A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

There was a time when he had a good relationship with Zhou Yuan, but as he gained the favor of the sect leader and his cultivation advanced rapidly, he subconsciously distanced himself from Zhou Yuan.

He felt that he and Zhou Yuan were destined to be from two different worlds.

But now, that "mediocre talent" he had left behind has actually caught up again.

The feeling was like an invisible slap that landed hard on his face.

Wang Tengfei withdrew his gaze, a surge of anger rising in his chest, and poured all his energy into his fist technique.

He wanted to prove that he was the real genius! Zhou Yuan was just lucky!

Jiang Qian and Han Ming seemed to have no qualms about ignoring Zhou Yuan earlier.

For scions of prominent families like them, what matters most is always profit and value.

A martial artist at the Bone Forging Realm is already worth them lowering their standards and taking the initiative to befriend.

"Junior Brother Zhou, congratulations!"

With a perfectly timed smile on her face, Jiang Qian took the initiative to speak.

"Yes, Junior Brother Zhou is truly a hidden talent; we misjudged him before."

Han Ming smiled and echoed him, his attitude as friendly as if the two were old friends.

Zhou Yuan remained calm and returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"You're too kind, senior brothers and sisters."

He couldn't help but feel emotional. Since stepping into the martial arts school, this was the first time he had spoken to these two high-ranking senior brothers and sisters from the inner sect.

Ultimately, it all comes down to strength.

Looking at Zhou Yuan in front of him, Zhu Xiaowen recalled his past hard work and felt a mix of emotions.

Perhaps I had really neglected this disciple too much before.

He cleared his throat and announced loudly in front of everyone.

"From this day forward, Zhou Yuan will be the seventh core disciple of my Qingyang Martial Arts School!"

After speaking, Zhu Xiaowen turned to Zhou Yuan with a satisfied smile on his face.

"Zhou Yuan, come with me to the backyard."

Under the complex gazes of the disciples, some filled with jealousy and others with envy, Zhou Yuan clasped his hands in agreement and followed them.

As Jiang Qian watched Zhou Yuan's disappearing figure, a thoughtful expression appeared on her delicate face.

Han Ming, who was standing nearby, leaned closer and chuckled softly, "What's wrong? Second Senior Sister, are you smitten with talent again?"

Jiang Qian shook her head slightly, reverting to her usual aloofness.

"It's just the Bone Forging Realm. If you're willing to put in the effort and spend the money, it's not hard to find someone in Luochuan County."

She paused, then continued, "Besides, this man is now in the Patrol and Inspection Office, and is ostensibly the county magistrate's man. He and my Merchant Alliance are irreconcilable enemies. There's no need to win him over."

"I just found it interesting that someone with average talent could actually get this far through sheer brute force. It was just a moment of curiosity."

After saying that, Jiang Qian stopped talking and walked to a corner of the training ground to start practicing.

Han Ming smiled noncommittally and said nothing more.

The business alliance... is not a monolithic entity.

As far as he knew, the Jiang family seemed to have some unclear connections with County Magistrate Liu Wenju in private.

On the other side, Zhou Yuan followed Zhu Xiaowen through a courtyard filled with flowers, birds and trees, around a rockery, and arrived at an elegant two-story pavilion.

Apart from the eldest disciple Shen He, ordinary disciples are not qualified to step into this backyard.

Zhu Xiaowen pushed open the door to the attic and led Zhou Yuan inside.

The attic floor was simply furnished with only a few tables and chairs.

Zhu Xiaowen sat down in a grand chair, his previously warm expression suddenly hardening, and spoke to Zhou Yuan in a deep voice.

"Kneel down."

Zhou Yuan dared not be negligent in the slightest and immediately knelt down on both knees.

"In my Qingyang Martial Arts School, only those who reach the Bone Forging Realm can become core disciples."

Zhu Xiaowen's voice echoed in the lobby.

"Only core disciples can be considered my true disciples in the real sense."

"Once you become a core disciple, the martial arts school will provide you with training resources. If you cause trouble outside, as long as you are in the right, the martial arts school can also cover for you."

Zhou Yuan's heart stirred.

To shield or conceal?

Zhu Xiaowen is a powerful expert at the peak of Body Tempering and the Marrow Cleansing Realm, and he is a big shot in the entire Luochuan County.

Having his words will make things much easier in the future.

"but!"

Zhu Xiaowen suddenly changed the subject, his entire demeanor becoming sharp and aggressive.

"As core disciples, you must also contribute to the martial arts school, have the responsibility to revitalize it, and absolutely must not divulge any of the school's secrets!"

"Otherwise, I will kill you with my own hands!"

With his last words, Zhu Xiaowen exuded murderous intent, and a chilling aura instantly enveloped Zhou Yuan.

"Would you be willing?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhou Yuan bowed and kowtowed, his forehead hitting the bluestone floor heavily with three muffled thuds.

"Disciple Zhou Yuan greets Master!"

Seeing this, Zhu Xiaowen slowly withdrew his murderous aura and revealed a satisfied expression.

Although Zhou Yuan's natural talent is average, he is diligent, honest, and resilient. This is the kind of disciple Zhou Yuan likes best.

