Yuan’s Ascension

This feels as pleasant as ever. Wu Yuan sighed as he basked in the sensation.

Streams of blood-red mist flowed from the upper dantian lobe into his musculoskeletal system, evolving his body. Each time he experienced this, Wu Yuan couldn't help but admire the blood-red mist from the bottom of his heart.

Like a reservoir, his body possessed a finite capacity, but the crimson mist forcefully expanded it without compromising its foundation.

This crimson mist respects the natural progression of my growth, never overdrafting my vitality or disrupting my development cycle. I am still in the prime stage of physical development. With each passing day, I can sense the steady advancement of my physical constitution.

Items like the Ancient Immortal Dew, the body tempering pill, and the bone forging pill can help a young beast gradually mature into a strong adult beast.

On the other hand, this blood-red mist can transform a mere dog into a ferocious tiger, or potentially even a Tyrannosaurus Rex!

This was what it meant to evolve at the genomic level. Miraculous! Unimaginable!

With Wu Yuan's current knowledge, he could not imagine what kind of figure could have created the black pagoda.

A god? Immortal? Devil? Wu Yuan shook his head slightly, dismissing these thoughts and redirecting his focus toward his cultivation.

Wu Yuan slept deeply for two hours. In the morning, he went downstairs to get some food, proving to Gu Ji that he was safe and sound. The rest of the time, he focused on his cultivation, absorbing the blood-red mist from the black pagoda.

In the blink of an eye, it was noon.

"Young Master, Wu Xiong has arrived to see you," Gu Ji's voice rang out. "He mentioned that your good friends, Wu Sheng and Luo He, are with him."

"Oh?" Wu Yuan opened his eyes and called out, "Uncle Ji, kindly request them to wait for a moment, I will tidy up and join them shortly."

"Very well." With that, he heard Gu Ji descending the stairs.

Wu Yuan rose, taking the time to straighten the mess on the floor and neatly organize the scrolls and other items he had acquired the previous night.

Once satisfied, he swung the door open and made his way downstairs to the ground floor.

"Uncle Ji." Wu Yuan greeted with a smile, spotting Gu Ji in the central hall practicing with his saber. His eyes were shut.

"Young Master." Gu Ji opened his eyes and set aside his weapon. He glanced at Wu Yuan and said lightly, "Your relentless training since your arrival in the provincial city a few days ago is paying off. Your strength has noticeably improved; there's a clear difference."

"I have made some progress." Wu Yuan smiled.

His physical constitution had greatly improved, and even if Wu Yuan tried to conceal it, he couldn’t hide the changes in his skin condition, essence, qi, and soul completely.

"Young Master, training is not a one-off affair. It should be done in a sustainable manner. Keeping the mind in a constant state of tension might not be beneficial." Gu Ji advised.

"Mm." Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

"I'm guessing your two friends are planning to host a feast for you." Gu Ji said, "Do not stray too far from the martial academy. Last night, a highly skilled martial artist committed a crime in Southdream City. A first-rate Adept lost their life. Be careful."

"A first-rate Adept died?" Wu Yuan's face filled with bewilderment. "Who would be bold enough to commit a crime in the provincial city?"

"It remains unclear." Gu Ji shook his head. "That is why you must exercise caution, I will discreetly follow you later."

"Thank you for the warning, Uncle Ji." Wu Yuan expressed his gratitude.

After Wu Yuan exited the building, he was greeted by the dazzling spectacle of the outdoors, awash in vibrant hues beneath the unrelenting gaze of the sun. The heart of summer was a scene of beauty.

The Radiant Hall, an important location nestled deep within the martial academy, was a place that few disciples frequented during regular days. However, as Wu Yuan stepped out, he saw two young men in martial academy uniforms standing near the courtyard gate. They were Wu Sheng and Luo He, Wu Yuan's good friends from his time at the Li City Martial Academy.

"Brother Yuan is out."

"Brother Yuan," the burly Wu Sheng and the refined Luo He quickly noticed Wu Yuan and ran up to him.

In the courtyard, over a dozen guards who were in the midst of training also noticed Wu Yuan. Wu Xiong spoke excitedly to them, seemingly boasting about his son's relationship with Wu Yuan.

"Little Wu, Ah He," Wu Yuan strode forward and enveloped them in a fierce bear hug, "I've been in the Southdream Martial Academy for several days now. You've finally come to see me."

"Brother Yuan, don't be upset with us," Luo He quickly said.

