Transforming Strength, Year's End

"Although you relied on hidden weapons and movement techniques to luckily kill the Third Master of Black Cloud Stronghold, that does not mean you possess the strength to truly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Transformation Realm."

Cao Yang looked straight at Lu Yuan, then said indifferently.

"And so what?"

Lu Yuan's expression remained unchanged, his gaze still calm and rippleless.

"If I am not mistaken, your innate talent should not be exceptional, right?"

A trace of arrogance appeared in Cao Yang's eyes as he continued: "On the path of martial arts, cultivation is the foundation. If your innate talent is insufficient, even with resources, it is difficult to grow rapidly. But I am different. My innate talent is superb; I am a true first-class genius. My growth speed is far beyond what you can compare to. As long as there are sufficient resources, even entering the ranks before the Martial Examination is not a difficult task."

"Get to the point!"

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"If you are willing to sell this Century-Old Blood Ginseng to me, I will definitely be able to enter the ranks before the Martial Examination."

Cao Yang pointed at the sandalwood box in Lu Yuan's hand and said directly.

"Whether you can enter the ranks before the Martial Examination has nothing to do with me. I have my own use for this Century-Old Blood Ginseng."

Lu Yuan replied in a calm, indifferent tone.

"Lu Yuan, you are also planning to participate in this year's Martial Examination after the new year, right?"

Cao Yang frowned slightly and said in a deep voice: "If you can sell this Century-Old Blood Ginseng to me and help me enter the ranks before the Martial Examination, then after the Martial Examination begins, I can also help you pass smoothly. At the very least, you could secure the title of Martial Scholar. Otherwise, relying on yourself alone, it is simply impossible!"

"I have the confidence to pass the Martial Examination on my own. If there is nothing else, I will be leaving now!"

Lu Yuan said calmly, then turned and walked away.

"Whoosh!"

However, Cao Yang shifted his body and directly blocked Lu Yuan's path.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Lu Yuan frowned.

"You had better think clearly. Although you might be able to pass as a Martial Scholar on your own without my help, if I do not want you to get your wish, then no matter what, you will never pass!"

Cao Yang looked at Lu Yuan with a half-smile, his words full of threats.

"You can try!"

Lu Yuan gave Cao Yang an indifferent look, then strode away.

"Lu Yuan, wait!"

Just a few steps after leaving Guangchun Hall, a voice suddenly sounded from behind Lu Yuan.

He turned his head and saw Master Huang catching up with long strides.

"Does Master Huang also want the Century-Old Blood Ginseng in my hand?"

Lu Yuan stopped, looked up at Master Huang, and asked.

"You misunderstand. Although I do indeed want this Century-Old Blood Ginseng, since you were the one who rescued Second Master Zhou, it naturally belongs to you. It just means I have no affinity with it!"

Master Huang shook his head with a smile, then continued: "I came to remind you: you killed the Third Master of Black Cloud Stronghold, so Zuo Kui and the others will certainly not let this go. Also, it is best not to offend Cao Yang too much!"

"Your hidden weapons may be formidable, but they might not be able to deal with him. Furthermore, a first-class genius with such superb innate talent as him grows at a speed far beyond ordinary people. It is entirely possible for him to successfully enter the ranks before the Martial Examination."

"I understand!"

Lu Yuan nodded, noncommittal.

Perhaps his innate talent was inferior to Cao Yang's, but when it came to growth speed, he was confident he could far surpass his opponent.

As for the retaliation from Black Cloud Stronghold, he was not worried, because he was also about to break into the Transformation Realm.

By then, even if the Great Master of Black Cloud Stronghold, Zuo Kui, and the Second Master, Situ Ming, came together, he would not fear them in the slightest.

"By the way, the medicinal properties of this Century-Old Blood Ginseng are extremely fierce. Remember not to take too much at once, otherwise, it may cause your qi and blood to surge against your internal organs, or even lead to your body exploding and death. A small slice at a time is sufficient."

Master Huang nodded and continued: "As for this year's Martial Examination, do not hold too high expectations; just treat it as a chance to gain experience. Because this year's Martial Examination will likely be even more difficult. Unless you can successfully complete the third qi and blood tempering in the remaining month or so, there is almost no hope."

"Many thanks for the guidance, Master Huang!"

Lu Yuan did not say much, just nodded with a smile.

"Go on. Starting tomorrow, just like Cao Yang, you will eat three portions of meat every day, and you can also collect one dose of Qi-Replenishing Soup and Essence-Replenishing Soup!"

Master Huang nodded with a smile.

Clearly, this was also a reward for Lu Yuan carrying Zhou Wu back from Black Cloud Stronghold.

Lu Yuan said nothing more, simply cupping his hands in a slight salute toward Master Huang.

Over the next two days, Lu Yuan devoted himself entirely to practicing the Five Animals Fist.

A mere small slice of the blood ginseng allowed him to reach the terrifying progress of practicing five times a day.

Not only that, but the efficiency of nourishing his qi and blood with each practice of the Five Animals Fist had also improved significantly.

"It can begin!"

Lu Yuan took advantage of the night to step into the courtyard, feeling the full, robust surge of blood energy within his body.

Without hesitation, he immediately struck a pose and began his third round of blood energy tempering.

"Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh..."

Lu Yuan could almost faintly hear the blood energy inside him surging like relentless ocean waves.

He could also clearly feel every inch of his flesh, bones, and sinews trembling incessantly.

"Crackle, pop..."

His bones and joints resonated in unison, a series of crisp, bean-popping sounds erupting continuously from within Lu Yuan's body.

Pain!

It was excruciating!

Lu Yuan felt waves of searing, burning agony surging from every corner of his limbs and skeleton.

One could even see his skin glowing as if it were a piece of red-hot iron.

The rate at which his blood energy was being consumed was significantly faster than the previous two times.

In just this short while, Lu Yuan felt his mouth go dry and even experienced a slight sense of dizziness.

Immediately, he did not hesitate to shove a small slice of Blood Ginseng into his mouth.

In an instant, the blood energy within him erupted like a volcano; not only was it rapidly replenished, but it became even more abundant, boiling incessantly as it rampaged through his body.

The seemingly endless, agonizing pain made him want to roar out loud.

Yet, he forced himself to endure it; Madam Yang and Little Nannan were inside the house, and he could not wake them.

"Boom!"

With his spine arched like a great dragon and every muscle in his body taut, Lu Yuan felt as if a thunderclap had sounded in his ears.

Finally, the blood energy that had been rampaging through his body gathered together like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, then flowed into his limbs and bones, becoming extremely docile.

An unprecedented sense of control welled up within him; all the power in his body felt as if it had merged into one, no longer scattered, dead weight. With just a thought, he could make it perfectly unified or let it flow like mercury, seeping into every crevice.

Hua Jin, it was done!

Whoosh!

A cold wind blew, and snowflakes began to drift down.

Yet, as these snowflakes were about to land on Lu Yuan, they seemed to touch an invisible layer of energy and quietly slid to the side.

Though the snow grew heavier, no matter how dense the flakes became, not a single one could truly land upon him.

"Bang! Bang! Bang..."

Suddenly, the silence of the night was broken by the intermittent sound of firecrackers.

One could even see fireworks blooming in the distant sky.

Unknowingly, the end of the year had arrived!

Lu Yuan looked up at the colorful, brilliant fireworks in the sky, a smile involuntarily appearing on his face.