Ning Caichen

Half a year.

Three hundred and sixty points of Origin.

Thirty points had been spent to make up for his innate deficiency. One point a day was used for daily training, replenishing his blood and vitality, and healing hidden injuries.

Using Origin to replenish his blood and vitality was not a waste. Relying solely on food to make up for such consumption meant his strength could only grow by a limited amount each day.

Moreover, External Forging body-tempering techniques left hidden injuries behind, requiring frequent breaks from training for recuperation.

One point of Origin allowed Zhou Yi to spend his blood and vitality without restraint, tempering his body as his strength soared.

The power of Origin had also nourished his internal organs in advance. Otherwise, how could Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound be achieved in one stroke?

If his internal organs were not tough enough, then even if his Stance Training experience had reached perfection, he could not easily progress from external to internal and invoke Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound to temper his body.

Combined with the Wind Breaking Saber Technique and Tablet Breaking Hand reaching major accomplishment, his strength was already among the best of the Golden Saber Sect disciples.

"With my current strength, if I run into the Wolf Demon, even if I can't defeat it, I'll have no trouble protecting myself!"

Zhou Yi was secretly delighted. His brush with death half a year ago still made his heart pound whenever he recalled it.

"Wow, Junior Brother, you've already surpassed Master. I'm going to tell him! He hasn't mastered Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound even after decades—let's see if he still calls us stupid."

Senior Sister Chen Yun circled Zhou Yi, clicking her tongue in admiration.

Over the past half year, Zhou Yi's rapid progress had been plain for all to see. Whether it was saber techniques or palm techniques, he entered the beginner stage in a day and reached minor accomplishment in half a month. It practically blinded his senior brothers and sisters.

Chen Hong often used Zhou Yi as an example to lecture them, leaving the self-proclaimed senior brothers and sisters thoroughly ashamed.

Zhou Yi got along well with his six senior brothers. After all, his true age was nearly thirty years younger, and he easily coaxed them into considering him a kindred spirit.

"Cough, cough!"

At the familiar coughing sound, Chen Yun's expression changed. She obediently returned to her place and resumed her stance.

Chen Hong stared at Zhou Yi in astonishment. He had always believed that martial arts prized persistence and determination, until he witnessed a true genius.

"Come with me to see the sect master."

Golden Saber Hall.

Chen Xiangyan's face bore an unnatural flush.

"Greetings, Sect Master." Zhou Yi bowed.

Chen Hong said from the side, "Zhou Yi has cultivated the Primordial Chaos Stance to perfection, reaching the point where he can invoke Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound."

A sharp gleam flashed through Chen Xiangyan's eyes as he examined Zhou Yi from head to toe. "From external to internal—truly a once-in-an-age genius!"

Zhou Yi said, "It is all thanks to Master's excellent guidance."

Chen Xiangyan snorted. "Do I not know what Little Six is capable of? His talent is ordinary. He only reached major accomplishment in Stance Training by relying on brute persistence."

Chen Hong's face reddened at those words. He knew his aptitude was far inferior to that of his brothers. But so what? His disciple had brought the Primordial Chaos Stance to perfection in a single year. He was destined to soar in the future—how could his brothers compare?

Having accepted a genius disciple, he, as the master, shared in the honor.

"External Forging martial arts have reached their peak at your level. The next step is for the internal and external to converge, condensing Internal Qi."

Chen Xiangyan said, "The Chen Family naturally possesses Internal Refining methods. However, true methods are precious and will not be handed to you for nothing."

"With your talent, you are a genius rarely seen in a century! Naturally, I will not make things difficult for you. The Chen Family has seven legitimate daughters close to your age. Choose one and settle a marriage arrangement. The Internal Refining method shall be her dowry."

Zhou Yi was stunned. This was completely different from what he had heard.

Once Golden Saber Sect disciples reached minor accomplishment in Stance Training and had tempered their bodies for several years until their strength was sufficient, they could cultivate Internal Refining methods.

Generally, they would carry out missions, such as escorting convoys or intercepting and killing targets.

Chen Hong knew Zhou Yi's talent and had repeatedly instructed him that cultivating Internal Refining methods after reaching only minor accomplishment in Stance Training would leave his future prospects limited.

