Demons and monsters wreak havoc: gain one new confidante every day.

On the training ground, everyone was practicing the "Qing Nang Jing". Even Tian Yi'er, after receiving guidance from Song Zhiqing, sat cross-legged and closed her eyes in a seemingly proper manner.

But Shen You was the only one who stood to the side, striking various twisted and bizarre poses, writhing on the ground like a snake.

This peculiar training method aroused whispers among the crowd.

"That really is the 'Golden Snake Skill'..."

"The pose he struck was the 'Eight Transformations of the Golden Snake,' which I've also practiced; it's simply impossible for a human to do..."

"I heard he mastered it in just one night..."

"He also claimed that he mastered a sword technique in one night, and even improved upon it himself, but I don't know if that's true or not..."

"I've heard of him. His name is Shen You. I heard he made a name for himself at yesterday's examination, killing a guard with a broadsword. Zhu Xiaobao was also killed by him..."

Why would he face off against a sword-wielding guard?

"Who knows... but not only did he match up, he won..."

"He even dared to kill members of the Zhu family..."

"That's outrageous...!"

"No wonder Master Huang treated him so differently..."

Contrary to Shen You's expectations, his practice of the "Eight Transformations of the Golden Snake" in front of everyone did not seem strange at all; on the contrary, it amazed the apprentices in blue robes.

After all, most of the talented apprentices in the courtyard had practiced the "Golden Snake Skill," but very few had succeeded, and almost none had been able to persist in practicing it.

They deeply understood the difficulty of this technique, and thus felt even greater admiration for Shen You, who could master it with ease.

In their eyes, this might be the true genius.

Of all the people present, only Shi Jie's expression stood out. He glared fiercely at Shen You, his eyes filled with jealousy and hatred.

If Shen You only had talent, he wouldn't be this angry. But he knew that as soon as Shen You arrived at the inner courtyard last night, he went to the lotus pond to find a woman!

Their ravenous appearance was utterly disgusting!

There were no women in the lotus pond, only legendary ghosts. Judging from how well this man surnamed Shen returned, he probably didn't actually go to the lotus pond, but rather went somewhere else to take care of his business.

After such a ridiculous night, this man surnamed Shen actually mastered the "Golden Snake Skill" in the blink of an eye! Even his injuries healed!

Is this even possible?!

This is absolutely absurd!

Shi Jie gritted his teeth. If this is how one can master the skills, then wouldn't all of them, the apprentices who diligently practice, become a laughingstock?

"Unforgivable! You brat, you're so arrogant! I won't let you get away with this!"

Shi Jie recalled the scene from last night when Shen You glared at him so hard that he knelt down, and his anger flared even more.

"Hmph! Senior Brother Zhu's morning lessons are with Master Huang, so he's not here right now. But he'll come over after the lessons!"

"You killed members of the Zhu family; Senior Brother Zhu will definitely not let you get away with this!"

Shi Jie thought viciously, "Shen, let's see how you escape this mess!"

On the other side, a sudden uproar broke out.

Shi Jie turned his gaze over and saw that Tian Yi'er, that good-for-nothing, had only been sitting cross-legged to cultivate the "Qing Nang Jing" for a short while, yet his body was already emitting a blue light.

That was clearly a sign of someone who had just entered the "Qing Nang Jing" (a classic text on traditional Chinese medicine)!

It would take a normal person at least half a day to get the basics of the "Qing Nang Jing" (青囊经), but Tian Yi'er accomplished it in less than half an hour.

This talent has amazed everyone.

Even the usually gentle and composed second senior brother, Song Zhiqing, couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration at this moment.

Senior Brother Yao Shan, who was leading everyone in cultivation, burst into laughter and walked over to pat Tian Yi'er's shoulder forcefully.

Seeing Tian Yi'er's shy smile, Shi Jie was so angry he almost ground his teeth to powder.

"Damn it! One after another, they're all such monstrous geniuses! Is there not a single normal person in this Yellow Maple Academy?!"

