4: Chapter 4 The Moon Makes Things Difficult

The medicinal power surged in, tearing through his Meridians as a sharp pain struck.

Then, at the deepest part of the tear, a sliver of new flesh began to grow.

Li Changsheng saw it.

Under Internal Inspection, that sliver of flesh was as thin as a hair, yet incredibly resilient.

It extended bit by bit along the edges of the crack, stitching the torn wound together.

"It worked..."

he murmured.

Then his vision went black, and he completely lost consciousness.

When he woke up again, it was already late at night.

Li Changsheng found himself lying in bed, covered with a quilt, with someone sitting beside him.

It was Grand Elder Li Qingsong.

The old man was closing his eyes, his fingers resting on Li Changsheng's wrist to check his pulse.

"Grand Elder..."

"Don't speak."

Li Qingsong opened his eyes and looked at him with a complex gaze.

"You used the Spirit Ape Standing Stake?"

"Yes."

"You modified the prescription yourself?"

"Yes."

Li Qingsong remained silent for a long time before letting go and standing up.

"Your Meridians have recovered by twenty percent."

Li Changsheng's eyes lit up.

"But don't be happy too soon."

Li Qingsong looked at him.

"It was Luck that you survived this time. What about the next time? Or the time after that?"

Li Changsheng fell silent.

Li Qingsong walked to the door and suddenly turned back to say:

"Your father was just as stubborn back then."

Then he pushed the door open and left.

Li Changsheng was stunned.

He thought of that blurry figure in his memory.

The man who had reached the ninth level of the Houtian Realm at the age of thirty and was hailed as a once-in-a-century Genius of the Li Family.

The man who had gone out for training and died unexpectedly, his cause of death remaining a mystery to this day.

He suddenly wondered if his father had also used the Spirit Ape Standing Stake back then.

Had someone else modified the prescription for him too?

No one knew.

[Cultivation Fluctuation: Cultivation Realm dropped and then initially recovered. Reward: 2 points of Mental Energy. Remaining Mental Energy: 7 points.]

On the seventh day, the Family's Monthly Assessment.

Supported by Li An, Li Changsheng walked toward the Martial Arts Field.

Along the way, the clansmen cast various glances—some concerned, some sympathetic, and some gloating.

"Brother Changsheng!"

A crisp voice rang out.

Li Changsheng turned his head and saw a girl of fourteen or fifteen running over.

Dressed in a pale yellow dress with delicate features, she was his cousin, Li Changqing.

"Sister Qing'er."

Li Changsheng nodded with a smile.

In his memory, Li Changqing was one of the few clansmen who treated him sincerely.

"Why are you out?"

"The Grand Elder said you need to rest quietly."

Li Changqing looked at him with concern.

"I heard that on the Third Elder's side..."

She hesitated.

Li Changsheng understood what she meant.

The Third Elder was a selfish and protective person.

"It's fine, I'm just here to take a look."

As the two walked side by side toward the Martial Arts Field, Li Changqing lowered her voice.

"In today's Monthly Assessment, Li Changhu might challenge the record for the fifth level of the Houtian Realm."

"If he succeeds, the Third Elder will definitely take the opportunity to demand a redistribution of resources."

Li Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly.

So this was what the Grand Elder wanted him to see with his own eyes.

Dozens of Li Family disciples had already gathered on the Martial Arts Field.

In front of the strength measurement stele in the center, a burly youth was warming up; it was Li Changhu.

He was tall and muscular, clearly having put a lot of effort into Body Tempering.

"Quiet!"

A white-haired old man with a youthful face, dressed in a majestic black robe with gold embroidery, spoke loudly.

He was the Second Elder, Li Zhenchuan, who was presiding over this Monthly Assessment.

"The Monthly Assessment begins. Step forward to test your strength in order of age!"

Here, the Houtian Realm levels were divided by single-handed strength.

Among them, the first level of the Houtian Realm was one hundred kilograms, the second level was two hundred kilograms, and so on; Houtian Realm Perfection could exceed one thousand kilograms.

After breaking through to the Xiantian Realm, True Qi could be released externally, so it was no longer measured solely by strength.

The young disciples stepped forward one by one and punched the strength measurement stele, the numbers flickering.

"Li Changxing, first level of the Houtian Realm, 170 kilograms!"

"Li Changping, second level of the Houtian Realm, 230 kilograms!"

"Li Changyun, third level of the Houtian Realm, 310 kilograms!"

"Li Changyong, third level of the Houtian Realm, 350 kilograms!"

When it was Li Changhu's turn, the entire field went silent.

Li Changhu walked to the stone tablet. Instead of punching immediately, he took a deep breath, and the bones throughout his body made slight popping sounds.

