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Chapter 101: I got stronger, and I went bald.

Chen Yue looked at Shen Dujiang and said in a deep voice, "Time waits for no one. Tomorrow, you should finalize the matter of renting the courtyard. I will personally go to the mountain gates of the Blazing Flame Palace and the Rock Stone Sect to see if I can get an assessment opportunity."

Chen Yue didn't want to waste time waiting. Joining a faction as soon as possible would grant him protection, resources, and a more profound inheritance, allowing him to improve his strength more quickly.

This principle is the same as when he unhesitatingly used the Source Point to enhance the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield: improving one's strength is the fundamental way to deal with all crises.

Seeing that Chen Yue had made his decision, Shen Dujiang and the other two nodded.

Shen Dujiang thought for a moment and offered, "Brother Chen, I'll go with you tomorrow. You focus on the possible assessment, and I'll handle the miscellaneous tasks of handling inquiries and arrangements. It'll be good for two people to look after each other."

Chen Yue glanced at Shen Dujiang, nodded, and did not object.

Shen Dujiang has extensive experience in the martial arts world and is indeed more adept at handling these mundane affairs than he is.

With the plan settled, everyone chatted for a few more minutes about the details of tomorrow before returning to their rooms to rest.

As night deepened, Chen Yue did not go to sleep immediately, but quietly left the inn.

He didn't go to brothels, gambling dens, or restaurants. Instead, he found a few teahouses and taverns where all sorts of people gathered, ordered the cheapest tea, chose an inconspicuous corner, and sat quietly, listening to the idle chatter of the diners and drinkers around him.

Chen Yue paid close attention to the discussions about the Blazing Flame Palace and the Rock Gate. Sure enough, in Tianzhou Prefecture, these two forces were extremely well-known and were popular topics of conversation among ordinary people.

"I heard that the Blazing Flame Palace fought another battle with the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect last month, over some kind of ore. They fought fiercely outside the city."

"Those disciples from the Rock Gate are really tough. Last time, the Black Tiger Gang from the south of the city foolishly caused trouble at the Rock Gate's properties. More than a dozen of their best fighters surrounded one of their outer disciples and beat him for a long time, but in the end, that disciple knocked them all out with a single slap."

"Want to enter the Rock Gate? First, spend three months moving stones at the quarry outside the city!"

"The Blazing Flame Palace is strict in accepting disciples, but I heard that they will relax the requirements for those with special physiques or innate divine strength and directly conduct inner sect assessments."

The bits and pieces of news that came to my ears mostly confirmed what Shen Dujiang had said.

Both sides have a decent reputation. Although there are conflicts, they are mostly external. Internally, they are relatively united and would not do anything to bully others.

The Blazing Palace values ​​talent, especially favoring certain special physiques. The Rock Gate, on the other hand, places more emphasis on foundation, perseverance, and solid physical constitution.

Chen Yue also overheard an interesting detail: a few men who seemed to be镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) were drinking and boasting when they mentioned, "The skills of the Pan Shi Men are indeed powerful, but I heard from a relative in the Pan Shi Men that many of their disciples have almost no hair left! They say they haven't practiced it correctly, and it's all growing into their flesh and bones!"

The crowd chuckled softly, and Chen Yue's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this.

After sitting for another half an hour without hearing any more valuable information, Chen Yue left some money for tea and quietly left the tavern, returning to the inn.

The next morning, as dawn broke, the four of them split up and set off separately.

Hu Shaoyu led Lin Quan, who was filled with both curiosity and trepidation about Tianzhou Prefecture, to find the broker they had arranged to meet the day before, intending to rent a suitable courtyard in the city as a temporary place to stay.

After having a simple breakfast with Shen Dujiang and asking for directions, Chen Yue left the city and headed towards the western suburbs where Panshimen was located.

The western suburbs of Tianzhou Prefecture are mountainous, and Panshimen is situated in a mountain range called Tieyanling. With the mountains as its base, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

After walking for about half an hour, the official road under our feet gradually turned into a gravel mountain path, the forest on both sides became deeper, and the air had a fresher and more profound feeling of the mountains and fields.

After rounding a bend in the mountain, the view suddenly opened up before us.

Several miles ahead, a range of undulating, sparsely vegetated, gray-brown mountains stretched out before us, with the main peak being particularly steep and majestic.

At the foot of the mountain, a magnificent mountain gate, three zhang high and built of huge gray-white square stones, stands majestically. In the center, the four characters "Pan Shi Yong Gu" (meaning "Eternal Solid Rock") are carved in vigorous brushstrokes, exuding an indestructible and majestic aura.

Inside the mountain gate, only one burly disciple stood solemnly on the steps, scanning the mountain path.

Chen Yue and Shen Dujiang exchanged a glance, straightened their clothes, and stepped forward steadily.

Before they even approached the mountain gate area, the disciple of the Rocky Sect, who appeared to be in his early twenties, stepped forward, raised his hand to block their way, and swept his gaze over the two men, paying particular attention to the long sword at Chen Yue's waist: "This is the most important area of ​​the Rocky Sect. No one may enter without permission. If you are visiting friends, please show your credentials or state your names. If you are just passing through, please take another route."

Shen Dujiang quickly stepped forward, a smile plastered on his face, and cupped his hands, saying, "Young man, please. We are not here to visit a friend, nor are we just passing through. It is my young brother here who has long admired the reputation of the Pan Shi Sect and has come here with sincere intentions to become a disciple of your esteemed sect. He is unsure how to proceed in accordance with the proper etiquette."

