Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Xilun stepped into the mission hall.

The place was also packed with people.

A crowd gathered around the dozens of task boards, and the deacon in charge of registration was sweating profusely.

The Blackwood Valley mission has been removed from the top, and a new line of red text has appeared next to Crove's bounty.

"Completed."

There is also a brief explanation below.

The one who completed it was Xilun, a disciple of the Inner Court.

Slay the beast tamer Krov and two third-tier pirates, rescue the caravan's nineteen guards, and recover all the goods.

Several newly admitted disciples were discussing this matter nearby.

"Is it really just a dilapidated village?"

"How could mission records be fake? Three trading companies are testifying to this."

"I heard there are more than sixty pirates in Caishi Village."

"The main point is not those ordinary pirates. Krov can control third-level extreme sea beasts. If an ordinary third-level disciple takes on this mission, he will be lucky to come back alive."

One of them looked up and saw Xiren walking towards them, and his voice immediately dropped.

The others followed his gaze.

Several gazes fell on the Thunder Spear coiled around Xilun's waist, then quickly moved away.

Xilun ignored him and went to the counter to hand over the last copy of the business certificate.

The deacon confirmed the seal and recorded the ten contribution points on his waist tag.

"Krov's bounty has been settled."

"In addition, the three commercial banks have jointly granted you a priority selection right for a Class B task, which is valid for one year."

If you wish to take on escort missions, sea monster hunting missions, or pirate extermination missions in the future, you can inquire in advance.

"understood."

Xilun put away his waist token and did not linger in the mission hall.

He did not intend to go out again.

The gains from his trip to Blackwood Valley were enough for him to cultivate for a period of time.

While continuing to accept missions frequently can indeed earn money and contributions, it will squeeze out the time available for cultivating the Overturning Sea Technique.

More importantly, successfully slaying the sea dragon twice in a row does not mean that one will encounter a formidable enemy every time.

The teacher is right.

If that sea dragon were at its peak, he might not have been able to return alive.

The extraordinary are most likely to die after a series of successes.

When people win too much, they may mistakenly believe that they can keep winning.

Xilun walked slowly along the corridor, mentally reconsidering his upcoming training plans.

The third stage of cultivation is roughly divided into two phases.

Physically healthy and in good condition.

The strength is smooth and rounded.

The former involves tempering the skin, muscles, bones, internal organs, and even bone marrow to the limit of the current level, so that the body can truly withstand the power brought about by the third-order distortion.

The latter involves thoroughly refining one's energy, ensuring its smooth and unimpeded flow, and seamless integration of internal and external forces, in preparation for constructing an inner world at the fourth stage.

Xilun had taken the Boundless Ocean Elixir, and his old tendon injury was completely healed thanks to his "Tendons Like Dragons" talent.

Compared to other extraordinary individuals, it will be much easier for him to achieve physical perfection.

Easy does not equal fast.

There are few shortcuts to physical tempering.

Even with sufficient medication, one still needs to exert effort to repeatedly cleanse the muscles, bones, and internal organs, allowing the medicinal properties to slowly penetrate the body.

If you keep taking strong medicine, the residual effects of the medicine will accumulate and eventually leave hidden dangers.

"Two years."

Xilun silently recited this in his heart.

Try to achieve physical fitness perfection within two years.

If the Thunder Dragon's Heart can continuously temper the blood, this time may be shortened.

He used the remaining thousand-plus pounds, after deducting daily expenses, to buy body-building materials.

There's no need to delve deeper into the Breath of the Styx for now.

He has already mastered the basics of the Cang Lei spear technique; all he needs to do is practice and understand the spear's momentum.

There is only one true core now.

The feat of overturning the sea.

As Xilun passed through an archway and was about to head to the pharmacy, he suddenly heard footsteps ahead.

Several disciples dressed in inner courtyard robes walked towards us.

The leader was tall and slender with well-defined facial features; it was none other than Samuel, whom we hadn't seen in a long time.

Samuel also saw Celen.

He paused slightly, his gaze first falling on the Thunder Spear at Xilun's waist, then sweeping over the inner robes on his body, his eyes quickly darkening.

After returning from the Black Abyss Forest, Xiren not only successfully entered the Inner Court, but also became a disciple of Swain.

In contrast, Samuel, although still under the protection of Tinos, was questioned several times because of Hogg's matter.

The death of that fellow disciple was ultimately determined to be the work of Blue Sword Hogg.

But Samuel always felt something was wrong.

Especially after Siron and Elena brought back Hogg's body, his suspicions never disappeared.

