Boom!
A massive surge of aura erupted from Shen Xiuhan's body and diffused outward!
A total of seven smooth, refined acupoints lit up one by one like an alignment of seven stars!
A dense, powerful force surged from his body, kicking up clouds of dust from the bluestone slabs beneath his feet.
“...Hm?”
Wen Qingye's thick eyebrows twitched slightly. For the first time, a look of astonishment rippled across his otherwise calm face!
This kid... what is going on? Can the effects of the Century-Old Earth Stalactite Milk be this powerful?
Before he could even ask, a sharp, unrestrained gasp sounded from beside him.
Zheng Hongxiu's beautiful eyes widened, filled with utter disbelief and shock. Her rosy lips parted slightly as she cried out in astonishment, “Se-seven acupoints perfected! Great Accomplishment of the Anjin Rank?!”
Cui Xiangyang trembled, his pupils shrinking in sheer horror. He stared blankly at Shen Xiuhan, his lips quivering. “Junior... Junior Brother Shen isn't even nineteen yet, is he? He's four and a half years younger than me... yet his cultivation is already above mine?”
His mind reeled, completely lost in a daze.
Cui Xiangyang had only returned yesterday and had not yet consumed the Century-Old Earth Stalactite Milk he received. He had originally thought that after refining the spiritual milk in a few days, his cultivation would catch up to his senior brothers and sisters.
Who could have expected...
This junior brother from a lower county, whom he had not paid much attention to, would leave him in the dust first!
Cui Xiangyang had always been gentle and composed, never showing his emotions on his face. But at this moment, he could not help but take half a step forward, stammering, “Is... is this even real?”
Standing nearby, He Tunan's expression was ten times more spectacular than Cui Xiangyang's. His body was frozen solid, and only a single thought swirled wildly in his mind!
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
How could the Century-Old Earth Stalactite Milk allow someone with only four opened acupoints to open three more in just a month, stepping directly into the Great Accomplishment of the Anjin Rank?
He Tunan's eyes bulged as if he had seen a ghost, and he roared frantically in his heart: Are you kidding me?!
As for the dozens of inner court disciples standing in the martial arts arena, they were in an absolute uproar!
“The seventh acupoint! It's the seventh acupoint!”
“Good heavens! Didn't Senior Brother Shen just open his fourth acupoint a few days ago? How did he open the seventh in the blink of an eye?”
“As expected of the Moonlight Sword! As expected of a core disciple! He truly cannot be judged by common sense!”
“The thing is, even core disciples shouldn't have such an exaggerated speed...”
“Who says? You joined late, so you don't know. Back then, Senior Brother Wen Zheng was also at the Great Perfection of the Anjin Rank at twenty... though he was later stuck before the Huajin Barrier for five years.”
“How are the rest of us supposed to live? I've been stuck at the fourth acupoint for two and a half years...”
The disciples gasped in shock, murmured in envy, or sighed in bitterness and dejection. The buzzing discussions rose and fell, turning the martial arts arena into a scene of chaotic clamor.
After his initial surprise, Wen Qingye gradually began to understand. Standing with his hands behind his back, he repeatedly swept his gaze over Shen Xiuhan's smooth and restrained acupoints, and clarity dawned upon him.
This kid... did he also cultivate a clever breath-concealing technique?
Otherwise, how could his cultivation progress be explained?
Of course... he has a cautious personality. He had already comprehended sword-glow before joining the sect, yet he kept it hidden and cultivated silently.
If the Six Cangwu Demons hadn't dragged him into their mess, forcing him to strike with thunderous force to clear his suspicion, he would have definitely continued to hide his true abilities and would not have exposed them so easily.
And during this assessment, he suddenly stopped concealing his strength. Could it be that he has a request of me?
Wen Qingye quickly went over his thoughts, but he did not dwell too deeply on it.
He looked up at Shen Xiuhan, the astonishment on his face already quietly fading, replaced by undisguised approval. “Xiuhan... excellent! Step forward.”
Shen Xiuhan stepped forward a few paces as instructed and stood respectfully with cupped hands.
