From Five Animal Exercises to being hailed as a saint and ancestor

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Then a deacon from the criminal justice court came to deliver the message.

Yao Mengkang, Zhou Tiancan, and Li Han were summoned to the Criminal Law Hall for questioning.

The three had anticipated this, and after a quick tidying up, they went together.

The Criminal Law Hall is located in the northwest corner of the Confucian Temple, and its architectural style is solemn and dignified.

The dark walls give people an invisible sense of oppression.

Stepping across the tall and imposing threshold, a faint, icy aura enveloped one, causing one to unconsciously slow down their breathing.

Inside the lobby, the light was dim, with only a few ever-burning lamps flickering with steady flames.

Seated in the main seat was an old man with a stern face and sharp eyes like a hawk; he was Yan Xiao, the head of the Criminal Law Hall.

To the slight surprise of the three, Elder Qin Feng, who had appeared yesterday to clean up the mess, was now leisurely sitting in a grand chair to the side.

He was playing with a warm, smooth jade pendant in his hand, as if he had only come to listen to an interesting story.

"Disciple Yao Mengkang (Zhou Tiancan, Li Han) pays respects to Hall Master Yan and Elder Qin."

The three bowed in greeting.

Yan Xiao's gaze swept over the three of them like lightning.

His gaze lingered particularly on Yao Mengkang and Zhou Tianshen, as if he could see through the still-unstable qi and blood within them.

His voice was deep and carried an undeniable authority.

No need for formalities.

"The matter from last night was investigated overnight by the Criminal Court."

"Zhou Tong and Zhao Qian confessed to using their positions as stewards to spy on the disciples' gains and to stealing under the cover of night."

"The stolen property has been mostly recovered and inventoried, and the disciples whose property was stolen will be notified to come and claim it later."

He paused, a barely perceptible hint of sorrow and apology appearing on his stern face.

"The presence of such a corrupt official within the academy's ranks is a result of the negligence of our Criminal Law Department in its oversight."

"I hereby apologize to the three of you, and also to all the disciples who have been harmed."

Yao Mengkang and the other two quickly said they dared not.

Yan Xiao continued.

"The three students stepped forward bravely, unafraid of power, and courageously fought against evil."

"Not only did they protect the interests of their fellow disciples, but they also helped the Criminal Law Department root out internal scoundrels, which is a great achievement."

"The injuries you three sustained during this operation, as well as the pills and talismans you consumed, will all be borne by the Criminal Law Hall."

"Furthermore, the Court of Justice should provide compensation to recognize their merits. Please feel free to make any requests you may have."

After saying that, he looked at Qin Feng, who was standing calmly to the side.

Qin Feng then raised his eyelids, nodded slightly to Yao Mengkang and the other two, a faint smile on his lips, indicating that they could speak.

The three exchanged glances, each pondering their own plans.

Li Han's mind raced.

"With the assessment imminent, my Shadow Escape Technique has reached a bottleneck."

"The Dragon Spine Vein is faintly perceptible. I need to improve my physical strength and resilience in a short period of time in order to break through to the eleventh realm before the assessment."

"If I could obtain something to strengthen my physical body, that would be the best."

Zhou Tiancan scratched his head, pondering to himself.

"Old Zhou is tough and recovers quickly, so he doesn't lack medicine or anything like that."

"But the old man said that the Zhou family bloodline is inherently weak in spirit and soul."

"It is extremely difficult to break through to the twelfth level of the Meridian Opening stage and open the 'Ancestral Aperture Spiritual Meridian'."

"A sufficiently strong spiritual power is required to guide the way."

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Qin Feng beside him.

Seeing that the other party didn't respond, he felt a little uneasy.

Yao Mengkang was the most thoughtful.

"I have now reached the limit of opening the thirteenth level of the meridians, and there is no way to advance further."

"Once the time is right, we can naturally enter the Spirit Sea Realm."

"Ordinary elixirs and weapons are of little use to me."

"Cultivation in the Spirit Sea Realm is inseparable from basic resources like the 'Yi Yuan Pill,' and the demand is extremely high."

"Why not get some Yi Yuan Pills and stock up in advance? It's better to be prepared for a rainy day."

Having made up his mind, Li Han spoke first, his voice as cold as ever.

"What this disciple needs is something that can strengthen his physical body in a short period of time."

