In February, Star Martial University was shrouded in a lingering late-winter chill, but the students’ passion for cultivation hadn’t diminished in the slightest.

Villa No. 7, Hidden Dragon Garden, in the underground Cultivation Room.

Xu Wuyi was bare-chested, sitting cross-legged within the light and heat of the Earth Fire Marrow Lamp.

Dark red Qi and Blood surged like molten lava, coursing through his body along the pathways of the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace*. A continuous, faint hum emanated from deep within his bones—a sign that the tempering had reached his very marrow.

He slowly concluded his practice. The breath he exhaled was scorching hot, forming a fleeting white plume in the air.

[Life Energy Level: 22.6]

[Martial Arts: Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace (Entry Level 31.2%); Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear (Minor Achievement 28.1%); Instant Shadow Step (Minor Achievement 33.5%); Wind-Settling Spear (Great Success 3.8%)]

As his gaze swept over the data displayed on the Martial Arts Diligence Record, a flicker of satisfaction flashed in Xu Wuyi’s eyes.

For the past half-month, he had focused most of his energy on practicing the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace* and increasing his Life Energy Level.

With the aid of the Earth Fire Marrow and an ample supply of Potions, his progress had been nothing short of miraculous, and he was already not far from Level 23.

But his greatest gain was undoubtedly the successful breakthrough in his *Wind-Settling Spear*.

This simplified Spear Technique, derived from the *Eight-direction Soul Suppressing Spear*, had finally entered the "Great Success" Realm a week ago thanks to his relentless training day and night.

The Great Success Level *Wind-Settling Spear* was fluid and seamless when executed, its Power focused and unwavering. This elevated his overall combat strength to a new level.

"I’m another step closer to the Level 25 threshold for a Martial Artist," Xu Wuyi muttered to himself.

After reaching Level 25, not only would his strength undergo a qualitative leap, but he would also be able to accept higher-level missions with more generous rewards on the Star Martial Battle Network.

Therefore, he had rarely gone out recently to take on low-level missions with poor cost-benefit ratios. He preferred to save the time and focus all his efforts on breaking through to Level 25.

He understood the value of proper preparation.

The exceptions were tasks filtered by Anna that had high rewards and weren’t troublesome—trips that took no more than half a day but could earn him several dozen points.

He was willing to take those on the side to prepare for the future, but unfortunately, such opportunities were rare.

Just then, the voice of his smart assistant, Anna, sounded. "Mr. Xu, you have received a visitor request on the Star Martial Battle Network from a stranger. The party identifies himself as Qiao Yongwen from the Dongjiang Qiao Family and requests to speak with you."

"The Dongjiang Qiao Family?" Xu Wuyi raised an eyebrow.

He had heard the name before. They were known as the number one family in Dongjiang Province, their influence vast and intricate, their foundation profound.

Most impressively, the Qiao Family had produced two Grandmasters. One was even a Vice Minister with real power in the current Federation Martial Department, a position of great reverence.

With such a standing, even an ordinary student like him, who didn’t pay much attention to such matters, had inevitably heard of them.

’Why would a family like that be looking for a freshman from Star Martial University like me?’

After a moment’s thought, Xu Wuyi instructed, "Anna, reply to him. I’ll meet him in the Battle Network reception room."

"Command confirmed."

A moment later, Xu Wuyi’s consciousness connected to the Star Martial Battle Network, and he appeared in the reception room of his personal space.

The reception room was simply styled, with only a few sofas and a coffee table.

A middle-aged man was already seated on one of the sofas. Dressed in a dark blue formal suit, he had a refined face, but his eyes betrayed a sharp intellect.

Seeing Xu Wuyi appear, Qiao Yongwen immediately stood up. A perfectly measured smile appeared on his face—one that was neither overly enthusiastic nor neglectful.

