The Imperial Guards, like Yama, slaughtered until the Empress cried out for help.

At dawn, Shen Qing and the others returned to Baiyun County.

All the Imperial Guards were yawning, after all, they were just martial artists in the Body Tempering Realm.

Shen Qing gave them a day off so they could go home and catch up on their sleep.

He then returned to the headquarters and asked Lin Zikai to have someone prepare a bath for him, where he enjoyed a wonderful bath.

Lin Zikai also thoughtfully brought over a pot of fine wine and several dishes of snacks to accompany it.

Shen Qingmei is enjoying life to the fullest.

"My lord, my lord, people from Luoshui City have arrived."

Suddenly, Lin Zikai's surprised voice came from outside the door.

Leaning against Shen Qing, he slowly opened his eyes.

After three or four days, we finally arrived.

The contribution I made last time was quite significant.

They caught a traitorous leader, recovered the silver, and uncovered a White Dragon Cult stronghold.

Especially the White Dragon Cult's strongholds; the Great Wu Dynasty has always had zero tolerance for the White Dragon Cult.

Tasks related to the White Dragon Cult also offer generous rewards.

So Shen Qing also began to look forward to it, wondering what kind of reward the higher-ups would give him.

Of course, if it's too bad, then don't blame Shen Qing for cursing.

Shen Qing put on her clothes and walked out of the room. The courtyard was quiet, with all the Imperial Guards standing quietly on both sides.

In the center of the courtyard stood a middle-aged man dressed in a silver flying fish robe.

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. The one escorting the reward was a centurion, so the reward must be pretty good.

When the middle-aged centurion saw Shen Qing coming out of the house, his eyes lit up and he cupped his hands in greeting.

"I am Zhang Shan, a centurion of the Northern Garrison of Luoshui City."

"I suppose this must be Commander Shen Qing."

"He is indeed a man of great talent, and at such a young age he has already taken up the position of commander-in-chief. His future is very promising."

Zhang Shan did not adopt the demeanor of a centurion. Although he did not know Shen Qing's background, Shen Qing's age was a given.

Moreover, he had made a great contribution, and it was also said in the town of Luoshui that the higher-ups were very satisfied with Shen Qing.

With a great achievement on one hand and the favor of his superiors on the other, Shen Qing's future promotion is a foregone conclusion.

Instead of putting on those useless airs now, it's better to lower your stance and make friends.

After exchanging a few casual pleasantries, Zhang Shan waved his hand, and a member of the Imperial Guard stepped forward carrying a gold-rimmed mahogany box.

"General Shen must have been waiting for this reward for a long time."

The Imperial Guards carefully opened the wooden box, and a refreshing fragrance wafted out, with a faint red glow shimmering in the air.

Inside the wooden box was a bright red fruit, about the size of a baby's fist, crystal clear.

Shen Qing narrowed his eyes, recognizing the fruit: "Crimson Jade Fruit?"

"Commander Shen has a good eye."

There are countless rare and precious materials in the world, and many of them are suitable for the Acquired Realm, but the most suitable one is this Crimson Jade Fruit.

The Crimson Jade Fruit grows on Crimson Jade Island, the southernmost island of the Great Wu Dynasty.

Red Jade Island was named after this fruit. It was the only place in the entire dynasty that grew Red Jade Fruit. The annual yield was limited, and because of its good results, the supply was always tight. However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was able to get priority in supplying it.

Its function is to assist in opening up the meridians of the acquired realm, and the effect is considerable.

However, what truly makes it precious is another effect: after consuming the Red Jade Fruit, one can widen the meridians and increase their resilience.

Zhang Shan laughed heartily: "To be honest, this reward is truly enviable."

"However, treasures are meant for heroes, so this Crimson Jade Fruit should be given to you, Commander Shen."

Shen Qing waved his hand, and Lin Zikai immediately stepped forward to take the wooden box.

"Commander Zhang, you must be tired from your journey. Would you like to have a meal before you continue?"

Commander Zhang waved his hand.

"I have important business to attend to and must return to Luoshui City to report back."

"Besides, Commander Shen has just obtained the precious fruit, so I'd better not bother him any longer."

"If Commander Shen comes to Luoshui City in the future, I, Zhang, will definitely hold a grand banquet."

"must."

After saying this, Zhang Shan cupped his hands in greeting and then led his men out of the headquarters.

After Zhang Shan had gone far away, Shen Qing took the Crimson Jade Fruit back to her room and told Lin Zikai not to let anyone disturb her.

I am currently at the second level of the Acquired Realm.

Eight acupoints have been connected.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, took out the Crimson Jade Fruit, and swallowed it in three gulps. Then he fully activated the Overbearing Meridian Opening Technique.

The Crimson Jade Fruit was quickly digested, and a pure, vast, and gentle energy surged into every part of the body.

Shen Qing quickly opened up the meridians and connected the acupoints.

Like flowing clouds and running water, Shen Qing broke through eight acupoints in succession, successfully breaking through to the third level of the Acquired Realm.

Moreover, Shen Qing became increasingly extraordinary, and the speed at which he connected his acupoints increased rather than decreased.

There is no other reason.

The effect of the red entry "Thoughts Clear and Unobstructed" is that the clearer and unobstructed one's thoughts, the stronger the effect of "Clarity of Mind."

Shen Qing's current state is that the faster he breaks through, the clearer his mind becomes.

The clearer one's thoughts are, the faster one can break through to a higher realm.

It's like stepping on your right foot with your left.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he opened up another meridian, connecting eight acupoints, and broke through to the fourth level of the Acquired Realm.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, one reaches the fifth level of the Acquired Realm.

Half an hour later, he reached the sixth level of the Acquired Realm.

By this time, the last trace of the Crimson Flame Fruit's medicinal power had completely dissipated.

Shen Qing maximized the effect of the Crimson Flame Fruit in widening the meridians, expanding each meridian by a full 40%.

Slowly opening his eyes, Shen Qing felt an overwhelming surge of power.

Raise your finger and tap it lightly; a domineering internal force appears at your fingertip.

This is the unique external release of internal energy after reaching the third level of the Acquired Realm, depending on the cultivation method.

The truly domineering nature of the Overbearing Meridian Opening Technique is revealed at this moment.

The domineering internal force cultivated by the Overbearing Meridian Opening Technique is incredibly powerful, dealing maximum damage and capable of forcefully shattering the opponent's internal force.

The domineering internal force provides immense destructive power, the expanded meridians by 40% increase the speed of internal force circulation, and the state of Dao mind clarity provides greater control over internal force.

Shen Qing felt that he was now terrifyingly strong.

I should have insisted that Zhang Shan stay for dinner; it would have been a good opportunity to test the waters with him.

Shen Qing got up, stretched his limbs, and walked out of the room.

At that moment, Lin Zikai and the others were playing chess in the courtyard out of boredom.

Firstly, he was there to guard the gate for Shen Qing; secondly, the Imperial Guards in small places weren't that busy, and they wouldn't be needed for minor cases, as the local government would handle them.

Only major cases would bother the Imperial Guards, but even those cases didn't happen every day.

Lin Zikai noticed Shen Qing and quickly stood up: "My lord, you have already refined the Crimson Jade Fruit?"

Shen Qing nodded and waved his hand: "Go and call Black Dog and the others. We'll meet at Cui Song Lou."

"I saw it as soon as I entered the city; Cui Song Lou has new dishes."

Since we're already using cheat codes, we naturally can't let our stomachs suffer.

A life of asceticism with bland food and water?

Okay, we won't do anything that requires us to endure hardship.