Set a goal, and the system takes over the body.

With a thought, Qi Xiuyuan instantly concealed his aura.

The aura that had been faintly emanating from him was now completely concealed, making him look no different from an ordinary young man who had never practiced martial arts.

At the same time, his facial muscles twitched and shifted slightly, his face became half a degree rounder, his skin tone darkened by one shade, and even the outline of his eyebrows and eyes changed quite a bit.

Qi Xiuyuan turned around and went back into the house, then looked closely at the bronze mirror.

The image reflected a completely unfamiliar face, ordinary enough to be lost in a crowd.

He couldn't help but smile slightly.

"The Mountain and Sea Transformation and Qi Concealment Technique is indeed interesting, but it's my first time using it, so I'm not quite used to it yet. My face is a bit stiff. I'll be able to use it more freely after practicing a few more times."

This secret technique doesn't require any additional training.

Once you enter the Inner Strength Realm and generate Hidden Strength, the two forces, Bright Strength and Hidden Strength, work together to drive each other. Bright Strength moves the muscles and changes appearance, while Hidden Strength gathers Qi and blood to store cultivation.

The key lies in precise control.

Qi Xiuyuan tried it in front of the mirror a few more times, sometimes transforming into an ordinary-looking merchant, sometimes into a sallow-faced scholar, having a great time.

Once he had restored the original appearance, he quickly washed up and placed the Yin Fish Jade Pendant on the windowsill.

The moonlight shines steadily there, but it's blocked by the window and can't be seen from the outside.

After tidying up, he took off his clothes and went to bed.

Early the next morning.

Qi Wence summoned all the formal disciples to the front hall.

The hall was spacious, furnished with several wooden chairs, and a plaque with the character "武" (martial arts) hung on the wall. Light streamed in through the carved window lattices and fell on the bluestone floor, making it quite bright.

"I've called you here today because there's something I need to tell you."

Qi Wence sat in the main seat, his expression more solemn than usual.

"As you all know, the Tianfu Martial Arts Tournament will be held in a few days. At that time, all martial artists under the age of 25 in Tianfu City can sign up to participate, and all martial arts schools must participate, as it is related to the school's rating."

He paused, his tone becoming more somber.

"Our Qingshan Martial Arts School has been at the bottom of the rankings for two consecutive years due to an incident two years ago. If we are at the bottom again this year, we will be downgraded to a third-rate martial arts school, and then... this martial arts school may not be able to continue operating."

Qi Xiuyuan, Xu Yi, and others stood in the front row, listening quietly.

The disciples behind them remained silent.

Qi Wence continued, "According to the rules, martial arts school disciples do not need to participate in the selection process of the past few days to have five spots in the main competition to represent the martial arts school on the field."

"Xiu Yuan, Xu Yi, and Qu Jiuge, each of you will take one spot."

These words immediately caused an uproar.

"Second Master, Junior Brother Qu has only been here a short time, how come he's already given a spot?"

"Exactly! I've been at the peak of the Qi and Blood Realm for over half a year and still haven't gotten a spot. This is unfair!"

The older disciples all wore expressions of resentment.

Qi Wence wasn't angry; he simply turned his gaze to Qu Jiuge.

"Xiao Jiu".

Without him saying anything more, Qu Jiuge already understood.

He glanced around, walked to a rosewood chair, gripped the armrest with his fingers, exerted a little force, and then released his grip after a moment, stepping aside to signal everyone to come forward and take a look.

The disciple who had just raised the question went over first, gently pressed the spot where Qu Jiuge had held his hand, and frowned.

"Wait, this feel..."

He put in a little more effort.

"Snap!"

The sturdy rosewood armrest cracked open with a snap, the fine lines spreading along the wood grain, the wood inside already shattered from the shock.

"It's hidden force!!"

The disciple cried out in surprise, turning his head sharply to look at Qu Jiuge, his eyes wide with shock.

Everyone else crowded around, and after seeing the marks on the chair, they were all dumbfounded.

"Junior Brother Qu, you...you've broken through to the Inner Strength Realm?"

