Chapter 107: Sacred Liquid
Zhang Ruochen was slightly surprised and asked, "Who is the first?"
"The number one of the Dragon Martial Hall," the West Courtyard Head said.
The number one of the Xuan category was Duanmu Xingling, the number one of the Di category was Huang Yanchen, and the number one of the Tian category was naturally Luo Xu's descendant, Luo Shuihan.
The West Courtyard Head seemed somewhat unwilling to give up and continued, "Zhang Ruochen, you must think carefully. I have taken on nine disciples in total, six of whom have already become Heavenly Extreme Realm martial arts legends, and one is among the top ten talents in the inner palace of the Martial Market Academy. The other two are Huang girl and Duanmu girl. You should know how strong they are, right?"
"If you become my personal disciple, I won't give you more cultivation resources, but you can borrow my name to gain more convenience in the Martial Market Academy, and no one will dare to easily make an enemy of you."
Zhang Ruochen said, "My mind is made up. Even if I encounter any setbacks or difficulties in the Martial Market Academy in the future, I will never regret it."
"Very well! Since you have such a firm belief, I will no longer persuade you!"
The West Courtyard Head took out an exquisite small jade bottle from his bosom and handed it to Zhang Ruochen, saying, "Inside is a drop of Sacred Liquid. I'm giving it to you as compensation!"
"Sacred Liquid!" Zhang Ruochen showed a delighted expression.
The students of the Martial Market Academy were much stronger than other martial artists at the same level. For example, Feng Zhilin, although at the Mysterious Extreme Realm Great Extreme Position, could contend with seven or eight Mysterious Extreme Realm Great Extreme Position martial artists. That was because the students of the Martial Market Academy had the opportunity to consume Half-Saint True Liquid.
An ordinary outer palace student could obtain one drop of Half-Saint True Liquid each year to temper their physique.
For the top one hundred outer palace students of the West Courtyard, they could obtain one drop of Half-Saint True Liquid each quarter.
For the top ten students of the West Courtyard, they could obtain two drops of Half-Saint True Liquid each quarter.
For the number one student of the West Courtyard, they could obtain ten drops of Half-Saint True Liquid each quarter.
Refining one drop of Half-Saint True Liquid could significantly strengthen a martial artist's physique, making them more powerful at the same level.
One drop of Half-Saint True Liquid, if sold outside, could fetch a high price of one hundred thousand silver coins. Moreover, it was in short supply with no market.
Half-Saint True Liquid was a treasure that students could only hope to encounter by chance. Who would sell it?
The Sacred Liquid that the West Courtyard Head gave to Zhang Ruochen was dozens of times more precious than Half-Saint True Liquid, each drop worth over five million silver coins. It was simply unavailable in lower and middle commanderies; only in upper commanderies could it possibly be bought.
Zhang Ruochen naturally didn't stand on ceremony and readily accepted the Sacred Liquid.
Then, Zhang Ruochen took his leave from the West Courtyard Head and returned to the Dragon Martial Hall.
"One drop of Sacred Liquid! This is excellent! With this drop of Sacred Liquid to assist me, my martial body will become even stronger, and I might even have a chance to break through to the Mysterious Extreme Realm's Supreme Extreme Realm." Zhang Ruochen held the small jade bottle in his hand, feeling very pleased.
To reach the Mysterious Extreme Realm's Supreme Extreme Realm, relying solely on one drop of Sacred Liquid was far from enough. The key was that Zhang Ruochen cultivated the "Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture," having opened thirty-six meridians in his body, and had reached the peak of Sword Heart Illumination, an advantage that other geniuses simply didn't possess.
The Sacred Liquid played a supporting role.
Moreover, even with all these conditions combined, Zhang Ruochen's chances of reaching the Mysterious Extreme Realm's Supreme Extreme Realm were still quite slim.
Zhang Ruochen temporarily decided not to consume the Sacred Liquid, planning to wait until his cultivation reached the Mysterious Extreme Realm Great Perfection before taking it. Only then could he maximize the value of the Sacred Liquid.
"The West Courtyard holds a quarterly assessment every three months. As long as I enter the top one hundred in the quarterly assessment, I can obtain one drop of Half-Saint True Liquid. Although the effect of Half-Saint True Liquid is not as good as Sacred Liquid, it is still very precious, and it's hard to buy even with money."
"There are still two months until the quarterly assessment. I must at least strive for one drop of Half-Saint True Liquid."
Almost all of the top one hundred students in the West Courtyard were old students who had been cultivating in the academy for several years, all at the Mysterious Extreme Realm Great Perfection.
Someone like Feng Zhilin, with his cultivation, could only rank one hundred and seventy-third in the West Courtyard.
"First, I must successfully cultivate the twelve moves of the Heavenly Heart Sword Technique."
Zhang Ruochen had already successfully cultivated six moves of the Heavenly Heart Sword Technique, completing half of this Spirit-level lower-grade sword technique.
Now that he had reached the peak of Sword Heart Illumination, his speed in learning sword techniques would be much faster than before.
