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Greenwood Martial Hall.

Zhou Muyun slowly walked inside, and things were different from before.

Along the way, disciples constantly greeted him, their faces full of admiration and respect, their tones several degrees warmer as well.

"Does this count as getting the star treatment?"

He rather enjoyed the feeling, yet also felt it was not quite right.

A tree that rises above the forest is sure to be toppled by the wind. It would be better to keep a low profile from now on.

Of course, opportunities and treasures were another matter entirely.

"Senior Brother Zhou!"

Zhang Yu hurried over to Zhou Muyun's side, his face full of reverence.

"Senior Brother Zhou, you're incredible! You're the number one at the Organ Refinement Realm in the martial hall!

That was a title countless people could never obtain. You knocked Zhang Chong off the stage with a single punch, standing alone upon the stage..."

After saying that, he asked with concern, "Senior Brother, how are your injuries?"

"I'm fine. I've already recovered."

"That's good, that's good."

Zhang Yu let out a sigh of relief. Then he looked around and lowered his voice. "You haven't come to the martial hall these past few days, but Song Changsheng, the head of the Song Household, personally came to visit Master!"

"Song Changsheng?!"

Zhou Muyun's heart stirred, and he pressed, "Do you know what it was for?"

As the foremost of the Four Great Families, and as the head of the Song Household, Song Changsheng held an incomparably exalted status.

Yet he had actually come personally to visit his master.

Could the pressure Yunlin Chamber of Commerce was exerting on the Four Great Families be growing ever greater?

Was he trying to recruit his master?

Zhang Yu shook his head. "They were talking in the rear courtyard. I only saw that Song Changsheng's expression was not very good when he came out."

Zhou Muyun frowned slightly.

It seemed Master had rejected his invitation!

Originally, Yunlin County had Zhang Ming overseeing it, and with the Great Xia Guard added to the mix, everything had been kept in good order.

Now Zhang Ming's fate was unknown, while the four city magistrates did nothing. The situation had taken a sharp turn for the worse.

When he had spoken with Lu Ming some days ago, Zhou Muyun had also learned that the Great Xia Guard had been transferred away.

A leaking roof, and then a night of unending rain!

Forget it. Raising his strength was what mattered most.

Putting away his thoughts, Zhou Muyun looked at Zhang Yu and asked, "How has your training been lately?"

Zhang Yu smiled, took two steps back, and released the aura of his whole body. He had surprisingly already reached the Tempered Bone Realm.

"It's all thanks to Senior Brother's usual guidance. I only just barely stepped into the Tempered Bone Realm these past two days."

"Good!" Zhou Muyun stepped forward and patted his shoulder. "Keep up this momentum and continue working hard."

"Yes, Senior Brother. I'll definitely keep working hard." Zhang Yu clenched his fist and swung it, his face resolute.

The days flowed past like running water.

During the day, Zhou Muyun practiced the Willow Stake and Flurry Fist at the martial hall. At night, he practiced the Seven-Colored Glazed Body at home.

He returned home rather late every day, so he had no time to see how Zhou Tong's sword practice was going.

He had never insisted that Zhou Tong practice martial arts in the first place. As long as his younger sister was happy, that was enough, so he simply stopped asking about it.

Before he knew it, a month slipped quietly by.

Although the Leng Household no longer funded him, he had gained quite a bit of silver and medicine, so cultivation resources were not in short supply.

He consumed the six one-year treasured herbs Li Qingliang had given him, and the Blood Crystal Stones Leng Tong had given him had also been used up completely.

As expected of heavenly treasures, they brought him tremendous gains, while his Diligence Points steadily accumulated.

[The heavens reward diligence; there will surely be gains. Diligence Points are settled daily.]

[Willow Stake, Mastery (2000/2400)]

[Flurry Fist, Mastery (720/2400)]

[Seven-Colored Glazed Body—Silver Blood Stage (2100/2400)]

[Diligence Points: 980]

For Zhou Muyun, as long as he cultivated diligently, reaching the Blood Exchange Realm was merely a matter of time.

In another two days, his innate bone structure could improve once more. That also left him quite satisfied.

The autumn wind was bleak, and winter was clearly drawing near.

Zhou Muyun stood atop a wooden stake, utterly motionless.

"Big news! Big news!"

A disciple ran in from outside the gates, shouting breathlessly.

"Qian... Qian Bao, and... Long Qian have successfully broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm! Yunlin Chamber of Commerce has gained two more 'grandmasters'."

The entire courtyard erupted in an uproar.

That was the Blood Exchange Realm!

A realm in Yunlin County where the major households treated one as an honored guest.

It was also known as the "grandmaster" realm, referring to those who could establish a martial hall of their own.

It was the lifelong pursuit of countless people.

Everyone had expected Zhou Muyun, Zhang Chong, Bai Yu, or the others to be the first to enter the Blood Exchange Realm.

No one had expected it to be those two. Could it be that they were going to eclipse their entire generation?

Bai Yu remained silent, several traces of disdain and resentment on his face.

Mo Qi's expression dimmed, and even the speed of his punches slowed somewhat.

