Gou Zai Xianwu Chaos World, Physical Sainthood

The square fell silent.

Lu Cheng suddenly looked at this Captain Shen.

The shock in my heart almost slipped out.

"..."

Good grief, so you weren't the savior after all.

No one would suddenly betray someone who asks for help.

The three spots for the Dongyang Sect are of paramount importance to the Changfeng Escort Agency.

If these three slots are used well, they can not only make the overall strength of Changfeng Escort Agency rival that of the Chen and Lin families.

Furthermore, it will allow them to forge an even closer relationship with the Dongyang Sect.

But now, Shen Yi has easily severed it.

As for why Shen Yi did this...

It's actually quite easy to understand.

The main function of the Zhenwu Camp was to suppress martial arts forces in various regions.

Suppress one if you can.

It's better for these three spots to be divided among seventeen families than for them all to remain with Changfeng Escort Agency.

Judging from the past, the Zhenwu Camp and the Changfeng Escort Agency must have had a pretty good relationship.

Otherwise, Feng Ji's first choice would have been to seek help from Tianquan Temple or Cuiyun Temple.

Whether it's misjudging the person or oversimplifying the situation, so be it.

In short, Changfeng Escort Agency suffered a great loss.

"Alright, Chief Escort Feng has agreed. What about Master Zhang?"

Shen Yi then turned to look at Zhang Rensheng and the others.

"Ah...what...what?" Zhang Rensheng was momentarily stunned.

He only realized what was happening when the head of the Xuanwu Martial Arts School nudged him.

What followed was an uncontrollable ecstasy.

Without saying a word, he nodded quickly:

"No problem, no problem at all, we'll follow Captain Shen's arrangements."

Then, his gaze toward Feng Qi was filled with unbridled smugness.

The Changfeng Escort Agency has been accepting disciples for less than a year, and they probably can't even gather three disciples who have achieved minor mastery of internal energy.

Unlike our side, where we can easily find several late-stage Qi Refining experts.

The so-called contest was nothing more than a one-sided humiliation of the Changfeng Escort Agency.

Not to mention there are still three spots available for the Dongyang Sect.

This is a truly unexpected and delightful surprise.

Shen Yi took in Zhang Rensheng's appearance and chuckled softly:

"Since you're all going to listen to me, then things are much easier."

"Changfeng Escort Agency has secured its prize; the seventeen other families cannot lag behind."

"Hmm..." Shen Yi looked up at the sky, thought for a while, and finally came up with a suitable price:

"Five thousand taels of gold, two thousand doses of Blood-Activating Powder, five hundred pills of Hundred Essence Pills, and two hundred portions each of Bone-Strengthening Powder, Tendon-Changing Pills, and Jade Skin Ointment."

"..."

"what?"

Zhang Rensheng was taken aback when he heard Shen Yilie's offer.

There are just too many of these things.

Leaving aside the gold, those pills, in terms of value, certainly cannot compare to the three slots of the Dongyang Sect.

But it was enough to seriously damage them.

Is it really necessary to prepare such a generous prize for a fight that has no suspense whatsoever?

Zhang Rensheng looked at Shen Yi with some surprise, but Shen Yi just stared at him expressionlessly.

Perhaps I'm overthinking it; Shen Yi was probably just trying not to appear too biased.

Finding this excuse, Zhang Rensheng smiled and nodded:

"I will follow Commander Shen's arrangements."

Shen Yi said:

"Then it's settled."

"The disciple assessment for the Changfeng Escort Agency is in three months, so let's schedule the competition for three months from now as well."

After saying that, he turned and left with his men.

As they reached the door, they suddenly stopped.

"By the way, the Zhenwu Camp will be credited with one part of the competition, and we'll also offer the same prize money as the seventeen families you've been given."

"..."

The square fell silent once again.

Watching Shen Yi's disappearing figure, not only Zhang Rensheng, but also the other sixteen families could no longer laugh.

Not only could I not laugh, I even felt like crying.

After a fierce battle, neither side came out on top, but the Zhenwu Battalion ended up eating them to a pulp.

With the imperial court at their backs, the Zhenwu Camp's martial arts techniques and skills are far superior to those of the others.

Now, the outcome of the duel is truly without suspense.

But the winner became Zhenwu Camp.

Shen Yi is truly outstanding; he deserves to be called one of the best young talents in Zhenwu Guard.

Before leaving, he also greatly weakened the martial arts of Yangcheng.

These resources could probably help him directly reach the pinnacle of Body Refinement!

That's really ruthless!

After a long silence, Feng Qicai sighed and looked at Zhang Rensheng:

"Master Zhang, are you satisfied with this result?"

Zhang Rensheng's lips twitched slightly, but he finally shook his head.

