Breakthrough

"Slowly improving my bone structure!" Su Yuan was stunned by the effect of the trait, yet he remained calm on the surface.

With his stamina exhausted, he sat to the side to wait for Gao Mian to return.

Gao Mian had changed into a high-collared purple dress, looking charming and graceful.

She ordered a servant to bring paper and brushes, asking Su Yuan to paint for the two of them.

[Painting: 1001/2000 (Perfected)]

After finishing the painting, Su Yuan asked Gao Mian, "Sister Mian, can I consume this Blood Origin Pill?"

"This is a new medicine from the Chai Family, and I am not entirely sure about it myself. I advise you to proceed step by step; do not be overly eager for quick success and follow in my footsteps. The Treasure Fish I have here are much milder; you may purchase them from me." Gao Mian had someone bring over two Treasure Fish.

Su Yuan consumed the Treasure Fish, thinking to himself, I wonder if this trait can harmonize the internal energy of others. If it can, perhaps I could improve Sister Mian's bone structure.

However, he was still unsure, so he simply continued with his finger push-ups.

Gao Mian offered guidance from the side, applying pressure from time to time.

[Origin-Returning Finger: 236/500 (Minor Accomplishment)]

Just then, the two young masters finished their business and entered the side hall, happening upon this very scene.

Chai Nian chuckled while fanning himself, observing Shan Xiongqing's expression: "I heard Madam Gao has taken Su Yuan as her sworn younger brother?"

"That is correct." Gao Mian pulled Su Yuan up to his feet.

"Madam, this act violates the noble etiquette of our families; I do not acknowledge it." Shan Xiongqing's brows were tightly locked. Had he not already reached a deal with Chai Nian, and were Gao Mian not watching, he would have wanted to kill Su Yuan with a single palm strike.

He thought more deeply: The Su brothers were subordinates, even servants, under Chai Nian. If he acknowledged this boy as a brother, wouldn't that be admitting he was a step below Chai Nian?

Chai Nian's question was clearly malicious.

"There is no need for you to acknowledge it; it is enough that my Gao Family does. Chai Nian, if you are dissatisfied, I can take you as a sworn younger brother as well, and then we shall be of the same generation." Gao Mian did not give the two men any face at all.

Chai Nian's smile faltered, and he snorted coldly: "Su Yuan, it is time to go. Let today's affairs be put to rest."

Su Yuan looked at Gao Mian, and only after seeing her nod did he follow Chai Nian away.

Seeing that even Chai Nian dared not vent his anger at Gao Mian, Su Yuan finally understood just how powerful a backer he had found.

Having an older sister really was wonderful.

Shan Xiongqing watched the cold-faced, sullen Gao Mian with a livid expression, and he did not linger any longer.

"Han Gui, call the Fourth, Fifth, Eighth... and the seventeenth wife! I need to vent my frustrations!" What Shan Xiongqing hated most was Gao Mian's overbearing nature.

She was clearly someone cast out by the Gao Family, yet she always put on airs, constantly bringing up the Gao Family in every other sentence.

Yet, he could do nothing about it; he relied heavily on this marriage alliance for the support he received from his own family.

After all, the Gao Family originated from the Wolf Tribe and had even been royalty once; even the main branch of the Great Liang Shan Family had to bow their heads to them.

On the way back to the Martial Hall.

Tie Niu took the initiative to ask about the situation on Su Yuan's behalf.

"It is settled. Shan Xiongqing has said he will not move against you, but you must be careful yourself. Do not let others target you; it is best to live within the Martial Hall to avoid further trouble," Chai Nian said.

Su Yuan knew well that this matter was far from over.

Even if he were to die suddenly one day, these people could still shift the blame onto someone else.

He still needed to become stronger.

His greatest advantage was that no one knew he had already become a martial artist; they all underestimated him.

He had to push the proficiency of the Cloud-Veiling Art and his other martial arts higher while maintaining this facade.

As for living in the Martial Hall, that was impossible; he could not expose the Golden Horse-Head Technique, and it was relatively safer during the day.

Su Yuan decided to follow his original plan: stay at home during the day, return to the Martial Hall at night, and find time to see Gao Mian and Yun Xu.

If necessary, he would send word.

After the rescue at the Cloud-Striding Martial Hall, the city fell silent once more.

Patrols throughout Ji City were intensified, which actually made Su Yuan feel a bit safer.

However, the Liang People soldiers began a massive search for anyone associated with the Cloud-Striding Martial Hall, causing chaos and misery for a time.

The Martial Hall's Blood Origin Pills were successfully released, and the disciples within the hall purchased them one after another, making rapid progress in a short period.

Su Yuan also purchased some, and the effects were indeed excellent.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

[Golden Horse-Head Technique: 197/1000 (Second Layer)]

[Origin-Returning Finger: 102/1000 (Major Accomplishment)]

[Flying Horse Leg: 6/1000 (Major Accomplishment)]

[Cloud-Covering Art: 235/500 (Minor Accomplishment)]

[Painting: 1532/2000 (Perfected)]

[Literacy: 1241/2000 (Perfected)]

"The third martial art is also complete." A surge of scorching blood energy rose from his legs, instantly solidifying, every inch of muscle infused with overwhelming power.

He had spent this past month primarily focused on martial arts training.

It turned out that the Blood Condensation and Blood Refining realms could be further divided into three stages at this level.

He was currently at the first stage; once he reached the Great Perfection of the liver, he would enter the second.

However, the Golden Horse-Head Technique belonged to the second tier, so he just needed to grind it through in one go.

