Lanyi, Sister Lanyi

Though it was clearly a pleasant voice, it made Lu Li abruptly wary when it fell upon his ears.

Lu Li gave an "Mm," rose to his feet, and cupped his fists. "I ask that Miss please keep this secret for me."

As his words fell, he raised his eyes and looked directly at Lin Lanyi.

He knew very little about the escort agency's eldest miss, but before he had come, his master had told him that she could be trusted. She was also a martial arts prodigy.

He recalled Lin Lanyi's words and actions from earlier, and gradually relaxed. He felt that Lin Lanyi was a steady and reliable young woman.

It was not that he was being overly cautious.

At this moment, he was bare-chested, and his realm had been exposed. It was equivalent to laying everything about himself bare before Lin Lanyi, inside and out, without the slightest reservation.

The two looked at each other, yet fell into an unusual silence.

Lin Lanyi stood quietly in a moon-white, narrow-sleeved martial dress patterned with subtle bamboo. She did not rush to respond.

In Lu Li's eyes, she was simply and elegantly dressed, her quiet bearing revealing dignity. A small, plain jade amulet for safety hung at her waist.

Lin Lanyi's emotions were somewhat complicated.

She had originally feared that something might go wrong while Lu Li broke through his acupoints, which was why she had told him to remove his clothes. If anything happened, she would be able to remedy it in time.

Yet she had not expected that when Lu Li circulated the Primordial Unity Force, faint orange markings would flicker across his chest. Only then did she learn that Lu Li had long since succeeded in Gate-Breaking—and had already reached Fifth-Level Skin Tempering.

Lin Lanyi froze for a moment. Thinking back on how long Lu Li had practiced martial arts, she found it hard to believe: Ninth-Tier Lower Bone Aptitude, less than two months, Fifth-Level Skin Tempering!

What kind of astonishing comprehension was that?

Even with her Upper-Grade Bone Aptitude, it had taken her nearly five months to reach Fifth-Level Skin Tempering.

She had only agreed to Lu Li's request to improve his Root Bone out of consideration for Shen Gangfu's sake, because it was crucial to a major matter she intended to undertake next. As for making Lu Li agree to one request beforehand, that had merely been an offhand remark.

How could she have known that Lu Li was so deeply calculating?

She guessed that perhaps even Shen Gangfu did not know Lu Li's true talent and current strength.

However.

She could understand Lu Li. There was nothing wrong with wanting to lie low when one possessed such terrifying talent. Lu Li had both talent and brains; perhaps she could truly make an effort to befriend him.

She swiftly adjusted her mindset. She no longer regarded Lu Li from above, but instead chose to meet him as an equal.

Lin Lanyi gradually collected herself and was just about to speak when her gaze suddenly fixed tightly upon Lu Li's upright figure, and a slight shock rose in her heart.

She had completely forgotten a young woman's modesty.

At this moment, Lu Li's black hair fell over his shoulders. His figure no longer possessed its former thinness, instead carrying the weighty presence of centered righteousness, like a mountain. His aura was deep and still like a great peak, giving him an air of remarkable composure.

Looking at the young man before her, with level, well-set shoulders, a straight and upright back, and eyes that were quiet without being dull, bright without being harsh, reserved and profound, Lin Lanyi inwardly marveled once more.

He was even three years younger than her?

How did he resemble a sixteen-year-old boy?

Her state of mind had always been calm, and the seven emotions rarely showed upon her face. She had watched countless martial prodigies rise and fall, yet she had never felt as she did now.

All of a sudden.

Ripples stirred in her heart, only to be pressed down in time.

"I will not speak of your matters."

After a long silence, Lin Lanyi answered concisely.

Lu Li nodded in silence. His tone relaxed, carrying a trace of amusement as he said:

"In that case, many thanks, Miss. If there is ever a place where I may be of use, I will brave fire and water and never decline."

"From now on, you may call me by my name. I am three years older than you. If you are willing, call me Sister Lanyi."

Lin Lanyi stood quietly beside the table. Her expression appeared no different from before—faint, tranquil, and self-possessed.

"However."

Lin Lanyi paused, her brows lifting.

"I do not particularly like your formal courtesies. I hope you can be more sincere with me."

Once she had said it, Lin Lanyi felt that something about the words sounded slightly off, a little ambiguous. She added:

"I do not mean anything else. I simply hope you will not lie to me. I do not like people who speak empty words to my face."

Lu Li had been considering how to address her as "Sister Lanyi" when she suddenly exposed his polite niceties directly. He unconsciously rubbed his nose, then cleared his throat.

"Alright, alright, Sister Lanyi. I'll remember that."

