Chapter 48

Wu Yongfeng shook his head: "The Martial Arts Examination is an important way for martial arts sects to select disciples. You tell me if it’s important? You all know that an ungrateful person like Lu Ren cannot be trusted. Could the Gu family patriarch be a fool?"

Now, none of them spoke.

Their goal was only Small Success in Qi Refining, and those with ambition dared to think about Great Success in Qi Refining. But the Gu family’s goal was a martial arts sect; they weren't on the same level, so how could their thoughts be the same?

They didn't care at all whether Lu Ren would betray them in the future; as long as Lu Ren could contribute to the Gu family’s eldest young master during the Martial Arts Examination, that was enough.

"Do you know about martial arts sects?"

Xu Yang asked. So the Martial Arts Examination was for martial arts sects.

Wu Yongfeng, Qiu Wenjie, and the others all shook their heads.

"It is said that the martial arts taught in these schools in Qingyuan County are incomplete, at most reaching Marrow Cleansing. Only by entering a martial arts sect can one obtain complete techniques and pursue the peak of martial arts. Unfortunately, I’m already out," Zhang Hong sighed.

With his talent and cultivation resources, it was impossible for him to reach Great Success in Qi Refining within two or three years.

Because, like Xu Yang, he had C-minus grade bones.

"I will participate in the Martial Arts Examination. I will go and see the scenery of the martial arts sects for you all," Zhang Yong said, clenching his fists.

Wu Yongfeng’s eyes lit up when he heard this: "Junior Brother Zhang Yong, have you already reached Small Success in Qi Refining?"

Zhang Yong nodded gently: "I was lucky enough to break through last night. I have reached Small Success in Qi Refining."

Wu Yongfeng was overjoyed: "Congratulations, Junior Brother Zhang Yong. It seems one of us is going to become a Martial Licentiate."

Immediately after, Qiu Wenjie and Zhang Hong also came forward to offer their congratulations.

Xu Yang also came forward to congratulate Zhang Yong, not at all surprised that Zhang Yong had reached Small Success in Qi Refining.

Of the ten people in their batch, Zhang Yong’s bones were second only to Lu Ren’s. In terms of cultivation, including himself and Lu Ren, they could only be considered diligent, but only Zhang Yong’s cultivation could be called desperate.

Plus, after successfully refining Qi, unlike Zhang Hong who was ignored, Zhang Yong’s C-plus grade bones were favored by a small family, who recruited him as a son-in-law and provided financial support for his martial arts practice.

With no lack of resources, it was normal for Zhang Yong to reach Small Success in Qi Refining a few days later than him. At this rate, it was really possible for him to reach Great Success in Qi Refining before the Martial Arts Examination.

"It’s a pity you aren't willing to bow your head; otherwise, you and I could continue to compete in the Martial Arts Examination," Zhang Yong looked at Xu Yang with some emotion.

He had finally surpassed Xu Yang for the first time, but it was because he had bowed his head to money, and he didn't feel happy about it.

Xu Yang shook his head and didn't explain.

Seeing this, Zhang Hong interrupted: "The Huang family announced today that they will once again select usable talents for cultivation. If there are suitable youths among your relatives, you can tell them to rush to the Huang family tomorrow for bone-touching..."

Sure enough, after he mentioned the Huang family, everyone’s attention shifted instantly, and even some surrounding fellow disciples gathered to ask questions.

"Simply ridiculous. If the matter doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Why go to such low lengths?"

When Huang Jin heard what Huang Linger had done, he immediately sought her out.

"Fifth Uncle, isn't it all your fault? I didn't agree to it in the first place, but you insisted I marry him to win him over."

"Now that this mud-legged person has rejected me and rejected the Huang family, if I don't do this, what will happen to my reputation if it spreads? Where will the Huang family’s dignity be? Others will probably laugh at our Huang family, saying even a mud-legged person doesn't think much of us."

Huang Linger didn't think she was wrong; she was just saving the Huang family’s reputation.

Huang Jin was silent. It wasn't that he insisted on the marriage, but that Huang Ping insisted Xu Yang marry a Huang family woman before he would provide financial support.

"This matter was indeed my lack of consideration, but only a few of us know about it. If we don't say anything, who would know such a thing happened?"

"Now you’ve made it known to the whole world. If Xu Yang tells the truth, the Huang family will truly lose its reputation."

"Fifth Uncle, can you guarantee that Xu Yang won't talk about it?"

Huang Linger sneered: "Let him explain. Let’s see if everyone believes our Huang family or that mud-legged person."

She was certain that even if Xu Yang stood up to clarify, no one would believe him.

Huang Jin shook his head: "By bullying him like this, the little bit of sentiment we had with him is gone."

Huang Linger showed a look of disdain: "With mere C-minus grade bones, what use is that little bit of sentiment? By rejecting our Huang family, it will be difficult for him to even reach Great Success in Qi Refining in his lifetime."

Huang Jin felt tired. He had always thought highly of Xu Yang, so even if things didn't work out, he tried his best to maintain the sentiment between the Huang family and Xu Yang. But Huang Linger’s actions had completely severed that sentiment, and might even have turned it into hatred.

With the Huang family in this state, instead of thinking about making friends, they were turning friends into enemies. He didn't know what Huang Linger was thinking.

"Alright, Fifth Brother!"

Huang Ping waved his hand and said: "As for this person Xu Yang, don't mention him again in the future. Let this matter be his repayment for my Huang family’s cultivation of him. How have you arranged the talent selection?"

Huang Jin sighed, cupped his hands, and said: "I have ordered people to spread the word everywhere, and have even sent people to the villages outside the city."

Huang Ping nodded with satisfaction and waved for Huang Jin to withdraw.

The heavy snow stopped on the second day, but the thick snow had already covered the knees. Several houses in Baishi Square had their roofs collapsed, but fortunately, no one died.

After Xu Yang got up, he cleared the snow from the roof again before going up the mountain to chop firewood.

In the past, he used to buy it, but now no one dared to go up the mountain, so he had to chop it himself.

It was also his fault for practicing martial arts too much and not preparing in advance.

Along the way, with snow over his knees, even a Qi-refining martial artist like him felt it was strenuous to walk.

"This is going to be a problem!" Xu Yang sighed.

Such heavy snow hadn't appeared in his memory for seven or eight years. If it continued for a few more days, people would either freeze or starve to death.

Yesterday, when he bought rice and grain in the city, the price had already risen.

People facing a survival crisis would do anything.

Even if the Sanhe Gang kept squeezing them, they wouldn't dare let everyone die.

Carrying the firewood back, he saw a group of people gathered at his door from afar, and Xu Yang immediately quickened his pace.