Becoming a god starts with one certificate becoming eternal.

The fog in the Silent Alley did not dissipate until dawn.

Fog rose from the cracks in the ground, pressing the alleyway even lower.

Ye Xiao was on his way to the martial arts school, acting as if nothing had happened last night, maintaining his usual pace.

When he arrived at the martial arts school, he found that many people had arrived earlier than usual, and the courtyard was more lively than ever.

The sounds and atmosphere here have also changed dramatically, filled with a sense of excitement and anxiety.

Today is the second day before the external assessment.

In two days, the martial arts school will select one person from more than 300 outer disciples to be designated as an inner disciple.

"I'm determined to fight for first place in this assessment, no matter what!"

"That goes without saying. Almost all the outer disciples are putting in their best effort right now. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The inner disciples are not on the same level as us outer disciples."

"That's not true. Inner disciples not only don't have to pay tuition fees anymore, but they also receive monthly stipends and free medicine. They even have separate training grounds, which are not in the same place as us outer disciples."

"Not only that, various forces will also seek out nominal appointments, meaning you can earn a substantial monthly income without doing anything... But most importantly, you'll receive personal guidance from the master, which is practically a meteoric rise!"

Laughter rose and fell, but soon dissipated.

As Ye Xiao entered the courtyard, he overheard the students' discussion, which sparked an idea in his mind.

He doesn't care about titles.

Even with the owner's personal guidance, it didn't hold much appeal for him.

After all, as long as he continues to practice diligently, his stance training and fist techniques will naturally improve.

but……

He could save on tuition fees each month and also receive a monthly allowance and medicine, which were exactly what he needed.

As for nominal appointments, there are many intricacies involved, so it's not something you can decide on casually.

He Lin walked over carrying a medicine bucket, frowning slightly: "Why do you look so pale? You can't rush martial arts training, especially the three stages of the Silk Body Realm. You have to alternate between tension and relaxation to avoid damaging your foundation..."

As he finished speaking, his eyes dimmed, as if he were recalling something he didn't want to remember.

"I didn't sleep much, it's fine," Ye Xiao said calmly.

"I know you want to improve, especially since the assessment is coming up soon, but working this hard isn't a long-term solution."

He Lin shook his head helplessly, glanced around, and asked in a low voice, "Speaking of the assessment, do you know what this assessment represents?"

Ye Xiao nodded: "The opportunity to become an inner disciple."

"It's a chance to rise to the top in one step."

He Lin said earnestly, "Outer disciples are like free money for the martial arts school; they can't even get a glimpse of the school master. But inner disciples are the school's own people. They not only get real resources and training, but their status is completely different."

He lowered his voice, his tone unusually serious:

"Especially since you live in a place like Silent Alley, without any backing, you could die in a ditch and no one would care. But if you have the title of inner sect member... at least in the lower city, anyone who touches you will have to think about the consequences."

"Simply put, those from the outer sect are not considered members of the martial arts school. Even if something happens to them, the school won't even bother to look at them. But if something happens to an inner sect member, the school will definitely investigate."

Ye Xiao didn't speak.

However, he gained a clearer understanding of the gap between the inner and outer sects.

He Lin patted him on the shoulder: "There should be some senior disciples from the inner sect here today who will explain the specifics of the assessment. If you're interested in participating, make sure you're in good physical condition first. Otherwise, even if you do get on stage, you won't have a chance to stand out."

After saying that, he took the medicine tube and left.

Ye Xiao walked to a corner of the training ground, slowly lowered his shoulders, pulled his hips in, and settled into a stance.

My feet sank, and as soon as I managed to catch my breath, it felt like a stone had hit my chest, making it feel tight and suffocating.

He frowned, knowing that he had practiced too hard after returning home last night.

He steadied his breathing and tried again.

Despite his discomfort, Ye Xiao continued practicing his stance and punches. Even if he couldn't practice the Crimson Blood Stance for the time being, he would try his best to improve.

The training atmosphere in the entire training ground was more intense than ever before.

Even those who don't usually train want to do everything they can to improve their skills in these final days.

Among the other people practicing stances or boxing in the arena, some were in crooked and awkward postures, some were barely holding on, and some were gritting their teeth and enduring it.

Time flies, and before we knew it, the sun had risen high in the sky.

Ye Xiao began to feel weak all over; this was not just simple fatigue.

But as long as he can still stand, he is unwilling to stop.

Moreover, he knew that the problem could be solved as long as enough medicine was found.

In the afternoon, the people in the courtyard were summoned to the central area.

An inner disciple stood in front of the steps, leaning on a bamboo stick, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the outer disciples.

"As you all know, this outer sect assessment will select one person to become an inner sect student."

"I won't keep you in suspense any longer. The test is very simple. It tests your stance training. No matter what stance you've learned, whoever can stand the longest will advance to the next round."