...
After nightfall, the West Courtyard was still brightly lit. Some martial artists were still practicing martial arts on the training grounds, sweating profusely, hoping to make a name for themselves in the quarterly assessment two months later through their efforts.
Other martial artists gathered together, drinking fine wine, discussing world affairs, and occasionally gossiping about every beautiful senior sister or junior sister in the West Courtyard, followed by bursts of laughter.
From time to time, the roars of savage beasts came from the towering and majestic Demon Ridge, but the students of the West Courtyard paid them no mind, having long grown accustomed to it.
A slender black figure flashed over the rooftops, turning into a blur and rushing into a dense forest.
Although wearing a night robe, one could still tell it was a woman.
From four other directions in the West Courtyard, four black figures also flew out and gathered with her.
The five black-clad figures didn't speak, only making gestures to each other before heading in the same direction, arriving at the edge of a cliff.
At the cliff's edge stood a black-clad figure wearing a cloak, entirely covered in black, with only a left hand exposed. The back of the hand was wrinkled, clearly indicating it was an old man.
After the five black-clad figures arrived before the old man, they knelt in unison on one knee, saying, "Greetings, Elder."
The cloaked old man turned to look at them, his gaze fixing on the slightly slender black-clad figure, and asked, "Are you this year's new student?"
The black-clad woman replied, "Yes."
The cloaked old man nodded slightly, took out a golden token from his sleeve, stamped with the words "Underworld."
Seeing the token, the five black-clad figures immediately lowered their heads, showing even more respect.
The cloaked old man said, "In the past three months, seven groups have put bounties on the head of the Ninth Prince of Yunwu Commandery, Zhang Ruochen, with the total bounty reaching three million three hundred thousand silver coins. The largest bounty was issued yesterday, reaching two million silver coins."
"This matter has attracted the attention of the Sect Leader, who personally ordered that within a month, Zhang Ruochen must be killed at all costs. I'll give you twenty days. If you cannot kill Zhang Ruochen within twenty days, I will personally take action."
"As usual, you must not reveal each other's identities. All actions will follow my signal. You may return now."
"Yes!"
The five black-clad figures responded, then left separately, returning to the West Courtyard.
The cloaked old man watched the departing five black-clad figures, removed his cloak, revealing an aged face.
If Zhang Ruochen were here, he would recognize him as the head elder of the West Courtyard, Elder Situ.
"Three million three hundred thousand silver coins is no small sum. That kid's head is really valuable."
A cold glint flashed in Elder Situ's eyes. He put the cloak back on and slowly walked out of the dense forest.
...
The next day.
"Zhang Ruochen, outside the Dragon Martial Hall, there's a beautiful young lady surnamed Zi who wants to see you."
Xiao Hei's voice came from outside the Time-Space Crystal, reaching Zhang Ruochen's ears.
When Zhang Ruochen cultivated in the inner space of the Time-Space Crystal, he usually had Xiao Hei keep watch outside. If someone came looking for him, Xiao Hei would promptly notify him.
Zhang Ruochen put down his sword, stepped out of the Time-Space Crystal, glanced at Xiao Hei, who was intently reading a book, shook his head slightly, and walked toward the entrance of the Dragon Martial Hall.
Zi Qian, dressed in a clean white robe, held an ancient sword and stood with her back to the Dragon Martial Hall. From a distance, she looked like a flawless lotus in the center of a lake.
Zhang Ruochen smiled and said, "Junior Sister Zi, it's been a few days, and your cultivation seems to have improved again."
Hearing Zhang Ruochen's voice, Zi Qian turned around, glanced at him, and said, "Who said I'm your junior sister?"
Zhang Ruochen replied, "We are both new students this year, and I am the first among the new students, while you are the second. Naturally, I am the senior brother. Calling you junior sister seems correct, doesn't it?"
Zi Qian seemed uninterested in arguing with Zhang Ruochen, her gaze cold, and said, "Aren't you going to invite me to sit in your Number One of the Xuan category?"
Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred. Based on his understanding of her, she wouldn't come to him without reason. Could something have happened?
"Please!"
Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious as he led Zi Qian into the Dragon Martial Hall, heading toward the Number One of the Xuan category.
Opposite the Number One of the Xuan category was the Number One of the Di category.
At that moment, Duanmu Xingling and Huang Yanchen were sitting on the pavilion of the Number One of the Di category, naturally seeing Zhang Ruochen leading Zi Qian into the entrance of the Number One of the Xuan category.
"This Ninth Prince is quite the romantic figure. He's even captured the most beautiful woman among the new students. If this news gets out, the male students of the West Courtyard will probably be crying in droves." Duanmu Xingling smiled while secretly glancing at Huang Yanchen.
Huang Yanchen snorted coldly, "Lecher!"
Duanmu Xingling narrowed her eyes and smiled, "Sister Chen, are you really going to just watch Zhang Ruochen be taken away by another woman? I feel indignant for you. Don't you feel anything at all?"
