Chapter 272: Washing Sinews and Replacing Marrow, Rewards Doubled

Golden scales are not creatures of the pond; once they meet wind and clouds, they become dragons.

Jiang Lin attains the realm of Earth Immortal.

He would no longer be confined to the tiny Qinghe, and promotion was merely a matter of time.

It won't take long.

Xue Gui is trying to draw me into his circle.

As long as I agree, from now on, Li Rui will be under Xue Gui's protection.

I will not let you down.

Li Rui bowed solemnly.

He made his choice without the slightest hesitation.

At this moment, there is no need for modesty or foolish talk of inadequacy—be direct, let Xue Gui see your determination to pledge loyalty, or why would he lift a finger for you?

As the Regional Commander of Annan Town and an official within it, Xue Gui was someone he could bow to without any mental preparation.

If he hesitated to show loyalty before his superior's superior, then Li Rui's years in office had been wasted.

Moreover, as far as he knew, Xue Gui had always had an excellent reputation.

"Good. Very good."

Xue Gui nodded with a smile, thoroughly satisfied with Li Rui's conduct, then turned to Jiang Lin and said:

"Little Jiang, you've found me a fine assistant."

Jiang Lin: "Li Daoren is exceptional in both civil and martial affairs—a true talent. I naturally informed Elder Xue, lest such ability be buried."

Li Rui understood.

Clearly, Xue Gui's favor toward him today was largely due to Jiang Lin's efforts.

Without Jiang Lin's recommendation, Xue Gui would never have even glanced at him, let alone offered to promote him.

Xue Gui gained a capable general—this trip was a complete success.

"Enough. I've stayed in Qinghe long enough—it's time to leave."

This Regional Commander Xue was truly decisive and swift.

With that, he finished speaking.

He didn't even eat, but immediately led over a thousand Xuanjia troops northward toward Yunzhou City.

"Commander Xue truly doesn't fuss over trivialities."

Li Rui watched the Regional Commander vanish into the distance, then delivered this final assessment.

Jiang Lin chuckled:

"Big Brother Li, Commander Xue left in a hurry—don't blame me for acting first and reporting later."

He was referring, of course, to how he had reported Li Rui's killing of Yuan Gao and Qi Rui.

Li Rui: "How could I? I'm grateful beyond words."

Without Jiang Lin's introduction, Xue Gui wouldn't have given him a second look—this fifth-rank promotion was far from easy.

In official circles, it's said that the fifth rank is a barrier.

Especially for men of humble origin—whether civil or military, the rule holds.

Anyone who reaches the fifth rank must have backing; otherwise, it's utterly impossible. That backing must come either from noble birth or powerful patrons.

So for Li Rui to become Assistant Regional Commander of Anning Guard, he absolutely needed a third-rank official to speak on his behalf.

Jiang Lin had just given him a tremendous, effortless favor.

Of course, he did this for his own convenience in future dealings.

He gained merit by recommending Li Rui, deepened his ties with Xue Gui, and Li Rui gained benefit—it was a win-win.

Moreover, in a little while, he would surely leave Yunzhou.

But Huaqing Sect still remained in Anning Prefecture—it couldn't be moved. Though Huaqing Sect was already powerful, he still needed to choose a reliable person in Annan Town to support it.

Li Rui was undoubtedly the best choice.

Li Rui grinned: "Little Jiang, I've got several jars of aged wine at home—let me open them all before your promotion. Why wait? Tonight, how about it?"

Jiang Lin heard this and laughed:

"Not today. Another time."

They set a date.

Only then did Li Rui take his leave.

The moment he stepped out of the Assistant Regional Commander's residence, a line of small characters appeared before his eyes.

【Congratulations, Host! You have completed the beginner plot: "Forging Good Connections."】

【"Rising to Power" requires more than talent—forging good connections is essential. Congratulations: you've befriended a high-ranking powerhouse. Your official fortune will surely flourish, your future boundless.】

【Completing task "Forging Good Connections." Reward calculation in progress.】

【Task rating: A.】

【Obtained 40 Achievement Points!】

【Achievement Points reached 100. Reward acquisition in progress.】

【You've befriended a master and earned his favor—he has decided to transmit his art to you.】

【Obtained one opportunity for "Washing Sinews and Replacing Marrow!"】

【Young hero, begin your perfect journey through the martial world!】

【Name: Li Rui】

【Age: 10】

【Talents: Martial Bone, Extraordinary Comprehension, Insightful Eyes, Great Dream Immortal Travel, Overcoming Demons and Securing Victory】

【Techniques: Changchun Art, Dragon Soaring Through Nine Heavens, Dragon-Elephant True Qi Force】

【Achievements: 10/100】

【Primordial Body: Washing Sinews and Replacing Marrow!】

Li Rui's pupils contracted slightly.

