Realm-Hopping Martial Master

"Each victory for a genius grants them another bottle of Marrow Cleansing Elixir."

"As for the universally recognized number one genius of this county town meeting, our Zhang Family will not only offer top-grade Elixirs and Qi Boosting Pills. We have also prepared a mysterious grand gift that will surely not disappoint any genius."

"May the geniuses ascend to the Little Dragon Tiger List and advance to the Acupoint Passage Realm soon!"

The voice of a Zhang Family powerhouse was rousing, as a few simple sentences whipped up the atmosphere in the venue.

The most crucial martial resources include Cultivation Techniques, weapons, and Elixirs.

Cultivation Techniques and weapons might not suit everyone.

But Elixirs are needed by every Martial Artist!

"Ten bottles of Internal Fortification Elixirs! Brother Shang, if you enter the arena, won't they be yours immediately?" Zhang Ruo's eyes lit up.

"Let's see first." Jiang Shu shook his head, showing no intention of stepping into the arena just yet.

The county town talent meeting usually started with minor skirmishes, allowing some newly Refining Internal Realm geniuses to take the stage, exchange blows, and verify what they had learned. Only when Blood Exchange Realm geniuses took the stage later would it be truly worth his while to watch.

Just how many Blood Exchange Realm geniuses has this Zhang Family-hosted talent meeting attracted this time?

"Zhang Tingpu of the Zhang Family, newly entered the Refining Internal Realm, will take the stage first to set the ball rolling."

When no one took the stage after a few moments, a genius from the Zhang Family was the first to leap up, introducing himself, "This junior is skilled with a saber. Does any genius wish to offer guidance?"

In his hands was a massive mountain-splitting saber, which seemed slightly incongruous with his somewhat lean frame. But as he moved, Jiang Shu could tell that this man's Cultivation Technique and martial skills were extraordinary.

"I didn't expect Brother Tingpu to have advanced to the Refining Internal Realm," Zhang Ruo said in a hushed voice, her face full of shock. She had met Zhang Tingpu when she first came to the Zhang Family. At that time, their realms were similar. Yet, in just a year, she was still in the Bone Forging Realm, unable to even touch the threshold of the Refining Internal Realm, whereas Zhang Tingpu had fully stepped into the Refining Internal Realm and taken the stage to showcase the Zhang Family's prowess.

Is this the difference in martial talent between Martial Artists?

"Brother Zhang, your reputation as a genius precedes you. Though I am merely a few months your senior, I have come to seek your guidance."

On the viewing platform, a genius from the Yao Family surged forward. He carried a Longsword on his back and drew it mid-air. Channeling his Inner Strength, he created a whistling wind that stirred up dust all around, forming barriers that blocked Zhang Tingpu's view. The Longsword stabbed out at an extremely tricky angle!

"That seems to be Yao Peiding of the Yao Family. He's been in the Refining Internal Realm for half a year now!" Zhang Ruo focused to confirm and couldn't help but exclaim aloud.

As a member of a cadet branch of the Zhang Family, she naturally recognized the Refining Internal Realm geniuses from various major families. A guest next to her remarked, "Yao Peiding is not only a martial talent but also a Low-Grade Alchemist. Therefore, in this match, the Zhang Family is bound to lose."

"In these kinds of arena matches, whoever steps up first loses half the battle. After all, everyone in the county town knows each other's capabilities."

"The Zhang Family will have to give up a bottle of Marrow Cleansing Elixir in the very first match."

On the platform, Zhang Tingpu was parrying blows, constantly on the defensive. Evidently, just as the guest had said, within a quarter of an hour, he was completely off the stage.

With Yao Peiding setting an excellent precedent, many geniuses successively took their turn. A bottle of Marrow Cleansing Elixir was a considerable gain for those at the Refining Internal Realm.

One thrilling match after another unfolded before the numerous guests.

Zhang Ruo leaned slightly forward, her eyes glued to the figures on the platform, unable to look away. Having listened to Jiang Shu discuss the key points of the Refining Internal Realm a few days ago, she was full of insights. Now, personally witnessing various Refining Internal Realm geniuses clashing, thoughts continuously raced through her mind. Her Inner Strength also began to circulate and transform.

"Try this way."

Noticing something unusual about Zhang Ruo, Jiang Shu suddenly reached out and tapped her, channeling a surge of Inner Strength into her.

Suddenly, a flush rose on Zhang Ruo's face. She felt her body go numb and tingly, as if hands were caressing her all over. Biting her lip, she struggled to suppress a soft moan of pleasure. She turned her head slightly to look at Jiang Shu but only saw his serious expression.

