You promised yourself to be a caged bird, but you became the supreme young master?

"If I remember correctly, it would take a full year for a normal cultivation genius to upgrade the Basic Body Refining Technique to the Great Mastery level."

My cultivation speed has more than doubled, comparable to that of a top genius, but why do I still feel like I don't have enough time?

Even though he knew the reason perfectly well, Lu Heng still complained in his heart.

The proficiency gained from a single practice of the "Basic Body Refining Method" will most likely drop to one point.

Even if you can practice ten times a day, you can only gain 10 points of proficiency.

At the same time, the proficiency cap has been increased from 3000 to 1.

In other words, even if Lu Heng were to use cheat codes, it would still take him a full three years to improve the "Basic Body Refining Method" to perfection based solely on his proficiency level on the panel.

That's very fast, extremely fast!

Even the most talented cultivators could not perfect the Basic Body Refining Technique within three years.

Accumulation is one aspect, so bottlenecks are another.

But this rapid pace was still not enough for Lu Heng.

Lu Heng would not allow himself to remain at this pace, nor would the gangs he had exploited, nor the Lu family, let it go unpunished.

He needs to upgrade the "Basic Body Refinement Method" to the perfect level within a year.

He broke through to the Qi Refining Secret Realm just like those other cultivation geniuses of his batch.

Only in this way can we deceive everyone, without anyone knowing.

Improving one's cultivation talent is now urgent!

………………

With that thought in mind, Lu Heng glanced out the window of the teahouse, where the bustling traffic was still the same as it had been a few months ago.

The sun was blazing overhead, baking the bluestone pavement until it was scorching hot.

A flower girl carrying a bamboo basket walked through the street, a half-sprig of pink crabapple tucked behind her ear.

Across from the noodle stall, the stove was blazing, the broth was bubbling and steaming, and several traveling merchants stopped to rest and gathered around the stall.

"Jin Nian, is there something you need from me?" Lu Heng asked softly.

The idea was to go out for a stroll and relax, which might even be helpful for spiritual practice.

But in reality, how could these teenagers, who were still in the outer courtyard, possibly relax?

Even Lu Heng, who has a cultivation panel, is like this, let alone others.

As Lu Heng's closest friend since he came into this world, Lu Jinnian was naturally no exception.

Although he has now found the biggest backer of his life, it is clear that he does not feel that everything is worry-free.

In this world, even a teenager has some understanding of human relationships and social customs that might have been beyond the comprehension of adults in the previous life.

Human relationships aren't something to be used; they're something to make the final decision!

Lu Jinnian was well aware that no matter how good her relationship with Lu Heng was now, with time and distance, the gap between them would inevitably appear.

Even if Lu Heng doesn't become estranged because of this.

However, if he uses up favors every now and then, the friendship between the two will not last long.

Therefore, no matter the reason, even if it's just to solve ordinary problems, Lu Jinnian would never stop his cultivation.

"Ah Heng, you're always so perceptive." Lu Jinnian shook his head with a wry smile.

Then he replied, "I brought you out this time because I wanted to take you to pick out a low-grade spiritual weapon."

Of course, it's not being given to you directly.

I know you would never accept that either.

This is a loan to you; you can repay it tenfold later.

My parents know about this, and they both agree with it.

Adults are very realistic...

Upon hearing that you were already Lu Qingyan's sparring partner, they even said they could give you a low-grade spiritual weapon.

In the end, Lu Jinnian couldn't help but sigh.

"Why do we need another low-grade spiritual weapon?"

The first evaluation in the outer academy, but I heard that the evaluation doesn't place more emphasis on the progress of cultivation..."

Lu Heng did not refuse immediately, but expressed his doubts.

"In a few days, the first evaluation of the Foreign Languages ​​Department will be held, right?"

The previous external academy evaluation did indeed place more emphasis on the progress of cultivation. Ah Heng, your current cultivation level is absolutely qualified.

But my parents heard that this year's evaluation was different from the past. Apparently, the important figures in the main family thought that those who came from the outer courtyard were all just for show and not proficient in actual combat.

"If an order comes down, won't we guys from the outer courtyards be in trouble?"

Lu Jinnian shrugged, expressing his helplessness.

"I see, but it's not necessary." Lu Heng realized, but refused.

For him, who was about to complete his first life leap, there was absolutely no need to waste time.

"Why?" Lu Jinnian asked curiously. He naturally didn't think that the young man in front of him was arrogant and couldn't bring himself to do it.

Well, this ruthless guy actually told him to his face that he borrowed the loan based on his own ability, so why should he have to pay it back?

If they've done something like this, how could they possibly be ashamed?

"There's no need."

You'll find out then.

I think we should still maintain a certain level of expectation.” Lu Heng did not answer directly, but instead chose to give him a taste of his own medicine.

Wasn't Lu Jinnian a riddle teller like this before?

"You rascal!" Lu Jinnian laughed in exasperation.

But he didn't say much. He believed his friend would definitely ask for help if needed.

Since it wasn't said, either it's unnecessary, or it's something that can't be said.

It seems that my friend will undergo a major change before the first rating.

………………

He bid farewell to Lu Jinnian and left the teahouse.

"What changes will there be compared to the previous rating?" Lu Heng subconsciously wondered.

He had naturally asked Lu Jinnian about it, but the other party only had a vague understanding of the matter and had only heard a little bit of rumors.

Then ask Lu Qingyan, that young lady.

For more than two months, I frequently went to Lu Qingyan's house to borrow books from her collection.

Although their relationship wasn't as close as Lu Jinnian's, it was still very close.

But we're already quite familiar with each other.

What Lu Heng found somewhat strange was…

Occasionally, when he went to the library to clean up the books, Lu Qingyan, who was quietly reading there, would dress more daringly than usual.

It's not revealing, but it adds a touch of allure.

If Lu Qingyan had dressed like this in the outer courtyard, she would have definitely attracted several more young men from the main family as suitors.

Maybe it's because I'm more relaxed at home.

But why does it feel like it's struggling with something?

Never mind, Lu Heng stopped thinking about it.

Back in his room in the outer courtyard, he sat cross-legged and meditated.

It's not about spiritual practice, but rather adjusting one's state of mind.

To greet my first evolution in this world in the best possible way.

The first leap in life!