Chapter 2, Hall of Blazing Fire

With a powerful thrust, it pierced through the air, emitting a heart-wrenching sound that resonated from the door of the room, leaving an inexplicable sense of unease.

But the past is not as good as today

Whether in terms of color or aroma, this rice can be considered a masterpiece. If You Qian were here, he would certainly recognize it at a glance; this is rice cultivated from specially designated spiritual soil.

"Brother Yun." The chubby boy You Qian, dressed in black, ran over from the small path beside the camp

In the distance, three figures clad in purple stood out prominently among the crowd. At the forefront was a somewhat youthful-looking boy, yet he stood nearly 1.9 meters tall, with well-defined muscles that made him appear exceptionally robust. In terms of physique, he could easily overshadow Yun Hong.

Yun Hong stood in the martial arts hall on the other side of the room, which spanned several dozen square meters, sufficient for him to practice his boxing

The two quickly returned to the outside of the shanty in the Ninth Resettlement Area

Yun Hong. Liu Ming stared at Yun Hong, who was standing next to Ye Lan, with a hint of apprehension deep in his eyes, along with a trace of anger.

In which aspect does Liu Ming believe that he surpasses Yun Hong now

Yun Hong walked into the Hall of Fiery Flames

Liu Ming frowned: "Let them go"

The cloud pot was opened, revealing a whole chicken, a pile of green vegetables, and a very large bowl of rice. The chicken and vegetables were relatively ordinary, but each grain of rice had a luster akin to that of jade, resembling exquisite works of art, emanating a faint fragrance

Yun Hong took off his coat

Yun Hong and Senior Brother Xie both appear somewhat exceptional within the Martial Arts Academy

The sun is scorching, and the temperature has risen significantly, no longer retaining the freshness of the morning

Firstly, Ye Lan is indeed beautiful. When she first entered the martial arts academy, it was not very apparent, but as the young girl blossomed, she can now be fully regarded as a beauty. Secondly, Ye Lan's background is noteworthy; she is the only daughter of a general who guards the town.

Very soon

Just

In the martial arts academy's training ground, dozens of disciples were practicing their skills. Most of these disciples were dressed in black, and upon seeing Yun Hong and Ye Lan in their purple attire, they all showed great respect.

Although there were some minor frictions with Liu Ming, Yun Hong did not wish to provoke the other party

"Brother Yun, I have at least cultivated to the fourth level of body tempering as a warrior," You Qian said with a playful smile as he approached Yun Hong and the others.

and most of them are acquainted with Yun Hong and Ye Lan

The food appears to be quick

One is the daughter of the general in charge of the garrison

"This eighty-pound training suit is somewhat light for me." Yun Hong pondered for a moment, opened a nearby cabinet, and took out four additional pieces to bind to his legs

As soon as the food was consumed, a faint warmth began to rise from Yun Hong's abdomen, accompanied by subtle sounds, as if it were rapidly digesting. Such a swift digestive capability is exceedingly rare, even among martial artists

Four to six layers gradually permeate the entire body's fascia and muscles

Liu Ming was born into a scholarly family in Yangzhou, and his father served as the deputy magistrate of Donghe County. Therefore, he had a profound understanding of the ways of officials and was well aware of the benefits that could come from marrying Ye Lan

Senior Brother Yun

Call

It is important to note that there are only about one hundred elite disciples in the martial arts academy

Yun Hong couldn't help but smile upon seeing this: "Be careful with the money, don't drop it."

According to the order of entering the hall, Yun Hong must address him as Senior Brother.

The two individuals beside Liu Ming, both possessing a martial arts cultivation level of the fifth stage of body refinement, are quite accomplished and are elite disciples within the martial arts academy, yet they appear to be mere followers in Liu Ming's presence

"Rest assured, Brother Yun, we are well-acquainted with this. The garrison has already taken over," said You Qian. "The camp we manage is undoubtedly the most orderly and cleanest among all the camps."

"It is meaningless," Liu Ming shook his head. "If I go to find Yun Hong now, Ye Lan will only think that I am bullying the weak, and will only despise me even more."

