Chapter 3

The cultivation realm of Body Tempering is divided into nine levels. Typically, levels one to three are called the early stage, levels four to six the middle stage, and levels seven to nine the late stage. The strength gap between these three stages is significant.

The higher the level, the greater the gap. For example, a Body Tempering level nine has a crushing advantage over a Body Tempering level eight, whereas a Body Tempering level one facing a Body Tempering level two does not have such a significant disadvantage.

Previously, Ling Han seemed to be two levels lower than Zhang Yuan, but in reality, he was only one major stage behind. However, Ling Muyun was at Body Tempering level seven, which is the late stage, making him two major stages higher than Ling Han.

This was an insurmountable gap. Even if Ling Han was once a Celestial Realm expert, he could not bridge such a large difference, given his current low foundation.

What to do?

Ling Han's eyes flashed with determination. As the other party lunged with a palm, he suddenly raised his fist and struck.

A mocking expression crossed Ling Muyun's face. Although he did not know how Ling Han had managed to get there, everyone in the Ling family knew he was a waste. How could he pose any threat?

He channeled his Primordial Energy, and the muscles on his chest immediately bulged, dense and hard as iron. Even if he took a direct hit from Ling Han, what did it matter? The key was to immediately subdue Ling Han and prevent him from speaking.

Sure enough.

A smile appeared at the corner of Ling Han's mouth. The other party's reaction was exactly as he had anticipated. Now you're in for it!

Thud! Since Ling Muyun did not dodge, the punch landed solidly.

Ling Muyun still wore a mocking expression as he reached out and placed his hand on Ling Han's shoulder, saying, "Brother Han, I'll send you back—puh!" He did not finish his sentence as a mouthful of blood spewed out. It did not end there; he felt as if his chest was boiling, as if all his internal organs were about to be vomited out.

He immediately fell to the ground, his face turning extremely ugly.

Thump, thump, thump. Ling Han also retreated seven steps, only stopping when he reached the wall behind him.

What was going on?

Ling Han had used a technique called "Mountain Separation Shock" in that punch, which could penetrate defenses and explode inside. Therefore, even though Ling Muyun had set up a Primordial Energy defense at the point of impact, Ling Han's punch force exploded inside his body, causing significant damage.

It was fortunate that Ling Muyun was at Body Tempering level seven; otherwise, this punch would have severely injured him, and he might have even died.

Underestimating a former Celestial Realm expert was asking for trouble.

However, Body Tempering level seven was still Body Tempering level seven. The Primordial Energy rebounded, and the force was far beyond what Ling Han could withstand. He was also thrown back, and his right arm dislocated from the shock.

Snap. Without a wince, Ling Han twisted his left hand and realigned his right arm.

Only then did Ling Zhongkuan and the others react, their faces a mix of anger and shock. They were angry that Ling Han had injured Ling Muyun and shocked that this supposed waste could do such a thing.

The maidservants were even more stunned—was this still the Young Master Han they knew? How could he be so fierce, knocking out the talented Young Master Muyun with one punch!

"Little brat, you have a lot of nerve and a cruel heart!" Ling Zhongkuan immediately roared, "Muyun was just concerned about you and wanted to send you back to your room, and you actually used such a vicious hand. You heartless dog!"

Indeed, the old fox was quick to turn the tables.

Ling Muyun also caught his breath, his eyes filled with killing intent as he looked at Ling Han—how could he, a genius of the Ling family, be injured by a waste? How could his pride bear it?

Ling Han ignored the grandfather and grandson and turned to Liu Yutong, saying, "Miss, you are sick!"

This!

Ling Zhongkuan was about to act but held back upon hearing this.

She was a student of Hu Yang Academy, which was run by the royal family of the Yu Kingdom. Anyone who could enter the academy must have a powerful background, far exceeding that of the Gathering Energy Realm.

Yet, Ling Han had the audacity to say she was sick. Wasn't he courting death?

Very well, next, he would involve Ling Dongxing, using him to eliminate the threat. Then he could easily take the position of family head.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, Ling Dongxing, you never expected that your son is not only a waste but also a deadbeat!

Liu Yutong looked at Ling Han, her eyes flashing with disgust.

She was too beautiful and a noble lady of the Liu family, one of the eight major families in the capital—second only to the royal family. Naturally, many men vied for her attention, some even feigning indifference to attract her.

She naturally assumed Ling Han was one of these pests, but using "cursing" as a method... it was the first time she had encountered such a thing, and it did not make her feel any fresh, only disgusted.

"Ridiculous!" Ling Zhongkuan, reading the situation, promptly shouted, "Kneel down immediately and apologize to Miss Liu!"

Ling Han smiled faintly and said, "In this world, no one can make me kneel except my parents!" He walked towards Liu Yutong and stopped when he was about three steps away.

He knew this was the limit of what she could tolerate; any closer, and she would definitely attack.

He did not want to get hit.

"Since you were ten, have you been fainting for no reason every year? At first, it was once a year, but the frequency has increased. Now, you probably faint every ten days or so." Ling Han lowered his voice so only Liu Yutong could hear.

Liu Yutong's face changed. Only a few people in the Liu family knew about her condition. How could Ling Han know? She looked at him again and asked, "Do you know the cause?"

"Of course!" Ling Han nodded proudly. If not, he would not have made such a bold statement. "You have the Three Yin Absolute Meridian, a curse from heaven. Those with the Three Yin Absolute Meridian usually only live to twenty years old, as you will fall into a coma and never wake up after your twentieth birthday."

Liu Yutong fell silent, believing Ling Han's words.

After her condition worsened, her family had taken her to see many famous doctors. Although each doctor was at a loss and did not even know the name of the illness, one doctor speculated that the frequency of her fainting would increase until one day she would fall into a coma and never wake up.

Now, she finally knew what she had, but what could she do? All the famous doctors in the Yu Kingdom were at a loss, and she certainly did not expect Ling Han to have a solution.

"I can cure it." At this moment, Ling Han spoke up.

Liu Yutong's heart trembled, but her face remained calm. "If you can cure me, I can grant you an official position or give you countless cultivation resources."

Ling Han smiled and said, "To cure the Three Yin Absolute Meridian, there is only one method: to cultivate the Three Yin Mystic Art, which I happen to know. I can teach you, but there is one condition—you become my follower."

Liu Yutong felt a surge of anger. She was a noble lady of the Liu family and a martial genius, reaching the eighth level of Gathering Energy at just seventeen. Now, a mere Body Tempering level two was demanding that she become his follower. Where did he get such confidence and courage?

"Don't feel wronged, because I can give you a broader sky and lead you to the peak of martial arts. Have you ever seen the Seven Absolute Lands, the Four Death Valleys, or the Three Floating Seas?" Ling Han gently persuaded. Although the Three Yin Absolute Meridian was a curse from heaven, there was always a way out. People with this condition usually have a Heavenly Spirit Root. Once they cultivate the Three Yin Mystic Art, they can soar to new heights.

Liu Yutong's heart raced. She had a passionate pursuit of martial arts, which was her entire life.

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