Chapter 19 The Crimson Veil Startles the Master, Sword Points at the Twin Stars

[May 23rd, evening.]

[The train, like a silver serpent, passed through rolling hills and slowly pulled into Longnan City's high-speed rail station.]

[As you stepped off the platform, breathing the air of your hometown, a long-lost sense of peace welled up in your heart.]

[You had been away for half a year, experiencing a long journey from life-and-death struggles in underground boxing rings, to false intelligence in the Misty Forest, and then to a race against death in Sunset Canyon.]

[You didn't go home immediately, but went straight to school.]

[It was evening self-study time, and the campus was brightly lit.]

[You familiarized yourself with the route and arrived at the Teachers Apartment for the third-year Martial Skill group.]

“Thump, thump, thump.”

[You knocked on the familiar door.]

“Who is it? So late at night.”

[The door opened, revealing Wu Changhe in a slightly yellowed old undershirt, holding half a cup of unfinished goji berry tea.]

[He was stunned when he saw the dusty, almost unfamiliar young man standing at the door.]

“Li Ang?!”

[Wu Changhe almost didn't recognize him. Half a year ago, you were also at the Eighth Stage of Qi and Blood, but you always carried a youthful innocence and scholarly air. Now, even though you had restrained your aura, those deep, abyss-like eyes made even him, a Kaiyuan Realm Expert, feel a strange palpitation.]

“You rascal… where did you run off to for the past six months? Besides sending a text message every month to report you were safe, not even a ghost could be seen!” Wu Changhe grumbled, pulling you into the room. “I thought you died in some desolate wilderness!”

“I made you worry, Teacher.”

[You put down your backpack and bowed sincerely.]

[You knew that this tough-talking but soft-hearted teacher truly regarded you as half a son.]

“Alright, alright, enough of that.” Wu Changhe waved his hand, sizing you up, and his brow slightly raised. “Looking at your spirit, you must have gained something? What, your Qi and Blood is more solid?”

[You smiled, not answering directly, but turned and closed the door, then drew the curtains.]

“Teacher, this time when I went out, I indeed encountered some special… Opportunities.”

[You didn't mention Sunset Canyon. Some secrets are best kept to yourself for the protection of those around you.]

“I'd like to ask Teacher to take a look.”

“Take a look?” Wu Changhe took a sip of tea, not thinking much of it. “Your horizons have broadened now, kid? Your Bottleneck at the Eighth Stage of Qi and Blood isn't that easy to Breakthrough, unless you…”

[His words were cut short.]

“Buzz—!”

[You no longer suppressed the power within your body.]

[A faint, thin veil, like flowing red mercury, appeared on your body without warning.]

[It was soft, tough, and pulsed slightly with your breathing, as if it were a living thing.]

“Clatter!”

[The glass cup in Wu Changhe's hand slipped and fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. The hot goji berry tea splashed everywhere, but he seemed oblivious.]

“Crimson… Crimson Gauze?!”

[Wu Changhe suddenly stood up, his previously slightly hunched back instantly straightening.]

[He rushed to your front in a few strides, eyes wide, staring intently at the thin veil on your body, his voice trembling.]

“Qi and Blood liquifying, cloaking the body like gauze… This, this is the Ninth Stage of Qi and Blood?!”

[He extended his trembling hand, wanting to touch it, but stopped midway.]

[As an old Martial Master who had Cultivated stance training and Forceful Boxing Techniques for decades, he knew better than anyone how difficult it was for you to reach this stage.]

“How is this possible… how is this possible?”

[Wu Changhe muttered to himself, his eyes filled with disbelief. “Half a year ago, although your Qi and Blood was incredibly abundant, even comparable to the Ninth Stage, it was more like an uncontrollable wildfire.”]

“I told you to practice the Coiled Dragon Post Stance, taught you boxing, and internal strength, just to let you use painstaking effort to smooth out that restless energy, to gradually subdue the fierce tiger in your heart…”

[He suddenly looked up at you, his eyes full of shock: “But you, in just half a year… only half a year! Not only did you subdue that monstrous Qi and Blood, but you even made it so docile?”]

“Li Ang, this is definitely not something that can be achieved through mere hard training.”

[Saying that, he grabbed your wrist, two fingers resting on your pulse.]

[A few seconds later, Wu Changhe's expression changed from worry to blankness, finally turning into an indescribable ecstasy.]

[The pulse was steady and strong, Qi and Blood like a Dragon and a tiger, full of vitality!]

[This was simply a perfect Ninth Stage template!]

“Good! Good! Good!”

[Wu Changhe said “good” three times in a row, his eyes even becoming slightly red.]

[He turned his back, pretending to pick up the shattered glass on the floor, and secretly wiped the corner of his eye.]

[When he stood up again, this usually loud and boisterous man's voice was actually choked with emotion.]

“Li Ang, do you know…”

[Wu Changhe looked at you as if looking at a miracle.]

“Honestly, half a year ago, I thought that breaking the limit of the Seventh Stage would be your endpoint before the College Entrance Examination.”

“At that time, I saw you with abundant Qi and Blood comparable to the Ninth Stage, yet due to the limitations of your Meridians and foundation, you had turned yourself into a gunpowder keg ready to explode at any moment… I truly felt… injustice.”

[Wu Changhe clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles white: “I kept thinking, why? Why do those aristocratic scions pass hurdles by simply drinking tea, while you have to risk your life? And why do people like you, who work so hard and desperately want to change their fate, end up ruining their path by overexerting themselves?”]

“That taste of more effort leading to more despair, I was afraid you couldn't bear it, and even more afraid you would be crippled because of it.”

“But Li Ang, you did it.”

[Wu Changhe stepped forward and heavily pressed on your shoulders, his gaze burning: “Not only did you survive, but you also walked through that dead end that lay before you!]

You didn't just Breakthrough the Bottleneck of the Ninth Stage, you completely shattered that damned curse that was weighing down on you!”

“Thank you, Teacher, for your guidance.”

[You retracted the Crimson Gauze. Although your strength had soared, you still maintained the humility of a Disciple in front of him.]

[Wu Changhe took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart.]

[He sat back on the sofa, his expression becoming unprecedentedly serious.]

“Li Ang, since you've reached this point, our plans need to change.”

[He extended a finger and fiercely poked the “Federal Martial Arts Examination Outline” on the table.]

“Originally, I planned that if you could maintain the Peak of the Eighth Stage, with your theoretical foundation and Great Accomplishment Saber Technique, your chances of getting into Jiangnan Martial Arts University were very high.”

“But now…”

“Ninth Stage of Qi and Blood, Crimson Gauze Cloaking, plus your Great Accomplishment Saber Technique. Li Ang, for this year's grand examination, your sights no longer need to be limited to Jiangnan Province.”

[Wu Changhe's eyes burned with the fire of ambition: “Go for those two! Federal Martial Arts University, or Changjing Martial Arts University!”]

“Only the ‘Twin Stars’ are worthy of your current talent!”

[Hearing this, you weren't too surprised, just calmly nodded: “I know, that's my goal too.”]

“However, Teacher.”

[You changed the subject, “Before the College Entrance Examination, I still have one weakness to make up for.”]