With a flip of Wen Qingye's hand, a small celadon bottle appeared in his palm, and he handed it over. “This is the Jade Marrow Acupoint-Stimulating Pill I refined myself. It will be of great benefit to your current cultivation. You can consume and refine it together with the spiritual milk for even better results.”
Shen Xiuhan accepted it with both hands and said solemnly, “Thank you, Master Wen!”
“Mhm.” Wen Qingye looked at this disciple, who had joined the latest yet progressed the fastest, with deep satisfaction. He offered a few rare words of encouragement: “I know you cultivate diligently, but do not neglect our sect's Thousand-Wave Sword. Your sword talent is high; you can afford to spend some effort immersing yourself in this path. In time, you might even reach a higher level.”
“Uh...” Shen Xiuhan smiled somewhat sheepishly. “Master Wen, your disciple has also trained the Thousand-Wave Sword to Great Perfection.”
The moment those words left his mouth, the surroundings instantly fell dead silent.
Wen Qingye's expression stiffened, and his face froze!
The Thousand-Wave Sword...
Great Perfection?
If it were said that Shen Xiuhan had hidden his cultivation before entering the academy, he could still understand!
But the Thousand-Wave Swordplay was only given to him after he joined...
And he had already mastered it to Great Perfection?!
To the side, He Tunan's cheeks twitched, his eyes locked onto Shen Xiuhan, filled with growing horror!
He joined less than two months ago, and not only did he open several acupoints in a row, but he also mastered the Thousand-Wave Sword to Great Perfection?
Is... is this motherfucker even human?
He Tunan's Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed hard. A sudden jolt of panic struck his heart, and he thought:
No... I can't hesitate anymore!
This boy's talent is extremely high, and he has even comprehended sword-glow. He is highly valued by Master Wen, and he has the full support of the Ji Mansion behind him. In the future, he will definitely be a figure on par with the Four Prodigies and Seven Elegances!
Although my family's main focus of investment is still on He Suyi, it's not like I have absolutely no hope!
If I offend him, not only will I fail to get the Ji Family Chamber of Commerce, but I might also lose big over a small matter, causing my family to completely abandon me!
“Phew...”
Within moments, He Tunan quickly sorted out his thoughts, and a firm decision formed in his mind.
While he was lost in thought, he heard Wen Qingye take a deep breath and say seriously, “Xiuhan... show me!”
“Yes!”
Shen Xiuhan took a few steps back as instructed.
The core and inner court disciples behind him immediately surged backward to clear a space.
Shen Xiuhan took a deep breath and flicked his right hand.
Suddenly, his expression stiffened!
Wait...
Where was his sword?
Oh, right, he remembered now. It was currently being upgraded in the prefecture capital...
In his awkwardness,
In the crowd, Liu Chong slapped his forehead and hurriedly unstrapped his sword from his back. Just as he was about to step forward,
Suddenly...
A figure stepped forward even faster than him.
“Junior Brother, did you not bring a sword? Why don't you use mine for now?”
Liu Chong paused. When he clearly saw the person's figure, his pupils suddenly shrank!
He Tunan!
Seeing this, the gazes of the surrounding disciples suddenly became deeply meaningful.
A few days ago, He Tunan had suddenly been removed from the Affairs Hall by Master Wen, with Fourth Senior Sister Zheng Hongxiu taking over his token. The hidden reasons behind this naturally sparked a lot of speculation. After all, rumors had already spread within the academy that this Second Senior Brother had secretly pulled strings to stuff Shen Xiuhan into the Precious Fish ponds, which had angered Master Wen and resulted in a severe punishment.
Given his current posture, could he be...
Softening his stance?
Shen Xiuhan was equally surprised.
Looking at the nervous smile on He Tunan's face, he seemed to understand something. He smiled slightly, reached out to take the long sword, and gracefully accepted the olive branch. “Then... thank you, Second Senior Brother.”
He Tunan instantly let out a long sigh of relief, his tense shoulders visibly relaxing. He waved his hand hurriedly, his tone warm and welcoming: “We are fellow disciples, there is no need for such polite words, no need at all!”
Not far away, Wen Qingye looked at this scene with a faint smile. He said nothing but slowly spoke:
“Begin!”
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