"it is good."

Zhu Xiaowen nodded.

"From today onwards, you may come here every month to collect ten Body Tempering Pills."

"In addition, I will pass on to you a secret recipe for medicinal baths. This recipe is extremely precious and is a closely guarded secret of major powers. Martial artists who use this medicinal bath can increase their cultivation speed many times over."

Zhou Yuan was thrilled.

Body Tempering Pill, medicinal bath formula!

This was like a timely help for him, who desperately needed to improve his strength.

"Disciple will certainly live up to Master's high expectations!"

Zhu Xiaowen took out a yellowed piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over.

Zhou Yuan took it with both hands, glanced at it briefly, and then carefully put it into his pocket.

But he did not get up; he remained kneeling on the ground, as if he still had something to say.

Zhu Xiaowen noticed his hesitation. "Is there anything else?"

Zhou Yuan looked up, mustered his courage, and asked, "Master, do you...do you have a way to heal a broken leg?"

Zhu Xiaowen was taken aback upon hearing this, then seemed to remember something.

Zhou Yuan appears to have an older sister who has a limp.

A hint of relief flashed across his originally dignified face.

Although this son is decisive in killing, he is also loyal and righteous, and his filial piety is commendable.

"A broken leg is a rather troublesome injury."

Zhu Xiaowen pondered for a moment, then took out another prescription from his bosom.

"I happen to have an old prescription here; perhaps we can give it a try."

"However, most of the medicinal herbs in this prescription are extremely rare and expensive, and ordinary families simply cannot afford them."

Zhou Yuan took the prescription and was overjoyed.

money?

As long as my sister's leg can be cured, it's worth spending any amount of money!

"Thank you, Master!"

Zhou Yuan kowtowed deeply again before rising to take his leave.

Zhu Xiaowen watched Zhou Yuan's departing figure, gently stroking his beard, becoming more and more satisfied with the sight.

As Zhou Yuan stepped out of the attic, he was greeted by Zhu Mengran carrying a medical kit.

When Zhu Mengran saw Zhou Yuan coming out of the attic, she was slightly taken aback, and then a look of shock appeared on her beautiful face.

She knew all too well what it meant to be able to enter her father's private attic.

This junior brother, who was once of average talent, not only succeeded in refining his skin with amazing perseverance, but has now stepped into the bone forging realm and become a core disciple!

Congratulations, Junior Brother Zhou.

Zhu Mengran smiled sweetly, her eyes revealing a hint of appreciation and curiosity. This junior brother had brought her far too many surprises.

Upon seeing that smile, Zhou Yuan's heart skipped a beat.

Zhu Mengran was already beautiful and had a refined and elegant temperament. Now, her smile is even more charming and captivating.

After a moment, Zhou Yuan came to his senses and was at a loss for words.

He could only clasp his hands slightly in greeting to Zhu Mengran, and without much further conversation, he quickly left the backyard.

Watching Zhou Yuan's slightly embarrassed figure, Zhu Mengran couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

This further fueled her curiosity and interest in Zhou Yuan.

……

The sky was getting dark.

At the entrance of the muddy alley, several men dressed in black short-sleeved shirts stood up at some point.

They were all imposing figures, with steel knives at their waists, looking fierce and menacing. Passersby would avoid them.

The leader was a fat man dressed in brocade robes, a faint smile playing on his lips.

However, the sharp aura emanating from his body and the occasional bronze sheen on his skin all demonstrated his strength as a master of the Skin Refining Realm.

Next to the general store at the alley entrance, Song Laogen was using a feather duster to sweep the dust off the shelves.

The curtain was lifted, and Song Fang, who had just returned from the Feiyun Embroidery Building in the inner city, walked in.

She glanced at the group of people at the alley entrance and asked curiously, "Dad, those people look unfamiliar. They're not from the Jinshi Gang, are they?"

Song Laogen lowered his voice.

"Goldman Sachs and his brother Gao Qiang are both dead, and the Goldstone Gang is long gone."

"This area is now under the control of the Black Tiger Gang. I heard their gang leader is a powerful expert at the Skin Refining Realm."

A Skin Refining Realm expert!

Song Fang felt a chill run down her spine. The Black Tiger Gang was far stronger than the Golden Stone Gang from before.

Just then, Song Tao came out from the inner room, looking smug.

"So what if they're at the Skin Refining Realm? With my brother-in-law here, who cares what kind of gang they are? Once they get to this muddy alley, they'll all have to show some respect to the Song family!"

The brother-in-law he mentioned was Zhang Hao from the Black Tiger Martial Arts School, a true master of the Bone Forging Realm.

Song Fang did not refute, which can be taken as tacit agreement with her brother's words.

She glanced at the Black Tiger Gang's formation at the alley entrance and asked, "What are they doing? Are they welcoming some important figure?"

Song Tao also craned his neck to look.

"Who knows? For the Black Tiger Gang to put on such a grand show, they must be no ordinary people."

The voice just fell.

A figure walked in slowly from outside the alley.

That person was Zhou Yuan.

......