A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

Muddy Alley, Zhou Residence.

Zhou Yuanli stood in the courtyard, holding a bright red pill in his hand. It was the Nine Yang Pill, a second-grade pill bestowed upon him by Xie Hongwu.

The pill felt warm to the touch and emitted a faint masculine aura.

The imperial court strictly controls elixirs, and most of what can be bought on the market are first-grade elixirs. Those of second grade and above require special channels.

It is said that only the centurions and chiliarchs of the patrol battalion can receive a certain amount of second-grade pills, which is one of the reasons why the patrol battalion is so powerful and able to suppress Luochuan County.

Without further hesitation, Zhou Yuan tilted his head back and swallowed the Nine Yang Pill.

The pill entered my throat, unlike the gentle taste of the Rhinoceros Fruit. An extreme heat exploded instantly, as if I had swallowed a red-hot iron.

The next moment, his blood and qi surged wildly like a volcano that had been ignited, and his meridians were almost squeezed and deformed by the violent medicinal power.

Zhou Yuan shouted, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

He knew that now was when the medicine was at its most potent.

Start practicing the Six Harmonies Stance Exercise immediately!

He planted his feet firmly on the ground, and his body began to frantically absorb the domineering medicinal power as the technique circulated.

Time passed slowly.

Two hours later, Zhou Yuan suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes, and a terrifying glint flashed in his eyes.

On a whim, he opened the panel.

[Realm: Body Tempering Stage Two - Bone Forging]

[Technique: Six Harmonies Stance Exercise (Mastered)] [Progress: 842/1000]

[Martial Arts Skill: Mountain Shaking Fist (Third Level)] [Progress: 907/1000]

[Martial Skill: Treading Snow Without Leaving a Trace (Third Level)] [Progress: 57/1000]

[Martial Arts Skill: Bone-Melting Palm (Third Level)] [Progress: 89/1000]

[Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill (Level 1)] [Progress: 5/500]

"Wow, so much progress!"

Zhou Yuan whispered, unable to hide his excitement.

A single Grade 2 Nine Yang Pill was equivalent to nearly half a month of his arduous cultivation!

What kind of miraculous effects must the third-grade Bone-Changing Pill, awarded as a reward to the champion of the martial arts tournament, possess?

Once one's physical constitution is improved, the cultivation speed of the panel will be further accelerated.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yuan's desire to participate in the martial arts competition grew even stronger.

Previously, he might not have had absolute confidence. Although Luochuan County is small, it is full of hidden talents.

Who would have thought that a mere inspector like Zhao Dacheng would possess such a miraculous skill as the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill? Perhaps the geniuses of other martial arts schools also have their hidden talents.

But now, things are different.

He was able to kill someone in the Bone Forging Realm while he was in the Tendon Changing Realm.

Once he also enters the Yi Jin Jing stage, and with the unparalleled strength of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, who can stop him from winning the championship?

If one were to cultivate the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique to the second level...

Zhou Yuan dared not imagine how strong he would be; perhaps, he could truly contend with a powerhouse at the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

We must speed up our cultivation progress!

A determined look appeared in Zhou Yuan's eyes.

The dramatic shift in attitudes from Zhu Xiaowen to Xie Hongwu ultimately boils down to the word "power."

In a world where martial arts reign supreme, that's just how reality is.

"Yuanzi".

Just as Zhou Yuan was pondering to himself, his sister Zhou Ting's voice came from inside the house.

"Miss Rong is here. She says she wants to thank you in person."

Liu Rong?

Zhou Yuan's heart stirred slightly. Although he had gone to save his sister that day, it was also true that he had saved Liu Rong in the process. In a sense, he was her savior.

He composed himself and went inside.

The elder sister was gesturing for a woman in a light purple dress to sit down; she was none other than Liu Rong, the county magistrate's daughter.

"Miss Rong, this is my younger brother, Zhou Yuan," Zhou Ting introduced with a smile.

Upon hearing the sound, Liu Rong stood up and bowed gracefully to Zhou Yuan, her demeanor elegant and poised.

"So it was Master Zhou. Liu Rong thanked Master Zhou for saving her life."

"Miss Rong, you're too kind." Zhou Yuan returned the greeting with clasped hands. "My elder sister received a lot of care from you at the embroidery shop. This was just a small favor."

"Master Zhou is too modest. Such a grand occasion as forging bones and breaking tendons is a rare sight in Luochuan County, perhaps only seen once every few decades."

As Liu Rong spoke, her beautiful eyes sparkled with admiration, making no attempt to hide her appreciation.

"Just some bandits, not worth mentioning," Zhou Yuan said with a faint smile.

Now that the matter is already made public, hiding it would only make us seem petty.

He had hoped to develop peacefully, but circumstances dictated otherwise. While fame brought risks, the corresponding benefits were also very real.

Seeing his demeanor, Liu Rong's admiration for him deepened.

She pushed a delicate brocade box next to her forward.

"I heard that Master Zhou was looking for ancient medicinal herbs for your sister, so I asked around in the prefecture. This is one of the main ingredients, Xuanwu wood."

After saying that, Liu Rong opened the brocade box.

Inside the box, a piece of dark brown wood lay quietly, its surface covered with strange patterns resembling tortoise shells. It was none other than one of the three main ingredients of the ancient prescription that Zhou Yuan had been searching for.

Zhou Yuan's expression brightened upon seeing the piece of basalt wood.

He hadn't expected Liu Rong to be so thoughtful, sending him exactly what he needed right now.

"My sister and I thank Miss Rong."