If he reached major accomplishment in Stance Training before cultivating Internal Qi, he could at most attain the pinnacle of the Acquired Realm.

If he brought his Stance Training to perfection, progressing from external to internal, he would have hope of reaching the Innate Realm.

With Zhou Yi's current strength, carrying out missions would be effortless. Yet Chen Xiangyan wanted to marry off a daughter to him, leaving him frozen in place.

"Cough, cough!" Chen Hong coughed twice, signaling his disciple.

Zhou Yi was not a stubbornly old-fashioned man. He cupped his fists and bowed. "I will abide by the Sect Master's arrangements. It would be my honor to marry a daughter of the Chen Family."

In Guo Bei County, the Golden Saber Sect was a top-tier force in both overt and hidden strength.

The status of a legitimate daughter of the Chen Family was no worse than that of a county magistrate's daughter.

Zhou Yi was merely the son of a scholar, with no official rank or title. This was already a match beyond his station.

"Good! Extraordinary talent, yet no arrogance. You are bound to achieve great things in the future!"

Chen Xiangyan smiled. "Your parents are dead, and you have no other relatives. Little Six is your master and counts as an elder, so let him choose one for you."

Chen Hong stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before saying, "Brother Yi's youngest daughter, Jinyu, is sixteen this year. She is gentle, virtuous, well-read, and sensible. She would make an excellent match."

Chen Yi was Chen Hong's elder brother from the same mother, while Chen Jinyu was Chen Hong's niece. If Chen Hong's own daughter had not already married, he would have preferred an even closer union, dropping the first half of the word "master."

"I remember that girl. Her, then. Pick an auspicious day and make it lively!"

"The third day of next month is suitable for marriage, and there will be enough time to prepare."

"You handle all the arrangements."

Zhou Yi listened in slight confusion. It seemed that he had suddenly gained a fiancée and would soon be getting married.

These two old foxes were not discussing anything. They had clearly arranged it all long ago!

Zhou Yi left Golden Saber Hall in a daze, wondering if he had been too high-profile...

Guo Bei County.

Hawking, shouting, and the occasional scream mingled together, creating a bustling scene.

Zhou Yi wore a black martial outfit, with the Ghost Head Saber strapped across his back.

"Boss, slice me two catties of beef and bring a flask of Apricot Blossom Village."

Over the past half year, Zhou Yi had eaten his way through all of Guo Bei County. This shop's beef and wine suited his taste the best.

Beef was forbidden under imperial law, but in Guo Bei County, it was nothing unusual.

The bun shop he had seen when he first arrived was a notorious shady establishment. The owner secretly bought some pale meat and mixed it into the pork filling.

"Shopkeeper, a bowl of noodles."

Then a weary voice spoke. "Big Brother, is anyone sitting beside you? Everywhere else is full."

"Suit yourself." Zhou Yi was brief.

There were no good people in Guo Bei County. At least by modern legal standards, if ten people were dragged out and executed, perhaps only one would have been wrongfully condemned.

Zhou Yi had once pitied some beggars, only to nearly be clubbed unconscious. Then he broke the hands and legs of that group of beggars, turning them into real beggars.

Beggars should honestly beg for food, not compete with bandits for their livelihood!

The scholar before him looked dull-witted, but who knew whether he was secretly some Blood-Handed Scholar?

The scholar carefully sat on the bench. "Thank you, Big Brother. My name is Ning Caichen. I'm from Jinhua."

"Hm?"

Zhou Yi said in disbelief, "What did you say your name was?"

"Ning Caichen."

"What are you doing here?"

"Collecting debts."

"Then there's no mistake..."

Zhou Yi muttered to himself. No wonder this place had felt strangely familiar to him.

Ning Caichen, Guo Bei County...

"Could this be the world of A Chinese Ghost Story?"

For the past half year, Zhou Yi had immersed himself in martial cultivation, focused entirely on increasing his strength.

He only occasionally came to the streets to buy daily necessities and had no interest in asking about anything else. If his guess was correct, there should be an abandoned temple nearby.

Lanruo Temple.

Inside was a Daoist who knew spells and could wield flying swords.

"Brother Ning, I feel as though we are old friends at first sight. Do you have a place to stay in Guo Bei County?"