This martial arts tournament is time-stopping.

Han Heng asked in confusion, but after hearing Ye Chu repeat Wu Er's words, he could only curse verbally:

"These incompetent officials in the county government are the most diligent in collecting taxes, but when something goes wrong, they refuse to take responsibility..."

"But do you think what Master is going to say later has anything to do with all the experts in the county going to Longnu River?"

Just as Ye Chu was about to speak,

Then, the third senior brother, Qi Feixing, appeared at the lotus gate connecting the front and inner courtyards, clapping his hands and saying:

"Everyone, stop for a moment and come to the inner courtyard. Master has something to say."

"Let's go, we'll find out soon enough!"

Ye Chu patted Han Heng on the shoulder, then grabbed the baby bird that had finished eating meat from the ground and stuffed it into his pocket.

The thirteen apprentices in the front courtyard passed through the lotus gate and entered the more spacious inner courtyard.

After counting the senior brothers in the inner courtyard, there were as many as twenty-seven of them.

However, I haven't seen most of them, and some I saw a couple of days ago but aren't in the inner courtyard today.

Therefore, all things considered, Ye Chu felt that there were at least forty to fifty disciples in the inner courtyard.

Qi Feixing glanced at the people in the inner courtyard, then bowed to Nie Qingcang and said:

"Master, people from the front courtyard, inner courtyard, and true teaching courtyard have all arrived, but some junior brothers are either busy with other matters or on duty in the medicine garden and animal garden, so they did not come."

Nie Qingcang nodded and said:

"Now that most people have gathered, I'll get straight to the point, with three main things to say!"

"First, there have been strange disturbances in Qingniu Mountain recently. Those who want to go into the mountain to hunt strange beasts or purchase mountain delicacies should wait and observe for a while. Don't rush into the mountain and lose your life."

"However, strange disturbances are occurring in the mountains, and many mountain people will descend, potentially bringing back a considerable amount of rare and precious mountain goods!"

"Keep an eye out while you're strolling around town. If you can get a referral to a martial arts school for purchasing, you'll definitely benefit!"

"Secondly, the Longnu River next door is also unsettled. Not only have many experts from our Shuanglong County gone there to join the fun, but many famous figures from Jiangnan Prefecture and Jiangbei Prefecture have also gone... Everyone, don't go to the riverbank unless necessary, and don't cause trouble. Just stay in the city and wait for this to pass."

"Thirdly, regarding the incident of the evil spirits in Qingniu Village, I have gone to investigate, but even I was unable to handle it. If you are invited by the government or the Yang family to exorcise the evil spirits, you should consider your abilities..."

Nie Qingcang quickly finished explaining the key points.

The main point is that things are going to get chaotic outside, but the county town can provide sufficient safety. Staying in the county town and not causing trouble will allow you to safely weather this period of chaos.

However, these well-intentioned reminders made Yang Heng's face turn ugly.

The third issue mainly concerns the fact that the Yang family and the government recruited a group of martial artists, but they were all killed by evil spirits as soon as they entered Qingniu Village, and the Yang family has not yet provided any compensation for their deaths.

Nie Qingcang called out again, "Yang Heng, Han Heng, and Ye Chu, the three of you come with me."

The three followed Nie Qingcang from the inner courtyard to the True Inheritance Academy and then to the inner residence.

It was the first time I had seen Nie Qingcang's six concubines, two sons, and three daughters.

Nie Qingcang didn't introduce them, but continued speaking while his three daughters were sizing up the three men:

"The three of you, whether you possess exceptional talent or remarkable comprehension, have all managed to grasp the essence of Qi and condense your Qi and blood within a single day, taking a step towards the extraordinary realm. You are all rare geniuses!"

"Over the past two or three decades, I have also taken in two disciples with top-tier innate talent. Now their cultivation has reached a higher level, with one holding a high position in a major sect and the other serving as a regional historian in the Great Zhou Dynasty. You should also have such potential!"

