Root Bone Improved Once More, Upper-Middle

April 20th.

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

Morning mist draped over Qingshi Town like a thin veil, the distant mountains looming faintly within the haze, while the bluestone paths remained damp with the previous night's dew.

Chen Xuan's figure appeared at the town entrance, walking slowly toward the branch headquarters on Cross Street.

He had walked all night; his robes were covered in dust and dew, and his shoulders and cuffs were wrinkled from the night wind, yet his stride remained steady, showing no signs of fatigue. His physique in the Zhuqi Realm was more than enough to sustain such a long trek.

The guards at the branch entrance saw Chen Xuan and hurried over to greet him, their faces filled with relief.

"Branch Master, you've returned!" one guard immediately stepped forward and said, "Internal Affairs Envoy Zhao is waiting for you in the council hall."

"Internal Affairs Envoy Zhao came by yesterday, but when he saw you weren't at the branch, he left. He came back again before dawn today," the other guard added.

"Internal Affairs Envoy Zhao?"

Chen Xuan's heart stirred.

The Internal Affairs Envoy assisted the gang leader in managing the internal affairs of the Red Sun Gang. They were generally trusted confidants of the leader, and their status was higher than that of a branch master.

The Internal Affairs Envoy of the Red Sun Gang was none other than Zhao Yuanshan.

"I understand."

Chen Xuan nodded, stepped into the branch courtyard, and walked toward the council hall not far away.

Inside the council hall, a figure sat waiting.

This person was none other than Zhao Yuanshan.

"Junior Brother Chen." Upon seeing Chen Xuan appear, Zhao Yuanshan immediately stood up and said, "You've finally returned."

"Senior Brother Zhao, you've come so early—is there something important?"

Chen Xuan asked.

"Sit down and we'll talk."

Zhao Yuanshan waved his hand.

Chen Xuan entered the council hall, and the two took their respective seats as host and guest.

Immediately, a gang member brought in a cup of hot tea. Zhao Yuanshan's tea was also replaced with a fresh cup before the member tactfully withdrew.

Zhao Yuanshan picked up his teacup, took a sip, set it down, and looked at Chen Xuan, getting straight to the point: "Have you heard about the situation in Baishui Town, Junior Brother Chen?"

"Baishui Town?"

Chen Xuan's heart stirred.

He was the one who had done it, so how could he not know?

However, he remained calm on the surface: "Such a major event, of course I've heard of it. Someone wiped out the Blood Wolf Gang's branch in Baishui Town. The Blood Wolf Gang is furious and has posted a bounty for the culprit. The news reached Qingshi Town long ago."

"Indeed, the Blood Wolf Gang's Baishui Town branch was wiped out by a single person." Zhao Yuanshan nodded: "The branch master, Han Tieshan, is dead, his heart pierced by a sword. There was also a Body Tempering ninth-level expert, Zhao Hanjiang, hiding there who also died. To this day, no one knows who the culprit is."

Chen Xuan picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and did not respond.

"But that's not the point." Zhao Yuanshan changed the subject: "The point is who controls Baishui Town now. Having lost the town, the Blood Wolf Gang has essentially lost an arm. With two Body Tempering ninth-level experts dead, they couldn't hold that territory. Our gang leader and Master Wan of the Iron Sword Sect acted simultaneously to seize Baishui Town from the Blood Wolf Gang."

Chen Xuan set down his teacup: "The Red Sun Gang and the Iron Sword Sect have joined forces?"

"Temporarily." Zhao Yuanshan nodded: "Baishui Town is a piece of fat meat that everyone wants to swallow whole, but neither side can manage it alone. To avoid mutual destruction, the gang leader and Master Wan discussed it and decided to join forces to take the town first, then discuss how to divide it."

Chen Xuan asked: "What was the outcome of the discussion?"

"The town was taken, but both sides want a larger share." Zhao Yuanshan gave a wry smile: "In the end, Master Wan proposed a plan: a competition among the younger generation. Whoever wins gets sixty percent."

Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow: "A competition?"

"Correct." Zhao Yuanshan explained: "The participants must be under twenty years old and must be disciples currently in Lianshan City. You cannot call people back from the sect, borrow people from the prefecture city, or find outside help. The rules are simple: both sides send three people, best of three. However, you can send different people for each round, or the same person can fight all three rounds. As long as you win two, you win."

"I understand." Chen Xuan said: "The gang leader wants me to participate?"

