Zhao Yuanchang stood outside the door.
A leather whip lay on his outstretched hands.
He could clearly feel that there were eyes on him from the crowd around him.
Many martial artists recognized his identity.
He gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and his mind was filled with the day Jiang Shu paid his respects to him.
If Jiang Shu were just an ordinary Blood Exchange Realm, or even a peak Blood Exchange Realm expert, he wouldn't be in this state. After all, the Zhao Family has a profound foundation; not only did they produce experts at the Aperture Opening Realm in the past, but their current direct descendant genius, Zhao Zhongming, has even made it onto the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings, just one step away from the Aperture Opening Realm.
As a direct descendant of the Zhao Family, even though he was only at the Viscera Training Realm, he could still speak eloquently in front of someone at the Blood Exchange Realm.
However, after the battle with the Zhang Family, Jiang Shu's martial arts talent became known to everyone.
A genius who is destined to be on the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings, and whose minimum future cultivation level will be the Aperture Opening Realm.
Even the Zhao Family did not want to antagonize them.
Zhao Chengxuan is a genius and has the potential to climb the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings in the future. A battle could also be described as a factional conflict; it could be a case of "no fight, no friendship," which might not be a bad thing.
But he was different. When Jiang Shu arrived with the letter of introduction, he not only refused to see him, but also arranged for a Gold Plaque Offering to serve him.
For ordinary martial artists, Gold Plaque Offering is a great favor.
But for a genius like Jiang Shu, Gold Plaque Offering is actually a humiliation!
This kind of news is something that nobody knows right now.
If word gets out, all the martial artists in the county will laugh at the Zhao Family for being blind to their worth.
Even if he is a direct descendant, he still has to go to the Punishment Hall to receive clan punishment!
"Not see."
Jiang Shu waved his hand.
After the war, Zhao Yuanchang actually sent several invitations, set up an extremely lavish banquet, and prepared generous gifts.
But without exception, they were all ignored by themselves.
This time, he came in person, probably because he had spies planted outside his own yard.
Knowing that Old Man Chou had returned to the county town, it would be extremely difficult to keep this matter hidden any longer.
They wanted to gain their understanding before the matter became public.
The idea is good, but why should I forgive myself?
Manager Zhang's words were not deliberately concealed from Chou Hai and Qi Yuan.
Chou Hai glanced back at the closed courtyard gate, then looked at Jiang Shu. His pupils dilated violently, and he felt as if a thousand storms were raging through his mind.
It could make the direct descendants of the Zhao Family family apologize with thorns on their backs.
My disciple's breakthrough is definitely not as simple as just reaching the Blood Exchange Realm!
One month later.
The setting sun shines on the water beneath the leaves, creating gentle waves that stretch for miles.
On the deck, Jiang Shu stood facing the wind.
His blood flowed with perfect stillness. At his current level, he could completely control the flow of his blood. The Dan Jin constantly stimulated the hidden points in his body, bringing great improvement every day.
After leaving Yongning Prefecture, he did not rush to the state capital.
Instead, they lingered in the county town, researching the secrets collected by the Chamber of Commerce, and gaining a deeper understanding of the world they inhabited.
"According to the map, this should be the county town closest to the state capital, Azure Sky Prefecture. Compared with the other large counties, Azure Sky Prefecture City, which is close to Cloud State Capital, covers a vast area, as large as three Yongning Prefecture City. It has three branches of the Chamber of Commerce, and holds an auction almost every month. Its martial arts resources are extremely abundant."
"Especially the Yanding Merchant Guild, which once auctioned off Pseudo-Treasure Artifact!"
Jiang Shu murmured to himself as he looked into the distance, where a vast prefecture city gradually came into view.
After a month of cultivation, he had completely stabilized his mid-stage Blood Exchange Realm, and his True Force began to temper his ribs. Ordinary geniuses on the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings were no longer his match.
Through continuous daily practice, the Four Symbols True Strength has been greatly Great Accomplishment, and perhaps due to the constant travel on water, the Black Tortoise True Strength is even closer to perfection.
" Brother Jiang, your alchemy skills are truly getting better and better. The efficacy of this Marrow Cleansing Pill is much higher than the one I bought at the County City Chamber of Commerce. It's just a pity that you are only Middle-Grade Alchemist, you could be treated as an honored guest by any Aristocratic Clan in Dazhou City."
The giant ship gradually approached the shore.
Jiang Shu circulated his True Force, and a huge package beneath his feet, like a feather, clung tightly to his palm.
A familiar voice sounded from behind.
"Brother Chu, you flatter me. Becoming High-Grade Alchemist is not so easy. Without reaching the Opening Aperture Opening Realm and having a sufficient understanding and mastery of the Origin Qi of heaven and earth, even the most superb alchemy skills will result in the destruction of the pills and the explosion of the furnace."
Jiang Shu smiled but didn't turn around immediately. He naturally knew who the newcomer was.
