou Wenbin, the manager of the Treasure Pavilion, stood on the high platform with a much more solemn expression than before. He clapped his hands, and four maids worked together to carry up a long sword case.

The sword case was crafted entirely from rosewood, carved with intricate patterns, and emitted a faint sandalwood scent.

"Everyone, the next item is the final lot of this auction." Zhou Wenbin's voice rose a notch: "The personal sword of the former Marquis of Tiannan—the Seven Kill Sword!"

After speaking, he opened the sword case with his own hands.

A pitch-black longsword lay quietly inside; the blade bore no decorations, appearing so plain it was almost crude.

But the moment the case was opened, an invisible baleful aura radiated from the blade, permeating the entire hall.

The complexions of the martial artists in the front rows, whose cultivation levels were lower, changed drastically; they instinctively leaned back, cold sweat breaking out on their foreheads.

"Such a heavy baleful aura."

"Is this the Seven Kill Sword? It truly lives up to its reputation!"

"The aura alone is enough to make one struggle for breath. An ordinary person could never control this sword."

Zhou Wenbin waited for the aura to dissipate slightly before continuing: "The Seven Kill Sword, starting bid is one million taels, with each increment no less than one hundred thousand taels.

Now, let the bidding begin!"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

One million taels—this figure caused most people to abandon any thoughts of bidding; only experts in the Zhuqi Realm were qualified to compete.

"One million one hundred thousand taels."

A low voice came from a private box upstairs.

"One million two hundred thousand taels."

A bid rang out from another direction.

"One million three hundred thousand taels."

"One million four hundred thousand taels."

Bids rose one after another among the private boxes, while those in the hall could only look up and listen, lacking even the qualification to interject.

The price soared all the way up.

In the end, the price was settled at three million five hundred thousand taels.

Zhou Wenbin struck the gavel, his voice carrying a hint of tremor.

Three million five hundred thousand taels.

This was the highest transaction price for a single item at the Treasure Pavilion in the last ten years.

Everyone's gaze turned toward the corner box, wanting to see who had such deep pockets.

The curtain of the box was lifted, and a figure walked out.

The man was tall, wearing a faded gray robe. His face was ordinary and his hair was gray, making him look like an unremarkable old man, yet no one dared to underestimate him.

After all, could someone who could produce three million five hundred thousand taels of silver in one go be an ordinary old man?

The old man ignored the gazes of the crowd, walked to the high platform, and took the Seven Kill Sword from the case.

The moment his fingers touched the hilt, the baleful aura of the Seven Kill Sword erupted violently, surging from the blade like tangible black mist.

"A fine sword!"

The old man said in a low voice, his tone very soft.

But in the silent hall, everyone heard him clearly.

"I am glad you like it, Senior." Zhou Wenbin accompanied his words with a fawning smile and cupped his hands: "According to the rules, for three million five hundred thousand taels, would you like to pay in silver notes or gold notes? The Treasure Pavilion also accepts other rare treasures, though they must be calculated based on the Treasure Pavilion's appraisal."

The old man did not answer.

He held the Seven Kill Sword, his fingers gently stroking the blade as if caressing a long-lost treasure.

The baleful aura of the Seven Kill Sword swirled around his palm, the black mist coiling around his wrists, yet it could not harm him in the slightest.

"Senior?" Zhou Wenbin's smile stiffened: "This sword... do you still want it?"

"I do!" The old man raised his head and glanced at Zhou Wenbin: "Of course I do."

"Then, about the silver..."

"I don't have any."

Zhou Wenbin's smile froze completely.

"Senior, what do you mean by this?" Zhou Wenbin's voice turned cold: "The rules of the Treasure Pavilion are payment upon delivery. If you cannot produce the silver, this Seven Kill Sword cannot be given to you."

"Rules?" A mocking smile appeared at the corner of the old man's mouth, his tone suddenly turning icy, and his gaze swept across Zhou Wenbin's face like a blade: "Twenty-five years ago, when the Marquis met with disaster, you jackals rushed into the Marquis of Tiannan's Mansion to loot and commit every evil imaginable. How dare you talk to me about rules?"

"You... are you from the Marquis of Tiannan's Mansion?"

Zhou Wenbin's expression changed, and he instinctively took a step back.

"I did not come here today to buy a sword." The old man did not answer, speaking to himself: "The Seven Kill Sword was originally the property of the Marquis of Tiannan's Mansion. I have merely come to reclaim what belongs to my own house. As for you jackals, today I shall collect a bit of interest."

Before the words had even faded, the Seven Kill Sword transformed into a streak of black light, thrusting straight at Zhou Wenbin's throat.

Before the blade arrived, the overwhelming baleful aura pressed down on Zhou Wenbin like a physical weight, making it difficult for him to breathe, as if an invisible hand were strangling his throat.