Calm, Swordplay Perfection

At this moment, almost everyone stood there in a daze.

In particular, Huang Hui, the brothers Zhou Wen and Zhou Wu, as well as Zhang Feng, Wang Chao, Chen Zheng, and the others, were completely dumbfounded.

Although they all knew that Lu Yuan had not only broken through to the Dark Realm several days ago but had also used a special hidden weapon to slay the Third Master of the Black Cloud Stronghold—who was in the Transformation Realm—they never expected that in just a few short days, Lu Yuan would have already broken through to the Transformation Realm as well.

Could it be that Lu Yuan was not only a top-tier genius with excellent bone structure, but his talent even surpassed that of Cao Yang?

Yet even so, Lu Yuan had broken into the Transformation Realm days after Cao Yang; how could he have defeated Cao Yang so easily?

Cao Yang had managed to hold on for nearly ten moves under Chu Jun's sword, yet under Lu Yuan's blade, he hadn't even lasted a single move. It was truly mind-boggling!

"The younger generation is truly formidable!"

Having regained his senses, Huang Hui could not help but look at Lu Yuan with a complex gaze.

It was as if he had seen the old ox at home, which usually only knew how to bury its head in the fields, suddenly speak in human language and then sit cross-legged to begin cultivating.

He was almost certain that Lu Yuan, like Chu Jun, had opened his Dantian, possessing strength far beyond an ordinary Transformation Realm expert, making him a quasi-ranked martial artist.

Was this the effect of a precious medicinal herb?

But for a single Century-Old Blood Ginseng to allow someone to break into the Transformation Realm in just a few days still proved that Lu Yuan's bone structure was certainly no weaker than top-tier geniuses like Cao Yang.

"Master Huang, Ah Wu and I will take Cao Yang for treatment first; the rest is left to you."

After giving Lu Yuan a deep look, Zhou Wen turned to speak to Huang Hui.

Without waiting for Huang Hui's reply, he and Zhou Wu lifted the unconscious and barely breathing Cao Yang and hurried away.

"Brother Lu Yuan, you need not worry. This matter was started by Cao Yang; the fault is not yours. Just focus on your cultivation and wait for the Martial Examination!"

Before leaving, Zhou Wu also turned to say a word to Lu Yuan.

"Lu Yuan, you truly need not worry too much. You are now a quasi-ranked expert with even greater potential than Cao Yang. The Zhou Family will certainly not abandon you; in fact, their investment in you will only increase!"

After the brothers Zhou Wen and Zhou Wu left, Huang Hui smiled at Lu Yuan and said.

"I understand!"

Lu Yuan nodded and smiled.

Since he had already revealed his strength, he feared no consequences.

Moreover, as long as the brothers Zhou Wen and Zhou Wu were not fools, they would not choose to abandon him for the sake of Cao Yang.

Even if they did, it would not cause much of an impact on him now.

What's more, the blade he had just delivered had pierced directly through Cao Yang's heart meridian; barring a miracle, he was essentially beyond saving.

"He is not only in the Transformation Realm, but he has also opened his Dantian and is a quasi-ranked expert?"

At this moment, Wang Chao, Chen Zheng, and the others were still looking at Lu Yuan as if he were a monster.

Even after the New Year, Lu Yuan would be at most seventeen years old. How could he not only be in the Transformation Realm but also on the verge of being ranked? How did he do it—just with a Century-Old Blood Ginseng?

"Quasi... quasi-ranked! Brother Lu Yuan is actually a quasi-ranked expert!"

Zhang Feng stared fixedly at Lu Yuan, as if seeing him for the first time.

He had thought that after finally breaking into the Dark Realm, he had finally caught up to Lu Yuan, but he hadn't expected that Lu Yuan was not only in the Transformation Realm but had also opened his Dantian and was about to truly enter the ranks.

The sparring session continued. Aside from Chu Jun of the Blazing Sun Martial Hall, other top-tier geniuses like Xu Lin of the Sanhe Martial Hall and Xu Qing, who was supported by the Zhao Family, successively made their mark.

Even Zhang Feng, Wang Chao, and Chen Zheng went up to spar with the young geniuses supported by other families.

Only Lu Yuan stood quietly to the side from beginning to end, ignored by all.

Perhaps it was that blade of his that had intimidated everyone.

After all, if he could be that ruthless to one of his own, he would likely have no qualms about dealing with them.

Even Chu Jun and Xu Lin, who had also opened their Dantians and were considered quasi-ranked, had no intention of sparring with him.

Perhaps they wanted to wait until the Martial Examination to truly compete.

Lu Yuan was happy to be left alone, and after the Gathering of Heroes concluded, he left directly with Huang Hui's group.

In the backyard of Guangchun Hall, the atmosphere seemed to have become somewhat strange.

Almost everyone was deliberately keeping their distance from Lu Yuan. Even Zhang Feng, who was usually a chatterbox, rarely came forward to strike up a conversation.

After all, Lu Yuan was now not only a true master of the Transformation Realm but also a quasi-ranked existence even stronger than Master Huang.

Added to that was the ruthless and decisive blade he had used on Cao Yang, which made people feel a sense of awe and fear toward him.

"He hid his strength far too well. He used to be quiet and looked like an honest man, but who would have thought he had secretly broken into the Transformation Realm and opened his Dantian to become a quasi-ranked powerhouse!"

"This guy is a ruthless one, too. He either keeps a low profile or strikes with a single blade to kill Cao Yang. We can't afford to provoke him!"

"I actually think he's quite good. He's handsome and his strength is monstrous. If I had a sister, I would definitely make him my brother-in-law!"

"What does it matter if I don't have a sister? If he were willing, I would be happy to have him as a stepfather."

"If he doesn't mind, I could even take him as my foster father!"

Amidst the hushed whispers of the crowd, Lu Yuan collected his daily stipend and left directly.

He was currently unsuitable for practicing the Skin Refining Chapter of the Five Elements Vajra Body or the Blazing Sun Sword Technique in public.

Moreover, it was difficult to cultivate peacefully amidst everyone's strange discussions and gazes all day long.

As Huang Hui had said, the Zhou Family had not abandoned Lu Yuan for Cao Yang; instead, their support for him had increased significantly.

In addition to the daily meat and medicinal soups, he could also receive one Rejuvenation Pill and one Blood-Qi Pill every five days.

Medicinal pills like the Rejuvenation Pill and Blood-Qi Pill were not only more precious than ordinary medicinal soups like Essence-Replenishing Soup and Qi-Replenishing Soup, but they also recovered faster.

The effect of one Rejuvenation Pill or Blood-Qi Pill could last for at least five days.

In other words, after taking one Rejuvenation Pill or Blood-Qi Pill, one could recover quickly within five days.

Therefore, it could be said that apart from treasures like the Century-Old Blood Ginseng, the Zhou Family's support for Lu Yuan was basically unlimited, with monthly expenses on him reaching almost a thousand taels of silver.

Thus, time flowed like water, quietly slipping away.

More than ten days quickly passed.

[Blazing Sun Sword Technique: Perfected (Unbroken Limit: 1%)]

Finally, after Lu Yuan practiced the Blazing Sun Sword Technique once more, it reached Great Perfection.

Besides the changes on the Ancient Scroll, Lu Yuan's own comprehension and understanding of this sword technique in his mind had also reached its peak.

"Hiss!"

Lu Yuan went into the courtyard and directly swung his sword, and a three-inch-long streak of qi energy bloomed forth.