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Watching the young man before him pour him wine.

Li Hongwu smiled at General Yang. "Old Yang, young people still need to be knocked into shape."

General Yang looked strangely at Zhou Ming before him.

He truly found it hard to believe that this young man was the very one who had looked down upon countless geniuses from the arena not long ago and declared, "Send someone who can fight."

Where was a martial artist's dignity?

Where was the proud backbone in his bones?

After filling both their cups, Zhou Ming took a small step back.

In a clear voice, he said, "This junior greets the two elders and wishes you blessings as vast as the sea, lifespans as enduring as the mountains, filial children and grandchildren, sharp ears, bright eyes, and strong bodies!"

Having said that, he bowed slightly, extending both hands before them.

That whole performance left General Yang stunned. He then quietly asked Li Hongwu, "Old Li, what is he doing?"

Li Hongwu burst out laughing. "He's asking for a meeting gift. Didn't I say this brat was a little rascal?"

Zhou Ming straightened up, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Surely you two elders aren't meeting a junior for the first time without even bringing a meeting gift?"

General Yang tugged at his beard.

Only when pain shot through him did he realize he truly was not dreaming.

How many years had it been? Other than Mu'er from Old Li's family, and the two Huang Muhengs—

Which junior did not tremble in fear before him?

It was normal enough that this brat did not know him and was not afraid.

But to actually hold out his hand and demand a meeting gift—he had truly lived long enough to see it!

Looking at General Yang beside him, Li Hongwu laughed. "Has it been a long time since you saw such an amusing little rascal?"

After taking a drink, General Yang said calmly, "Indeed, it is rare."

Li Hongwu laughed. "Little fellow, what gift do you want?"

Joy rose in Zhou Ming's heart.

Good heavens, he could actually choose?

He blurted out, "Cultivation manuals. The complete set from Fifth Grade to First Rank!"

Li Hongwu laughed loudly. "You really opened your mouth like a lion."

Rubbing his hands together, Zhou Ming grinned. "The two of you—one guards the nation, and one is a general. You are the highest-ranking officials among everyone I know. Surely you can afford such a small thing?"

General Yang glanced at Zhou Ming. "I'll give you cultivation manuals for Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade. For Second Grade, ask Old Li."

The instant Zhou Ming heard that, he grew anxious. "What about First Rank?"

"Brother Zhou, there are no First Rank cultivation manuals," Huang Muheng, standing behind the elder, explained.

Zhou Ming cried out, "None?! Then how does one cultivate?"

Li Hongwu laughed. "Why are you in such a hurry? You're only Sixth Rank. The road ahead is long. Once you reach Second Grade, won't you know?"

"That's true."

With that, Zhou Ming held out his hand.

General Yang took three jade slips from his robes and handed them over.

Zhou Ming immediately tucked them into his robes, then held out his hand toward Li Hongwu.

Smack!

"Hiss!"

Zhou Ming jerked his hand back as though shocked by lightning, immediately rubbing it. Looking down, he saw that his palm was bright red.

"This old man will wait for you in the Imperial City. Take first place in the Earth Tier Martial Examination, and you'll get your cultivation manual. Fail, and you won't get so much as a hair."

Having said that, Li Hongwu and General Yang rose and left.

"Mu'er, come home with me!"

After walking out of the courtyard, Li Hongwu said indifferently.

Li Mu held Jiang Jiang's hand and whispered, "Jiang Jiang, I'm going home for a while."

Jiang Jiang nodded.

Then Li Mu glared at Zhou Ming, raised her tiny fist, and waved it fiercely at him. "I'm leaving Jiang Jiang to you. Don't you dare bully her."

With that, she hurried after Li Hongwu's retreating figure.

After the two old men had left, Huang Muheng pulled Zhou Ming down to sit. "Brother Zhou, it's not that I want to criticize you, but where was your martial artist's proud backbone? How could you abase yourself so thoroughly, looking like some lackey?"

