Chapter 12: Four Grades in a Single Night
Just as Tang Yan was lamenting his misfortune, the surge of Spiritual Energy that had welled up was not as violent as he had feared. Instead, it carried a warm, gentle quality and moved ahead of the fierce True Qi, leading the way.
The Spiritual Energy that had separated from the pill cauldron left a cool, soothing sensation wherever it passed, repairing the damaged Meridians. It did not even require guidance — it circulated on its own, completing a second full circulation.
Fuck, that felt incredible!
Before Tang Yan could even catch his breath, the surging True Qi came crashing in right behind it. The Meridians that had just been repaired were torn open again by this ferocious energy.
Tang Yan's brow furrowed deeply, and he nearly cried out. He cursed the pill cauldron inwardly for causing him such grief, while enduring once more the raw, splitting pain of his channels being stretched to bursting.
After yet another full circulation, Tang Yan felt as though he had been dragged through a vat of boiling oil.
This torment of alternating ice and fire pushed him to the very edge of endurance. Fortunately, the Tang Yan of today was no longer the infamous scoundrel he once was — he was a genuine ninth-grade Alchemist who had weathered countless hardships in his life. An ordinary person would have long since passed out from the pain.
Round after round, his Meridians cycled endlessly through injury and repair. Gradually, the unbearable agony seemed to dull. After an indeterminate stretch of time, Tang Yan finally achieved complete focus, his entire mind absorbed into cultivation.
When Tang Yan opened his eyes again, sunlight was already streaming through the window.
A sharp gleam flickered briefly in his eyes. Sensing the Meridians within his body, now several times more robust than before, Tang Yan's expression became one of pure elation.
Primary Realm… seventh grade!
In a single night, he had advanced from the third grade to the seventh grade — four full steps! If anyone found out, would they drag him away as some kind of monster?
In the entire Nation of Tingxiang, no such genius had ever appeared! Advancing four consecutive grades was unheard of — even two consecutive breakthroughs would be enough to call someone a cultivation prodigy!
Indeed, the world was full of surprises — misfortune and fortune were two sides of the same coin. He had fully expected to suffer Qi Deviation or even explode from the energy overload, yet not only had he survived unscathed, he had made this much progress in a single night.
After a brief surge of excitement, Tang Yan calmed himself. The Tang Clan was beset on all sides in Yun City, and apart from Grandfather and Uncle Mo, the middle generation was a void. His own situation remained extremely precarious. Seventh grade of the Primary Realm — his strength was still far too weak!
He pushed open his door and stepped outside.
In the early morning of early autumn, there was already a hint of chill in the air.
After walking for about ten minutes, he heard a chorus of grunts and shouts. Tang Yan's heart stirred, and he quickened his pace, arriving before a courtyard whose overhead plaque bore the three characters: "Training Grounds."
This was the place where the Tang Clan's disciples trained on a daily basis.
He pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped inside, only to find a considerable number of Tang Clan warriors — nearly a hundred of them — either sparring in pairs or practicing their Cultivation Techniques alone.
At their head was a young man Tang Yan recognized: Mo Yanjun, the eldest grandson of Uncle Mo.
Mo Yanjun was twenty-three years old, and his strength had already reached the second grade of the Yellow Realm — placing him near the top among the younger generation in Yun City. He held the position of Guard Captain within the Tang Clan.
Tang Yan's snow-white robes were conspicuous enough to draw Mo Yanjun's attention the moment he stepped into the Training Grounds.
What is this scoundrel doing here? The last time this fellow had set foot in the Training Grounds was probably four years ago.
Following Mo Yanjun's gaze, the others also noticed Tang Yan, and looks of disdain spread across their faces. In this world, martial strength was supreme. Although Tang Yan was the eldest young master of the Tang Clan, his reputation as a scoundrel was a stain on the family's name. These warriors revered strength, and naturally held Tang Yan in no regard.
