Elderly Martial Saint: Sixty Times the Cultivation Speed ​​at the Start

Two days later.

Before dawn, Yi Yang stood in the center of the courtyard, arms hanging down, fingers slightly spread. The wisp of internal energy within his body completed its final circulation along the tiny gaps between his skin and bones.

The progress of "Cultivating the Martial Body" silently pulsed in my mind.

2940.

2980.

3000.

There were no unusual phenomena or surging air currents at the moment of the breakthrough. Yi Yang simply felt that the layer of resilience that had always been faint on his body suddenly solidified.

Like an invisible thin armor, it clings to the skin and flesh, embedding itself into the bones.

He raised his left hand and flicked his right index finger against the inside of his forearm.

A very short, muffled thud was heard, not the sound of flesh colliding, but more like fingernails hitting pebbles.

Yi Yang's lips twitched.

He has achieved minor success in the Martial Arts Body Training.

He then changed his footwork. With his toes touching the ground, he moved between the stone table and the water vat in the courtyard.

The feeling after mastering "Crossing the River by Touching Water" is completely different. Every step is incredibly light, and the contact time between the soles of the feet and the ground is so short that even the fallen leaves on the ground do not have time to be flattened.

In the blink of an eye, he had reached the base of the wall; there was no sound of wind, no rustling of clothes.

It was so quiet that it didn't seem like someone was walking alone.

Collect power.

Yi Yang stood in the corner and brought up the panel that only he could see.

[Cultivation Level: First Level of Inner Qi Realm, Initial Formation of Qi Sea]

[Yi Wood Health Preservation Exercise - Internal Qi Chapter, Level 1 (3860/150000)]

[Internal Cultivation of the Five Organs - Perfected (3000/80000)]

【Nine Peaks Blade - Perfection】

【Crossing the River with a Touch of Water - Perfect Success (600/50000)】

[Martial Body Refinement - Minor Success (0/16000)]

【Thunderous Mantra - Beginner Level (4890/6000)】

With six martial arts techniques at his disposal, and five of them at least at the minor level, Yi Yang withdrew his gaze and looked at the pale, fish-belly-like sky on the horizon.

I'm leaving today.

Suining Prefecture.

He rubbed his fingers together, then turned and went back to his room to wash up.

By the time it was fully light, Jiang Yuexin had already finished her work in the kitchen.

Two bundles and a wooden box were placed by the door. There wasn't much luggage; they hadn't accumulated much wealth in the small courtyard where they had lived for less than two months. The hidden compartments in the corners had long been emptied; valuables were kept close to their bodies, and the remaining dishes and bedding were left for Yang Hui.

Jiang Yuexin squatted down next to the box, folded the last winter coat and stuffed it in, running her fingers over the fabric a couple of times.

"Sir, it's all here."

Yi Yang stood under the eaves and surveyed the small courtyard. The stone table was still there, the water vat was still there, and the leaves of the crooked jujube tree at the base of the wall were much greener than when he had arrived.

I can't say I feel any attachment to it.

He was never one to settle down. From Sanmu Village to Yunwen Town, from Yunwen Town to here, the next stop is Suining Prefecture, and the next stop after that is unknown.

But as long as this girl is still by my side, it doesn't matter where I am.

"Let's go."

Yi Yang picked up the wooden box, Jiang Yuexin carried two bundles on her back, and the grandmother and granddaughter pushed open the courtyard gate.

Two people were standing in the alley outside the door.

Huang Yushu and Zhao Gang.

Huang Yushu was dressed in a neat patrol uniform, his back was much straighter than a few months ago, he was holding a thick account book in his right hand, and his left hand was clenched into a fist and hung at his side.

Zhao Gang leaned against the opposite wall, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth. When he saw Yi Yang come out, he spat out the grass and went to greet him.

"My lord." Huang Yu stepped forward and presented the account book with both hands: "The monthly income and expenditure of Qianyang Tower have been settled, and all affairs have been handed over. I have taken over everything as you previously instructed."

Yi Yang flipped through two pages; the numbers were clear and well-organized. He nodded and closed the book.

Then he took out the token of the Qianyang Pavilion Master from his bosom and handed it over.

Huang Yushu's hand trembled slightly upon seeing the token.

This token represents the largest industry of the entire Yunlin County Astronomical Bureau, encompassing the trade of elixirs, the circulation of weapons, and the exchange of silver, with a monthly turnover of tens of thousands of taels. By handing it over to him, Yi Yang was essentially entrusting him with the most valuable foundation he had built after his departure.

Huang Yushu knelt on one knee and accepted the token with both hands.

His eyes reddened, his Adam's apple bobbed twice, and finally he managed to squeeze out only one sentence: "This subordinate will never fail in the trust placed in him by my lord."

Yi Yang bent down and patted his shoulder lightly.

"Be steady in your work, talk less and observe more. If you're unsure about something, consult with Zhao Gang. Don't be stubborn on your own."

Huang Yu nodded vigorously, stood up and stepped aside, his knuckles white as he gripped the token.

Zhao Gang came over, rubbing the stubble on his chin and chuckling, "Brother, with you gone, I've really lost a drinking buddy in Yunlin County."

Yi Yang glanced at him sideways: "Come on, you've been transferred to the county's patrol office and are now officially employed. You don't have to go back to Yunwen Town to guard the black market anymore. You're getting a good deal and you're still acting innocent."

Zhao Gang scratched the back of his head, his expression unusually somewhat embarrassed.

When they first met at the black market in the abandoned village, he thought Yi Yang was just an old farmer selling purple wood.

