Chapter 9: A Quick Way to Earn Money

Chapter 9: A Quick Way to Earn Money

In the private room No. 8 on the third floor of the Huntian Dao Academy's dining hall, Li Xinyue and Chen Feng sat facing each other across a long table.

On the table lay a pot of golden medicinal soup, steaming hot and exuding a rich herbal aroma.

"This is Dragon-Tiger Ginseng and Antler Soup. It significantly aids in Tendon and Bone Refinement for those between the Fourth and Sixth Levels of the Body Forging Realm. You should eat the meat, drink the broth, and ideally consume all the medicinal ingredients inside," Li Xinyue said with a faint smile on her valiant face.

"Instructor, how much silver does this pot cost?" Chen Feng asked curiously, eyeing the medicinal feast before him.

Li Xinyue extended five fingers, and Chen Feng couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.

Fifty taels!

That was equivalent to half a Foundation Establishment Pill. Truly valuable.

Chen Feng first served a bowl for Li Xinyue, then one for himself.

"One bowl is enough for me," Li Xinyue said. "This is mainly to celebrate your victory over Ye Zheng. Besides, for me, this medicinal soup only serves to satisfy my appetite."

"Thank you, Instructor. I won't hold back."

Chen Feng devoured the meal like a whirlwind, soon finishing every last bit of meat, bones, and herbs, even draining the broth completely.

After letting out a satisfied burp, Chen Feng felt a surge of heat coursing through his body, absorbed by the Divine Talisman Of Creation. Within moments, an incredibly pure energy erupted from the tome, flooding every inch of his being.

His body trembled slightly as a layer of crimson light emanated from his skin, growing increasingly intense.

Amidst the shimmering glow, Chen Feng felt as though his tendons and bones were being hammered by an invisible mallet. Waves of excruciating pain wracked his body, but he gritted his teeth and refused to make a sound, though his entire frame shook uncontrollably, his face turning pale.

Under this relentless tempering, his tendons and bones grew ever more resilient.

Vaguely, Chen Feng sensed his entire skeletal structure strengthening, and his Tendon and Bone Force doubling in an instant.

The pain gradually faded until it vanished entirely, and the crimson light covering his body receded inward.

Though his face was pale and drenched in sweat, Chen Feng's eyes sparkled with vitality, brimming with energy.

"Chen Feng... did your cultivation just... break through?" Li Xinyue asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Thanks to your Dragon-Tiger Ginseng and Antler Soup," Chen Feng replied with a smile.

"You really broke through..." Li Xinyue murmured, her expression dazed.

Over the past few days, Chen Feng had repeatedly shattered her expectations—first with his swordsmanship, and now his cultivation.

Originally, it had taken him six years just to reach the Third Level of the Body Forging Realm. Yet, in just a few short days, he had not only mastered the Six Shadows Sword Technique but also consecutively advanced to the Sixth Level of the Body Forging Realm. It was nothing short of unbelievable.

"Medicinal soups are gentle supplements, absorbed slowly. Breaking through shouldn't be this easy..." Li Xinyue still struggled to comprehend.

This defied her understanding.

After all, medicinal soups and pills were fundamentally different.

"Perhaps my body is just more efficient at absorbing pills and medicinal soups," Chen Feng offered.

"To think you possess not only extraordinary comprehension but also such a unique physique," Li Xinyue sighed.

"Instructor, are there others like me?" Chen Feng deliberately countered.

The claim of exceptional absorption efficiency was merely an excuse. The true reason lay with the Divine Talisman Of Creation—but that was a secret, one he could never reveal.

"The world is vast, full of wonders." Li Xinyue smiled faintly. "Under heaven, some are born with extraordinary talents—some possess unparalleled comprehension, others absorb the effects of pills with exceptional efficiency. There are those born with immense strength, innate speed, or photographic memory. I’ve even heard of those with an Innate Divine Peculiarity."

"Innate Divine Peculiarity?" Chen Feng showed a trace of confusion.

Terms like innate strength, speed, or memory were easy to grasp, but what exactly was an Innate Divine Peculiarity? How was it different?

"Those with Divine Peculiarity are destined to be prodigies," Li Xinyue said, her tone filled with admiration.

Chen Feng committed the term to memory, thinking he might uncover its meaning in the future.

"Chen Feng, since you can refine and absorb pill energy so quickly and effectively, you might have a chance to participate in this year’s Huntian Sect assessment," Li Xinyue suddenly remarked. "With your swordsmanship, passing shouldn’t be too difficult."

"Can you tell me more about the Huntian Sect’s assessment?" Chen Feng asked curiously.

"I’m not entirely sure myself. I only know it emphasizes talent, strength, and foundation," Li Xinyue replied with a slight smile. "As you know, reaching the Seventh Level of the Body Forging Realm is challenging for ordinary people, but for those from well-off families, it’s not so hard—just keep taking pills."