"Mr. Xu, please forgive my sudden intrusion. My name is Qiao Yongwen, and I have the humble position of steward for the Dongjiang Qiao Family Chamber of Commerce." He took the initiative to cup his hands in salute, his posture humble.

"Steward Qiao, you’re too kind. Please, sit." Xu Wuyi returned the gesture and sat down opposite him, his gaze calm. "May I ask why you have sought me out?"

Qiao Yongwen didn’t beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly. "To be frank, I’ve come today to ask for a favor. In my Qiao Family’s current generation, there is a young lady named Qiao Zhiyao. She is currently a high school senior, and her Life Energy Level has already reached 15. Her talent is... passable."

Xu Wuyi listened quietly. ’A high school senior at Level 15... that talent is far beyond just "passable." It would be considered top-tier throughout the entire Federation. As expected of the Qiao Family’s Direct Lineage.’

’It’s only February. At this time last year, I was still hovering around Level 11.’

’Even people like Chu Shanhe might not have reached such a level by February.’

’Is this the kind of Genius a top Noble Family produces?’

Qiao Yongwen looked at him, his tone growing sincere. "Mr. Xu, your performance in the departmental competition was deeply impressive. Especially concerning the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace* you cultivate—the solidity of your foundation and the condensation of your Qi and Blood are truly rare among your peers."

"We understand that you don’t possess any special bloodline or physique, yet you managed to learn this Body Refining Technique back in high school. You must have some unique insights."

"Therefore, after some discussion within the family, we hope to invite you, Mr. Xu, to provide some extracurricular tutoring for our young Zhiyao for a time. The focus would be on your experience cultivating the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace*."

Xu Wuyi didn’t answer immediately, but a glimmer of understanding dawned on him.

’Someone with the status of the Qiao family’s young lady must have been taught by all sorts of famous masters since childhood. Logically, it shouldn’t be the turn of a minor Martial Artist like me to teach her.’

’In the Qiao family’s eyes, the only praiseworthy thing about me is probably that I learned the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace*.’

He recalled seeing Teacher Han a few days ago. Just before he left, Teacher Han had suddenly asked him to review his experiences in this area.

’Did Teacher Han already know about this? Or, to put it more directly, was it Teacher Han who recommended me to the Qiao Family?’

Xu Wuyi felt it was highly likely.

’Given the Qiao Family’s stature, it’s unlikely they would have chosen me as their first option. After all, there are plenty of people in the Federation who cultivate the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace*. Grandmaster Yue Lianshan himself has several direct disciples.’

’It’s more likely that an expert in this field had already coached Qiao Zhiyao, but the results were poor, so the Qiao family decided to try a different approach.’

’But... tutoring for the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace*?’

’When it came to his cultivation experience, Xu Wuyi really didn’t have much to say. He was even a bit muddle-headed about it himself and was far from being able to summarize it all.’

’Asking him to teach someone else might not produce the desired results.’

’If he really had to share his experience, it would be just like what he told Zeng Bonan: diligently practice the *Basic Body Refining Technique*.’

’Get the foundation right, and everything else will fall into place.’

’But if he said that, would the Qiao family even believe him?’

Qiao Yongwen seemed to notice his hesitation and smiled. "Mr. Xu, there’s no need to feel pressured. Learning a High-Tier Body Refining Method during the Martial Disciple Stage is by no means a guaranteed success."

"To be honest with you, we’ve already had two Innate Martial Artists provide guidance, but the results weren’t good. We also don’t want to bother Grandmaster Yue over such a trivial matter, so we’re exploring other options." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"As long as you are willing to provide the tutoring, Mr. Xu, we won’t make any demands regarding the outcome."

He paused, then laid out the terms. "First, we’d like to arrange a trial lesson, lasting two hours."

"Regardless of the trial lesson’s outcome, the Qiao Family is willing to pay one million Federation Credits as compensation. If, afterward, Zhiyao feels she has genuinely gained something and wishes to continue, the remuneration can be renegotiated."