"'Marrow of the Barbaric Bull?'
Le Feng's side, the handsome female disciple, reacted, looking toward Chen Yu.
This refined female disciple was considered a member of Le Feng and Ding Jiuhui's circle, appearing to have a high status.
"This is Senior Sister Tong Yuling." Ding Jiuhui helped with the introduction.
"So it's Senior Sister Tong. Do you happen to have the 'Marrow of the Barbaric Bull' that I need?"
Chen Yu felt a sense of urgency in his heart.
His 'Copper Statue Technique' had basically reached the pinnacle of the 'Copper Skin' level. Although his cultivation progress was good, it couldn't match the rapid progress of the past.
Previously, the effects of the 'Commoner's Remedy' became increasingly ineffective.
And that 'Marrow of the Barbaric Bull' was the main ingredient in the second formula. If he could obtain this, the remaining supplemental ingredient would be manageable.
"I do have the 'Marrow of the Barbaric Bull,' but it has a certain effect of improving physique and is said to increase strength somewhat. Its value is not low..."
Tong Yuling showed a slightly troubled expression.
Hearing this, Chen Yu felt uneasy.
The 'Marrow of the Barbaric Bull' was quite valuable, and the small amount of Primordial Stones he had might not be enough.
"I wonder what Senior Sister Tong wants in return or how many Primordial Stones she needs."
Chen Yu asked, bracing himself.
He calculated that if worse came to worst, he could trade away that 'Half-precious Artifact' to get a sum of Primordial Stones.
"How about this,"
Tong Yuling thought for a moment, then said, "Seeing Junior Brother Chen fight with Yang Fan just now, you basically have the strength of the top ten in the outer sect. If Junior Brother Chen can help me with something, I will give you the 'Marrow of the Barbaric Bull' for free."
For free?
Chen Yu was a bit surprised. Tong Yuling obviously had looked up his strength, so what he had to do probably wouldn't be easy.
"Oh, is Senior Sister Tong after that task? The 'Blood-Handed Bald Wolf,' ranked sixth and seventieth on the 'Elimination List' — although quite powerful, if Senior Sister Tong and Brother Chen work together, there's at least a seventy percent chance of success."
Le Feng laughed, evidently knowing the inside story.
The Elimination List? Blood-Handed Bald Wolf?
Chen Yu roughly understood what was going on. Tong Yuling had taken on a mission from the Elimination List and wanted to bring him along to increase the chances of success.
"I took this task not just for the reward on the Elimination List, but also because the 'Blood-Handed Bald Wolf' has stained the blood of several of my clan members."
Tong Yuling's refined face was calm.
"I see. May I ask about this 'Blood-Handed Bald Wolf's' specific cultivation and general strength?"
Chen Yu asked.
Tong Yuling said, "Blood-Handed Bald Wolf is at the late-stage Meridian Passage like me, with strong skills, ruthless, and extremely cunning; however, if we join forces, there's a high probability of success. Even if unsuccessful, there's no life-threatening danger. Also, whether the elimination is successful or not, as long as Junior Brother Chen contributes, the 'Marrow of the Barbaric Bull' will be given as a reward."
With the offer at this stage, Chen Yu naturally couldn't refuse and agreed immediately.
After that,
The two discussed some details, roughly needing three to five days before obtaining accurate information on Blood-Handed Bald Wolf to proceed with the elimination.
After deciding, Chen Yu made a request.
"Well... could Senior Sister pay me with the 'Marrow of the Barbaric Bull' in advance?"
Chen Yu asked somewhat embarrassedly.
Mainly because he urgently needed it. If he could assemble the remedy ahead of time, his strength could level up faster.
"Alright, I'll trust you this time."
Tong Yuling exchanged a glance with Le Feng and agreed.
Chen Yu was naturally very pleased; he just asked as a trial, already prepared for rejection since he barely knew Tong Yuling and the 'Marrow of the Barbaric Bull' was quite valuable.
Very quickly.
Chen Yu received a small bottle the size of a baby's fist. Opening it, he found a clump of deep red blood marrow like fire inside.
"This is the blood marrow of the 'Red-Horned Fierce Bull,' considered a type of Marrow of the Barbaric Bull. A few days ago, our family experts all went out together, barely hunting one. Its true strength is comparable to a master of the Organ Refining Stage."
Tong Yuling introduced it.
Chen Yu nodded with satisfaction. The Marrow of the Barbaric Bull, as the main material in the formula, the higher the quality, the better the effect.
...
Inside the pavilion.
A group of seasoned disciples first conducted private trades within their own small circles.
When the small circles couldn't satisfy needs, formal trades began.
"Blood Qi Pill can help increase the sense of Qi and Meridian Passage; willing to trade for Yellow Spirit Ginseng with fifty years of maturity."
"Seeking materials for forging 'precious artifacts'..."
"An ancestral knife technique, comparable to mid-level martial arts, willing to trade for 'Body Nourishing Pill.'"
Some seasoned disciples impatiently stated their needs.
Many scarce resources had to be grabbed quickly, especially now that the outer sect competition was approaching.
Chen Yu looked around and found that besides a Half-precious Artifact, he didn't have much to offer.
Some enticing resources were out of his reach due to his limited Primordial Stones.
However, a 'Body Nourishing Pill' he had obtained before seemed quite popular among the seasoned disciples here. He traded just one and it was auctioned off immediately.
Moreover, the quality of the traded 'Body Nourishing Pill' was low grade.
"The Body Nourishing Pill is effective throughout the 'beginner's three stages,' whether Meridian Passage or Organ Refinement, it enhances cultivation. The higher the quality, the better the effects."
He got the answer from Le Feng.
Chen Yu realized that the mid-grade Body Nourishing Pill he had was more valuable than he had imagined.
