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At night, Ye An sat cross-legged on his bed with his eyes closed, his internal energy running along the spiral pathway of the First Layer of the Meridian Opening Formula for several cycles.

When he reached the sixth cycle, he felt the current of air in his Dantian tremble slightly, as though an originally taut string had been plucked for an instant before returning to stability.

He did not stop, continuing to circulate his energy. As the seventh cycle finished, the current of air trembled once more, this time steadier than before, as though it had finally found a suitable position.

He opened his eyes, feeling that the meridians within his body were a fraction wider than before and the speed of his internal energy circulation had also increased by a notch.

[Meridian Opening Formula: Second Layer: 1/200]

The barrier between the first and second layers of the Meridian Opening Formula had been pushed open during a process that required no deliberate effort.

There was no forced breakthrough, no dedicated seclusion, and no reliance on medicinal pills; it was simply that the internal energy had accumulated to the right amount on this day, naturally crossing that threshold all on its own.

He stretched out a finger, aiming it gently at a wooden pillar. His fingertip touched a spot on the surface of the wood roughly an inch and a little more deep.

The next second, internal energy gushed out from his fingertip, forming a rotating thrusting force that embedded itself into the surface of the wooden board like a spinning top, accompanied by a slight tremor.

A tiny pit appeared on the surface of the wooden pillar with no cracks around it, looking as though a microscopic implement had spun its way in.

He withdrew his hand, running his internal energy through his meridians once more to confirm that the rotating force could now be stably outputted before placing his hand back upon his knee.

Mid-Meridian Opening.

The force-exerting method of the Star-Shattering Finger became even smoother after reaching Mid-Meridian Opening. When the internal energy condensed at his fingertip, it naturally carried a layer of subtle rotation that did not scatter immediately upon contacting the target, but instead acted as a spiraling, propulsive force capable of more easily piercing through an opponent's protective true qi and driving straight into the target's interior.

In the days that followed, Ye An lived a life even more peaceful than before.

The management of the medicine field was mostly taken over by Lin Qiushui, whose accounts were clear and whose work was efficient, requiring no extra worry from him.

He occasionally practiced martial arts and chatted idly with Lu Xingzhou and Shen Qing.

The atmosphere in the inner sect was also quietly changing, until a new sheet of paper was posted on the notice board outside the entrance of the Mission Hall, bearing the words: Inner Sect Grand Competition. Held at year's end. Registration fee three hundred contribution points. Top ten enter the Four Halls. Age twenty and under may register.

On the day the paper was posted, someone stood in front of the notice board for a while, took a look, and left, while others paused for a moment to discuss it in low voices.

When Ye An passed by, he also glanced at it, committing the contents to memory.

In the nearly three months that followed, apart from missions, meals, and sleeping, everything was poured into the fixed rhythm of cultivation.

The pathway of the Second Layer of the Meridian Opening Formula was somewhat more complex than the first, but having the foundation of the first layer, it felt quite familiar to run.

The Micro progress of the Star-Shattering Finger was advancing steadily, and every finger-strike was more precise than before.

The sword stances of the Rosy Cloud Sword Technique also gradually grew smooth and coherent.

The weather in the medicine field gradually turned chilly from early autumn, fallen leaves covering the stone steps at the edge of the Martial Practice Ground. Lin Qiushui changed into a thicker padded coat, Lu Xingzhou began to complain about the cold weather, and the frequency with which Shen Qing turned the pages of her books slowly decreased.

In early December, the weather had grown completely cold.

A new notice was posted outside the inner sect Mission Hall, more formal than the last one, stating the registration deadline and the date of the grand competition.

On this day, Ye An did not practice martial arts and went straight to the Mission Hall.

He pushed open the door to the Mission Hall. It was somewhat colder and more deserted inside than usual, with only a single person sitting behind the counter. It was not the inner sect deacon responsible for registration, but an elderly man. Ye An remembered him—he was that gatekeeper from the Scripture Repository.

The old man clearly still remembered him, merely raising his eyes to look at him for a moment. "How is your Star-Shattering Finger practice? Do you want to register for the Inner Sect Grand Competition?"

His tone was casual, clearly not thinking that Ye An was here to register, but rather looking like someone who had dropped by to take a look while passing by.

Ye An walked up to the counter, his tone very even. "Senior, this disciple has come to register."

The old man was originally thumbing through an old volume in his hands. Hearing these words, his fingers paused, and he looked up to squarely face Ye An, confirming that he had not spoken wrongly, before initiating a set of procedures.