Where is Yunhong? However, it is a commoner's home in Donghe County

Regarding the background, Liu Ming is the second son of the county magistrate, and the Liu family has a certain reputation in Yangzhou, having transcended the level of ordinary wealthy families

Three individuals gazed at Yun Hong as he made his way towards the distant palace.

Junior Brother Yun

Spirit rice is very difficult to cultivate and is usually reserved for martial artists to consume, as it contains spiritual energy and has very few impurities. In terms of price, one pound of spirit rice is equivalent to one hundred pounds of ordinary rice, and currently, there are approximately two pounds of rice in Yun Hong's bowl.

Only I am the most suitable for her

Every morsel of food is precious to Yunhong

The two attendants exchanged glances, realizing that it was still their senior brother who had a deeper perspective

"Senior Brother, do you want to ... ... " The young man in purple clothing, who was standing beside Liu Ming, noticed his frown and made a gesture.

Hoo.

In the center of the grand hall lies a training arena that spans a width of one hundred meters, yet at this moment, there is only a young man in purple attire practicing his swordsmanship. The blade gleams sharply, moving with an ethereal grace, showcasing remarkable skill

Senior Brother Xie is older, already sixteen years old, but in terms of strength, he is probably not as good as Yun Hong. He participated in the competition among the six counties last year and ultimately suffered a regrettable defeat. This year is his last opportunity to enter the county academy

Several of Ye Lan's guards followed closely behind her

Beneath the seemingly frail physique lies a musculature that appears to be forged from steel, with layers of muscles entwined like the roots of an ancient tree, and the skin all over the body is as smooth as beef tallow

Due to the small number of people, each disciple of the Hall of Fiery Flames enjoys excellent treatment, with large martial arts rooms and lounges allocated individually. As long as they are willing, they can completely reside there for long-term cultivation.

It should be noted that the population of Donghe County exceeds one million, yet the number of disciples in the Lihuo Hall consistently remains between ten and twenty, with each individual deserving to be called a genius

The three individuals followed the official road and soon arrived near the eastern gate of Donghe County. Although Donghe County had experienced a great disaster, it remained the only human settlement within a radius of several hundred miles, with a population of over several hundred thousand within the city.

Junior Sister Ye

Therefore

The three individuals passed through the bustling and prosperous Feng'an Street and arrived at the Martial Arts Academy

At this moment, the merchants traveling along the official roads are incessantly coming and going

You Qian and Ye Lan both nodded

Yun Hong deeply exhaled, his breath turning pale, like an arrow released from the bow, lingering for a long time

Among the entire Donghe Martial Arts Academy, if Liu Ming were to say who he finds most displeasing, it would undoubtedly be Yun Hong

"Senior Brother, I do not understand," said the young man in purple beside Liu Ming. "You have successfully condensed your pulse now; if you were to fight again, Yun Hong would certainly not be your opponent. Perhaps Senior Sister Ye would..."

Very soon

What? The two attendants felt somewhat helpless

The room is quite large, measuring nearly 100 square meters, and the decor is rather luxurious. The floor and walls are made of special metal, and there are spacious tables, chairs, and a bed against the wall.

Thus, it is as if one is wearing a full one hundred and twenty pounds of body-forging clothing.

Regarding martial arts cultivation, although Yun Hong suffered consecutive defeats against several disciples of the Fire Hall upon his initial entry, one of them was Liu Ming

Liu Ming said softly: "Moreover, there is no need to wait too long. In the fierce fire palace examination half a month from now, I will certainly defeat Yun Hong in a fair and square manner"

Yun Hong and Ye Lan left the orphan camp along the official road, where a row of towering trees stood, lush and green, providing shade and shelter from the rain. Walking beneath the trees offered a unique charm.

The garrison general, in terms of power and influence, surpasses the county magistrate. In the Da Qian political system, there is a separation of military and civil authority, and in many instances, some powerful local garrison generals wield influence that is no less than that of the county magistrate

Although he is only fifteen years old and has already reached the sixth level of body tempering, making it almost certain that he will become a martial artist and has the potential to become a great hero of a town, does Yun Hong's ambition in his heart merely stop at being a great hero of a town?