"But those who rely heavily on pills to break through to the Seventh Level have unstable foundations and impure strength, their power mismatched with their cultivation. They’re mockingly called Pill Jars. The Huntian Sect’s assessment exists mainly to weed out such people."

"If they’re just Pill Jars, why waste time assessing them?" Chen Feng wondered.

"I don’t know the exact reason," Li Xinyue shook her head. "Moreover, even if one’s cultivation and strength align, insufficient power will still make passing difficult. In short, only true elites—or even geniuses—can become disciples of the Huntian Sect."

Chen Feng nodded.

No matter what, he had to pass the Huntian Sect’s assessment and become a disciple.

Otherwise, not only would he die, but the Chen family would also face annihilation at the hands of the Ye family.

And it wasn’t just about passing—he had to become a higher-ranking disciple.

"Instructor, do you know any ways to earn money quickly?" Chen Feng asked. "I’ve just entered the Sixth Level of the Body Forging Realm. To break through to the Seventh Level before the assessment, I’ll need at least two or three Foundation Establishment Pills."

"After much thought, there’s only one way to earn hundreds of taels of silver in a short time," Li Xinyue said gravely after a moment of contemplation. "The Beast Arena."

"I’ve heard of the Beast Arena, but I don’t know much about it. To learn the details, you’d have to go there yourself," she continued solemnly. "Honestly, I don’t recommend it. The risks are too high. A severe injury could ruin your chances at the Huntian Sect’s assessment—or even kill you."

"Instructor, you know my situation. I’ve already fallen behind. I have no choice but to take this risk," Chen Feng said firmly, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Besides, I’ve come to understand the path of martial arts—it’s about striving. If you don’t fight, you fall behind. One step slow, and you’re always slow. If I can’t pass the Huntian Sect’s assessment this time, I’ll have no future. Only by fighting can I carve out a path forward. Let’s go—first, to the Beast Arena."

"Strive!" Li Xinyue’s eyes sharpened, as if she had suddenly grasped something profound, her gaze blazing with intensity.

As the two pushed open the door to the private room, a figure with a gloomy expression approached from the side.

"Chen Feng!" Ye Huai was momentarily stunned, not expecting to encounter Chen Feng here. His eyes narrowed, a trace of ruthless killing intent swirling within them. A terrifying, blade-like pressure radiated from him, cold and oppressive, as his saber slid an inch out of its sheath, its chilling gleam unmistakable.

Chen Feng's expression hardened, but he didn’t retreat a single step. Compared to the Academy Head’s overwhelming might, Ye Huai’s oppressive aura was far too feeble.

"Ye Huai, do you intend to defy the Academy Head’s orders?" Li Xinyue stepped forward, confronting Ye Huai directly.

Ye Huai ignored Li Xinyue, his gaze locked onto Chen Feng, the killing intent in his eyes growing ever more intense. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his saber, whitening from the force, yet in the end, he did not draw the blade.

"Chen Feng, dare you face me in a life-and-death duel in the Combat Hall?" Ye Huai sheathed his saber with a sharp clang, his voice harsh.

"Ye Huai, if your brain’s damaged, go find a physician," Chen Feng sneered. "A Ninth Level Body Forging cultivator challenging me to a deathmatch—aren’t you ashamed?"

"Losing face yourself is one thing, but dragging the Ye family’s name through the mud won’t end well for you," Li Xinyue added, twisting the knife.

Ye Huai remained silent, but his eyes flickered with an icy, sinister light. The next moment, the dark ferocity in his gaze vanished entirely. With a cold glance at Chen Feng, he strode past them as if they were nothing.

Chen Feng’s heart tightened.

"Chen Feng, Ye Zheng was merely a branch member of the Ye family—not as important as the main lineage. And with the Academy Head’s decree, the Ye family won’t openly retaliate against you for now. Even in secret, it’s unlikely," Li Xinyue shifted the topic, her gaze sharp. "But Ye Huai is not someone to underestimate."

"Ye Huai is Ye Zheng’s cousin, and they were close. He himself ranks third among the Top Ten Disciples of the Dao Academy. He’s ruthless—make sure you don’t give him an opening."

Chen Feng nodded.

"Instructor, how many of the Top Ten Disciples are from the Ye family?" Chen Feng suddenly asked.

"Five!" Li Xinyue’s answer stunned him.

"First, third, fourth, seventh, and ninth—all are Ye family members," Li Xinyue replied gravely. "The first, fourth, and seventh belong to the main lineage, while the third and ninth are from the branch families."

"Truly worthy of being the Great Xia’s foremost family. Their foundation and strength are indeed extraordinary," Chen Feng mused inwardly. Yet, far from feeling fear, a surge of defiance rose within him. "But so what? With the Divine Talisman Of Creation, I will rise. In time, I will trample the Ye family beneath my feet."