Top-Class Comprehension: Start with Basic Fist Techniques

"Inner Mansion Martial Artist, Lu Changsheng."

Lu Changsheng responded indifferently.

"It really is Lu Changsheng!"

"Who would've thought he'd already come to Martial Saint Mansion and is here taking missions?"

"He must be eager to forge the Sacred Body, right?"

Many Inner Mansion martial artists suddenly realized the situation.

In fact, they had already heard the name "Lu Changsheng."

But many had not seen him in person yet.

And now, they witnessed Lu Changsheng with their own eyes.

"Brother Lu, are you truly accepting this mission? If so, let's discuss in detail."

Lu Changsheng nodded lightly and left the Trading Hall with the martial artist.

Lu Changsheng did not dwell on what had happened earlier in the Trading Hall.

However, being the owner of Inner Mansion Cave Mansion No. 1 clearly carried significant weight.

At the very least, it gave a clear advantage in competing for missions.

The martial artist before him, upon hearing that Lu Changsheng was the owner of Cave Mansion No. 1 in the Inner Mansion, instantly disregarded the other applicants and designated Lu Changsheng.

The two entered a secluded chamber in the Outer Mansion to discuss the details.

"Let me clarify something first."

"The Geng Metal Essence Brother Lu requires is not Acquired but Innate Geng Metal Essence!"

"If you don't have it, then there's nothing further to discuss about the mission."

Lu Changsheng spoke decisively and straightforwardly.

"Hmm?"

"Innate Geng Metal Essence?"

The martial artist's face immediately changed.

The difference between Innate and Acquired Geng Metal Essence might seem to be just one word.

But that single word marked the difference between heaven and earth.

The two were utterly incomparable.

If Acquired Geng Metal Essence could be refined bit by bit from a vast amount of Geng Metal,

then Innate Geng Metal Essence was rare and unattainable.

It formed naturally.

Often, only a trace of Innate Geng Metal Essence could be found in an enormous Geng Gold Ore Vein.

The true difference between Innate and Acquired lies in their growth potential.

If a Magical Treasure were crafted with Acquired Geng Metal Essence,

it would remain as it was forged, with limited growth and flexibility.

But Innate Geng Metal Essence was different.

When fused into a Magical Treasure, the treasure could improve and evolve over time.

Eventually, it might even grow into a formidable treasure of immense power.

This growth potential and adaptability were what made the Innate Geng Metal Essence so precious.

One could say the rarity of Innate Geng Metal Essence is at least ten or even dozens of times greater than Acquired Essence.

"Brother Lu, are you not making an outrageous demand?"

"Innate Geng Metal Essence is exceedingly rare."

"Even if we at Flying Boat Commerce had some, there's no way we would part with it."

The martial artist shook his head and flatly refused.

Lu Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly.

So, this martial artist was from Flying Boat Commerce.

And as for Flying Boat Commerce, Lu Changsheng had heard about it before.

It was a rather prominent commerce group.

Moreover, from what the other hinted, it seemed they might actually possess some Innate Geng Metal Essence!

If they had it, then there was room for negotiation.

"May I ask why Flying Boat Commerce needs to recruit Divine Power Realm martial artists from Martial Saint Mansion?"

"With the power of Flying Boat Commerce, surely you wouldn't struggle to find top-tier Divine Power Realm martial artists."

Lu Changsheng inquired.

"This matter isn't much of a secret."

"Flying Boat Commerce is competing with Mingzhou Chamber of Commerce over control of a Geng Gold Ore Vein. Flying Boat Commerce has always controlled a significant portion of Geng Gold Ores, so every ore vein is crucial. If Mingzhou Chamber of Commerce secures this vein, it would be a severe blow to us."

"Both are large commercial organizations, so of course there are ways to resolve this without Martial Saints stepping in to fight directly—it would be chaos if things spiraled out of control."

"Thus, the two parties agreed to decide the victor through an open arena match featuring Divine Power Realm martial artists. The winner will claim the Geng Gold Ore Vein."

"Mingzhou Chamber of Commerce has a top-tier Martial Venerable whose strength is formidable. Even ordinary Martial Venerables aren't their match. Therefore, we had no choice but to come to Martial Saint Mansion to try and recruit a top-tier Martial Venerable."

Lu Changsheng understood now.

It was about competing for a Geng Gold Ore Vein.

In truth, Flying Boat Commerce owned many such veins.

This particular vein wasn't extraordinarily vital to them.

But for Mingzhou Chamber of Commerce, it was critically important.

Should Mingzhou Chamber acquire the vein, they would gain entry into the Geng Metal market,

enabling them to directly compete with Flying Boat Commerce.

This was an outcome Flying Boat Commerce could not tolerate.

As such, Flying Boat Commerce was determined to win this vein at all costs!