"Exactly!" Zhao Yuanshan nodded: "Junior Brother Chen, you entered the sect at fourteen and have been training for three years; you are only seventeen this year, which fits the age requirement. Furthermore, although you are ostensibly at the seventh level of Body Tempering, your true strength is beyond that. The gang leader said that if you win one round, you will be credited with a minor merit. If you can win all three rounds, you will be credited with a major merit."

"Fine, I agree. When does the competition start?"

Chen Xuan asked.

Merits in the Guiyuan Sect could be used to exchange for cultivation techniques, medicinal pills, weapons, and other resources. His current Vajra Technique was a top-tier technique and sufficient for now, but if he were to encounter true disciples from hegemonic forces in the future who had mastered supreme arts, it might fall short.

Therefore, he needed to accumulate merits to exchange for higher-level techniques later.

"The competition is at noon three days from now, in Baishui Town. Both our gang leader and Master Wan of the Iron Sword Sect will be there." Zhao Yuanshan said: "Prepare well. I will return to report back. On the morning of the third day, I will come to accompany you to Baishui Town."

Zhao Yuanshan said.

"No problem."

Chen Xuan nodded.

After seeing Zhao Yuanshan off.

Chen Xuan returned to his room.

He closed the door and took the few Marrow Cleansing Pills out from his robes.

There were five Marrow Cleansing Pills in total.

His current aptitude was medium; five Marrow Cleansing Pills were enough to raise his aptitude from medium to medium-high.

Chen Xuan sat cross-legged on the bed and placed one Marrow Cleansing Pill into his mouth.

The pill melted the moment it touched his tongue, turning into a stream of warm energy that flowed down his throat into his abdomen, then spread throughout his limbs and bones, the warm current nourishing his body like a spring rain.

Chen Xuan could clearly feel the medicinal power penetrating deep into his bone marrow, changing his constitution bit by bit.

Chen Xuan closed his eyes and focused, guiding the medicinal power to circulate within his bone marrow. It was a strange, tingling sensation, as if countless ants were crawling deep inside his bones, or as if someone were gently pricking him with fine needles; it wasn't excruciating, but it was difficult to endure.

Time ticked away bit by bit.

Half an hour later, the medicinal power of the first Marrow Cleansing Pill was completely absorbed.

Chen Xuan opened his eyes and stretched his limbs, which let out a series of cracking sounds. He felt his body had become a little lighter and his five senses slightly sharper, though the change was not obvious.

"One is not enough."

Chen Xuan did not hesitate and placed the second Marrow Cleansing Pill into his mouth.

The familiar sensation returned, the warm medicinal power surging against his bone marrow like a tide. He let out a muffled groan, enduring the intense pain of marrow cleansing.

This was a necessary step in cleansing the marrow and cutting the bones.

If he were to give up halfway, not only would his previous efforts be wasted, but he would also damage his foundation.

Another half hour passed.

The second Marrow Cleansing Pill was fully absorbed.

Chen Xuan did not stop and continued to take the third one.

With three Marrow Cleansing Pills in his stomach, Chen Xuan finally felt a significant change. His blood and qi became more vigorous, flowing through his meridians like a rushing river, and some impurities within his body had been expelled.

"Again!"

Chen Xuan took the fourth Marrow Cleansing Pill.

After taking this pill, the medicinal power seeped into his bone marrow like a raging fire. The pain made his whole body tremble, and cold sweat soaked his clothes.

But he knew this was the critical moment of the marrow cleansing.

Half an hour later, the medicinal power of the fourth Marrow Cleansing Pill was absorbed.

Chen Xuan's face was somewhat pale, but his eyes shone with excitement. He could feel that his aptitude was only one step away from a breakthrough.

"The last one!"

Chen Xuan did not hesitate and swallowed the fifth Marrow Cleansing Pill.

This time, the medicinal power was no longer violent, but became as gentle as water, like spring rain moistening things silently.

That gentle force slowly penetrated deep into his bone marrow, clearing away the last traces of impurities and stimulating the final bit of his potential.

Chen Xuan was immersed in this wonderful feeling, as if he were in a hot spring, feeling unprecedented comfort.

Soon, half an hour passed.

Host: Chen Xuan
Fate: Zhaoxi Bizheng
Aptitude: Medium-high
Realm: Zhuqi Realm First Layer (Pimai Initial Stage)
Martial Arts: Giant Whale Body Refining Technique/Ninth Layer, Mountain Crushing Fist/Great Success, Vajra Technique/Fifth Layer (Qi Meridians Opened: 36/72), Nine Shadow Killing Sword/Second Layer (Proficient)
Zhaoxi Value: 0

Chen Xuan looked at the panel.

His aptitude had indeed risen to medium-high.