On the grand armchair, Mei Shuangfeng was also stunned.
Her eyes widened, a look of shock flashing through them, and her red lips, adorned with a trace of rouge, parted unconsciously: “Xiu... Han'er, come here. Step forward and let Master take a look.”
Shen Xiuhan did as he was told and stepped forward.
Mei Shuangfeng reached out her hand, pressing her palm inch by inch across his chest and abdomen to probe the surging of his meridians and blood qi.
After a moment, she slowly withdrew her hand, took a deep breath, and said slowly, her eyes filled with awe and solemnity: “The Chong and Dai meridians are indeed fully unblocked. Judging by the momentum, you aren't far from unblocking the Ren and Du meridians either... I'm afraid that in less than a month, you will break through both barriers in succession.”
Pausing, she continued, “It is indeed the Tendon Tempering stage without a doubt!”
Sss!
Hearing Mei Shuangfeng's definitive confirmation, a collective sharp intake of breath instantly echoed in the room.
Zuo Guangshu swallowed hard, feeling his throat go dry. He stared at Shen Xiuhan and asked tentatively: “Junior... Junior Brother Shen, may I ask, how old are you this year?”
Shen Xiuhan turned and cupped his fists. “Replying to Senior Brother, I will be eighteen next month.”
Sss!
The five people present took another collective sharp breath, feeling their scalps tingle as a chill ran down their spines.
Not even eighteen yet!
And he had only joined the martial arts hall just over three months ago!
During this time, he had broken through the three stages of Blood Tempering, Bone Tempering, and Tendon Tempering in rapid succession!
He had even cleared two of the five main tendons!
This...
Was he even human?!
Jiang Qinghong pursed her red lips, looking at the youth in green robes in the hall. She couldn't help but recall her previous assessment of him... He really is... an incredibly fast man.
Silence reigned in the hall for several breaths.
Finally, Mei Shuangfeng picked up her teacup, took a light sip to calm her mind, and broke the silence: “Stop staring, everyone... Han'er, let me introduce them to you. These are your senior brothers and sisters who joined the martial arts hall in the early years. They are currently serving in the Longxiang Army and Bixia Villa...”
Having said that, Mei Shuangfeng stood up personally and introduced them one by one.
Shen Xiuhan stepped forward politely, either cupping his fists or bowing, his behavior exemplary and poised.
After some pleasantries, they grew much closer.
Zuo Guangshu and Ding Ning were both very warm, and even the cold and stern Wang Lin chatted with him a bit more.
No one would be foolish enough to offend such a genius junior brother.
By now, the sun was high in the sky; it was time for lunch.
Mei Shuangfeng was in an excellent mood. Naturally, she didn't want to use Auntie Shi's cooking to entertain this group of her proudest disciples.
So she called Xu Chuan and ordered him to go to the Zuixian Restaurant in the Inner City to order a grand feast and have it delivered directly to the martial arts hall.
In less than half an hour, the waiters and runners from Zuixian Restaurant carried multi-tiered mahogany food boxes into the back hall.
When the food boxes were opened, a rich, fresh aroma filled the hall, making everyone's mouth water.
As the saying goes, those near the mountains live off the mountains, and those near the water live off the water.
Since Changyun County was adjacent to Cloudwater Lake, the feast featured the highly characteristic "Eight Cloudwater Delicacies."
Steamed Cloudwater whitefish, golden-roe drunken crab, Longjing jade shrimp, sizzling eel paste, lotus-leaf steamed pork with rice flour, silverfish and water shield soup, and spring bamboo shoots braised with green shrimp...
To top it off, there was a dessert of sweet osmanthus lotus root—glutinous rice stuffed inside the lotus root holes, drizzled with brown sugar and osmanthus honey, sweet and enticing.
There was also a jar of "Lotus Jade Wine." The jar was covered in a fine layer of dust, showing at a glance that it was aged wine from a cellar.
Everyone took their seats in order, and Mei Shuangfeng officially started the feast.
After three rounds of drinks and several dishes, everyone relaxed.
The chatter flowed freely, and the conversation never strayed far from Shen Xiuhan.
After a few cups of wine, Zuo Guangshu's face turned slightly red, and he said loudly: “Junior Brother Shen, if you ever leave Changyun County in the future, you must come to the prefectural city to find me and join our Bixia Villa! With your talent, whether you join our Qi Dao lineage or the Sword Dao lineage, you will easily enter the inner sect! In time, you might even take the position of Chief Disciple!”
