Chapter 185

186. Chapter 186: Marrow Refining and Blood Changing

At this moment.

Zheng Gong drove the car with Li Yi, quickly leaving the city defense line and heading toward the Investigation Bureau.

On the way, Li Yi was still thinking about the previous incident with Yang Yi Long.

After some deliberation, he realized that if he wanted to defeat Yang Yi Long, it would be best for his martial arts cultivation to reach the Meridian Cultivation Realm. This was because breaking through to the Meridian Cultivation Realm was much easier than evolving to the Spirit Perception Realm; after all, martial arts could be mastered quickly as long as one's physical fitness kept up, whereas physical evolution could not be rushed, as the evolution and replacement of body cells required time.

Therefore, Li Yi decided to focus his cultivation efforts on martial arts from now on.

After returning to the Investigation Bureau.

Zheng Gong submitted the mission report, and the three-day patrol mission in the ruined city district was considered successfully completed. He did not continue to take on the next mission, choosing instead to rest for two days.

"Li Yi, we won't be taking any missions for the next two days, let's get some good rest. Besides, after this mission, I feel that our team is still too small. Regardless of any conflict we encounter, the deterrent power produced by two people is insufficient, and it's easy to bring about some unnecessary trouble," Zheng Gong summarized at this moment.

"That is indeed the case. Lin Yue should be leaving the training base in two days, and she will be joining our team then. Additionally, I think we should add two more teammates. Even if their strength isn't great, it doesn't matter; having more hands is good, after all, things are easier to handle with more people," Li Yi said.

"That makes sense," Zheng Gong said. "Li Yi, do you have any good candidates in mind?"

Li Yi said, "I do know a few practitioners in the Spirit Medium Realm, but there's no rush. By the way, has there been any change in the Investigation Bureau recently? Why do I see so many people constantly taking on missions, and even Yang Yi Long's group is so desperately hunting extraordinary creatures? This doesn't fit their usual style."

Zheng Gong looked left and right, then walked over and whispered, "Because the special recruitment quotas for the Golden Academy are coming down in the next two days. There are three spots; two are in the hands of our Investigation Bureau, and one is in the hands of the Practitioners' Association. Some people received the news in advance, so they have started fighting for the spots. I originally intended to tell you about this in two days, as there are rules for investigators, but I see no need to hide it now; those who should know already know."

"Special recruitment quotas for the Golden Academy? Isn't it said that one's cultivation value must reach 1,000% to be specially recruited?" Li Yi asked, though he had heard Lin Yue mention this matter before.

"That special recruitment is for open spots, but this time it's for internal spots, not open to the public. The requirements are also very low; there is no requirement for cultivation value, but there are other regulations. For example, in the Practitioners' Association, whoever hunts the most extraordinary creatures will be specially recruited. However, our Investigation Bureau is different; our assessment standard is not hunting extraordinary creatures, but merit plus recommendation from superiors."

"As for merit, it is of course based on the number of missions completed. Theoretically, as long as no problems arise, the two people who complete the most missions in the Investigation Bureau can be recommended to join the Golden Academy."

After Zheng Gong finished speaking, he whispered, "As of now, there are a total of four people in the Investigation Bureau who have a very good chance of getting a spot: Captain Zhang Lei, Daoist Priest Peter, and the field combatant Gu Mengping. The remaining one is you, Li Yi."

"Me?" Li Yi said. "I haven't been in the Investigation Bureau for long, why do you think I have a good chance?"

"You saved so many people in the Investigation Bureau last time, helped successfully recover a defective mystic object, and this time you also hunted an extraordinary creature and completed the mission... All these things added together are already no small merit. If you work a little harder and solve one or two major cases, the hope is very high," Zheng Gong said.

Li Yi's gaze flickered, but then he shook his head and said, "It seems like there's a chance, but in reality, the chance is very small. My strength is still a bit lacking; not reaching the Spirit Perception Realm means I can't do many missions."

"Even so, one must strive for the opportunity right in front of them."

Zheng Gong said, "Entering the Golden Academy means being able to come into contact with cross-dimensional travel. You also know that the second Heaven-Tilting Event could break out at any time, and everyone is thinking about cross-dimensional travel. But the threshold to become a cross-dimensional traveler is very high; it's not something ordinary practitioners can hope for."

"But if you enter the Golden Academy, it's different. That place was originally meant for cultivating top-tier powerhouses, and cross-dimensional travel also starts from the Golden Academy. As long as you can get in, becoming a cross-dimensional traveler will be a matter of course. By then, you will have the opportunity to escape this world."

"And the appearance of a cross-dimensional traveler means many people can benefit. To be honest, compared to others, I hope you can secure this spot."

Li Yi said, "The idea is very good, but many things must be done step by step. However, I have taken note of the Golden Academy quota matter you mentioned. Don't worry, after our team is formed, we can try to give it a shot."

