Starting with Xingyi Quan, it swept across the chaotic world.

Before we knew it, the sky was already beginning to lighten, and it was dawn. A pale white tinge appeared in the east.

Lu Li had been practicing the Twelve Forms Fist. Even though the Silver Serpent King's meat had boosted his blood and qi, after a night of arduous training, he still felt sore all over.

"Have you been practicing all this time?"

A gentle voice mixed with surprise suddenly rang out.

Lu Li turned around and saw Qin Yushuang walking out of the inner courtyard. Although it was dark, he could still see her graceful figure in a white dress.

"Junior brother knows his talent is mediocre, so the only way to make up for it is through diligent practice," Lu Li said respectfully, wiping away his sweat as he stopped what he was doing.

Qin Yushuang nodded slightly upon hearing this.

She initially thought Lu Li had already gotten up to practice his boxing at this time, until she saw Lu Li's soaked clothes.

She still underestimated Lu Li.

Perhaps that's why he was able to knock on the gate twice.

Qin Yushuang thought to herself.

"Martial arts training requires a balance of intensity and rest; it's essential to combine work with relaxation."

Qin Yushuang approached and said kindly, "Judging from your appearance, it's either because of the martial arts exam or because of that rumor from earlier today."

Lu Li didn't speak, but just nodded silently.

"There's no need to worry so much," Qin Yushuang smiled. "Neither the Governor nor the four major families of the inner city want to escalate the situation. To save face for each other, they will surely choose a compromise."

"but……"

Soon, the smile on her face disappeared.

Even with a compromise, the Grand Commander might only receive 30% of what he expected, or even less.

"But at least the conflict is resolved, isn't it?" Qin Yushuang knew that although it was a difficult solution, it was one of the few available.

"As for the 'Liang bandits,' when they rose up a few years ago, they wanted to start their rebellion on the basis of 'benevolence and righteousness,' so they never committed massacres. Moreover, the location of their rebellion this time is several provinces away from us. The commander-in-chief and the commanders-in-chief of other provinces may be able to wipe them out."

Qin Yushuang recounted these things in detail, explaining that she had learned them from her grandfather during the day.

Her grandfather said that as long as the imperial court continues to hold martial arts examinations, it will not collapse.

As for the reason, she asked, but her grandfather refused to tell her.

After taking this reassuring pill, Lu Li's gloomy mood eased considerably, and he smiled:

"Thank you for informing me, senior sister. I will prepare well for the martial arts exam in the coming days."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yushuang asked, "Are you really going to participate in this martial arts competition?"

Many people participate in the martial arts examinations in Lin'an City every year, with the majority of them being Ming Jin (a martial arts master).

Mingjin has no chance of getting into high school; participating is just a formality to familiarize himself with the process.

In previous years, most people like Lu Li, who broke through to the Dark Force level shortly before the martial arts exam, were just going through the motions and then preparing for another year, both to consolidate their cultivation and to achieve a good ranking the following year.

She initially thought Lu Li would do the same, but looking at Lu Li's dedication, he didn't seem like someone who was just going through the motions.

"My junior brother has mediocre talent, but he still has the ambition to improve."

Lu Li answered calmly.

Even though he was just beginning to master the Dark Force technique, he was determined to give it his all.

Moreover, Xingyi Quan is now nearing completion.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yushuang seemed to be moved, pondering the four words "aspiration".

She knew about Lu Li's family background, after all, he was a disciple of the Dark Force realm, and she had gone through the investigation of his family background with her grandfather.

Those with inferior aptitude progress from apprentice to inner disciple, and then from inner disciple to disciple with hidden strength.

Only he himself probably knows the hardships he endured step by step.

This ambition is not just empty talk, but something that Lu Li has always been practicing.

Finally, Qin Yushuang smiled, clasped her hands in a fist and said:

"Then I, your senior sister, wish you success in the imperial examination and that all your wishes come true."

"Then I, your junior brother, would like to wish my senior sister success in the imperial examination and a bright future."

Lu Li responded by clasping his hands in return.

At this moment, as dawn breaks and the first rays of sunlight pierce the sky, two young men clasp their hands in a gesture of goodwill under the morning glow.

……

Qin Yushuang left and returned to the inner courtyard.

Lu Li resumed practicing Xingyi Quan, and finally, just as the outer disciples were about to rush to the martial arts arena, he suddenly heard the sound of a bubble bursting in his mind.

The next moment, heat burst forth from Lu Li's arms, flowing from his upper arms to his forearms, and then from his forearms to his palms.

