The Trials of the Origin Blood Realm, Chaos, and the Evolution of the Extreme Seal: Blessing Meat, Evolving Branches

"Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat first?"

Li Qianqian smiled, and only then did Qiu Tongdan pat her own head, laughing, "Look at my memory. Come, let's go have some tea. I just happened to have someone buy some Zhou's Pastries, let's taste them together."

Following this, the two walked into the mansion.

Qiu Tongdan was quite tall, standing a full 1.8 meters, with a sturdy build and a somewhat square face. She walked with a bold, vigorous stride; if one didn't look closely, they might mistake her for a man.

Her appearance was not as refined as Li Qianqian's, and at a glance, she was clearly a martial artist.

Li Qianqian, who stood 1.75 meters tall, stood beside her.

She appeared quite delicate and petite in comparison.

"Qianqian, I really envy you. You have good natural talent, you're beautiful, and your figure is even this good. You don't get bulky from practicing martial arts; instead, everything is in the right place. I'm truly envious."

Qiu Tongdan was forthright and even reached out to pinch Li Qianqian's hip.

She sighed in constant amazement.

A few black lines flashed across Li Qianqian's forehead as she sighed lightly, "Xiao Ni, you're still as reckless as ever."

Qiu Tongdan asked curiously, "Qianqian, I can't see through you anymore. You haven't reached the Origin Blood Realm, have you?"

When she said this.

A look of envy appeared on Qiu Tongdan's face.

The Origin Blood Realm was a realm that countless people dreamed of; only by reaching this stage could one truly be called a martial artist.

In Black Cloud County, only those who reached the Origin Blood Realm were considered true figures of importance!

And how old was Li Qianqian? To be able to touch upon this realm meant her future was limitless.

"I have only just barely touched the threshold. I've been practicing breathing techniques and nourishing my Blood Membrane during this time, but I'm still a long, long way from that step."

Li Qianqian shook her head, a flash of longing in her eyes, "If I could find some Treasure Blood, perhaps it could accelerate the speed at which I condense my Blood Membrane, allowing me to step into the Origin Blood Realm sooner!"

The Blood-Tempering Realm is for condensing qi and blood.

The Blood-Coagulation Realm is for condensing even purer blood energy!

A martial artist in the Origin Blood Realm must construct a Blood Membrane within their body using their blood energy; only by condensing this Blood Membrane can one be considered a true Origin Blood martial artist.

Once the Blood Membrane is condensed, the martial artist undergoes a complete transformation, using the membrane to refine their blood energy into something as thick and heavy as lead. After reaching this realm, a typical Origin Blood martial artist's base strength can reach around a thousand jin, and the Blood Membrane born within their body not only tempers their tendons and bones but also provides all-around protection for their entire body.

If the Blood Membrane is not exhausted, they could stand still and let a Blood-Coagulation Realm martial artist hack at them without suffering any substantial harm!

Only by reaching the Origin Blood Realm can one be called a martial artist.

And she was still a very long way from that step!

"Treasure Blood..."

Qiu Tongdan murmured. Even with her family's deep pockets, she wouldn't dare to dream of something like Treasure Blood.

"How have you been lately? What stage has your cultivation reached?"

Li Qianqian changed the subject, and Qiu Tongdan shook her head, saying, "Hasn't my father been ill? I've been busy sorting out the family business during this time and haven't had time to practice martial arts. At most, I'm just maintaining my internal qi and blood so it doesn't weaken, but making progress is difficult."

She sighed deeply.

She had been sent to the Fist Academy to learn martial arts in her teens.

Although her natural talent was average, her family was wealthy, so she only entered the Blood-Tempering Realm after several years of study, and further cultivation became difficult.

During this period, she had been following her parents to learn how to manage the business, gradually setting aside her martial arts practice. Being able to maintain the late stage of the Blood-Tempering Realm was already quite good.

Practicing martial arts is no easy task!

The two sat in a waterside pavilion, tasting the Zhou's Pastries and chatting for a while.