Zhou Tiancan then said in a muffled voice, "I...I want a treasure that can enhance the soul."

Yao Mengkang concluded, "This disciple has no specific needs at the moment. If you could bestow some common cultivation resources for the Spirit Sea Realm, such as the Yiyuan Pill, I would be extremely grateful."

Upon hearing this, Yan Xiao pondered for a moment and looked at Li Han.

"Items to strengthen the physical body... Coincidentally, when I was traveling in my early years, I obtained a 'Crimson Blood Fruit' guarded by an 'Iron-Bone Ape'."

"The medicine is potent, specifically designed to strengthen bones and muscles and enhance physical strength, making it perfect for you."

A jade box appeared in his hand.

Upon opening, a bright red, irregularly shaped fruit, radiating a scorching heat and energy, lay quietly inside.

A hint of reluctance flashed in Yan Xiao's eyes.

Although the fruit was no longer of any use to him, it was still a rare and precious treasure.

However, he still pushed the jade box toward Li Han.

A glint flashed in Li Han's eyes as he accepted the jade box and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Hall Master!"

Yan Xiao then looked at Yao Mengkang.

"Yiyuan Pill is a basic pill for the Spirit Sea Realm, and the Criminal Law Hall does have some in stock."

"I will give you ten bottles, ten pills per bottle, for a total of one hundred pills, which should be enough for you to use for a period of time when you first enter the Spirit Sea Realm."

"But the Hall of Punishments doesn't have any treasures of the soul, so perhaps young friend Zhou could make a different request."

One hundred Yi Yuan Dan pills!

Yao Mengkang's heart stirred. This amount was not small; for an ordinary disciple who had just broken through to the Spirit Sea Realm, it was a huge sum of money.

He was about to express his gratitude when Qin Feng's slightly teasing voice suddenly echoed in his mind:

"Kid, a hundred Yuan-Boosting Pills? Are you trying to fob me off like a beggar?"

"You almost got beaten to death by that drugged old man!"

"Moreover, while treasures that enhance the soul are rare, that old miser in the Punishment Hall definitely has some!"

"Don't let him fool you, you need at least three hundred pills! Hurry up, are you trying to play the victim?"

Yao Mengkang caught a glimpse of Qin Feng out of the corner of his eye, who still maintained his nonchalant demeanor, as if the person transmitting the message was not him.

He immediately understood that the young elder was instructing him to take advantage of the situation and gain more benefits.

He immediately understood, secretly kicked Zhou Tiancan, who was still struggling with how to ask for more, and gave him a "follow up" look.

Then, to the astonishment of Yan Xiao and Qin Feng...

Yao Mengkang knelt down on the ground with a thud, his voice instantly filled with seven parts sorrow and three parts grief:

"Master Yan, please see the truth! This disciple...this disciple's life is so miserable!"

"Orphaned at a young age, orphaned and destitute, I wandered the streets, often starving..."

"It was a long and difficult process to get accepted into the Elementary School."

"However, due to my inferior talent and the difficulty of cultivation, I have worked diligently day and night without the slightest slackening, which is why I have achieved such meager success today..."

"Yesterday, in order to capture the villain, I fought bravely against that Spirit Sea Realm deacon, sustaining internal injuries and damaged meridians, which still ache faintly to this day..."

"These hundred Qi-Boosting Pills probably won't even be enough to heal the wounds!"

"Thinking of the long and arduous path of cultivation ahead, and the scarcity of resources, this disciple... this disciple's heart is breaking. I beg the Hall Master for mercy!"

He spoke with great emotion, and when he got to the point of being moved, he spoke with great feeling.

She even managed to squeeze out two tears.

He portrayed the image of a tragic young man who struggled hard but was plagued by misfortune with great skill.

Yan Xiao was stunned, his lips twitching slightly.

He had been in charge of the criminal justice department for many years and had seen all kinds of situations.

But this was the first time he had ever seen a disciple so shamelessly cry poverty and play the victim in front of him!

He subconsciously looked at Qin Feng, only to see Qin Feng looking down at his fingernails, his shoulders twitching slightly, clearly struggling to suppress a laugh.

At this moment, Zhou Tiancan was in the midst of a mental struggle.

