A Dramatic Surge in Strength

Chen Lie nodded and said, "I'm determined to get into the top three."

"The first place in the Three-Province Martial Tournament Ji Lingxuan Arts Tournament will definitely be taken by Ji Lingxuan from Cloud River Province. If you want to compete for the top three, your only target can be second and third. However, Shen Miaowei and Zhang Wujiang from Cloud River Province, and Gu Yang and Liu Yiming from West River Province are not simple people. In particular, Gu Yang and Shen Miaowei are definitely not people that ordinary Blood-Qi Extreme Realm can compare to."

Therefore, it is extremely difficult to achieve a top-three finish in the martial arts competition.

"President Xu told me that as long as you can guarantee a top-three finish in the martial arts competition, the Martial Artist Association can provide you with assistance within a certain range," Gu Tian said.

"I urgently need Second-Order Martial Dao Rare Treasure for Bone Refining. I wonder if the Martial Artist Association can help me search for it? I can pay with my own points."

Chen Lie's words startled Gu Tian: "You're already starting Bone Refining?"

Chen Lie nodded and hummed in agreement.

Skin Refining, Muscle Refining, Tendon Refining, Bone Refining, Organ Refining, and Blood Refining —each step forward strengthens the body as a whole, allowing it to unleash tremendous power and significantly boosting combat strength. When strength and Strength Value are equal, Bone Refining with 3,000 calories of Blood Qi Value can often defeat a Tendon Refining Period with less than 3,500 calories of Blood Qi Value.

Chen Lie now needs Martial Dao Rare Treasure for the Bone Refining stage, so he must have already completed the Tendon Refining Period of his training.

After a moment's thought, Gu Tian said, "I can find you Second-Order Martial Dao Rare Treasure for Bone Refining, but there's only a week left until the Three-Province Martial Tournament, so there might not be enough time."

"It's alright, as long as you can deliver it to me at least for the martial arts competition," Chen Liedao.

"Alright. The Second-Order Martial Dao Rare Treasure used for Bone Refining is probably worth more than 600,000 points. During this crucial period of the Three-Province Martial Tournament, it wouldn't matter if the Martial Artist Association gave it to you for free."

The problem isn't scarcity, but rather inequality. Giving you a Martial Dao Rare Treasure worth 600,000 points for free might cause discontent among other members.

"How about this, I'll take half of your points for this rare Martial Dao Rare Treasure that Bone Refining?" Gu Tian asked tentatively.

"Can."

This was an unexpected surprise; how could Chen Lie possibly refuse?

"List the Martial Dao Rare Treasure you need, and I'll have the search team handle it for you."

After Gu Tian finished speaking, he called over two staff members to appraise the Martial Dao Rare Treasure that Chen Lie needed.

"Pale Bone Bamboo?"

Gu Tian glanced at the Martial Dao Rare Treasure that Chen Lie needed.

After assessing the situation, the staff member immediately said, "According to the data, the Pale Bone Bamboo is a rare Second-Order Martial Dao Rare Treasure for Bone Refining. Based on the trading price in other provinces, it requires a total of 720,000 points."

Gu Tian said, "Let's charge 300,000 points for the Pale Bone Bamboo. I'll let President Xu know about this."

"Yes!" the staff member replied.

"Chen Lie, here are two Thousand-Year Spirit Medicine. Take them and use them to quickly improve your strength."

Chen Lie grunted in agreement, paid 300,000 points, and then took the two Thousand-Year Spirit Medicine to the Cultivation Room at the Genius Group's training ground.

Arriving at the cultivation platform in the Cultivation Room, Chen Lie unpacked the two Thousand-Year Spirit Medicine Thousand-Year Spirit Medicine swallowed them in a few bites.

At the same time, the <Flood Dragon Rebirth Technique> began to operate at high speed, Chen Lie's blood and qi surged, breaking through his body and faintly forming a rainbow light.

With Chen Lie's blood and qi purity reaching this level, he already possesses some characteristics of the second Ultimate Realm of blood and qi, the Blood-Qi Transforming into Rainbow.

This means that even if Sister Chen gives up from now on and continues to cultivate step by step, she will definitely be able to enter the Second Blood-Qi Ultimate Realm.

The medicinal power of the two Thousand-Year Spirit Medicine dissolved in Chen Lie's stomach, and Chen Lie's body functions were already incredibly powerful. In just a moment, he absorbed most of the medicinal power of the two Thousand-Year Spirit Medicine.

After some time, Chen Lie fully absorbed the medicinal power of the two Thousand-Year Spirit Medicine, and he felt that his strength had increased significantly.

After leaving the Cultivation Room, Chen Lie tested his Qi and Blood Qi Value and Strength Value, and obtained the results.

Blood Qi Value: 1511.28 calories.

Strength Value: 15987.88 jun.

Strength Value reflects the purity of Qi and blood. Strength Value close to 10.6 times indicates that Chen Lie's Qi and blood purity has reached an astonishing level.

