I swear to be irreconcilable enemies with the Blessed Life Cult and Martial Alliance

At that thought,

Lin Nan hurriedly got out of bed. As his stance training improved, he could feel the qi and blood within him rising rapidly, like thin streams gradually washing over his arms and repairing his wounds.

He then took out the small yellow box Li Nianru had given him earlier. He quickly tore off the seal and lifted the lid, revealing a round, crimson pill. As the box opened, a faint medicinal fragrance wafted out.

Lin Nan scraped off a little pill powder and casually fed it to Prosperity, who happened to be passing by outside the window.

After watching Prosperity's qi and blood boil over before immediately pinning down a passing female dog and taking care of business on the spot,

he finally picked up the pill in satisfaction and swallowed it whole.

Hiss!

In an instant, a blazing heat rose from his stomach. The qi and blood brought by the medicine surged forth like a spring, flowing through the meridians in his body and into his limbs and bones.

He swiftly assumed the Origin-Revering Stance, not daring to waste even a moment as he continuously guided the qi and blood into his remaining flesh, bones, and meridians.

The key to the Sinew and Bone Realm lay not in the flesh or internal organs, but in circulating qi and blood through the bones and meridians.

According to the Origin-Revering Stance records, the Sinew and Bone Realm was likewise divided into three stages: Sinew Tempering, Bone Forging, and Force Connection.

Of them, Sinew Tempering was the simplest. One only needed to circulate qi and blood throughout the tendons, fascia, and ligaments of the entire body, opening the connection between flesh and bone. Thus, it was also called the "Sinew Tempering Realm."

Lin Nan gradually immersed his entire mind into his body. The powerful heat began tempering his meridians, and before long, it was accompanied by a sharp explosion!

Crack!

He had broken through!

The "Stance Training" information on the Creation Furnace suddenly blurred, quickly changing into new words:

[Technique: Origin-Revering Stance (Spirit Serpent Stance) (Level 7 (540/1500)]

First level of the Sinew and Bone Realm, Sinew Tempering!

A single Limit-Breaking Pill had added a full six hundred points of proficiency!

It truly deserved to be called a great medicine for martial artists!

The corners of Lin Nan's mouth could not help but rise.

The only pity was that the Limit-Breaking Pill only worked the first time each martial artist took it. Taking more would be useless, and could even prematurely draw out one's potential, causing the decline of qi and blood to arrive early.

Lin Nan closed his eyes and felt the strength coursing through his meridians. The swelling in his arms from the bone fractures gradually subsided as well, and there was no longer any sluggishness when he raised his arms and exerted force.

Sinew Tempering, Sinew Tempering—his fascia was supple and tough as coiled silk. So this was what it meant!

Now, he could barely be considered an expert on the level of an outer-city martial school master, right?

No, a martial school master was definitely more than just first level Sinew and Bone Realm. The road ahead was long.

Several thoughts flashed through Lin Nan's mind.

Over the next few days, Lin Nan remained in the martial school practicing, familiarizing himself with the power of the first level of the Sinew and Bone Realm. From time to time, he exchanged moves with Yu Qianqian, and life returned to peace.

In the blink of an eye, another week passed.

Inside the martial school, many young men and women gathered together, whispering among themselves.

"Did you hear? The case of the missing women was solved recently. Quite a few of those missing women have returned home."

"Who did it?"

"I heard it was the work of an evil cult. I also heard that Zhong Jing from the White Snake Martial School..."

Lin Nan paid no attention to their gossip. He continued practicing in the corner against a wooden dummy, as he did every day.

After entering the first level of the Sinew and Bone Realm, the muscles all over his body had grown increasingly solid. Once he took off his shirt, he could even see sculpted muscle lines.

If I went back to university now, I'd probably become the campus heartthrob.

Just as Lin Nan was lost in thought,

a minor official wearing a dark green cloth uniform entered the martial school with a summons.

"By order of the yamen, Lin Nan of the White Snake Martial School is summoned to appear at the yamen."

"It's finally here."

Lin Nan hurriedly composed himself, picked up a towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and strode forward.

Ever since the matter at the Blessed Life Cult's main altar seven days ago, Commandant Fu Lin had vanished for quite some time. She seemed to have been recovering from her injuries in some secret residence. Now, at last, news had come from her.

"You're Lin Nan? Come with me."