"Washing Sinews and Replacing Marrow" was a method by which an Earth Immortal used his supreme true qi to refine another's body. It only worked on those below the primordial stage; after the process, the cultivator's sinews and bones were strengthened, potential enhanced, and the martial path smoothed.

It was a supreme technique for elders to lay a solid foundation for juniors.

Usually, only the first disciples of major sects received such treatment.

Because washing sinews and replacing marrow placed a heavy burden on the Earth Immortal himself—requiring at least three to five years of lost cultivation.

Even ordinary true disciples did not receive this privilege—it required formal discipleship.

Otherwise, ten true disciples would waste at least thirty years of cultivation, a cost even an Earth Immortal could not bear.

Those granted this treatment were invariably the sect's most promising prodigies.

He was a peasant-born nobody.

He had never dreamed of such an opportunity—yet the system had delivered it straight to him.

First, he received transmission from Old Xu the Daoist; now, washing sinews and replacing marrow—this treatment would make even a sect's first disciple envious.

As Li Rui pondered, another line of small characters appeared.

【Detection: Reward enhancement.】

【Enhancing.】

【Washing Sinews and Replacing Marrow → Foundation Establishment】

Seeing the words "Foundation Establishment,"

Li Rui could no longer remain calm.

Those who have cultivated the Dao know: Foundation Establishment is an essential step for any cultivator—only after achieving it can one truly call oneself a cultivator.

Now, the system had placed Foundation Establishment directly before him.

【Proceed with Foundation Establishment now?】

Seeing the prompt on the panel, Li Rui took a deep breath and suppressed his excitement.

He did not immediately select "Yes."

He may never have eaten pork, but he'd seen pigs run.

Ancient texts always described the Foundation Establishment of ancient cultivators in two words—dangerous.

He needed a safe environment.

Li Rui returned home with a calm expression, told Wang Zhao and Yang Yong to prepare for his seclusion, instructed them not to disturb him or bring meals during this time.

He had no idea how long his first Foundation Establishment would take.

After giving his orders, he returned to his room.

"Yes."

The instant he spoke the word,

his Changchun Art activated spontaneously; the liquefied true qi in his dantian began to boil, and in an instant, a vibrant surge of true qi exploded within Li Rui.

Huangting Qi!

Li Rui was startled.

The Huangting Qi left by Xu Xuan within him, drawn by the Foundation Establishment force, had spontaneously ruptured.

Huangting Qi and Foundation Establishment force merged.

The quality of his immortal qi surged rapidly, emitting a life-giving aura like ancient trees reborn in spring, releasing a wondrous fragrance.

Three days and three nights passed.

Li Rui slowly opened his eyes.

"Foundation Establishment." After experiencing it, he finally understood: Foundation Establishment could not possibly mean building a true foundation as ancient cultivators had done—this world lacked such spiritual energy. Instead, it was akin to absorbing the medicinal power of a Foundation Establishment Pill; though it could not truly grant the Foundation Establishment realm, it greatly benefited his cultivation.

Moreover, the power of Foundation Establishment also helped him fully absorb all the Huangting Qi left behind by Old Xu the Daoist.

The benefit was this:

Now, the spiritual energy within his body was of alarmingly high grade, nearly indistinguishable from the celestial qi he had obtained.

Others fought to the death for a single strand of celestial qi, while he had a full dantian of it!

High-grade true qi was immensely useful—even for Earth Immortals.

Whether for external attacks, internal arts, or qi forms, the power would increase dramatically.

Not only that:

He had also, using these two forces, expanded his inner sea tenfold or more—now his sea had the very aura of an ocean.

At least he had saved ten years of grueling practice.

As long as he wished, he could stir the waves at any moment and enter the second stage of Observing the Sea.

Please... Your Excellency... collect _(!)

Yet because of his prior experience, he did not immediately break through. Instead, he planned to observe for several days before proceeding.

Tie Kuang's Flame-Scorching Heaven Hammer had been returned to Divine Weapon Manor, and there would be no second chance.

So he must proceed steadily and firmly.

Li Rui stepped out of the room.

He happened to see Yang Yong cooling off in the courtyard.

"Old Yang, how long have I been inside?"

Seeing Li Rui emerge, Yang Yong grinned: "Three days."

He was now used to Li Rui locking himself away for days without food or drink.

"Good, I didn't miss it."

Li Rui exhaled in relief.

He had promised Jiang Lin a drink in four days.

Yang Yong grinned at Li Rui: "Old Li, got stronger again?"

With nothing else to do,

Li Rui sat down on the reclining chair beside Yang Yong: "A bit, yes."

