Qin Yu and Zhao Yunxing

Another five days passed.

Cao Bing had stayed home these past few days, cultivating his technique and strengthening his body through training, but there had been little progress. After all, the Flame Fire Art was only 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 date. I wonder whether Feng Yuzi, that Qin Family Immortal Master, will be willing to see me." Cao Bing sighed.

In truth, Cao Bing's goal was merely to obtain an advanced cultivation technique to replace the Flame Fire Art. Meeting Feng Yuzi, a Golden Core Stage cultivator, was only a means of concealing his true intentions.

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

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

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

"Mr. Qin."

They were still in that little pavilion. This time, Mr. Huang was absent from Qin De's side, but several unfamiliar people had appeared: an elderly man in a gray cloth robe, a green-faced youth, and a middle-aged man standing as straight as a spear.

"Haha, Mr. Luo is here. Please, have a seat!" Upon seeing Cao Bing arrive, Qin De immediately rose personally to welcome him with great warmth.

"You are too polite, Mr. Qin." Luo Feng cupped his hands toward Qin De and spoke modestly.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries. Taking the chance, Cao Bing secretly examined the green-faced youth and made his own guesses. As for the middle-aged man, he could not figure him out. Perhaps he was merely a guard.

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

"Hahaha, it would be better for General Zhao to explain it to you himself, sir." Qin De spoke with a broad smile. Judging from his expression, the result of the medicine had clearly pleased him greatly.

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

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

However, Qin De had clearly underestimated the general's loyalty. He had only just finished explaining the situation in a worried tone when Zhao Yunxing swallowed the medicine without hesitation.

Fortunately, Qin De had already asked Feng Yuzi to examine the medicine beforehand and confirm that it was not poisonous.

Still, after Zhao Yunxing drank the potion, the pained expression that appeared on his face shortly afterward left Qin De deeply anxious. Thankfully, it did not last long before Zhao Yunxing's expression gradually eased and returned to calm.

"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 foundational inheritance in external martial arts, this man had pushed his external techniques to the absolute limit. His strength might have been ordinary in the Devouring Starry Sky World, but his martial talent alone was at the level of a genius.

Cao Bing dared to guarantee that if this man were placed in the Devouring Starry Sky World, a place devoted entirely to martial cultivation, he would definitely be no worse than Hong or Lei Shen. Unfortunately, this place had neither an environment suited to his cultivation nor an introductory technique for him.

"This subordinate, Zhao Yunxing, greets Mr. Luo. I must also thank you for the grace of gifting me this medicine." Zhao Yunxing stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed slightly.

"General, there is no need for such courtesy. We merely took what we each needed." Cao Bing revealed a faint smile and replied with humble courtesy.

After all, this was Qin De's territory. Maintaining basic politeness 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 greatly. By Zhao's own estimation, even a Xiantian mid-stage internal Martial Artist would be no match for me."

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

He had always been a gifted Martial Artist, but the limits of external techniques had prevented him from advancing any further. Now that he had broken through in a single stroke, even with his adamantine state of mind, he could not help feeling immensely 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 laughed joyfully. "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 hurried forward to offer his respects, while also feeling extremely curious about this extraordinary man who could allow an external Martial Artist to break through to the Xiantian level.

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

He might have many dealings with Qin Yu in the future. Earning more goodwill was always beneficial.

"Mr. Luo, is the path of external techniques truly not a dead end?" Qin Yu suddenly asked.

The moment Qin Yu spoke, Qin De and the others all turned to look. Even the gray-robed elder, who had seemed like a transparent figure the entire time, cast his gaze over, his eyes flickering.

"Of course not." Cao Bing shook his head, then continued, "To be honest, I was once fortunate enough to obtain an inheritance—one specifically devoted to cultivating external techniques."

As Cao Bing spoke, everyone's pupils contracted. Qin Yu was the most excited of them all. Only he knew how desperately this green-faced youth yearned to become stronger and to earn Qin De's regard.

"Sir..." There was even a faint tremor in Qin De's voice.

"Mr. Qin, please do not be hasty. Although that inheritance is for external techniques, its requirements are extremely harsh. It is far beyond what ordinary people can cultivate."

"What requirements?" Qin Yu asked urgently. Cao Bing did not mind it, however.

"Xiantian external techniques. Only after one's external techniques reach the Xiantian level can one officially begin cultivating it."

"What?!" Everyone exclaimed, bitter expressions appearing on their faces. This condition was far too harsh for them. Yet moments later, joy crept onto their faces again. They still had this potion—a potion that could allow an external Martial Artist at the 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 nearing the Houtian Peak and was not far from breaking through, so his delight was even greater than Qin De's.