Chapter 617 - 346: Splendid Clothes and Spirited Horses

Just past 5:30 AM.

Dawn broke in the east, the light growing brighter as the round moon slowly faded away.

Chen Yi finished his cultivation and exhaled a long breath of white mist, gathering all his True Essence into his three great Seas of Qi.

In his Elixir Field and Sea of Qi, his True Essence was like mercury, swirling like a whirlpool.

In the Sea of Qi in the Chest, his True Gang was like a mountain, motionless and majestic.

Within his Forehead Acupoint, the four Divine Beasts on the Divine Positions presented different postures, silently and unnoticed absorbing and expelling True Essence.

Although Chen Yi was already circulating the Black Tortoise Concealment Technique to restrain his aura, this Pile Skill was peculiar, able to absorb Heaven and Earth’s Spiritual Mechanism through his pores. It imperceptibly and gradually refined his "God," elevating his Cultivation. Slow and steady, grains of sand build a tower. If not for this, he wouldn’t have elevated his Cultivation to the Middle Fourth Grade in just twelve short days.

Chen Yi stood up and stretched his muscles, feeling refreshed and his body much lighter. He clenched his fists, feeling his five senses, his eyes growing ever brighter. He muttered to himself, "With the refinement of my Divine Intent, my control over my body has become even more precise."

If the Lower Three Grades were about tempering the body’s muscles, bones, and skin, then the Middle Three Grades was a Realm that allowed a Martial Artist to gradually control and exert their full strength, from bones and muscles down to acupoints and hair. Wherever a Martial Artist’s Divine Intent reached, their vitality and True Essence would condense there, able to injure enemies, dissipate force, or block attacks...

As Chen Yi’s Cultivation advanced, his understanding of the Dao of Martial Arts grew clearer. There was no need to overthink the Upper Three Grades; it must involve cultivating "God" to command Heaven and Earth’s Spiritual Mechanism, enhancing the power of Techniques. The Grandmasters above that, and even the legendary Land Immortals, should have already transcended mortal imagination.

He wondered, "What Realm are Immortal Bai and Lone Immortal Ye in? I’m guessing they are... Land Immortals?"

Chen Yi curled his lips in secret. Even if those two possessed supreme Cultivation, they were still just shameless geezers. Not to mention Lone Immortal Ye using Xiao Jinghong to threaten him into sparring in Martial Arts with others and freeloading drinks, that Immortal Bai hiding in the background coming up with rotten ideas wasn’t any better.

Had he known this would happen, he never would have gone to the East Market to watch a play just for an Opportunity. Even though he had obtained the Opportunity of the Celestial Tier Mountain Shattering Fist that day, it was an undeniable fact that he was now facing endless troubles.

Chen Yi sighed, took off his casual clothes, and took out the Scholar’s long gown that Xiaodie had prepared, putting everything on neatly. Loose clothes with wide sleeves, a neat crown, a cloth belt tied tightly around his waist, and that pair of boots on his feet. At first glance, he actually looked like a handsome scholar.

However, Chen Yi examined himself in the Copper Mirror for a moment, his expression changing slightly. The temperament he had cultivated through reading, practicing Martial Arts, mastering chess, and deeply studying calligraphy and painting was restrained by a few fractions. Although his personality still had a free and easy, leisurely vigor, whenever he possessed deep foresight and solid confidence, he would always inadvertently reveal a somewhat convincing expression. This did not fit his identity as a mild-mannered live-in husband and a frail scholar. It didn’t fit at all.

Chen Yi confirmed everything was in order. After finishing adjusting his clothes, he unhurriedly went to the living room.

Xiaodie had just brought the food to the table. Hearing the sound, she turned around and saw him, letting out a gasp. "Mr. Chen, you’re already washed up! I was thinking of calling you to wake up after the breakfast was ready."

Chen Yi smiled and nodded, his tone relaxed. "It’s better to get up early so I can head to the examination hall early, isn’t it?"

He walked to the dining table and sat down. Looking around, he instructed, "Go and call Pei Guanli over."

When he went to the Purple Bamboo Forest last night to practice his Techniques, he had noticed the Tiger Girl’s aura from practicing her Cultivation Technique. She could actually be considered hardworking.

Xiaodie glanced at the food on the table, her feet rooted to the spot as she said, "Mr. Chen, the kitchen made a lot of delicious food for you today for you to enjoy during the Annual Examination."

Her conflicted little appearance made it look exactly as if she was worried Chen Yi would sneak a bite—since you’ve already brought so much delicious food, shouldn’t you leave this breakfast for me?

Naturally seeing through her thoughts, Chen Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Go quickly and come back soon, or the food will get cold."

"Okay!"

Only then did Xiaodie respond with a giggle and run quickly toward another wooden building.

Chen Yi smiled and shook his head. No matter how much time passed, Xiaodie was still that gluttonous girl.

Not long after.

Pei Guanli came skipping and running over behind Xiaodie. Seeing Chen Yi’s outfit, she couldn’t help but lean in. After examining him closely, she giggled, "Chen Yi, at first glance, you actually look quite like a frail scholar."

While setting up the bowls and chopsticks for the two of them, Xiaodie said, "Miss Pei, Mr. Chen is a Scholar to begin with."

"Yeah, yeah..."

Pei Guanli sat down next to Chen Yi and blinked at him, generally implying things like ’Xiaodie doesn’t know, but I do.’

Chen Yi shook his fist at her, making her stick out her little tongue before he finally spoke. "For the two days of the Annual Examination, you two stay at the estate. Tomorrow, after the examination hall opens its doors to let people out, you can have the Armored Warriors of the estate drive the carriage over."

Xiaodie naturally nodded in agreement.

Pei Guanli, however, had long made her own arrangements. Her eyes rolled as she said, "Chen Yi, I’ll go out with you later. It just so happens that I want to go to the Jishi Medicine Hall to play."

Chen Yi understood her intentions and nodded. "Play all you want, but don’t cause trouble for the Medicine Hall."

He suddenly remembered today’s Opportunity—the Medical Saint Hand from You State diagnosing patients at the Jishi Medicine Hall—and so he gave a subtle reminder. "Recently, many Wandering Martial Artists have come to Shu State City. Stay calm when you encounter issues, and don’t cause trouble."

"Don’t worry, don’t worry. I won’t throw my weight around."

He thought, "Throw her weight around?" Chen Yi was secretly amused. That wasn’t exactly wrong to say. With the Mountain Race’s geographical advantage in Shu State, ordinary Wandering Martial Artists really wouldn’t dare provoke Pei Guanli. His only fear was those blind fools like the Five Poison Sect.

They chatted and laughed for a while.

After finishing breakfast, Chen Yi went to the study to pack all his necessary tools, including brushes and ink. Then, grabbing the pastries Xiaodie had packed, he walked out of the house.