Chapter 67: Variant? Let's Go to Your Place First, Please Enlighten Me

From all indications, Xia He seemed to possess a heterogenous physique.

Ordinarily, individuals gifted with this extraordinary constitution experienced an extraordinarily rapid advancement during the initial two realms of cultivation.

Judging solely by this aspect, Xia He was undeniably a genius.

Yet, beginning bone-forging in a mere two months was a progression that truly defied belief.

It must be because he was overly hasty in pursuing martial arts advancement, completely disregarding the stability and meticulous refinement of his own foundation.

At this thought, Shan Ling could not help but furrow her brows tightly.

"Bone-forging is not something that can be rushed at will! It requires superior breathing techniques as assistance; otherwise, once the bones are set, dreaming of breaking through to higher realms in the future is nothing more than wishful thinking!"

The White Ape Breathing Technique that Xia He practiced actually belonged to the superior category, but since he had picked up this breathing technique, its origins were difficult to explain.

"This subordinate understands."

Seeing his reaction, Shan Ling assumed he was merely being stubborn and impervious to the advice of others, so her expression grew somewhat colder.

She had already encountered far too many so-called geniuses like Xia He, who relied on their perceived superior talent and grew arrogant and conceited.

For people of this sort, even earnest and well-meaning admonitions were entirely futile, so she simply decided to save her breath and no longer offered any pointers.

Shan Ling took a deep breath and then said,

"Let's go to your home first."

Xia He was taken aback. "Go to my home?"

He thought he had misheard.

"I have something to ask you. What, not welcome?"

"Welcome, very welcome..."

Xia He was extremely bewildered, quietly pondering what this could possibly be about.

However, considering that Shan Ling could be regarded as his superior, this should be related to important matters such as the peak-selection assessment. Did she want to test him?

After all, background checks were indispensable for the Four Great Camps.

This feeling of a teacher making a home visit made one inexplicably nervous.

Xia He led the way in front, while Shan Ling said nothing more.

Lord Chai, on the other hand, wore an awkward expression, wanting to steal a few glances at her but not daring to do so.

Seeing this, Xia He realized there was definitely a romance between the two of them! However, it was not a convenient time to inquire about it right now.

Upon returning home, Li Huilan had already returned, having spent many days staying at her elder sister's house.

During this period, Xia He had already lost his patience. If no useful information could be extracted from Yang Qing'er, spring was approaching, and keeping her around would serve no further purpose.

It was just that Yang Qing'er had been unable to contact her so-called sister for many days, and under her bitter entreaties, Xia He had temporarily let her go. In any case, as long as she didn't want to die, she wouldn't be able to run away.

He surely wouldn't let this woman prevent him from being intimate with his wife, would he?

"Brother He, are guests here?"

The moment Li Huilan saw Shan Ling arrive, she immediately displayed utmost enthusiasm, stepping forward quickly to offer a warm and cordial greeting.

Afterward, she bustled about busily—one moment serving tea and water to Shan Ling, and the next rushing into the kitchen to prepare snacks and fruits—remaining entirely silent from beginning to end.

"I didn't expect you to settle down at such a young age. It's a good thing, too."

After a brief pause, Shan Ling took a light sip of the tea in her hand, then went straight to the point, questioning Xia He about the recent events that had occurred in the town. Previously, barbarian tribes had invaded the village, slaughtering the villagers extensively and causing extremely severe consequences.

She sipped her tea and directly questioned Xia He about the recent affairs in the town. Earlier, when the barbarians slaughtered the village, he had also beheaded a barbarian wolf-guard, which was all recorded in the official files.

Yet for someone with less than two months of martial arts training to accomplish such a grand feat was truly extraordinary.

It wasn't that she doubted it, but Shan Ling needed to verify the authenticity of these events.

Xia He answered the questions one by one. After a good while of this, Shan Ling listened quietly throughout.

Upon hearing all the answers, she slowly stood up.

Looking at Xia He, she said, "The selection for the Xuanwu Camp is extremely rigorous and goes far beyond merely looking at a person's talent and bone structure."

The preliminary assessment could be considered passed, but next came the most crucial step: the test of strength!

If Xia He only focused on realms and had a hollow foundation, it would basically be exposed at the very first trial. Shan Ling had even more important matters to attend to here, so there would be no need to waste any more time.

Hearing this, a wave of excitement surged within Xia He's heart.

The Four Great Camps were the most formidable entities within the military, and their members were the elite of the elites.

Having the opportunity to match skills with experts from the Four Great Camps was undoubtedly a rare opportunity for him.

Moreover, he had long been curious about how the martial artists of the Four Great Camps differed from ordinary practitioners, and now he could take this exact opportunity to witness it firsthand.

"Then I must ask for your guidance!"

At this moment, Shan Ling smiled faintly and introduced her own strength to Xia He: "I am currently at the perfection stage of the bone-forging realm. However, you need not worry; for this sparring match, I will only use thirty percent of my strength, so you may unleash your abilities to the fullest."

The Shan Ling before him looked to be about his own age, yet she had unexpectedly already reached the perfection stage of the bone-forging realm!

"As expected, everyone here is a genius."

Xia He drew the standard-issue steel saber provided by the military from his waist.

He cupped his fists in salute and said,

"Lord Shan, please enlighten me!"

Shan Ling nodded slightly, but extended only a single hand, then gently beckoned with her finger.

This gesture left Xia He, standing opposite her, momentarily stunned.

He was being looked down upon!

To surpass an entire major realm and be this arrogant?

Xia He took a deep breath and shouted, "Lord Shan, I am coming!"

As his words fell, Xia He's breathing rhythm accelerated markedly, and the vital energy and blood within his body began to churn violently like surging, towering waves. In an instant, a powerful force filled his entire body.

Simultaneously, the long saber he gripped tightly flashed with an ice-cold, piercing glint, chilling to behold from afar.

Before it could be said whether it was fast or slow, Xia He charged forward abruptly, his speed so swift it was like a streak of lightning slashing past, reaching her proximity in the blink of an eye.

Without the slightest hesitation, he raised his arm and fiercely brought his saber down toward Shan Ling.

This move appeared plain and unadorned, but it was actually an exquisite saber technique comprehended from the Blood-Refining Chapter for soldiers.

The long saber swept down with a whistling sound, instantly tearing the surrounding air apart and producing a sharp, piercing screech.

Seeing Xia He's formidable and imposing strike bearing down upon her, a trace of surprise flashed within Shan Ling's beautiful eyes.

She naturally recognized this as the Blood-Refining Chapter for soldiers, since everyone in the military practiced it.

Being able to execute a move of such immense power was sufficient proof that Xia He's mastery of the Blood-Refining Chapter had already reached the realm of perfection.

Not only that, but the speed of Xia He's attack also greatly exceeded her expectations.

She swiftly raised the long saber she wore at her waist. Unexpectedly, she chose not to unsheathe the blade, but instead met Xia He's descending strike directly with the hilt.

A low, continuous humming vibration suddenly echoed out as the two immense forces collided. The resulting shockwave far exceeded Shan Ling's prior estimate.

For a moment, her entire body trembled slightly and involuntarily.

In particular, the towering, majestic peaks on her chest heaved up and down due to the impact received by her body.

"Such formidable strength!"