Only then did Li Qianqian speak up, "Xiao Ni, I remember your father has been looking for a live-in son-in-law for you recently, right? A young man recently came to the Fist Academy; he's quite handsome, diligent, and honest. Would you like to consider him?"

As soon as this was mentioned, Qiu Tongdan's face fell.

It was clear she had no intention of finding a live-in son-in-law.

But seeing that Li Qianqian had rarely come to plead for someone, she reluctantly agreed to meet him once.

In her heart, Qiu Tongdan had already decided to find an excuse to reject him tomorrow.

"It will take three days to finish? I'll come by to take a look then; if there are no problems, you can deliver the goods."

Shi Wen walked out of the blacksmith shop.

His heart was filled with even more emotion.

Practicing martial arts really is a bottomless pit!

Not to mention the daily expenses for food and tonics.

Just customizing the iron stakes and iron sand specifically for practicing Iron Whip Leg cost three taels of silver as a deposit. Every aspect of practicing martial arts requires money!

Wanting to be a martial artist is truly not easy.

"The hour is late; it is time to return."

Gazing at the setting sun, Shi Wen pondered a few things and rose, intending to leave.

Yet, he discovered a commotion ahead, a cacophony of chaotic sounds flooding his ears.

He stared in that direction, his brows knitting together.

A massive crowd approached from the end of the street, long banners and streamers fluttering in the wind. A Daoist, carried atop a sedan chair, grabbed chunks of meat from a bag and tossed them into the surroundings, causing a swarm of people to scramble for them!

That Daoist had a goatee and a gaunt appearance.

He looked easygoing, yet his narrow, elongated eyes were as sharp as blades.

Behind him, many men in Daoist robes maintained order, surrounded by impoverished commoners who supported him.

Every time the goatee-wearing Daoist threw a piece of meat, many people would rush to pick it up from the ground.

The sky grew dim.

The Daoists carrying the sedan, the Daoist distributing the meat, the impoverished commoners scrambling for it, and the eerie sound of musical instruments...

This scene exuded a bizarre atmosphere.

Shi Wen felt an indescribable oppression and quickly hid in the doorway of a blacksmith shop, letting the crowd pass first.

The swarming mass of people passed by him. During this time, Shi Wen sat on a small stool at the blacksmith shop with his head lowered, not looking at anyone.

"The shackles of the world are but a dream; formless, imageless, and without a self!"

"The poor calculate fate, the rich burn incense; stumbling and tumbling, they ask of yin and yang. If one simply does their duty, why would they need the Immortal Mother to bestow a remedy?"

"The Immortal Mother lacks not for three sticks of incense; good hearts and good thoughts bring forth fortune..."

The goatee-wearing Daoist at the head, seated on the sedan, spoke in a voice that seemed to possess a bewitching magic, capable of stirring the deepest desires within a person's heart.

Shi Wen dared not listen.

The environment was noisy and chaotic, the impoverished commoners scrambling for the meat in a state of hysterical madness.

He did not know who had kicked it.

A piece of meat the size of a red date appeared at Shi Wen's feet—square, reddish, and looking no different from ordinary dried meat.

Shi Wen curiously picked it up to observe it, yet he could discern nothing unusual.

Just as he was about to discard it, he discovered that the Extreme Seal in his palm had suddenly manifested a line of text.

[Contaminated Fortune Meat, available evolutionary branches: 3]

[1, Fish-Dragon Fortune Meat: Contains a trace of extremely faint and pure Fish-Dragon Precious Blood; consuming it may nourish the physique (1h)]

[2, Hell Demon Skull Black Disaster Dragon Fish Meat: A piece of meat contaminated by the source of Hell Disaster; consuming it will lead to unexpected changes (100 years)]

[3, Red Flow Demon Flame Disaster Fire Dragon Fish Meat: A piece of meat contaminated by the source of Flame Disaster; consuming it will lead to unexpected changes (100 years)]

[Please select an evolutionary branch...]

Gazing at this sight, a strange look flashed in Shi Wen's eyes.