The owner of Wanfu is Wan Feng, and Wan Nan is his youngest son.

Among Wan Feng's many children, Wan Nan is the most outstanding and capable. Not only does he have a keen business mind, but he is also a true disciple of the Water Sect.

There are thousands of disciples in the Six Paths and Eight Sects, but most are Outer Disciples. Inner Sect Disciples are already the Sect's Direct Lineage. As for True Disciples, they are the very foundation of the sect's heritage.

Just the status of being a True Disciple is enough for Wan Nan to stand out among his many siblings.

The old owner Wan Feng is getting on in years and lacks energy. Most matters are entrusted to Wan Nan.

Shopkeeper Wan has great respect for this young owner, Wan Nan. Faced with an unexpected situation and the emergence of a master like Gao Xuan, he naturally needed to consult Wan Nan.

After Shopkeeper Wan finished speaking, Wan Nan was silent for a moment before saying, "How many times have I told you, with our big business, do not resort to foul means."

Wan Nan knew that Shopkeeper Wan and his people preferred to play dirty in private. In truth, for a major merchant like Wanfu, reputation is of utmost importance.

Reputation is a golden signboard; it's an enormous intangible wealth. How much can be earned by colluding with bandits to loot other caravans? Yet it harms Wanfu's reputation.

The key is that these shopkeepers leading the trade caravans secretly enjoy doing so, as they can earn quick money from it.

These shopkeepers are familiar with the routes and markets along the way and have extensive connections everywhere.

Although Wan Nan disliked his shopkeepers doing this, pursuing profit is human nature. Even if he replaced one shopkeeper, the next one would be the same.

Shopkeeper Wan hung his head low, knowing a single word from Wan Nan could terminate his employment. Being dismissed from Wanfu meant no other major merchant would dare hire him.

"The Ye Family hails from a small place on the southwest border, I really didn't expect..." Shopkeeper Wan weakly defended.

"Do you know who the Flying Tiger is? A prominent student of the Mountain Character Sect, almost a True Disciple. Killing the Flying Tiger means at least an Innate Martial Artist at the peak level."

Wan Nan said coldly, "Just because you wanted to profit and offended someone, do I now have to antagonize such a master? Is it your problem or mine?"

Sweat dripped from Shopkeeper Wan's forehead, and he kept his head deeply bowed, not daring to speak.

"If this happens again, I won't need others; I'll personally deal with you. Before doing anything wrong again, think if you're truly capable. Think about your family and whether you can bear the consequences."

Wan Nan continued, "This time I'll smooth things over to restore our Wanfu's reputation. Go and invite that person, and I'll arrange a meal for him at Jinsheng Tower."

Shopkeeper Wan quickly bowed deeply in agreement, not daring to say anything further.

When Gao Xuan received the invitation, he was a bit surprised. This young owner of Wanfu was inviting him to a meal with no ill intent.

Even though Gao Xuan's Spiritual Power was restricted, the Six-winged Celestial Cicada was not. He could detect even the slightest malice now.

After all, the world was too dangerous. A casual Martial Saint could easily crush him.

Even a Martial Arts Grandmaster would be tough to deal with.

As Gao Xuan journeyed, he refined his body through the Thunder Pearl each day. Although his current realm hadn't been surpassed, he understood the secrets of a Martial Arts Grandmaster.

An Innate Martial Artist is tough and robust in flesh, bones, and organs, achieving Unity of Inner and Outer. The Grandmaster Realm can refine bone marrow and replace blood, seamlessly merging Martial Skills externally.

By reaching the stage of marrow refinement and blood replacement, one can truly master the vitality of their body. Even with severed limbs or damaged organs, one could recover as long as they're alive.

As they say, "Renew each day, constantly improve."

Reaching the realm of a Martial Arts Grandmaster, the body can continually renew and improve, achieving a better state each day.

When the blood becomes like silver mercury, one reaches the Martial Saint level.

The division of these two realms is not a secret; some ancient texts document them. Ye Jinxiu had also introduced Gao Xuan to these two realms.

However, Ye Jinxiu only knew a bit of the theory, not even fully understanding it.

