Chapter 46 : Chapter 46
Chapter 46. Life-and-Death Tempering Is Outdated
In truth, Xu Yuan had not been greatly affected by what happened with Ye Qing’er. After all, the two of them were still in that vague, ambiguous stage of something that was not quite a relationship.
Since he had not invested much, there was naturally nothing to lose.
If there was any change at all, it was that he had become even more diligent in his training.
After this incident, Xu Yuan deeply realized that strength was the foundation of everything. At present, he was only at the Second Meridian realm and had no right to indulge in romantic thoughts.
Thus, during the day, he trained diligently in the Stone Platform Stance, striving for a breakthrough in cultivation. At night, he set aside time to study martial techniques and the Tai Chi Exercise.
Although his days were somewhat monotonous, the steady persistence made them feel exceptionally fulfilling.
Because of Xu Yuan’s dedication, aside from the time he spent teaching students during the day, he was rarely seen at all.
This did not go unnoticed by the other martial instructors, who often sighed in admiration and used him as an example to educate their juniors.
…
Time passed in the blink of an eye.
Soon, it was early February.
On this day, after completing a full set of stance training, Xu Yuan gradually calmed his surging blood and Qi. He stepped out of the quiet chamber, and with a thought, opened the panel in his mind.
[Skills: Tai Chi Exercise (Major Mastery 46%), Stone Platform Stance (Major Mastery 63%), Benlei Fist (Minor Mastery 21%)]
[Aptitude: 11 (Extraordinary Bone Structure)]
“Not bad. At this rate, I should be able to break through by mid-month. I will also try to bring the Tai Chi Exercise to perfection within this month.”
During the past half month, Xu Yuan had spent most of his time in the quiet chamber, continuing his plan of focusing on cultivation while supplementing his skills.
Now, judging from the panel, his progress was quite gratifying.
As for his work assignments, however, they were somewhat unsatisfactory.
Among the more than twenty martial trainees in the front courtyard, only three had ultimately become Formal Martial Artists. As for the miscellaneous workers in the rear courtyard, because they had chores to handle, they were given two months to train.
For Xu Yuan, this result among the trainees was actually acceptable. At the very least, it met the minimum requirement, so his pay would not be deducted, and he could even receive an additional reward of one tael and five mace of silver.
In fact, this was already considered good luck for Xu Yuan. If things had gone worse, it was entirely possible that not even a single martial artist would have emerged.
That afternoon was considered a rest day for all martial artists. They could return home for half a day of leave, then choose new assignments the next morning or return to the residence to replenish supplies.
Yes, the Shangyang Residence essentially operated on a monthly cycle. If one still had the opportunity to choose assignments, one could switch positions in the second month.
However, Xu Yuan found his current assignment quite satisfactory and had no intention of changing it for the time being.
Arriving at the Pill Hall, Xu Yuan originally intended to purchase some medicinal treasures. Unexpectedly, he encountered a familiar face.
“Xu Yuan, I have already broken through to the Second Meridian realm. I have even grasped the basics of the Benlei Fist. As a result, the family has specially granted me two months of freely chosen assignments.”
Wang Huan looked at Xu Yuan with a smug expression, clearly savoring a sense of vindication.
This past month, he had gone to a Level Four zone—a place where two armed forces clashed. The environment there was harsh and dangerous, yet he had not slacked off. Whenever he had the chance, he trained with everything he had.
After several perilous battles and life-and-death trials, he finally improved both his fist technique and cultivation. Once those above learned of it, they immediately rewarded him with two months of assignment freedom.
After all, the earlier waves of conflict would inevitably eliminate those with the poorest aptitude. Someone like Wang Huan, on the other hand, was worth giving time to develop and nurture.
After returning to the Shangyang Residence, Wang Huan learned that Xu Yuan frequently visited the Pill Hall. Thus, he waited here specifically, intending to deliver these words in person—just to see whether Xu Yuan could still maintain his arrogance.
Wang Huan stared at Xu Yuan with a playful gaze, as if hoping to see surprise, unease, disappointment, or jealousy on his face.
Unfortunately, none of the imagined reactions appeared.
Xu Yuan merely nodded lightly. “I see. Then congratulations.”
His tone was as calm as someone complimenting a cook after finishing a meal in the dining hall—completely ordinary, nothing out of the usual.
In truth, it was exactly that.
For Xu Yuan, if Wang Huan had achieved these improvements last month, he might have regarded him more highly.
But now, a whole month had passed. The old “version” had already ended, and yet Wang Huan was only now claiming to have found a new approach?
Moreover, with Xu Yuan’s current accumulation, he was set to break through to the Third Meridian within this month. This news simply held no impact for him at all.
‘Let us hope that when he returns next month, he can still maintain this confidence,’ Xu Yuan thought calmly, his expression remaining composed.
“You… you…”
In truth, Wang Huan was already on the verge of losing control. Why was this guy always so indifferent?
Among those who had started at the same time, he alone had broken through to the Second Meridian. Such an outstanding achievement—yet Xu Yuan did not even show the slightest reaction!
This calm arrogance, this condescending indifference, infuriated Wang Huan. He was supposed to be the one treating others this way!
The veins on Wang Huan’s forehead throbbed as his fists clenched and unclenched, as though he might explode at any moment. But then, as if recalling something, his anger suddenly subsided, replaced by a sneer.
“Xu Yuan, I overestimated you. It must be comfortable staying cooped up in the Shangyang Residence every day, is it not?”
“But do you know what I have experienced? I have fought in paired battles against members of the Bai Family. I have seen plenty of death and brutal battlefields!”
As he spoke, his gaze toward Xu Yuan grew increasingly disdainful, even carrying a faint sense of pity from above.
“You are too pitiful. You will never understand what it feels like to have blood splatter across your face. You have never experienced what it is like to kill someone… Living in comfort like this, you are destined to achieve nothing great!”
Xu Yuan’s expression turned strange. Was something wrong with this man?
What era was this? And he was still advocating that outdated “life-and-death tempering” approach?
As long as his cultivation remained higher, he could crush his opponent with absolute strength. Why would he need to suffer through fighting opponents of a higher level?
True martial arts should be about overwhelming those below you—using strength to dominate the weak!
After all, what did it matter if someone had rich combat experience?
If he was one realm higher, his strength, reaction speed, and overall speed would all surpass the opponent’s. The opponent would not even be able to land a hit. Even if they did manage to strike him by chance, he could simply neutralize it with greater force.
But if he attacked, would the opponent not explode on the spot?
Still, Xu Yuan restrained himself and did not provoke Wang Huan. He merely replied calmly, “I do not know.”
His expression seemed to say: Understood. Are you satisfied now? Can you leave?
Seeing Xu Yuan’s reaction, Wang Huan once again felt as though his punch had landed on cotton. However, he quickly consoled himself.
“Time will prove everything. Xu Yuan, just wait until I break through to the Third Meridian—”
Before he could finish speaking, Xu Yuan had already turned around and walked into the Pill Hall.
“This guy…” Wang Huan stared deeply at his departing figure before finally leaving unwillingly.
Once the other party had gone far away, Xu Yuan withdrew his gaze. He understood that Wang Huan was trying to regain face after what had happened before.
Unfortunately, he had likely chosen the wrong person.
With Xu Yuan’s current rate of progress, not only were his martial techniques and cultivation improving, but even his fundamental aptitude was steadily increasing—and accelerating over time.
Those he had surpassed would, in the end, not even have the chance to see his back.
‘However, he was the one who came looking for trouble, was he not?’
Xu Yuan shook his head, no longer dwelling on the matter, and continued purchasing medicinal treasures.
…