The Cloud-Covering Art, on the other hand, was indeed difficult to practice and offered little improvement, but it was sufficient for now.

At the Minor Achievement stage, one could disguise the blood energy within the body to disperse like clouds, making it appear to outsiders as if the blood energy were loose and the person had not yet entered the martial path; it could also conceal one's aura.

[Smoothing the Edges] also helped Su Yuan better control the blood energy within his body, speeding up his cultivation slightly.

Yet, he was unsure if it was the effect of the trait or if his own innate talent had quietly improved.

Su Yuan scanned the courtyard and saw many people looking excited, gathered at the entrance and peering out.

Since the Blood Origin Pill went on sale, many children from wealthy families had been gorging themselves on the pills.

Several were already at the bottleneck and were outside trying to break through.

The method to break through in the Flying Horse Leg was to run continuously, pushing past one's limits to stimulate the blood energy in the legs to twist into a single strand, thus becoming a martial artist.

Outside the gate, several people who had reached the bottleneck were racing.

"Brother Ming, go!" Zhou Xun'er cheered for Qin Ming at the entrance.

"Senior Brother Huang, Senior Brother Du, go!" Lin Fan was also cheering from the side.

These three possessed top-tier aptitude and wealth, and had clearly become the leaders among this batch of disciples.

The others also joined in with shouts and cheers.

Jiang Yu stood to the side, biting her lip; her family situation was poor, and she had not taken many pills.

Coupled with the fact that the Origin-Returning Finger was slow to progress, her current progress was not even as good as some with inferior aptitude.

She glanced at Su Yuan, who was standing blankly in place, and felt a slight sense of comfort: at least someone was at the bottom.

Su Yuan remained elusive and rarely stayed in the martial academy.

"Ah--!" A scream suddenly erupted, interrupting the cheers.

Qin Ming had suddenly collapsed to the ground, clutching his legs and wailing: "My legs! My legs are broken!"

Tie Niu hurried over with others to check, pressed on his legs, and said in a deep voice: "The breakthrough failed, the backlash was severe; I fear these legs are ruined."

Qin Ming's face turned deathly pale: "Senior Brother Tie Niu! There must be a way! I cannot be crippled!"

"Hurry and beg the Young Master! Is there any medicine that can heal Brother Ming's legs?" Zhou Xun'er wept at the side, covering her eyes, unable to bear the sight.

The crowd carried the incessantly screaming Qin Ming into the courtyard.

"What is all this noise!" Chai Nian walked out, fanning himself, and glanced at Qin Ming's mangled lower body with a frown: "Chai Lang, take him to get checked."

"Yes!" Several men carried Qin Ming away.

Chai Nian then looked at the other two outside the courtyard.

Those two had been terrified by Qin Ming's miserable state; their speed dropped sharply, and the blood energy within their bodies dispersed rapidly.

The breakthrough had failed.

The two knelt on the ground, covered in cold sweat.

But fortunately, their legs were preserved, and they still had the chance to accumulate blood energy again and attempt the breakthrough once more.

Is that the side effect of the medicine? The breakthrough is harder, and the backlash is more terrifying. Fortunately, I have my destiny. Su Yuan's gaze sharpened.

Those three still had medium aptitude.

Those with inferior aptitude who had taken the medicine were even more terrified.

Jiang Yu also patted her chest, calming her nerves.

Seeing the fear in the crowd, Chai Nian spoke to reassure them: "The drawbacks of this medicine were explained earlier. Look at Huang Jiangyue and Du Ziqian; as long as you withdraw your strength in time, there is no major harm. You can still quickly accumulate blood energy and try repeatedly. With enough attempts, you will eventually become a martial artist."

Yet, the crowd remained silent.

Suddenly, a loud laugh rang out: "Haha! I did it! I've become a martial artist! Father, Mother, I did it!"

The crowd looked over, having no impression of this person.

He was dressed plainly, waving his fists and laughing wildly, tears and snot streaming down his face.

"Is that Junior Brother Meng Qi? Isn't he of inferior aptitude? How did he become a martial artist?" someone exclaimed.

No one expected that this unremarkable junior brother would be the first martial artist of this batch.

Meng Qi ran up to Chai Nian and said gratefully: "It is all thanks to the medicine bestowed by the Young Master that I was able to become a martial artist so quickly!"

Only then did the crowd realize that Meng Qi's family had exhausted everything they owned, accumulating heavy debts and even selling relatives into servitude just to scrape together enough silver to keep him supplied with medicine.

By going all-in this time, he had actually succeeded.

"Good, very good! You are the first among this batch to become a martial artist; you shall be rewarded!" Chai Nian clapped his hands and ordered someone to bring over three Blood Origin Pills.

Meng Qi took them with trembling hands, but asked, "Young Master, could you... exchange these for cash? My family is in urgent need of money."

"Very well. Chai Lang, give him forty taels."

Upon hearing this, Meng Qi dropped to his knees with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly in gratitude.

The gazes of the crowd grew fervent once more, especially those with inferior bone structures.

Lin Fan was the first to step forward to offer his congratulations: "Congratulations to Junior Brother Meng for becoming a martial artist."

"What did you call me?" Meng Qi's gaze turned cold.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Meng." Lin Fan quickly corrected himself and even fished out a tael of silver.

Meng Qi took it, nodded in satisfaction, and swept his gaze over the rest of the crowd.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Meng..."

After watching this little play, Su Yuan intended to leave the martial academy as usual.

But Meng Qi suddenly called out to him: "Junior Brother Su, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

He might not remember who had offered a gift, but he saw clearly and distinctly who had failed to come forward to offer their congratulations.