Time passed.

The new year at Songyi City was extremely lively, restoring a bit of its former prosperity.

The poor visited relatives and friends, celebrating in modest ways, while the wealthy indulged in food, drink, shopping, and entertainment.

Lin Zheyu spent most of his time in the courtyard practicing martial arts, reading books, and studying the Poison Canon.

Occasionally, when Jia Yanrong and others invited him to go out for fun, he would join them.

Over the past few days, his study and research progress on the Poison Canon was slow.

Lin Zheyu spent more than twenty taels of silver to purchase many herbs from the Poison Canon for research.

The last visit to the black market earned him more than two hundred taels of silver, bringing his savings to three hundred and sixty-four taels, enough for a period of time.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

Early morning.

Lin Zheyu got up early, practiced the Turtle Breath Skill, and as usual, sat in the courtyard studying the Poison Canon.

Various poisons and toxic powders were placed on the table.

Over an hour later, there was a knock on the courtyard door.

Knock knock knock

"Who would come looking for me so early?" Lin Zheyu wondered.

He put away the Poison Canon into the hidden compartment indoors, tidied up the poisons and powders on the table, and activated the Turtle Breath Skill to conceal his aura before going to open the door.

Outside was a man dressed in servant attire.

The man respectfully handed over an invitation: "Mr. Lin, here is your invitation. Mr. Xu invites you to a gathering at Funing Garden this afternoon."

"Alright."

Lin Zheyu accepted the invitation.

The invitation was sent by Xu Qin Yi, saying he had arranged a gathering with a few friends at Funing Garden.

"Is he trying to match me with Xu Yuxiang again?"

Lin Zheyu thought to himself, not having any interest in Xu Yuxiang, and planned to refuse when the time came anyway.

He put away the invitation and continued to study the Poison Canon.

...

Afternoon.

Funing Garden, Xinghua Garden.

Xu Yuxiang and Ren Qingying were sitting beside an artificial hill.

"Yuxiang, that Mr. Lin is quite talented and has extraordinary martial arts skills. Why don't you like him?" Ren Qingying asked curiously.

She and Xu Yuxiang were close sisters, their relationship usually very good.

"What's so good about him? He doesn't look as good as Mr. Chen Xiqiang, his skills are only at the Mid-Stage of Bone Forging Realm, and he doesn't have any family background."

"What's the use of high talent? Can it be eaten?"

"It's possible the chaotic army will attack in a few months. Can he possibly reach the Refining Internal Organ Realm in a few months?"

Xu Yuxiang snorted, saying, "If he could really reach the Refining Internal Organ Realm in such a short time, I might consider marrying him."

After the last time, she was harshly reprimanded by her father and uncle. Being called to this gathering again made her very annoyed, but she had no way to refuse.

"You wish. There's no such good luck."

"Not a few months, even a year. If he could reach the Refining Internal Organ Realm in a year, such talent would be unimaginable."

"With such astounding talent, what kind of woman couldn't he get? You wouldn't even have a chance," Ren Qingying said with a smile.

She had a good impression of Lin Zheyu, finding him polite, composed in speech, and humble in demeanor.

Although he had no family background, it didn't matter to her. Being a direct descendant of the Ren Family, she never lacked those things.

"Qingying, why are you always speaking up for him? Don't tell me you like him?" Xu Yuxiang blinked her eyes at Ren Qingying.

"No, I just think he's a good person, not really my type," Ren Qingying shook her head.

"Qingying, isn't there a martial arts session this afternoon? Qinyi and the others plan to test Mr. Lin's martial progress. I've arranged someone to give him a surprise, hehe."

Xu Yuxiang laughed, looking very proud.

She wanted to embarrass him. You claim to be exceptionally talented, but losing too quickly or easily would be humiliating.

"Nonsense. If your father and Mr. Xu find out, you'll be reprimanded again," Ren Qingying said.

"It's not nonsense. It's just a normal sparring match. How can that be considered nonsense?" Xu Yuxiang said indifferently.

They strolled through Xinghua Garden, admiring the flowers, gossiping.

Among the young heirs, small gatherings were often held.

Some would invite an opera troupe for entertainment, while others played little games with friends, enjoying wine and meat.

Lin Zheyu arrived at Funing Garden. Not many people were there, only Xu Qin Yi and a few others. Xu Yuxiang and Ren Qingying were also present.

After a few rounds of drinks.

Xu Qin Yi proposed: "Mr. Lin, we've known you for so long, yet haven't witnessed your abilities. Let's have a sparring match!"

"Alright!"

Lin Zheyu nodded.

He knew they wanted to assess his abilities, to see whether his progress was as exceptional as they judged.

"Finally, it's starting!"

Xu Yuxiang was very excited. She had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Before Xu Qin Yi and the others could continue speaking, she interjected: "It's said that Mr. Lin is extraordinarily talented and strong. This girl has long wanted to witness it for herself."

"I have a cousin, just turned fifteen after the new year, two years younger than young Mr. Lin, but his skills have already reached the Mid-Stage of Bone Forging Realm, and his combat ability is outstanding."

"I wonder if Mr. Lin dares to spar with him?"

Xu Yuxiang smiled, speaking diplomatically, like a noble lady.

From the beginning of the meeting today, she had behaved just like Ren Qingying, smiling throughout without creating trouble for Lin Zheyu, which surprised him.

'So, this is what she was waiting for!' Lin Zheyu thought.

"Are you planning to send Chen Mu?"

Xu Qin Yi asked, seeing Xu Yuxiang nodding with a smile, he couldn't help but scold: "Nonsense!"

"It's just a sparring match. Mr. Lin is still older than my cousin by two years. Why not let him have a go? Unless this Mr. Lin is all show and no substance, merely a silver spearhead?"

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