"Don't get distracted. Circulate your Middle Grade Cultivation Technique; let me see," Jiang Shu spoke, his words forming a thread, gently resonating in Zhang Ruo's ear.

Zhang Ruo's innate martial talent was, in fact, not weak. This time, she seemed to have an epiphany, gaining some insight. Such opportunities were quite rare; if she could seize this one, she might soon be able to fully step into the Refining Internal Realm.

"Hmm..." She nodded. Seeing that everyone around had their gazes fixed on the stage, Zhang Ruo's face grew even hotter. Although she had grown up in a martial arts academy and practiced with her fellow disciples from a young age, she had never been this close to a man before. Moreover, with Jiang Shu's Inner Strength currently being transmitted to her, it felt as if he was seeing right through her, touching her all over—especially when the Inner Strength passed through her ears, neck, chest, waist, and thighs. This feeling was unprecedented.

She knew this was Jiang Shu's goodwill. It was a rare opportunity. If she missed this chance, she didn't know how long it would take her to master a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique on her own.

But this...

Brother Shang must just want to help me.

"This Middle Grade Cultivation Technique of the Zhang Family is rather average and has some flaws, so you should be careful with it. Ultimately, Zhang Tingpu was defeated because he hadn't fully mastered his Cultivation Technique. It's fine not to have rich combat experience; that improves gradually with more fights. However, failing to master the Cultivation Technique thoroughly will cap your potential."

"The limits of the Cultivation Technique also determine the limits of the Martial Artist. When you get a chance, try to see if you can exchange it for a better Middle Grade Cultivation Technique from the Zhang Family."

After a full quarter of an hour, Jiang Shu withdrew his hand, his voice a mere whisper audible only to Zhang Ruo as he explained. At his current realm, he could generally grasp the essence of any Middle Grade Cultivation Technique at a glance.

"Brother Shang... thank you..."

"Remember the circulation pattern and practice diligently every day when you return home. Don't you still have a bottle of Internal Fortification Elixir? Take one every three days. Within a month, you should be able to master the Cultivation Technique and reach the Refining Internal Realm. By then, you'll be considered a core member of the Zhang Family. You also won't feel like you're living at the mercy of others, constantly worried about being bartered away like goods." Jiang Shu spoke with a smile, looking towards the stage.

Zhang Ruo's foundation was a bit more solid than he had expected. He had thought that upon entering the Zhang Family, she would rely solely on Elixirs for improvement, but now it seemed she also had her own strong ideas.

At this moment, the battle on the stage had reached its most exciting part. The number one genius of this generation from the Zhang Family, Zhang Yunsu, had stepped onto the stage. She wore a purple Soft Sword around her waist but hadn't drawn it, holding only a long ribbon. Her Inner Strength surged like a storm. In both her understanding of her Cultivation Technique and her martial prowess, she evidently surpassed many geniuses from other large clans. She won three consecutive matches, earning a round of applause.

If this were any other time, Zhang Ruo would definitely be utterly amazed, thinking Zhang Yunsu truly deserved to be called the prodigy of the Zhang Family. But now, her eyes occasionally drifted towards Jiang Shu.

Currently, she was only in the Bone Forging Realm and barely understood the Refining Internal Realm.

But ordinary masters of the Refining Internal Realm could definitely not achieve this feat.

Inner Strength entering her body, directly guiding her through a full circulation of her family's Cultivation Technique!

If he didn't have such a profound understanding of the human body, such a circulation of Inner Strength would have long thrown her own qi and blood into disarray!

Yet, not only had she experienced no discomfort, but she also understood her own body even better.

She was only a thin membrane away from breaking through to the Refining Internal Realm.

What realm is Brother Shang really in?

Could it be... the Blood Exchange Realm?

No way.

When she first met Brother Shang, hadn't he just left the county town, possessing only the strength of the Bone Forging Realm?

She couldn't help but shake her head, dispelling the chaotic thoughts from her mind. Zhang Ruo took two deep breaths, steadying her heart.

On the stage, Zhang Yunsu won another match. After looking around and confirming no one else was stepping forward, she walked to the center, suddenly dropping the ribbon from her hand and drawing the Soft Sword from her waist. Under the influence of her Inner Strength, the Soft Sword straightened, and a powerful sword aura erupted:

"Zhang Yunsu of the Zhang Family."

"Daring to wield this sword, I humbly request guidance from any Blood Exchange Realm genius present."