"But for now, all of this is only a guess. What matters right now is working hard to advance my realm as quickly as possible."
Chen Tie returned to the outer courtyard and trained as diligently as ever.
Although he was no longer the first disciple to arrive at the martial hall every day, his dedication remained the benchmark in the outer courtyard.
Chen Tie continued practicing martial arts at his own pace, practicing the Supple Bone Palm at home early in the morning, the Resounding Viscera Blood Scripture at night, and coming to the martial hall to practice during the day.
Of course, Chen Tie spent money like water on Qi and Blood Pills and treasures. Combined with the martial hall's resources, the Shen Lineage's secret medicine, and the Xu Family's treasure fish, his cultivation progressed steadily.
Another half month soon passed.
While practicing, Chen Tie did the math. He had already been at the Fierce Tiger Martial Hall for five months.
[Fierce Tiger Fist, minor accomplishment (165/200)] [Fierce Tiger Stance Art, minor accomplishment (190/200)] [Resounding Viscera Blood Scripture, second layer (53/100)] [Supple Bone Palm, minor accomplishment (52/200)]
"In a few more days, I'll be able to break through to the Flesh Refining realm!"
Excitement appeared on Chen Tie's face.
Xu Da walked over from nearby and said quietly:
"Junior Brother Chen, look at Second Senior Brother. He might break through to the Flesh Refining realm today!"
Chen Tie followed Xu Da's gaze and saw Shen Yan meticulously practicing the Fierce Tiger Stance Art. Faintly, his Qi and blood gathered without being released, like a fierce tiger waiting for the chance to erupt.
"Wonderful. Second Senior Brother should be about to break through."
Chen Tie was delighted. In this martial hall, only his second and third senior brothers treated him well.
Xu Da said enviously, "Who knows when I'll be able to break through to the Flesh Refining realm?"
Chen Tie teased him. "Third Senior Brother, spend fewer evenings picking flowers and stirring up the grass. Save some strength for martial arts, and you'll definitely progress a little faster."
Xu Da's expression turned awkward at his words, and he retorted, "I'm balancing work and rest, harmonizing yin and yang. That's even more beneficial to martial cultivation. How about coming along with me tonight, Junior Brother Chen?"
"No, no."
Chen Tie waved his hand.
They waited until dusk.
Nearby, Shen Yan's Qi and blood stirred throughout his body, giving off powerful fluctuations. Chen Tie and Xu Da, who had been watching him all along, were the first to notice.
"Second Senior Brother is about to break through!"
Shen Yan's previously steady breathing suddenly changed drastically, and his face flushed red. Faint Qi and blood actually rolled out from his body, enveloping him in a blood-colored haze.
Beneath his skin and flesh, his Qi and blood pulsed like a heart, faintly producing sounds like beating drums. His presence rose steadily, and the force he had kept restrained no longer remained hidden, spreading outward as his Qi and blood surged.
Shen Yan's muscles rippled slightly beneath his robes. His already powerful body grew a little more imposing, and the Qi and blood within him became more abundant. In mere moments, the impression he gave had changed completely, creating an illusion of solidity as weighty as a mountain.
Shen Yan slowly opened his eyes and examined his body. He raised his hands and clenched his fists, tremendous force hidden within them. Faint crackling sounds came from his skin and flesh, like a tightly wound spring.
Chen Tie and Xu Da hurried forward and immediately felt a heavy pressure wash over them. It was the qualitative change brought about by Qi and blood taking root in the flesh after the Flesh Refining realm took shape.
Chen Tie exclaimed in admiration, "So strong! Congratulations on breaking through to Flesh Refining, Second Senior Brother!"
"That's our Second Senior Brother for you, always a step ahead of me. Your junior brother will treat you. I'll take you to the Flower-Filled Pavilion and find some beauties to keep you company."
Xu Da spoke with a wicked grin.
Shen Yan collected himself and laughingly scolded him. "Second Junior Brother, spend less time seeking flowers and willows. You should study diligently and train hard, or Junior Brother Chen will catch up to you."
