This martial arts tournament is time-stopping.

The most crucial point in practicing "Tiger's Path of Appearance" is that even if you learn the thirty-six moves of a tiger and know the basic control of the tiger's path, you still won't be able to master it.

Only by undergoing the following steps—bathing in tiger blood, swallowing secret medicine, eating tiger meat, and donning a tiger skin—can one take the first step in practicing the "Tiger's Skin Physiognomy Method."

Among these, the most crucial secret medicine was kept under Nie Qingcang's own control.

Even the doctors at Longhutang Pharmacy, and even Nie Qingcang's son, didn't know how to prepare it.

Among the Dragon-Tiger Secret Medicines, the one revered as a supreme treasure by the inner disciples of the Dragon-Tiger Hall is the 'Soul-Devouring and Spirit-Stealing Pill'.

Aside from those who can marry Nie Qingcang's daughter or become someone's daughter-in-law, only those who can make truly significant contributions to the Dragon Tiger Hall can obtain it.

The rest, including those from aristocratic families, all spent a great deal of effort and even money to supply the Dragon Tiger Hall. Just a year ago, the eldest son of the Zhu family obtained a Soul-Devouring Pill here.

He swallowed and refined it in front of Nie Qingcang before letting it leave, giving no chance for anyone else to take it out and break the spell.

Now, Qin Shiming has also cultivated the "Tiger's Buddy Skin Appraisal Method," but no matter how hard he tries, he still has no chance to obtain the Soul-Devouring Elixir.

Therefore, these inner disciples were surprised that Ye Chu was able to obtain the precious pill.

Qin Shiming, the third young master of the Qin family, immediately stepped forward:

"Senior Sister Nie, why is it that this guy surnamed Ye with a Ding-level aptitude can obtain the Soul-Devouring Pill, while I, with a Yi-level aptitude, have offered so much gold and silver to the Dragon Tiger Hall, yet I still haven't been able to obtain it?"

"Dragon Tiger Hall demands an explanation from me!"

When Nie Ruyue saw the inner disciples surrounding her, she realized that many of the martial arts school's resources and even missions did indeed originate from the relationship between Qin Shiming and his group of aristocratic scions.

But that's about it!

Does Longhutang lose its influence without Qin Shiming?

joke!

If a martial arts school relied entirely on its connections with powerful families, then the Dragon Tiger Hall would have been controlled by those families long ago. Qin Shiming wouldn't be here to ask for the precious pills now; he would be giving orders directly.

However, we really need to give an explanation now. After all, Ding Xia has no inherent talent, and his comprehension cannot be tested. If we don't give a standard, anyone who comes in the future can say something, and it will cause trouble for the family.

However, Ye Chu's innate talent was indeed lacking, but his comprehension was undeniable.

He was only half a day slower than Han Heng, who had a first-class physique, and he managed to condense his energy and successfully break through the blood barrier. How could he not be amazing?

Normal people spend a hundred days building their foundation before they can progress from sensing the Qi, to nurturing the Qi, to grasping the Qi, to condensing the Qi and blood, to accumulating the Qi and blood to perfection, and finally to condensing the Qi strength. The process is very long.

Furthermore, the eldest sister married Han Heng, a man of exceptional physical constitution.

The second sister had previously favored Yang Heng, but unfortunately, Yang Heng was engaged to Miss Zhu, and she couldn't win him over no matter what. Now, the second sister is probably crying her eyes out somewhere.

She, Nie Ruyue, still has the opportunity to marry someone with good comprehension and potential.

Otherwise, if I marry someone who is not capable enough, wouldn't my sisters laugh at me?

So even if she knew Ye Chu had a child bride, so what?

Her father had three wives and six concubines; otherwise, how could they have so many brothers and sisters?

Once you get used to it, you won't find it strange anymore.

Furthermore, Qin Shiming's question came at just the right time; it was time to put some pressure on Ye Chu.

Nie Ruyue calmly looked at Qin Shiming and said:

"So what? I naturally took a liking to Ye Lang because he is beautiful and kind-hearted. In the future, he will marry me and become the son-in-law of the Nie family. Naturally, I will give him the precious pill to help him cultivate better."