"Silon".

Samuel stopped in the middle of the road.

The others who were with them noticed that the atmosphere between the two was not right, so they also stopped.

Xilun remained unmoved.

"What's up?"

"I heard you became Elder Swain's disciple."

Samuel's tone was flat, but his eyes held a clear chill. "You've made quite a splash in Blackwood Valley again. It seems you've had good luck ever since you entered the Inner Court."

"He's definitely better than you."

Xilun had no interest in being polite with him.

Samuel's expression darkened slightly.

He had originally intended to mock Xilun for relying solely on his teacher, but before he could finish speaking, he was silenced.

A disciple following behind him frowned and shouted:

"How dare you speak to Senior Samuel like that?"

Xilun didn't even look at the man.

"This is the main road of the inner courtyard, not Tinos's courtyard."

"Think carefully about the consequences before you start looking for trouble."

The disciple's expression froze.

News of Tinos's devastating injury at the hands of Swain and his subsequent public humiliation and begging for mercy had already spread throughout the inner court.

Now everyone knows that Xilun has a top-tier fourth-order elder who is extremely protective of his own.

Ordinary verbal arguments may be harmless, but if it comes to physical violence, Swain will show no mercy.

Samuel raised his hand to stop the person behind him.

"All you can do is use your position as a teacher to intimidate people?"

"I chose my own teacher."

Xilun retorted, "If you're not convinced, you can go worship someone stronger."

The people around were speechless for a moment.

Samuel felt a lump in his throat, and his face grew increasingly pale.

He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his anger.

Xilun's aura is much stronger than before, and his movements are coordinated, with almost no trace of his old injuries.

However, he could still tell that Xilun was still some distance from achieving physical perfection.

He had already completed the final round of muscle and bone tempering half a month ago.

A well-rounded physique means that there are no obvious weaknesses in any part of the body.

Strength, explosiveness, and endurance will all be improved.

If they were to actually fight, Samuel was confident he could outmaneuver Siren.

He just didn't dare to make a move here.

Samuel's gaze lingered on Siron for a moment, then he suddenly lowered his voice.

"Don't think that just because you have a teacher, you can do whatever you want."

"Ultimately, the inner court's strength is what matters most."

Xilun sensed the almost overflowing power within the other's body and his eyes flickered slightly.

Samuel's breathing was extremely long and even, and his body did not sway at all when he landed, with the muscles beneath his skin appearing as one unified whole.

Physically healthy and in good condition.

He's much better than when we last met.

Xilun quickly made a judgment in his mind.

If it were a direct confrontation, he might not be without a chance of winning with the Thunder Dragon Heart and the Azure Thunder Spear.

But Samuel also came from a distinguished background, so it's impossible that he didn't have any trump cards up his sleeve.

Without resorting to dangerous methods such as the Breath of the Styx or the remains of evil gods, he is likely no match for him.

This result did not frustrate Celen.

He advanced to the third rank in too short a time.

It takes only a few months to truly cultivate the third level of the Overturning Sea Technique.

Samuel has been at the third tier for many years; it would be abnormal if he didn't even have this advantage.

"Are you done talking?"

"Sirlen asked."

Samuel's anger intensified when he saw that Samuel did not react.

"There's one more thing."

"Stay away from Junior Sister Elena."

"I will find out what happened to you in the Black Abyss Forest sooner or later."

But no matter what methods you used to gain her trust, don't think you have the right to interfere in her affairs.

Xilun narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Since when did it become your place to decide her affairs?"

"I'm just reminding you."

Samuel said coldly, "Elena is not someone you can mess with. Her family, Aldrich of the Sea Demon Temple, and the interests involved within the monastery are not something a rogue cultivator from the outer sea can handle."

"I advise you not to get involved in Elena's affairs."

After he finished speaking, he gave Xilun no chance to refute him and led his men past him.

As the two brushed past each other, Samuel's internal energy trembled slightly, as if issuing a silent warning.

Xilun's pace remained unchanged.

He only turned around and glanced at them after they had walked away.

It's not hard to guess why Samuel cared so much about Elena.

like.

Possessiveness.

Or perhaps Elena's family could bring him some benefits.

Neither of them has much to do with Xilun.

He never intended to decide Elena's life for her.

As for Aldrich...

Xiren recalled Fisher's awe when he mentioned the Sea Demon Temple, and then he thought of the marriage vow Elena had once spoken of. His eyes gradually returned to calm.

Fourth-order extreme realm.

