Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

Lin Cheng waved his hand. "Go on. Whether you live or die is entirely up to you."

’He couldn’t bear to see a genius who had mastered the Wind and Thunder Strength in less than a year of training come to harm. If his Cultivation is sufficient before the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon, and he has the Wind and Thunder Strength to protect him, he should be able to defeat Kong Yu, no matter how timid he is. At the very least, he’ll be able to defend himself.’

’I’ve given him the resources and explained all the risks. If he still cowers and gets himself killed, he’ll have no one to blame but himself.’

"Your disciple takes his leave!"

Xu Yang clasped his hands and left Lin Cheng’s small courtyard.

...

The Huang Family!

Huang Jin paced back and forth, agitated. Weiyuan Hall had just recommended another Tributor to the Huang Family, but this person had taken three months just to succeed at Qi Gathering. He was still hesitating whether to hire him or not.

After their second talent selection only produced a single Martial Artist, the Huang Family hadn’t bothered to hold a third. Fundamentally, anyone willing to participate in such a selection had already done so.

A third attempt was unlikely to yield anyone with good Root Bone. The Huang Family needed Martial Artists, so they could only choose from those already trained in a Martial Arts Hall.

But hiring such people was not only expensive, but more importantly, the Huang Family was a minor household. The truly talented weren’t interested, and those who were willing to come were just the leftovers that no one else wanted—people the Huangs themselves looked down upon.

"Stop pacing in front of me. If you don’t think he’s good enough, then just don’t hire him. It’s that simple."

Huang Ping was already annoyed, and watching Huang Jin pace back and forth in front of him only made it worse.

"How are we supposed to conduct our business if we don’t hire anyone?" Huang Jin demanded.

"What’s the use of hiring someone who’s only just managed Qi Gathering?" Huang Ping shot back, displeased with Huang Jin’s tone.

Huang Jin nearly laughed in exasperation. ’For a useful person to even consider the Huang Family, we’d have to be worth their time. But no, we’re unwilling to spend money, yet we expect experts to serve us? Where in the world do you find a deal that good?’

Just then, a servant entered and handed Huang Jin a slip of paper. Huang Jin read it and froze on the spot.

Xu Yang had reached Qi Gathering Great Success.

Qi Gathering Great Success! The Patriarch of the Huang Family himself was only at Qi Gathering Great Success!

"What’s with that expression? What happened?" Huang Ping’s brow furrowed when Huang Jin remained silent.

"See for yourself!" Huang Jin immediately handed him the note.

Huang Ping took one look, and his face filled with disbelief. "How is this possible? How could he reach Qi Gathering Great Success so quickly?"

’It’s only been a little over half a month since Lu Ren’s breakthrough!’

Xu Yang clearly had a mere Lower C-class Root Bone, while Lu Ren possessed an Upper Grade B Root Bone. So why, with far fewer Cultivation Resources than Lu Ren, was he still able to break through at a comparable pace?

’If he had the same Cultivation Resources as Lu Ren, wouldn’t he be even more formidable?’

At that moment, Huang Ping was truly filled with regret. He was especially remorseful given that the Huang Family now had no one to use, and they had already lost face because of the incident with Lu Ren.

"Our Huang Family cast aside a piece of unpolished jade, chose a husk of grain, and then got betrayed for our troubles. I’m afraid we’re about to become a laughingstock all over again," Huang Jin sneered.

Huang Ping’s expression changed. "Go find him at once. Make him a Tributor for our Huang Family. Offer him the same compensation as Lu Ren, no marriage alliance required."

"It’s too late. He won’t agree," Huang Jin said, shaking his head.

The Huang Family approaching Xu Yang at a time like this could hardly be considered a welcome bonus.

Huang Ping snorted coldly. "Didn’t you say he values loyalty and gratitude? The Huang Family showed him kindness. How could he refuse?"

"The moment Ling’er humiliated him and he chose not to retaliate, his debt of gratitude to the Huang Family was paid in full."

Huang Jin looked at Huang Ping as if he were an idiot. ’He still thinks of Xu Yang as that dirt-poor commoner who couldn’t even afford a full meal.’ In the eyes of a master at Qi Gathering Great Success, the title of "Second Master of the Huang Family" meant absolutely nothing.

"If you won’t go, I will!" Huang Ping said angrily. "Is the kindness of my Huang Family something that can be repaid with a few simple words? If he doesn’t want to end up like Lu Ren with a ruined reputation, he’ll have to agree."

"Second Brother, are you certain you want to try and force the hand of a master at Qi Gathering Great Success?" Huang Jin’s gaze was piercing.

Huang Ping’s expression changed. Finally, he slumped into his seat, defeated.

A master at Qi Gathering Great Success... Even his own older brother could only speak to such a person as an equal.

"What are you two arguing about?" a voice suddenly interjected.

Elated, Huang Jin and Huang Ping looked over at once. A middle-aged man was striding toward them, though his complexion looked somewhat pale.

"Big Brother, you’re out of seclusion! Did you succeed in Marrow Cleansing?" Huang Ping strode up to the man, his expression full of excitement.

The newcomer was none other than the Huang Family Patriarch, Huang Xu!

Huang Xu’s face was grim. "I failed. Now, what were you and Fifth Brother arguing about?"

Huang Ping’s expression faltered. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and explain what had happened. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"So short-sighted. Still the same old penny-pinching miser," Huang Xu snorted coldly. "You’re not to manage the family’s affairs any longer. From now on, leave it to Fifth Brother."

Huang Ping’s face went deathly pale.

"Big Brother," Huang Jin said, "Xu Yang has reached Qi Gathering Great Success. Should the Huang Family send a gift to preserve our previous friendship?"

Huang Xu shook his head. "If he will not serve the Huang Family, then we have no need to concern ourselves with him. From what you’ve told me, this boy is likely even more untamable than that Lu Ren. Without the backing of a Noble Family, relying solely on the Foundation Establishment Martial Arts from the Martial Arts Hall, he is bound to place poorly in the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon."

"If he can’t achieve Dragon Ascension, he’ll be stuck at Qi Gathering Great Success for the rest of his life. He’ll almost certainly never achieve Marrow Cleansing."

"Yes, sir!" Huang Jin said, clasping his hands.

’He felt Huang Xu’s foresight wasn’t much better than Huang Ping’s.’ However, Huang Xu’s authority was absolute. He might dare to argue with Huang Ping, but he would never dare to contradict Huang Xu.