The One-Month Deadline!
Meanwhile, inside a secluded cultivation chamber...
Shi Qing sat cross-legged, her blood and qi surging, her bones crackling and popping. A powerful aura emanated from her body, and her originally somewhat thick bones were visibly becoming more refined and resilient, their color gradually changing from dark to a deep black!
Jet-Black Iron Bones! Done!
But this was not the end! Shi Qing's aura continued to rise, and the energy within her body was like a surging river, constantly washing over and tempering her bones! The pitch-black color gradually faded, replaced by a dazzling brilliance, as if it were carved from a beautiful jade!
Radiant Golden Bones! Breaking through another realm!
As Shi Qing broke through her cultivation level, her originally robust physique, which had appeared somewhat imposing due to her special cultivation technique, shrank again. Although she was still taller and stronger than an ordinary woman, she was gradually revealing some of her original delicate and beautiful features.
Outside the secret chamber, Uncle Shi stood with his hands behind his back, a hint of relief and anticipation on his aged face. 'My Shi Family's main branch, though burdened by a curse, possesses a talent for Martial Dao cultivation that is beyond the reach of ordinary people,' he thought to himself. 'But this damned curse, like shackles, relentlessly suppresses this talent, preventing our clansmen from making any progress, ultimately leading them to grow old in despair...'
' Qing'er, all I can do as your father is to give you the best resources possible and unleash your suppressed talents! I hope you can take one step at a time, constantly break through barriers, and ultimately... break free from this generation's entangled fate!'
Time slips away silently, like sand through your fingers.
Ten days later.
Dongfang Yueming slowly awoke, One Flash brilliance appearing in his eyes as he opened and closed them. He habitually opened his attribute panel:
[Character: Dongfang Yueming]
[Realm: Body Tempering - Tendon Transformation Realm (Entry) (Gain 20 points daily)]
[Techniques: Basic Skin Tempering Method (Perfection), Layered Wave Skin Tempering Method (Perfection), Crimson Sun Flesh Refining Method (Perfection), Nine-Turn Coiled Dragon Force (Perfection), Hundred Beasts Bone Tempering Method (Perfection), Ten Thousand Beasts Bone Tempering Method (Perfection), Furious Tiger Tendon Transformation Method (0/60, Entry)]
[Martial Arts: Basic Thirteen Fast Saber Forms (Perfection), Swift Gale Movement Technique (Perfection), Venomous Snake Dagger Technique Fierce Tiger Fist Technique (0/1, Not Yet Entry), Fierce Tiger Fist Technique (Perfection), Gale Saber Technique (Perfection), Whirlwind Leg (Perfection), Blood Burning Secret Method (0/5, Not Yet Entry)]
[Points:275]
'I've accumulated another 200 points in ten days, not bad!' Dongfang Yueming thought to herself with satisfaction.
Just then, a notification sounded from the terminal. It was a message from Qin Rushuang, telling him to go to the office immediately, as two teammates who had participated in the Battle of the Python Gate had already arrived.
Dongfang Yueming's eyes flickered. 'My teammates have arrived? Perfect. While I have plenty of points now, I'll first upgrade that [Blood Burning Secret Method] and quietly boost my combat power, just in case.'
A thought struck him, and he started Point Allocation!
[Blood Burning Secret Method (0/15, Entry)]
[Blood Burning Secret Method (0/25, Minor Accomplishment)]
[Blood Burning Secret Method (0/50, Major Accomplishment)]
[Blood Burning Secret Method (Perfection)]
With the final bit of energy invested, a violent and intense power instantly flowed through his entire body! Dongfang Yueming clearly felt that his control over his qi and blood had reached a whole new level. He could instantly burn his qi and blood to unleash terrifying power far exceeding his own realm! Although there would be some aftereffects, at the Perfection Realm, these aftereffects had been minimized and the recovery speed was extremely fast.
'Excellent! Another trump card!' Dongfang Yueming nodded in satisfaction, stood up, straightened his clothes, and went out the door.
At this moment, in the spacious training room, Qin Rushuang was giving instructions to the two young men in front of her.
"... This Battle of the Python Gate concerns the reputation of our Great Xia Martial Arts Academy, and even more so your own future. You must go all out and not slack off!" Qin Rushuang's tone was cold, carrying an unquestionable authority.
"Yes, Teacher Qin!" the two young men standing before her replied in unison, their expressions solemn, their eyes shining with determination. "We will certainly live up to your expectations!"
Just then, Dongfang Yueming walked in.
Qin Rushuang looked at him and nodded slightly. "You've come."
She then pointed to the two young men in front of her and introduced them to Dongfang Yueming: "This is Yue Tao, Tendon Transformation Lesser Completion. This is Xi Feng, Tendon Transformation Greater Completion. These two are your teammates participating in this Battle of the Python Gate."
' Xi Feng? His surname is Xi...' Upon hearing this name, Dongfang Yueming's heart skipped a beat. 'Could he be related to Xi Lang, whom we killed at Black Stone Fortress?' However, he remained outwardly calm.
"My name is Dongfang Yueming, Tendon Transformation Initial Stage." Dongfang Yueming clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, giving a simple self-introduction.
Yue Tao looked at Dongfang Yueming, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. 'To have reached the Tendon Transformation Realm at such a young age, even if it's only the Entry, this talent is truly Bufan.' He was a relatively calm person and held goodwill towards Dongfang Yueming.
Meanwhile, Xi Feng, on the other side, looked at Dongfang Yueming with an undisguised gloom and jealousy. 'Hmph, he's just relying on his youth; his foundation is definitely unstable! What makes him so special that he can gain Teacher Qin's favor and join the team directly? He may look decent enough, but he's not...' He was extremely displeased with Dongfang Yueming's talent, appearance, and the special attention he seemed to receive.
Qin Rushuang, oblivious to the undercurrents among the three, continued, "The three of you should get to know each other first. We'll depart for the Great Qi Dynasty early the day after tomorrow. The last member of the team will be joining us then."
"Yes!" the three replied again.
'The last one? Who could it be?' Dongfang Yueming couldn't help but feel curious.
After giving her instructions, Qin Rushuang let the three of them leave on their own.
Walking back to the dormitory, Dongfang Yueming pondered, 'Leaving the day after tomorrow... there's still plenty of time. However, before that, there's one more thing I need to take care of.'
He took out his terminal, skillfully found Gao Hu's contact information, and sent a short message: "Gao Hu, the one-month deadline has passed. Tonight, in the arena, do you dare to fight?"
Not long after the message was sent, Gao Hu's reply came back with a strong sense of sarcasm, "Dongfang Yueming? You actually dare to show your face? What, you're itching for a beating? Fine, this young master will satisfy you tonight!"
Dongfang Yueming's lips curled slightly as he replied, "It seems you're too afraid to come?"
Simple provocation is always effective against someone as arrogant as Gao Hu.
Sure enough, Gao Hu was immediately enraged. "Bullshit! Anyone who doesn't dare to come is a coward! Tonight at the martial arts arena, I'll show you what despair is!"
"Okay, see you there." After replying with the last four words, Dongfang Yueming put away his terminal. The score had to be settled eventually. Tonight, he would resolve this trouble once and for all.