Myriad Immortals

"Late-stage skin training?"

"Excellent!"

Inside the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School shop.

When Zheng Yue heard Zhong Xuan say that he had already entered the late stage of Skin Refining, his eyes lit up.

Roughly calculated, Zhong Xuan has only been practicing martial arts for a little over a year, yet he has already reached the final stage of the Skin Refining Realm, showing signs of unstoppable progress.

It even made Zheng Yue feel as if he had seen a genius who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Let's just say that.

This speed of martial arts training is comparable to that of those young prodigies, perhaps only one teenager behind.

It's not that no one broke through faster than Zhong Xuan, but almost all of them were lucky people with superior aptitude who treated the pills like candy.

In comparison, it is remarkable that Zhong Xuan, a peasant with no background, could improve so quickly.

"Just lucky."

Zhong Xuan said with a smile.

More than his cultivation level, Zheng Yue was concerned about the progress of the Nine Strikes of the Flying Eagle:

"Brother Zhong, have you mastered the first three forms yet?"

"After another year or two of polishing, it should be about ready."

Upon hearing Zhong Xuan's answer, Zheng Yue's eyes shone even brighter.

He knew Zhong Xuan's character well; he never lied. If he said it was almost certain, then it was probably a done deal.

In other words, the martial arts his master passed down to him were eventually mastered by someone else soon after.

"I am not alone on this path!"

Once Zhong Xuan breaks through the Bone Refinement stage and cultivates the Three Harmonies,

Then they are qualified to inherit the martial arts of the Flying Eagle Nine Strikes lineage.

Even if he were to pass away one day, someone would be able to continue the martial arts skills that his master had passed down to him.

No regrets.

Zheng Yue laughed heartily:

"With Brother Zhong here, my last worry is gone. I can face my master with a clear conscience even in the afterlife."

Zhong Xuan: "Brother Zheng is in good health; he could easily live for several more decades."

Zheng Yue smiled and waved his hand:

"I know my own abilities. I'm just a martial artist who trains my bones. I've been cultivating my character and temperament over the years, but I fought too many battles in my younger years, which led to illness and misfortune. Even if I can live longer, ninety is already my limit."

"Unless you can become one of the three great practitioners..."

"But how difficult it is! Baisha County has not seen such a strong person for many years. Even my master passed away not long after he entered the county."

Zhong Xuan's heart stirred slightly:

"Can practicing during your junior year of college extend your lifespan?"

"certainly."

Zheng Yue nodded: "My master is a third-level martial artist with a lifespan of 130 years. I've heard that the Martial Saint of Qing Kingdom can even live a second life, for a full 200 years."

"Legend has it that eight hundred years ago, the founding emperor of the dynasty even entered the Dao through martial arts, absorbing and consuming qi for more than three hundred years. That was truly terrifying."

Zhong Xuan was greatly alarmed:

"How can they survive?!"

Before practicing martial arts, he thought that the martial arts saints and national teachers who lived for two or three hundred years were all fabrications made up by historians.

Now it seems...

It is clearly realistic.

"If I can live for three hundred years, with all things renewed and improved, my innate constitution will be stronger than a mountain!"

The two were chatting.

Then, the crackling sound of firecrackers could be heard outside the martial arts school.

"It's not a holiday, who's going to set off firecrackers?"

Zheng Yue frowned slightly.

Zhong Xuan calculated the days: "It should be the second young master of the Zhang family returning."

......

......

Baisha East City.

This alley is called Zhangjia Alley because all the properties in the alley belong to the Zhang family.

True to its name.

at this time.

White smoke billowed in the wide alley, resembling a fairyland.

The Zhang family servants mixed incense powder into the firecrackers, so there was no pungent smell of gunpowder.

Several tall, magnificent horses trod on the bluestone bricks of the alley, their clattering sounds filling the air.

"Father....."

Zhang Linchun, who was walking at the front, frowned slightly.

He had never liked such vulgar things as fireworks and firecrackers, and had tried to persuade his father, Zhang Lie, to stop, saying that he should be greeted with firecrackers when he returned home to wash away the dust and bad luck of the journey, so that he would not have to work hard in the future.

"Please excuse my poor appearance, fellow disciples."

Zhang Linchun glanced at the people behind him.

They were all students of the prefectural school, including Cui Yi, the granddaughter of Master Cui.

Not long after.

He and several students from the prefectural school arrived at the gate of the Zhang residence.

Besides Zhang Lie and his family, an elderly man with white hair dressed in an official robe stood side by side with Zhang Lie; he was none other than Magistrate Zhou of Baisha County.

"We warmly welcome you who have traveled from afar."

"I am Zhou Zhengming, the magistrate of Baisha County. If you need any help in the city these days, please feel free to tell me."

Upon hearing this, the county magistrate personally came to welcome them.

Even though these students from the prefectural school were all of extraordinary status, they were still flattered and overwhelmed.

The county magistrate was known as the Marquis of a Hundred Miles in Qing State.

Even if they become successful candidates in the imperial examinations, it doesn't necessarily mean they will become county magistrates.

Only those who achieved high scores in the provincial examinations could qualify.

Seeing the expressions on the faces of his fellow disciples, Zhang Linchun couldn't help but feel a little smug. Although he knew that Magistrate Zhou's presence here today was not for the Zhang family, it was still enough to make him proud.

Magistrate Zhou glanced at the alley, which was gradually quieting down:

"I wonder about Mr. Cui..."

He came here because he received news from Zhang Lie that Grand Scholar Cui was coming to Baisha for further studies.

They had been preparing for this for a month.

Zhang Linchun dismounted and clasped his hands in greeting to Magistrate Zhou, saying, "Lord Zhou, Mr. Cui did indeed lead my fellow disciples and me on a study tour from Yongning Prefecture. After arriving in Baisha County, Mr. Cui suddenly decided to travel and enjoy the scenery on his own. He should not return for some time."

"I see. Mr. Cui is elusive and rarely seen; he truly has the air of a deity."

Magistrate Zhou suddenly realized.

As he praised her, he glanced at the girl standing next to Zhang Linchun.

These words were all said to Cui Yi.

Who was Grand Scholar Cui?

He held the official rank of fifth-grade Grand Secretary, and was also a government official in the capital.

In the entire Yongning Prefecture, perhaps only the old Marquis Rong'an could surpass him; others, even the prefect, were inferior to him.

Even if it's just a study tour, not official business.

But for a county magistrate like him, it was a tremendous opportunity.

How can one gain favor with those who are aloof and refuse to ask for help?

Old Master Cui didn't come. Magistrate Zhou chatted with the group of students for a few minutes, then left under the pretext of being busy with official duties.

Zhang Linchun was the host.

After he had settled his fellow students in, he made sure they were all settled.

He arrived alone at a small courtyard in the Zhang residence.

"Second Young Master, what brings you here?"

Pei Yong pushed open the door and was quite surprised to see that it was the second young master, Zhang Linchun.

Zhang Linchun: "Martial Arts Master Pei, I heard you're acquainted with Zhong Xuan?"

"good."

Pei Yong was puzzled as to why this second young master of the Zhang family would suddenly bring up Zhong Xuan.

Zhang Linchun nodded:

"I heard that you gave him a copy of the Eight Pieces of Brocade. Did Zhong Xuan really start practicing martial arts from that time?"

Pei Yong pondered for a moment: "I did sell Zhong Xuan a copy of the Eight Pieces of Brocade a year ago, but as for whether I had just started practicing martial arts at that time, I don't know."

Zhang Linchun nodded:

"Then I'll trouble Martial Arts Instructor Pei to come with me."