Supreme Martial Venerable: Starting with the White Ape Cloak Hammer skill point allocation

"You cleared the level on your second try?"

The first thing Cheng Jiuhe asked Zhou Yuan when he saw him was a question.

"It worked out by sheer luck."

Zhou Yuan said calmly.

"There's no room for luck in martial arts training. You either succeed or you succeed!"

Cheng Jiuhe's eyes were filled with surprise and delight as he patted Zhou Yuan's shoulder hard: "I've never seen anyone more hardworking and diligent than you. I knew you would succeed."

But you still gave me a huge surprise.

Looking at the calm and composed young man before him, he felt even more that the man had a promising future.

His private financial support for Zhou Yuan had long been a laughing stock in their circle, and even his family advised him not to waste it.

Even if the Cheng family has money, they don't just throw it away like that. Investing in a peasant with no future would only make them a laughing stock.

Cheng Jiuhe didn't tell Zhou Yuan about these pressures.

Now, Cheng Jiuhe is itching to prove himself and see how he'll slap you in the face!

"All things considered, you've only been practicing martial arts for a year now, and you've already broken through twice. Such a cultivation speed is considered excellent even in Gaoshan County."

Cheng Jiuhe calculated the time and said, "After breaking through the barrier a second time, you will be able to participate in this year's martial arts exam."

It's a pity you've already been expelled from Teacher Li's school; otherwise, if you had passed the imperial examination this year, Teacher Li's pressure would have been relieved a bit.

"Has Feiyun Martial Arts School not given up yet?"

Zhou Yuan's expression hardened, and he asked in a deep voice.

Since the blacksmith shop was vandalized, Zhou Yuan has visited it several times, but each time the shop was locked.

"How could they give up? They came here with the intention of annihilating everyone."

Lin Jingsheng has already declared that anyone who stays at the blacksmith shop will be an enemy of the Flying Cloud Martial Arts School.

A few days ago, my junior brother went out to buy some supplies and was beaten up by people from Feiyun Martial Arts School.

Master Li, being benevolent, returned the tuition fees to all the disciples and dispersed them.

"Senior Brother Cheng, you've left too?"

Zhou Yuan was not surprised; Li Lin was just that kind of person.

"I'm not afraid of Feiyun Martial Arts School, but Feiyun Martial Arts School is backed by Commander Pang, and our Cheng family can't afford to offend him."

Cheng Jiuhe smiled wryly.

"Is there really no one who can control them?"

Zhou Yuan frowned and said, "Killing someone is just a matter of beheading them. Why does Feiyun Martial Arts School have to go after Li Lin so thoroughly over a grudge that has lasted for decades?"

"Of course there are, but why would those important figures help Master Li?"

Cheng Jiuhe said, "In the eyes of those high and mighty big shots, this little thing in Gaoshan County is just ants fighting, and they can't be bothered to even glance at it."

"It's just that we don't have anyone above us."

The atmosphere suddenly became oppressive.

The Cheng family was considered a significant figure in Gaoshan County, but in the eyes of truly important people, they were insignificant.

Although Pang Yunlong is not considered a truly important figure, he is already seen as a powerful figure by various forces in Gaoshan County.

With the backing of Shenbing Valley, he is someone that no force in Gaoshan County can afford to offend.

"You need to suggest a solution—"

Cheng Jiuhe continued, "If Yuan Qingfeng hadn't left, and if he had been able to win first place in the martial arts competition, then perhaps Feiyun Martial Arts School would have been more wary of him."

"Would Feiyun Martial Arts School be afraid of a mere martial arts scholar?"

Zhou Yuan asked in confusion.

"Ordinary martial arts scholars are of course not good enough, but it's different if you are the top scholar in a county. According to past practice, the top scholar in a county has the opportunity to be accepted into the Divine Weapon Valley, which will greatly increase the chances of passing the martial arts examination in the future."

If they were truly taken in by Divine Weapon Valley, then not only would Flying Cloud Martial Arts School be subject to their rule, but even Commander Pang would have to show them respect.

Cheng Jiuhe said, "Although Yuan Qingfeng is a scoundrel, his talent in martial arts is indeed outstanding, and he does have a good chance of winning the county examination."

I only found out you succeeded in clearing the level on your second try because I heard you had a conflict with him.