He casually cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Feng Qi, then left without a word, leading his men away.

……

Inside Feng Zhan's room.

Feng Qi and Feng Ji sat in chairs, sipping their tea.

Lu Cheng and Feng Zhan stood facing each other.

Sparse shouts echoed from the square, clearly indicating that everyone was distracted.

The atmosphere became somewhat somber for a moment.

Feng Zhan and his two companions never expected that they would be targeted by the Zhenwu Camp.

If I had known this would happen, I would have been better off risking injury and fighting Zhang Rensheng and his group.

"Three镖头 (bodyguards/escorts), if I understand correctly, this three-way competition can only be fought by disciples from each family, right?"

Feng Ji glanced at Lu Cheng and forced a smile:

"Don't worry, Shen Yi tricked us today, so he won't let the Zhenwu Battalion deal with you so harshly again."

"As for those seventeen families, although they also have martial artists at the late stage of the Qi Refining realm, their strength is just so-so."

"In the Refining Strength Realm, the differences between the various levels are not significant. With your current progress, reaching the minor completion level in three months is entirely possible."

"Moreover, we have already decided to teach you the Seven Strikes of the Mysterious Eagle ahead of schedule. With your aptitude, it won't be difficult for you to learn it."

"There are very few people in the Refining Strength Realm who can master martial arts techniques, which is enough to bridge the gap between realms."

"At that time, it will be more difficult for you to win, but you can save your life."

Lu Cheng's original intention was to confirm whether any body-refining martial artists would be affected.

Three months is enough time for me to reach the later stage of Qi Refining.

But upon hearing "Seven Strikes of the Black Eagle," Lu Cheng swallowed his words.

"Second Chief Escort, what does this martial arts technique mean?"

Feng Zhan took over and explained:

"These things are normally inaccessible to those who are not at the Body Refinement Realm, but the situation is special now, so it's alright to tell you."

"A martial artist's strength is not determined solely by their cultivation level."

"It is a combination of realm, cultivation method, and martial arts technique."

"Of course, realm is the most important. A martial artist in the Body Refinement Realm can stand still and let you hit him without getting hurt."

Lu Cheng nodded, that was true.

Last night, no, early this morning, Feng Zhan's test has fully demonstrated this point.

"But the techniques and skills should not be underestimated."

Feng Zhan looked at Lu Cheng and said seriously:

"Whether it's cultivation techniques or martial arts skills, they are divided into three levels: Heaven, Earth, and Man. Each level is further divided into three grades: upper, middle, and lower. The difference in the effects of cultivating each grade is quite significant."

"Although the difference in cultivation level cannot be ignored, even within the same cultivation level, being one grade higher can lead to different results."

"Under normal circumstances, a martial artist in the early stage of body refinement cannot defeat a martial artist in the middle stage of body refinement, because the level of physical tempering between the two is simply incomparable."

"Mid-stage martial artists have begun to temper their flesh and skin. Not to mention being inferior to swords and spears, it is not difficult for them to withstand wood and stone with their bare hands."

Can it withstand the force of wood and stone?

Upon hearing this, Lu Cheng recalled the scene from the first day when Feng Zhan shattered the millstone with his bare hands.

Could it be that...?

Feng Zhan saw through Lu Cheng's thoughts and waved his hand, saying:

"I'm still a step away from entering the mid-stage; I can only achieve that level of effectiveness thanks to my cultivation technique."

"Let's not discuss that now, let me finish."

"If a martial artist in the early stages practices a high-level technique, the effect of tempering their bones and muscles will far surpass that of a mid-stage martial artist who practices an ordinary technique. In comparison, the early-stage martial artist can hold their own."

"If we add a high-level martial skill to the mix, it's really hard to say who will emerge victorious."

"This 'Seven Strikes of the Mysterious Eagle' is a martial art that complements the 'Mysterious Eagle Skill' of my Changfeng Escort Agency, and it is even a grade higher than the 'Mysterious Eagle Skill'."

"The Xuan Ying Gong cannot be cultivated until one reaches the Body Refinement Realm, but the Xuan Ying Seven Strikes are fine."

"The Zhenwu Camp naturally has martial arts skills, but none of the seventeen families have reached the rank."

Lu Cheng got the information he wanted, and his already not-so-nervous mood relaxed even more.

He has reached the peak of the Refining Strength Realm, and also possesses the mid-grade Human Rank "Seven Strikes of the Mysterious Eagle".

Perhaps we could try to overtake Zhenwu Camp?

Thinking of the ten thousand taels of gold and the generous amount of pills, Lu Cheng couldn't contain his excitement.

"In that case, please, Third Master Escort, instruct me in my skills!"