Chu Xisheng, a genius from Cloud State Capital, had already advanced to the late stage of the Blood Exchange Realm before the age of twenty. His entire body was like a dragon or an elephant, and his blood was like mercury syrup. His weapon was a long spear, the entire spear body forged from Purple Gold Soft Steel. It ensured both hardness and flexibility.
The spearhead was made of an extremely rare Red Flame Gold, found only in volcanoes inhabited by Fifth Order Variant Ferocious Beast. The hardness of this metal exceeded Jiang Shu's understanding; even the alloy steel knife he held in his hand was far inferior.
Moreover, according to Chu Xisheng himself, using Red Flame Gold for a spearhead is a huge waste. In the hands of a true weapon refiner, Red Flame Gold can even be used as a material for Treasure Artifact.
Treasure Artifact, imbued with Treasure Artifact Treasure Pattern, can serve as the family heirloom of noble and aristocratic Aristocratic Clan!
Storage Bag, though engraved with storage Treasure Pattern, cannot be used for killing and are not worthy of being clan treasures.
This clan's most prized Treasure Artifact possesses Treasure Pattern that can absorb the Origin Qi of heaven and earth. When a martial artist activates these Treasure Pattern, their ultimate strike can instantly kill a martial artist at the Aperture Opening Realm!
A martial artist at the Aperture Opening Realm who wields a powerful Treasure Artifact can, for a short period of time, rival someone at the Rebirth Realm!
Indeed, only by venturing out can one truly appreciate the vastness of the world.
"With your strength, how long would it take you to the Aperture Opening Realm?"
Chu Xisheng shook his head and walked over. Unlike Jiang Shu, he didn't carry any bundles; instead, he had a small Storage Bag at his waist. He came from the state capital and had seen countless geniuses.
But very few geniuses are as peculiar as Jiang Shu.
Although his cultivation level was not yet at the late stage of the Blood Exchange Realm, he seemed to be one with the world. Although they hadn't actually fought, he had a strange intuition that even if they did, he might not be able to gain the upper hand.
"Judging from your appearance, Brother Jiang, are you planning to rest in Azure Sky Prefecture City for a while? Actually, although Azure Sky Prefecture is good, it can't compare to the state capital in terms of martial arts resources or the number of genius martial artists. With your strength, Brother Jiang, you can go directly to the state capital. If you don't have a place to rest, as a direct descendant of the Chu Family, I would welcome a genius like Brother Jiang to come."
Chu Xisheng recruited them.
Absolute safety is impossible for a large ship sailing for a long time.
On the night of the first ten days, Variant Ferocious Beast at the peak of the Fourth Order emerged from the water. He and Jiang Shu worked together to repel it, and it was after this that the two occasionally communicated and gradually became acquainted.
"Brother Chu, you're too kind. I will naturally visit your residence when I have the chance."
Jiang Shu smiled, bowed to Chu Xisheng in farewell, and slowly disembarked.
He would naturally go to the capital, but not now. Over the past month, he had gained a deeper understanding of the world, no longer confined to the bottom of a well, gazing at the sky as before.
The Great Jing Dynasty is not the Hegemonic Force in this world.
It was merely a medium-sized dynasty. There were hundreds of such dynasties in this vast region.
The reason why dynasties last for thousands of years is not because their emperors were particularly wise.
Rather, there exists a higher level of existence above the dynasty.
Sect!
Sects rule over everything.
Throughout the centuries, there have been martial arts uprisings. However, these uprisings have always been small-scale. Once the stability of the country is at stake, the Martial Dao Immortal of the sects will descend from the mountains to take action.
The stars shift and the constellations change; mountains are burned and seas are boiled.
Even the most powerful rebel army will be wiped out under true supernatural power.
Martial arts Body Refining, Qi Refining, and Spirit Refining.
Actually, it's just a process of laying the foundation.
Martial arts prodigies compete for the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings; the Dragon-Tiger Rankings is not about vying for fame and fortune.
Only by climbing step by step can one become a true dynasty genius, enter the Rebirth Realm, and be qualified to shine in the Hundred Dynasty War.
The Hundred Dynasty War.
It is held once every ten years.
The sect will send elders, and only true geniuses will have the opportunity to enter and become beings above the Rebirth Realm.
There are records of that realm in some documents and secrets.
Furnace Fire Realm.
Heaven and Earth Furnace, and I am the fire within it.
The Origin Qi of heaven and earth is no longer something that can only be used to open Aperture, like in the Aperture Opening Realm, but truly exists within the limbs and bones.
Every move can attract the Origin Qi of heaven and earth.
Flying through the air, carefree and at ease.
Upon reaching this level, one's lifespan is five hundred years.
"Call..."
He let out a long breath.
Before my eyes, there was a constant flow of cars and countless pedestrians.
The occasional shouts rang in Jiang Shu's ears, pulling him back to reality.
The more you know, the more you realize your own insignificance.
Let alone the Furnace Fire Realm.
Now, he needs a considerable amount of time to advance to the Aperture Opening Realm and the Rebirth Realm.