"This is... 'Strength Pervading the Body' from the fourth level of the Spirit Ape Fist!"

An observant clansman exclaimed.

Li Changhu exhaled sharply and threw a punch!

The numbers on the stone tablet jumped frantically: 370, 380, 390...

Finally stopping at 440 kilograms!

"Fourth level of the Houtian Realm!"

"As expected, Li Changhu has also broken through to the fourth level of the Houtian Realm!"

"440 kilograms is already considered the middle stage of the fourth level."

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

A fifteen-year-old at the fourth level of the Houtian Realm was rare among the Li Family's younger generation.

According to convention, breaking through to the fifth level of the Houtian Realm before age sixteen meant there was hope of reaching the ninth level by age thirty, making a Breakthrough to the Xiantian Realm likely.

The Third Elder, Li Zhenhai, his face flushed with pride, stroked his beard and smiled.

"Hu'er has been cultivating diligently lately, and he has finally achieved Minor Achievement."

The Second Elder nodded and recorded the result. Just as he was about to announce the next person, Li Changhu suddenly spoke.

"Second Elder, I want to try the standard for the fifth level."

The whole field fell silent.

The fifth level of the Houtian Realm required five hundred kilograms of strength. Li Changhu had only recently broken through to the fourth level, so logically, it should be impossible.

But seeing his confidence, could he still have strength in reserve?

"You may."

The Second Elder approved.

Li Changhu took his stance again, his face turning red and veins bulging this time.

Clearly, he was using some secret technique to stimulate his potential.

"Hah!"

His fist slammed heavily into the stone tablet, and the numbers soared: 450, 480, 500!

Finally stopping at 510 kilograms!

"The strength of the fifth level of the Houtian Realm!"

"Even if he barely reached it, this is still..."

The clansmen were shocked.

Li Changhu withdrew his fist and stood, though he was panting heavily.

But the pride in his eyes could not be concealed.

He scanned the crowd, his gaze finally landing on Li Changsheng, a provocative curve forming on his lips.

Li Changsheng looked back calmly, understanding the situation perfectly.

Li Changhu was doing this for his benefit and also to show the Family who was the disciple truly worth cultivating.

"Good! Good! Good!"

The Third Elder said "good" three times and stood up.

"With such talent, the Family should naturally focus on cultivating Hu'er."

"Second Elder, I propose that the resources for the next quarter be tilted toward Hu'er!"

"After all, the future of the Family depends on the support of such geniuses."

These words were clearly aimed at Li Changsheng.

In an instant, everyone's gaze converged on Li Changsheng.

Just as Li Changsheng was about to speak, Grand Elder Li Qingsong spoke first.

"The matter of resource allocation must be discussed and decided by the Council of Elders."

"However..."

He looked at Li Changsheng.

"Changsheng, since you're here, why not take the test as well?"

"Let everyone see how your recovery is going."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions varied.

Everyone knew that Li Changsheng had suffered from Qi Deviation.

Wasn't the Grand Elder embarrassing him by asking him to test his strength?

But Li Changsheng understood the Grand Elder's deeper meaning; he wanted him to show hope of recovery.

"Your grandson obeys."

He walked slowly toward the strength measurement stele.

Whispers broke out in the field:

"Can Young Master Changsheng still take the test? I heard his Meridians are severely damaged."

"Yes, it seems his Realm has even dropped."

"He probably can't even exert the strength of the first level of the Houtian Realm."

"What does the Grand Elder mean by this?"

Li Changhu crossed his arms and watched coldly from the sidelines.

He didn't believe that someone who had suffered Qi Deviation could show any improvement in just a few days.

Li Changsheng stood still before the stone tablet. He didn't build up power like the others, but simply threw a plain punch.

The moment his fist touched the stone tablet, he circulated the Spirit Ape Fist, condensing his repaired True Qi into a single point.

The numbers on the stone tablet jumped: 300, 350, 400!

Finally stopping at 420 kilograms.

The standard for the fourth level of the Houtian Realm!

The entire field was dead silent.

The pride on Li Changhu's face froze.

The Third Elder, Li Zhenhai, suddenly stood up.

"This is impossible! He clearly..."

"Clearly had damaged Meridians?"

The Grand Elder took over, a flicker of relief flashing in his eyes.

"But Changsheng used the modified 'Spirit Ape Standing Stake' method, and his recovery speed has far exceeded expectations."

"Zhenhai, do you still think the Family should give up on him now?"

The Third Elder's face turned livid, but he was speechless.

Li Changsheng withdrew his fist, feeling the True Qi circulating smoothly within his body.

This time, he had not only shown hope of recovery but, more importantly, conveyed a message to everyone:

He, Li Changsheng, would not fall easily.