Today was the assessment day, and amidst the chorus of groans, not a single apprentice dared to give up lightly.

Sweat beaded on Xiangzi’s forehead, his joints feeling as though they might come apart, yet his face betrayed little sign of pain.

For one, the precious medicinal broths provided to first-class apprentices this month had laid a solid foundation for him. The first dose always worked best, and compared to those wealthy scions who’d been steeped in such tonics since childhood, he held a natural advantage. His progress in tempering skin, muscles, and bones was truly remarkable.

For another, the faint golden characters flashing in his mind brought a surge of comfort through his entire body.

[Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art +1]

[Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art +1]

Truth be told, Xiangzi didn’t know why, but practicing the Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art felt as natural to him as a fish swimming in water. The grueling “blood and bone grinding” that others struggled with seemed to barely affect him.

He’d pondered this in secret for a long time but found no clear answer. The only possible explanation was the blood and marrow of that tiger demon he’d consumed before.

No matter.

Regardless, Xiangzi’s progress in martial arts was no longer a slow accumulation but had taken on the momentum of “a thousand miles in a single day.” After mastering the Four-Square Horse Stance to perfection, his three pillars of blood energy had condensed into a single, jade-like pillar—a strange phenomenon he dared not ask anyone about.

Yet he could clearly feel that his blood energy was now several times stronger than before, and more crucially, it was far more enduring. Take the Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art, which required infusing blood energy: he could now sustain it for a full hour, while even the best among the other apprentices—Young Master Qi and the chubby Chen Jiashang—could only manage half that time.

His progress in skin tempering and bone forging also gave Xiangzi a deeper understanding of the saying, “Only when blood energy flows freely through all limbs can it be smooth and complete.” The reputation of Baolin Martial Hall was well-earned. Through the apprentice trials—skin tempering, muscle strengthening—he had finally grasped a glimpse of the true path.

But now, Xiangzi’s focus was entirely on the blood energy vortex in his dantian.

Ding. The final line of golden characters flashed: [Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art +1].

At last, the prompt he’d been waiting for appeared—[Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art (Minor Success)].

After a grueling month, he had finally achieved minor success in this bone-forging technique! In that instant, the blood energy in his dantian surged like a roaming dragon. A powerful, overwhelming aura enveloped Xiangzi.

With a single thought, his blood energy rushed through his limbs and bones, flowing freely without obstruction, as natural as moving his own arm.

—

Xiangzi’s body remained steady as an ancient pine, his movements unhurried yet imbued with an indescribable grace and precision in the eyes of onlookers. Compared to the other first-class apprentices, whose movements still carried a trace of stiffness, Xiangzi stood out like a crane among chickens.

Suddenly, a faint crackling sound emanated from his body—soft, almost muffled, as if it came from the very seams of his bones.

The apprentices’ eyes widened in shock. Even Zhao Mu, usually stone-faced, stood with his mouth agape. From beneath the great locust tree, the old martial instructor, who had been dozing with half-closed eyes, snapped them open. A glimmer of unconcealed astonishment flashed in his murky gaze.

This big lad has actually reached this step? This isn’t just minor success in bone forging!

Could it be that Baolin Martial Hall, by some stroke of luck, has stumbled upon a true gem?

“Energy piercing the spine, strength reaching the extremities? Did I hear that right? That requires perfect harmony between skin, muscles, and bones!” one apprentice shouted in disbelief.

Another, face pale, refused to accept it. “Impossible… This kid never touched tonics growing up, did he? At his age, how could he be this strong?”

Young Master Qi Ruiyang, after a moment of stunned silence, let out a wry chuckle. “This guy’s a freak. This isn’t just minor success in bone forging!”

The entire training ground buzzed with shock.

Even Zhao Mu’s lips curved into a faint smile. “The old hall master always said that martial artists who haven’t broken through the Blood Energy Barrier should avoid reckless use of tonics. Otherwise, their bones stiffen too early, their skin hardens, and their energy flow becomes obstructed, hindering their martial path. Pity so few understand this.”

“Li Xiang may be older, but his foundation in stance training is solid. After years of perseverance, combined with our hall’s superior skin-tempering and bone-forging methods, and his relentless hard work, he’s achieved this extraordinary result.”

“To catch up to Li Xiang, you all must strive harder!”

Zhao Mu’s words quelled the mix of envy, shock, and jealousy among the apprentices, who nodded solemnly in response. Yet when Zhao Mu’s gaze fell on Xiangzi, he couldn’t help but feel a private jolt of awe. Such cultivation speed was rare even among outer disciples. Even he, Zhao Mu, widely recognized as a prodigy among the outer sect, had taken over two months to achieve “energy piercing the spine, strength reaching the extremities” during his apprentice days.

This wasn’t just minor success—it signified a preliminary state of harmony among blood energy, skin, muscles, and bones. Energy flowing with intent, as natural as moving one’s arm. Simple words, but only a ninth-grade martial artist could grasp their true weight—this was the threshold of Bright Force!

If this big lad could endure the Bone-Strengthening Broth, his future would far surpass that of a mere ninth-grade Muscle-Strengthening Realm martial artist. Comprehending Bright Force meant that, aside from the barrier of age, no obstacle below the seventh grade could stop him. What countless martial artists spent lifetimes chasing, this kid, not yet at the ninth grade, had achieved with ease?

—

Old Master Liu ambled over, untying a jade token from his waist and pulling a brocade box from his robes, which he handed to Xiangzi.

“You’ve done well, lad. This is a Marrow-Washing Pill, beneficial for both muscles and bones—especially for someone like you who’s never used tonics before. The first dose will be particularly effective.”

“Take this jade token and head straight to the medicinal bath area in the back courtyard. Find the disciple at the gate and tell them I sent you. They’ll guide you on how to proceed with the bath.”

“But be cautious. If you feel you can’t withstand the medicinal power, get out immediately. Don’t be stingy and risk staying too long. If the blood energy backfires, even a celestial immortal couldn’t save you!”

At the mention of the Marrow-Washing Pill, the apprentices froze. What’s that? Never heard of it. Only Qi Ruiyang’s eyes gleamed with recognition—coming from the Qi family, he knew exactly what this pill signified.

The old martial instructor, though nominally the chief examiner, had always kept his distance from the affairs of the first-class courtyard. This was the first time he’d personally stepped in. Envy burned hotter in the eyes of many apprentices.

Even Zhao Mu paused, a flicker of realization dawning in his mind.

Xiangzi, momentarily stunned, accepted the items and clasped his fists respectfully to the old instructor. “Thank you, Master Liu!”

Then he turned to Zhao Mu, bowing deeply. “Thank you, Master Zhao, for your guidance. Without you, I’d never have grasped the Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art.”

Even the stoic Zhao Mu felt a warmth in his heart at those words. A grateful kid, at least.

But Old Master Liu merely waved a hand, his tone deceptively casual. “Are you ready, lad, to face the ninth-grade trial of the Bone-Strengthening Broth?”