More than eight years have passed since the last Hundred Dynasty War.
He had less than two years left.
"It will take about a year and a half, but that's a conservative estimate. After all, the spots for the Hundred Dynasty War's participating geniuses will definitely be determined much earlier. If I want to make it into this year, I must be able to become famous throughout the entire Great Jing Dynasty within a year."
"Reach the top of the Dragon-Tiger Rankings and enter the Rebirth Realm."
"Time is of the essence."
Jiang Shu walked to the Danxia Merchant Guild branch, showed his First-Class Genius token, and opened the Earth Fire Alchemy Room.
The city is indeed large, and it is also the headquarters of the Danxia Merchant Guild.
But after his battle with Zhao Chengxuan, who knows how many geniuses who have joined the Great Elder's faction are waiting for him.
If it were the old him, unaware of the vastness of the world, he might have gone directly to the state capital.
Since he began practicing martial arts, he has never been afraid of fighting.
One by one they come, we fight them until they are all Qi Ingestion.
You can also gradually improve your ranking on the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings during battles.
From the end, all the way to the top.
But now, in his eyes, the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings is just like a list of people who try to climb the social ladder by associating with the powerful.
Climbing slowly to the summit is just a waste of time and doesn't make much sense.
What he needs to do is to crush everything in his path after entering the state capital, climb to the top of the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings, and then head to the Royal City to test his mettle as a true dynasty genius.
In front of the sect.
Even dynasties are nothing more than tiny places.
Moreover, it is only a small state under its jurisdiction.
Even if you're number one inside, so what?
Jiang Shu sat cross-legged, his breathing gradually becoming steady. He patted his pack, and Superior Grade Pill Furnace and many medicinal herbs flew out from it.
After he could no longer Two Worlds Travel, he lost far too many martial arts resources.
Before reaching the Aperture Opening Realm, one can only rely on oneself.
" Eight Desolations Grass, Yang Burning Flower, Clear Qi Bamboo..."
After verifying that everything was in order, Jiang Shu slowly began to circulate the Vermillion Bird True Strength within his body.
The earth fire leaped beneath the Superior Grade Pill Furnace. His body was like a giant elixir, drawing upon the primordial Origin Qi of heaven and earth from beneath the ground, and using his True Force to place each medicinal herb into the Superior Grade Pill Furnace.
Fifteen minutes later.
Didi sweat trickled down Jiang Shu's forehead. In the Pill Furnace, flames erupted, True Force surged wildly, and Origin Qi dissipated.
A burnt smell wafted from it.
"As expected, High-Grade Medicinal Pill are not so easy to refine."
After swallowing a Blood Replenishing Pill, Jiang Shu readjusted his condition.
At his level, the profits from refining Middle-Grade Pill are already too small. To truly reap great rewards, he must refine High-Grade Medicinal Pill beyond his current level!
This is completely impossible for an ordinary Alchemist at the Blood Exchange Realm.
Because High-Grade Medicinal Pill require control over the Origin Qi of heaven and earth.
However, for Jiang Shu, who has already taken a significant step into the Dan Jin Dan Jin realm, it might not be impossible to give it a try.
"Just now, it seems that the Vermillion Bird True Strength collapsed all at once. Next time, I'll try to input the Azure Dragon True Strength first to stabilize the energy of the medicinal herbs. The flow of Origin Qi needs to be slowed down a bit more."
"The order in which the medicinal herbs are placed is correct, but the timing is a bit problematic. After the Clear Qi Bamboo is placed down, the Origin Qi of heaven and earth must immediately envelop it, and then the Yongning Flower must follow immediately."
Jiang Shu summarized his experience.
Pill Formula can vary slightly depending on the Alchemist's habits.
It's not that following the Pill Formula guarantees success.
Successful alchemy depends on understanding the medicinal materials, mastering the True Force, and subtly manipulating the Origin Qi.
After an hour of rest, they continued refining the elixir.
fail.
success.
The refreshing fragrance of the elixir, like spring water, instantly dispelled some of the heat in the Earth Fire Alchemy Room.
Jiang Shu took one pill and carefully felt its properties.
Although he had only refined pills three times, his spiritual power had already begun to weaken.
The Great Dream Sleep Dan Art: Circulate and Rest.
fail.
success.
success.
Day after day, I lived in the Earth Fire Alchemy Room, where the earth fire was fierce and the fragrance of elixirs filled the air.
Jiang Shu emerged from the pass half a month later.
He sold all the Middle-Grade Pill he had to the Danxia Merchant Guild.
After staying for two days in a restaurant in the county town.
Changes in facial features and body shape.
A black cloak covered his entire body.
He entered Azure Sky Prefecture City at a leisurely pace, at the Yanding Merchant Guild Commerce, one of the three major chambers of commerce.
He flicked the three wooden boxes directly from his sleeve onto the table of the guild leader, saying:
"Thirty bottles of High-Grade Medicinal Pill, Qi Gathering Pill, are up for auction."