Later, it was discovered that the old man had so many secrets that they were like a bottomless pit, each layer deeper than the last, and even now he is not sure if what he saw was just the tip of the iceberg.

"Brother," Zhao Gang said, his joking expression turning serious for once, "once we reach the prefectural city, the waters will be deep and the fish will be big, take care."

Yi Yang hummed in agreement and reached out to pat Zhao Gang's arm.

"Take good care of things here."

After saying that, he turned around and didn't look back.

Jiang Yuexin bowed to Huang Yushu and Zhao Gang, then jogged a few steps to catch up with Yi Yang.

Huang Yushu's voice came from behind: "My lord—"

Yi Yang didn't stop, he just waved his hand.

His figure disappeared at the corner of the alley.

Huang Yushu stood there, clutching the token, staring at the empty alleyway for a long time, until Zhao Gang slapped him on the back of the head: "Alright, stop acting like a wife, go get to work."

Huang Yu wiped his face, carefully put the token away, and strode towards Qianyang Tower.

Yi Yang led Jiang Yuexin through two streets, and just as they were about to turn onto the main road leading to the North Gate, they saw a person leaning against an old locust tree at the alley entrance.

Qin Dynasty phrase.

He wasn't wearing armor, but rather a black fitted outfit, with his Azure Raven Spear wrapped in coarse cloth and slung across his back.

Seeing Yi Yang approach, he straightened up from under the tree, stepped forward, and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Regarding the Cangyun Martial Arts Academy, the director relayed a message yesterday." Qin Ju's speech was a beat faster than usual: "Only Zhang Songqing will be investigated. The martial arts academy will be preserved, and the disciples are innocent."

Yi Yang paused slightly and nodded.

Qin Ju took out a small cloth bag from his bosom and handed it over: "The master asked me to give this to you, saying it's for self-defense on the road."

Yi Yang took it and squeezed it. There were three hard objects inside the cloth bag, smooth and slightly warm to the touch.

I opened it and took a look—three poisoned throwing darts. These things would cripple or kill anyone below the sixth level of Qi and Blood. They are priceless on the market.

Yi Yang put the item into his sleeve: "Go back and thank Master Liu for me. We'll meet again someday."

Qin Ju clasped his hands in a salute and stood there watching them go.

Yi Yang took seven or eight steps when Qin Ju's voice came from behind him.

"Take care of yourself."

Two words, without any unnecessary embellishment.

Yi Yang didn't turn around, but only raised his hand as a response.

Jiang Yuexin, standing beside him, whispered, "Grandpa, who is that person?"

"Colleagues."

"Looks pretty impressive."

"It's alright."

Yi Yang spoke in a calm tone, continuing to walk towards the north gate.

The outline of the city gate tower gradually came into view.

From afar, one could see a tall, black horse standing beneath the city gate. Its body was glossy, its hooves thick and strong, a size larger than that of an ordinary post horse. The rider on its back was broad-shouldered and thick-backed, dressed in a dark gray, tight-fitting robe, with a long black iron staff across his waist, its blade polished to a cold gleam.

Song Tiecheng.

The Qi of a first-level internal energy is contained within the body, and there is no obvious abnormality on the surface. However, the sidewalks around him unconsciously detour when they pass by him, just like an invisible line is drawn next to the horse.

More than just dark horses.

A simple two-horse carriage was parked beside Song Tiecheng. The carriage was made of sturdy wood, the curtains were half-rolled up, and a clean cotton quilt was laid inside.

It was prepared for them.

Yi Yang stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Deputy Director Song."

Song Tiecheng turned his head away.

Those eyes swept across Yi Yang's face, then landed on Jiang Yuexin behind him, before finally looking away.

His expression didn't change much; he maintained that cold face from beginning to end.

"Let's go."

Two words, crisp and clean, as decisive as wielding a knife to cut someone down, without any unnecessary words.

Yi Yang handed the wooden box to the coachman and tied it to the roof of the carriage, then helped Jiang Yuexin onto the carriage.

When Jiang Yuexin lifted the curtain, she glanced back—the outline of the city gate cast a long shadow in the morning light, and the hustle and bustle of the city was kept behind her by the thick walls.

She glanced at it for a couple of moments, then lowered the curtain and sat down.

Yi Yang sat in the car, leaning against the side wall, with his eyes slightly closed.

The wisp of pure energy in the dantian of the body began to circulate on its own, silently.

Sixty times.

Even when you're on the road, you can't waste this time.

The wheels rolled rhythmically over the bluestone pavement, and the horses' hooves struck the ground with a steady pace.

Song Tiecheng rode ahead on his horse without ever looking back.

This deputy director is unusually taciturn; he hasn't uttered a single unnecessary word since the trip began.

Yi Yang was happy to have some peace and quiet; the only sounds in the carriage were the occasional soft rustling of Jiang Yuexin looking through her things.

The official road was straight, with vast stretches of farmland on both sides.

The city walls of Yunlin County grew smaller and smaller until they became a low gray line on the horizon, swallowed up by the morning mist.

Yi Yang opened his eyes and looked out through the crack in the car window.

A new road was laid out ahead, the official road was almost twice as wide as the stone-paved road in the county town, and in the distance there were rolling hills and continuous tree lines.

Suining Prefecture.

He didn't know what awaited him there, but one thing was clear.

There are more elixirs, more complete cultivation techniques, and a higher ceiling there.

Similarly, the people there are stronger, their knives are faster, and their pits are deeper.

Yi Yang withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes again to circulate his internal energy.

The numbers on the panel jumped.

[Yi Wood Health Preservation Exercise - Internal Qi Chapter, Level 1 (3920/150000)]