Chapter 208: Martial Grade?

Chapter 208: Chapter 208: Martial Grade?

"Who is it?"

Zhang Yun blurted out the question, but immediately understood what she meant. It seemed Qi Luo had figured out the underlying relationships.

"Keep playing dumb!"

Qi Luo shot him a look of disdain. Whether it was a promise or a favor, she naturally wanted to pay it off as quickly as possible. Since Zhang Yun was stronger than her, repaying him in an alternative way was perfectly fine.

Zhang Yun didn’t bother explaining his relationship with Mingruo. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "It depends on the situation. Normally, the Ouyang family can protect her just fine. If you hear about any sudden, major moves against her, you can step in. Consider it a favor to me."

Qi Luo gave him an "OK" gesture.

That had been her intention all along. Acting as Zhang Yun’s personal bodyguard was out of the question, let alone Ouyang Mingruo’s.

"I have another question."

"Ask."

"Did you take pills?"

Qi Luo’s sudden question left Zhang Yun completely baffled. Taking pills? What did she mean? Was she insinuating that he needed performance-enhancing pills to handle both Yang Xiaoyun and Feng Ru last night?

He didn’t need to explain such things to her, but he couldn’t tolerate anyone questioning his manhood.

"Heh, do you think I need pills? Not to mention it was only two women last night—even if there were three, I could handle them easily. Why would I need pills? If you don’t believe me, let’s test it right now. Let’s see if I can blow your mind without taking anything!"

Qi Luo stared at him with a bizarre expression. When he finished, she couldn’t help but snap, "What the hell is in your head? Is that the kind of pill I was talking about? Who cares about your messy private life!"

Seeing that Zhang Yun didn’t seem to be deliberately twisting her words, she could only explain patiently.

"I’m talking about Divine Medicine that enhances your power. When I saw you fight this morning, you seemed to be around the Fifth Grade. But now, I feel like you’re at least at the Seventh Grade!"

Zhang Yun was even more bewildered. Fifth Grade? Seventh Grade? What the hell was that?

"Normally, it’s impossible to improve so quickly. But having personally experienced the effects of your Divine Medicine, I have no choice but to believe it. How many did you take?"

Looking at her curious expression, Zhang Yun began to piece things together. His power had improved? That must have been the result of the Bronze Venerable absorbing Energy. She had actually noticed it?

"I told you, I need to improve my own strength too. I can’t just casually feed you such precious Divine Medicine. But how did you tell? And... what are these Grades you mentioned?"

"You don’t know?" Qi Luo looked stunned.

Zhang Yun shook his head.

"Actually, I didn’t see it. It’s more like... I felt it. Maybe because I took your medicine, there’s some kind of shared origin connection between us."

This piece of information stirred something in Zhang Yun’s mind. Previously, Mingruo had felt completely at ease upon seeing him and had been comfortable enough to sleep in his room while waiting. He had suspected it was the effect of the Mysterious Petals. Since he had consumed a lot of them, he naturally exuded a certain attraction to them, including his disciples.

"The Grades are a current method of classifying power, ranging from the First Grade to the Ninth Grade. Anyone stronger than that is called an Innate Expert..."

Qi Luo explained that this wasn’t a publicly known system, nor were there national standard exams for it, but it was a recognized benchmark within their niche circles. She wasn’t part of the Martial Arts world, so she only knew the general gist.

According to her examples, she was roughly at the Second Grade. Yang Zhao and the Donghuang Sect members from today were around the Third and Fourth Grades. Asura and Huang Tianbi were probably at the Fifth Grade.

This was an individual’s Combat Value, which didn’t equate to their comprehensive strength. Martial Arts, weapons, and Experience all had a massive impact. For instance, even though Qi Luo was weaker, she could still hold her own against multiple Donghuang Sect members and successfully ambush and knock out their hidden disciples. Furthermore, with a gun in hand, she could eliminate opponents who were far stronger than her.

"It’s roughly like that, though it doesn’t seem to be strictly defined. After taking two of your Divine Pills, apart from healing my injuries, my power probably rose to the Third Grade. As for you... yesterday you felt like you were at the Fourth Grade, this morning you felt like the Fifth Grade, and now... I estimate you’re at the Seventh Grade!"