An indescribable surge of blood energy filled his arms, and Lu Li looked up at the sunlight and let out a long sigh.

"Finally completed..."

The fatigue of the night was swept away at this moment.

[Destiny: Heaven rewards diligence]

[Mastery of Liuhe Zhuang Gong (131/2000)]

[Mastery of Xingyi Quan (1/2000)]

【Thunderbolt Leg Skills (385/1000)】

"Let's go out for a walk."

Staying in the martial arts gym all the time isn't a good idea. I need to go out for a walk to clear my head and see how the people in the city react.

Having made up his mind, Lu Li walked outside.

There were far fewer pedestrians on the road, and the number of vendors in the surrounding area had also decreased significantly.

It's clear that after the news broke the night before last, everyone was somewhat uneasy.

He also heard people talking about selling off goods and such.

"Is it a good time to buy a house at rock-bottom prices?"

A thought suddenly popped into Lu Li's mind.

The world is in chaos; not only is money becoming increasingly worthless, but even houses are experiencing a steady decline in value.

He definitely couldn't afford to buy in the inner city, but the outer city...

……

"Brother Lu, please come in."

A shrewd man in a long robe respectfully guided Lu Li into a courtyard.

The shrewd man took out a key, fiddled with it for a bit, and then pushed open the heavy wooden door of the courtyard.

"Look, look!" the shrewd man said, pointing to the wooden door. "This thick door is made of old camphor wood. It's a pipe dream for thieves and refugees to get in!"

"Look at this wall," the shrewd man said, pointing to it again. "See how high this wall is? Even if someone wanted to climb over, they couldn't!"

"Of course, if someone is really determined to get in, they'll find a way—by building a ladder or banging on the door..."

As he spoke, the shrewd man smiled and respectfully said:

"But we still have you, Brother Lu..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Li smiled faintly, carefully inspected the door, and then glanced at the courtyard wall, which was one-fifth higher than the neighboring house.

He nodded to himself, feeling somewhat satisfied.

Upon seeing this, the shrewd man's eyes gleamed even brighter.

This deal is almost certainly going to go through!

Seeing this, the shrewd man spoke again:

"To be honest, this is the best house I could find. As you requested, it has three rooms, a well, and trees. It's close to the White Crane Martial Arts School, in a good location, but not noisy either..."

"And who are the neighbors?" Lu Li thought for a moment, then asked.

"On the left is Manager Zhou of Donglai Inn, and a little further away is Constable Zhang from the yamen. And on the right is myself," the shrewd man said with a smile.

Actually, the room he introduced to Lu Li was also his property, but he couldn't say these things to Lu Li for the time being.

Moreover, his current identity is that of a "tooth man".

"How much?" Lu Li couldn't resist the temptation and finally asked about the price.

"Brother Lu, you're straightforward. I love doing business with people like you." The shrewd man smiled. "This house was originally listed for one hundred and twenty taels, but as you know, lately... without further ado, you can take it for one hundred taels!"

"Pay now, and I'll take you to the government office to complete the procedures immediately."

One hundred taels.

Lu Li's heart sank upon hearing this.

House prices are still too stubborn.

All he had on him, including the stolen money and goods, was only a little over seventy taels.

However, this was also due to his greed. Hearing that house prices had dropped, he found a broker and wanted a good location, good facilities, and a large space.

"Could you lower the price a bit?" Lu Li asked, looking troubled.

His life experiences from childhood to adulthood have taught him:

Bargaining might yield unexpected benefits.

A hint of helplessness flashed across the shrewd man's face.

After all, it was his own property; he would never have agreed to it if it were someone else.

But the person in front of me is Lu Li...

He didn't know about the others, but he recognized the clothes Lu Li was wearing; they were the kind of clothes that only Qin Shi's disciples at the White Crane Martial Arts School could wear.

A martial artist with hidden strength should be treated with utmost respect.

"Ninety taels, that's the lowest I can go!" The shrewd man looked troubled. "At least I have to make a little profit, right?"

Lu Li nodded upon hearing this, then spoke again hesitantly:

"Is it possible to... postpone the settlement?"

"I don't have much cash on hand right now, and next month's payment hasn't been made yet. I only have seventy taels. If you agree, I will definitely make up the remaining twenty-five taels after I receive my monthly payment next month!"

Upon hearing this, the shrewd man's lips twitched, but he ultimately nodded:

"Then you will draw up a contract with me later, and the remaining payment will be made next month. I will first have the government draft the documents and bring the land deed. However... your family cannot move in before the handover."

Upon hearing this, Lu Li breathed a sigh of relief and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying:

"That's natural."