Outside the dormitory was a large courtyard with stone locks and iron horses, free for apprentices to use.

Xiangzi found a quiet corner, sank his hips, and settled into a stance.

In the deepening dusk, his form traced a smooth arc.

As he stretched, familiar golden characters floated in his mind.

[Four-Square Horse Stance +2]

[Four-Square Horse Stance +2]

After an hour, as night crept in, Xiangzi stopped.

Since condensing three pillars of blood energy and learning the profound Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist from Lin Junqing, Xiangzi had gained insight into channeling blood energy.

Though far from Lin Junqing’s effortless mastery, he’d achieved a degree of fluidity.

His Four-Square Horse Stance progressed faster, surpassing even his mine days.

Truthfully, Xiangzi preferred practicing Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist.

But this advanced fist technique, meant for combat, offered little for the trials.

More importantly:

[Four-Square Horse Stance]

[Progress: 1281/1500 (Great Mastery)]

Even while fleeing, Xiangzi never neglected this stance. Now, it neared completion.

At his current pace, ten days would max it out at 1500, reaching Perfection.

Xiangzi was eager to see how his blood energy would change then.

Though a common technique, it was his only stance—core to any hall’s teachings, reserved for formal disciples.

He’d heard Baolin’s stances were unmatched in Forty-Nine City.

Sighing, a voice interrupted.

“Brother, is that the Four-Square Horse Stance?”

In the dusk stood a dark-faced youth, shy despite initiating conversation.

Recognizing him, Xiangzi paused: Xu Xiao Liu?

Wasn’t he the commoner who got second-rank in today’s blood energy test?

Xiangzi cupped his fists, smiling. “Brother Xu, sharp eye. It’s indeed the Four-Square Horse Stance.”

Xu Xiao Liu’s face lit up. “Are you from a rickshaw yard too?”

Xiangzi’s heart tightened, but seeing Xu’s genuine joy, he replied, “Just learned it from family elders.”

Half-truth, half-evasion.

Xu Xiao Liu’s face fell slightly, disappointed.

Grinning sheepishly, he explained, “Sorry, I grew up in a rickshaw yard. I’m so familiar with this stance, I thought you were from one too.”

Xiangzi smiled, saying little, but a guess formed.

Xu? Rickshaw yard?

He’d met the strikingly handsome heir of Debao Rickshaw Yard in East City—also surnamed Xu.

After a brief chat, his guess proved right. Xu Xiao Liu was from Debao, a distant relative, here thanks to the heir’s hefty payment.

Xu Xiao Liu’s earnest nature left him unguarded, spilling his background in moments.

“Brother Xiang, your Four-Square Horse Stance is impressive—better than mine,” Xu Xiao Liu said, admiring. “My dad would say it’s rooted like a tree, steady as an old pine.”

“That’s years of work, maybe a decade.”

Xiangzi blinked, nodding—truthfully, he’d practiced it for just five months.

Xu Xiao Liu marveled, about to say more, when a black-robed disciple strode in.

“All apprentices, assemble!”

“Those with top grades in today’s blood energy test, step forward. The hall has rewards!”

—

Top grades get rewards?

That’s new!

The courtyard’s youths froze.

Chen Jiashang, chatting with Jiang Wangshui, glowed with barely concealed excitement.

Under everyone’s gaze, Chen Jiashang and three other youths stepped before the black-robed disciple.

The others looked on enviously—Baolin’s rewards were bound to be extraordinary.

In the second courtyard’s forty-plus apprentices, only four earned top grade—

Few noticed this stark ratio was rare in past selections.

The four gleefully received small brocade boxes.

“By Senior Brother Liu’s order, those with top grades in the blood energy test receive a ‘Skin-Grinding Pill.’ Train diligently, reach ninth-rank, and bring glory to Baolin’s name.”

The four, thrilled, responded eagerly.

But “Skin-Grinding Pill” sent a shockwave through the apprentices.

A less knowledgeable one asked, “What’s that?”

His neighbor scoffed, “You don’t know Skin-Grinding Pills? Made from ranked demon beast hides, one pill greatly boosts skin tempering.”

Xiangzi didn’t know the pill but gauged its value from the rich youths’ expressions.

If it impressed them, soaked in elixirs since childhood, it was no small thing.

By its name, it aided skin tempering.

Of the martial artist’s four arts—eat, soak, nourish, train—soak was second, vital.

In the Bright Force stage, “soak” meant skin tempering.

Special brews toughened skin, enhancing resilience and elasticity. High-level martial artists, with refined skin, could channel “qi paths,” locking in vital blood, impervious to blades or even firearms.

But skin tempering made Xiangzi uneasy.

Next week’s skin test loomed, and he knew nothing of its format.

A rickshaw puller, he’d trained on mine routes, focusing on stances and spears.

Skin tempering? He’d never touched it.

Liu Tang had said skin tempering required techniques or elixirs.

Such techniques were closely guarded by halls, and precious brews were beyond Xiangzi’s reach.

But others, like Jiang Wangshui, had been steeped in elixirs since youth.

Xiangzi sighed—missing top grade in blood energy, how would he fare in the skin test?

Another second or third rank, and first-rank apprentice status was hopeless. He might even pack his bags.

No use fretting. Tomorrow’s training might help. The black-robed disciple had mentioned a technique for skin tempering would be taught.

—

Just then, Chen Jiashang returned, beaming.

Seeing the envious stares, he quickly tucked the brocade box into his robe.

Jiang Wangshui hesitated, then swallowed his pride. “Brother Chen… I’ve never seen a Skin-Grinding Pill. My brother says they’re so rare, even ordinary ninth-rank disciples can’t get them.”

Chen Jiashang couldn’t refuse—having just eaten Jiang’s demon beast meat and relying on his generosity in the courtyard.

Crossing his legs, he carefully opened the box, half-proud, half-cautious. “Let’s be clear, this pill loses potency if out too long. Look, but don’t touch.”

No one listened, eyes glued to the unremarkable black pill.

Even shy Xu Xiao Liu leaned in.

But when Xiangzi saw it, his heart jolted.

Why does it look so familiar?