Upon hearing this, the disciple immediately frowned, as if he had heard something troublesome. He waved his hand and said, "Become a disciple? Don't you know that the time for my Rock Stone Sect to open its doors and accept disciples has already passed? The next disciple-acceptance ceremony will not be held for another six months! The sect is not recruiting new disciples at this time. Please go back and don't delay here."

Having said that, he turned to return to his post.

Seeing this, Shen Dujiang quickened his pace, approaching the disciple. His right hand, concealed by his sleeve, held a silver coin between his fingers. His smile remained unchanged as he whispered, "Young man, it would be good if you could offer some guidance. My brother here is truly talented, but he's new to Tianzhou Prefecture and doesn't understand the sect's rules—"

However, before Shen Dujiang could finish speaking or hand over the silver, the disciple's face suddenly darkened, and his right hand shot out like an iron clamp, grabbing Shen Dujiang's wrist as he offered the silver.

The force was so great that Shen Dujiang felt a sharp pain in his wrist, and his bones even made a slight cracking sound.

"You dare to bribe me?"

The disciple's voice suddenly rose, filled with undisguised anger and contempt, "What do you think my Rock Stone Sect is? A den of filth? Get out!"

Shen Dujiang's wrist was restrained, and he was sweating profusely from the pain. He was also horrified.

He never expected that an ordinary disciple guarding the mountain gate of the Rock Sect would be so upright, almost to the point of being rigid.

Shen Dujiang quickly put on a smile and explained with a pained expression, "Young master, please calm down! I was being presumptuous and had no intention of disrespecting your esteemed sect! It's just that when I came to Tianzhou Prefecture, I heard that if your sect encounters someone with truly exceptional talent, you can make an exception and give them an opportunity for assessment, even if it's not the time to accept disciples."

My brother here is indeed skilled, which is why I took the liberty of coming to give him a try. I hope you won't take offense.

Chen Yue had already stepped forward and cupped his hands to the disciple who was still angry: "Senior brother, I am Chen Yue. My brother and I have only recently arrived in Tianzhou Prefecture and are not very familiar with many of the rules. My brother was in a hurry and was impolite just now. It was by no means an offense. I hope you will forgive us and not take offense."

Upon hearing this, and then hearing Shen Dujiang mention the special assessment, the disciple's anger subsided slightly, but he still snorted coldly and forcefully flung Shen Dujiang's wrist away with his right hand, intending to punish him slightly.

Shen Dujiang felt a surge of immense force, and he was thrown backward involuntarily, about to fall in a sorry state.

Just then, Chen Yue appeared behind Shen Dujiang, gently supporting his back with his right hand while his left hand, seemingly slow but actually swift, rested on his shoulder. A gentle force penetrated, neutralizing the fierce power thrown out by the disciple.

Shen Dujiang felt his backward momentum stop instantly. He wobbled a couple of times before Chen Yue steadily supported him, and the two landed safely without a scratch.

The disciple who had thrown the man saw this and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Although he didn't use his full strength just now, it was enough to make an ordinary martial artist stumble and fall.

The young man before them was not only incredibly fast, but his technique of deflecting and neutralizing force was also exquisite and seamless, making it seem effortless – something that no ordinary Bone Forging Realm cultivator could achieve.

He looked Chen Yue over again, the disdain and impatience in his eyes fading, replaced by scrutiny and interest.

"You really do have some skill. Your movement and ability to deflect force are quite impressive. No wonder you dare to say you're confident you can pass the test."

He paused, his tone softening slightly, but still carrying a hint of refusal: "But you've come at an inopportune time. There have been many more disciples joining the sect recently than in previous years, and all the peaks are quite crowded. The elders have already given word that they will not be accepting new disciples for the time being. You'd better wait six months before coming again."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yue felt a slight unease, but he did not give up.

Since the path of martial arts talent is not feasible for the time being, let's try another path.

He stepped forward again, calmly meeting the disciple's scrutiny, and slowly said, "Senior brother, besides martial arts, I also have some knowledge of alchemy and can refine some pills. I wonder if your sect is still recruiting alchemists?"

"An alchemist?"

Upon hearing this, the disciple was visibly taken aback, and he carefully examined Chen Yue from head to toe.

This young man in front of me, who just displayed such skill as a martial artist, can also refine pills.

"What kind of pills can you refine? Are you just making the most basic blood-activating pills and hemostatic powders? Those aren't anything special."

Chen Yue remained calm and said frankly, "I can refine the Qi-Strengthening Pill and the Marrow-Cleansing Pill."

"A Strengthening Essence Pill? A Marrow Cleansing Pill?"

The disciple's expression of surprise deepened. He was at the Bone Forging Realm, and when he was short of money for cultivation, he would occasionally buy and take the Solidifying Essence Pill.

He was naturally familiar with the Marrow Cleansing Pill as well. Although its effect of cleansing the bones and marrow was almost negligible, its effect of improving cultivation was much stronger than that of the Qi-Consolidating Pill, and it was also more expensive.

He originally thought that Chen Yue could only refine basic pills like the Blood Activating Pill, but he didn't expect him to start with these two kinds of pills that are quite valuable to Bone Realm martial artists.

The disciple stared intently at Chen Yue and said in a deep voice, "Don't lie. If you can truly refine a decent quality Marrow Cleansing Pill independently, as a pill master, you might actually have a chance to be accepted by the Pill Peak."

Chen Yue met his gaze and said firmly, "I would never presume to say such a thing. If you do not believe me, or if your sect needs to verify it, I am ready to refine it at any time to prove it."

Seeing that Chen Yue spoke with such certainty, the disciple believed him to some extent.

No one would joke about something like this in front of the Rock Gate; the consequences would be far beyond what a Bone Forging Realm martial artist could bear.

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