During the Spring Festival, the novice warriors, fresh from a recent bloody battle, collected themselves and took advantage of the holiday to venture out and enjoy the festivities. Meanwhile, the official Blood-Clad Guards, rarely granted leave, mostly returned home to reunite with their families. As a result, the Blood-Clad Guards' camp felt eerily empty, with only a handful of them remaining behind.
Ye Tian was among them!
"This Intermediate Qi Unblocking Pill is truly remarkable; just a single small pill is equivalent to several days of my training. At this rate, I could even break through to the third level of martial artist by the end of the month," Ye Tian mused, seated cross-legged in his room, two piercing rays of light shooting from his eyes.
Since returning from the treasury, he had begun consuming the Intermediate Qi Unblocking Pills. After taking just three, he had successfully opened three additional acupoints, which, combined with the sixty-one he had already opened, propelled him to the second level of martial artist.
Compared to the first level, Ye Tian felt his internal true essence had multiplied several times upon reaching the second level. That overwhelming energy surged within him like a relentless river.
"Next, it's time to practice the second layer of Blood Battle Eight Desolations!" Ye Tian declared, opening another vial and taking another Intermediate Qi Unblocking Pill. At that moment, he still had nineteen of them left.
As the pill dissolved in his mouth, a torrent of heat surged from his dantian, and he felt his true essence increasing significantly.
"The sixty-fifth acupoint!" Ye Tian pondered briefly before selecting a nearby acupoint, channeling his abundant true essence toward it.
Before long, he succeeded in opening the acupoint.
Ye Tian continued to consume the Qi Unblocking Pills, and by the time he had finished them all, he had successfully opened a total of eighty-three acupoints.
Now, he needed to open just thirteen more acupoints to advance to the third level of martial artist.
"With my Green Martial Soul's innate talent, I should be able to break through to the third level by early next month." Ye Tian opened his eyes, his face radiating excitement.
This world was far richer and more vibrant than he had imagined, and it even boasted pills that enhanced one's cultivation. Given his talent, along with the aid of these pills, he could likely reach the seventh level of martial artist within ten years and become a thousand-man commander of the Blood-Clad Guards.
"I must take on more tasks for the Blood-Clad Guards to earn contribution points!" Ye Tian resolved inwardly.
…
In the following days, Ye Tian enjoyed a leisurely time. Having just completed a bandit extermination mission, he remained on holiday, choosing to stay indoors and focus on his cultivation, with meals brought to him.
During this time, Liu Hongwu visited him again. However, upon seeing Ye Tian engrossed in his training, she simply remarked, "Cultivation maniac," before leaving.
Half a month later, as the Spring Festival holiday came to an end, the Blood-Clad Guards gradually returned, and the camp began to buzz with activity once more.
…
After the cold winter, as all things revived, Ye Tian had been in Blood-Clad Guard's Blood Jade City for over a month now.
One day, he slowly stepped out of his room and practiced the Thunder Palm in the courtyard, relishing the indescribable comfort it brought.
"Third level of martial artist! I never expected to achieve this breakthrough by the end of the month. This Green Martial Soul talent is truly extraordinary!" Ye Tian thought to himself, brimming with excitement.
Over the past half month, he had been able to open an acupoint nearly every day. By the end of the month, he would directly advance to the third level.
Of course, Ye Tian's rapid progress stemmed not only from the innate talent of his Green Martial Soul but also from his relentless training over the past two weeks.
Aside from the basics of eating, drinking, and relieving himself, he dedicated nearly all his time to cultivating; it would indeed be strange if he didn't see rapid improvement!
"Clop, clop, clop…"
Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves broke the silence.
Ye Tian furrowed his brow and looked outside the courtyard, curious about who dared to ride a horse in the Blood-Clad Guards' camp—did they not value their lives?
However, he quickly shook his head, realizing that the rider was Liu Hongwu. As the cherished daughter of the Commander, who would dare hold her accountable?
"What do you want, little girl?" Ye Tian rolled his eyes and asked.
"Stupid boy, hurry up and come with me; my father wants to see you!" Liu Hongwu replied without dismounting, then turned and rode off. Before leaving, Ye Tian noticed a faint blush on her cheeks.
"This girl..." Ye Tian rubbed his nose, puzzled. "What could the Commander want with me?"
To this day, Ye Tian only knew the name of the Commander without having seen him in person.
In fact, aside from the five thousand-man commanders and Liu Hongwu, few had the opportunity to meet the Commander.
It was said that the Commander was exceptionally low-key, rarely making an appearance unless there was a significant matter at hand.
Despite his curiosity, Ye Tian straightened his appearance and followed the direction Liu Hongwu had dashed off in. The little girl hadn't gone far, occasionally glancing back to "check on" Ye Tian, as if she feared he would lose his way.
Walking along the dark red corridor, Ye Tian and his companions arrived at the entrance of another courtyard.
"Wait here; I will go in and inform them!" Liu Hongwu suddenly changed her expression, turning to enter the courtyard.
Through the gaps between the flowers and plants, Ye Tian spotted a man in gray bending over and tending to some greenery, his back facing in Ye Tian's direction.
