In the early morning, a thin sunlight sprinkled on the ground.
The group, having already eaten breakfast, stood neatly in the martial arts field. In front was Yang Xiu, and today there was one more person—Steward Zhang.
The first day they entered the Han residence, Steward Zhang made an appearance, and today was his second appearance. He came to see if there were any good seedlings worth cultivating among this batch of Protector seeds.
In times of crisis, the Han family's real reliance is on those Protectors trained from a young age. Although the external envoys are powerful, they won't risk their lives for the Han family.
The Protecors, guards, and even envoys trained from a young age are different. Their roots are in the Han residence, which is like their home. If there's a crisis at home, they will surely fight hard to protect it.
Steward Zhang signaled Yang Xiu to start. Yang Xiu first had everyone line up according to the East and West courtyard patrol teams, and then each pair facing each other would become sparring partners.
With 43 people, there was one extra, so Yang Xiu had Lu Yu wait on the side while the others spread out and started fighting.
If you can't stand up within ten seconds or if you concede verbally, you lose. The winner continues to spar with other winners.
Forty-two people started simultaneously, and the scene was slightly chaotic. Fortunately, the regular Protectors who usually trained in the martial arts field stood around to prevent any disorder.
Soon someone fell, but after being knocked down, they quickly got up to continue fighting. For that Body Refining Pill, no one would easily give up.
Most people on the field were fighting chaotically, punching like novices who had never learned martial arts, just grappling with each other to see who would surrender first.
A few days ago, everyone was still children scavenging for food in the stinking gutters of Windmill Town. In terms of fighting and brawling, no one would easily admit defeat—weak children would have starved along the roadside long ago.
Lu Yu, with rich experience in hanging around, surveyed the whole field and concluded that most people were still at the novice level. They only had the form of fists but no actual combat ability. Usually, when practicing fists, it didn't show, but in a fight, they forgot everything because they hadn't practiced deeply.
A few people had slightly achieved skills in their martial arts, understanding how to use some martial techniques in a fight, easily fending off their opponent's chaotic attacks and counterattacking.
"Enough! Stop, he has already surrendered!"
The voice of a Protector rang out as a rather tall boy stood among the crowd with a defeated opponent curled up like a shrimp at his feet.
Yang Xiu said in a calm tone, "Winners wait over here for the results, losers go to rest."
The Protector heard this, lifted the person lying on the ground with one hand, and dragged him to an open space nearby to rest.
The boy walked to Yang Xiu's right-hand side, next to Lu Yu, and with a smug smile, said viciously, "Just wait! Don't think you're really amazing because the instructor looks favorably upon you. Soon, I'll make you cry for your dad."
Without turning his head, Lu Yu directly ignored what he said.
Lu Yu had watched his fight, which was at most approaching the level of entering the hall, far inferior to himself.
Steward Zhang maintained a poker face, making it impossible to tell if he was satisfied or dissatisfied with this batch of Protector seeds.
Soon, the winners' group and the losers' group were determined. Yang Xiu looked at one of the winners whose condition was still decent and said, "You come out and fight him."
The person called by Yang Xiu changed his expression but dared not disobey Yang Xiu's command and stepped forward.
Lu Yu also stepped forward, standing opposite that person.
The person recognized Lu Yu. Lu Yu was the only one among the group who hadn't been beaten, making it hard not to know him. Knowing Lu Yu's Fierce Tiger Fist was excellent, he couldn't help but look serious.
He clasped his fists, "Please go easy on me."
Seeing his politeness, Lu Yu instinctively clasped his fists in return.
Opportunity!
Catching Lu Yu off guard, the person quickly attacked, using Fierce Tiger Fist - Hungry Tiger Pounce, his whole body suddenly leaping forward, closing in on Lu Yu, with his fist striking first as Lu Yu raised his hands for salute.
Won! I attacked first, and his current posture wasn't even the start of a Fierce Tiger Fist move, even if he barely counterattacked, it would lack power.
The person's eyes sparkled with the light of victory, envisioning his own strength skyrocketing after receiving the Body Refining Pill.
Suddenly, the world spun, pain surged from his back, everything went black, and he almost struggled to catch his breath.
Cough cough cough~
What happened? He lay on the ground, ears ringing, eyes unfocused, unable to understand why he ended up here when he was just standing a moment ago.
As his consciousness returned, he heard the referee counting "three" and attempted to struggle up, but his back stung sharply, leaving his limbs devoid of strength. All he could do was watch the referee announce his defeat.
The injured person was carried away. Lu Yu hadn't expected to hit so hard. It was an instinctive counter, grabbing the opponent's attacking fist and hurling him with force, leaving him on the ground.
In the eyes of others, Lu Yu had just performed the Fierce Tiger Fist's Hungry Tiger Pounce. In that instanct, Lu Yu transformed into a fierce tiger, biting his opponent's throat, tearing fiercely before flinging aside.
The opponent collapsed on the ground, losing the ability to resist, with his throat seemingly torn by a fierce tiger.
Soon, an official Protector ran to Steward Zhang, saying, "We've checked; the injuries aren't serious, just needing a few days of rest."
Steward Zhang nodded, acknowledging it, with a slight smile appearing on his face. Having the ability to defeat an opponent with one move indicated that Lu Yu was likely already a Body Refinement Martial Cultivator.
Noticing Lu Yu's surprise as he saw the opponent lying motionless after the strike, Steward Zhang judged Lu Yu had recently broken through the realm and hadn't mastered his strength yet.
