That night, Liang Cheng sat cross-legged in cultivation, performing the Circulation of the Celestial Qi. True Qi surged through his meridians like a roaring river, endless and unceasing.
[Broken Wave Technique, Second Layer: Beginner Level (3/2000)]
Next, Liang Cheng practiced the Wind and Thunder Slash. As the sounds of wind and thunder rose, he had an unexpected surprise—a few lines of text deep in his consciousness suddenly changed.
His perfected Gale Saber Technique had actually merged into his Wind and Thunder Slash. The Gale Saber Technique vanished, and the Wind and Thunder Slash skipped the Beginner Level entirely, revealing its new progress.
[Wind and Thunder Slash: Minor Success (2800/5000)]
’If I were to fight Xu Zhang now, I could kill him in less than ten bouts!’
Just then, the sky began to brighten. Liang Cheng felt incredibly refreshed. As if on cue, a Servant Disciple delivered some Blood Warming Soup. He had tasted it once at Elder Huang’s place and would never forget the flavor; it even contained rare ingredients like the Silver-headed Shark.
’Sure enough, now that I’m a True Disciple, the cultivation resources are worlds apart from before.’
He drank the entire bowl in one go. A warmth spread through his body. Wasting no more time, he headed straight for the Back Mountain Alchemy Room.
Elder Huang was grinding herbs in the courtyard. Seeing Liang Cheng arrive, he didn’t even look up. Liang Cheng walked over, placed some silver banknotes and his True Disciple Jade Token on the table, and asked, "Elder Huang, is there any news about the Profound Gold Powder and Earth Vein Stone Milk?"
Elder Huang glanced over, his small eyes lighting up, but his hands never stopped moving. "You’re an eager one, kid. But the Martial Arts Academy doesn’t have much Profound Gold Powder or Earth Vein Stone Milk in stock, and you want a large amount. It’s going to cost you extra."
Liang Cheng nodded readily. "Fine."
Only then did Elder Huang put down his pestle, his small eyes glinting shrewdly. "Actually, I could give you this stuff for free—"
He dragged out his words. "As long as you help this old man test a new medicine. Three days. Just lie down for three days, and this old man won’t charge you a single coin!"
Liang Cheng shook his head expressionlessly.
"So stubborn!"
Elder Huang’s expression changed in an instant. Annoyed, he snatched the silver banknotes, swept them into his sleeve, and swiped a hand over the Jade Token. "Three bottles of Qi Replenishing Pills, ten catties of Profound Gold Powder, five bottles of Earth Vein Stone Milk, and various supplementary herbs...
"Total is sixteen thousand Contribution Points. The silver banknotes cover six thousand. Paid in full!"
The corner of Liang Cheng’s mouth twitched. The price was twenty percent higher than the market rate, but Elder Huang had saved him before, and his future access to information and alchemy skills was worth the premium. He nodded and said, "Deal."
"Go, go, go! The sight of you is annoying," Elder Huang waved him away and went back to grinding his herbs, muttering, "The Martial Dao is all about pressing forward bravely. How can the youth of today have no spirit of adventure?"
As Liang Cheng left the Alchemy Room, he calculated in his head, ’Ten thousand Contribution Points per month is enough for now. I’m not lacking resources at the moment. Next, it’s time to go get Mother.’
...
Liang Cheng left the Martial Arts Academy. This time, however, the Academy specially dispatched several Steward Disciples to accompany him, a display of a True Disciple’s prestige.
All four of them had profound Qi Blood and sharp, focused gazes. They were all masters at the level of Transformation Force Perfection. The convoy left the city and headed straight for Linhai Town.
As the convoy entered the town, the four riders cleared the way, their auras imposing. The townspeople quickly moved aside, their hushed whispers filled with awe and reverence.
「In the back courtyard of the Zhao Family Grain Store.」
Yang Wei, Zhou Hu, and Zhao Yuan were sitting together in a circle. Lady Ning sat to one side, doing needlework, but her expression was somewhat uneasy.
"Aunt Ning, don’t worry. Junior Brother Liang is a True Disciple now. He already sent word that he’s coming back to take you to the Martial Arts Academy."
Zhou Hu said with a smile. For many days, he and Zhao Yuan had not left her side, staying hidden in the back courtyard for fear of any accidents.
Yang Wei nodded. "That’s right. Going to the Martial Arts Academy is a good thing. With him looking after you, you’ll be perfectly safe."
Just then, a stir came from the gate. Yang Wei’s heart tightened. ’Although with Liang Cheng’s current power, no one should be foolish enough to cause trouble, it’s always best to be cautious.’
Zhou Hu stood up alertly and walked to the door. "Who is it?"
"Senior Brother, it’s me."
Liang Cheng’s calm voice drifted in.
The door opened, and Liang Cheng stepped into the small courtyard. When he saw that Lady Ning was safe and sound, the heavy stone in his heart finally lifted. He gave a solemn fist-and-palm salute to Yang Wei, Zhou Hu, and Zhao Yuan.
"Master, Eldest Senior Brother, Senior Brother Zhao, thank you all for protecting my mother during this time."
Yang Wei waved his hand dismissively, studying Liang Cheng carefully. Sensing his profound aura, the old master was deeply gratified. "Good, good! The True Qi Realm! A True Disciple! My Yangwei Martial Arts Hall has produced a true dragon!"
Zhou Hu also laughed and clapped Liang Cheng hard on the shoulder. "Junior Brother, well done! That old bastard Xu Zhang got what he deserved!"
After a few pleasantries, Liang Cheng explained his purpose: he wanted to take Lady Ning to live on the True Inheritance Peak at the Martial Arts Academy, and he could even bring others to live there with him.
Yang Wei and Zhou Hu glanced at each other. Yang Wei smiled and said, "Your mother should certainly go and enjoy a peaceful life. As for me and your Eldest Senior Brother, we won’t go and cause trouble for you.
"The Martial Arts Hall needs us here. Things are going well right now, and we’ve grown accustomed to these peaceful days. You focus on your cultivation at the Academy. We’ll take care of things at home."
Liang Cheng knew this was his master’s aspiration, so he didn’t insist, but he felt a deep sense of gratitude in his heart.
At this moment, Zhao Yuan stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, "Senior Brother Liang, I want to go with you to the Martial Arts Academy, even if I have to start as a Servant Disciple. Please, Senior Brother, grant me this opportunity!"
Zhao Yuan clenched his fists. "I just turned twenty this year, and I’ve already reached Transformation Force. In the Martial Arts Hall, I’m one of the best, but in the Martial Arts Academy, Transformation Force is just average.
"I want to go to the Martial Arts Academy! I want to see just how big the world outside is, and whether I, Zhao Yuan, have a chance to reach the True Qi Realm!"
Liang Cheng looked at the fiery passion for the Martial Dao in his eyes and seemed to see his past, unyielding self. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded in agreement.
"Alright. The competition in the Martial Arts Academy is fierce, but the resources and opportunities are indeed beyond anything the outside world can offer. Since you’ve already reached Transformation Force, I can recommend you for the Human Dormitory. But whether you can secure your footing there will be up to you."
Zhao Yuan was overjoyed. "Thank you, Senior Brother Liang! I, Zhao Yuan, will definitely not disappoint you for this guidance!"
"There’s no need for such formalities between us."
With the matter settled, Liang Cheng went inside to see Lady Ning. She put down her needlework and stood up, her eyes already slightly red. She looked her son up and down carefully. Her lips moved, but in the end, she only murmured, "It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back..."
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