Sect Token

After a long while, a golden glint flashed through Zhou Muyun's mind.

[Seven-Colored Glazed Body Initiated (1/300)]

Just as expected! No matter what martial art it was, he could initiate it.

Zhou Muyun was delighted. Martial arts also varied in strength; for powerful martial arts, some people might never even manage to get started in their entire lives.

But for him, none of that was a problem. Heaven rewarded diligence, and hard work would surely bring returns.

He immediately went to the courtyard and silently began circulating the method of the Seven-Colored Glazed Body.

Perhaps because he had stepped into the ranks of martial artists, Zhou Muyun found it particularly easy to circulate, and his proficiency rose rapidly as well.

[Seven-Colored Glazed Body Initiated (3/300)]

[Seven-Colored Glazed Body Initiated (6/300)]

In less than two days, I should be able to step into the Copper Skin Realm, Zhou Muyun calculated inwardly.

The moonlight was bright and clear. An hour passed.

Zhou Muyun, who had been sitting cross-legged in the courtyard with his eyes tightly shut, opened them.

"At my limit."

He stopped circulating the method, exhaled a breath of foul air, and glanced at the panel.

[Seven-Colored Glazed Body Initiated (50/300)]

The progress was not bad, though it consumed a little too much qi and blood.

This was the perfect time to try the Qi-Blood Powder and see whether it was really as useful as Senior Brother Mo had said.

Zhou Muyun took the Qi-Blood Powder he had prepared from his pocket.

After opening it, he found a clump of dark-red powder inside.

He poured the powder into his mouth and washed it down with water.

The powder slowly entered his stomach along with the water.

Before long, the medicinal effects began to take hold.

Zhou Muyun felt vitality continuously welling up from his body, which had been depleted just moments ago. Even his fatigue was gradually swept away.

"Good medicine. Worth those fifty coins."

For the first time, he experienced the joy of spending money to cultivate.

Zhou Muyun did not waste any time. Taking advantage of the medicine's effects, he intended to push his progress further.

With the Qi-Blood Powder, he felt that the Seven-Colored Glazed Body could enter the Copper Skin Realm by tomorrow night.

[Seven-Colored Glazed Body Initiated (52/300)]

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, someone knocked on Zhou Muyun's front door.

The visitors were Zhou Yanming and his wife. Carrying quite a few gifts, the two followed Xu Rou into the house.

"Xiao Rou, is Yun'er here? We came especially to thank him."

Zhou Yanming spoke gently, with a touch of warmth in his tone.

"Thank Yun'er?"

Upon hearing Zhou Yanming's words, Xu Rou was initially puzzled. Then she remembered Zhou Muyun saying that he would get the money back.

Could Yun'er really have done it?

"Yes! If Xiao Yun hadn't gotten the money back for us, our family wouldn't have known what to do!

Yun'er truly is remarkable. Yan Xin can rest easy in the heavens now," Zhou Yanming explained.

Those words further confirmed Xu Rou's thoughts. A hint of pride inevitably appeared on her face as she said:

"The main thing is that Yun'er worked hard at martial arts, which is why he has achieved something.

If he hadn't learned martial arts back then, wouldn't this have become troublesome? Don't you agree, Elder Brother?"

"Yes, Yun'er learning martial arts was the wisest choice." Zhou Yanming nodded repeatedly.

As she said this, Xu Rou intentionally or unintentionally glanced in Xiu Niang's direction.

How could Xiu Niang not know that Xu Rou was targeting her? Under normal circumstances, she would have exploded long ago.

But things were different now. Zhou Muyun was not only their family's benefactor, but he also had strength.

She could only smile somewhat awkwardly and nod along repeatedly.

Seeing Xiu Niang suffer a setback, Xu Rou felt so pleased she could barely contain herself. The smile on her face deepened as she said with a laugh, "Yun'er hasn't gone to the martial hall yet. I'll go call him."

She then headed toward Zhou Muyun's room in the inner quarters.