According to Le Feng, only low-grade Body Nourishing Pills were circulated in the outer sect, and they were rare enough that each appearance caused a frenzy.
One two-hour later.
The trading in the loft came to a close, followed by the martial exchange session.
"Martial Arts Exchange" mainly involved discussing martial arts and cultivation issues for mutual exploration and learning.
In this field, Chen Yu was a newcomer and naturally didn't speak out.
Le Feng, as one of the outer sect talents, received much attention. He shared some cultivation insights and was frequently asked due to his amiable nature.
The outer sect's number one talent 'Nangong Li,' despite his formidable strength and cultivation, rarely spoke.
While listening to some discussions, Nangong Li's face revealed a faint disdain.
"It seems that in terms of resources and environment, this outer sect place is no longer able to provide me with much progress..."
Nangong Li shook his head.
Had it not been for the promise of the top prize, he would have entered the inner sect long ago.
Suddenly.
Nangong Li's gaze fell on the silent Chen Yu.
"This Junior Brother Chen, I noticed your 'inner breath' during your previous battle looked familiar, much like a cultivation technique of our sect with a significant history. You've cultivated it to such a level that you've surpassed ninety percent of the disciples present."
Nangong Li held a folding fan, seemed interested, and scanned Chen Yu twice.
Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat.
Unexpectedly, the other party mentioned him, with praiseful tone no less. Could it be that Nangong Li recognized his cultivation of the 'Cloud Evil Fist'?
In his earlier move, although he used Cloud Evil Breath, he hadn't actually applied the Cloud Evil Fist Technique.
At this moment.
Many eyes in the crowd turned toward Chen Yu, filled with caution, astonishment, and some sneering and disdain.
Le Feng, Ding Jiuhui and the rest were quite shocked.
Nangong Li was the outer sect's number one talent and even considered a pre-determined inner sect disciple.
In terms of real strength, only Duan Xiaolong, evaluated as having the top battle power, might surpass him.
In other words,
Nangong Li's strength was almost unparalleled in the outer sect. Such a proud figure spoke with disdain during the martial exchange but praised Chen Yu.
"Senior Brother Nangong, you are too kind. My cultivation is shallow, perhaps you have mistaken."
Chen Yu answered calmly.
Since the opponent didn't mention the 'Cloud Evil Fist,' he wouldn't bring it up himself; otherwise, it could cause him to be specifically targeted during the outer sect competition.
...
In the afternoon, the 'Outer Sect Exchange Conference' concluded.
Of the top twenty rankings, fifteen people attended, except top-ranked 'Duan Xiaolong' and a few others.
Chen Yu had heard legends of Duan Xiaolong.
It was said that Duan Xiaolong, during the competition two years ago, once ranked 'second'; at the time, he actually had a chance to claim the first place but gave it up due to some reason.
As for last year's competition, Duan Xiaolong didn't participate at all.
It's rumored that he had been studying a special cultivation technique and had several encounters with Organ Refining Stage experts, without any defeat recorded.
In the outer sect,
Duan Xiaolong and Nangong Li were two insurmountable mountains.
In front of the courtyard,
A group of seasoned disciples started to walk out.
In a certain corner,
Wang Lingyun, Yang Fan, and a fat, round-faced youth stood together.
The chubby round youth was Huang Yuan, ranked seventh.
"This brat indeed won over Mu Xueqing, who I failed to obtain?"
Huang Yuan's small eyes widened in disbelief.
"It's absolutely true! I come from the same county town as Chen Yu and Mu Xueqing. Once, when I returned home, I saw the two tangled together in the fields, doing that unspeakable act..."
Wang Lingyun said with a face full of resentment.
Upon hearing this, Huang Yuan and Yang Fan's expressions both darkened.
Especially Huang Yuan, whose eyes were full of jealousy and hatred.
He recalled being publicly rejected by Mu Xueqing back then!
...
On the road back.
"Brother Chen,"
Le Feng suddenly spoke, calling Chen Yu aside.
"Junior Brother Le, what's the matter?" Chen Yu asked.
"I called you for two things," Le Feng paused and said. "First is to advise you to act cautiously in the outer sect. Those ranked second, Nangong Li, fourth, Hu Yiba, and seventh, Huang Yuan, were once admirers of Mu Xueqing. Nangong Li aside, Hu Yiba and Huang Yuan aren't the forgiving type."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yu furrowed his brow.
He sighed internally. Even though Mu Xueqing had moved to the inner sect, he was left with endless troubles.
Perhaps,
Chen Yu could declare to the world that he had no relationship with Mu Xueqing.
But doing so, whether others believed it or not, was an admission of "backing down."
In the sect, backing down invites more bullying.
"I'll be careful."
Chen Yu nodded, though not without fear in his eyes.
No matter the trouble, he would use his iron fists to sweep away those dark clouds.
"The second thing. The 'Cloud Stepping' I gave you last time, I hope Brother Chen doesn't spread it. It would do neither of us any good."
Le Feng continued.
"This is only right."
Chen Yu understood immediately. This was Le Feng's real intention!
Le Feng's 'Cloud Stepping,' when mastered fully and regarding movement and speed, ranked in the top three of the outer sect.
If Chen Yu spread it, and competitors of the same level learned its secrets, there could be effective countermeasures.
Of course,
Chen Yu had nearly mastered his own 'Cloud Stepping' and naturally wouldn't do such a thing.
"Alright, I happen to have a 'Primordial Grass,' consider it my 'compensation' to you, Junior Brother."
Le Feng smiled slightly and took out a half-foot-tall grass.
Primordial Grass!
Chen Yu's heart skipped, unable to hide the joy on his face. This Primordial Pearl Grass was the last material he needed!