In his past life, Fang Xi had borrowed money from relatives and friends, but the outcomes were not pleasant.
Upon hearing this, a sense of disgust arose in his heart.
"Well..." He pondered, about to use delaying tactics.
Meanwhile, Wu Ji's expression gradually soured as he waited.
Considering his high status and cultivation at the Blood Qi Second Transformation realm in the martial arts academy, he was considered a top-tier figure.
Upon Fang Xi's entry into the academy, Wu Ji tried to befriend him and introduce him to his circle. However, Fang Xi seemed clueless and couldn't understand his hints, even delaying the repayment of borrowed money.
Feeling Wu Ji's gaze, Fang Xi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Some people were just naturally petty.
Even if he agreed to borrow money this time as a stopgap measure, the other party might hold a grudge just because he responded slowly!
"Moreover... Is a Wu Ji really worth my apprehension?"
With this in mind, Fang Xi made a decision: "I'm truly sorry, but I'm currently not in a position to help with money matters..."
"You..." Wu Ji's face flushed and paled alternately, looking like a painted face shop, quite comical. "Junior Brother, you're good, very good..."
Feeling the mocking gazes of the surrounding disciples, he couldn't bear it and left in a huff.
After Wu Ji left, Tang Xuan approached: "Junior Brother Fang, you need to be careful, Senior Brother Wu has a narrow mind."
Fang Xi glanced at Tang Xuan with a hint of surprise.
This seemingly simple-looking Third Senior Brother didn't appear as innocent as he seemed.
Or perhaps, after displaying his talent, many people in the Baiyun Martial Arts Academy were actively trying to get close to him.
This was normal!
After all, Fang Xi had talent and wealth!
It would be abnormal if others didn't try to please him.
"What does Wu Ji do at home?" Fang Xi asked casually.
"Wu Senior Brother's family is in business, they have a small trading caravan and employ several martial artists as guards," Tang Xuan replied.
"In business..." Fang Xi smiled.
Although he didn't understand business warfare, wealth was power!
If necessary, he could resort to extreme measures, even if it meant harming himself in the process, that was the essence of harming others with one's own advantage.
"But would it be too arrogant to bankrupt someone just because they slighted me?" Fang Xi inwardly mocked.
"Ancient arrogance might be satisfying, but in the current environment, it's a sure path to ruin..." Fang Xi thought to himself.
However, he still appreciated Tang Xuan, who actively approached him. The two chatted for a while, discussing their progress in martial arts.
Like Wu Ji, Tang Xuan had also reached the Blood Qi Second Transformation realm and was considered strong in the academy. Unfortunately, reaching the Blood Qi Third Transformation realm seemed distant.
Speaking of which, even Tang Xuan couldn't help but show a hint of frustration: "Actually... My Fourth Junior Sister has been unable to break through to the Blood Qi Second Transformation for a long time. The family has urged her several times to return and get married."
Fang Xi was surprised to learn about the difficult situation of his Senior Sister, who always seemed eager to please him whenever they met.
However, considering the disciples in the outer courtyard who had to leave dejectedly after failing to grasp the Blood Qi despite paying, Fang Xi felt a sense of balance.
In reality, cultivating martial arts heavily relied on talent and resources.
Initially, the people at Yuanhe Mountain hadn't overestimated his physical aptitude.
But with the nourishment of spiritual energy and spirit rice from the cultivation world, he had made significant progress, similar to the talented individuals in the martial arts academy.
This was the tragedy of commoners!
With talent, one could quickly rise to the upper echelons.
Without talent or resources, one could only remain stagnant in life!
"But I'm different, I will strive!" Fang Xi declared.
"In the Great Liang world, I will strive to seize resources!"
With this in mind, Fang Xi left the Baiyun Martial Arts Academy and returned to the Fang Residence.
"Young Master is back!" Ah Fu and the maidservants welcomed him, especially the maids who greeted him with smiles.
The Young Master had mysteriously disappeared for several days, and today he finally returned.
"Go to the martial arts field, I want to practice." Ignoring the slightly resentful look from Yue Gui, Fang Xi headed to the martial arts field.
Swish!
In a flash, he stood on a wooden stake and began practicing the Snake Leg Eight Techniques.
He hadn't given up on practicing the Red Snake Leg technique.
Now, he had reached the Blood Qi Second Transformation realm!
"Snake Leg!" In an instant, Fang Xi kicked out three legs.
His leg techniques were flexible and boneless, resembling spirit snakes attacking from unpredictable angles.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Three wooden stakes broke in response.
"Not only is the Red Snake Leg sharp, but it also benefits leg techniques..." Fang Xi muttered.
After obtaining the essence of the Red Snake Leg technique, he had gained the complete core inheritance of this martial art. He could at least cultivate it to the level of the academy's martial arts master and wouldn't easily give up.
If one were to lift his pant legs, they would notice that his legs had thickened by a circle, with well-defined muscles.
Moreover, there were twisted snake-like patterns at the major tendons, a unique phenomenon after reaching the Blood Qi Second Transformation in the Red Snake Leg technique.