"That's good," Zheng Gong said with a sigh of relief.

As long as Li Yi is willing to compete, that's enough.

As for whether it succeeds in the end, that can't be helped; after all, the uncertainty is too great, and no one has absolute certainty of securing a spot.

With somewhat complex thoughts, Li Yi drove away from the Investigation Bureau.

He returned to the Peace Financial Building, which was his new home.

At this moment, the finishing work on the new home had been completed over the past few days, and the renovation was basically finished. Moreover, when Li Yi entered the first-floor lobby to visit his parents in their room, he found that their medical pods had been completely renewed. The new medical pods were like small spaceships, full of a sense of science fiction and revealing high-tech content everywhere.

His parents lying inside indeed looked much better than before, and their pale complexions had become much more ruddy.

"Li Yi, you're back." Suddenly, Zheng Lan's voice sounded from the doorway.

"Zheng Lan, the new medical pods are nice." Li Yi looked them over for a moment, then said, "They are indeed a big change from before; the 60 million spent is worth it."

"That's for sure. Not only have various life support systems been upgraded, but even the replenishment of nutrient solution has been upgraded. Now this medical pod can hold ten units of nutrient solution at once, and it can operate normally for up to three months. During this period, there is no need to take care of it at all. Even this latest model of medical pod has a backup battery that can maintain it for a month after a power outage," Zheng Lan said while explaining to Li Yi.

"Besides that, this new medical pod is smaller in volume, lighter in weight, and more energy-efficient. In short, it's countless times better than the old model."

Li Yi nodded and said, "That's fine. By the way, did you ask about the cultivation pod for me?"

"I asked, the cultivation pod is very expensive," Zheng Lan said. "It has to be custom-made, and the starting price for one is 200 million. If you add various messy configurations, I estimate it won't be less than 300 million. I think the cost-performance ratio is very low. You have a mystic object cultivation room now, so I don't suggest you buy a cultivation pod."

"It's indeed expensive, and the money I have isn't enough to buy it, so let's forget about it for now." Li Yi shook his head and had to temporarily give up on this idea.

Afterward, he gently exited his parents' room and closed the door.

"Zheng Lan, I need to work hard on my cultivation and take on missions recently. I don't have time to deal with trivial matters, so I hope you can help me manage this building and look after my parents," Li Yi said very seriously afterward.

"No problem, this is a small matter, and I don't have anything to do recently anyway," Zheng Lan agreed with a smile.

"Thank you," Li Yi said.

Zheng Lan said, "What's there to thank? The one who really needs to be thanked is me. I've been staying here with you all this time; otherwise, I would still have to stay in that dangerous old city district."

"Alright, let's not talk about this. I have to go back to cultivate; there's no time to waste now," Li Yi said.

"Then you can cultivate with peace of mind; I will handle some unimportant matters for you," Zheng Lan said.

After the two exchanged a few brief words, Li Yi took the elevator to the top floor.

This floor was his cultivation area.

After taking a shower, Li Yi went to the collection room and took out some great medicines and treasures he had brought back from the Four Seas and Bazhou.

He was currently refining his marrow, and he had already consumed two great medicines for marrow refining. Coupled with his adaptation over this period, his body had accumulated enough, and it was time to start washing the marrow and refining the blood. Only after breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm could he find a way to open the nine major meridians and become a Meridian Cultivation powerhouse.

"Use the great medicine, combined with the golden nutrient solution, to enter the Blood Refining Realm within two days."

Li Yi set a goal and was not stingy with the consumption of resources.

Now, the breakthrough in strength was very important. Yang Yi Long had already set his sights on him, and the competition within the Investigation Bureau was also severe. Without powerful strength, dreaming of competing for the Golden Academy quota was simply a fantasy.

Soon.

Li Yi found a great medicine called the Essence Blood Great Marrow Pill.

It was a great medicine for filling the marrow and nourishing the blood. An ordinary martial artist could easily succeed in marrow refining and blood changing by eating one, but because he was an evolutionist, the consumption was very high. After taking two great medicines, his body's accumulation was barely enough, but to break through, he still needed to continue consuming resources.

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Yi took this great medicine, then drank a mouthful of golden nutrient solution. Immediately after, he stood with his eyes closed, his body as if standing in a horse stance, and then used his intent to move his Qi and blood, tempering his bone marrow and promoting the nourishment of new blood.

Soon.

The skin all over his body began to become scalding hot, the Qi and blood within his body gradually churned, and a wave of heat radiated from his body.

This stance lasted from dusk until late at night.

During this period, Li Yi could clearly feel that the bones all over his body had been nourished. The previous feeling of itching was slowly disappearing, and there seemed to be an inexhaustible amount of energy all over his body. However, this was not enough; his spine was not yet full, and he still lacked some accumulation.

Li Yi could only be said to have successfully stepped into the Marrow Refining Realm, but he had not yet reached the Blood Refining Realm.

