The Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid was the grand prize.

Chu Lingguang, Xia Tianzhong, and the others did not get the chance to continue training in the Trial Ground. However, every member who made it to the final candidate list received some sort of reward.

「The next morning.」

All the students left the Trial Ground together.

Pan Tonghui once again led his six-man squad to personally escort Chu Lingguang to the small town.

This was Xu Zhongguo’s arrangement. The Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid was priceless, and Xu Zhongguo and the others would only be at ease once the Black Armored Army delivered Chu Lingguang safely into Guo Wei’s hands.

Escorted by Pan Tonghui’s six-man squad, Chu Lingguang emerged from the Hundred Thousand Mountains and entered the town, heading straight for the small tavern where Guo Wei was staying.

Guo Wei had already calculated the days and knew Chu Lingguang would be back today.

At 1:15 PM, Guo Wei heard the sound of horse hooves.

He hurried out of his guest room.

"Master!"

The master and disciple met at the entrance.

Both of their faces lit up with joy.

Chu Lingguang quickly ran over to kowtow to Guo Wei, but Guo Wei stopped him in time, laughing. "Lin Guang, all that matters is that you’ve returned safely. Get up."

"Thank you, Master."

In front of everyone, Chu Lingguang didn’t insist.

"Brother-in-law—oh, no, Junior Brother!"

"Chu Lingguang!"

"Chu!"

Hei Hu, Du Juan, Du Wushuang, and Zhuoyi also ran out one after another. They were all overjoyed to see Chu Lingguang again.

"Senior Brother!"

"Zhuo, Du, Miss Du, it’s good to see you all again."

Chu Lingguang clasped his fist in salute to each of them.

"It’s good to see you too!"

The group clasped their fists in return, smiling at Chu Lingguang.

"Master Guo, we meet again."

After escorting Chu Lingguang, Pan Tonghui didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he had his men tend to the warhorses, removed his black iron faceplate, and came over to congratulate Guo Wei.

"General Pan, we must share a few drinks today," Guo Wei said with a cupped fist salute.

"Hahaha, since Chu Lingguang became the top candidate, a celebratory drink is definitely in order!" Pan Tonghui declared with conviction.

"What?"

Everyone was stunned.

Chu Lingguang immediately knelt before Guo Wei and reported, "Master, after I cut down the Dragon Claw Tree, my Mental Realm was strengthened. I gained an advantage when competing against the others and was lucky enough to become the top candidate."

"Lin Guang, you’ve truly surprised me."

Guo Wei was completely shocked as he pulled Chu Lingguang up from the ground.

"Master Guo, Chu Lingguang’s Dantian has already formed a Qi Sea, and his strength has reached Qi Sea Minor Achievement. He has also awakened the power of the Divine Image and successfully unlocked the fifth-level Dharma Aspect. Yesterday, all the teachers and students at the Trial Ground were stunned into silence. Chu Lingguang becoming the top candidate was no fluke; it was well-deserved. I congratulate you, Master Guo, on accepting such a fine disciple."

"What? Lin Guang, you..."

Now it was Guo Wei’s turn to be left speechless. He looked Chu Lingguang up and down several times.

"Qi Sea Minor Achievement?"

"A fifth-level Dharma Aspect."

"The power of the Divine Image." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Du Juan, Zhuoyi, and Du Wushuang were also dumbfounded. Although Mr. Du could receive some news from the Trial Ground, the distance was great. Outside the Hundred Thousand Mountains, Guo Wei’s group was the first to learn who this session’s top candidate was.

Everyone stared at Chu Lingguang, completely caught off guard. They never expected him to have achieved so much. Du Juan and the others were both shocked and delighted, knowing in their hearts that the Du Family had lucked out.

Du Wushuang was already thoroughly convinced of Chu Lingguang’s superiority.

But upon learning of Chu Lingguang’s incredible achievements, his admiration for him only grew stronger.

"That’s my junior brother, my brother-in-law," Hei Hu reminded the three of them.

"Master, because I became the top candidate, the Trial Ground awarded me a bottle of Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid. The teachers were worried I might run into danger on the way back, so they had General Pan and his squad escort me."

Chu Lingguang took the Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid out of his bundle.

"I see. How thoughtful of the teachers at the Trial Ground."

Guo Wei was once again shocked and delighted. Du Juan and the others’ eyes gleamed—this was the Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid! Even people with the status of Xia Tianzhong or Zhao Rushuang couldn’t just get their hands on it.

For a moment, everyone crowded around.

Guo Wei said, "The Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid is worth a fortune. It’s not wise to keep such a treasure around. Lin Guang, while General Pan and I are here, you should consume it immediately. We will stand guard for you. Taking it will grant you the Pure True Body and achieve the effect of Washing Marrow."

"The Pure True Body, Washing Marrow... My goodness!"

Hei Hu’s eyes were shining.

"Master, I would like to give this bottle of Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid to you. Please, take it now. Zhuo and the others can stand guard for you with me," Chu Lingguang said with a smile instead.

Guo Wei’s expression froze.

Zhuoyi, Du Juan, and the others looked on in astonishment.

Hei Hu’s jaw dropped. He swallowed hard and said, "Master, Junior Brother is being sincere. You should just..."

"Sigh!"

Guo Wei suddenly let out a breath.

He looked at the bottle of Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid and gave a wry smile. "The liquid is wonderful, but a person can only drink one bottle in their entire life. I had one by a stroke of luck when I was young. Lin Guang, I appreciate the thought, but there’s no time to waste. You should drink it now!"

"Master, how come I’ve never heard you mention..."

Chu Lingguang was curious how Guo Wei could have taken something as precious as the Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid before.

But before he could finish, Guo Wei opened the Jade Bottle and placed a hand on his shoulder. In that instant, the hand on his shoulder seemed to possess an immense restraining power.

Pan Tonghui and Zhuoyi could almost see a Divine Beast roaring within Guo Wei’s Dantian Qi Sea. Under that overwhelming pressure, their hearts pounded in fear, and they couldn’t help but retreat.

Guo Wei paid no mind to the others’ reactions. He pinched Chu Lingguang’s mouth open and poured the entire bottle of Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid inside. Then, he gently pressed his palm against Chu Lingguang’s chest. The mouthful of liquid seemed to be guided into Chu Lingguang’s body, where, under his power, it was rapidly absorbed.