Huang Yanchen picked up a jade teacup and said indifferently, "Who he associates with is his business and has nothing to do with me. Weren't you the one who thought highly of him? If so, why don't you go and drive that number one beauty among the new students out?"
Duanmu Xingling pursed her lips slightly, showing no intention of intervening, and smiled, "I only said I might like him in the future. As for now... I have no standing to intervene. But Sister Chen, you and Zhang Ruochen have had that night together. If you were to act, you'd have the moral high ground."
"What do you mean by 'that night'? If you weren't my dear junior sister, I'd cut out your tongue." Huang Yanchen's face was exceptionally cold, her palm pressing on the tabletop, causing a layer of ice to form on it.
Duanmu Xingling was not afraid at all, still wearing a faint smile, and said, "So, are you going or not? If you don't act now, they might already be cooking the rice."
"Fine, I'll go. I can't let that lecher ruin the atmosphere of the Dragon Martial Hall." Huang Yanchen picked up her sword, tapped her toes, and flew down from the pavilion like a fragrant breeze, heading toward the Number One of the Xuan category.
"Yes, yes! Let him dare to do bad things in broad daylight. He deserves a lesson." Duanmu Xingling let out a pleasant laugh, looking quite pleased with herself.
...
Entering the Number One of the Xuan category and just sitting down, Zi Qian got straight to the point, "Zhang Ruochen, do you know how much your head is worth now?"
Hearing this, even Xiao Hei, who had been intently reading, looked up and stared at Zi Qian.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "How much?"
"Three million three hundred thousand silver coins," Zi Qian said.
Xiao Hei's eyes lit up as he looked at Zhang Ruochen's neck, seemingly contemplating whether to chop off Zhang Ruochen's head to claim the huge bounty.
Three million three hundred thousand silver coins was equivalent to the total wealth of a seventh-rate family head.
Zhang Ruochen smiled and said, "You're not going to tell me you're here to kill me, are you?"
"If I wanted to kill you, I would still have a chance." Zi Qian's eyes slightly lifted, showing a hint of disdain, "But I have no interest in your head."
Zhang Ruochen understood and said, "Three million three hundred thousand silver coins is no small sum. Even a Heavenly Extreme Realm martial arts legend would be tempted. It seems the Underworld Gate is prepared to kill me at all costs this time. By leaking this information to me, aren't you afraid the other assassins of the Underworld Gate will harm you?"
Zi Qian stood up and said, "I haven't leaked any information to you. I'm just telling you the price of your head."
With that, she prepared to leave.
Zhang Ruochen thought for a moment and said, "Since you've told me a piece of news, I'll tell you one too. You'd better be careful recently. The Martial Market Academy is preparing to purge you evil people who have infiltrated from the Black Market."
The Underworld Gate was the largest assassin organization in the nine commanderies west of the ridge, also belonging to the forces of the Black Market and under its management.
"Thank you."
Zi Qian paused slightly, then walked out the door at a faster pace.
Suddenly, footsteps came from outside.
"Someone's outside."
Both Zhang Ruochen and Zi Qian's expressions changed. Had they been discovered already?
"Bang!"
The door was shattered by a sword qi, and even the bowl-thick pillars on either side of the door were cut in two. The entire wooden building swayed precariously.
Huang Yanchen, dressed in a brocade robe and holding a long sword, strode in with an imposing aura. Her gaze was extremely cold as she scanned Zhang Ruochen and Zi Qian standing in the hall.
As soon as she walked in, Huang Yanchen regretted it.
Zhang Ruochen and Zi Qian were neatly dressed, with no improper behavior at all, like two friends gathering.
Instead, she had inexplicably drawn her sword and shattered the door, originally intending to catch them in the act, but now she was at a loss.
However, as the female demon of the West Courtyard, she naturally couldn't show any embarrassment. Instead, she maintained a very strong demeanor, her gaze as sharp as two cold swords.
Zhang Ruochen and Zi Qian, however, had a different mindset.
"Damn! She must have heard my conversation with Zi Qian just now!" Seeing Huang Yanchen's unfriendly expression, Zhang Ruochen knew the situation was bad.
He glanced at Zi Qian, feeling somewhat worried.
Since Huang Yanchen knew Zi Qian was an assassin of the Underworld Gate, she certainly wouldn't let her off. If Zi Qian were captured, she would undoubtedly die.
Zi Qian had come to tip him off, which led to her identity being exposed. Zhang Ruochen didn't want to see her die because of him.
Seeing Huang Yanchen, Zi Qian's heart also raced, but she quickly calmed down, her fingers moving toward the hilt of her sword. Since her identity was already exposed, she had no choice but to fight.
Zhang Ruochen also quietly released his Space Domain, enveloping Huang Yanchen within it. If necessary, he had to block Huang Yanchen to buy Zi Qian a chance to escape.
...
Something came up today, so I'll update a large chapter first. The chapter at midnight won't be available, so everyone doesn't need to wait. New chapters will be updated tomorrow afternoon.