Yan Qing's gaze flickered, and he turned to head quickly toward the rear courtyard.

"My heavens, the Martial Hall Tournament only ended a month ago, and they've both already entered the Blood Exchange Realm?"

"Are their talents really so heaven-defying? Yunlin Chamber of Commerce's strength has increased greatly!"

"That's the Blood Exchange Realm! Who knows how many people are stuck there for their entire lives, and attempting Blood Exchange is incomparably dangerous..."

"..."

The discussions spread like a rising tide, while the shock in the disciples' eyes lingered for a long time.

"The Blood Exchange Realm, huh."

Zhou Muyun murmured softly. Fortunately, he was not far from it himself.

For the entire afternoon, the discussions in the martial hall did not stop.

At that moment, Yan Qing emerged from the rear courtyard and called Zhou Muyun and the other personal disciples there.

Li Qingliang sat upright upon a stone chair. Looking at the personal disciples, now reduced by nearly half, a trace of loneliness appeared in his eyes.

"Song Changsheng came some days ago. He promised this old man one hundred taels of gold, wanting me to bring the martial hall into their Song Household."

One hundred taels of gold! That was equivalent to ten thousand taels of silver!

Master was bringing this up—could he have agreed?

The others exchanged puzzled looks, unable to make sense of it.

"I refused," Li Qingliang continued.

"The Four Great Families and Yunlin Chamber of Commerce are openly and covertly fighting each other, stirring Yunlin County into unrest.

I have no desire to wade into this muddy water. I called you here today to give you a warning."

When he said the words "give you a warning," Li Qingliang shot Bai Yu a glare.

Although this last disciple of his was somewhat lacking in temperament, Li Qingliang had still poured much effort into him.

At the same time, he knew that Bai Yu had been growing close to the Four Great Families.

Li Qingliang's tone turned solemn as he said seriously, "First, whether it is the chamber of commerce or the Four Great Families, you must keep your distance from both.

Do not lose your lives over petty gains. You must understand that only the living have a future.

Second, these are troubled times. You should quicken your pace and improve your strength as much as possible.

Those who should attempt the Blood Exchange Realm should do so as soon as possible. If there is anything you do not understand or need, come find me.

Strength is the key that decides everything. Do you all understand?"

It seemed Yunlin County's situation was even worse than I had imagined!

After hearing Li Qingliang's words, Zhou Muyun immediately formed a guess.

Li Qingliang had been at Peak Blood Exchange in his youth.

Though he was now past fifty and his strength had declined somewhat, he was still not someone an ordinary Blood Exchange Realm martial artist could even dream of challenging.

Even he found the situation troublesome enough to warn his disciples. That spoke volumes.

"This disciple will obey Master's command!"

Everyone clasped their fists and bowed as they replied.

"I hope you will keep my words in your hearts. Bai Yu, stay behind. The rest of you may leave!"

"Yes."

The others promptly departed from the rear courtyard, leaving only Bai Yu and Li Qingliang behind.

As Zhou Muyun walked out through the courtyard gate, he glanced back.

The two seemed to be arguing fiercely over something.

It seemed Bai Yu's wings had hardened, and he had ideas of his own!

Zhou Muyun withdrew his gaze and continued onward.

He had only taken a few steps when Yan Qing's voice came from behind him.

"Junior Brother Zhou, wait a moment."

"Eldest Senior Brother, what is it?"

Zhou Muyun had always thought quite highly of Yan Qing, his eldest senior brother.

He had the strength of the mid-stage Blood Exchange Realm, carried no airs, and spoke gently. He was recognized throughout the courtyard as a refined gentleman.

"Master has something for me to give you."

Yan Qing handed a small box to Zhou Muyun.

Zhou Muyun accepted it and opened it, only to see three pills inside.

"These are?"

"Life-Nourishing Pills. They can treat hidden injuries from failed breakthroughs and regulate one's foundation.

Master only has nine in total. When I broke through to the Blood Exchange Realm, I used three. Now you and Junior Brother Bai each receive three."

Yan Qing explained quietly.

Good stuff! Zhou Muyun secretly exclaimed.

There were no shortage of people who only succeeded after attempting the Blood Exchange Realm three or four times, but every attempt left behind hidden injuries, or even serious wounds.

Each attempt had to be separated by months, sometimes even years.

These pills could shorten that time. Master had truly been thoughtful.

Zhou Muyun knew full well that he did not need them, but who would ever complain about having too many good things?

"Many thanks to Master, and many thanks to Eldest Senior Brother. But why did Master not give them to me just now?"

Yan Qing rarely revealed a hint of helplessness.

"Junior Brother Bai is Master's last disciple. If he gave them to you as well, it might invite gossip, and Junior Brother Bai might also develop a grievance."

"Master truly considered everything thoroughly." Zhou Muyun nodded in understanding.

Yan Qing offered a few more words of encouragement before leaving.

The following night, within the Zhou Household courtyard.

Zhou Muyun sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes tightly shut as moonlight washed over him.

As midnight arrived, he opened his eyes, and a sharp gleam flashed within them.

His innate bone structure would break through tonight!