In the next moment, his eyes suddenly widened, and his entire demeanor changed dramatically, resembling a hunting tiger or leopard. His muscles surged, and his spine tightened like a drawn bow, with the power instantly transmitting throughout his body

Ye Lan and You Qian responded in unison, and the three of them then parted ways, heading towards different halls

It was originally very simple; he liked Ye Lan

The reason is simple; only the two of them come from a commoner background

Ye Lan stood by, smiling

True wealthy scions all have training rooms built in their homes, which are no less impressive than the Hall of Fiery Flames. Various spiritual materials and elixirs are more conveniently utilized, and they may even hire specialized warriors and martial artists for practice.

Very soon

In fact, among the thirteen disciples of the Hall of Blazing Fire, only Yun Hong and Senior Brother Xie have remained in the Hall for long-term cultivation, unless they are being taught by a master.

Although they are good friends, each person has their own aspirations. Yun Hong chose not to say much more, so as not to damage their friendship

However, Ye Lan does not like him

"You joined the martial arts academy a year later than us, You Qian, and you are younger. If it doesn't work out this year, there is always next year," Yun Hong said. "But if you still can't enter the county academy next year, then you will have to follow your father into the restaurant business."

With a single punch, like a galloping steed; with a single step, like a raging river; and with another fierce kick, like the stars chasing the moon

Senior Brother Yun, Senior Sister Ye

I will go to the Hall of Blazing Fire first said Yun Hong with a smile

"Junior Brother Yun, your sister-in-law just brought over some food," Senior Brother Xie said with a smile. "Since you weren't here, I placed it in your room. It smells good, so hurry and eat."

Within the martial arts academy, in addition to the dormitories provided for the disciples' rest, the main training venues consist of three massive halls: Zunwu, Qiudao, and Liehuo. These halls are designated for ordinary disciples, elite disciples, and disciples of the Liehuo Hall, respectively, facilitating the teachers in tailoring their instruction according to the individual needs of the students

Yun Hong entered his room

Yun Hong has reached the pinnacle of the sixth level of body tempering, having already unified the strength of his waist, legs, back, elbows, wrists, and palms. Even his internal organs have begun to strengthen, and his breath and spirit far exceed that of ordinary people, especially the digestive capacity of his stomach and intestines, which is beyond the reach of even ordinary martial artists

Hmm? Yun Hong caught sight of three figures appearing on the distant road and couldn't help but frown slightly: "Liu Ming?"

paused

Although there is some competition, we are ultimately from the same institution

Engaging in the restaurant business is not a big deal; if it weren't for my father's financial support, I wouldn't have been able to enter the martial arts academy with my qualifications. You see my father, he spends at least several thousand taels of silver each year

"Let us go, we shall return to eat, and in the afternoon, we must continue our training," Yun Hong said

In a world where the wealthy are literate and the poor are martial, the progress in martial arts cultivation requires numerous supplements to nourish the body. Without relying on family background and lacking sufficient resources, it is exceedingly difficult to achieve prominence in cultivation.

The Martial Arts Academy, located in the southeast of the county town, boasts the most convenient transportation. Since the establishment of the Great Qian dynasty, it has consistently maintained a student body of only 800 disciples across generations, yet it covers an area of over 600 acres. In terms of land area, it is larger than the county government residence and is second only to the garrison barracks within the city.

Donghe County Town, though named a county town, is in fact a military and transportation stronghold. The city walls alone rise over ten zhang, and there are numerous soldiers stationed atop the walls, ever vigilant against the incursions of monstrous beasts

This also made Yun Hong and Senior Brother Xie have an excellent relationship, making them the leaders of the civilian disciples in the Martial Arts Academy

One is a disciple of the Hall of Blazing Fire

Yun Hong and the other two are all disciples of the Martial Arts Academy, and Ye Lan is the daughter of the guarding general. The soldiers at the city gate are all familiar with them, so they encountered no obstacles and directly entered the city

Yun Hong directly inquired, "Is everything arranged?"