The two Thousand-Year Spirit Medicine caused Chen Lie's strength to increase dramatically, but his body also felt a heavy burden.

Chen Lie threw several punches into the void with all his might, and instantly felt the increased strain on his body.

"It seems that the limit of the Tendon Refining Period is that it can only bear a force of 15,000 jun at most. My current strength is nearly 16,000 jun, but my body is weak and I cannot unleash its full power. If I force myself to exert all my power, it will inevitably cause hidden injuries to my body and leave hidden dangers for my future martial arts."

Chen Lie murmured to himself.

It seems that Bone Refining can no longer wait. Only by completing the Bone Refining stage can the burden on the body caused by bearing enormous power be eliminated.

After returning home from the training grounds of the Genius Group, Chen Lie disembarked from the airship and had just stepped into his house when he heard a woman's voice.

"Chen Lie, it seems your family has become quite wealthy lately, you've even acquired another airship."

Chen Lie looked ahead and was surprised to see his Second Aunt, Chang Guirong.

He greeted her with a composed expression, "Second Aunt, what brings you to my home today?"

Chang Guirong gave a dry laugh, her face not looking too good, and said, "Chen Lie, your aunt is here today to discuss with you about having your master, a highly skilled one, treat your cousin's martial arts."

"Oh, Second Aunt, I remember we made an agreement that if Chen Ye could maintain three times his Strength Value and raise his Blood Qi Value to over 200 calories within half a month, I would agree to introduce him to someone."

"The time is almost up. Has Chen Ye met the requirements?" Chen Lie asked.

Chang Guirong's face fell, but she quickly recovered. "Chen Lie, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but you know Xiao Ye's situation perfectly well, yet you still set such an impossible request."

"These days, Ono practices martial arts for at least 10 hours a day, but his qi and blood are not improving but declining. Did you already know that Ono would experience this?"

"Second Aunt, I don't understand what you're saying. We agreed before that if Chen Ye couldn't fulfill this request, you wouldn't make things difficult for us anymore."

"This isn't about making things difficult for you, Chen Lie. Xiao Ye is your brother. He's in this state now. As his elder brother, shouldn't you lend a helping hand and give him a push?"

"Second Aunt, there are plenty of people who Ranked Martial Artist with two hundred units of Blood Qi Value. With Chen Ye's current level, getting into a top martial arts university is a piece of cake. Getting into a top martial arts university means he's destined not to end up at the bottom of society."

"Chen Lie, are you trying to trick your aunt?"

Now that you've become the East River Martial Champion, your future is limitless. But if Ono continues like this, he'll end up working in a provincial-level organization like his father, at best becoming a mid-level manager.

If you're willing to help him now, how could he not remember your kindness when he becomes successful in the future?

"How can I order a martial arts master around like this? Second Aunt, I really want to help you, but I truly can't."

If it weren't for his parents' feelings, Chen Lie wouldn't have bothered with such opportunistic relatives; he would have simply turned his back on them.

"Yuelan, Xiaoye is your nephew. I took him to the Martial Arts Resource Center for a checkup. The doctor said his qi and blood are scattered, and if he is not treated, his qi and blood will continue to decline."

Chen Lie definitely listen to you. Please persuade him to help Xiao Ye. It's my plea to you.

Seeing Chen Lie's attitude, Chang Guirong had no choice but to turn her attention to Chen Lie's mother, Feng Yuelan.

"Well—sister-in-law, it's not that we're unwilling to help Chen Ye, it's just that we have our own difficulties—"

Chang Guirong chuckled and said, "Alright, I understand your attitude."

After saying that, Chang Guirong stood up abruptly and walked towards the door.

Feng Yuelan quickly chased after her. "Sister-in-law, why don't you stay for a meal before you leave?"

"No!"

After uttering those words, Chang Guirong slammed the door and left.

After standing there in a daze for a while, Feng Yuelan returned to the living room with a worried expression.

Upon seeing this, Chen Lie immediately said, "Mom, hesitation will only lead to more trouble."

We should have refused Second Aunt a long time ago.

"Mom knows!"

Feng Yuelan nodded and instructed, "Focus on your martial arts training and don't let external things distract you. After the Three-Province Martial Tournament, your father and I will arrange a banquet for you."

Chen Lie grunted in agreement and went back to his room.

Meanwhile, Chang Guirong stormed home in a rage.

When Chen Ye saw his mother return, he couldn't help but ask, "Mom, how did it go? Did Chen Lie agree to introduce me to that martial arts master?"

"Of course he won't agree!" Chang Guirong.

"What should I do? Am I just going to Ranked Martial Artist like this?"

"Of course not, I have another idea. Is your dad back yet?"

"You're back, you're in the living room!"

Chang Guirong nodded, went to the living room, and said to Chen Lie's second Chen Guangqun, who was sitting on the sofa watching the news, "Guangqun, get ready, our family is going to visit Dad in the South Su Province tomorrow."

Chen Guangqun asked in confusion, "Why did you suddenly decide to visit Dad?"

