Qin Yu and Zhao Yunxing

Another five days passed.

Cao Bing had stayed home these past few days, cultivating his technique and strengthening his physique, but he had made little progress. After all, the Flame Fire Art was merely a Houtian-level technique. At his current level, it could no longer keep up with his progress.

"Cultivating here is simply too slow. It's nowhere near as satisfying as in the Devouring Starry Sky World." With a sigh, Cao Bing opened his eyes.

"Today is the agreed-upon day. I wonder whether Feng Yuzi, that Immortal Master of the Qin Family, will see me." Cao Bing sighed.

In truth, Cao Bing's goal was simply to obtain an advanced technique to replace the Flame Fire Art. Meeting Feng Yuzi, a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, was merely a guise he had prepared.

It would be best if he could meet him; perhaps he could gain some basic knowledge about cultivation. If not, there was no loss. All he wanted was an advanced technique.

"Uncle Chen, I'll be out for a while this time. I won't be back for the next few days." Before leaving, Cao Bing informed Uncle Chen, who was, as usual, sweeping the courtyard. Cao Bing truly did not know how Uncle Chen could sweep their courtyard more than a dozen times a day, or where there was still any dirt left to clean.

As usual, Uncle Chen merely reminded Cao Bing to be careful on the road and said nothing else.

"Mr. Qin."

They were still in that small pavilion. This time, Mr. Huang was absent from Qin De's side, but several people Cao Bing did not recognize had appeared: an elderly man in a gray cloth robe, a youthful-looking teenager, and a middle-aged man standing ramrod straight.

"Haha, Mr. Luo is here. Please, have a seat!" When Qin De saw Cao Bing arrive, he immediately rose and greeted him warmly in person.

"You're too courteous, Mr. Qin." Luo Feng clasped his hands toward Qin De and replied modestly.

The two exchanged a few more words. Taking the opportunity, Cao Bing secretly observed the youthful teenager and made his own guesses. As for the middle-aged man, Cao Bing could not figure him out. He might have simply been a guard.

After a while, Cao Bing went straight to the point. "Mr. Qin, may I ask about the result?"

"Hahaha, General Zhao should explain this to you himself, Mr. Luo," Qin De said with a broad smile. Judging from his expression, the result of the medicine had clearly satisfied him greatly.

In truth, after returning to the manor that day, Qin De had tossed and turned all night before summoning Zhao Yunxing back overnight. Yet once Zhao Yunxing had truly returned, Qin De had begun to regret it. After all, Zhao Yunxing was a great general he had personally promoted.

The bond between them was exceptionally deep. If Zhao Yunxing tested the medicine and something truly went wrong, Qin De would have failed this general who had been utterly loyal to him.

But Qin De had clearly underestimated his general's loyalty. He had barely finished explaining in a troubled tone when Zhao Yunxing swallowed the potion in one gulp.

Fortunately, Qin De had already asked Feng Yuzi to examine the potion beforehand and confirm that it contained no poison.

Still, after Zhao Yunxing drank the potion, the pained expression that appeared on his face soon afterward made Qin De's heart clench. Fortunately, it did not last long before the pain gradually faded, and Zhao Yunxing returned to normal.

"His surname is Zhao?" Cao Bing's expression flickered as he suddenly remembered something.

Could this middle-aged man be Zhao Yunxing, the protagonist's first master?

Cao Bing was quite interested in Zhao Yunxing. Without any inherited foundation in external martial arts, this man had pushed external martial arts to its absolute limit. His strength might have been ordinary in the Devouring Starry Sky World, but his martial talent alone made him a genius-class figure.

Cao Bing dared to guarantee that if this man had been placed in the Devouring Starry Sky World, a place focused entirely on martial arts, he definitely would not have been inferior to Hong or Lei Shen. Unfortunately, this place offered neither an environment suitable for his cultivation nor even an introductory technique.

"This subordinate, Zhao Yunxing, greets Mr. Luo. I must also thank you for the medicine, Mr. Luo." Zhao Yunxing stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed slightly.

"No need for such courtesy, General. We are merely taking what we each need." Cao Bing wore a faint smile as he answered with modest politeness.

This was Qin De's territory, after all. Maintaining the most basic courtesy toward his people could never be a mistake.

"Mr. Luo, after taking the potion this time, Zhao successfully broke through to the Xiantian level. My strength, reaction speed, and movement speed have all improved significantly. By my own estimation, even against an internal martial artist at the Xiantian mid-stage, Zhao could fight and win."

Zhao Yunxing explained the improvements he had gained, his tone filled both with confidence and gratitude.

He had always been a talented Martial Artist, but external martial arts had limited him, leaving him unable to advance any further. Now that he had broken through in a single stroke, even with his steel-like composure, he could not help but feel deeply excited.

"That is good, then," Cao Bing replied. "It seems Your Highness can rest assured now."

"Haha, we must thank Mr. Luo as well," Qin De said happily. "I have yet to introduce him. This is Qin's third son, Qin Yu. Qin Yu, greet Mr. Luo."

As Qin De spoke, he brought forward his third son, Qin Yu—the chosen son of this world—and instructed him to pay his respects.

"Qin Yu greets you, sir." Naturally, Qin Yu would not defy his father's command. He hurriedly stepped forward to salute Cao Bing, while also feeling extremely curious about this extraordinary man who could allow an external martial artist to break through to Xiantian.

"Third Young Master, there is no need for such courtesy." Cao Bing quickly turned aside and helped Qin Yu up.

He might have many dealings with Qin Yu in the future, so gaining more goodwill would be beneficial.

"Mr. Luo, is external martial arts truly not a dead end?" Qin Yu suddenly asked.

The moment Qin Yu spoke, Qin De and the others all looked over. Even the gray-robed elder, who had seemed like a transparent figure all along, turned his gaze toward Cao Bing, his eyes flickering.

"Of course not." Cao Bing shook his head, then continued, "To be honest with you all, I was once fortunate enough to obtain an inheritance specifically devoted to external martial arts."

As Cao Bing spoke, the pupils of several people contracted at once. Qin Yu was the most excited of them all. Only this youthful teenager knew how desperately he longed to become stronger and earn Qin De's recognition.

"Sir..." Qin De's voice carried a faint tremor.

"Mr. Qin, do not be anxious. Although that inheritance is one of external martial arts, its requirements are extremely harsh. It is far beyond what ordinary people can cultivate."

"What are the requirements?" Qin Yu asked urgently. Cao Bing did not mind.

"External Martial Xiantian. Only after external martial arts reach Xiantian can one officially begin cultivating it."

"What!" Everyone cried out, their faces turning bitter. This condition was simply too harsh for them. But a moment later, joy crept onto their faces again. They still had that potion, a potion that could allow a Martial Artist at the External Martial Houtian Peak to break through to Xiantian. Even more than a decade of bitter cultivation would be worthwhile.

Qin Yu also knew that he was already close to the Houtian Peak and not far from a breakthrough, so the joy on his face was even greater than Qin De's.