One of the strongest young members of the Sea Demon Temple.

I am indeed not in a position to interfere right now.

But that's a matter of strength, not something Samuel can decide.

Siren purchased a batch of body-building materials from the pharmacy, spending nearly three hundred pounds, before returning to Thunder Bluff.

The cave was very quiet.

Swain has gone to the arena, and Bruno and Gna have not yet returned.

Xilun categorized the materials and placed them into the stone cabinet in order.

Then he took out the remaining money and carefully counted it.

It weighed over 1,100 pounds, but after deducting the expenses, only a little over 800 pounds remained.

A portion of the budget should be reserved for quiet room costs and emergency expenses.

Seemingly abundant wealth always disappears exceptionally quickly when actually used for spiritual practice.

Xilun carefully put the money back in its place.

Instead of rushing to the arena, he practiced the Overturning Sea Technique three times in the training ground.

The surging energy flowed slowly along the tendons, penetrating deep into the bones and internal organs.

The Thunder Dragon's heart pounded powerfully with each breath.

With each heart contraction, a trace of bluish-white lightning energy would seep into the blood, stimulating a slight tingling sensation in all the muscles of the body.

By the time the last wisp of energy returned to the dantian, it was nearly noon outside.

Xilun exhaled a breath of white air tinged with moisture and opened his eyes.

Just then, the array outside the cave trembled slightly.

Someone knocked on the door.

Xilun got up and walked out of the training ground.

The stone gate opened.

Elena, dressed in a light-colored robe, stood outside the door, her long golden hair gently swaying in the sea breeze.

She carried an exquisite tea box in her hand, and her emerald green eyes curved into a subtle smile.

"Silon".

"On such a lively day, you are still cultivating."

Elena entered the cave and scanned her surroundings.

It was clearly her first time visiting Swain's residence.

The furnishings inside the cave were much simpler than I had imagined.

Stone tables, stone chairs, and a few rows of wooden shelves storing books and medicinal herbs; apart from these, there is almost no other decoration.

The broken gun hanging on the wall of the main hall became the most eye-catching thing.

The fractured area was dark and rough, retaining a kind of ominous aura that had lingered for years.

Elena glanced at it only once before instinctively looking away.

"That was a weapon that the teacher used before."

Xilun closed the stone gate.

"Slayed a fifth-tier sea beast."

No wonder.

Elena let out a soft sigh. "Just looking at it felt like being stabbed in the mind with a spearhead."

She placed the tea box on the table and then turned to look at Xilun.

"You don't seem surprised at all to see me?"

Bruno said you returned to the island yesterday.

"He's certainly well-informed."

Elena reached out and untied her cloak, draping it over the stone chair.

Today she wasn't wearing the tight-fitting outer robes that allowed for easy movement in the correctional facility, but rather a well-tailored light white long dress.

He still wore two swords at his waist, and a silver-gray rope was wrapped around his left wrist, seemingly for decoration, but in reality, it could be transformed into a killing weapon at any time.

The hardships left by the mission at the outpost have been washed away.

She wore no makeup, and her skin appeared radiant and fair under the cave lights, though a faint weariness lingered in her eyes from her long journey.

"I only reached the shore yesterday at noon."

Elena said, "I went back to hand over the mission, but my father called me in for questioning, and I didn't get away until late at night. I was planning to wait for you at the mountain gate today, but I heard that you went down the mountain early this morning."

"Handling the bounty."

Xilun walked to the stone stove and poured water into the bronze pot.

Elena looked at the deep-sea water pouch in his hand and recognized it as a valuable spatial item, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Becoming a disciple of Elder Swain has indeed made a difference."

"The teacher lent it to me for a mission."

"borrow?"

He didn't say he'd give it to you.

Xilun lit the stone furnace.

Elena was momentarily speechless.

Given Swain's status, he naturally couldn't take back what he had given up, yet Siren seemed to genuinely treat this deep-sea water bag as a borrowed item.

She pulled out a stone chair and sat down, resting her elbows on the table.

"Can't you think of things in a better light?"

"It's not appropriate to dispose of the items before they are officially mine."

"Boring."

Elena gave a soft hum and opened the tea box.

A delicate fragrance immediately filled the stone hall.

Inside the box was a small tin of dark green tea leaves, each leaf long and intact, with a faint silvery fuzz covering its surface.

"Silver Mist Tea?"

Xilun glanced at it.

"Do you know him?"

"The pharmacy used to sell it, three pounds and one ounce."

Elena's smile froze slightly.

