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Matthew's destination was the "Anvil and Chalice" Club, a private establishment catering specifically to the upper-middle-class Class holders of the inner city.

Ascending to the Silver Rank had certainly brought a massive boost in strength, but this newly gained power required actual testing and integration before it could truly be converted into reliable combat strength.

He needed a facility that was sturdy enough to withstand Silver Rank power testing and came equipped with comprehensive supporting amenities.

There were two reasons why he didn't choose the adventurer guild's training ground.

First, the guild's high-grade quiet rooms or exclusive training grounds commanded exorbitant rents, typically requiring long-term leases or weekly or monthly billing. Daily short-term rentals were rare, and the prorated cost was simply not cost-effective.

Having just broken through, he only needed to perform some adaptation tests and preliminary power-control exercises, so there was no need to overinvest.

Second, according to his own knowledge and the information Aidan had gathered earlier, while the guild's training facilities had a solid foundation, they fell short when it came to specialized auxiliary equipment tailored to different Class holders, instant energy-recovery medicinal baths, and the precision of high-end machinery. In these aspects, they were likely far less thoughtful and advanced than top-tier private clubs.

This place prioritized privacy and comfort.

Instead of spending a month's rent on a day of mediocre service, it was better to convert that same amount of money into a single day of premium service.

After passing through several clean but sparsely populated streets, the heavy storefront of the Anvil and Chalice—constructed from black iron and dark wood—appeared before him.

There was no eye-catching signboard at the entrance; only a subtle, textured emblem of an intertwined hammer and chalice on the lintel, exuding an understated elegance.

Matthew pushed the door open and stepped inside. An aroma blending high-grade leather, metal maintenance oil, and a faint, refreshing scent of herbs wafted over him, completely different from the clamor of the guild hall or the sweaty odor of the training grounds.

The interior was softly lit, decorated with refined but non-ostentatious taste. A scattering of guests spoke in low murmurs, maintaining a quiet and orderly atmosphere.

The receptionist behind the counter wore a decent uniform. His sharp eyes immediately noticed the difference in Matthew's bearing—

that natural composure and faint sense of pressure that emanated from a body brimming with life energy was something low-level Class holders could hardly possess.

The receptionist's attitude immediately grew more respectful. "Welcome to the Anvil and Chalice, sir. How may I assist you today?"

Matthew spoke calmly, "I need an independent testing and training room equipped with standard strength and speed testing equipment, as well as a high-strength fixed target. Additionally, if you have a mild medicinal bath that assists in stabilizing the life energy cycle, please prepare one. I will pay by the hour."

The receptionist quickly took down the request. "Of course, sir."

"What rank of intensity would you require?"

"Silver Rank," Matthew replied flatly.

The receptionist was well-traveled and experienced, but he still could not conceal his surprise upon hearing this.

Regaining his composure, he quickly replied:

"Sir, we have an exclusive area prepared for our Silver Rank guests. The equipment there has all been recently calibrated.

"The medicinal bath requires a separate reservation, but we happen to have a vacant 'Tranquil Spring' formula pool today. It has an excellent recovery effect after training. Would you like to add that?"

After a brief hesitation, Matthew nodded in agreement. The price was bound to be steep, but everyone deserved a treat once in a while, let alone for a momentous occasion like breaking through to the Silver Rank.

"Very well," Matthew said, paying the deposit.

The receptionist handed him a mystic copper key engraved with a room number and an instruction card.

Taking the key, Matthew felt slightly more at ease.

Here, he could unleash his full strength, carefully measure the specific parameters of his Silver Rank power, practice his new combat movements, and utilize the club's resources to accelerate the digestion of the remaining life energy in his body.

By tomorrow, he would be able to investigate that courtyard in his absolute peak state, giving him a much greater chance of success.

Wasting no more time, he followed the receptionist's guidance toward the deeper sections of the club reserved for high-ranking members.

The receptionist led the way respectfully, walking down a corridor lined with thick carpets and oil paintings of landscapes and still lifes on both walls.

At the end of the corridor was a heavy oak door. The receptionist unlocked it with another specialized key and pushed it open.

Behind the door, the space suddenly opened up into an exceptionally spacious vaulted hall.

Unlike the quiet elegance outside, this place was filled with an efficient, professional, and sturdy atmosphere of utility.

The hall's ceiling was over five meters high, ensuring ample space to execute various combat techniques.

The floor was paved with large tiles polished from a dark gray, finely textured energy-absorbing ore. They were smooth yet slightly elastic, effectively buffering impacts and reducing noise.

"Sir, this is your area. The medicinal bath is being prepared. Once you finish your training, you may proceed to Medicinal Bath Room No. 7 at any time. If you require anything, please pull the bell rope over there."

With that, the receptionist bowed once more and quietly withdrew, closing the heavy main doors of the hall behind him.

Matthew was left alone in the hall.

Matthew stripped off his outer robe, revealing a lean, powerful physique. Walking to the center of the training ground, he did some simple warm-up stretches, adapting to the brand-new sense of coordination brought by his Silver Rank body.

Every movement was incredibly fluid, and his muscle control was exceptionally precise.

He was in no rush to test his limit strength or speed. Instead, he slowly drew the unsharpened training longsword from his waist—a standard weapon provided by the club for its guests. Though not a divine weapon, it was sturdy enough.

He wanted to first experience what kind of changes had occurred to his strongest current offensive technique, 【Melting Slash】, after his advancement to the Silver Rank.

Taking a deep breath, his Silver Rank life energy surged naturally and rapidly at his mere thought, without requiring any conscious exertion.

Compared to the brief buildup and channeling required to mobilize energy back when he was at the Brass Rank, his current life energy responded almost simultaneously with his thoughts. The surging silver energy instantly erupted from his dantian, racing along the meridians of his arm and onto the sword blade.

"Hum—!"

The training longsword let out a low, vibrating hum. The blade did not merely grow slightly warm or red as it used to.

Infused with the far more vast and condensed life energy, the edge of the entire longsword began to emit a stable, heart-palpitating dark red glow. It looked like a piece of metal freshly pulled from a forge and slowly cooling down; the heat was highly contained, yet poised to explode at any moment.

The temperature of the surrounding air rose noticeably, and the light around the blade warped slightly.

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