The Martial Saint rose to power starting as a substitute bridegroom.

Green Ox Martial Arts Society.

The sunlight shone lazily on the bare branches of the sycamore tree; although it was a sunny day, it was still filled with a chill.

All things considered, there are less than fifteen days left until the martial arts exam.

With Master Lin out, the atmosphere in the courtyard became much more relaxed.

In recent days, several more people have successfully entered the Ming Jin stage, looking quite spirited.

Similarly, some people failed to break through the barrier, or knew that they had no hope of success and chose to leave the scene in disappointment.

Lu Qing, Qi Xiuyuan, Chen Ting, and the others have become the center of attention and the envy of everyone.

At this moment, they are loudly exchanging their experiences from the practical guidance course.

It looks like a very fruitful harvest.

Lu Qing, in particular, has made almost visible progress in his cultivation. Even if two or three Ming Jin disciples attacked him together, they would no longer be a match for him.

The other disciples all turned to look, eager to join their little circle and also attend that practical training course.

As usual, Luo Shan was practicing the "White Tiger Bone Forging Technique" alone in a corner.

Her forehead was covered in sweat, and her coarse cloth training clothes were already soaked with sweat as she repeated the movements of the exercise over and over again.

Li Yuan practiced his skills twice and then lay down on a bamboo chair to rest.

Luo Shan walked over excitedly and said, "Junior Brother Li, I think I've made some progress. These next few days, I'll prepare to attempt the Dark Force stage!"

"I wish Senior Sister Luo all the best!" Li Yuan was also happy for his senior sister.

"Three years, a full three years, I've finally made it to this point." Rosanne was somewhat emotional.

This might be her only chance. Her family's situation is deteriorating, and if she doesn't get a good ranking in the martial arts exam this year, she'll have to go out and work to earn money to support her family.

This world has far too little room for error when it comes to the poor.

After exchanging a few more casual words, Luo Shan went back to continue her training.

......

The Liang family.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the slightly serious face of Liang Bai's wife, Yan.

After listening to Liang Bai's account of Li Yuan, she stroked her pregnant belly with one hand and unconsciously tapped the table with the other.

Liang Bai stood respectfully to one side. This seven-foot-tall iron man was completely obedient to his wife.

My wife makes all the decisions at home.

"Ah Bo," Madam Yan said, "It's not that I'm stingy, but look at our family. Every single thing we need money for: the eldest son's books, ink, paper, and inkstones; the second son's martial arts training will soon require tuition fees and the purchase of elixirs; and then there's the third child we're pregnant with, who will need caregivers after birth... How much can your little butcher shop possibly earn? You really don't know the cost of living!"

"But......"

"When things were better, you sponsored a few martial arts students, but which one of them actually succeeded? Wasn't all the money you invested just a waste?"

"Li Yuan is different..."

"What's the difference?" Yan's tone carried a hint of reprimand. "His physical constitution is below average, and his Ming Jin cultivation is only at a basic level. In any martial arts school, there are plenty of disciples like him. Do you really expect him to successfully break through to An Jin?"

"Ah-Bo, every penny in the family must be spent wisely!"

Liang Bai lowered his head. "Whenever I see Li Yuan, I'm reminded of myself back then, struggling alone in this world..."

As he spoke, his eyes gradually welled up with tears. "I've heard about Li Yuan's experiences. He's a calm and steady young man, and I was drawn to him because of his unwavering loyalty and strong sense of righteousness..."

silence.

Yan sighed, "What's the use of being loyal and righteous in this world? Investments are about returns, and I see no hope in Li Yuan."

Liang Bai felt a deep sense of emotion.

What Yan said made sense. The Liang family wasn't a big family, otherwise he wouldn't have had to take on the position of street patrolman in his spare time to supplement his family's income.

"Okay, I understand." Liang Bai looked disappointed and silently turned away.

As Yan watched her husband's retreating figure, her heart softened.

Back then, wasn't she, who came from a prestigious family, attracted by Liang Bai's loyalty and sense of justice?

"Wait, come back!"

Liang Bai paused, turning around in surprise.

Madam Yan looked out the window, her tone calm yet firm, "Since you think that boy is good, then let's do it your way... As for the money, I'll have my family send some over."

Liang Bai was taken aback at first, then his face lit up with joy. He hugged his wife and gave her a big kiss. "Wife, you're so good!"