This is why Gao Xuan could meticulously gain mastery over his body, surpassing other Innate Martial Artists at this level. With the treasure of the Thunder Pearl, he could penetrate the bone marrow to stimulate vitality and control the Thunderbolt Power without fundamental harm.

This precise control is something others cannot achieve.

Gao Xuan's cultivation was at a crucial stage these days, and he felt he was just a shade away from breaking through.

Despite Wan Nan's invitation being benign, Gao Xuan was reluctant to go. But suddenly, he had a premonition and agreed absentmindedly.

After sending away the slippery and vicious Shopkeeper Wan, Gao Xuan took out the Thunder Pearl hidden in his bosom.

The Thunder Pearl's divine light was contained, showing no apparent phenomena. This, too, was a divine object's self-concealment. It needed to be activated with Qi Blood Power to unleash the Power of Thunder within.

Gao Xuan played with the Thunder Pearl for a moment, then suddenly opened his mouth and swallowed it.

Previously, activating the Thunder Pearl from the outside always had a barrier. By entering the body, the Thunder Pearl could navigate the stomach and intestines, cleansing internal impurities and filth.

Humans, consuming grains, always develop lesions and bacteria internally. As these issues accumulate, they lead to illness.

Though Innate Martial Artists have steel-like muscles, bones, and organs, their bodies still have various issues.

Gao Xuan practiced for over a dozen days and grasped this principle: achieving the realm of a Martial Arts Grandmaster requires the body to attain an extremely pure state, brimming with vitality and free of impurities.

Only then can bone marrow be refined and innate power be stimulated. According to his understanding, this step is essentially cellular mutation and genetic evolution.

Therefore, one must reach a relatively pure state to eliminate all external interference. Such as bacteria and unhealthy body tissues, which can all disrupt genetic evolution.

The Daoist teachings of this world claim that the human body harbors Three Corpses and Nine Worms, constantly undermining one's foundation. The principle discussed is the same.

A Thunder Pearl descended slowly down Gao Xuan's esophagus; under the activation of his Qi Blood Power, it transformed into a cluster of blue and white Thunder Light, penetrating flesh, bones, and illuminating Gao Xuan inside and out.

The sizzling Thunder Light continually sank; as it passed by, various subtle bacteria and mutated body tissues were eradicated.

When the Thunder Light settled in Gao Xuan's stomach, his entire body appeared semi-transparent. Looking at himself in the mirror, his bones and organs were clearly visible. He could even sense the circulating blood.

The sizzling Thunder Light spread, circulating through all the internal organs.

The human liver is a detoxifying organ, most prone to bacteria and parasites causing mutations. Including the stomach, which decomposes various foods daily, making it more likely to have problems. The lungs, constantly breathing day and night, exchanging air with the outside world, are also prone to ailments.

Crackling Thunder Light flashed back and forth, burning the mutated tissue, annihilating various bacteria and parasites completely.

When the Thunder Light rolled into the intestines, there were even more parasites here...

After the Five Internal Organs were cleansed by the Thunder Pearl, Gao Xuan felt an unparalleled clarity inside and out, with all 128 acupoints suddenly interconnected.

Previously, the acupoints were open, but the Qi Blood flow was always somewhat sluggish. At this moment, the acupoints throughout the body were smooth and fluent, allowing Qi and Blood to be maneuvered freely. The Five Internal Organs were renewed.

Gao Xuan knew the time had come, and as he thought about it, his entire skeletal structure emitted a fine crackling sound.

All 206 bones, from top to bottom and bottom to top, continued to resound in such a manner.

After a while, Gao Xuan's spirit was suddenly invigorated, as though breaking through some invisible barrier, entering a completely new realm.

He was still the same person, but his physical condition was entirely transformed.

It was as if a bedridden patient of many years had suddenly become a world sprinting champion. The vitality, energy, and sense of power surging through him made Gao Xuan feel like a completely different person.

Since cultivating, Gao Xuan had never clearly felt the transformation of different levels.

This was also because he was reborn, so even upon cultivating to the Golden Realm again, there wasn't much surprise.

In this world, the physical advancement is so direct. This qualitative change made Gao Xuan feel the power and beauty of life. This was a sensation he never had before.