"It wasn't a conflict; he wanted me to join Feiyun Martial Arts School, but I refused."

Zhou Yuan said.

"Although it was a good refusal, Yuan Qingfeng is narrow-minded and will inevitably cause you trouble later."

This is also why Cheng Jiuhe came to find Zhou Yuan: "If you don't break through the barrier a second time, then I'll have to advise you to go out and hide for a while."

But now that you've broken through the barrier twice, you can try your best in this year's martial arts exam.

If you succeed, you will gain official renown, and Yuan Qingfeng will have to consider the government's reaction before he can touch you.

Cheng Jiuhe pondered for a moment and said, "For a second breakthrough, according to the rules of the funding, the treatment should be upgraded."

He paused for a moment, a barely perceptible hint of embarrassment flashing across his face.

"Recently, Pang Yunlong has been exploiting me a lot, and my family's situation isn't too good either; even my monthly allowance has been reduced significantly..."

Young Master Cheng rarely experiences financial difficulties, but this time he genuinely feels that he is in a tight spot.

With his monthly allowance reduced, he needed money to prepare for the county-level martial arts examination and also to support Zhou Yuan, so he really felt he was running out of options.

Especially since Zhou Yuan broke through the barrier for the second time, the level of funding will naturally increase accordingly.

"It's alright, Senior Brother Cheng. I've saved up some money from blacksmithing recently, so it's fine if the sponsorship stops for now."

Zhou Yuan said, "No matter what, I will always remember your help, Senior Brother Cheng."

"What are you talking about? A man's word is his bond. If I say I'll sponsor you, I definitely will!"

Cheng Jiuhe said, "Are you looking down on me?"

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, right?

What do you think I've come here for today?

As he spoke, Cheng Jiuhe took out a small wooden box from his pocket and slapped it in front of Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan clearly saw a flash of pain across his face, and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

"What is this?"

He asked, puzzled.

"Open it and take a look."

Cheng Jiuhe held his head high with arrogance.

Zhou Yuan carefully opened the lid and saw a herb lying quietly inside, with clear golden lines on a few leaves.

"Never seen this before? A naturally occurring elixir that can be taken directly."

Cheng Jiuhe Road, "is no less valuable than Qi and Blood Pills; it is a rare treasure that nourishes muscles and bones and strengthens Qi and blood."

Ordinary Qi and Blood Pills are nothing more than adding some three-year-old precious herbs, but mine is a ten-year-old one!

Zhou Yuan's face showed surprise. A single Qi and Blood Pill was already worth over a hundred taels of silver. Wouldn't this ten-year supply of precious medicine be priceless?

"This is too valuable—"

Zhou Yuan hesitated.

"How could my sponsorship be inferior to others? If you feel bad about it, then prove me wrong and make me proud by passing the county-level exam for martial arts this year."

Cheng Jiuhe said earnestly, "You've just broken through your cultivation barrier for the second time. It would have been a bit of a stretch for you to participate in the county-level martial arts examination this year, but with this precious herb to nourish you, you can quickly stabilize your cultivation. Taking the exam a year earlier has its advantages. In martial arts, if you're fast at one step, you'll be fast at every step. You must take this seriously!"

"I've done my best."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said solemnly.

…………

The dim oil lamp cast two shadows on the window.

A beautiful woman in her forties or fifties, still charming, grasped Li Lin's hand.

"How about we sell the shop and go stay with Weiwei..."

"The beautiful woman said softly."

"No, it's not easy for Weiwei in the capital. A father who is a live-in son-in-law would have a bad influence on her."

Li Lin sighed and said, "I'm a beggar, and I'm already content to enjoy wealth for twenty years. It's just that you've suffered."

"We are husband and wife, so why talk about suffering?"

The beautiful woman shook her head and said, "It's you who suffers, my husband. You're the one who supports this family, yet you bear the stigma of being a live-in son-in-law. I actually—"

"My master's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, and my junior sister's affection for me is profound; there's no need to say more."

Li Lin said, "I've already made arrangements. I'll have someone send you to the capital first thing tomorrow morning..."

"If we're going to leave, we'll leave together."

The beautiful woman said urgently.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Is Master Li at home? This junior, Zhou Yuan, has come to formally become your disciple."

A calm and steady voice entered Li Lin's ears.