"How old are you? Still so indecent!" Madam Yan glared at her husband, but a blush appeared on her face.

Liang Bai's gloom vanished, and he rushed outside with the light steps of a child, shouting, "I'm going to roll call!"

Mrs. Yan shook her head and smiled wryly, "It's just a small amount of money anyway, so be it. The most important thing is that my husband is happy..."

She picked up the butcher shop's ledger again, her face regaining its solemnity.

......

After regaining some of his strength, Li Yuan began practicing the White Tiger Bone Forging Technique again. However, after just two rounds, his clothes were soaked with sweat.

On the other side, Lu Qing impatiently waved away a new disciple who came forward to ask for guidance. He knew better than anyone the importance of talent in martial arts. For someone without talent, even if you teach them ten thousand times a day, they won't make much progress.

Therefore, in his view, instructing others is a complete waste of his own time.

The new disciple left dejectedly, his face flushed. When Lu Qing's gaze inadvertently swept across the training ground, it suddenly stopped on one person.

That person was Li Yuan, who was covered in sweat after finishing a set of martial arts techniques, and was instructing a newly initiated disciple on the techniques.

I still remember how spirited and impressive this junior brother Li was at the ceremony.

At that time, Junior Brother Li was like the brightest star in the sky, someone that could only be looked up to.

Unexpectedly, it was later discovered that he had mediocre talent, and this senior brother Li fell from grace and was rarely sought after.

By this time, quite some time had passed, and there had been no progress in his cultivation realm.

Lu Qing couldn't help but recall his past.

I used to think that as long as you work hard, you can grow, and that if you are sincere to everyone, you will get the same response.

Comparing the past and present, and recalling the time when no one cared about him after he was injured, he now feels that he was ridiculously naive back then.

That's incredibly childish.

Human nature is never that simple.

He pursed his lips slightly, trying hard not to recall the events of that day.

Junior brother?

Ha ha.

No, I should just be even more aloof and pretend I've never met them, to avoid them making unreasonable demands...

"Junior Brother Lu, there's no need to look anymore. If that kid had the ability to break through barriers, he would have done so long ago," Chen Ting said disdainfully as she walked to Lu Qing's side.

......

Li Yuan ignored the gazes and attitudes of the outside world. He was immersed in his own world, focusing only on every movement of the White Tiger Bone Forging Technique, the accumulation of qi and blood in his body, and how to avoid unnecessary consumption as much as possible.

The residual effects of the last dose of Yangqi San were still surging within the body.

He used every bit of nourishment to its fullest potential.

[White Tiger Bone Forging Technique (Minor Success): 90/100] —> [White Tiger Bone Forging Technique (Minor Success): 100/100]

【White Tiger Bone Forging Technique (Great Success): 0/100 (Practice ten times daily, perfect in ten days)】

Snapped!

A soft sound came from inside his body, like bamboo shoots sprouting after the rain, which only he could hear.

Suddenly, a miraculous change occurred.

It was neither raging lava nor biting ice.

Rather, it is a gentle force, profound and powerful.

This is the power of Qi and blood. The Qi and blood, which were originally as thin as a hemp rope, suddenly increased by more than 30%.

Qi and blood emerge from the dantian, like a gentle yet abundant stream, slowly and steadily permeating the limbs and bones, before returning to the dantian, in a continuous cycle...

Li Yuan felt a sudden brightness before his eyes, and his vision improved by more than 30%. He could even clearly see the veins on a leaf fluttering in the wind on a poplar tree a hundred meters away, and he could clearly identify a small ant at the base of the old poplar tree, busy carrying today's harvest home.

The noisy sounds of martial arts practice and the faint sound of the wind around him seemed to have been completely shut out. Li Yuan could only hear the steady and powerful beat of his own heart and the sound of his blood flowing like a river.

It's like a beautiful symphony.

[Realm Level: Late Stage of Ming Jin]

Late stage of Ming Jin (a martial art), accomplished!

......

Lanshan Town, Li Family Courtyard.

Li Canghai, his second son Li Hao, and Li Taoshi were sitting around the table eating.

In the center of the table was a plate of braised pork.

The aroma of the braised pork whetted the appetites of everyone at the table.

Li Tao watched with a smile as her son, Li Hao, picked up a large piece of meat, put it in his mouth, and chewed it heartily, the tender, oily broth dripping down his chin.