"Two years later, the martial arts examination will be held again. If you can achieve good results, I will be able to give you a push and recommend you for advancement."

The main reason Nie Qingcang was so eager to make empty promises to the three of them was that when Yang Heng and Han Heng had their innate talents tested, Landlord Yang and all his disciples were present.

However, the quality of these apprentices was quite varied, and even with orders to keep the information secret, it was impossible to control everyone's mouths.

Soon, all the martial arts schools in Shuanglong County will know that Nie Qingcang has had a stroke of good luck, having taken in two outstanding disciples with first-class physical talents.

Even though he was anxious, he didn't show it directly.

Instead, they first sent people to investigate the three individuals' backgrounds, gather public opinion, assess their character, and determine the investment risks.

In addition,

He even waited a whole day, firstly to prepare for accepting disciples, and secondly to wait for Ye Chu's cultivation progress!

Comprehension is something that cannot be directly measured; it can only be inferred from the results.

Therefore, when Ye Chu grasped the Qi and condensed his Qi and blood in a single day, even if he couldn't compare to Han Heng and Yang Heng's lower-grade aptitude, in a horizontal comparison, Ye Chu's comprehension was at least equivalent to upper-grade aptitude.

In addition, after years of cultivation, he knew that although physical talent was important, when resources were sufficient, comprehension was more important than physical talent!

Just like three years ago:

Iron Arm Manor took in a person with top-grade aptitude, but this person's comprehension was really poor, and he was even a bit stupid. The Iron Manor Master spent half a month teaching him before he was able to condense his blood energy. However, after a hundred days, he failed to break through the barrier because he could not comprehend the true meaning and lacked some luck.

However, even if someone with top-tier aptitude fails to break through the cultivation barrier, they can still live a wealthy life by having many sons, and if any of their sons turns out to be successful, they can even turn their fortunes around...

In short, Ye Chu passed the test.

However, even if the promise is made well, some benefits must be given in return:

"Focusing on the present, you still need to study stance training more, especially the Tiger Intent, which is a key to breaking through the Blood Barrier!"

"Furthermore, for each realm you advance in, I will give you a corresponding precious pill. These pills are considered top-tier items in other martial arts schools, and they wouldn't dare promise to give them out indefinitely!"

"And for you to go from being ordinary people to condensing your qi and blood, that is one step. I will give each of you one: Wolf Smoke Treasure Pill!"

After taking this pill, it can help you further control your Qi and blood, thereby condensing: Blood Qi Wolf Smoke.

From now on, whether it is the condensation of qi and blood into moving clouds or the solidification of animals, it will have miraculous effects!

Even more remarkably, when one's Qi and blood are abundant, using them to create powerful attacks is no problem at all!

As Nie Qingcang spoke, crimson clouds swirled around him, sometimes transforming into dragons, sometimes into tigers, and finally converging beneath his feet, allowing him to take flight on the clouds.

"Truly amazing!"

"This is the first time I've ever seen someone fly..."

"I wonder if I can surpass Master Tang of Huangtian Temple?"

Ye Chu, Han Heng, and Yang Heng all praised it.

It was Yang Heng's question about whether he could surpass Master Tang that made Nie Qingcang's expression stiffen slightly.

Nie Qingcang withdrew the blood-gathering smoke and continued:

"As for the next reward of the precious pill, it will be when you break through the Blood Barrier!"

"Furthermore, I've spoken with Dr. Zhang at the pharmacy, and from now on, any materials you purchase to enhance your cultivation at the pharmacy will be charged at cost price, no extra charge. Consider it a special benefit for you!"

"However, you are not allowed to resell it!"

Otherwise, you'll have to spit out everything you've eaten, and this benefit will be canceled!

As Nie Qingcang spoke his last words, they carried an even more awe-inspiring power.

So that the three may know that he has moments of kindness and moments of anger.

He waved his hand again, and his three daughters, some charming and beautiful, some gentle and graceful, and some delicate and plump, stepped forward gracefully, carrying a white jade box.