"Is that the commander?" Ye Tian pondered.
"Ye Tian, is it? Come inside!" A voice, both indifferent and authoritative, echoed from within the courtyard shortly after.
"What does the commander want with me? Well, since I'm here, I might as well go in!" Ye Tian took a deep breath, filled with curiosity, and stepped into the courtyard.
Moments later, he found himself before a pavilion where the gray-clad middle-aged man sat on a stone bench, a broad smile lighting up his face as he examined Ye Tian. Behind him, the young Liu Hongwu stood, giving him a gentle back rub.
Ye Tian was taken aback to see the renowned commander of the Blood Guards dressed in such humble attire, resembling a farmer.
"So, you are Ye Tian? I never expected you to have reached the third level of Martial Mastery. Hmm, impressive talent and looks!" Liu Bao's eyes brightened suddenly as he cheerfully remarked.
"Hmm? What does that mean? Why do you care how I look?" Ye Tian's confusion deepened; he didn't mind that Liu Bao had seen through his strength, for he never intended to hide his cultivation in the presence of such powerful figures.
"What! Father, did you say he has advanced to the third level of Martial Mastery?" came a startled exclamation.
Liu Hongwu covered her mouth in shock, her little face awash with disbelief.
"Now you understand what it means to be a genius, Hongwu? You should learn from Ye Tian. I've heard he has been diligently cultivating in the camp during this time. If you had worked as hard as he has, you would have already advanced to Martial Mastery," Liu Bao stated.
Upon hearing this, Ye Tian raised an eyebrow; it seemed the commander had been keeping a close eye on him. He wondered if it was because of Liu Hongwu or his innate talent.
"Hmph!" Liu Hongwu pouted in discontent.
"Subordinate Ye Tian, pays his respects to the commander!" Ye Tian seized the opportunity to bow.
Liu Bao waved his hand, smiling, "No need for such formalities. As warriors, it's best to keep things casual."
"Understood!" Ye Tian nodded; at present, the commander appeared quite amicable, though he was uncertain of the purpose behind the summons.
"I sense a familiar fragrance of medicine about you; you have taken the Qi Unblocking Pill, haven't you?" Liu Bao asked suddenly.
Liu Hongwu's face brightened, and she smirked, "So you did take a pill! I thought he was cultivating far too quickly. Hmph!"
Ye Tian ignored Liu Hongwu's taunt and replied to Liu Bao, "The commander is correct; I have indeed taken the Qi Unblocking Pill."
"Indeed!" Liu Bao nodded, then playfully patted Liu Hongwu on the head, scolding her with a smile, "You should know that Ye Tian only has one thousand contribution points. According to the price of the intermediate Qi Unblocking Pill, he could exchange for a maximum of twenty. This means that most of his advancement to the third level of Martial Mastery has been through his own efforts. Can you match that?"
"How do we know he didn't borrow someone else's contribution points?" Liu Hongwu retorted reluctantly, albeit in a low voice.
Liu Bao shook his head; everyone knew the value of contribution points—who would lend them to others?
Afterward, Liu Bao engaged Ye Tian in casual conversation, inquiring about his family situation and offering some guidance on his cultivation before concluding the discussion.
"Ye Tian, now that you have achieved the third level of Martial Mastery, you are officially a member of the Blood Guards. I will notify Zhao Dapeng shortly to hold a promotion ceremony for you."
"Work hard; I have high hopes for you!"
"The future of Blood Jade City relies on young talents like you."
In the end, Ye Tian left the courtyard in a daze, buoyed by Liu Bao's encouraging words.
Just after he exited, Liu Hongwu came running up from behind, tossing a book at him.
"My father said that since you have broken through to the third level of Martial Mastery, he grants you the techniques following the Blood Battle of Eight Desolations. So, make sure to practice hard!" Liu Hongwu mimicked Liu Bao's tone, causing Ye Tian to smile.
"What exactly does the commander mean?"
Back in his quarters, Ye Tian still couldn't grasp Liu Bao's intentions.
However, one thing was certain: he had gained considerable benefits from this encounter, most notably the techniques following the Blood Battle of Eight Desolations—an unexpected windfall.
Moreover, he would soon officially become a member of the Blood Guards.
...
The following morning, under the bright sun, five thousand Blood Guards and several hundred novices stood solemnly in the training grounds of the Blood Guards.
In the nearby open area, Ye Tian led his hundred novice soldiers, receiving instructions from the centurion Zhao Dapeng.
"Ye Tian, starting today, you and your subordinates are now official Blood Guards..." After an impassioned speech, Zhao Dapeng personally handed Ye Tian a centurion's attire and blood knife.
"Do well; the future belongs to you young people!" Zhao Dapeng clapped Ye Tian on the shoulder, his eyes filled with admiration.
"To protect Blood Jade City!" Ye Tian raised his fist in salute, his gaze sharp.
"To protect Blood Jade City!" His subordinates echoed excitedly, shouting in unison.
Nearby, novices from the other four squads watched them with envy etched on their faces.
Indeed, it was a case of one person rising to power, lifting all around him!