Lu Changsheng mentally calculated and made up his mind.

He smiled faintly and said, "You may relay this message to the higher-ups at Flying Boat Commerce."

"If I am provided with Innate Geng Metal Essence, I will secure the Geng Gold Ore Vein for them."

Lu Changsheng's words left the martial artist from Flying Boat Commerce slightly stunned.

"Brother Lu, how can you be so certain you will win the ore vein?"

Lu Changsheng spoke calmly, word by word: "Because no matter whom Mingzhou Chamber sends, I will win!"

The statement, delivered without the slightest flourish, exuded an absolute and undeniable confidence!

Lu Changsheng indeed possessed such confidence.

Not even the arrival of a Venerable of Destiny would deter him.

For Lu Changsheng, the outcome was already determined:

He would be victorious!

Flying Boat Commerce's martial artist felt his spirit shaken.

It was as if Lu Changsheng's confidence had rubbed off on him.

Taking a deep breath, he solemnly said, "Since Brother Lu is so assured, I will immediately inform the president and let them decide!"

Lu Changsheng nodded.

He casually closed his eyes, waiting quietly.

The martial artist stepped out briefly.

He passed Lu Changsheng's words along to the president of Flying Boat Commerce in full detail.

The executives of the commerce immediately convened an urgent discussion.

A martial artist from Martial Saint Mansion's Inner Mansion, the owner of Cave Mansion No. 1—

such credentials carried substantial weight.

Even more so when they learned that the previous owner of Cave Mansion No. 1 was a Venerable of Destiny,

a figure renowned for unparalleled combat prowess among all its prior occupants.

Yet, even that Venerable had been displaced by Lu Changsheng.

Roughly one incense stick's time later, the martial artist from Flying Boat Commerce re-entered.

"Brother Lu, the commerce has agreed to your terms."

"As long as you defeat the martial artist from Mingzhou Chamber in the arena, the commerce will present you with a piece of Innate Geng Metal Essence weighing at least ten jin."

Flying Boat Commerce even specified the Innate Geng Metal Essence's weight,

further reassuring Lu Changsheng.

Ten jin—more than sufficient!

"It's a deal, then!"

"When do we depart?"

Lu Changsheng asked.

"We can leave immediately."

"Very well. I have nothing further to prepare. Let us head to Flying Boat Commerce at once."

Lu Changsheng disliked wasting time.

Thus, the martial artist from Flying Boat Commerce accompanied Lu Changsheng on a Flying Boat.

Together, they quickly headed for the commerce's headquarters.

Three days later, they arrived at the headquarters of Flying Boat Commerce.

The president personally came out to greet them.

"Welcome, Brother Lu, to Flying Boat Commerce."

"It is our honor to have your full support in this matter!"

The president of Flying Boat Commerce was a Golden Core True Master, yet his tone was exceedingly diplomatic.

"You flatter me, President."

"However, I must first ask to inspect the Innate Geng Metal Essence."

Lu Changsheng stated directly.

It wasn't that he distrusted Flying Boat Commerce,

but seeing it with his own eyes would settle his mind.

"Of course."

"Brother Lu, please enter the commerce."

Lu Changsheng nodded.

He proceeded into the grand hall of the commerce.

Soon, someone fetched a fist-sized piece of Innate Geng Metal Essence.

Though no larger than a fist, it was incredibly dense, weighing a full ten jin.

Moreover, it radiated an extraordinarily sharp aura.

With just one glance, Lu Changsheng was certain—this was indeed genuine Innate Geng Metal Essence!

"Not bad."

Lu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction.

Flying Boat Commerce immediately put the Innate Geng Metal Essence away.

"Brother Lu, allow me to offer a word of caution."

"The Martial Venerable whom Mingzhou Chamber is sending was once part of Martial Saint Mansion as well. However, he was an Outer Mansion martial artist, hailed as the number one figure of the Outer Mansion at the time—Venerable Hu Shan."

"Hu Shan is no longer part of Martial Saint Mansion since his decade-long term has ended. But his strength is well known, so do beware."

Lu Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly.

The former number one of the Outer Mansion?

That was an unexpected twist.

However, whether it was the former number one of the Outer Mansion or the current number one, it made little difference to Lu Changsheng.

As long as they were at the Divine Power Realm, Lu Changsheng feared no one.

"It doesn't matter. I will handle this. President, please proceed with scheduling the duel."

"The sooner, the better."

Lu Changsheng spoke in a calm, detached voice.

"Very well, I will make the arrangements immediately. Please prepare yourself, Brother Lu."

With those words, Lu Changsheng withdrew to meditate in solitude, quietly awaiting the duel between Flying Boat Commerce and Mingzhou Chamber of Commerce to be finalized.