Chang Guirong snorted and said, "Chen Lie was guided by a master and has now become the Provincial Martial Leader East River Province. Our Xiao Ye has been unable to improve his martial arts skills because of unstable blood and qi."

During this period, I visited the Gequn several times, asking them to help introduce the expert who guided Chen Lie to Xiao Ye, but they kept delaying and making excuses. Today, they simply refused.

I'll visit my father in the South Su Province and ask him to intervene. He's always doted on Xiao Ye, and he'll definitely teach Gequn a lesson, making them obediently introduce the expert who taught Chen Lie to Xiao Ye."

Chen Guangqun sighed and said, "Have you ever considered that Chen Lie was able to become the Martial Leader because of his own talent?"

"How is that possible? Think about it, back then, Ono's Blood Qi Value had already broken into double digits, while Chen Lie didn't even have 1 card of Qi and Blood. This shows that Chen Lie's aptitude is far inferior to our Ono's."

The reason he was able to soar to the top in martial arts in just six months and become the Provincial Martial Leader must be because of the guidance of a master.

"Our Xiao Ye has the talent to back it up. If he were to be taught by that master, not only would he be the Provincial Martial Leader, but he could even become the Three-Province Martial Champion," Chang Guirong said immediately.

"You know Dad works for a state-owned enterprise in Sunan Province. He's a senior designer for the third-generation Starry Sky Airship. He instructed us that his work is confidential and that we shouldn't disturb him unless it's something very important."

"What are you saying? This concerns our son's future in martial arts. Isn't this an extremely important matter?" Chang Guirong rebuked.

"But----"

"Alright, stop talking nonsense. I know the third brother's family will refuse. I've already contacted Dad in advance, and he wants our family to go directly to the South Su Province tomorrow."

Get ready, tomorrow morning we're taking an airship to visit Dad in the South Su Province.

Chang Guirong didn't give Chen Guangqun a chance to question her decision and made the decision directly.

Chen Ye, standing nearby, asked, "Mom, are we really going to the South Su Province to find Grandpa?"

"Of course we're going! Get ready, we'll bring your grandfather directly to East River Province so he can stand up for you and teach your uncles a lesson. Your grandfather loves you the most!"

"Good!"

Chen Ye nodded heavily.

The next day, before dawn, Chen Guangqun and his family of three boarded an airship and headed to the South Su Province.

South Su Province is located in the southeast of Blue Star, more than 4,000 kilometers away from East River Province.

It took Chen Guangqun and his family more than five hours to finally arrive in South Su Province.

As the airship landed, before disembarking, Chang Guirong instructed Chen Ye, "Xiao Ye, be polite when you see your grandfather later."

Sunan Province is among the top 20 provinces in the Blue Star Martial Arts Index, far surpassing our East River Province. Don't be surprised later.

"I know, Mom!"

Chen Ye nodded and followed Hamu off the airship, arriving at an official reception hall.

Chen Guangqun walked ahead, and when he saw an elderly man who looked to be in his sixties in the chaotic hall, he quickly walked over to him.

"Dad, I've come to see you!"

The old man nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at Chen Ye: "Xiao Ye, you've come too?"

"Grandpa!" Chen Ye ran forward, only to have his hand grabbed by the old man.

"Not bad, not bad at all. You've grown quite a bit taller since I last saw you."

The old man asked with a kind expression, "How's your martial arts progress? What's your Qi Blood Qi Value now?"

"About two hundred calories!" Chen Ye replied.

"Two hundred calories?" the old man murmured. "That's not bad in East River Province, but it's a bit low in a martial arts powerhouse like South Su Province."

"Come on, let's talk inside!"

The old man led Chen Guangqun and his family to a guesthouse and asked them to sit down.

"Guangqun, Guirong, you've come all this way to see me today. Is there something you need?"

Chen Guangqun stood up. "Dad, it's nothing—"

Upon hearing Chen Guangqun's words, Chang Guirong, who was standing next to him, glared at him fiercely.

"Since you're all alright, I happen to have something to tell you now."

"Dad, please tell me!"

"Hmm." The old man nodded and said, "I have an old friend in the South Su Province. We have known each other for decades and have a deep friendship."

Twenty years ago, this old friend wanted to elevate our status and form a family alliance, so that our children could marry. However, at that time, none of you four siblings were able to get married.

So my old friend and I decided to choose the most outstanding grandchild from the third generation and arrange a marriage between them.

After so much has happened, I thought the other party had forgotten about it, but two months ago, my old friend brought it up again.

Let our grandchildren get to know each other. If they like each other, they can get married. If they don't like each other, we won't force them to get married. Let's just consider them as friends.

Upon hearing this, Chang Guirong immediately asked, "Father, what do you mean? Are you suggesting we choose a wife from the South Su Province for our Xiaoye?"

"My old friend just told me to pick out the most outstanding person among his grandchildren and get to know his granddaughter. Of course, I preferred Chen Ye."

However, whether a marriage is considered auspicious or not depends on the other party's wishes.