Before long, Zhou Muyun came out with Xu Rou.

Seeing his uncle and aunt, as well as the gifts, he immediately understood why they had come.

They were here to thank him.

Zhou Muyun still held his uncle in high regard. As for his aunt? Better not mention her.

After exchanging a few polite words with them, he used martial arts practice as an excuse and left the house.

He believed his mother would handle the matter properly.

Xu Rou was a weak woman who had raised him and his younger sister alone for six years after his father's death. Her mental strength and resilience were plain to see.

Even Zhou Muyun could not help but admire her.

Since he had made some progress in martial arts, even if he needed to keep a low profile, he at least could not keep letting his aunt bully and look down on them, could he?

Zhou Muyun soon arrived at Greenwood Martial Hall.

After greeting Yu Qing, Mo Qi, and the fellow disciples he knew, he went onto the training ground.

With his feet planted atop wooden stakes, he skillfully assumed the Willow Stake stance.

A light breeze brushed past. Zhou Muyun's upper body swayed like willow leaves, yet his feet remained utterly still.

The essentials of this stance, standing like a drooping willow, were displayed to perfection on his body.

Sweat slowly dripped onto the ground, while his Willow Stake proficiency steadily rose.

[Willow Stake Minor Mastery (962/1200)]

[Willow Stake Minor Mastery (963/1200)]

[...]

An hour passed. Feeling tired, Zhou Muyun sat to one side to drink water and rest.

He saw Li Qingliang emerge from the rear courtyard with Bai Yu and a group of direct disciples.

Normally, Li Qingliang would occasionally appear in the front courtyard to instruct disciples, while spending the rest of his time in the rear courtyard.

Since he had appeared in the front courtyard and had even brought the direct disciples, he surely had something to announce.

The disciples in the front courtyard all put down what they were doing and gathered around Li Qingliang. Zhou Muyun was no exception.

Once all the disciples had gathered, Li Qingliang swept his gaze across the crowd and said flatly, "Yesterday, I received word that the Cloud Forest Tournament will be held at year's end."

The moment those words were spoken, all the disciples erupted into an uproar, discussions breaking out everywhere.

Zhou Muyun looked puzzled instead. What was this "Cloud Forest Tournament," and why was everyone so excited?

He patted the equally excited Yu Qing beside him and asked, "Brother Yu, my knowledge is limited. What is so special about this Cloud Forest Tournament?"

Seeing that Zhou Muyun truly seemed not to know, Yu Qing explained, "The Cloud Forest Tournament has not been held for many years, so it is normal that Brother Zhou does not know.

It concerns whether one can enter a sect. Tell me, how could everyone not be excited?"

The moment the word sect was mentioned, shock appeared on Zhou Muyun's face.

This tournament could actually allow someone to enter a sect!

Over the past few months, Zhou Muyun had not only practiced martial arts. He had also learned quite a few things from Mo Qi and Lu Ming.

Sects were among them.

The Great Xia Dynasty covered vast territory and was divided into twelve circuits. Each circuit was then divided in order into prefectures, counties, and towns.

The imperial court controlled only two of those circuits, while the remaining ten were jointly divided between the court and the sects.

One could even say that within those ten circuits, the sects were more like local emperors.

Of the annual tax silver, half went to the imperial court, while the other half went into the sects' pockets. Their authority was evident.

Yunlin County belonged to Skycloud Prefecture, and one of Skycloud Prefecture's sects was the Spiritflame Sect.

County Commandant Zhang Ming had come from the Spiritflame Sect, which showed just how powerful the sects were.

No wonder everyone was so excited. Zhou Muyun understood at once.

"How does one participate in this tournament?" Zhou Muyun asked excitedly.

"For the Cloud Forest Tournament, one must be under twenty years old and at least in the Organ Refinement Realm to participate.

The tournament is divided into the Organ Refinement Realm and Blood Exchange Realm categories. First place in the Organ Refinement Realm and the top three in the Blood Exchange Realm will receive Sect Tokens.