"Junior Brother Chen, why do I feel like you're close to breaking through to the Flesh Refining realm too?"
Xu Da was astonished. "Surely not? Junior Brother Chen has only been at the martial hall for five months, and he's already about to break through to Flesh Refining? Wouldn't that put him on par with Junior Brother Zhang?"
Chen Tie shook his head slightly. "May your kind words come true, Senior Brother Shen, but how could breaking through be that easy? Could you share any insights from your breakthrough with us?"
Hearing this, Shen Yan considered his words, then held nothing back as he described how his breakthrough had felt and what he thought they should watch out for.
Chen Tie listened with great care and attention. Although he had the Proficiency System, learning more about other people's insights into breaking through was always a good thing.
Besides, even if the worst came to pass and the system disappeared one day, he would still be able to cultivate on his own.
Soon, the other outer courtyard disciples also learned that Shen Yan had broken through to the Flesh Refining realm and gathered around to congratulate him.
Shen Yan put on no airs and returned their greetings one by one.
The commotion in the outer courtyard naturally did not escape Mo Hong's notice. He approached Shen Yan with short steps, looked him up and down, and nodded slightly.
"Not bad. A solid foundation and stable Qi and blood. There's nothing hollow about this Flesh Refining realm."
"It's all thanks to your excellent guidance, Master Mo," Shen Yan said respectfully, cupping his hands.
"Stop gilding this old man's face. Your breakthrough to the Flesh Refining realm comes at just the right time. You can participate in the martial hall competition three months from now."
Shen Yan's expression grew solemn at those words. "I'll work hard and won't disappoint you, Master Mo."
Mo Hong nodded slightly, offered a few words of encouragement, and soon left.
"Second Senior Brother, what is the Martial Hall Grand Competition?" Chen Tie asked curiously.
"The Martial Hall Grand Competition is actually a tournament that ranks all twenty-five martial halls across the outer city's five wards. Our Fierce Tiger Martial Hall placed tenth in the last competition." Shen Yan shifted the subject. "Generally, only Flesh Refining martial artists can participate. If you two junior brothers break through, you can participate too and improve your combat skills. Otherwise, the competition is dangerous. Martial halls with grudges against each other generally show no mercy."
Chen Tie nodded slightly. His breakthrough was only a matter of days away, so he could certainly participate.
That evening, Shen Yan invited Chen Tie and Xu Da to dine at the Clear Moon Restaurant, specifically booking a private room.
The three chatted as they ate, while his younger sister Chen Xi played by herself nearby after eating her fill.
"Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, neither of you has been at the martial hall much lately. Has something happened?"
Chen Tie asked curiously. The two had even missed several days at the martial hall; otherwise, Shen Yan could have broken through a few days earlier.
Shen Yan and Xu Da exchanged a glance. In the end, Xu Da spoke up to explain.
"I'm sure you've noticed too, Junior Brother Chen. Duchang City is growing more and more chaotic. Aside from these troubled times, another important reason is that the Five Great Aristocratic Families are stirring up trouble. Perhaps they intend to control the entire city!"
"If that's the case, there may be a struggle between the Five Great Aristocratic Families and the City Guard."
Chen Tie was speechless for a moment. Wasn't this a battle for control of the city? Things had already become this chaotic.
"If the Five Great Aristocratic Families seize Duchang City, what will you do?"
The two fell silent for a moment before Shen Yan spoke. "Actually, if the Five Great Aristocratic Families seize Duchang City, our lives will become even harder. To seize the city, they're already suppressing other lineages, especially those that refuse to obey, so lineages with the means are already preparing to flee."
Hearing this, Chen Tie began to form a vague conjecture. In terms of strength, Duchang's City Guard was definitely stronger than the Five Great Aristocratic Families, yet the Five Great Aristocratic Families still wanted to seize the city. Moreover, the City Guard surely knew what the Five Great Aristocratic Families were doing, but had yet to make a move against them.
"If the Five Great Aristocratic Families lose, does the City Guard intend to purge all the aristocratic families?"