Xu Yang stepped into the courtyard and saw Sun Tao, his spirits high and his face flushed with vigor. A faintly oppressive aura emanated from his body.

He instantly understood what had happened. Smiling, he cupped his fists and said, "Congratulations, Senior Brother Sun, on achieving Qi Cultivation Gang and advancing to the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm."

Sun Tao’s face was filled with joy. "Just a bit of luck," he said. "You must be close too, Junior Brother Xu. Now that you’ve comprehended Wind and Thunder Strength, achieving Qi Cultivation Gang shouldn’t be difficult for you."

Xu Yang nodded. "It should just take a little more time."

Sun Tao said, "It’s all that old dog’s fault. If he hadn’t assigned you that mission and wasted your time, with your talent, you might have achieved Qi Cultivation Gang even before I did."

His resentment toward Xiao Hua was even greater than Xu Yang’s.

To others, it seemed like Xu Yang was the one losing face from Xiao Hua’s suppression. But in his eyes, the one truly being slapped in the face was their master, Lin Cheng.

Just as Xu Yang was about to speak, he saw Jiang Fan and Wang Weihua walk in.

Wang Weihua was one of the nine people living in the courtyard and also a Dragon Ascending Disciple from the current examination. However, Xu Yang had little interaction with him or the other three.

"Latest news! The Eagle Society has issued a public bounty of one hundred contribution points for the killer of Han Xing and Ji Jincheng. Anyone who can provide useful information will receive one hundred contribution points," Wang Weihua announced loudly.

Xu Yang’s heart skipped a beat. ’Kong Yu is back?’

Sun Tao said, "One hundred contribution points? It’s a wonder he could even spare that much. A master capable of killing both Han Xing and Ji Jincheng at the same time is worth far more than a mere hundred contribution points."

Jiang Fan said, "He probably can’t offer more. It’s just a last-ditch effort, leaving the rest to fate. If anyone really saw who killed Han Xing and Ji Jincheng, they would have spoken up long ago instead of waiting for a bounty."

Wang Weihua said, "It’s not just contribution points. It’s said that Kong Yu also promised that he would owe a favor to whoever provides useful information. It’s a shame I don’t know who did it, otherwise I could earn a favor from the third of the Ten Heroes."

A favor from Kong Yu was arguably more valuable than a hundred contribution points.

After listening for a few more moments and hearing nothing of value, Xu Yang returned to his room.

[Cultivation Techniques: Fuyue Bear Scripture Gang Qi Chapter - Introduction (102/2000), Golden Gang Skill - Introduction (57/2000)]

[Remaining Lifespan: 73]

His Cultivation had stabilized, and with the nourishment of Gang Qi over the past few days, his lifespan had increased by another year.

Without the aid of elixirs for the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm, his progress with the Fuyue Bear Scripture was also very slow. After so many days, his progress had only reached one hundred.

By this logic, without elixirs, it would take him about a year to reach the Minor Success Realm of Gang Qi.

And this was with his Root Bone having reached the Below A-class level. For anyone else, it would take even longer. Many people’s Cultivation stopped growing entirely after they achieved Qi Cultivation Gang.

He circulated the Fuyue Bear Scripture, and strands of Gang Qi emerged from his flesh, muscles, and bones, slowly increasing his Cultivation.

An hour later, Xu Yang finished his practice, lay down on his bed, and went to sleep.

In the evening, he awoke and pushed open his door to see Lin Wei, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, sitting in the courtyard talking with Sun Tao.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Lin!" Xu Yang said as he walked over.

’Lin Wei’s choices were her own business. It was only human nature to want to climb the social ladder and latch onto someone powerful. I can’t hold a grudge against Lin Wei just because Xiao Hua is suppressing me.’

"Junior Brother Xu, long time no see!"

Lin Wei cupped her fists and said, "I only found out Senior Brother Sun had achieved Qi Cultivation Gang because I came looking for you."

Xu Yang was taken aback. ’She came specifically to find me?’

Sun Tao laughed. "So, Junior Sister came looking specifically for Junior Brother Xu. And here I thought you came to congratulate me on achieving Qi Cultivation Gang."

Hearing this, Lin Wei pursed her lips, knowing she had misspoken.

Xu Yang asked, "May I ask what business Senior Sister Lin has with me?"

’I’m actually already considering whether I should tell Lin Wei about Xiao Chen and Su Man. Master Lin asked me to help look after her, and I did promise to do so to the best of my ability.’

’But this matter is clearly beyond my abilities and would even endanger my life.’

’Right now, I really can’t afford to provoke the Xiao father and son. Xiao Chen is also an Outer Disciple, so his Cultivation is bound to be higher than mine.’

’Xiao Hua is even more formidable. To be an Outer Sect Steward of the Purple Sun Sect, your Cultivation has to at least surpass Gang Qi Great Success, and you have to be a master who has begun Marrow Cleansing.’

’And that’s just the Cultivation of the Xiao father and son, not to mention their power and connections. Warning Lin Wei might ruin Xiao Chen’s plans, but I definitely wouldn’t live for more than a month.’

’Is there a more tactful way to do this?’

But before Xu Yang could think of a solution, he heard Lin Wei say, "Junior Brother Xu, I heard that Uncle Xiao kindly arranged a high-contribution-point mission for you, but you think he’s targeting you?"

Xu Yang: "..."

’I really didn’t expect this would be the first thing she’d say.’

’Brilliant!’

’I instantly understood this was likely Xiao Chen’s handiwork. The incident happened so long ago. Why wouldn’t she come earlier or later, but specifically today, right after I saw Xiao Chen with Su Man?’

’Xiao Chen is obviously trying to drive a wedge between me and Lin Wei, and it looks like he might have succeeded.’

Sun Tao said in a heavy voice, "Junior Brother Xu is still in the Qi Gathering Realm. Assigning him a mission that only a Gang Qi master can handle—how is that not targeting him?"

Lin Wei shook her head. "Senior Brother Sun, he has a Qi Gathering Cultivation, yet he gets to earn contribution points that normally require a Gang Qi Cultivation. Isn’t that looking out for him?"

Sun Tao fell silent for a moment, then said, "Junior Sister, are you unaware of the dangers outside? The dangers of the Garrison at the Hundred Medicine Hall?"

Lin Wei said, "What mission isn’t dangerous? Isn’t Junior Brother Xu perfectly fine? Besides, Junior Brother Lu Ren and Gu Haoming also took this mission. If it were truly dangerous, would they have done it?"

Did Xu Yang really have to die on the mission to prove it was dangerous?