Opportunity and Conspiracy

"Master Wei! This disciple wonders what instructions you have for summoning me?"

Lu Ming stepped forward and bowed to Wei Jinlin, speaking with a hint of deference.

Wei Jinlin studied Lu Ming and nodded slightly. "I noticed your breakthrough to Flesh Refining long ago, but I'm somewhat surprised you managed third place in the small test."

Lu Ming's heart stirred, and he quickly replied, "All thanks to Master Wei's excellent teaching."

Wei Jinlin said, "I'll speak plainly. Your achievement here relies on your ability to fuse and control different martial arts. You've managed to combine the Nine Palaces Palm and the Cloud-Stepping Technique so well—even if only at the Initiate stage, it's commendable."

Lu Ming was taken aback. Combine the Nine Palaces Stakes and the Cloud-Stepping Technique? He hadn't done that! How did Wei Jinlin see it? After a moment's thought, he understood. The parts of the small test where he'd used the Nine Palaces Palm were just for show, striking the Iron Stake while actually employing the Mountain-Pushing Divine Ability's power. Wei Jinlin must have mistaken his divine ability for some kind of fusion technique. That worked out well—it gave him a plausible explanation to better conceal the divine ability's existence.

Lu Ming smiled and said, "This disciple does have a bit of talent, indeed. I didn't expect Master Wei's keen eye to spot it. I'm in awe!"

Wei Jinlin glanced at Lu Ming's smug expression and said flatly, "Don't get too cocky. This bit of talent is like a chicken rib—barely worth anything. Being merely at the Initiate stage means nothing. If you can consistently cultivate multiple techniques to the Minor Completion stage, or even Mastery, then you'd be considered decent. I summoned you today to give you an opportunity. If you can train the Cloud-Piercing Finger to Minor Completion before the Grand Examination, I'll teach you another skill for free."

Lu Ming's eyes lit up. Learn another martial art for free? Whatever Wei Jinlin offered would be at least a second-rate technique! His heart raced. If he could get that, it would only benefit him. But the Cloud-Piercing Finger, a second-rate martial art, was harder to Initiate than the first-rate lightness skill Cloud-Stepping Technique, and it wasn't a case of hard first, easy later—it got tougher the further he went. He'd spent over ten days just to Initiate, and under normal circumstances, he'd need at least three months to reach the next stage, Minor Completion. That was even with his access to cultivation medicines like Sweet Dew Powder and some talent in acupoints.

Martial arts were divided into qi and blood cultivation and martial technique realms. Qi and blood cultivation referred to the growth of his qi and blood power during training—Skin Refining, Flesh Refining, Tendon Refining, and so on. Martial technique realms indicated what level a specific skill had reached. For any given martial art, there were stages: Initiate, Minor Completion, Mastery, and Grand Completion. If a martial technique's realm was high, it could often unleash power beyond one's qi and blood cultivation. In common storybooks, the trope of defeating enemies above one's rank sometimes came from the protagonist's martial technique realm being deeper than the opponent's.

Either way, agreeing wouldn't hurt him. Lu Ming spoke up, "Yes! I'll do my utmost."

Wei Jinlin nodded slightly, turned, and left, though he didn't hold much hope. Lu Ming had taken over ten days just to Initiate the Cloud-Piercing Finger; reaching Minor Completion within the next month would be extremely difficult. But without such talent, cultivating the Formless Divine Art would be like looking at flowers through a fog—ultimately separated by a layer, hard to achieve greatness. It was up to his fate. With that thought, Wei Jinlin dismissed Lu Ming's matter and turned his mind to the impending relocation of the Red Cloud County Military Service Bureau. In four days, they would arrive.

Today's Military Service Bureau small test, involving Demon Meat, had drawn covert attention from all major powers. As soon as the results were confirmed, they quietly spread throughout the city. Chen Feng, Feng Qingzhu, and the others were taken back by their respective factions after the test ended.

