Chapter 19: The Prize

Throughout this night, Lu Yuan was immersed in Zen Meditation Sitting, unaware and unfeeling, almost not sensing the passage of time.

After only one night of cultivation, although there was no obvious effect, he was already familiar with the basic method of cultivation and could be considered to have officially entered the gate.

And there was one point that was quite curious.

Although he did not sleep all night, his spirit did not appear withered; it was almost the same as having rested for a night.

"It is no wonder that in novels, immortals often go into seclusion for a year or half a year, or eight or ten years, without feeling bored or dull; it truly confirms the saying that there is no time in immortality."

Confirming his own state, Lu Yuan was quite pleasantly surprised:

"And this sitting in Zen meditation can, to a certain extent, replace sleep and rest; it really saves a lot of trouble."

After all, he lived in this garden with so many people, and daytime martial arts practice and various other matters took up a lot of time; there was really not much time left on the surface that could be used for immortal cultivation.

If he could move his sleeping time to sitting in meditation, his time would immediately become ample.

Thinking of this, the shouts of Xu Dahu and Xu Erhu came from outside the house.

Lu Yuan did not delay any longer, immediately went out to wash, and after eating, began his daily morning practice.

Although he could already cultivate immortality, he still had to keep a low profile before reaching the Refining Essence into Qi realm and mastering certain means.

Practicing martial arts here could both protect himself and allow him to fight in the ring to earn Qi Luck and silver; keeping a low profile to develop was the best choice.

Just like that, the day passed, and evening arrived.

Today was still the time for the Primary Ring to start, and the twelve reserve Wrestlers who had not yet practiced strength gathered with uneasy moods, heading to the arena under the leadership of Xu Dahu.

Because Lu Yuan could not participate and had just obtained the Guiding Technique, he made an excuse and stayed in the back garden without going to watch.

And under the watchful eyes of Li Junxian, he first practiced for a while after being coached, and when the sky darkened, he quietly slipped back to his room and began to sit in meditation.

After yesterday night, he already had some experience and insights into this method of Zen Meditation Sitting, and he quickly entered the state.

Then, it was regulating his breathing, exhaling turbid Qi and inhaling clear Qi, using his intent to swallow it into the lower dantian, repeating the cycle.

Hundred Days Foundation Establishment can only be completed within one hundred days by those who are intelligent, physically strong, and firm in their intent.

Although Lu Yuan's talent was not considered high, thanks to directly receiving the Heavenly Book's instruction, the Guiding Technique he mastered saved him from the most difficult stage of comprehension, and coupled with his Qi and blood physique being several times that of an ordinary person, his efficiency was not low, and he also had the opportunity to complete the Foundation Establishment step in about one hundred days.

Just like that, in the state of being completely lost in Zen Meditation Sitting.

He did not know how much time had passed.

Suddenly, a series of urgent knocks on the door came from outside the courtyard, interrupting his quiet cultivation:

"Brother Yuan, Brother Yuan! Are you inside?!"

Lu Yuan woke up with a start, and after regaining his senses, he got up and pushed the door open: "What is the matter?"

He saw a man standing outside under the night curtain with a worried face, speaking as fast as beans pouring from a bamboo tube:

"That Young Master Kundu from the Feng'en General Mansion has come again, and he doesn't know where he found an even more powerful expert to participate in the Primary Ring. All the brothers of our Qinglong Gang who encountered him were beaten into serious injuries!

Now this person has already won the top spot, but that Kundu is unwilling to leave; he is causing trouble at the arena with his men, insisting on calling you out for a fight. Brother Dahu cannot stand his arrogance, so he sent me back to call you."

"That Kundu still wants to get back at us?"

After hearing the cause and effect, Lu Yuan sneered without a second word:

"Fine, I will go over, but I must tell Master first."

After speaking, he came to the side courtyard where Li Junxian was, knocked on the door to see him, and briefly explained the situation.

After hearing this, Li Junxian smiled faintly:

"If that General Feng'en came here in person, we would indeed need to be cautious and give him some face. But a mere second-generation ancestor who cannot inherit the title is not qualified to be this arrogant.

Go, A Yuan, but strike a little lighter; try not to cause any deaths and make the scene too ugly."

If it were before, he might have worried or even stopped him upon encountering such a situation.

But Lu Yuan had Godly Strength, and after stepping into the practice of strength, his power was so formidable that it approached the level of the second realm, Tendon Changing; whoever the other side brought was just asking for humiliation.

Lu Yuan also gave a cold laugh and immediately nodded: "Yes, Master."

Having said that, he went out the door, walking with the stride of a dragon and a tiger alongside the reporting man through the courtyard corridors, and then entered the Front Garden arena from the back door.

Arriving at the main hall.

The air was filled with lingering, thick sweat, smoke, and the smell of blood, and the arena, which could accommodate over a thousand people, now had more than half of the people in the stands gone, leaving only a mess.

However, near the ring, two groups of people were confronting each other, and there were also many contestants who had not left and were still watching the excitement.

The two groups confronting each other were Xu Dahu and the others of the Qinglong Gang, and Young Master Kundu and his subordinates and cronies.

Lu Yuan arrived, and many gazes turned toward him; he came to Xu Dahu's side:

"Senior Brother, you were looking for me?"

"Junior Brother, you've come at a good time."

Xu Dahu's expression appeared quite cold, and he pointed to a man beside Kundu who was dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, with a fierce face and a burly build:

"This guy is called Wukuhe; he was brought by Kundu. He seriously injured several of our brothers in the ring. Not only did he win the top spot this time, but he also insisted on calling you out. I had no choice but to comply with their wishes, otherwise, they would think our Qinglong Gang is afraid."

Kundu, surrounded by others like stars around the moon, closed his folding fan, his eyes scanning over from a high position:

"You are called Lu Yuan, right? Last time you beat Baturu to death; that was my favorite and most obedient servant. This young master was very unhappy because of that, so I specially chose another good hand to find you. Why didn't you participate today? Could it be that you knew this young master was coming, so you were too scared to participate?"

Disliking the other party's arrogant posture, Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes:

"I naturally had things to do. Stop the nonsense, what do you want?"

Kundu smiled: "Simple, this young master came all the way here and doesn't want to leave empty-handed. You just need to have one more match with this contestant of mine, and after the match, I will leave."

Lu Yuan's eyes flickered:

"He has already won the top spot, and the ring competition is already considered over. I have no reason and no benefit, so why should I fight him?"

"Benefit?"

Kundu curled his lips in disdain, then took a heavy money bag from his person:

"How about this, this young master didn't bring much money when I went out, but there should be seven or eight Gold Yuan in this bag, plus dozens of Silver Yuan, adding up to nearly two hundred Silver Yuan. Let's take it out as a prize."

"If you win, you can take this prize; if you lose, then kneel down and kowtow three times to this young master. How about that?"

The Great Jin uses a silver standard, with Silver Yuan as the primary circulating currency, though there are also large Gold Yuan ingots cast from gold in circulation, with one piece exchangeable for twenty Silver Yuan.

This stake could not be called low; Lu Yuan immediately stared at the money bag with a greedy expression, his eyes revealing a look of hesitation.

(End of chapter)