However, Li Yi was not impatient. He continued to take the nutrient solution and then began to enter a state of meditation. He felt that he was just one breath away, and perhaps he would have a chance to break through with his cultivation over these two days.

He practiced the White Bone Contemplation technique, absorbing cosmic energy and concentrating this cosmic energy on his spine, allowing the spine to be nourished by the cosmic energy, thereby indirectly promoting the advancement of his martial arts realm.

This was a shortcut method.

But the effect was still there. Li Yi could feel his spine tingling, as if it were growing, and the medicinal properties within his body were stimulated. Accompanied by the replenishment of the nutrient solution, the spine was also being nourished.

As for how long it would take to complete the nourishment, finish marrow refining, and promote the regeneration of new blood, he had no idea.

"Not bad, you naturally evil Earth Prisoner. It's only been a while, and you're already full of baleful aura. It seems you've killed many people recently." At this moment, the remnant thought in the defective mystic object, the Dao Coin, revived.

"You're actually still alive? You haven't died yet?" Li Yi was immediately surprised.

He thought this old thing had already perished after a trip to the Four Seas and Bazhou, as the cosmic energy there was not abundant, and the mystic object had also been affected.

"It disappoints you, you evil fellow. My remnant thought has not yet dissipated. Hmm, it seems you've been working hard recently; you want to obtain the method of cross-dimensional travel, right?" The remnant thought said: "It's a pity that you only count if you kill Earth Prisoners. Killing people in another world doesn't count. Let me count, how many Earth Prisoners have you killed recently? Already two. Teammates providing cover fire don't count for you. In this way, you are still six short. Not bad, keep working hard."

"It's only a mere six people. Why don't you go downstairs for a walk and make up those six heads?"

"Go downstairs for a walk? You can actually say that. Do you think killing people is like going to a convenience store to buy snacks?" Li Yi couldn't help but curse: "I said, I was forced to kill, not killing for the sake of the cross-dimensional travel method."

"You say you don't want to, but your body is very honest. I know the temperament of you evil Earth Prisoners like the back of my hand. Alright, I'm going to be silent. You little demon, keep working hard." After mocking Li Yi a few times, the remnant thought in the Dao Coin disappeared again quickly.

It could be seen.

A trip to the Four Seas and Bazhou had a great impact on him.

Obviously, as Li Yi guessed, this defective Dao Coin was not suitable for staying in a world with thin cosmic energy. Once it stayed for a long time, the mystic object would also degenerate, not to mention the strand of remnant thought inside.

Li Yi meditated and cultivated for half the night. After his body was nourished by cosmic energy, he began to cultivate again.

Until he cultivated to noon the next day, he felt that he had a breakthrough in marrow refining. A stream of Qi and blood seemed to be continuously generated from his body, and every time a stream of Qi and blood was generated, he felt his strength become one point stronger. However, at the same time, his stomach was also one point hungrier.

"Blood Refining Realm."

Li Yi suddenly opened his eyes, and a feeling of joy welled up.

Martial arts combined with cultivation really had miraculous effects.

Within two days, he had actually crossed the last hurdle and become a Blood Refining martial artist.

Although there was the reason of a large accumulation of resources, such a speed of progress was still surprising. Once he entered the Blood Refining Realm, things would be easy; he just had to wait for the accumulation of Qi and blood, then open the meridians and become a Meridian Cultivation expert.

However, the Blood Refining Realm was also known as the Blood Nourishing Realm.

During this period, Li Yi had to eat and drink a lot to ensure the smooth strengthening of his Qi and blood. At the same time, he had to reduce the opportunities to fight with others, because every time he mobilized his Qi and blood, it was a consumption of his Qi and blood.

Of course, the most important thing was to keep himself clean and not touch women.

Otherwise, once his essence and energy were leaked, wanting to succeed in blood refining would be a pipe dream.

Many taboos about Blood Refining martial artists emerged in Li Yi's mind, and he also understood what he should do next.

"Now is not the time to be excited. Now I must mobilize my Qi and blood, store the Qi and blood in my body, and let the new blood settle down."

Afterward, Li Yi suppressed the restlessness in his heart, continued to take a great medicine, then replenished the nutrient solution, and continued to move his Qi and blood.

As the Qi and blood settled, the flushed skin on his body gradually returned to its original state, the heat also began to slowly disappear, and his entire powerful aura was restrained. However, his eyes were also brighter, and his body values were constantly improving.

Martial arts cultivation could also accelerate physical evolution; Li Yi had long realized this.

After half a day of settling.

Li Yi stabilized his martial arts cultivation in the Blood Refining Realm, and also successfully controlled the stream of new blood that was continuously being generated. Finally, he had time to study the secret of the Fan family for opening the nine major meridians.

Although his Qi and blood accumulation was insufficient at the moment, it was necessary for him to study and master it in advance.