"My God, he's only been a beginner for a short time, and he's already gone from zero to the Inner Strength Realm? Is he even human?"

The way everyone looked at Qu Jiuge was as if they were looking at a monster, filled with shock and disbelief.

This talent is terrifying!!

"Xiao Jiu has great talent." Qi Wence's voice slowly rang out. "He broke through to the Inner Strength Realm yesterday, so he deserves this spot."

"Also, Xiao Jiu, next time we test internal strength, we can just use bricks. Remember to fix the armrests of this chair."

"yes!"

Qu Jiuge scratched his head awkwardly.

Now no one had any objections.

At the age of fourteen, he has reached the Inner Strength Realm and has only been practicing martial arts for a very short time. His talent is many times stronger than Lin Hu's back then. He would be a key genius to be cultivated in any martial arts school. What's wrong with giving him a spot?

Qu Jiuge stood there, her heart filled with gratitude, and turned to look at Qi Wence and Qi Xiuyuan.

He remembered the three high-grade Qi and Blood Pills that Qi Xiuyuan had given him, the cultivation resources that the martial arts school had provided these days, and how the brother and sister were able to live here peacefully thanks to the school's care.

"Second Master, Eldest Brother, I will fight with all my might to bring glory to the martial arts school!"

Qi Wence smiled and nodded: "Just do your best, don't feel guilty."

Finally, he swept his gaze across the crowd.

"Furthermore, I have something else to announce."

The disciples all became solemn.

Qi Wence continued, "The remaining two spots will be selected from the other disciples through a martial arts competition. The selection will take place today. If the selected disciples perform well in the competition, they will receive a Qi and Blood Breakthrough Pill. After taking it, they will be able to break through to the Inner Strength Realm in less than a month."

"What?!"

The disciples below, who were at the Qi and Blood Realm, were instantly stunned. Their eyes lit up as they stared intently at Qi Wence, their breathing becoming rapid.

"Second Master, are you telling the truth?"

Someone couldn't help but ask.

Those who have been stuck in the Qi and Blood Realm for several years know best how difficult it is to break through to the Inner Strength Realm.

With their aptitude, they might not be able to break through even after ten or eight years, but after taking a Qi and Blood Breakthrough Pill, they can steadily break through within a month.

This is like a windfall!

"Of course it's true."

Qi Wenze nodded, his tone resolute.

These two Qi and Blood Breakthrough Pills are the same two that Qi Xiuyuan took out earlier.

Qi Wence originally intended to keep one for Qi Xiuyuan as a backup, but Qi Xiuyuan had already said that he didn't need it, so he simply took them all out as prizes to encourage his disciple.

The effect is good.

The disciples at the Qi and Blood Realm were all eager and excited.

The selection process has officially begun.

The disciples faced off in pairs, exchanging blows and kicks in a fierce and heated battle.

Half an hour later, the results came out.

Meng Zhao and Fu Yun emerged victorious, securing the remaining two spots in the martial arts competition.

Others are also allowed to participate.

They can still obtain a spot in the Tianfu Martial Arts Tournament through the selection competitions prepared for other martial artists, but it's not very meaningful.

After all, martial artists below the Inner Strength Realm who participate in the martial arts competition are just there to make up the numbers.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Meng! Congratulations, Senior Sister Fu!"

"You two need to work harder and do your best to break through to the Inner Strength Realm!"

The disciples who were not selected surrounded the two to offer their congratulations.

Meng Zhao's family runs a pork shop. He has been strong since he was a child. He has been in the sect for almost five years and has been stuck at the Qi and Blood Realm Perfection for more than half a year.

Fu Yun's family owns a cloth shop. She is an only child with a strong personality and has been stuck in a bottleneck for a long time.

Both of them came from well-off families and could afford the expenses of practicing martial arts, but breakthrough pills were rare items that even money couldn't buy.

Now that the opportunity has come, I am naturally overjoyed.

With everything settled, the disciples dispersed to cultivate.

Qi Wenze kept Qi Xiuyuan behind alone.

"Xiuyuan, tell your second uncle the truth, what is your cultivation level now?"