Those who hold Sect Tokens will have a chance to visit a sect and gain an opportunity to enter it."

Only those under twenty who had reached the Organ Refinement Realm could participate. First place in Organ Refinement, or the top three in Blood Exchange, were needed for a chance to enter a sect.

"Entering a sect really isn't so easy!" Zhou Muyun muttered as he frowned in thought.

Li Qingliang pressed down with one hand, and everyone instantly fell silent.

"I believe all of you wish to participate in the tournament and achieve good results." His voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority.

"Then over the next six months, I hope you will all work harder. Do not bring shame upon Greenwood Martial Hall!"

After saying that, Li Qingliang gave everyone a deep look before turning and leaving the front courtyard.

Liu Yan and Li Buhui then went over to Bai Yu. Liu Yan smiled broadly and said, "Junior Brother Bai, this senior brother wishes you victory in the tournament."

Li Buhui also chimed in, "That's right. With Junior Brother Bai's talent, there will surely be no one who can match him in the tournament six months from now!"

Li Buhui and Liu Yan were both over twenty, so naturally they would not participate in the tournament.

But Bai Yu was different. He was a heaven-blessed prodigy who had reached the Organ Refinement Realm in just three months and had been accepted by Li Qingliang as his final disciple.

Moreover, Li Qingliang's strength ranked among the very best of the martial halls in Yunlin County.

The two had already decided that they needed to draw closer to Bai Yu. If he entered a sect, their status within the clan would likely rise with the tide.

"Then I'll accept the good wishes of my two senior brothers." Bai Yu sounded respectful, but there was a trace of arrogance on his face.

During this period, he had followed Li Qingliang to several martial halls to exchange blows and compete.

Though he had both won and lost, nearly all those who had beaten him were veterans like Liu Yan, people who had immersed themselves in the Organ Refinement Realm for years. There were almost no newcomers among them.

He was confident that he could take first place in the Organ Refinement Realm. As for the Blood Exchange Realm, he believed he might not be without a chance to contend for it as well.

After all, with Sect Tokens at stake, those under twenty who had reached the Blood Exchange Realm would naturally find it easier to enter a sect.

"Since that's the case, how about I host a banquet tonight and the few of us have a small gathering?" Liu Yan suggested.

"Since Senior Brother has invited me, I shall certainly join." Bai Yu replied.

Li Buhui, standing nearby, naturally nodded in agreement as well.

The group left together, heading out of the martial hall.

At that moment, Li Buhui noticed Zhou Muyun practicing on the training ground and frowned slightly.

Following his gaze, Bai Yu also saw Zhou Muyun. He asked curiously, "Senior Brother Li, Zhou Muyun is famous for his bitter cultivation. What is it?"

Li Buhui withdrew his gaze, the corner of his mouth curving into an arc as he sneered, "I was thinking, if hard training were useful, why would there be any need for geniuses? Isn't that right, Junior Brother Bai?"

"Exactly. What the hell is the use of hard training? You still need to be a heaven-sent genius like Junior Brother Bai." Liu Yan did not miss any chance to flatter him.

"You two senior brothers flatter me. I heard that Junior Brother Zhou Muyun entered the Tempered Bone Realm only seven days later than I did."

"That was just his good luck. He cannot compare to you, Junior Brother Bai."

"Exactly, exactly."

Bai Yu nodded and said nothing more, but inwardly he also felt that if hard training were useful, so many people would not remain mediocre their entire lives.

On the training ground, Zhou Muyun, who had begun another round of practice as soon as Li Qingliang left, did not notice their conversation at all.

He only knew that his efforts would surely bear fruit. Since an opportunity had been placed before him, he had to work even harder and fight for it!

His clothes, which had only just dried somewhat, slowly became soaked again. The proficiency of his Willow Stake rose bit by bit with time.

[Willow Stake Minor Mastery (970/1200)]