In particular, in his eyes, Tian Yi'er was a good-for-nothing!

Even a good-for-nothing like him is so capable!

What is the future for these ordinary apprentices in blue robes?!

The morning class lasted only one hour, and soon Yao Shan loudly announced that the morning class was over.

Shen You stretched and stood up from the ground, immediately feeling a slight soreness all over her body. Her muscles and bones felt stretched, and she felt indescribably comfortable.

"So the 'Eight Transformations of the Golden Snake' really is yoga!"

Besides feeling physically and mentally refreshed, his breathing became deeper and his body more supple. A gentle, yin-like energy flowed within him, constantly emanating a restrained yet sinister aura.

If he were to circulate this energy, he could conceal himself like a snake, ready to strike with the force of thunder at any moment.

This is the essence of the "Golden Snake Skill" in concealing one's strength and power.

"If I continue practicing like this, breaking through the bottleneck of the 'Golden Snake Skill' at the minor level will definitely not be a problem!"

After stretching his body, Shen You opened the control panel.

【Shen You】

[Pharmacy Apprentice (Blue Robe)]

[Realm: First Rank (Martial Artist)]

【Root bone: 112】

[Talent: Successor of the Pig Slaughterer]

[Technique:]

White Ape Stance (Minor Success 126/500)

Tongbei Quan (Minor Success 39/500)

Tiger-Slaying Saber Technique (Mastery 263/1000)

Golden Snake Skill (Beginner Level 17/100)

"After an hour of practice, the progress of the 'Golden Snake Skill' has only increased by 17..."

Seeing the dismal progress of his cultivation technique, Shen You's initially good mood was once again shrouded in gloom.

Huang Yaoshi's requirement was to cultivate to perfection within seven days. If we convert it, it would take 100 proficiency points to go from "entry level" to "minor success", 500 proficiency points to go to "major success", and 1000 proficiency points to go to "perfection", which means a total of 1600 proficiency points.

"Even if I spent all my time practicing the 'Golden Serpent Technique' every day, gaining about 100 progress points a day, it would still take half a month to reach perfection. Moreover, this is only in an ideal situation. From 'entry-level' to 'minor success,' 'major success,' and 'perfection,' each breakthrough requires corresponding comprehension. If one lacks talent, who knows how much longer it would take to break through..."

In fact, many people never manage to master a skill to "perfection" in their entire lives.

Not to mention that the "Golden Snake Skill" is an extremely difficult skill to master.

"To reach 'perfection,' I might need to comprehend the essence of the snake and cultivate the 'Golden Snake Force'... But how is that possible!"

The mere fact that Tian Yi'er practiced the common "White Ape Stance" and developed "White Ape Strength" was enough to amaze everyone.

This shows how difficult it is to cultivate internal strength!

Shen You simply couldn't believe that she could master the "Golden Snake Strength" in just one week.

Time was too tight, the techniques were too difficult, and the requirements were too high. Just thinking about it almost made Shen You feel exhausted.

"How far are they trying to force me to use cheats?!"

Shen You gritted her teeth, "I still need women! Women, give me more women!"

"Brother Shen!"

Tian Yi'er suddenly walked over and said, "This is our first day as Qingyi, so we'll be attending the Qingyi Assembly in the Inner Court later. All the Qingyi will be there, and the Grand Steward and the brocade-robed pharmacist will also give a speech. Let's go after we finish breakfast."

"The Tsing Yi Assembly?"

Shen You stared intently at Tian Yi'er:

"Will there be women then?"

"Uh, I think so..."

Tian Yi'er shrank back slightly under Shen You's glare and stammered:

"There aren't many women in the inner courtyard, but I've heard them talk about something called 'The Twin Beauties of Green and Red'..."

"The 'Two Beauties of Green and Red'?"

Shen You's gaze sharpened. "So there are two beauties? Great, take me there quickly!"

"Brother Shen," Tian Yi'er said with a wry smile, "we need to eat first..."