In the days that followed, Lu Chen focused on cultivating the Evergreen Technique and the Mountain-Shattering Fist. Thanks to his [Exceptional Constitution] talent, his strength progressed rapidly. In just two months, he advanced to the 8th-grade Ironbone Realm.
The gap between the 8th and 9th grades was not just in physical strength—it also represented a major boost in bodily resilience. Where Lu Chen had once looked thin and fragile, like he could be blown over by the wind, he now looked far more robust, even taller than before. Dressed in a black martial outfit, he radiated energy and confidence.
[Name: Lu Chen]
[Lifespan: 14/60]
[Identity: Disciple of Beggar Sect Chief Hong Qi]
[Realm: 8th-grade Ironbone Realm]
[Technique: Evergreen Technique]
[Martial Skill: Mountain-Shattering Fist]
[Talent: Exceptional Constitution (Purple)]
After reviewing the panel information, Lu Chen began cultivating the Evergreen Technique as usual. Before long, a line of text appeared before his eyes:
[You practiced the Evergreen Technique once. Lifespan +10 days!]
Now that he had reached the 8th-grade realm, each session added 10 days to his lifespan—double what it had been at 9th grade. Lu Chen was overjoyed.
“At the 8th-grade realm, daily practice gives ten days of life. If I reach the 7th, 6th grade… or even Grandmaster and Great Grandmaster levels, wouldn’t daily cultivation add a year—or several years?”
That thought made his breathing quicken.
In theory, as long as Lu Chen kept advancing his cultivation, he could gain limitless lifespan. With that, his real-world problem of only having one year to live could be completely solved.
After practicing the Evergreen Technique, Lu Chen moved on to the Mountain-Shattering Fist. As he punched continuously, the courtyard echoed with sharp whooshing sounds.
Boom!
With a loud crash, one of the wooden training stakes in the courtyard was broken in half by Lu Chen’s punch. This scene happened to be witnessed by Instructor Wang, who was passing by.
He stepped forward in shock and said, “It’s only been two months, and you’ve already reached the 8th-grade Ironbone Realm?”
The first time he met Lu Chen, he could tell his blood and Qi were average—at best he was at the early 9th-grade realm. After heading to a county city hundreds of kilometers away for official matters, he had just returned a few days ago. He hadn’t expected Lu Chen to reach the 8th-grade Ironbone Realm already.
Only at this level could someone break a training stake with a single punch.
Lu Chen modestly replied, “It’s just a stroke of luck. I’m still far from being comparable to the inner disciples of the martial hall.”
Instructor Wang laughed, “Most inner disciples of the hall are 8th-grade themselves. With your current strength, you’re already comparable to them.”
“If you reach the 7th-grade Tendon-Flexing Realm in the future, you might be appointed as an instructor here and guide the disciples.”
That wasn’t just an offhand remark—Hall Master Lin had considered this from the beginning. When Lu Chen and Jiang Qingyu first came seeking refuge, Lin Tao had readily taken them in for two reasons. One, his friendship with Beggar Sect Chief Hong Qi. Two, a personal motive—to appoint Lu Chen as a martial instructor or even a hall protector once his strength improved.
“Since you’ve said that, I’ll do my best to train hard and reach the 7th-grade Tendon-Flexing Realm soon!” Lu Chen replied without hesitation.
“Good! Excellent!” Instructor Wang was clearly pleased and gave him a fist-and-palm salute in gratitude.
Then, he lowered his voice and warned, “Brother Lu, the Wild Wolf Gang is still hunting you and Jiang Qingyu across the entire city. You two mustn’t step outside the martial hall.”
“As long as you remain inside, even if they know you’re hiding here, they won’t be able to do anything.”
Lu Chen returned the gesture, “Understood. Thank you for the reminder, Instructor Wang.”
“There’s no need to be so polite,” Instructor Wang said with a smile, then took his leave.
Just as Lu Chen was about to return to his courtyard to continue training, a familiar figure appeared before him.
“Hey brother, can you tell me where the latrine is in this martial hall?” the man approached with an awkward smile.
It was Foreman Zhao from the northern docks. He had personally escorted a valuable shipment to the martial hall. But halfway through, he had an urgent need and, with no one around to direct him, wandered into Lu Chen’s courtyard.
“Foreman Zhao, still alive I see,” Lu Chen said with a half-smile.
In the last simulation, had Foreman Zhao not deliberately withheld Lu Chen’s wages, he wouldn’t have failed to pay the tribute and gotten killed by the Wild Wolf Gang. Not to mention, Foreman Zhao always treated laborers like dirt—using a whip to beat and scold them. Several elderly workers had been beaten to death by him.
Luo City had no County Office or guards anymore. The city was ruled by gangs, so no one cared if a few laborers died.
Now seeing Foreman Zhao again, Lu Chen felt a surge of killing intent.
“Huh? It’s you?” Foreman Zhao was stunned. Lu Chen had changed quite a bit—taller, more muscular, and dressed in black. Foreman Zhao hadn’t recognized him at first.
But the moment he heard Lu Chen’s voice, he instantly remembered.
“Two months and you’re still as annoying as ever, Foreman Zhao,” Lu Chen said coldly.
Looking at his rat-like face, Lu Chen wanted to kill him on the spot. But Foreman Zhao was part of the Canal Gang. If he died inside the martial hall, it would bring trouble to Hall Master Lin.
“Brother Chen, I’m back!” Jiang Qingyu came running over with two sticks of candied hawthorn in her hands.
“Lin Wan bought these outside. One for each of us,” she said as she handed one to Lu Chen.
When Foreman Zhao saw both Lu Chen and Jiang Qingyu inside the martial hall, his heart lit up. The Wild Wolf Gang was offering 50 taels of silver per person for any clues. That meant a total reward of 100 taels if he turned both in.
He couldn’t help but reveal a greedy glint in his eyes.
“I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll be taking my leave now,” Foreman Zhao said, turning quickly to leave.
Lu Chen knew he was heading off to report to the Wild Wolf Gang—and killing intent surged in his heart. He patted Jiang Qingyu’s head and said, “Be good, Xiao Yu. I have to step out for a bit. I’ll eat the candied hawthorn with you once I’m back.”
Jiang Qingyu seemed to understand and ran back to the room to fetch a bamboo hat.
“Brother Chen, our portraits are posted all over the city. You should wear this before going out.”
Lu Chen took the hat and smiled, “Alright. I’ll listen to you.”