"Instructor Yang informed us well in advance, but we were in the middle of our closed-door training and weren’t allowed to leave," Wu Sheng helplessly explained. "We only regained our freedom today."

"As soon as we got out, we rushed over," Luo He added.

“How lucky, you guys get vacations?” Wu Yuan grinned, "It's hard for me to even get a day off."

"Brother Yuan, you're not playing fair!"

"You're such a bully." Wu Sheng and Luo He feigned anger, playfully punching Wu Yuan's chest.

However, they all burst into laughter shortly after. Even though they hadn't seen each other for months, the bond between these friends remained steadfast, unchanged since their days in Li City.

"Brother Yuan, I heard everything from my father." Wu Sheng sighed, "You're too overpowered, acquiring the strength of a martial virtuoso in just a few months. No one in our generation of disciples has reached this level, and you're even a month younger than me."

"That's why Brother Yuan was specially recruited by the sect, getting to enter the Cloud Martial Hall directly," Luo He grinned, "I can't wait to see Xu Yuanhan's face when he sees you."

Wu Sheng's expression darkened. "Let's not talk about him," he muttered.

"What's the matter?" Wu Yuan asked, concerned.

"It's nothing, just some petty competition among disciples, like what we had in the martial academy back in Li City," Wu Sheng reassured, his face returning to normal.

Wu Yuan nodded. The purpose of a martial academy was to foster professional martial artists, hence it encouraged competition. Naturally, it wouldn't be as peaceful and refined as a private school. If Wu Sheng wasn't willing to discuss it, Wu Yuan wouldn't probe.

"Let's not dwell on the unpleasant matters. Ah He, you always said that once Brother Yuan arrived, you would host a feast," Wu Sheng glanced at Luo He, "Now that Brother Yuan is here, it's time for your wallet to bleed."

"Haha, don't worry, you bumpkin. What you consider a heavy loss is nothing but a mere scratch to me," Luo He laughed.

Wu Sheng glared at him. "I’m not going to stop eating until you go broke today."

Wu Yuan laughed, enjoying the banter between his two friends. Although his perspectives on many things had changed after dueling with martial arts powerhouses and conversing with high-ranking figures like Gu Ji and Gao Yu, it was in moments like these that he realized his body was still that of a fourteen-year-old boy.

"Let's go to the Drunken Sect Tavern," Luo He declared spiritedly.

…

The Drunken Sect Tavern was located near the martial academy. Even with Wu Yuan's discerning eyes, he couldn't deny that it was an upscale establishment. Its decor and furnishings exuded elegance and sophistication.

The tavern was a popular gathering place for students of the tertiary martial academy who were predominantly of noble and wealthy backgrounds.

Martial arts demanded a hefty investment. Without substantial wealth, supporting the early growth of a martial artist was an arduous task.

Wu Yuan's meager physical appearance when he first transmigrated over belied the fact that he was already stronger than 99% of commoners.

Rely solely on talent? Unless gifted with extraordinary talent, it was a difficult uphill battle for someone from a humble background to make a name for themselves.

"Childe Luo," a waiter immediately recognized Luo He, enthusiastically welcoming him in. As the eldest son of a large clan, Luo He was a regular patron here.

"Today I have brought my good brother here. Bring all your specialty dishes to a private room upstairs." Luo He declared generously, "Price is no issue."

"Of course, Childe Luo. Please come inside," the manager hastened to greet them, casting a glance at Wu Yuan, whom Luo He had mentioned.

Wu Yuan was not wearing the uniform of the martial academy students and his clothes were quite ordinary. However, there was something remarkable about him that the manager couldn't quite put his finger on. Though he appeared to be a teenager, he exuded an air of authority and confidence far beyond his age.

"Luo He, there's no need for such extravagance," Wu Yuan remarked with a smile.

"Don't worry, Brother Yuan. It will only amount to a few silver taels at most," Luo He laughed and reassured him, "For people like you and me, it's nothing to worry about."

"Luo He, let's go upstairs," Wu Sheng beckoned. The group ascended to a spacious private room on the third floor, offering an exquisite view of a nearby lake. The season of blossoming lotuses painted a serene picture, with a gentle breeze adding to the ambiance.

Before long, an assortment of delectable dishes arrived, accompanied by the waitresses serving fine wine.

"Brother Yuan, try this wine the tavern is famous for, reputed to have once intoxicated a Grandmaster expert." Luo He poured a cup for Wu Yuan.

"Luo He, I'll pass on the wine." Wu Yuan declined and stopped him, "At this crucial juncture in our training, refraining from wine and lust is essential."