"Brother Xu, when are you leaving?"

Back at Weiyuan Hall, Qiu Wenjie and Tian Li came up to greet him.

"In three days!" Xu Yang said.

Qiu Wenjie raised an eyebrow. "So soon?"

"A lot of people are already rushing to the Purple Sun Sect."

The Purple Sun Sect was a Martial Arts Sect. For years, all the candidates in the Martial Arts Examination had fought tooth and nail, risking life and limb, for the chance to become its disciples.

Now that they had qualified, it was only natural that they all wanted to hurry to the Purple Sun Sect and see what a true Martial Arts Sect was like.

"Wait for me for two years, Senior Brother. I’ll come find you then," Qiu Wenjie said heroically.

His Cultivation was already approaching Qi Gathering Great Success, and the next Martial Arts Examination was nearly two years away.

By then, even if he couldn’t achieve Qi Cultivation Gang, he would likely have a Late-Stage Qi Gathering Great Success Cultivation, making his chances for Dragon Ascension extremely high.

"I’ll be waiting for you at the Purple Sun Sect!" Xu Yang said with a smile.

The two chatted for a few more moments before beginning their cultivation.

[Remaining Lifespan: 65]

Xu Yang glanced at his lifespan and saw that it was stuck at 65, neither increasing nor decreasing.

’The Turtle and Snake Grand Posture probably can’t increase my lifespan anymore. It can only keep the consumption and increase in a state of balance.’

’If things keep going like this, that balance will eventually be broken, and my lifespan will slowly start to decrease.’

He felt he should start using points to increase his lifespan. Eighteen was the age when the body was at its absolute peak. As long as his Life Energy continued to grow, he could maintain his body at the age of eighteen forever.

Martial Artists spoke of the decay of qi and blood. Once the body reached a certain age, this decline would begin.

Once qi and blood began to decay, not only would one’s Cultivation stop improving, it would actually regress.

’From now on, I should probably add one point every day to keep my body in a permanent state of being eighteen.’ Xu Yang made his decision.

His Root Bone and Comprehension had both reached the Lower A-class level, so there was no urgent need to improve them further.

Besides, he felt it was already enough. Whether it was absorbing the effects of medicine or comprehending Cultivation Techniques, there was no noticeable difference in further improving his Lower A-class Root Bone and Comprehension at his current stage of Cultivation. The main factor was resources.

His lifespan, on the other hand, was not something he could be careless about. He couldn’t wait until he was old and decrepit to use the panel to increase it. What use was an immortal sixty-year-old body? With his qi and blood in decay, how could his Cultivation possibly grow?

Only by maintaining the peak physical condition of an eighteen-year-old could he ensure his Cultivation would continue to advance courageously and diligently.

"Xu Yang, come see me." Suddenly, Lin Cheng’s voice transmission echoed in his ear.

Xu Yang had no choice but to stop his Turtle and Snake Grand Posture and walk to Lin Cheng’s courtyard.

Lin Cheng was seated in a large chair, with Sun Tao and Lin Wei standing respectfully to one side.

Xu Yang stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, "Disciple pays his respects to Master."

Lin Cheng nodded. "I’ve called you here to discuss a few things. In my younger days, I also struggled in the Purple Sun Sect. Although I ultimately left in disappointment, I have a friend who managed to establish himself there."

"This friend of mine is named Xiao Hua. He should now be an Outer Sect Steward at the Purple Sun Sect. I will write a letter by hand. When the three of you arrive at the Purple Sun Sect, you may take it and visit him together."

Xu Yang understood that Lin Cheng intended to use his connections in the Purple Sun Sect to have someone look after them.

Lin Wei was his own daughter, and Sun Tao was his Direct Disciple, which was little different from a son. He hadn’t expected Lin Cheng to include him as well.

"Thank you, Master!" Xu Yang and Sun Tao clasped their fists in unison.

With a Steward from the Purple Sun Sect looking out for them, their time there would be much smoother.

As for Lin Wei, she simply smiled without saying a word.

Lin Cheng waved his hand. "Don’t be so quick to thank me. People’s hearts can change. Xiao Hua and I haven’t seen each other in many years, only exchanging letters occasionally. I have no guarantee he’ll do me the favor of looking after you, so don’t get your hopes up too high. In the end, the path of the Martial Dao depends on yourselves."

Xu Yang and Sun Tao once again said in unison, "Thank you for your guidance, Master."

"Sun Tao, you’re dismissed. You don’t need to come to the Martial Arts Hall for the next few days. Spend more time with your family and prepare for your journey."

"Disciple takes his leave of Master!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Tao knelt and kowtowed three times before rising to leave.

Lin Cheng turned to Xu Yang and said, "You come from a farming family and are unwilling to bend your back in service to others. On your journey to the Purple Sun Sect, you won’t get far without money. I will help you with two hundred silver coins, in the hopes that your path will be a little smoother."

Lin Wei came forward and, with a smile, handed Xu Yang four silver banknotes.

"Thank you, Master!"

Xu Yang was deeply moved.

Lin Cheng normally seemed indifferent to everything, but in truth, he knew the situation of each of his disciples like the back of his hand.

After leaving the Liu Family, he had been struggling financially. Lin Cheng had then given him a job, providing him with three meals a day and a monthly wage. Now, he was giving him money again, ensuring he wouldn’t arrive at the Purple Sun Sect penniless.

Although he had obtained over a hundred taels of silver after killing Guan Xiaojie, Lin Cheng didn’t know about it.

Lin Cheng waved his hand. "Go on. As long as you don’t think it’s too little. You don’t need to come for the next few days, either. Spend time with your family."

When Xu Yang left Lin Cheng’s courtyard, he found that Sun Tao, Zhang Yong, Lu Ren, and the others had all departed.

"Where’s Wenjie?"

He had wanted to find Qiu Wenjie to say goodbye, but he was nowhere to be found.

Tian Li replied, "Brother Xu, Senior Brother Qiu went home. He said he was going to prepare a good horse for you and told me to let you know that he’ll take care of the horse for you."

Xu Yang nodded. "Take care, Junior Brother Tian!"

Tian Li clasped his fists. "I wish Senior Brother Xu great success on your Martial Dao."

...

「Three days later.」

Outside Qingyuan City, as the Rising Sun ascended, countless geniuses who had achieved Dragon Ascension in the Martial Arts Examination led their horses, bidding reluctant farewells to their families.

Xu Yang led the white horse the Qiu Family had prepared for him. He was dressed in martial attire, a bundle slung over his back.

"Listen to your uncle. If you can’t handle the hardship of practicing martial arts, then don’t do it. Once your big brother gets settled over there, I’ll bring you over as soon as I can."