Taking in everyone's expressions, Tang Yan merely curved the corner of his mouth into a faint smile. He felt no anger. He clasped his hands behind his back and strolled leisurely around the perimeter of the Training Grounds.
As if to intimidate him, those who had been training suddenly increased the force of their movements, and the atmosphere in the grounds grew sharper and more intense.
Only after Tang Yan had completed his circuit did Mo Yanjun pretend to have just noticed him, hurrying forward with a show of courtesy: "Young Master, you've come! I was busy just now and didn't notice."
"No matter — I'm just having a look around," Tang Yan said, waving it off.
"Young Master, what do you think of our guards' training?" Mo Yanjun asked with a polite smile.
The others who heard the question all laughed inwardly. What would this scoundrel know about anything?
Just as everyone braced themselves to hear Tang Yan heap on the flattery, a dramatically exaggerated exclamation rang out: "What? You were actually training just now?"
Mo Yanjun, who had also been waiting for Tang Yan's praise, was taken aback. He gave a cold snort. "Oh? Is the Young Master suggesting we were playing games?"
"Well, weren't you?" Tang Yan exclaimed again.
The guards who had been straining their ears to hear what the Young Master would say now let their expressions fall flat.
"Hmph. A scoundrel is a scoundrel, after all. Without these guards, how would our Tang Clan intimidate the four corners and hold our place as one of the Four Great Families of Yun City? If the Young Master has no respect for us, please refrain from entering the Training Grounds in the future!" Mo Yanjun said bluntly.
"Get out of the Training Grounds!"
"Get out of the Training Grounds!"
"Get out of the Training Grounds…!"
The guards roared in unison from below.
"Enough! You bunch of cowards!" Tang Yan bellowed, and the imposing aura of a supreme Alchemist erupted from him in an instant. Mo Yanjun beside him felt a jolt of shock, and the entire grounds fell silent at Tang Yan's shout.
"Mo Yanjun — as captain of this Training Grounds, I walked in wearing a white robe conspicuous enough to blind anyone, circled the entire grounds, and only then did you notice me? Is that the vigilance expected of Tang Clan guards? If someone with ill intentions had walked in and seen every one of our clan's secrets, what would the consequences be?" Tang Yan pointed at Mo Yanjun and demanded.
Mo Yanjun was left speechless. The young man's argument was sound and well-reasoned. He had deliberately pretended not to notice earlier, and now that very act had been turned against him.
Tang Yan reached into his robe and produced a token, holding it high above his head.
"On my order — fall in!"
The shout burst from Tang Yan's lips, and the entire unit froze in bewilderment. What is this fellow trying to do? Mo Yanjun, standing closest, was the first to make out the token clearly — it was the Tang Clan's core symbol of authority!
That token could represent the Tang Clan's direct command. He truly hadn't expected Old Master Tang to actually give it to this young man.
"What are you standing around for — fall in!" Mo Yanjun, though he looked down on Tang Yan the scoundrel, was utterly loyal to the Tang Clan itself.
At their captain's order, all the guards snapped into formation — orderly, heads held high, chests out — though the looks they directed at Tang Yan were full of mockery. What, are you going to use your status as Young Master to humiliate us?
Tang Yan stepped forward two paces and pointed at the assembled guards. "You are all cowards — a pack of bullies who only dare to act up against someone like me who has no cultivation. Why haven't I heard any of you shouting for the Liu Family to get out of Yun City?"
"You are not only cowards — you are useless!"
At Tang Yan's arrogant words, the guards' eyes turned red with fury, as if they might spit fire. Their breathing grew heavy and ragged. If not for us guarding the Tang Clan day and night, how would you, you scoundrel, sleep soundly every night?
"If the day ever comes when the Four Great Families of Yun City go to war, every single person here will be nothing but cannon fodder!" Tang Yan's words grew sharper with each sentence, and finally someone could no longer hold back.
"Young Master Tang, on what grounds do you call us useless?" A burly, dark-faced man stepped forward, locking eyes with Tang Yan, his gaze burning with defiance.