Qin Shiming was so angry he almost vomited blood, and roared:

"You're being unreasonable! In terms of looks, family background, and character, in what way am I inferior to Ye Chu, this peasant? You actually fell for his good looks and kind heart? Do you think you can tell that from a person's appearance?"

Nie Ruyue pouted and snorted:

"So what? As long as I like it, that's all that matters."

As she spoke, she glanced at Ye Chu again. Seeing that Ye Chu's face was tense and he was about to cover her mouth, she also reached out and grabbed Ye Chu's raised hand, and ran towards the back courtyard.

Everyone was stunned.

Qin Shiming was so enraged by the public display of power that he flew into a rage.

He can't figure it out?

He, the third young master of the Qin family, how is he any less than a peasant? How could Ye Chu have won the favor of the Nie family's darling daughter?

Ye Chu was dragged into the inner courtyard and said helplessly:

"Senior sister, I can't take your words, and you know I have a wife."

Nie Ruyue said nonchalantly, "It's alright. My father also married three wives and six concubines. I don't mind if you have another child bride."

What could Ye Chu say?

When faced with difficult questions, all I can do is lower my head and remain silent.

Then, following Nie Ruyue into the inner courtyard, she met Nie Qingcang, her master.

"Ruyue, go to your mother's first. She has something to tell you."

After sending Nie Ruyue away, Nie Qingcang pointed to the jade box on the table.

"You're lucky, kid. This precious pill went very smoothly when I was refining it, and the final product is quite potent. Take it, and come with me to the beast garden!"

Ye Chu stepped forward, took the jade box into his hand, and followed Nie Qingcang out the door.

Nie Qingcang then suddenly asked:

"Besides, I heard you took Han Heng to a concert the other day?"

Ye Chu's expression immediately froze, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

Were he and Han Heng going to listen to elegant music?

The piece being listened to is a martial melody featuring a flower arrangement and a jade flute playing!

Now that Han Heng, his father-in-law, has said it to his face, is this a prelude to settling scores later?

In short, Ye Chu was speechless and awkwardly started digging his feet into the ground again.

"Haha, you don't need to be so reserved. A man should have three wives and six concubines, surrounded by beauties. So when I see that Ruyue is truly smitten with you at first sight, how can you bear to refuse her?"

Upon hearing Nie Qingcang's words, Ye Chu sensed that something was amiss with Han Heng's earlier lack of fear of Nie Ruyan and his direct statement about wanting to listen to that exciting piece of music.

Could it be that Nie Qingcang and even Han Heng set up a trap for him back then, and were just waiting to say these words to him now?

"Damn it! You son of a bitch Han Heng, I treated you like a friend, but you used me to do favors."

Ye Chu knew he had been tricked, and now that things had come to this, he couldn't bring himself to say the words of rejection, "A wife who has shared hardship should not be abandoned."

"If I marry Miss Ruyue, will you refund me the 150 taels of silver?"

Nie Qingcang grinned and said:

"You want to emulate Han Heng? Do you know that although I exempted Han Heng from some of his cultivation fees, he was essentially married into my Nie family, and all three of his children had to take my Nie family surname?"

"And you, lad, have the means to get money, so you must be a man of ambition. Why would you even consider marrying into my family?"

Ye Chu shook his head slightly.

These days, even though the bride's family provides for her food, clothing, housing, and other necessities, one still has to be mindful of the bride's family's wishes in everything they do.

He didn't want to live his life at the mercy of others.

Nie Qingcang observed Ye Chu's reaction:

"However, marrying my daughter isn't without its advantages. I'll give you two hundred taels of silver as a dowry, which should be enough for you to start a business."

Furthermore, I'll also help you forge a tiger soul to become your tiger's vassal general, giving you wings to command all the lower-ranking vassal ghosts. Isn't that a decent offer from me, your father-in-law?"

"But we've already given you all the benefits, and we're having a proper marriage, so we can't handle this like Han Heng did, so hastily..."