At the Shen Family, in a quiet courtyard, Shen Changfeng was in seclusion, striving for Tendon Refining Grand Completion, when he suddenly heard a "thump thump thump" knock on the door. Veins bulged on his forehead. He opened his eyes, a flash of brutality surfacing, and rose abruptly to push the door open. His imposing aura pressed down on his trusted subordinate, whose face paled as he stumbled back. "Didn't I say, when I'm in seclusion, don't come to me unless it's a major matter?" Shen Changfeng's gloomy voice carried a chilling murderous intent.

The subordinate said cautiously, "Sir, you said any critical intelligence on Lu Ming should be delivered to you immediately."

"Lu Ming?" Shen Changfeng's gaze sharpened, then he reined in his aura. "What's going on?"

The subordinate quickly replied, "Today's Military Service Bureau small test, the top three will each receive a portion of Demon Meat. First place was Chen Feng, second was Feng Qingzhu. Lu Ming surpassed Liu Yiyi and Zhao Zhiqiu to take third."

Shen Changfeng said, "What did you say?! What cultivation level is Lu Ming at now?"

The trusted subordinate said, "He just broke through to Flesh Refining."

Then he added, "Liu Yiyi is also at Flesh Refining, while Zhao Zhiqiu is at Flesh Refining Perfection."

"Such talent!" Shen Changfeng's brows knitted tightly. "Though they can't be called geniuses, if there's even a chance they could join a sect, they'd be a menace."

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly sneered, "Three days ago, Senior Zhou bestowed a great elixir upon me. Soon, I will break through to Tendon Refining Perfection."

"Moreover, Senior Zhou has already agreed to recommend the Sword Qi Sect to the Lingyun Sect as an affiliated sect."

"As long as the Sword Qi Sect can recruit and select disciples of good aptitude for the Lingyun Sect this year, this matter can be accomplished."

"Now, I am fully in charge of this. There are plenty of people to do my bidding."

"Go at once and secretly spread word: among the Military Service Bureau disciples, whoever can lure Lu Ming out of the bureau, I will grant them a position as a Lingyun Sect disciple!"

The trusted subordinate acknowledged and left.

Shen Changfeng's eyes blazed with murderous intent. According to past custom, if a Military Service Bureau disciple died while out in the field, it would be considered their own fault, and Wei Jinlin would not hold anyone accountable. As long as he could lure Lu Ming out, he would make sure the boy never returned.

At the Military Service Bureau.

Chen Feng returned from the Chen family estate, brimming with pride. Winning first place in the small test had greatly elevated his standing within the clan.

The clan head had finally passed down the Chen family's secret technique—the heart-method formula of the Returning Wind and Willow-Sweeping Blade.

This meant he had been added to the Chen family's list of key training candidates.

He had brought the secret manual with him, intending to study it carefully. If he could grasp its essence thoroughly, with the Demon Meat and the family's rewards before the Grand Examination, he was certain to break through to the Tendon Refining realm.

He entered the compound area and was nearing his own courtyard when he saw someone walking hurriedly not far away. That person's eyes lit up upon seeing him, and he strode over quickly.

It was Chen Jinyang.

Chen Feng smiled and said, "Brother Jinyang, is there something you need?"

Chen Jinyang's eyes gleamed with excitement as he said, "Fifth Brother, have you heard? Shen Changfeng has gained Senior Zhou's favor and now has the authority to recruit Lingyun Sect disciples!"

"He's put out word: whoever can lure Lu Ming out of the Military Service Bureau will become a Lingyun Sect disciple!"

"I know that even if I went to the Lingyun Sect, I wouldn't be able to stay securely, but Fifth Brother surely can!"

Chen Feng's expression shifted. Securing a guaranteed spot would make things much more stable.

Chen Jinyang was about to speak further, but Chen Feng raised a hand to stop him, glanced around, and said, "Let's talk inside."

He then led Chen Jinyang into his courtyard.