"Eh, the scent of a new manual?"
In the residential compound, Li Hu had long since reached Three Breaths Nine Breaks and acquired a courtyard of his own. He simply hadn't managed to reach Nine Breaks in One Breath, so he couldn't take part in the Grand Martial Arts Arena training.
Lately, whenever he wasn't practicing, he had often worried over how to find a martial arts manual for Lu Ming.
But he still hadn't found one.
Just then, his eyes flashed. He sensed the unfamiliar scent of a martial arts manual drawing near.
Following his instincts, he quietly stepped out of his courtyard. At once, he spotted Chen Feng and Chen Jinyang excitedly discussing something.
He sensed that the manual was on Chen Feng. A trace of disappointment crossed his face.
Another manual that already belonged to someone—and it was in the hands of a genius like Chen Feng. He certainly wouldn't be able to get it.
"...Senior Zhou... Lingyun Sect disciple... lure Lu Ming out..."
He was about to head back when he suddenly heard Chen Jinyang saying some strange things. They involved Lu Ming?
He vaguely sensed the scent of a plot, and hurriedly shrank back, hiding around a corner to listen closely.
Before long, Chen Feng and Chen Jinyang cautiously entered the courtyard.
A trace of alarm appeared in Li Hu's eyes. He had heard that Chen Feng had placed first in the small test. He was the top-ranked student in this year's Military Service Bureau.
Someone like him was plotting against Lu Ming with an influential figure from outside?
Li Hu's heart tightened. He looked around, saw no one, and immediately hurried away. He went to Lu Ming's courtyard and knocked on the door.
"Senior Brother Lu, this is bad. Chen Feng and Chen Jinyang are planning to deal with you. And that Shen Changfeng from before..."
After entering, Li Hu anxiously blurted out everything he knew, then finished by saying:
"Senior Brother, don't fall for their trick. Don't leave the Military Service Bureau."
Sensing Li Hu's concern, Lu Ming felt grateful. Li Hu really did consider him a friend.
He had planned to give Li Hu some Qi-Enhancing Pills or Sweet Dew Powder, but he only had five portions left himself. So he quietly kept this favor in mind, planning to repay him later.
After Li Hu left, Lu Ming turned around, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Shen Changfeng had actually earned Zhou Zhen's esteem and been given the authority to recruit disciples for the Lingyun Sect!
Wasn't Zhou Zhen a cast-off disciple of the Lingyun Sect? How could he still recruit disciples?
Lu Ming realized that Zhou Zhen had likely come to Red Cloud County with another scheme in mind. His supposed status as an outcast of the Lingyun Sect was merely a cover.
Could he have noticed that this year's students in Red Cloud County included a genius and come early to recruit him? Lu Ming wondered.
Then another thought crossed his mind: Chen Jinyang...
A hint of killing intent appeared in his eyes. Shen Jue and Chen Jinyang had been close friends. Shen Jue had come to kill him, only to be killed by him instead.
If Chen Jinyang wanted to use him as a stepping stone, Lu Ming wouldn't mind sending him off to keep Shen Jue company.
And Chen Feng—his talent was indeed impressive.
But if Chen Feng chose to oppose him, he shouldn't blame Lu Ming for showing no mercy.
Lu Ming quickly regained his composure and turned back to practicing Cloud-Piercing Finger.
As long as he stayed in the Military Service Bureau, his life would be safe. He had no desire to guess whether Chen Feng and the others would actually move against him.
When soldiers came, he'd block them; when water came, he'd dam it up. He only needed to focus on grinding out his divine abilities.
[Currently evolving Acupoint Divine Ability (6244/10000)...] [Currently evolving Acupoint Divine Ability (6248/10000)...]
"Only 4 experience points each time. Too slow!"
Lu Ming practiced twice, and still felt the pace was far too slow.
His acupoint experience was already more than halfway there, but at this rate, he would still be a few hundred points short of evolving his third Acupoint Divine Ability a month from now.
That meant he wouldn't make it in time for the Grand Examination!
He couldn't accept that. He was so close—he had to catch up before the Grand Examination, no matter what.
First, evolving a third Acupoint Divine Ability would help him achieve a better result in the Grand Examination.
Second, even if he failed to enter a Ranked Sect, having a third Acupoint Divine Ability would greatly expand his options in battle and help him deal with Shen Changfeng.
I've told Feng Qingzhu so many stories these past few days. I should try bringing up the Eighteen Green Bamboo Forms.
Lu Ming thought to himself.