He was honest and straightforward by nature, and even a little socially awkward. Making him kneel down and cry like Junior Brother Yao was even more painful than making him fight Zhao Qian again.

It felt as if two little people were fighting in his mind.

The little boy (the simple-minded version): "No way! It's too embarrassing! I can't do it!"

The little man (eager version): "What are you afraid of! It's a treasure of the soul! The key to opening the ancestral meridians! If you miss this opportunity, you'll never have another! Is your face more important than your future? Think of your Qingqing!"

The little figure on the left: "But..."

The little figure on the right: "No buts! Junior Brother Yao has already demonstrated! Go for it! For Qingqing!"

Ultimately, whether it was the desire for divine treasures or the longing for a certain beautiful figure, his thin skin was overwhelmed.

Zhou Tiancan's rugged face instantly turned bright red, like a boiled shrimp.

He stomped his foot suddenly, as if making some kind of decision, and then...

He also knelt down with a "plop," but his movement was even more exaggerated than Yao Mengkang's.

He immediately lay down on his side and started...rolling around on the ground?

"Waaaah—Master! I'm in even worse shape!"

Zhou Tiancan rolled around while wailing in his unique, gruff voice.

"I've been slow-witted and clumsy since I was a child. All I know how to do in terms of training is to blindly focus on building strength."

"My dad finally arranged a marriage for me, but that girl... she thinks I'm not good enough."

"I can't beat her. Last time we sparred, she hung me from a tree and beat me up!"

"I'm so heartbroken!"

Waaah...

"This time we finally saw a glimmer of hope, and we're counting on this treasure of the soul to open our ancestral meridians as soon as possible, so... so we can go and propose marriage!"

"Master, please have mercy on me! Otherwise, I'll never be able to get married in my life!"

His tearful, rolling-around-the-edges "complaint" was truly astonishing.

"Pfft—cough cough cough!"

Qin Feng, who was pretending to drink tea to hide his smile, finally couldn't hold back and spat out a mouthful of tea.

He coughed repeatedly, pointed at Zhou Tiancan, and laughed so hard he almost slipped off his armchair.

He's really seen something new!

Yan Xiaotang's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and the veins on his forehead were throbbing.

He looked at the two people on the ground, one crying miserably and the other rolling in the dust, and felt a headache coming on.

"That's enough!"

Yan Xiao finally lost his temper and let out a low shout that made the hall buzz.

Yao Mengkang and Zhou Tiancan immediately stopped their "performance" and obediently knelt down.

However, a sorrowful expression still lingered on his face.

Yan Xiao took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to throw the two guys out, and looked at Qin Feng, who was still wiping the tea from the corner of his mouth.

"Elder Qin, look at this..."

Qin Feng finally managed to stop laughing, cleared his throat, and said in a serious tone.

"Master Yan, although these two lads act a bit...recklessly, what they say is not entirely without reason."

"They have indeed rendered meritorious service to the academy and suffered injuries. If the compensation is insufficient, it will inevitably chill the hearts of the disciples."

"In my opinion, the compensation should indeed be increased."

With Qin Feng speaking up, Yan Xiao had a way out.

He pondered for a long time, glared at Yao Mengkang and Zhou Tiancan with annoyance, and finally compromised.

"Fine! Yao Mengkang, you're entitled to three hundred Yi Yuan Pills! Li Han, the Crimson Blood Fruit is yours. Zhou Tian Ginseng..."

He paused, and a flash of light appeared in his hand.

A small, palm-sized, grayish-brown stone tablet appeared.

It is engraved with some blurry, ancient patterns.

"Treasures that enhance the soul are extremely rare in the world, and the Criminal Law Hall's inventory does not contain any suitable pills or spiritual fruits."

Yan Xiao handed the stone tablet to Zhou Tiancan.

"This item is the 'Spirit-Nourishing Stone Tablet,' an ancient relic, not a disposable item."

"Wearing it on your body can subtly nourish your soul and enhance its power. With long-term wear, the effects are remarkable."

"This item is precious and can only be lent to you for one month. You must return it after the assessment!"

Zhou Tiancan was overjoyed and didn't even bother to roll around on the ground.

He scrambled to his feet and took the stone tablet with both hands.

It was like holding a priceless treasure.

He repeatedly said, "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master! A month is enough, enough!"

He felt a cool breeze emanating from the stone tablet, which seeped into his brow and invigorated him.