As night fell.

Jiang Jiang carried a pot of hot tea out from the room, just in time to see Huang Muheng leave in high spirits with a jade bottle in hand.

Jiang Jiang walked to the table, took out another clean cup, poured Zhou Ming some hot tea, and softly said, "You drank wine. It's cold tonight, so have some hot tea."

"Mm."

Zhou Ming gave a soft grunt.

After handing him the tea, Jiang Jiang quietly sat beside him.

After a moment of silence, Zhou Ming spoke. "You're not going to ask?"

Jiang Jiang raised her head, glanced at Zhou Ming, then gently shook her head.

She had also seen Zhou Ming's baffling actions just now. He had looked like an idiot.

Yet Huang Muheng beside him had excitement in his eyes.

Even when she had just come out carrying the tea, she had seen the way Huang Muheng left hugging that jade bottle.

But if Zhou Ming did not say anything, she would not ask.

The two sat quietly like that. The moon did not emerge, and the sky darkened completely.

In the darkness, Zhou Ming gave a slight wave of his hand.

In an instant, specks of dazzling colors lit up around them.

Multicolored spirits floated around the two of them, drifting aimlessly.

The pair seemed to be standing amid a river of stars.

Looking at the sight before her, Jiang Jiang exclaimed, "So beautiful!"

In an instant, her body trembled slightly. Feeling the yearning well up from within her body, she asked, "Yu Xi, what are these? I feel like I need them badly."

Zhou Ming waved his hand, withdrawing the blood qi that had touched the spirits. The river of stars instantly vanished, and the surroundings once more fell into darkness.

Zhou Ming spread open his palm and held it before her, smiling as he said, "These little things are called spirits. They're what I caught for Brother Huang."

Jiang Jiang stared at the spirit in his hand, eager to move. "Can you let me have a look?"

Zhou Ming smiled. "These things are terribly delicate. I can catch them, but you can't. You need to release blood qi and wrap it around them."

A moment later, Jiang Jiang looked at the spirit in her hand, swallowed, and said, "You're saying it can improve a person's innate bones and comprehension?"

Zhou Ming shrugged and smiled. "Want to try? Even if it doesn't work, these little things won't harm you."

Jiang Jiang raised a slender brow. "Of course I have to try! I've never heard of anything that can alter a person's innate bones and comprehension. But if you cripple me, you'll have to take responsibility."

"Don't worry! I guarantee it's harmless!"

Zhou Ming lifted a hand in summons. In an instant, a group of spirits swirled around Jiang Jiang, dancing gracefully.

Looking at the spirits that had appeared around her, Jiang Jiang did not hesitate. She released her blood qi, directly wrapped them up, and absorbed them into her body.

Feeling the satisfaction rising from within her body, Jiang Jiang said, "I want more!"

All night long, under Jiang Jiang's repeated cries of "I want more," Zhou Ming toiled away.

By the time Jiang Jiang was thoroughly satisfied, dawn had arrived.

After her body could no longer absorb spirits, Jiang Jiang immediately began circulating her cultivation method and converting blood qi.

Watching her impatient manner, Zhou Ming sighed.

He muttered quietly, "Was that really necessary? I worked hard all night, and she doesn't even know to reward me."

By noon.

After finishing her meat, Jiang Jiang turned around and went straight back to cultivation.

Zhou Ming looked at the figure sitting cross-legged in cultivation and shook his head.

It was over!

Her talent had improved.

But she had become stupid—turned into a cultivation-crazed demon.

He could not understand it. During this period, he had barely seen Jiang Jiang practice, so how had she become such an obsessive grinder after the Turbid Qi in her body had been removed?

She was not him. Her cultivation could not be achieved in one leap. Did she really need to push herself that hard?

He had also wanted to ask what other changes there were besides her talent.

He himself had become an Immaculate Body and gained the sole Innate Divine Ability.

What about everyone else? What would they awaken?