Qi Luo wore a bitter smile, filled with envy. His rate of progress was simply too fast. Even though she had improved as well—her elevated Combat Value greatly boosting her overall strength and making missions easier to complete—she couldn’t help but be jealous.

"Then perform well, and I’ll still reward you with them," Zhang Yun said, giving her something to look forward to. Then, he asked curiously, "That Huang Tianbi is only at the Fifth Grade? He’s supposed to be a big shot from some ancient Sect, yet they’re all this weak?"

Qi Luo rolled her eyes. "Why don’t you just admit that you’re a freak of nature? Other people have to train bitterly for three to five years just to reach the First Grade. Without special talent, it might take them eight to ten years to reach the Second Grade. People like Asura have a massive Innate advantage in height, weight, and sheer physical strength."

Hearing this, Zhang Yun smiled bashfully. It took others ten years, but it had only taken him ten days. If he said that out loud, Qi Luo would probably die of jealousy.

Wait a minute! The difference between his current state and this morning was caused by the massive amount of Spiritual Qi from the Bronze Venerable. But if she felt he was at the Fourth Grade yesterday, what caused him to reach the Fifth Grade this morning?

He recalled the refreshing sensation of complete mastery he felt when he woke up. Did the Yin Yang Convergence really help him integrate that Spiritual Energy?

"Just follow me and work hard. Honestly, I have plenty of Divine Pills. Raising you to the Fifth Grade or Seventh Grade would be a piece of cake."

Zhang Yun’s words made Qi Luo’s eyes burn with greed. She wanted nothing more than to strip him naked right then and there, loot all the Divine Medicine on his body, and swallow every last pill.

"How about... we hook up first? Maybe I can transfer some Power to you?"

"PFFT!" Qi Luo instinctively spat in disgust. "And you say you’re not a freak! How can you even utter such a sleazy excuse? You sound exactly like those scumbags who trick girls by telling them swallowing something will improve their complexion!"

Zhang Yun looked entirely innocent. "I don’t know about improving your complexion, but my medicine is extremely potent. Maybe swallowing it really will boost your Power..."

"Why don’t you eat it yourself! I’m leaving!"

Qi Luo huffed angrily and quickly stormed out the door. She was genuinely afraid she wouldn’t be able to withstand the temptation!

Hooking up or swallowing anything to increase Power was obviously a dirty excuse. But what if he offered her a Divine Pill? Would she hook up then? Would she swallow?

Zhang Yun checked out of his room shortly after and left. There was a car wash in the underground parking lot of a nearby mall, and he needed to get his car cleaned before heading back.

Ouyang Qilin’s men had already washed it after it got splashed with instant noodles, but it had gotten stained with blood again this morning. If Zhang Youcai saw it, he would wonder what on earth he had been doing in the car.

While waiting for the car to be washed, Zhang Yun went to buy a few sets of clothes as spares, as well as a few outfits for his dad. However, his dad definitely wouldn’t wear them on a daily basis; at most, he’d save them for the New Year or when visiting relatives.

Instead, he bought some expensive cigarettes, liquor, cordyceps, and dried ginseng. He also picked up a Tissot watch worth a few thousand yuan. It was suitable for everyday wear—if it were too expensive, his dad would be too reluctant to put it on.

Looking at his armful of shopping bags, Zhang Yun felt like a country bumpkin on a major shopping spree in the big city. He also realized he should probably buy his own car. A motorcycle was convenient for getting around town, but for longer trips, a car was a necessity. He couldn’t just borrow one from others every single time!

By the time he drove all the way home, it was already dark.

He had only been away for a few days and hadn’t called ahead. After entering the village, he carefully drove up to his front door, only to be surprised by a car parked there. It looked like Vice Director Zhang’s car. What was he doing here?

"I’m back."

"Master!" Hearing the sound of the engine, Xu Jin came running out. "You’re finally back!"

Zhang Yun frowned slightly. "What happened?"

Hadn’t they said no one came to cause trouble? Fu Yudie had also been discharged without issue. Did she suffer some kind of relapse, prompting them to invite Zhang Lifeng over?