Yun Hong nodded

"Just wait, Yun Hong comes from a common background. I admit that his martial arts talent is not inferior to mine, but without resources and connections, it is already remarkable for him to cultivate to the sixth level of body refinement. In the future, at most, he might reach the seventh or eighth level of body refinement, perhaps becoming a notable figure in a town. But what kind of person is General Ye?" Liu Ming said lightly, "Ye Lan is still young; she does not understand now, but she will understand in the future."

However, Ye Lan was indifferent to any young man in the martial arts academy, except for her close relationship with Yun Hong

They are quite prominent in the martial arts academy

You Qian does not care much about the cultivation in the martial arts academy

Thank you, Senior Brother Xie. Yun Hong also responded with a smile, noting that Senior Brother Xie entered the Hall of Blazing Fire last year

This young man is none other than Liu Ming, one of the only two disciples in the Donghe Martial Arts Academy who has reached the seventh level of body tempering

"I apologize for the trouble, Senior Brother." Yun Hong clasped his hands together and then turned to head towards his own room

Yun Hong did not hesitate, sitting down to eat with great gusto, his speed was extremely fast, comparable to a whirlwind sweeping through the clouds

Yun Hong's breath gradually slowed down, and he completely relaxed.

Next in rank to the county magistrate are the county vice-magistrate and the garrison general. The county vice-magistrate holds a position within a county that is comparable to that of a chancellor within a nation, wielding considerable power

Tearer

The disciple in purple practicing with a sword greeted Yun Hong with a smile

In a county, the county magistrate holds power, serving as a parental figure for the local populace, capable of issuing commands to millions or even hundreds of thousands of people within the county

The fatigue brought by the clouds and floods was instantly swept away

One month ago, Liu Ming had successfully condensed his pulse and had entered the seventh level of body tempering, leaping from a lower rank in the Fire Hall to become the top disciple of the Martial Arts Academy, while Yun Hong remained at the sixth level of body tempering, falling behind him.

Ye Lan smiled and said, "You must also work hard, You Qian. In the six-county competition two months from now, if you can reach the fifth level of body tempering, there is still a glimmer of hope for you to enter the county academy."

The Hall of Fiery Flames can only be entered upon reaching the sixth level of body tempering

From the first to the third level of body tempering, the primary focus is on nurturing the physical body. Through regular exercises such as standing post, running, and frog jumps, one gradually strengthens and fills out the muscles of the limbs and the waist.

Yun Hong and Ye Lan both couldn't help but smile

... ...

"Brother Yun, I thought that Liu Ming was going to cause us trouble," You Qian couldn't help but say. "He used to be quite arrogant, but ever since the Condensation of Veins, he has become much more peaceful."

"Sister Ye, please spare me," the chubby You Qian lamented, "I do want to practice, but this body of mine limits my performance."

The efficacy of the spirit rice is indeed astonishing; the vital energy has already begun to circulate within my body. I must seize the time to cultivate, so that I can transform this vital energy into my own strength

The disciples of the Martial Academy come to manage the disaster victims, which is a practice rooted in the training nature of the disciples, passed down through generations. However, as the Great Qian has been established for a long time, this matter has become somewhat perfunctory.

With a slight movement, the bones and muscles can emit a cracking sound

And on the arms, shoulders, and waist, there is a layer of thin lining that closely adheres and emits a metallic sheen

It is almost noon

The main entrance of the Martial Arts Academy is inscribed with a large character for "Martial". Upon entering the academy, one is greeted by numerous rooms and several grand halls, each of which is exceedingly large

Extremely difficult, it can be considered one in a hundred or even one in ten thousand

The blade's light has ceased

Hoo Hoo

In fact, every detail was attended to; not a single grain of rice or a shred of meat was overlooked. Even the chicken bones were crushed as much as possible and consumed, with all the soup completely finished, fearing any waste

Yun Hong, however, cannot help but care; his background, not to mention being compared to the likes of Ye Lan and Liu Ming, who are of noble status, is even inferior when compared to wealthy merchants like You Qian.

Boom

On the table, there is a basket of food.

There is no need