Without a doubt, he had entered the Bone Marrow Refining Level, becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster.

At this stage, his power, speed, and endurance increased more than tenfold. To be precise, it was seventeenfold. This comprehensive enhancement was truly astounding.

Gao Xuan's powerful Spiritual Power also unlocked slightly, allowing him deeper control over his body.

The Thunder Pearl he had swallowed was also melted by the Qi Blood Power of his Martial Artist breakthrough, transforming into Pure Yang Thunder Light stored in the Heart Acupoint.

Gao Xuan didn't know why it happened this way; everything was natural.

Upon reaching the Grandmaster Realm, the Thunder Pearl's effect in Body Refinement became negligible. Transforming into Thunder Light wasn't much of a loss.

Gao Xuan studied it and found he could control this Thunder Light through Qi and Blood. Compared to Flying Tiger's method of controlling the Thunder Pearl, his method was undoubtedly more flexible and versatile.

The room door was gently knocked, and Shopkeeper Wan respectfully greeted and inquired from outside. Gao Xuan glanced at the sky, and it was almost dark.

Gao Xuan picked up the Water-Splitting Saber and called Ye Jinxiu, and the two of them boarded the carriage prepared by Shopkeeper Wan.

The two tall horses were quite majestic, and the carriage was spacious and comfortable, like a small lounge.

The horses ran very fast, yet the carriage remained very smooth.

Ye Jinxiu was full of praise; such a luxurious carriage couldn't be seen in Copper City. Mingjing really is the Capital City—any shopkeeper here can be so lavish.

Even so, by the time the carriage reached Jinsheng Tower, it was completely dark.

Gao Xuan got off the carriage and saw the brilliantly lit Jinsheng Tower, extremely striking in the deep night, almost dazzling.

Several clean and efficient waiters stood at the entrance, bowing their heads from afar to greet them, humble and friendly in attitude.

Upon reaching the third-floor private room, the young owner Wan Nan was already waiting at the door.

Seeing Gao Xuan, Wan Nan's eyes lit up, even though he had heard from Shopkeeper Wan, seeing Gao Xuan in person was still very surprising.

This man was tall and strong, with well-defined features, bright eyes, and deep pupils, while the whites of his eyes were as clear as water. Just from looking at his gaze, one could see his martial skills were profound.

Wan Nan had seen many martial arts experts, but this was different. The key was Gao Xuan's imposing manner, naturally exuding an ease and transcendence between his brows. Such presence truly won hearts.

Wan Nan originally just wanted to make a friend, but seeing Gao Xuan's charisma, he admired him even more.

People are like that. Some people you know all your life only as acquaintances, while others, upon first meeting, you feel extraordinarily connected.

"Truly a heroic and exceptional figure,"

Wan Nan smiled and cupped his hands, "Mr. Gao, I am Wan Nan, young owner of Wanfu."

Gao Xuan politely cupped his hands in return and introduced Ye Jinxiu.

Wan Nan sent Shopkeeper Wan away and led Gao Xuan and Ye Jinxiu into the room.

"Today I also invited a friend, he is Tie Yuan from the Mountain Character Sect..."

The three entered the private room, where a tall middle-aged man also stood up.

He had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a tall frame, with a bluish tint to his complexion, indicative of cultivating some special Body Refining Secret Technique.

Tie Yuan was slightly stunned upon seeing Gao Xuan; his Qi Blood strength far exceeded expectations. Especially his demeanor, which had the bearing of a Grandmaster.

Seeing Gao Xuan appear not much older than in his early twenties yet possessing such cultivation?!

After the shock, Tie Yuan developed a deeper respect. That's the way of the world.

"Mr. Gao's charisma is impressive, connecting at first sight, connecting at first sight."

Tie Yuan warmly shook hands with Gao Xuan, showing a serious regard.

As for Ye Jinxiu, she was completely ignored.

Ye Jinxiu wasn't angry; she was just a bit surprised. Tie Yuan, the Central Mountain Spear, was a renowned true disciple of the Mountain Character Sect, known for being proud.

Unexpectedly, this Tie Yuan was so amiable and approachable...