Feng Qingzhu had been taken away by the Green Bamboo Gang. He had decided that when she returned, he would lay everything out with her.
The thought crossed his mind, but he patiently continued practicing Cloud-Piercing Finger.
It was slow, but at least he gained 4 points each time—a steady return. And he could also improve his Cloud-Piercing Finger, hoping to reach Minor Completion soon.
If the Grand Examination weren't so close, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry.
Afternoon.
"Knock, knock, knock." Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
Lu Ming was breathing slightly hard. He stopped practicing, wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve, and opened the door, his gaze flickering.
A familiar face stood outside. It was none other than Chen Jinyang.
"Brother Lu, you placed third in the small test and have a bright future ahead of you. I've come to offer my congratulations." Chen Jinyang clasped his hands and smiled.
A glint flashed in Lu Ming's eyes. So he's here at last!
He ushered Chen Jinyang into the courtyard and smiled. "Brother Chen, feel free to speak plainly."
A trace of surprise appeared in Chen Jinyang's eyes. Lu Ming was quite perceptive. Though born a commoner, he spoke with uncommon poise. No wonder Shen Jue had always thought so highly of him.
But this sort of cleverness was of little use.
So what if his martial talent surpassed Chen Jinyang's? Without the backing of a martial family, he would never get far.
Chen Jinyang stared at Lu Ming, thinking that Shen Changfeng would soon kill him. A trace of superiority welled up inside him.
He smiled and said, "To be frank, I've come today on behalf of my family to recruit you, Brother Lu!
"Brother Lu, you're exceptionally talented, but your background has held you back and delayed your martial training.
"With the Chen Family's support, someone as talented as you might even surpass my fifth younger brother and place first among this year's students at the Military Service Bureau.
"If you're willing to serve as a guest of the Chen Family, then once you join a sect and repay us in the future, my Chen Family is willing to provide you with two Hundred Herb Pills every day for your training."
The Hundred Herb Pill was the Chen Family's secret cultivation medicine. Its special quality was that it could be taken alongside other cultivation medicines, such as Qi-Enhancing Pills, with both remaining effective.
Even taking Hundred Herb Pills alone, one day of cultivation could match someone else's three. Its medicinal effects were excellent.
Lu Ming's eyes lit up at the mention of the pills. He had heard of the Hundred Herb Pill before. It was the foundation on which the Chen Family had been built.
Two pills a day? The Chen Family was certainly generous! Too bad this was nothing but empty promises, meant only to lure him out.
A faint trace of mockery rose in his heart, but his face showed that he was tempted.
Seeing this, Chen Jinyang smiled with confidence. He had known that Lu Ming could be bought with a little inducement.
People born in the mud were mostly like that.
He calmly said, "I've booked a banquet at the Red Sun Pavilion to welcome you into the Chen Family. I'll introduce you to some important figures from the family then. Will you be free this evening, Brother Lu?"
Lu Ming sneered inwardly. So he really is trying to lure me out.
He pretended to ponder. "I'm free, but Shen Changfeng has inexplicably decided to target me. If I go out, I may be in danger."
Chen Jinyang smiled. "Now that you're joining my Chen Family, we'll naturally make all the proper arrangements for you.
"Senior Brother Shen is simply grieving over Shen Jue and has misunderstood you.
"An important figure from my Chen Family is willing to speak on your behalf and help resolve your dispute with Senior Brother Shen, so you can bury the hatchet.
"Everything has been arranged, so please rest assured."
Only then did Lu Ming readily agree. "In that case, Brother Chen, lend me a token. I still need to practice for a while. I'll go to the Red Sun Pavilion on my own when the time comes. With a token on me, there'll be no misunderstanding."
Chen Jinyang praised him. "No wonder you've made a name for yourself, Brother Lu. Few people could match your diligence."
Then he rejoiced inwardly. Lu Ming had asked him for a token. It had worked!
To put Lu Ming at ease, he immediately took off the jade pendant at his waist and handed it to him.
"This is a jade pendant belonging to a direct descendant of the Chen Family. Just show it, and you'll be able to come and go freely at the Red Sun Pavilion."
Lu Ming took the pendant. "Thank you, Brother Chen."
Chen Jinyang then took his leave, a trace of delight appearing in his eyes as he turned away.
By bringing this about, he had earned great merit. One day, he would have a place of his own in the Chen Family.
Lu Ming closed the courtyard gate and gently stroked the warm jade pendant in his hand, giving a cold smile. This time, I'll make sure you're dead meat!
Before you continue