C75 Eight Desolations Shadow Fist

"Half an hour... Ten thousand Spirit Money... Hmm?" Chu Yan responded distractedly, his brow suddenly furrowing. "Didn't they say I couldn't coax him into using more than 40% of his strength? So why am I facing such a steep price?"

"You're aware of the cost, I see," Sixth Madame mused to herself. "But what's a few hundred thousand Spirit Money compared to Lin Miaoran's miraculous breakthrough to the Pulse Condensation Stage?"

After pondering for a moment, Sixth Madame explained, "It's quite straightforward. You've met our expectations. If you're amenable, please sign this new contract."

She extended a piece of paper towards him. Chu Yan scanned the document; it was similar to the previous one he'd signed, but the terms were more lucrative, especially the daily provision of ten bottles of blood marrow at no charge. He couldn't refuse.

Setting aside the handsome compensation, Chu Yan also recognized a significant enhancement in his own abilities from sparring with the thick-lipped pretty boy. Such intense, real-world training was a rare opportunity, one he had no intention of squandering. He readily agreed.

"However, I have one condition," Chu Yan interjected before pressing his handprint on the contract.

"What condition?" inquired Sixth Madame.

"I might have a pressing matter in a few days, which could keep me away for a day or two," Chu Yan explained.

The Lin Clan's internal selection was approaching in about ten days, and he might need to participate, potentially causing a delay in his return. He wanted to clarify this upfront to prevent any misunderstanding about his commitment to the contract.

Sixth Madame quickly did the math. The Lin Family's selection was indeed just around the corner. Since Lin Miaoran would need to attend the family event, Chu Yan's potential absence wouldn't interfere with her training. She nodded in agreement.

Unbeknownst to them, both were contemplating the very same event.

Once Chu Yan's handprint was affixed to the contract, the door swung open once more.

He looked up to see a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl entering the room. Chubby-cheeked and fair-skinned, with two long braids that bounced playfully as she walked, she exuded an air of youthful charm.

Approaching Chu Yan, Fu Rui eyed him with curiosity before suddenly flicking an object his way, crisply stating, "For you!"

Chu Yan caught it and realized it was a scroll. "What's this?" he asked.

Before he could unroll it, he heard Sixth Madame sharply inhale. Looking up, he saw her wide-eyed, fixated on the scroll.

"This is..."

"Mine," Chu Yan said, shooting Sixth Madame an annoyed glare.

"Oh, I didn't mean it like that," Sixth Madame protested, stamping her foot and turning to Fu Rui. "Did he really give it to this fellow?"

"Yes," Fu Rui confirmed, gesturing at Chu Yan. "His martial skills are far too limited. He keeps using the same one over and over, so I gave him this superior human-level martial technique."

Fu Rui then turned to Chu Yan with a precocious air, advising, "You'd better practice this Shadow Eight Desolation Fist well. Don't let us down."

Chu Yan, however, was preoccupied with the scroll's potential. "A superior human-level martial technique?" he mused.

"That's right. You need to appreciate it and train diligently, got it?" Fu Rui nodded emphatically. "My little... well, she said you're currently not up to par. She doesn't need more than 40% of her strength to handle you. If you can push her to use over 70%, there's a reward in it for you."

"A superior human-level martial technique, huh? Okay, I understand." Chu Yan tucked the scroll away, then turned to Sixth Madame with an outstretched hand.

"What's this supposed to mean?" Sixth Madame asked, taken aback.

"You've yet to give me today's fee," Chu Yan stated flatly.

To be honest, being bested by the same person two days in a row was irksome.

Once he received his payment, Chu Yan converted the Spirit Money into Blood Marrow as usual.

As he was leaving Langya Pavilion, he cast a glance at Fu Rui and inquired, "That pretty boy, is she truly just at the fifth level of the Genuine Force Stage?"

"Pretty boy?" Fu Rui burst into uncontrollable laughter at the mention of Lin Miaoran. Her reaction was so over the top that Chu Yan feared she might actually faint from the hilarity of it.

"Hahahaha... seriously, I'm not kidding... Pretty boy, hahahahaha!" Fu Rui managed to get out between fits of laughter.

"Just a single realm lower," Chu Yan mused, eyeing the eleven bottles of blood marrow in his hands. A barely perceptible spark of determination flickered in his gaze. "I will surpass you, without a doubt!"

With his resolve cemented, Chu Yan turned and walked away.

Fu Rui's laughter slowly subsided as she watched him go, her expression turning grave.

"What's wrong?" Sixth Madame asked, eyeing her with concern. It was rare to see Fu Rui this earnest.

"I've got a premonition," Fu Rui replied.

"About what?"

"Our Miss is headed for trouble," Fu Rui said gravely, causing Sixth Madame's heart to lurch.

"Surely not—because of him?" Sixth Madame glanced in the direction Chu Yan had left, talking to herself. Yet, recalling his performance today, she found herself grappling with uncertainty.

After leaving Langya Pavilion, Chu Yan returned to the same inn where he had stayed the night before.

Once inside the time-space cage, he settled into meditation, replaying the day's battle with Lin Miaoran in his mind, scrutinizing every detail.

After several reviews, he pinpointed a few critical moments where he could have turned the tide.

"If I had been just one level higher, or if my strength and agility had been slightly greater, I could have mounted a decisive counterattack," Chu Yan reflected inwardly.

Having organized his thoughts, he unfurled the scroll of the Dark Eight Desolations Fist.

The technique comprised eight moves, and Chu Yan was ready to master the first four.

With a quick scan, he committed the moves to memory and began practicing them one by one.

Previously, when Chu Yan had showcased his talent for inscriptions, Lin Chongtian had rewarded him with a mid-tier Mortal Realm martial skill.

But now, that thick-lipped pretty boy had effortlessly demonstrated a high-tier Mortal Realm martial skill. As Chu Yan marveled at the man's generosity, he couldn't help but speculate about his mysterious identity.

The adversary was shrouded in mystery, demonstrating a level of strength that surpassed the average Genuine Force Stage by a significant margin, yet not uttering a single word. Consequently, any attempt to ascertain their identity was futile, as there were no leads to follow.

"Forget it, I'll set that aside for now. The priority is to get a firm grasp on this superior Mortal-grade martial technique," Chu Yan mused. After several practice rounds and successfully mastering the initial four techniques, he seized the eleven vials of blood essence and downed them all at once.

In a flash, he could feel a potent, explosive energy surging through him, ready to erupt.