The Martial Saint Started from Scavenging

The breakthrough to the Meridian Opening Realm allowed Ye Sheng's blood and qi to circulate freely throughout his body, like a surging river, full of vitality.

He looked inward at himself and saw a faint jade-colored light emanating from his bones and muscles, which were tightly packed and firm, as if they contained boundless power.

This power is far beyond what the Bone Forging Realm can match.

He concealed his aura and stepped out of the room. Inside the Willow Garden, the spiritual plants in the herb garden grew even more lush under the blessing of Ye Kai's "power of creation".

Ye Kai's complexion was also much rosier than before, and his brows showed less of a sickly appearance and more of a lively spirit.

"Brother, you've finished your cultivation?" Ye Kai put down the "Fengwu Zhi" in his hand and jogged over.

Ye Sheng nodded. He looked at Ye Kai, a warmth rising in his heart. His younger brother had been his greatest source of motivation throughout this journey.

"Brother, have you noticed anything different about your body lately?" Ye Sheng asked.

Ye Kai thought for a moment and replied, "I feel much lighter and more energetic. Also, although I still get tired from accelerating the growth of spiritual plants, I don't feel weak for days like I used to."

Upon hearing this, Ye Sheng was overjoyed. This indicated that Ye Kai's "Dao Calamity Body" was slowly transforming into a "Dao Source Body" as it continued to nurture spiritual plants, and his control over his own power was becoming increasingly refined.

"That's a good thing." Ye Sheng patted Ye Kai's head and said softly, "In the future, you can try more, but be sure to do what you can and don't force yourself."

"Yes!" Ye Kai nodded emphatically.

With less than a month left until the outer disciple selection competition, Ye Sheng knew that time was of the essence.

During the day, he would still go to the Hundred Herbs Garden to tend to Liu Qing's medicinal fields, while also keeping an eye out for any traces of the century-old rotten wood heart. At night, he would return to Liu Garden and devote himself entirely to cultivation.

Ye Sheng's cultivation of the "Thick Earth Technique" progressed rapidly. He sat cross-legged in the center of the herb garden, drawing upon the earth's spiritual energy to nourish his entire body.

Under the influence of the "Thick Earth Technique," the true energy within his dantian became increasingly solid and substantial.

He could feel his body undergoing a qualitative transformation; every inch of his flesh and blood was like refined steel, forged through countless hammer blows, tough yet elastic.

At the same time, his understanding of the "Burning Blood Saber Technique" and the "Wind-Breaking Saber Technique" has also deepened.

The "Burning Blood Blade Technique" is extremely domineering, unleashing power beyond limits at the cost of burning one's own blood and qi.

Previously, due to his shallow cultivation level, using this technique would result in severe backlash. Now that he has advanced to the Meridian Opening Realm, his physical strength has greatly increased, allowing him to better control this violent power and minimize the backlash.

The "Wind-Breaking Saber Technique" emphasizes lightness and speed, with saber techniques as swift and unpredictable as the wind.

Shen Qingqiu once said, "What is rigid is easily broken." Ye Sheng incorporated this into his swordsmanship, no longer pursuing sheer force, but rather a balance of strength and gentleness, creating endless variations.

The Black Ridge sword in his hand, infused with internal energy and true qi, sometimes felt as heavy as a mountain, and sometimes as light as a feather, its power multiplied.

For the past month, Ye Sheng spent his time either cultivating or with Black Ridge. Every night, he practiced his swordsmanship in the grove behind Willow Garden, perfectly combining the weightiness of the "Thick Earth Technique" with the agility of the "Wind-Breaking Sword Technique".

The blade flashed like lightning, and leaves fluttered down. Each slash carried a powerful yet swift momentum.

His alchemy skills also remained excellent.

With the assistance of Ye Kai's "power of creation", the growth cycle of the spiritual plants in the Willow Garden herb garden was greatly shortened.

Ye Sheng harvested the mature spiritual plants and refined them into various elixirs.

In addition to Qi Condensation Pills and Yuan Strengthening Pills, he also tried to refine some auxiliary cultivation pills according to the prompts on the skill panel, such as "Body Tempering Pills," which can further strengthen the physical body and enhance the martial artist's Qi and blood.

[Skill: Alchemy (Beginner) Progress: 780/1000]

[Skill: Earth Technique (Beginner) Progress: 450/1000]

[Skill: Wind-Breaking Blade Technique (Beginner) Progress: 620/1000]

At this moment, the progress bar on the skill panel shows Ye Sheng's efforts and growth during this period.

