He had been working the forge every day recently, returning half-dead from exhaustion. To everyone else, he certainly didn’t look to be in good spirits.

Sun Tao, not suspecting a thing, said, "You’d better hurry up. Many people have already reached Qi Gathering Perfection and are starting to attempt the breakthrough to Qi Cultivation Gang."

Xu Yang nodded, and the group walked out of the courtyard.

’Reaching Qi Cultivation Gang is hardly that simple. Lu Ren achieved Qi Gathering Perfection more than twenty days ago, and he still hasn’t managed the breakthrough.’

’Someone who hasn’t comprehended Mixed Element Strength might not be able to form Gang Qi for a year, maybe even longer.’

"If that task refining Profound Iron is really too much, just drop it. I’ll lend you some contribution points so you can pick up another mission," Sun Tao said.

When word got out that Xu Yang had taken the mission to refine Profound Iron, everyone knew he’d been set up.

He couldn’t bear to see Xu Yang working himself to death every day with so little reward.

They were martial brothers, after all, and Lin Cheng also held Xu Yang in high regard. He figured he should help where he could, and now that he’d done some missions himself, he finally had some contribution points.

Xu Yang shook his head. "There’s no need, Senior Brother. I think this mission is actually pretty good."

"Fine, be stubborn. Refining Profound Iron is a task for a Bone Marrow Cleansing Strong Person. As a mere Qi Gathering Martial Artist, how many contribution points can you possibly earn?" Jiang Ping scoffed.

Xu Yang ignored him. ’Even if I don’t earn many contribution points, I already got a martial arts manual for free. That alone makes this a huge bargain.’

’Even the cheapest Martial Arts in the Hidden Skills Hall cost ten-some contribution points to exchange for.’

Upon reaching the Internal Affairs Hall, they found it was already jam-packed with people. All the Outer Disciples were here, waiting in line.

The few of them found a line with fewer people and immediately stood at the back.

’Once the contribution points are distributed, I won’t be short on resources anymore,’ Xu Yang mused.

’Originally, it would have taken me a month at most to reach Qi Gathering Perfection and attempt the breakthrough to Qi Cultivation Gang.’

’But with the breakthrough in my Vajra Skill today, I’ve cultivated genuine Vajra True Qi. Due to its refinement, the amount of my True Qi has been greatly reduced.’

’Now, I just need to wait for the Profound Iron refining mission to end. Once Li Fire Peak settles the contribution points, I can use them to buy Qi Replenishing Pills to cultivate.’

’And a single Qi Replenishing Pill can be exchanged for just three contribution points.’

Xu Yang soon saw someone he almost didn’t recognize.

Lin Wei!

Her usual heroic air was gone, replaced by a more delicate, feminine attitude. She was even wearing jewelry, rouge, and lipstick.

’If Master finds out about this, it’ll probably kill him.’

’Xiao Hua slights Lin Cheng, yet Lin Wei is throwing herself at his son. No father could ever accept that.’

"Master..."

Sun Tao sighed. "Steward Xiao found a decent enough mission for Junior Sister Lin Wei. I suppose that means he’s treating her sincerely."

Like Xu Yang, he disliked the Xiao father and son, but other than Lin Cheng himself, no one was in a position to interfere in such matters.

Xu Yang also spotted the woman named Ah Ya following closely behind Lu Ren. He couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Fan, who was standing behind him, and saw a look of dejection on his face.

"It pays to be talented. I heard that woman has been going to see Junior Brother Lu Ren a lot lately."

Sun Tao said admiringly, completely unaware of the history between Jiang Fan and Ah Ya.

Xu Yang, not wanting to make things awkward for Jiang Fan, remained silent.

He soon spotted Qin Ze, who gave him a gesture that meant they would meet up later.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xu Yang successfully collected his Qi Replenishing Pills. He immediately tipped one out and swallowed it.

He circulated his Vajra True Qi, and the elixir dissolved into a warm current that spread throughout his body.

’The absorption rate and refinement speed of the pill’s effects have both increased.’

Xu Yang’s eyes lit up. His Vajra Skill, now at Minor Achievement, had given him another pleasant surprise.

As the pure and potent Vajra True Qi began to circulate, the single Qi Replenishing Pill was swiftly refined.

"Hey, brother. Lend me a Qi Replenishing Pill."

A large hand shot out from the side, grabbing straight for the Medicine Bottle in Xu Yang’s hand, not caring whether he agreed or not.

Xu Yang’s brows furrowed, and he instantly shot out a palm.

The opponent clearly hadn’t expected Xu Yang to dare and fight back. In his haste, he abandoned his grab for the medicine and twisted his wrist to meet Xu Yang’s palm.

BAM!

The two palms collided with a clang like striking steel. Both men shuddered and were forced to stumble backward.

’A Bone Marrow Cleansing Master!’

Xu Yang’s heart sank. He stumbled back three full steps before he could stop, his qi and blood churning as his palm went numb.

’Such great strength. Innate Divine Power?’

The man opposite him was stunned. He had actually been knocked back by a mere Qi Gathering Martial Artist. The kid’s strength was terrifying, like that of some monstrous beast.

"Who is that guy? He actually got targeted by Li Rui’an."

"He probably got targeted because he doesn’t have any backing. Li Rui’an doesn’t pick on people he can’t afford to offend."

"To be able to knock back Li Rui’an, his Cultivation can’t be weak."

...

The surrounding disciples still in line all noticed the commotion and looked over curiously.

They didn’t recognize Xu Yang, but they all knew Li Rui’an. He was a tyrant among the new disciples, and there was no telling how many people he had extorted.

Most importantly, although Li Rui’an wasn’t one of the Top Ten, a few days ago he had succeeded in Qi Cultivation Gang, breaking through to the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm.

"Junior Brother Xu is in trouble!" Sun Tao’s heart sank. He also knew of Li Rui’an’s terrible reputation for bullying the weak and causing trouble everywhere.

Jiang Ping laughed. "Serves him right. Who told him to be so aloof and not associate with anyone? With no power and no backing, who else would people bully but him?"

Not far away, two figures stood together.

Ji Jincheng’s expression was grim. "Li Rui’an is such a waste. He’s already achieved Qi Cultivation Gang, yet he was still knocked back by Xu Yang."

Kong Yu shook his head. "He doesn’t dare to truly injure anyone, so of course he wouldn’t strike with full force. I never intended for Li Rui’an to actually snatch his Elixirs. The real move is yet to come."

Ji Jincheng was startled. "There’s a follow-up?"

Kong Yu nodded. "Just watch the show. This is only the beginning. I’m going to take my time and play with him."