"Is your first thought when you think of tea how much it costs?"

"It can also be used to calm the mind."

"never mind."

Elena gave up on correcting him. "This is what I brought back from the base. There's nothing else on that island, but the fog never dissipates, and the Silver Mist Tea grown there is of very high quality."

The water boiled quickly.

Xilun washed the teaware and put the tea leaves into the pot.

As the hot water poured in, the curled-up tea leaves slowly unfurled.

A wisp of white mist rose from the spout of the teapot, carrying a bitter aroma mixed with a hint of sea salt.

Elena picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

I've heard about what's been going on with you lately.

"Which ones?"

"He became an apprentice, reforged his weapon, single-handedly broke through the stronghold, killed the beast tamer Krov, and also a third-tier extreme sea beast."

She counted them one by one, her emerald green eyes fixed on Xilun's face.

"I was only away for a month, and you've done so much."

"Good luck."

"It's luck again."

Elena said irritably, "You killed more than sixty pirates and then said you were lucky. Those who died in the quarry would probably crawl out of their graves if they heard that."

Xilun took a sip of tea.

"They can't climb out."

The Breath of the Styx is extremely sensitive to the aura of death.

Krov and the others were indeed dead beyond any doubt.

Elena looked at him for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.

"Silen, you really know how to ruin the mood sometimes."

"It's just a fact."

Okay, that's true.

Elena, too lazy to argue with him, pushed her teacup aside. "The first round of qualifying draws are over, and the official matches start this afternoon. Aren't you going to watch?"

"Get ready."

"Then why are you still here?"

"There are too many people."

"It makes no difference whether you go early or late," Siren said.

"Of course there is a difference. The front rows of the monastery's spectator seats are all occupied by the elders and participating disciples. If you arrive too late, you can only sit in the back and watch the light screen."

Elena stood up and put her cloak back on.

"Let's go."

"Now?"

"I came all this way to see you, do you still want to finish the whole pot of tea before you go?"

Xilun glanced at the teapot on the table.

"You can bring it."

Elena's lips twitched slightly.

"The tea is for you."

The two left Thunderclap Cliff and walked along the main road of the monastery toward the central arena.

The impact of the qualifying rounds was more pronounced than in the early morning.

Several main roads within the city have been completely blocked off, allowing only carriages with valid credentials and members of various factions to pass.

The roadsides were packed with people heading to the arena, and patrols had to use iron railings to separate the crowds.

The taverns, inns, and restaurants were all full.

Even some fishermen living outside the city pushed carts into the city to sell grilled fish and rye wine.

The air was filled with the smells of coal smoke, sweat, spices, and food.

Small steamboats occasionally swept overhead, with loudspeakers hanging below them, repeatedly broadcasting today's match list.

"The first match this afternoon: Alvin of the Holy Light Monastery versus Holland of the Ironblood Penitentiary!"

"The second match: Fisher of the Sea Demon Temple versus Carlos of the North Sea Merchant Alliance!"

"The third match..."

The sound rolled along the street.

Elena paused slightly upon hearing Fisher's name.

"Fischer actually qualified."

Xilun was not surprised.

Although Fisher suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the innocent prince, his three Thunder Prison Blade Techniques were extremely powerful.

The third strike, "Slaying the Dragon," in particular, pierced through the nearly perfect body of the innocent prince.

Judging solely by his explosive performance, he is qualified to be included in the Sea Demon Temple's competition roster.

"He is indeed not weak."

"That's what Xilun said."

Elena turned to look at him.

"You know him very well?"

"We've fought each other."

"When?"

"Black Abyss Forest".

Elena stopped walking completely.

Crowds surged past from both sides.

She stared at Xilun for a few breaths, her voice gradually softening.

"Which encounter are you referring to?"

"The time he followed the gray-haired old man to the cave."

Elena remembers that battle.

In order to protect Siren, who was in deep meditation, she was beaten by Fisher to the point of almost losing her ability to fight back.

Later, when Siron woke up, he forced Fisher all the way to the lake and finally pressed the gun to Fisher's throat.

"So, Fisher, who's competing today, is that the person?"

"Um."

"If he sees you..."

"They might not be able to recognize it."

Today, Xilun is wearing the abbot's robes from the Holy Light Monastery, with the Thunder Spear coiled around his waist, a clear difference from the young man who wielded the golden spear and called himself Ize of the Heavenly Heart Palace.

Moreover, there are tens of thousands of people in the arena.

Fisher couldn't possibly check every single spectator seat.