Realm Breakthrough, Blood-Moving Realm Eighth Layer!

Noticing Jiang Feng's undisguised gaze, the corners of Liu Ruyan's lips curled up ever so slightly, though her eyes remained as pitiful and helpless as they had been yesterday, cast downward with perfect timing.

Jiang Feng's eyes flickered, and he asked in a cold voice:

"Miss Liu, have you forgotten what I said yesterday? Without my permission, you are not to leave the cellar."

This time, Liu Ruyan did not shrink back in fear as she had the day before. Instead, she raised her head with a serious expression and looked him straight in the eyes:

"Didn't you also agree yesterday, benefactor, to let me stay by your side to tend to your daily needs? Cooking for you is, after all, my duty."

Jiang Feng stared directly into her eyes, and Liu Ruyan did not blink or look away. The two of them remained in that quiet, silent standoff for a moment.

Jiang Feng couldn't quite gauge what this woman was truly after. Was she genuinely concerned for him, or did she have ulterior motives?

In the end, he nodded. "Fine, let's eat first."

A bright, charming smile bloomed on Liu Ruyan's face. After diligently serving the bowls and chopsticks, she retreated quietly behind Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng picked up his chopsticks but did not eat immediately, turning his head to look at her: "Have you eaten?"

Liu Ruyan shook her head and replied in a soft, gentle voice:

"Not yet. Please eat first, benefactor; I will just have something later."

"In that case, sit down and eat with me." Jiang Feng's tone allowed no room for refusal.

Liu Ruyan had intended to decline again, but meeting his incredibly "earnest" expression, she finally nodded and sat down gracefully across from him.

She found it amusing in her heart: This little man is actually quite considerate. But if he thinks he can win my favor with such tricks, he is still far too green.

Jiang Feng naturally had no idea what thoughts were churning in her mind.

He placed a portion of each dish into her bowl first, observing her calmly. Only after confirming that Liu Ruyan suffered no ill effects after eating did he slowly begin to eat himself.

He had to admit, her culinary skills were truly remarkable. The food was fresh and fragrant, the heat perfectly controlled; it was the most decent meal Jiang Feng had eaten since crossing over.

"Benefactor, are these dishes to your liking?"

Jiang Feng did not skimp on his praise, nodding as he ate: "It is no wonder your family runs a restaurant, Miss Liu. Your skills are truly beyond reproach."

Liu Ruyan covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes shimmering with a faint, subtle pleasure:

"You flatter me, benefactor. It has been some time since I cooked myself, so I am a bit rusty today, but I will certainly improve in the future."

Jiang Feng did not reply, and the breakfast passed in a silence where both parties harbored their own hidden agendas.

After finishing breakfast, Jiang Feng turned and returned to the main room, preparing to begin practicing the newly acquired technique.

He did not force Liu Ruyan back into the cellar; after that meal, her performance had been satisfactory enough.

Besides, having someone to cook and manage his daily life while he cultivated was not a bad arrangement.

After circulating the Exquisite Breathing Method a few times to bring his blood-qi to a state of fullness, Jiang Feng opened the small manual he had obtained yesterday and began to study it word for word.

Once he had carefully read through the entire text, his expression shifted from focus to pleasant surprise. According to the book, this martial skill was of the second grade, lower tier.

While martial skills were far less rare than internal cultivation methods, a second-grade skill was certainly not common trash. In any faction, such things were reserved strictly for internal disciples.

"Sun Bowei is truly my lucky star—sending money, a woman, and even a second-grade martial skill. If only there were more good people like him."

The practice method for the Golden Armor Technique was more complex than the Exquisite Breathing Method.

This technique was divided into internal and external layers, requiring both to be cultivated simultaneously. The internal practice used blood-qi to stimulate the body's meridians and muscles, while the external practice involved using iron sand and other hard objects to constantly temper the skin. The two supported each other; neither could be dispensed with.

Fortunately, the iron sand needed for the external training was found right in the room. The Sun Brothers had intended to practice this technique themselves, so these items were kept on hand, saving him the trouble.

With everything prepared, Jiang Feng began to practice in the room with broad, sweeping movements.

Since he was no longer at the Medicine Hall, he didn't need to worry about the eyes of others, and his practice felt much more liberating than before.

Sweat dripped down, drop by drop, and heavy, rhythmic breathing echoed throughout the room.

Liu Ruyan stood in the courtyard, taking in the scene of his intense, fiery training.

Watching Jiang Feng's desperate efforts, a trace of imperceptible disdain rose at the corner of her mouth.

Bearing the mark of an evil spirit and still wanting to practice martial arts? I truly don't know whether to call him stupid or naive. With this effort, he would be better off enjoying his final moments instead of exhausting himself so thoroughly.

After watching for a few moments, she found it dull and turned back to the cellar.

Only the Mute remained lying by the door, listening to the bursts of roaring from inside. His ears twitched occasionally, and he gradually closed his eyes.

The entire day passed in a state of near-masochistic, bitter cultivation.

Near midnight, the activity in the room finally subsided.

Jiang Feng finished his practice and collapsed onto the bed. His heavy gasps came one after another, his mind a blank slate; he didn't even have the strength to lift a finger.

He had truly given his all this time, and his body had paid a heavy price.

There was hardly a patch of unblemished skin on him; he was covered in blood, with wounds of all sizes across his limbs and torso, a truly shocking sight.

Yet, even so, the Golden Armor Technique had not yet reached the entry level.

However, this was within Jiang Feng's expectations.

His natural aptitude had always been poor; otherwise, his predecessor would not have been trapped at the first layer of the Blood-Moving Realm for so many years.

Now, if he wanted to improve his strength, he relied not on talent, but on the accumulation of every single bit of progress settled daily.

Soon, as midnight passed, the refresh arrived right on schedule.

[You have spent a fulfilling and hardworking day.]

[Yesterday's Evaluation: Superior!]

[Rewards: Iron Stake Technique proficiency +17, Exquisite Breathing Method proficiency +55, Golden Armor Technique proficiency +90]

[Name: Jiang Feng]

[Realm: Blood-Moving Realm Eighth Layer (2/100)]

[Profession: Alchemist First Layer (11/100)]

[Techniques:

Iron Stake Technique (Great Success 170/300)

Exquisite Breathing Method (Great Success 5/300)

Golden Armor Technique (Entry 90/100)]

[Skills:

Herb Identification Art (Great Success 129/300)

Bedchamber Arts (Entry 5/100)

Blood-Qi Pill (Minor Success 10/100)]

The moment the settlement finished, Jiang Feng felt a surge of powerful blood-qi energy rush into his limbs and bones. His nearly exhausted meridians felt like a dried-up well finding a new spring, once again brimming with vitality.

Although he was still far from returning to his state before encountering the evil spirit, compared to his previous withered and exhausted appearance, it was a world of difference.

"Not only did the Golden Armor Technique reach the entry level, but my martial arts realm actually broke through directly to the eighth layer of the Blood-Moving Realm?"

Jiang Feng was shaken by this unexpected joy. Ignoring his exhaustion, he scrambled up from the bed and rushed to the bronze mirror in a few steps.

By the faint candlelight, he looked down at his chest. The pitch-black markings that had plagued him for two full days were noticeably dimmer than before, and the edges even showed faint signs of receding.

Although it was not very obvious, for him at this moment, it was absolutely fantastic news. It meant that the strange changes in his body were not necessarily incurable.