The minor official glanced at Lin Nan without saying more, then led him toward the yamen in the east of the city.

This time, Fu Lin seemed to have learned her lesson. Along the way, Lin Nan saw many constables in gray uniforms carrying steel sabers. At the entrance to the yamen, he even saw dozens of heavily armored soldiers.

They were the Fu Family's Valiant Cavalry Army!

Ding Qianyu of the Red Lion Gang had already been waiting at the entrance. When he saw Lin Nan approach, he hurriedly waved at him.

"Brother Lin, over here."

This man seemed rather quick to warm up to others.

Lin Nan walked over to Ding Qianyu, and the two exchanged a few casual words.

"Everyone is here. Please go in, gentlemen," the minor official spoke up at this moment.

"Everyone is here?" Both Lin Nan and Ding Qianyu froze.

"Where's Zhong Jing?"

Lin Nan was somewhat puzzled. He truly had not seen Zhong Jing these past few days.

"You'll know once you go inside," the minor official said, shaking his head and gesturing for them to enter.

"Ahhh! Com... Commandant... spare... spare me..."

The moment the two entered, they heard a string of shrieks like a pig being slaughtered.

In the center of the spacious courtyard stood a stone pillar. Zhong Jing's hands were bound behind his back, his shoulder blades pierced through, leaving him hanging from the pillar like a slab of salted pork.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Before him, a heavily armored soldier wielded a barbed rattan whip, lashing him without pause.

Fu Lin sat leisurely beside the courtyard, sipping tea. The smile at the corners of her mouth was impossible to suppress; the scene before her seemed to please her immensely.

"Com... Commandant... I... I'm really not a mole. Please believe me..."

Zhong Jing was even crying, tears mingling with blood as they flowed from the corners of his eyes.

"Reporting to the Commandant, this mole has a hard mouth. He still refuses to confess."

"Then keep whipping him. When you're done, take him to the dungeon for interrogation. I refuse to believe he still won't tell the truth after that."

Fu Lin's gaze was icy, and her pretty face carried a faintly ferocious look.

Watching this scene, Lin Nan's expression gradually turned strange.

"Hmm, you're here?"

Fu Lin noticed the two entering. Her expression softened somewhat as she casually waved a hand. Two soldiers immediately stepped forward and took Zhong Jing away, and the courtyard became much quieter at once.

"Greetings, Commandant!" Lin Nan and Ding Qianyu hurriedly saluted.

"No need for formalities." Fu Lin brushed aside the tea froth and took a light sip.

"I should have taken you to the inner city seven days ago, but those beasts from the Blessed Life Cult interrupted the process. Still, don't worry. The Martial Alliance has already destroyed the Blessed Life Cult's stronghold in the outer city, so things should be peaceful for a while."

"The Blessed Life Cult? The Martial Alliance? What are those?" Lin Nan was greatly startled, his eyes full of bewilderment.

Could it really not be him?

Fu Lin stared fixedly at his expression and continued, "The Blessed Life Cult is an evil cult. The recent cases of missing women in the outer city were all their doing. As for the Martial Alliance, it isn't some good organization either..."

At this point, Fu Lin sneered. "They go on all day about establishing principles and restoring order, revitalizing Great Qian, but in truth, they're merely a pack of rats hiding in the dark, too afraid to show themselves."

"Damn it!"

Lin Nan and Ding Qianyu both displayed angry expressions at the same time.

"So they're an evil cult and rebels. I swear to be irreconcilable enemies with the Blessed Life Cult and Martial Alliance!"

Lin Nan snorted angrily, his eyes seeming ready to spit fire.

"It's good to have such resolve, but you're still too weak. These matters aren't for you to worry about yet."

Fu Lin waved her hand.

"Back to business. Since Qianyu has joined my Valiant Cavalry Army, take my written order to the inner-city military camp tomorrow and report for duty."

Ding Qianyu's face lit up, and he hurriedly cupped his fists. "Thank you, my lady."

"As for Lin Nan, since you've chosen to enter a martial school, let me make this clear first..."

Fu Lin pondered for a moment. "The inner-city martial schools are not so easy to enter. I only have the right to recommend you. Whether you can enter the inner school depends on passing the martial school's examination. I can't help you with that; it will depend solely on your own ability."

"If you are willing, I'll take you to the inner city tomorrow."