He felt more confident about opening up his ancestral meridians.

Yao Mengkang accepted the storage bag containing three hundred Yiyuan Pills with satisfaction.

Li Han silently put away the Crimson Blood Bone Forging Fruit.

With the compensation settled, the three bowed once more and then left the eerily quiet courtroom.

I stepped out of the courtroom and into the sunlight.

Yao Mengkang couldn't help but nudge Zhou Tiancan, whose face was still flushed, with his elbow and chuckle mischievously.

"Junior Brother Zhou, if I remember correctly, you weren't completely thrashed in the last Wind and Cloud Tournament, were you?"

"Not that time," Zhou Tiancan blurted out.

I regretted it as soon as I said it.

Even the usually expressionless Li Han couldn't hold back any longer.

Those usually cold eyes were now filled with undisguised shock and curiosity.

His gaze was fixed intently on Zhou Tiancan.

He simply couldn't imagine that Mu Qingqing, the well-known and knowledgeable girl from the outer courtyard.

Is there some kind of "grudges and affections" between him and Zhou Tiancan, this simpleton?

Zhou Tiancan felt extremely uncomfortable under their gazes, and his dark face flushed red again.

After stammering for a while, he finally managed to squeeze out, "What did I just say?"

Just then, a clear, melodious voice, tinged with a touch of intelligence, came from ahead:

"Qingqing greets Senior Brother Yao, Senior Brother Zhou, and Junior Brother Li."

The three looked up and saw a slender figure standing gracefully at the corner of the path ahead.

The girl was dressed in a light green dress, with skin as white as snow, an intelligent and beautiful face, and a pair of big, bright eyes. It was Mu Qingqing.

It's simply...

Yes! A mature, older woman...

When Zhou Tiancan saw Mu Qingqing, his massive body stiffened abruptly, and he didn't know where to put his hands and feet.

He stammered, "Junior Sister Qingqing, what brings you here?"

Mu Qingqing walked closer, glanced at Yao Mengkang and Li Han, and nodded to them.

Then he looked at Zhou Tiancan again and said calmly:

"I heard that the three senior brothers bravely defeated the enemy last night, but were taken away by the Criminal Law Hall early this morning. Qingqing is curious about what happened."

"Let's also check on the injuries of my fellow disciples."

Zhou Tiancan quickly shook his head vigorously, "It's nothing! Just a minor injury! I have thick skin, it's healed already!"

Yao Mengkang's lips twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but kick Zhou Tiancan.

She gave him a knowing look, but it immediately drew a cold stare from Mu Qingqing.

But Yao Mengkang remained obstinate and whispered something close to Zhou Tiancan's ear.

Zhou Tiancan's eyes widened immediately, but he instantly understood.

He scratched his head, looked at the intelligent girl in front of him, and a silly yet extremely serious smile appeared on his honest face.

He whispered, "Qingqing, I... I might actually be able to beat you now... but I can't bear to hit you."

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingqing was taken aback for a moment, then her pretty face flushed bright red, as if it had been dyed by the sunset.

She stomped her foot in embarrassment and said angrily.

"You...you big idiot Zhou! What nonsense are you spouting!"

After saying that, she turned and ran, her steps slightly flustered, and a blush spread from her cheeks all the way to her ears.

Watching Mu Qingqing run away, Zhou Tiancan stood there, scratching his head and grinning foolishly for a long time.

Yao Mengkang and Li Han exchanged a glance, both seeing the same meaning in each other's eyes.

Yao Mengkang patted Li Han on the shoulder, his tone tinged with a touch of emotion.

"Junior Brother Li, the road ahead is long and arduous... We must learn from Tian Shen!"

Li Han looked completely bewildered: "Learn what?"

Yao Mengkang looked at Zhou Tiancan strangely, then at Li Han, and thought to himself.

"It turns out that one is a seemingly silly romantic, and the other is a seemingly very wise fool."

"This year's juniors are tough to manage!"

The three chatted and laughed as they walked towards the disciples' residential area, facing the rising sun.

After their ordeal at the criminal justice court, they not only received tangible compensation.

Their relationship seemed to have grown even closer.

The journey to the Great Xia capital and the unpredictable Heavenly Dao Academy assessment ahead are becoming increasingly anticipated.