"Only ten people will remain in the first round. The second round is also simple. Each of you will demonstrate your fist techniques once. The top four who have the highest level of fist techniques will advance to the final round."

The inner disciple tapped the ground with his bamboo stick, the sound was soft but it commanded the atmosphere: "Then these four will fight against an inner disciple. Whoever lasts the longest against him will be the final winner."

"At that time, you'll receive a monthly allowance, have medicine to take, someone to guide you in your martial arts practice, and all sorts of other benefits."

"As for the others, even if they don't get first place in the assessment, they should continue to cultivate diligently and strive to one day enter the Bone Forging stage, so that they can also become inner disciples."

Someone in the crowd whispered, "Senior Brother Huang Yu, what if someone doesn't participate in the assessment?"

"If you don't want to participate, then don't. Just stay as an outer disciple. The spots will be reserved for those who are willing to compete. Anyway, having fewer participants will only benefit you, not harm you," Huang Yu said calmly.

"There are only a few spots available for inner disciples. They were full before, but a spot became available recently. The headmaster has been very kind and gave you this opportunity. If you can't even seize this opportunity, then you might as well not practice martial arts at all."

After saying that, he turned and left.

The courtyard immediately erupted into chaos.

"So there was a vacancy? No wonder there was a sudden assessment. Which senior student had an accident?"

"I've heard a bit about this. That senior brother went on a mission and didn't come back, but I don't know if it's true or not."

"Who cares, as long as the opportunity is real."

"Once I become an inner disciple, all of you guys will have to call me senior brother. Just thinking about it makes me feel awesome."

"You think you can get first place? You're dreaming."

Some were excited, some were nervous, and some were already planning what would happen after the assessment.

Ye Xiao stood in the corner, not joining in the commotion.

For him, the assessment was just a path laid out on the table, a path everyone was watching.

What can truly propel him forward is not an opportunity to join the inner circle.

It was medicine… that was the key that truly allowed the Crimson Blood Stake to continue moving forward, and it was what he desperately needed.

……

As evening approached, the crowd at the martial arts training ground gradually dispersed.

Just as Ye Xiao was about to leave, someone called out to him.

"Ye Xiao".

Xue Chan leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, her gaze on him now scrutinizing him: "Your stance was less stable than usual today."

Ye Xiao hummed in agreement.

After a moment of contemplation, Xue Chan said, "If you want to take the test in two days, in this state, you'll only become a laughing stock."

Ye Xiao said directly, "I know, and I didn't plan to participate either."

He couldn't be bothered to explain.

Instead of standing on the stage competing with a group of people for that one spot, it's better to find a way to take that step forward.

When you truly reach that level of skill, everything you need will naturally come to you.

Xue Chan frowned slightly, instinctively feeling that Ye Xiao lacked ambition, but she didn't say anything, after all, it was a personal choice. She continued, "This morning, a stranger came to the door to inquire, saying he was looking for an outer sect student who lived in the Mute Alley. Judging from his appearance, he seemed to be from the Green Owl Gang."

"understood."

Ye Xiao nodded, the events of last night flashing through his mind, but he quickly dismissed them.

They wouldn't bother investigating the death of such scoundrels, much less come to the martial arts school to cause trouble, and it's impossible for them to do so so quickly.

Then the only possibility left is... the death of Zhang Tu.

Based on what he had heard on the street, he was certain that someone was still investigating, but he didn't know who it was.

This caused him to feel immense pressure.

Xue Chan stared at him for a few moments, then snorted coldly, "The martial arts school may not be afraid of trouble, but it won't stand up for you."

After saying that, she turned and left.

Ye Xiao watched her departing figure, his gaze slightly somber.

He never expected the martial arts school to help him. Even if he became an inner disciple, that title would only shield him from some of the trouble.

The only person you can truly rely on is yourself.

Although this incident has caused him crisis and pressure, what he cares about most is something else... his body can't hold on for much longer.

……

On the way back to the Silent Alley, it gradually got dark.

Ye Xiao walked slowly, and with each step he took, the emptiness in his chest swayed slightly.

The substandard medicines are unsustainable, and the third-rate medicines are unaffordable; it seems like a vicious cycle.

Inner disciples can get training medicine for free, but that path requires waiting two days and competing with over three hundred outer disciples for a single opportunity... It's too slow and too reliant on luck.

He paused at the alley entrance, leaned against the wall for a while, and then walked in.

The fog in the Silent Alley thickened, like a thick cloth covering everyone's heads.

He pushed open the door and entered the room, which was so dark that only a blurry outline could be seen.

The mother and Xiaoxue slept soundly, feeling much more relaxed now that Zhang Tu was no longer a threat.

Ye Xiao tried the breathing method of stance training, but he was still not in the right state. He had overexerted himself too much before, and even though he had recently stopped practicing the Crimson Blood Stance, it could only treat the symptoms.

We must get our hands on high-quality medicine, and quickly, because someone is already eyeing him... Zhang Tu's death is just the beginning.