Yang Yong didn't believe him: "Just a bit?"

Li Rui smiled lightly: "Alright then."

He held up both hands, showing a distance of a foot.

"About this much."

Yang Yong laughed: "A foot? That's a lot."

"Yeah, not small."

Facing this old comrade, Li Rui neither concealed nor exaggerated—decades of friendship made such pretense unnecessary.

Yang Yong squinted: "Old Li, getting promoted again?"

Though he was just an old man who knew nothing of martial arts, he had heard from Wang Zhao that Li Rui had broken through to the fifth rank and slain two fifth-rank experts.

That kind of merit was no small thing.

He might even become a fifth-rank official.

In the capital, fifth rank was already considered a substantial position.

Li Rui, rarely showing pride, said: "Old Yang, if Hong Mei knew I could become a high official, would she choose me?"

At the mention of Hong Mei,

Yang Yong burst out laughing bitterly: "Still thinking about her?"

"Hong Mei died twenty years ago. I even burned paper money for her with you. I recall her husband died a few years back—should I ask around about her granddaughter?"

Li Rui chuckled:

"Just saying. Honestly, Hong Mei's thighs were too thin—I never liked them much."

Yang Yong rolled his eyes.

"Come on, I know you too well."

"I can tell what dish you ate just by the way you sit."

Li Rui: "Old Yang, don't ruin my reputation."

Outside Qinghe City:

Deep in the mountains, in a thatched cottage.

"Madam, all the people have been delivered to Nancheng City."

Said a lean man.

"Good."

Madam Ling Luo nodded: "You did well. Return now, and tell the clan elders I won't be coming back for now."

The lean man blinked: "Then where will Madam go?"

"That's none of your concern."

"Yes."

The lean man departed.

The towering, tower-like man inside finally rumbled: "Madam, are we truly abandoning Manggu City?"

Since that night, Madam Ling Luo had remained in the mountains outside Qinghe City.

Manggu City had fallen.

The core members of the Qi clan had already been relocated.

Only the insignificant had died—so at least in Madam Ling Luo's eyes. Dead was dead.

When she decided to attack the city, she had already foreseen this.

So she had prepared long in advance.

Disgust flickered in Madam Ling Luo's eyes—perhaps recalling some unpleasant memory, or someone unpleasant.

"A filthy city. Let it go."

The giant no longer pressed the matter of Manggu City:

"Then where do we go next?"

Madam Ling Luo's face finally broke into a smile:

"Of course, to the capital."

She could hardly wait to meet that Immortal Sovereign. If he was a man, she would find a way.

She had already begun to suspect his true identity.

What use was being a petty lord of the Qi clan?

If she was to rise, she would become the Immortal Sovereign's consort!

Thud. Thud. Thud.

A knock came at the door.

Calm, unhurried, perfectly timed.

"Coming."

Li Rui opened the door with a smile and saw Jiang Lin standing outside—it was the day he had promised Jiang Lin for wine. Alongside Jiang Lin were two others: Jiang Yan and Tie Kuang.

Tie Kuang's presence genuinely surprised Li Rui.

From what he knew, Tie Kuang never left his forge unless absolutely necessary.

"Come in, the wine's warmed."

Li Rui invited them to sit.

Seven or eight dishes were laid out—mostly delivered from Zui Xian Restaurant—with two small dishes cooked personally by Li Rui.

They sat down.

Jiang Lin finally spoke: "I came to return the Immortal Blade to Elder Tie, so we came together—Old Brother Li, don't mind."

Li Rui: "How could I? Elder Tie is my master."

He knew Jiang Lin had borrowed the Immortal Blade.

Tie Kuang snorted:

"You two brats, spare me the flattery."

Yet Li Rui clearly sensed Tie Kuang was in high spirits.

Likely because Jiang Lin had proven his blade could kill an Earth Immortal.

Today, Tie Kuang drank more than usual:

"Li boy, after this drink, I'm heading north with Jiang boy. We won't meet often again. Tie Zhu is a good kid, but he needs more attention to become worthy."

Li Rui was startled:

"Has Jiang's appointment been decided so quickly?"

He knew Jiang Lin was being promoted and would not remain in Qinghe, but he never expected the Ministry of Personnel—famous for slow promotions and sluggish advancement—to act so swiftly.

Jiang Lin shook his head: "Not yet. But soon. The Emperor summoned me back to the capital to participate in the National Martial Evaluation. Elder Tie heard the Blood Shadow Ancestor has recently appeared near the capital, so he's coming with me."

The National Martial Rankings.

Upon hearing those four words, Li Rui's pupils widened slightly.

At that moment, Tie Kuang spoke:

"Jiang kid, this time around, you might make the top hundred."

(End of chapter)