It smells so good!

Li Canghai kept swallowing his saliva, and without realizing it, his chopsticks reached for the braised pork in the center of the plate.

Snapped!

Li Tao smacked Li Canghai's hand with her chopsticks. "It's rare for Xiao Hao to come back. This is for Xiao Hao to nourish himself during his training!"

As the saying goes, no one knows a husband better than his wife. Li Taoshi had been keeping a close eye on Li Canghai from the very beginning, guarding him like a thief, just in case he took advantage of others to steal food.

Li Canghai blushed and withdrew his hand, burying his head in his rice.

"Dad, could you give me some more money?" Li Hao said nonchalantly as he chewed his meat.

Upon hearing this, Li Canghai was taken aback for a moment, and then his brows furrowed.

It is said that the poor study literature and the rich study martial arts, but even so, he never expected that learning martial arts would be so expensive.

Every day or two, Li Hao would ask him for money for various reasons, such as his training clothes being torn and needing new ones, the food fees at the martial arts gym having gone up, and other miscellaneous fees like instruction fees and nutrition fees...

Li Canghai's meager savings have been almost completely depleted.

You can tell from the food on the table that Li Hao used to be served stewed beef, then the beef was replaced with pork, and now, pork is no longer available for every meal.

"How much?" Li Canghai's left eyelid began to twitch.

"Fifty taels of silver!" Li Hao put down his chopsticks and said solemnly.

"What?!"

Li Canghai suddenly became agitated. He abruptly stood up, yelling, "All you do is scam money to go out eating and drinking, and fool around!"

Fifty taels was almost equivalent to the entire year's income of his own general store.

"Dad..." Li Hao pouted, dissatisfied. "This time is different. Ye Wenqing's birthday is coming up, and everyone else is giving him expensive gifts. I can't let them outdo me, can I?!"

Ye Wenqing is the only daughter of Ye Qingfeng, the owner of Qingfeng Martial Arts School. The Ye family's status and position far exceed that of the Li family.

His own son, Li Hao, was also Ye Qingfeng's chosen future son-in-law.

I heard that the two are dating.

Upon hearing that it was Miss Ye, Madam Li Tao immediately said, "Since it's Qing'er's birthday, then this money should be spent!"

As he spoke, he looked toward Li Canghai, who was in the central seat.

Li Canghai looked distressed, but forced a smile.

He turned and left, and soon came out of the inner room with a small box.

Upon opening the box, one finds a stack of loose silver notes.

"This is what you've been saving up for your retirement!" Li Tao exclaimed in surprise. He was all too familiar with this little box.

"Let's deal with the immediate situation first!" Li Canghai's eyes were filled with 'foresight.' "If Xiao Hao can marry that Miss Ye in the future, what's a little money?!"

......

The next morning, after the patrol camp had completed its roll call, Liang Bai called out to Li Yuan.

"Yuan-ge'er, you haven't received any funding yet, have you?"

Li Yuan nodded. "Not yet."

Those merchant families are all more shrewd than monkeys.

They only focus their efforts on talented young players, and wouldn't even glance at a mediocre talent like Li Yuan.

Just like Lu Qing, who gained the favor of the Qian family early on and received a constant stream of various supplements every day, his cultivation progressed rapidly.

He could only endure the hardship.

Although it's impossible to break through to the Dark Force level before the Martial Arts Examination, there's still a chance next year.

"My Liang family is willing to sponsor you!" Liang Bai said happily, "Twenty taels of silver per month, plus three doses of Qi-Nourishing Powder!"

Over the course of their time together, Liang Bai had come to admire this young man quite a bit.

Calm and composed, loyal and devoted to relationships.

Although his physical constitution is somewhat lacking, his temperament is truly rare.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan's heart stirred, and his expression turned quite surprised.

With twenty taels of silver per month, plus three doses of Qi-Nourishing Powder, the total investment is no less than fifty taels of silver.

An investment of fifty taels is definitely not a low price for an ordinary Ming Jin disciple.

Moreover, the Liang family could not be considered wealthy merchants or powerful clans; they merely ran an ordinary butcher shop and had to support a large family.

It is conceivable that such a large investment has already put the Liang family in a state of overspending.

"What, you think it's not enough?" Liang Bai raised an eyebrow and glared at him.