Five days, almost six days, to become a Martial Cultivator, can be considered a good seedling.
Although it's two days more than the eldest young master, this Lu Yu's talent isn't bad at all. With proper cultivation, he might become a family offering.
"Continue!"
Lu Yu was still considering whether he was too heavy-handed in beating his opponent and if he would be punished. Steward Zhang spoke and asked everyone to continue sparring.
With 21 people left, Lu Yu continued to have a bye. The others breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much more at ease without facing Lu Yu.
Previously, they had thoughts about Lu Yu getting a bye, but now they had only one thought: Please don't pick me.
20 people spar, deciding 10 winners.
Among the 10 winners, Yang Xiu randomly picked one as Lu Yu's opponent. The chosen person's face turned sour as they walked up to Lu Yu and whispered, "Big Brother, go easy on me!"
After speaking, he did not make any small moves. After exchanging a few punches with Lu Yu, he was knocked directly to the ground and admitted defeat lying there.
Lu Yu also threw a few punches. After roughly mastering his power, he truly punched the opponent, using only thirty percent of his strength, yet that person was bent like a shrimp and surrendered on the ground.
The tall guy clenched his fist tightly, roaring internally: Don't think that just because they're afraid of you, I will fear you too!
With the remaining 10 sparring, Lu Yu had a bye leaving only the tall guy and Lu Yu quickly.
The two began the final battle.
Although in Steward Zhang and Yang Xiu's eyes, Lu Yu was sure to win, Steward Zhang also took some interest in the tall guy.
"This one called Wang Can has barely satisfactory aptitude. With half a month's more cultivation, he's sure to break through to become a Martial Cultivator, give him priority attention." Steward Zhang instructed.
"Yes." Yang Xiu casually replied, having already forgotten who this Wang Can was, but since Steward Zhang said so, he might as well pay a bit more attention.
Lu Yu fought Wang Can using thirty percent of his strength, and Wang Can barely held his own, managing to exchange blows with Lu Yu.
The reason for not defeating Wang Can directly was Lu Yu found that although he felt the aura of training from idling, and could easily perform the Fierce Tiger Fist, his control over his own power was too low without real combat.
It was as if an ordinary person could lift heavy dumbbells and also gently handle tender tofu without breaking it.
Now, Lu Yu's strength had increased significantly in a short time, but without mastering it, he used the strength for lifting dumbbells to handle tofu – you can imagine the result.
By suppressing his strength and fighting Wang Can with only thirty percent, Lu Yu found his control over his power improved rapidly. However, he had to be careful not to use too much force, or else the "tofu" would break.
As Lu Yu's control over his strength improved, Wang Can felt more and more oppressed, constantly being restrained.
"Ah!" Wang Can roared, disregarding any techniques, frantically punching quickly, which Lu Yu easily caught with his palm, finding it easier to practice his control this way.
"Ha!" Wang Can threw a heavy punch, feeling a surge of heat within that seemed to break some shackles, making his body feel much lighter and stronger.
Yang Xiu squinted his eyes, slightly surprised. Steward Zhang also showed surprise on his face, "Breaking through in battle? Within ten days, Wang Can can definitely break through and become a Martial Cultivator, give him priority attention."
"Hmm!" Yang Xiu responded, showing a bit more regard this time.
Wang Can felt his breakthrough and was ecstatic. Hahaha~ Breaking through in battle, he was certain he could defeat Lu Yu.
Just as Wang Can prepared to overpower Lu Yu with his newfound strength, Lu Yu felt he had mastered his strength sufficiently and "gently" grasped Wang Can's punch coming with force.
He felt the punch was slightly stronger and used a little more force.
Stepped forward, grabbed the fist with one hand and Wang Can's belt with the other, and swung him directly to the ground.
With a puff, Wang Can spewed out a large breath, the air in his lungs forced out, leaving his mind in a daze.
Despite breaking through, why did he still lose?
Without needing the referee to count down, Steward Zhang walked towards Lu Yu with a box, grinning, and said, "Lu Yu, this Body Refining Pill is yours."
"You have broken through, become a Martial Cultivator, and can move to the outer courtyard to live," Steward Zhang kindly told Lu Yu.
"Someone, take Lu Yu to the outer courtyard to choose a residence, and remember, pick a good place for me!" Steward Zhang sternly instructed the person.
The person nodded repeatedly, not daring to disobey.
Besides Master Han, Steward Zhang was the most authoritative in the Han manor, even the young lady occasionally had to heed him. It's said that Steward Zhang had been the steward since Master Han's father was still alive.
"Thank you for your kindness, Steward Zhang. Lu Yu will go through fire and water for the Han family in the future, without a second thought!" Lu Yu appropriately expressed his loyalty, greatly boosting Steward Zhang's impression of him.
Steward Zhang nodded in satisfaction, thought for a moment, and said, "Since with your strength, you'll surely take first place in future sparring. From now on, just go to the logistics courtyard to get the Body Refining Pill, no need to join the newbie sparring."
"But you mustn't become conceited. Practice often with other Protectors; it will yield substantial benefits. As for the rewards from the newcomer sparring, it remains unchanged; Lu Yu's share of the Body Refining Pill will come from my monthly allowance."
Seeing Lu Yu's face filled with joy, Steward Zhang reminded him, "Remember, only this month can you get the Body Refining Pill from the logistics courtyard. You must contribute to the Han family for more pills in the future."
Upon hearing that Lu Yu could receive a Body Refining Pill every day this month, many Protectors around displayed envy.