Passing by the External Affairs office, Chen Mo received his new formal disciple uniform. The gray robe looked almost identical to the standard attendant attire, except for a single green stripe on each sleeve—a subtle mark of his new status. He adjusted the sleeves thoughtfully, realizing that while the change was small, the responsibilities and expectations it carried were immense.

  As Chen Mo adjusted his new uniform, an attendant approached him quietly. “Disciple Chen, you may now collect your five Qi-boosting pills from the Inner Yard Resources Department,” he said, bowing slightly. Chen Mo nodded in acknowledgment, tucking the information in his mind. These pills would be essential for accelerating his mastery of the Silver Crane skin refining method, and he intended to use them wisely.

  As Chen Mo made his way toward the Inner Yard Resources Department, he passed by the bustling training facilities. Formal disciples moved with precision through their exercises, each stance and strike disciplined and exact. This time, he noticed a few girls among the disciples, their movements just as focused and graceful, though the crowd around them largely ignored their presence.

  His own new appearance—the grey uniform with the green stripe—didn’t go unnoticed. A few heads turned briefly as he passed, eyes flicking over him with curiosity, but no one was bold enough to approach or question him. Chen Mo’s presence went largely unchallenged, allowing him to observe quietly as he continued toward the resource department, mentally preparing for the next phase of his training.

  Chen Mo reached the Resources Department office, a steady stream of disciples moving in and out. He stepped inside and presented his token. The attendant at the counter looked up, a hint of respect in his tone.

  “You are new here,” the attendant said.

  Chen Mo nodded. “I just received my token.”

  The attendant’s expression brightened. “Welcome on behalf of the Resources Department. From now on, Senior Brother, you may seek me out whenever you need something. Of course, apart from your monthly quota of five Qi-boosting pills, you may also use silver to purchase additional resources.”

  Chen Mo cupped his hands. “Thank you for your guidance.”

  “It is my duty, Senior Brother,” the attendant replied, then hesitated slightly, his voice cautious. “May I ask which Outer Courtyard you come from?”

  Chen Mo’s eyes flickered, recognizing the subtle attempt to gauge his backing. After a brief pause, he answered calmly, “I am under Master Lian’s care.”

  The attendant’s smile widened appreciatively. He retrieved a small bottle containing ten Qi-boosting pills and placed it on the counter. “Here is your quota, Senior Brother. The extras are courtesy of the Alchemy Department.”

  Chen Mo blinked in surprise but did not hesitate. He cupped his hands again, thanking the attendant before leaving the office.

  On his way to the training facilities for formal disciples, Chen Mo walked at a measured pace, his thoughts weaving through possibilities and calculations. The treatment isn’t bad, he reflected. Apart from the Qi-boosting pills, I was also assigned lodging in the formal disciple quarters… the cafeteria provides simple meals for free…

  His eyes swept over the courtyard, noting the disciplined formations and the subtle hierarchies at play. But it seems competition is fierce between some factions… The Alchemy Department isn’t bad—securing more resources will only accelerate my training…

  He shrugged inwardly. As for anything else, what does it have to do with me? I’ll stay loyal as long as it serves my interests. Just be steady and careful, show enough value, and hopefully, things will remain smooth.

  Chen Mo’s thoughts darkened slightly. I don’t like leaving my fate in anyone else’s hands. But I’m not strong enough yet to say no. The best approach… is to quietly manipulate things in my favor, while keeping my head down and my strength growing.

  With that resolve, he stepped into the formal disciple training yard, blending in with the other youths, his mind already planning his next moves.

  Chen Mo stepped into the formal disciple courtyard, taking in the scene. Disciples were busy with all kinds of training—lifting weights, meditating, practicing stances—each movement helping circulate Qi and refine their bodies. A few wearing uniforms with two green stripes on their sleeves, the mark of Skin Refining Experts, moved around, giving advice and corrections to the formal disciples.

  A long-faced youth approached Chen Mo with a casual smile. “Hey, junior brother,” he said, “I’m Liang Wei. First time here, huh? If you want, I can show you around and help you get settled—don’t need to wander aimlessly like most newbies.”

  Liang Wei leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Actually, there’s not much to introduce. Basically, the training yards are mainly for socializing, exchanging pointers, and comparing progress. But…,” he glanced around before whispering, “if junior brother ever needs some resources, I can help. Prices are reasonable, fair—won’t get ripped off.”

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  Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that he might have stumbled onto a businessman rather than a fellow disciple.

  Liang Wei didn’t pause to let him respond and continued, “See, junior brother, we formal disciples need a rich diet and heavy training to build our Qi to the point it can start refining our skin. But honestly… nothing beats the Qi boosting pills. Even though we get five a month, it’s far from enough. And the supplies in the school? Always short. Hundreds of formal disciples are scrambling, trying to gather money to buy extra from outside pharmacies.”

  He paused for effect and shot Chen Mo a pointed look. “Sure, I’m talking about us ordinary disciples,” he said with a faint smirk. “So, if you need a hand, you know where to find me.”

