"Though you relied on hidden weapons and nimble footwork to get lucky and kill the Third Chieftain of Black Cloud Stronghold, that doesn't mean you truly possess strength on par with someone in the Transformation Realm."
Cao Yang looked straight at Lu Yuan, then spoke coolly.
"So what?"
Lu Yuan's expression didn't change. His gaze remained calm and still.
"If I'm not mistaken, your innate constitution isn't particularly exceptional either, is it?"
A trace of pride showed in Cao Yang's eyes as he continued, "In the martial path, cultivation is the foundation. Without a good innate constitution, even with resources, it's difficult to grow quickly. But I'm different. I have an exceptional constitution and am a true first-rate genius. My rate of growth is far beyond yours. As long as I have enough resources, reaching the first rank before the Martial Examination won't be difficult."
"Get to the point."
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"If you're willing to sell me that Century-Old Blood Ginseng, I'll definitely reach the first rank before the Martial Examination."
Cao Yang pointed at the sandalwood box in Lu Yuan's hands and got straight to the point.
"Whether you reach the first rank before the Martial Examination has nothing to do with me. I have a use for this Century-Old Blood Ginseng myself."
Lu Yuan replied calmly.
"Lu Yuan, you'll be taking this year's Martial Examination after the New Year, won't you?"
Cao Yang furrowed his brow and said in a low voice, "If you sell me that Century-Old Blood Ginseng and help me reach the first rank before the Martial Examination, then once the examination begins, I can help you pass as well. At the very least, I can help you earn the title of Martial Scholar. Otherwise, you have no chance on your own!"
"I'm confident I can pass the Martial Examination on my own. If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
Lu Yuan spoke calmly, then turned and walked away.
"Whoosh!"
But Cao Yang blurred across the path and blocked his way.
"What do you mean by this?"
Lu Yuan frowned.
"Think carefully. Without my help, perhaps you could pass the Martial Examination and become a Martial Scholar on your own. But if I don't want you to succeed, then there's no way you'll pass."
Cao Yang looked at Lu Yuan with a knowing smile, his words full of menace.
"Go ahead and try."
Lu Yuan gave Cao Yang an indifferent glance, then strode off.
"Lu Yuan, wait!"
He had barely left Guangchun Hall when another voice suddenly called out behind him.
He turned and saw Huang Hui hurrying after him.
"Did you come after the Century-Old Blood Ginseng too, Master Huang?"
Lu Yuan stopped and looked up at Huang Hui.
"You misunderstand. It's true that I want the Century-Old Blood Ginseng, but since you rescued Second Master Zhou, it rightfully belongs to you. I suppose it just wasn't meant to be mine." Huang Hui smiled and shook his head, then continued, "I came to remind you that you killed the Third Chieftain of Black Cloud Stronghold. Zuo Kui and the others won't let it go. And you'd best not offend Cao Yang too much, either."
"Your hidden weapon may be formidable, but it might not be enough to deal with him. Besides, a first-rate genius with a constitution as exceptional as his grows far faster than an ordinary person. It's entirely possible he'll reach the first rank before the Martial Examination."
"I understand."
Lu Yuan nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Perhaps his constitution wasn't as good as Cao Yang's, but when it came to speed of growth, he was confident he could far surpass him.
As for Black Cloud Stronghold's retaliation, he wasn't worried. He was about to break into the Transformation Realm himself.
By then, even if Zuo Kui, the First Chieftain of Black Cloud Stronghold, and Situ Ming, the Second Chieftain, came at him together, he wouldn't fear them in the least.
"By the way, the medicinal potency of this Century-Old Blood Ginseng is extremely fierce. Be sure not to take too much at once, or your Blood Qi may surge back into your internal organs and even cause you to explode. A small slice at a time is enough."
Master Huang nodded, then added, "As for this year's Martial Examination, don't set your hopes too high. Just treat it as a chance to broaden your horizons. This year's examination will likely be harder. Unless you can complete your third round of Blood Qi Tempering in the little more than a month you have left, you'll have almost no chance."
"Thank you for the advice, Master Huang!"
Lu Yuan said no more, only smiling and nodding.
"Go on. Starting tomorrow, you'll get three portions of meat a day, just like Cao Yang. You can also claim one serving each of Qi-Replenishing Soup and Essence-Replenishing Soup!"
Huang Hui nodded with a smile.
Clearly, this was Lu Yuan's reward for carrying Zhou Wu back from Black Cloud Stronghold.
Lu Yuan said nothing more, only clasping his hands and bowing slightly to Huang Hui.
For the next two days, Lu Yuan devoted himself to practicing the Five Animals Fist.
Just one small slice of Blood Ginseng had brought him to the astonishing pace of practicing five times a day.
Not only that, but every time he practiced the Five Animals Fist, the efficiency with which he nurtured his Blood Qi improved tremendously.
"I can start now!"
Under cover of night, Lu Yuan came to the courtyard and felt the abundant, powerful Blood Qi within him.
Without hesitation, he assumed his stance and began his third round of Blood Qi Tempering.
"Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh..."
Lu Yuan could almost hear the Blood Qi in his body surging without end like ocean waves.
He could clearly feel every inch of his flesh, sinews, and bones trembling.
"Crackling..."
His sinews and bones rang out together, a succession of sharp pops like beans bursting, echoing from within him.
Pain!
It hurt so much!
Lu Yuan felt waves of searing agony surging through every limb and bone.
He could even see that his skin from head to toe had turned red-hot, like an iron brand fresh from the fire.
His Blood Qi was also being depleted far faster than during the first two rounds.
In almost no time, Lu Yuan's mouth was parched and his throat dry. He was even beginning to feel dizzy.
Without hesitation, he immediately put a small slice of Blood Ginseng into his mouth.
In an instant, the Blood Qi within him erupted like a volcano. Not only was it replenished in a flash, it grew even more abundant, boiling ceaselessly as it rampaged through his body.
The seemingly endless agony nearly made him roar aloud.
But he forced himself to hold it in. Madam Yang and Little Nannan were inside the house; he couldn't wake them.
"Boom!"
His spine arched like a mighty dragon, every muscle in his body taut. Lu Yuan felt what sounded like thunder rumbling beside his ears.
At last, the Blood Qi that had been rampaging through him converged like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea. Then it streamed out to every limb and bone, now docile and smooth.
An unprecedented sense of control welled up within him. All the power in his body seemed to have blended into one, no longer a scattered, dead force. At a thought, he could gather it into perfect unity—or send it flowing like spilled quicksilver, seeping into every crevice.
He had reached the Transformation Realm!
Rustle, rustle!
A cold wind swept by, and snowflakes began drifting down.
Yet just before the flakes could land on Lu Yuan, they seemed to touch an invisible layer of force and silently slid aside.
The snow fell more and more thickly, but no matter how densely the flakes came, not one could land on him.
"Bang! Bang! Bang..."
Suddenly, firecrackers rang out in the otherwise silent night, their pops coming at intervals.
He could even see fireworks blooming in the distant sky.
Before he knew it, the New Year had arrived!
Lu Yuan looked up at the dazzling fireworks blossoming overhead, and a smile appeared on his face.
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