"How could I dare! I am more than grateful!" Li Yuan clasped his hands in a respectful bow, "Thank you, Brother Liang!"

"Hahaha..." Liang Bai laughed heartily, "Just focus on practicing your martial arts, and I'll have someone deliver the things to your house tomorrow!"

After Li Yuan left, an old patrolman came to Liang Bai with great confusion.

"Old Liang, are you really planning to invest in that kid? Let me warn you, his potential is pretty average, and he's already exhausted his potential. Your money is most likely going down the drain."

Watching Li Yuan's departing figure, Liang Bai sighed, "He... he's so much like me when I was young... let's just consider it a good deed!"

Liang Bai made this investment willingly and never expected any return.

Today is the Cold Clothes Festival.

The air was filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, and the air was thick with the smoke of incense.

At Qingniu Wharf, laborers with bare, dark-skinned arms tied up live pigs and sheep tightly, lifted them high, and threw them into the murky river.

The cries of the livestock were quickly drowned out by the river.

The beggars and refugees on the shore stared in disbelief, clicking their tongues in disbelief.

The dock was crowded with people. Taoist priests in apricot-yellow robes and Nuo masters wearing ghost masks performed rituals together. Old monks on the shore were chanting incantations while holding prayer beads. Young novice monks on the riverbank were scattering paper money along the river.

The stench of river mud mingled with the lingering scent of incense, creating a bizarrely lively atmosphere.

"Brother Liang, do you think there really is a river god?" The two men on patrol were standing on a high platform not far away, and Li Yuan casually chatted with Liang Bai beside him.

Liang Bai paused for a moment, then sighed, "It's better to believe it exists than not!"

If there's something supernatural going on, then surely "gods" must exist too.

What came to mind were the recent bizarre murders in Qingniu Town.

The victims were all alive when their chests were cut open and their hearts were removed.

wrong.

The word "剖" is inappropriate; "抓" would be more suitable.

The wound was not clean, not caused by a sharp weapon, but more like a hole torn open by a giant hand.

Even now, Liang Bai still feels lingering fear when he recalls the horrific state of the corpse.

What kind of thing could have such destructive power, capable of tearing a hole in a chest with a single grab, even breaking the sternum?

Initially, most of the dead were children and teenagers, but later more were young men and women.

The entire region was terrified at the mere mention of it, with many speculating that it was because people were disrespectful to the gods that demons from hell had been released.

It was depicted with a nose and eyes, its body was jet black, its palms were the size of palm fans, and its tongue was more than a foot long. Whenever it took out a human heart, it would roll its tongue and swallow it into its stomach without even chewing.

Li Yuan didn't entirely believe these strange things, since he hadn't seen them with his own eyes.

But as the murders became more frequent, considerable doubts arose in my mind.

After all, this is a world completely different from the previous life, and one that has never existed in the history of the previous life.

Ha, if even time travel is possible, what else is impossible?

Not far from the dock, along the riverbank near the woods, a gaunt old woman dressed entirely in white mourning clothes knelt on the ground burning paper money. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her voice was so hoarse it was barely audible. "My daughter, you died so tragically! We depended on each other for survival. How can I live without you..."

Sun, the fat man on duty, frowned deeply. "What's going on?"

The patrolmen sighed in unison.

"She's Old Lady Liu from Huaiyin Street. Her husband passed away early, and she raised her only daughter single-handedly by mending clothes day and night, losing her sight in the process. Just when things were finally starting to look up... her daughter is already eighteen... last night that beast ripped out her heart, and she bled all night... the old lady fainted several times..."

"From now on, she'll be all alone, without a single relative left..."

......

A flicker of pity crossed Fatty Sun's eyes, and he frowned, shouting, "We can't let her run wild! Quick, two people, carry her away!"

"Yes!" The two guards responded and left.

"etc."

Fatty Sun seemed to remember something, and called out to them in a deep voice. He buttoned his pockets to the bottom, pulled out a handful of copper coins, and waved his hand impatiently: "Take it, give it to her!"

As she was leaving, the old woman was still struggling desperately, crying out, "Lord River God, please open your eyes and do justice for this old woman!..."

Those who heard it were all moved to tears.

Among the onlookers, one stood out from the crowd.

"Brother Liang, look at that person."

Li Yuan pointed at the person completely shrouded in a gray-black cloak and frowned as he spoke.