  Chen Mo smiled and cupped his hands, giving Liang Wei a slight bow. “Thank you, senior brother. It’s always good to have allies,” he said inwardly. Even though he already had his backing, more connections never hurt.

  Liang Wei’s expression shifted, and he leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Junior brother, you’re in for a treat today… see that circle of disciples over there? That’s Li Yuxue—she’s here today. Very rare to catch her in training.”

  Chen Mo’s eyes flicked toward the group. “Li Yuxue??” he asked, surprised.

  “Oh, my fault, I forgot you’re new here,” Liang Wei chuckled. “She’s Li Yuxue, daughter of Elder Li Zhen—a peak Bone Refining realm expert. He’s one of the most powerful elders in our hall, and his reputation alone… well, let’s just say most people don’t dare cross him.”

  Chen Mo’s mind registered the name and rank, noting carefully the social and political weight that came with it. Training here was already about more than cultivation—it was about navigating powerful lineages and factions.

  Liang Wei continued, nodding toward the circle around Li Yuxue. “See those around her? All of them are jockeying for the young miss’s favor. They come from all sorts of powerful backgrounds within the school, so watch yourself—don’t accidentally offend anyone. Some… are spoiled brats and can be really petty.”

  Chen Mo’s eyebrows rose slightly as he thought inwardly, Damn… I hope I don’t run into some cliché novel-style drama here.

  Liang Wei’s tone softened, almost wistful. “Would be fortunate if I caught young Miss Yuxue’s eye,” he said, a hint of longing in his voice.

  Chen Mo glanced at the long-faced youth with mild amusement. “Confidence is good,” he remarked dryly, letting the comment hang in the air.

  Liang Wei gave a quick wave. “Oh, I must go now… we’ll meet later, junior brother.”

  Chen Mo watched him leave and muttered under his breath, Seems the young guy’s nose is twitching for another business somewhere else.

  Ignoring the bustling courtyard, Chen Mo found a quiet corner and opened his skin refining booklet once more, committing every diagram and technique to memory. After a while, he took a qi-boosting pill, swallowed it, and began circulating his qi. The sensation was far more potent than the body-nourishing soup—he could feel his qi growling and surging with every rotation.

  He didn’t circulate it aimlessly; every breath, every movement followed the precise technique from the booklet. Half an hour later, Chen Mo exhaled a deep, turbulent breath, feeling the energy settle in his limbs. He realized that to truly breakthrough into the Skin Refining Realm, he would need to grow enough qi and blood to circulate through his entire body.

  Estimating his progress, he calculated that with today’s training, daily consumption of qi-boosting pills, and steady practice, it would take roughly three months before he could finally begin refining his skin.

  One of the young men in Li Yuxue’s circle said with admiration, “Senior sister, it’s really amazing—you reached Skin Refining in just two months.”

  Another chimed in eagerly, “Indeed, it’s unprecedented… truly a genius.”

  It was obvious their words were meant to flatter the young miss.

  Li Yuxue smiled lightly, her tone calm but measured. “It’s all about hard work and patience. If I had enough resources, I could have reached Skin Refining in one month. It’s just… the school is stingy with the quotas.”

  A girl beside her quickly added, “Young miss, you’re too modest. Resources matter, yes, but talent is far more important. And obviously, young miss, your talent is off the charts.”

  A third youth leaned in, a hint of complaint in his voice. “What the young miss says is true. The Resources Department is so stingy. I heard some disciples are getting special treatment… it’s so unfair. Our elders don’t interfere much, saying we need to suffer setbacks… what about those from the Alchemy Department?”

  Li Yuxue frowned slightly, a glint of suspicion in her eyes. “Are you sure about that? Did you see it with your own eyes?”

  The youth, Feng Yun, nodded earnestly. “My old man told me. I think it’s true.”

  Lin Yuxue’s smile faded as her thoughts turned inward. I’ll need to ask Father about this.

  Although her status was lofty and silver had never been an issue for her, she understood one thing clearly: truly good alchemists and high quality resources were not things money alone could buy. The best pills, medicinal baths, and formulas were tightly controlled, found only within a school’s alchemy department or in a few renowned pharmacies with spotless reputations.

  As for the mediocre goods circulating in the markets, she would never touch them. Lin Yuxue knew better than most that careless consumption could do more harm than good. A single flawed pill or impure medicinal bath could leave hidden injuries, or worse, damage a martial artist’s foundation and ruin their future path.

  Chen Mo’s presence did not attract any particular attention. New formal disciples joined from time to time, and in a place as large as the Silver Crane Hall, one more face was hardly worth a second glance.

  His training session passed in rare peace. With the skin-refining method fresh in his mind and his qi steadily circulating, Chen Mo felt his foundation settling more firmly with each breath. There were no interruptions, no needless provocations, only the quiet rhythm of cultivation.

  As the session drew to an end, he made his decision. He would return to the trade store first, inform Zhou Heng of the good news, and then collect the few pieces of luggage he still had there. After that, he would officially move into the disciple quarters within the Silver Crane Hall.

  From today onward, that place would be his new foothold in the city.