Lu Li thought to himself. After all, the person standing before him was the eldest miss of the Liansheng Escort Agency, one of Blackwater City's top powers, and a Three Gates martial artist in her own right.

His strength had recently advanced by leaps and bounds, and he had just improved his Root Bone as well. His mentality had shifted somewhat.

He quickly adjusted his mindset. Lin Lanyi was a great tree to him. Now that she intended to draw him in, it was exactly what he could wish for.

Ironwood Hall would sooner or later trace things back to him. Why would he need to think twice about the saying, "Under a great tree, one enjoys the shade"? He would not insist on swallowing hardship when there was no need.

"Sister Lanyi."

Lu Li put on an exceptionally standard smile.

"What I said earlier may have been polite talk, but it was also sincere. It is my honor that you think highly of me. If there is truly a place where I can contribute in the future, then so long as it does not violate my principles or put my life at risk, I will certainly do everything in my power."

Lu Li looked utterly earnest, remarkably sincere.

Lanyi nodded lightly, her emotions having long since returned to calm.

"Hurry and put your clothes on. It is getting late; return to the martial school early. As for the matter you promised me, the time has not yet come. Wait for my word."

After putting on his short shirt, thoughts racing through his mind, Lu Li piled on a smile and said:

"Sister Lanyi, not only are you beautiful, but your voice is lovely too. Can I come see you often in the future?"

Lin Lanyi's brows twitched, and she blurted out:

"If you have something to say, say it directly."

Having reached this point, Lu Li finally revealed the dagger beneath the map.

"Sister Lanyi, there is something I wonder if I might ask you about?"

Lin Lanyi raised her brows again and glanced at Lu Li.

"Could you help me get some Vermilion Sand Powder?"

Lu Li hurriedly followed up. Vermilion Sand Powder was essential for his next stage of Skin Tempering. Even his master could not obtain it anytime soon, and with his meager connections, he had no avenue at all.

Now, he could only seek Lin Lanyi's help.

Lin Lanyi thought for a moment, then nodded. "Tomorrow, I will have someone deliver it to the martial school."

"Thank you, Sister Lanyi. Then I shall take my leave."

After leaving the Liansheng Escort Agency.

"Huu..." Lu Li let out a breath.

He swept his gaze around, then hurried toward the Lu Residence.

After returning home.

He did not disturb his young concubine aunt and the others.

Lu Li went straight to the training room, assumed his stance, and impatiently began practicing Form-Intent Fist.

Very quickly, he completed one round of boxing, then began another.

After his Root Bone rose by one tier, it truly was different.

The accumulation speed of the Primordial Unity Force had increased by more than double.

The effects of Skin Tempering had also accelerated by over thirty percent.

In other words, with his now perfected Form-Intent Fist stance and Eighth-Tier Lower Bone Aptitude, he needed only two months to complete one round of Skin Tempering.

He calculated the time. There were still over three months until the Martial Lecture Hall selection at the end of the year, and he could still enter enlightenment three more times. Perhaps before entering the Martial Lecture Hall, he could achieve the legendary Extreme Realm of ten rounds of Skin Tempering.

Just thinking about it made him excited.

Extreme Realm Skin Tempering—just hearing it gave him an overwhelming sense of security!

According to his master, ten rounds of Skin Tempering not only made one impervious to blades and spears, with astonishing healing ability, but also allowed one to briefly withstand the disasters of water and fire.

Impervious to water and fire, invulnerable to blades and spears!

Was that still within the scope of martial arts?

He could not help but grow full of anticipation for the Flesh Refining, Tendon Alteration, and Bone Forging that came after Skin Tempering...

If he became a Three Gates Bone Forging martial artist, what kind of sight would that be?

Lost in those hopes, his punches became faster and his vigor grew stronger. He wished he could spend every hour of the day practicing martial arts.

Immediately afterward, he began looking forward to the next method of improving his Root Bone.

It was said that Blackwater City's publicly recognized method for improving one's Root Bone was in Pang Shilang's hands in the Inner City.

The next morning.

Lu Li arrived early at the Sun Family Cloth Shop in the Outer City.

Because his previous clothes had all become too small, he truly had no way to wear them. Now, he no longer needed to pretend to be poor. He could properly wear new clothes and collect the Protection Fee.

After practicing martial arts for nearly two months, he felt that he could now reveal the strength he had gained from Gate-Breaking and becoming a martial artist.

After the sparring match in the front courtyard, more than a dozen families had said they would support him. To hide his strength, he had never had the chance to collect it. Though the money was not much, even a fly was still meat.

Today, he decided to reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to him.