Zhou Yuan accepted the brocade box without hesitation. With this item, the hope of his sister's leg injury healing increased even further.

Seeing this, Zhou Ting was overjoyed and immediately stood up to bow and thank Liu Rong.

Liu Rong quickly stepped forward, took her hand, and said with a smile, "Sister Zhou Ting, get your leg healed quickly. When the Embroidery Pavilion opens a branch, we'll need your help to oversee things."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ting was so excited that she couldn't speak, and could only nod emphatically at Liu Rong.

Liu Rong then looked at Zhou Yuan and continued, "Besides thanking Master Zhou in person, I have something else I'd like to discuss with you today."

"Oh? What is it?" Zhou Yuan's expression shifted, and he looked at the woman in front of him again.

Although this woman was not exceptionally beautiful, she possessed a resolute air about her, and her heroic spirit, which was no less than that of a man, left a deep impression.

"I would like to invite Master Zhou to serve as the affiliated martial artist of my Flying Cloud Embroidery Pavilion."

Affiliation?

Zhou Yuan's expression shifted slightly; he hadn't expected this woman to have such thoughts.

"If Master Zhou is willing to come, my Feiyun Embroidery Pavilion is willing to provide a monthly stipend of three hundred taels."

Three hundred taels!

Upon hearing this number, Zhou Ting, who was standing to the side, opened her mouth slightly, almost wide enough to fit an egg.

This number is simply outrageous.

Zhou Yuan was also taken aback, not expecting Liu Rong to be so generous.

This offering was comparable to the conditions offered by the Wang family when they recruited Wang Tengfei.

"If Master Zhou is worried that my father won't release him, I can go and talk to him myself," Liu Rong added when she saw him remain silent.

Being kidnapped by bandits this time set off alarm bells in her mind.

Feiyun Embroidery Pavilion's business is growing bigger and bigger, and it really needs a true expert to stay there. Otherwise, if a similar thing happens again, the pavilion's reputation will definitely plummet.

Is the daughter stealing her father's girlfriend?

A strange thought flashed through Zhou Yuan's mind.

After hesitating for a moment, Zhou Yuan clasped his hands in a fist and said,

"I appreciate Miss Rong's kindness, but I'm used to working in the Patrol Division and don't want to leave for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Liu Rong seemed unsurprised, and continued, "Master Zhou, there's no need to rush to refuse. You can consider this matter first. My Feiyun Embroidery Pavilion's promise is valid at any time."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan did not continue speaking, but simply nodded slightly.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Liu Rong got up to say goodbye.

Watching Liu Rong's departing figure, Zhou Ting hurriedly asked, "Yuanzi, why didn't you agree to such a good job?"

Zhou Yuan did not answer, but simply shook his head slightly.

A monthly salary of three hundred taels of silver is undeniably tempting. However, the band of bandits from a few days ago had a clear objective: they were targeting Liu Rong, or rather, the county magistrate Liu Wenju who was behind her.

The bandits, having failed in their first attack, were clearly not going to give up easily.

If I were to become a patron of this Flying Cloud Embroidery Pavilion, it would be tantamount to willingly jumping into this vortex.

For a few hundred taels of silver, he's gotten himself involved in this mess; he doesn't know if this deal will bring him good fortune or misfortune.

……

The inner city, the Wei family.

In a dimly lit secret room, Wei Tianhe, the head of the Wei family, was toying with a blood-red pill in his hand, his expression full of amusement.

Before him, a young man in brocade robes spoke calmly.

"Uncle Wei, this is the supply of Blood Spirit Pills for this month. Please keep it safe."

The young man was none other than Wang Xuanzhao, the second young master of the Wang family. His cultivation was unfathomable, and he had already stepped into the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

Wei Tianhe looked at the three large boxes of Blood Spirit Pills in front of the hall and nodded slightly.

Last month, he sold Blood Spirit Pills on the black market through the Canal Gang's channels, making a very considerable profit, amounting to several thousand taels of silver.

Wang Xuanzhao continued, "A meeting of the five clans will be held at my Wang family in a few days. I hope you will not forget this, Uncle."

Five Races Conference?

Wei Tianhe was taken aback.

According to past practice, such meetings are only convened when a major event occurs that is significant enough to affect the overall situation of Luochuan County.

He tentatively asked, "What brings you here?"

A strange smile appeared on Wang Xuanzhao's lips.

"It concerns the overall situation of Luochuan."

Upon hearing this, Wei Tianhe's mind stirred.

Wang Xuanzhao said no more and turned to leave.

"What is the Wang family plotting?"

Watching Wang Xuanzhao leave, Wei Tianhe stared at the Blood Spirit Pill before him, a thoughtful expression on his face.

The origin of this Blood Spirit Pill is mysterious, and it comes from the Wang family. He doesn't know what the Wang family is really up to.

Just then, the door to the secret room was pushed open again, and the butler, Wei Hong, strode in.

"Master, we have found out the identity of the person who killed Xu Qingyi."

Wei Hong bowed and reported.

"He is a disciple of the Qingyang Martial Arts School in the outer city, named Zhou Yuan."

Zhou Yuan?

Upon hearing this name, the last trace of color drained from Wei Tianhe's face, leaving it icy cold.

His long-planned scheme was about to succeed, but this person ruined it all. How could he not be furious!

A chilling murderous aura permeated the secret room.

Wei Tianhe slowly raised his hand, crushing the blood-red pill inch by inch between his fingertips.

"Wei Hong".

"This old servant is here."

"Investigate." Wei Tianhe's voice was dry and ruthless. "Find out exactly what Zhou Yuan's background is!"

......