On this day, Ye Sheng was in the herb garden, using the "Thick Earth Technique" to cultivate by drawing upon the earth's energy.

Suddenly, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and Liu Qing walked in.

She wore an elegant light blue dress, with a long sword hanging at her waist, her temperament as aloof as ever.

However, when she saw the vibrant spiritual plants in the herb garden, and Ye Sheng sitting cross-legged in the center with a composed aura, a hint of surprise flashed in her clear, cold eyes.

"Junior Brother Ye, your cultivation has improved quite a bit recently." Liu Qing's voice carried a hint of probing.

Ye Sheng finished his practice, stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Thank you very much, Senior Sister, for gifting me the 'Thick Earth Technique.' I have benefited greatly from it."

Liu Qing walked to a Crimson Flame Flower, her slender fingers lightly touching the petals, feeling the scorching spiritual power contained within.

She didn't directly ask Ye Sheng how he could cultivate the "Thick Earth Technique" to this level in just one month. She simply asked, "The selection competition will begin in three days. Are you ready?"

"Ready to go," Ye Sheng replied.

"very good."

Liu Qing turned around, looked directly at Ye Sheng, and said in a serious tone, "I heard that Du Tao from the outer sect has paid a lot of money to hire 'Bloody Hand' He Ping to attack you in the selection competition."

Ye Sheng remained calm and said in a deep voice, "I've heard about this before. We'll meet force with force and water with earth."

Liu Qing sighed softly: "He Ping was already quite strong before joining the sect, and now he is recognized as the number one expert among the outer sect servants. He is probably already a martial artist at the Opening Meridian Realm. It is said that he had experience killing a level three demonic beast last year, and his methods were ruthless."

"However, I have not come here only to warn you."

Liu Qing changed the subject, took out a small jade bottle from her bosom, handed it to Ye Sheng, and said, "These are three 'Spirit Nourishing Pills,' which can enhance a martial artist's qi and blood in a short time, helping you break through in battle."

Spirit Nourishing Pill! Ye Sheng was shocked: This is a spirit pill that is a grade higher than Qi Gathering Pill.

"Thank you, Senior Sister." Ye Sheng accepted the jade bottle, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

Liu Qing waved her hand: "You don't need to thank me. I just don't want my people to lose too badly in the selection competition."

She paused, her tone becoming more serious: "The selection competition rules are cruel, with no regard for life or death. Apart from those who are spirit plant growers and spirit feeders, no one can participate in the competition, so I cannot help you either."

"If you can make it into the top ten, you will be promoted to an outer disciple. At that time, I will recommend you to Master for a spiritual root test."

"But if you fail to make it into the top ten, or even perish on the field, then you can only blame your bad luck."

"I understand, sir." Ye Sheng nodded.

Liu Qing looked at Ye Sheng, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

She could never see through this boy. Although he harbored secrets, he possessed a convincing composure.

"There's one more thing."

Liu Qing suddenly said, "I will go to see my master tomorrow and ask him for permission to enter the library to look up the books ahead of time."

"If you can pass your master's test, you will be granted a chance to enter the Scripture Pavilion. At that time, you can search for clues about your brother's 'Taoist artifact'."

"The sect leader's test?" Ye Sheng asked.

Liu Qing nodded: "Master is quite knowledgeable about spiritual plants. He will personally set questions to test you. If you pass, you can enter the Scripture Pavilion."

Ye Sheng was overjoyed: the Scripture Pavilion not only contained clues to the "Taoist artifacts," but also many ancient books and classics of the sect, which would greatly benefit his martial arts cultivation.

"I will do my best," Ye Sheng said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

Liu Qing nodded, said no more, and turned to leave.

Watching Liu Qing's departing figure, Ye Sheng carefully put away the Spirit-Nourishing Pill from the jade bottle.

He knew that Liu Qing's actions had undoubtedly been a great help to him, but it also meant that she harbored greater intentions towards him. But he couldn't accept something for nothing; what was she after for doing this?

Ye Sheng couldn't figure it out. After pondering for a while, he simply gave up on thinking about it. At least for now, Liu Qing hadn't shown any hostility towards the brothers.

"The Sect Master's Test...The Scripture Pavilion..."

Ye Sheng muttered to himself before returning to his room.