Thud!
Hearing this, Ding Ning set her wine cup down on the table with a firm thud, causing a few drops of wine to splash out. Arching her elegant brows, she said bluntly: “Why on earth would he go to your Bixia Villa? To play at being refined and slack off with a fan like you?”
With that, Ding Ning looked at Shen Xiuhan, her eyes serious: “Junior Brother, a martial artist's strength should be forged between life and death! You should join our Great Qi's Longxiang Army. Only by tempering yourself in the military camp, living on the edge of a blade, will your cultivation progress rapidly!”
Seeing the two of them openly fighting over him at the dining table, trade-off after trade-off without backing down, Mei Shuangfeng smiled helplessly. Setting down her ivory chopsticks, she wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief and spoke up to protect him: “Alright, stop squabbling, you two. I know Han'er's temperament. He has always been free-spirited and dislikes being bound. If he gets the chance, he would prefer to join a sect...”
These words were equivalent to declining the Longxiang Army.
Zuo Guangshu was overjoyed, his smile growing even wider. He draped an arm over Shen Xiuhan's shoulder and laughed heartily: “Good junior brother, you must come find me at Bixia Villa in the future. When that time comes, this senior brother of yours will host a grand welcome feast for you at the most expensive restaurant in the prefectural city!”
Seeing this, Ding Ning shook her head helplessly and stopped arguing. She simply raised her wine cup to Shen Xiuhan: “Just think it through carefully, Junior Brother. No matter where you go, this senior sister wishes you a bright and boundless future.”
Shen Xiuhan hurriedly raised his cup in return, thanking her repeatedly.
With wine and food filling their bellies, the atmosphere reached its peak.
Jiang Qinghong chatted and drank with the three, discussing everything from the rivalries of the Four Great Sects to the border wars, and from eccentric figures to legends of spiritual treasures.
Seeing this, Mei Shuangfeng leaned close to Shen Xiuhan's ear and whispered: “Han'er... once the feast is over, come find me in the back hall...”
Shen Xiuhan was slightly startled. Quickly straightening his expression, he replied in a low voice: “Yes, Master!”
Once the feast concluded, Zuo Guangshu, Ding Ning, and Wang Lin, each carrying their own missions, did not stay long. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they took their leave one after another.
Jiang Qinghong went to consolidate her cultivation.
Shen Xiuhan turned, walked through the corridor, and headed toward the back hall.
Inside the back hall, sandalwood incense curled through the air, creating a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Mei Shuangfeng sat behind her desk, flipping through a yellowed, old booklet. A small porcelain bottle sat by the side of the desk.
Seeing Shen Xiuhan enter, Mei Shuangfeng put down her book and first brought up the matter of the Bai family, her tone tinged with helplessness: “Lately, I've uncovered many clues about the kidnapped children, but I've never been able to drag the mastermind into the light. The Bai family's roots are vast and deeply entrenched, and they act with extreme caution. Every time I grab onto a thread of a clue, they immediately sever it.”
She paused, took a sip of tea, and continued: “A few days ago, the West Market Pier suddenly went completely quiet. The Bai family must have sensed something and abandoned that location... These people truly have countless bolt-holes!”
Shen Xiuhan frowned, his heart sinking slightly as he mused: “Master, the Bai family is powerful and cautious; we cannot rush this. Even if we prove they are the masterminds, we must wait for the right opportunity to act. If we startle the snake, we might only bring disaster upon ourselves.”
Mei Shuangfeng nodded slightly, approval flashing in her eyes, before changing the subject: “Han'er, the speed of your cultivation progress has far exceeded my expectations. Even if you fail to win the martial feast and cannot enter the Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool, with your talent, it won't be long before you can strive for the Anjin Rank.”
At this point, Mei Shuangfeng pushed the old booklet and the green porcelain bottle to the front of Shen Xiuhan.
“Inside the bottle are fifteen Tendon-Refining Pills refined from the Ink-Bone Blue Fish you brought. These pills are of great benefit to the meridians and tendons, and will last you for a while... As for this booklet... it contains the Anjin Rank cultivation technique of our hall!”
Shen Xiuhan's heart skipped a beat. He paused for a moment before taking it, flipping it open to see five bold, vigorous characters written on the inside cover—
“Heavenly Eagle Xuanwu Stance!”
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