"What is your name?"

"Your residence?"

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"What position do you currently hold?"

The old man asked questions while jotting them down on paper. Finishing the last stroke, he put down his brush, looked up at him, and spoke in a tone somewhat more serious than before. "Three hundred contribution points have been deducted. There is still some time until the grand competition, so go prepare."

Ye An cupped his fists. "Many thanks, Senior."

When he turned and walked out of the Mission Hall, the old man watched his back from behind, not paying him much mind.

The number of registrants was not the surging crowd Ye An had imagined; on the contrary, it was sparse and deserted.

The registration fee of three hundred contribution points alone had stopped the vast majority of inner sect disciples in their tracks, as this was, after all, a resource capable of purchasing a spirit-grade martial skill.

Ten days later, the news of Ye An's registration reached Lu Xingzhou and Shen Qing.

Lu Xingzhou blurted out directly, "Senior Brother Ye, it's one thing that you broke through to Mid-Meridian Opening and cleared the eight meridians, but now you've even registered for the Inner Sect Grand Competition? I'm registering too!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and strode toward the door, only to be yanked back by the back of his collar by Shen Qing. "Where on earth are you going to get three hundred contribution points? Even if you register, you'll just be running along to make up the numbers. When the time comes that you can't even afford to eat, don't expect us to care."

Lu Xingzhou was hauled back by her, taking the opportunity to plop down on the nearby stone steps. "My dear Sister Shen, your words are far too wounding. Weren't we supposed to share weal and woe together?"

The two of them hailed from the same county town and had known each other before they even began practicing martial arts.

Shen Qing did not pick up on his remark, her gaze passing over him to land on Ye An. This was the first time she had taken the initiative to speak to Ye An. "Senior Brother Ye, do you have any certainty of entering the top ten in this inner sect grand competition?"

Ye An was taken aback for a moment before replying calmly, "Who can say for sure about such things? Even if I don't succeed, accumulating experience in dueling is still a good thing."

Ye An's tone was very mild, his words spoken with detachment—so relaxed that even Shen Qing thought Ye An was talking about a matter of little importance.

Lu Xingzhou chimed in, "Brother Ye has broken through to the mid-stage for some time now, so I imagine he has already consolidated his realm and wants to test his own strength before fighting again next year. Am I right, or am I right?"

"That is indeed so."

Shen Qing did not speak again. She looked at Ye An's face, remembering what she had once heard people say—that physiognomy could reveal a person's temperament. Yet now, as she looked at Ye An's countenance, she only felt that the man spoke in an open-and-above-board tone with a calm expression.

The words were correct, and true, but there was also another meaning. Could this really be something a simple, honest man's face could pull off?

She withdrew her gaze, not pressing any further.

On the same day, at the Song family estate.

Song Yuanshan sat in the principal seat, a person standing before him. If Ye An were here, he would have recognized the other party.

This person was none other than Shen Li, who had previously followed Lu Yun to question him regarding the matter involving Song Qingci!

Shen Li's spine was straight, his hands hanging by his sides, his speaking pace neither fast nor slow. "Family Head, Ye An has already registered for this Inner Sect Grand Competition."

The chill in Song Yuanshan's tone was heavier than tea. "You mean that fellow has registered as well?"

"I saw it with my own eyes."

Song Yuanshan suddenly smiled.

The smile was very brief, like the brief release of satisfaction after a long-awaited piece of news finally landed. "Overestimating his capabilities."

He glanced at Shen Li, his tone steady and devoid of excess emotion. "When the time comes, cripple him during the grand competition. No matter what method you use, handle it as you see fit. Once the deed is done, this family head will certainly not treat you poorly."

Shen Li nodded. "I already have a countermeasure."

He did not linger long in the Song family residence. Once he finished speaking, he turned and walked out of the Song family gates, heading back along the long street of the county town.

Shen Li was approaching the age of twenty and had broken through to the late stage of Meridian Opening not long ago.

If he did not participate in the grand competition this year, his only option left would be to break through to Qi Condensation and enter the Four Halls.

As for Ye An? He had already thought of a way: wait until he secured the Song family's resources, and then enter the Four Halls.

His future path would be one of soaring success, rising straight up into the skies.

It was just a pity about that legitimate daughter of the Song family; yet whether she lived or died meant nothing to him—so long as it allowed him to elevate himself, everything else was merely fleeting clouds.