Free Web NovelChapter 33: Chapter 29: Variable
"It’s Xiao Yi! He broke through and condensed his second Pillar of Blood Qi!"
"How long has it been? He only formed his first Pillar of Blood Qi less than a month ago, right?"
"Damn, his speed... it’s just godly!"
"Once his potential was unlocked, his progress has been divinely blessed! Congratulations, Senior Brother Xiao! Congratulations..."
In the center of the crowd, Xiao Yi stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
He lifted his chin slightly, his eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping slowly over every face with undisguised arrogance.
Those disciples who were usually close to him now stood with their chests puffed out, their faces filled with vicarious pride.
Most of the others, however, suppressed the shock, envy, and even imperceptible jealousy in their eyes, while the congratulations that left their lips grew increasingly fervent and loud.
"Fuck..."
In the distance, Qian Baolu spat fiercely. His face was a shifting mix of pale and ashen, his jaw clenched tight.
He tried to curse, his lips moving a few times, but it was as if something was caught in his throat. In the end, not a single word escaped, only a heavy, muffled snort full of frustration from deep in his nasal cavity.
In his eyes, when Xiao Yi had first started, he had been so ordinary—nothing more than a hanger-on who followed him around, needing guidance and help at every turn.
A piece of trash like that, with no sense of loyalty, who turned on people without a second thought, had actually been favored by fate.
Now that his potential was unlocked, he had become someone Qian Baolu had to look up to, someone he didn’t even dare to curse behind his back.
This world... is so fucking unfair!
Just then, in the northeast corner of the courtyard, the small, vermilion-lacquered door that was usually shut tight opened without a sound.
A figure in blue glided out. With an elegant posture and an exceptional air, it was the sixth senior sister of the Inner Hall, Zhuang Zhen.
Her eyes, as clear as lake water, swept calmly over the crowd before finally landing on Xiao Yi.
Seeing her emerge, the clamoring disciples around her unconsciously lowered their voices, composed their expressions, and bowed their heads respectfully in greeting.
Zhuang Zhen’s face was expressionless, yet she put on no airs. Everywhere her gaze fell, she returned the gesture with a slight nod, her demeanor calm and measured.
Chen Cheng had long heard that among the many Inner Hall disciples, this Senior Sister Zhuang was the most approachable.
She wasn’t high and mighty like the other senior brothers and sisters of the Inner Hall.
Coupled with her refined beauty, graceful figure, and high cultivation, in an Outer Hall filled with the stench of sweat and competition, she had long been a "white moonlight" figure in the hearts of many young disciples.
Now, as she floated over and walked straight toward the newly promoted Xiao Yi, the envious and jealous stares from the crowd burned ever hotter, stirring restlessly.
"Senior Sister Zhuang."
The overt arrogance on Xiao Yi’s face vanished in an instant, replaced by utter reverence.
He bowed deeply, his posture impeccably proper.
Zhuang Zhen said nothing. She simply stood there quietly, her gaze lingering on Xiao Yi for a moment before she finally spoke, her voice soft and serene.
"To break through two stages in three months, and your Blood Qi shows no signs of being unstable or agitated... It seems... you truly have unlocked your potential."
The surroundings instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. All the disciples held their breath, their gazes on Xiao Yi growing more complex. ’This guy... he’s probably going to soar to the heavens for real.’
"Come with me. Master Ye will personally inspect your bones."
Zhuang Zhen said no more. She turned and walked toward the vermilion-lacquered door, the hem of her blue robes fluttering with her steps, once again drawing everyone’s gaze.
"Thank you, Senior Sister! Thank you... Thank you, Master Ye!"
Overjoyed, Xiao Yi barely managed to suppress a grin that threatened to split his face. He gave a deep bow to Zhuang Zhen’s elegant, retreating back and then hurriedly chased after her.
Just as he was about to step through the small door to the Inner Hall, Xiao Yi seemed to remember something.
He whipped his head around. His blazing eyes, filled with undisguised sharpness and triumph, swept slowly over the crowd before landing on Qian Baolu, at which point his gaze turned abruptly cold.
For a fleeting moment, he seemed to glance, intentionally or not, at Chen Cheng, who was standing not far from Qian Baolu.
Then, he strode into the Inner Hall, and the small door was once again slammed shut.
"This is bad..."
Qian Baolu swallowed, his voice trembling slightly.
"Knowing Xiao Yi’s temper, now that he’s got power, I’ll be the first one he comes after... Junior Brother Chen, you should be wary of him from now on, too..."
"..."
Chen Cheng remained noncommittal and asked instead.
"Are the benefits of entering the Inner Hall... really that great?"
"...Is that even a question?"
Qian Baolu said, crestfallen.
"Once you become an Inner Hall Disciple, you get personal guidance from Master Ye, Fierce Beast Essence Meat for nourishment, Blood Coagulation Pills to strengthen your Blood Qi, and access to connections and official posts the Outer Hall could never touch..."
"Add all those benefits together, and you have a much better chance of earning Military Merit in the Zhao City Martial Selection and completely changing your fate!"
He wiped his face with his hand, his eyes unfocused as he muttered to himself.
"Right now, I’m just hoping that bastard’s bone inspection goes poorly and he can’t stay in the Inner Hall..."
"Otherwise, where in this Dragon Mountain Middle Courtyard will there be any room for me, Qian Baolu, to breathe? I’ll probably have to pack my bags and get the hell out..."
Chen Cheng didn’t respond, only watched Qian Baolu in silence.
The more Qian Baolu thought about it, the paler his face became and the more his body trembled. He kept muttering over and over how blind he’d been... why did he ever help that ungrateful wolf, Xiao Yi...
「Afternoon.」
As usual, Chen Cheng went to stand guard at the merchant firm’s warehouse, where he practiced the Hidden Dragon Fist for two hours.
When the time was up, he headed straight for the Southern Three Guards Patrol Office.
He had been doing this every day for a while now. By the time he arrived, the sun would be setting in the west, which was precisely when the constables finished their shifts and headed home.
Zhao Chuan was a thorn that remained stuck in his heart, and Chen Cheng had been waiting for an opportunity to pull it out completely.
However, Zhao Chuan’s strength was what it was; in a direct confrontation, Chen Cheng stood no chance of winning.
What’s more, Zhao Chuan had two cronies, Wu Dong and Liu San. They all lived near each other and were practically inseparable every day, which made Chen Cheng see even less hope.
Tonight, however, the situation was slightly different. Zhao Chuan left the Government Office first. After a good while, Wu Dong and Liu San finally came out.
The two were whispering to each other, as if plotting something shady.
The crucial thing was, the direction they were heading wasn’t home, but Kuhuai Village!
Chen Cheng’s heart skipped a beat, and he decisively tailed them.
The value of his recent period of arduous cultivation was on full display at this moment.
His Blood Qi had grown steadily, nourishing and strengthening his physique. As a result, his six senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and consciousness—had all become much sharper and clearer than before.
In addition, practicing Health Tai Chi had activated its Health-Preserving Traits, nurturing his Divine Marrow and further enhancing his six senses to a level far beyond that of an ordinary person.
At this moment, Chen Cheng trailed them from a great distance. A considerable gap separated him from the two men, with a number of scattered pedestrians heading home in between them.
Yet, the sound of their footsteps, fragments of their occasional whispered conversation, and even the rustle of their robes rubbing together were as clear as if they were right beside his ear, all of it keenly captured and locked onto by Chen Cheng.
But they remained completely oblivious to the seemingly weightless figure behind them.