"The immediate priority is to break through to the Blood Qi Third Transformation and access demonic resources..." Fang Xi concluded after practicing the Red Snake Leg, already planning ahead.
However, upon seeing the charming maids, he decided to postpone his plans slightly.
After toiling in the cultivation world, it was time to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
The next day...
Baiyun Martial Arts Academy.
Fang Xi was a determined individual.
After enjoying tea and music the previous night, he returned to continue his cultivation today.
He felt his Blood Qi stirring within him.
Perhaps... today was the day to break through to the Blood Qi Third Transformation!
"Burn! Increase the fire!" In front of the earthen stove, as the stimulation from the pot of highly toxic medicinal soup on his palms decreased, Fang Xi urged the servants to add more fire.
"Yes!" Several servants, sweating profusely, quickly piled up a large amount of firewood under the earthen stove and added more poison to the pot.
Surrounding them, a crowd of spectators had gathered.
Wu Ji was among them, watching the scene unfold. His voice raised, "Junior Brother Fang, you're being reckless... Increasing the poison content abruptly might ruin your hands..."
Tang Xuan tried to say something, but Liu Taotao spoke first, "I think Junior Brother is accumulating strength and striving for progress!"
Her clear voice not only stunned Wu Ji but also earned surprised looks from Tang Xuan.
What had gotten into this Junior Sister today? She was directly challenging the Second Senior Brother?
Soon, Mu Canglong and Mu Piaomiao were alerted and arrived, each with a different expression as they watched the scene unfold.
Half an hour later...
"Phew..." Fang Xi withdrew his palms, which were now red. As the redness faded, a layer of gray gradually spread, permeating from the palms to the edges and backs of his hands.
Eventually, both his hands turned gray.
"This is... the Cloudy Layer?" Mu Piaomiao exclaimed.
The Blood Qi Third Transformation, Cloudy Layer!
This meant that Fang Xi's proficiency in the Baiyun Palm had caught up with hers, just below Mu Canglong!
"He actually broke through?" Wu Ji gaped at the scene, looking like a stunned toad.
But at this point, no one paid attention to this clown.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother, on your great progress!" Tang Xuan congratulated loudly.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother (Senior Brother)... on your great progress!" The disciples bowed one after another.
"Thank you!" Fang Xi remained composed, but when he passed by Liu Taotao, he smiled and said, "Senior Sister, if you encounter difficulties in resources for cultivation in the future, you can talk to me..."
With that statement, the expressions of the people around them subtly changed.
Many disciples looked at Liu Taotao with envy.
After all, they knew that Liu Taotao, who was unable to progress in martial arts, was almost forced by her family to get married!
Now that Senior Brother Fang had extended a helping hand, her days would be much easier.
"Thank you... Junior Brother!" Liu Taotao's voice choked with emotion.
"No need to be polite." Fang Xi waved his hand.
For him, it was just a casual investment.
Baiyun Martial Arts Academy main hall.
"Good, very good!" Mu Canglong looked at Fang Xi with great satisfaction.
He hadn't expected that a mere ordinary apprentice who had initially acted for money would possess such outstanding talent in the Baiyun Palm!
"Since you have reached the Blood Qi Third Transformation, the next step is to integrate your Blood Qi and step into the True Power realm," Mu Canglong said solemnly, taking out a scroll. "This is the secret transmission of the Baiyun Palm. Take a look first, remember, focus on the essence, not the form, and pay attention to the artistic conception in the painting!"
"Thank you, Master." Fang Xi planned to send a generous gift to Ah Fu later, but for now, he accepted the scroll.
The huge scroll depicted only clouds.
The clouds billowed with a sense of ethereality.
After studying it for a while, Fang Xi carefully pondered its true meaning.
"It's normal not to comprehend this artistic conception immediately. In the future, you can spend half an hour each day with your Senior Sister Piaomiao to observe it," Mu Canglong advised.
"I understand." Fang Xi returned the scroll to Mu Canglong.
After all, he could always copy it again in the future.
At this moment, he was more concerned about another matter. "Master... I would like to ask about demonic resources."
"I heard from Piaomiao that you are very interested in demonic flesh?" Mu Canglong nodded, then shook his head, a rare hint of fear appearing on his face. "Demonic beings are divided into demons and monsters! Demons roam the wilderness, posing a deadly threat to ordinary people, but they are relatively easy to deal with... The truly terrifying ones are the 'monsters'!"
"Monsters?" Fang Xi inquired, but Mu Canglong waved his hand. "In any case, you should know that even a martial artist like me would face certain death when encountering a monster. In fact, in any city in the Great Liang Nine Provinces where a monster disaster occurs, that place could become a dead zone!"
"Is it really that terrifying?" Fang Xi gasped, but well... most of it was an act.
"As for demonic flesh resources... Martial artists at the Blood Qi Third Transformation can barely consume a bit..." Mu Canglong thought for a moment, then handed him a wooden plaque. "In the Blackstone City, there is a black market that sells demonic flesh resources. If you're interested, you can go and buy some."
(End of Chapter)