Felt the Qi and Blood Power faintly radiating from within Lu Qing's body.
Ma Gu's heart stirred with shock and disbelief.
The last time he saw Lu Qing at the big market, he had been just a frail young man with a slender body, sickly complexion, and no knowledge of cultivation.
How could it be that upon meeting again, he had already become a Qi Blood Realm Martial Artist!
How much time had passed since then, not even a full month, right?
Less than a month to go from an uninitiated youth to a Qi Blood Realm Martial Artist?
How is that possible!
Ma Gu felt his own cultivation concepts greatly shaken.
He was stunned by Lu Qing's speed of cultivation.
When Lu Qing last came to the big market, there was not a trace of martial arts cultivation to be detected on him.
As a warrior in the Muscle Bone Realm, this much he could be sure of.
But it was precisely because of this that the shock in his heart was even more intense.
He simply could not imagine how Lu Qing managed to transform from a frail young man into a true warrior in less than a month.
Back in the day, he himself started formally training in the Martial Arts at the age of thirteen.
In total, it took him a whole five years to barely step into the Qi Blood Realm at the age of eighteen.
And even that was only achieved with his family's support.
Even so, in his family, his speed of cultivation was considered quite good.
He had even been praised by the elders of his clan, saying he was diligent in his cultivation and advanced quickly.
Because of this, Ma Gu had once been proud.
After all, being born to a collateral branch, the resources available for his cultivation were never as abundant as those of the main family.
Being able to become a warrior by the age of eighteen, such a speed of cultivation, was enough to demonstrate he had some talent for cultivation.
However, now Ma Gu found that the cultivation speed he had always taken pride in within his clan was completely overshadowed by Lu Qing—obliterated in an instant.
Less than a month's time, from unknowing of cultivation to stepping into the Qi Blood Realm.
Such a speed of cultivation, even those city-born talents deemed to have the qualities of a Grandmaster, painstakingly nurtured by the major families, might feel inferior.
Ma Gu was so stunned by Lu Qing's change that he became somewhat dazed.
Seeing him with a gape-stricken expression, Lu Qing couldn't help but feel curious.
"Mr. Ma, are you alright?"
Ma Gu came back to his senses, trying hard to calm his mind before finally managing a strained smile, "I am fine, it's just that, after not seeing Young Master Lu for several days, I am a bit surprised at the transformation."
"Oh, recently I've been following my master's guidance in tempering the body and nurturing my nature, training for quite a while before seeing some minor progress, which seems to have amused Mr. Ma," Lu Qing said modestly.
But his words left Ma Gu speechless.
If this was just 'some minor progress,' then what about his own struggle of twenty years to barely step into the Muscle Bone Realm?
However, a thought struck him.
Right, Lu Qing's master was none other than Old Doctor Chen, who had the reputation of a Divine Doctor.
Even the Lord County Master had profound admiration for this elder doctor.
Perhaps, Lu Qing's swift advancement into the Qi Blood Realm was related to this enigmatic person.
As thoughts whirled in his mind, Ma Gu's smile remained undiminished.
"Young Master Lu is being too modest. To achieve the Qi Blood Realm at such a young age, your cultivation talent could be considered genius even among those in the city."
"Ma Gu seems to know quite a bit about city matters?" Lu Qing asked curiously.
Lu Qing was not surprised that Ma Gu could tell he had entered the Qi Blood Realm.
A martial artist with successful cultivation has surging Qi-Blood and vibrant spirit.
Unless one has practiced a special technique for disguise.
Or has control over their essence, spirit, and energy to such a high degree that they can completely conceal their aura.
Otherwise, it is difficult for an ordinary person in the martial arts world to hide their identity as a martial artist.
"Not really knowledgeable," Ma Gu evaded, "I just lived there for a few years, that's all."
"I see." Lu Qing nodded.
He didn't ask why, if Ma Gu had lived in the city, he would settle in a small place like the market town.
"Since Ma Gu has lived in the city, you must be well-informed. As it happens, I have a troubling matter. I wonder if you could provide me with some guidance?"
Ma Gu's spirits lifted. He had been worried about finding a way to get closer to Lu Qing, and now the opportunity had arrived so soon.
"What troubles Young Master Lu?"
"I wish to purchase a war saber, but there are none available at the market. I was wondering if Ma Gu might know where to find one?"
"You want to buy a war saber?" Ma Gu was startled.
"Indeed, I have recently taken an interest in the saber technique but lack a suitable weapon, hence the desire to purchase one."
Since Ma Gu had already identified him as a martial artist, Lu Qing didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.
Ma Gu found nothing wrong with Lu Qing's idea.
In his view, as a martial artist, it was only natural to want a suitable weapon.
"Regarding a war saber..." Ma Gu pondered a moment, "A good war saber can probably only be found in the city. There are a few shops there with quite a good reputation."
"War sabers are only sold in the city?" Lu Qing hesitated.
"Of course, skilled blacksmiths mostly gather in the city. Rural areas also have blacksmiths, but most only know how to forge crude farming tools. Weapons like war sabers, which require highly skilled craftsmanship, are beyond their ability," Ma Gu explained.
Seeing Lu Qing hesitate, Ma Gu's mind raced. Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire
He asked, "How come, Young Master Lu, have you never been to the city?"
Lu Qing exhaled, "To tell you the truth, I have indeed never been to the city. Moreover, my master has said that I am not permitted to go to the city on my own before completing my apprenticeship."
Old Doctor Chen had never said any such thing, but this didn't prevent Lu Qing from borrowing his authority to handle Ma Gu.
"It's difficult to disobey a master's orders," Ma Gu expressed understanding.
He saw Lu Qing's somewhat unwilling expression and knew the timing was just right.
Feigning hesitation, he then said, "Given that, if Young Master Lu trusts me, why not let me assist you in purchasing a war saber from the city?"
"Is that possible?" Lu Qing's eyes lit up, but then he began to hesitate again, "But that might be quite an inconvenience for you, Ma Gu?"
Watching Lu Qing's hopeful yet hesitant expression, Ma Gu found it somewhat amusing.
After all, young people are not good at hiding their thoughts.
He laughed, "It's not so much an inconvenience. I quite like you, Young Master Lu; it's just a small favor for me and no trouble at all."
Lu Qing's face struggled for a moment.
Finally, as though making up his mind, he said, "Then I must trouble Ma Gu."
Ma Gu felt a surge of triumph.
He suppressed the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, and with concern, he asked, "May I know what kind of war saber Young Master Lu is looking for?"