After Li Tianming practiced the Phoenix Unification Fist’s set, Lu Ren stopped upon noticing the unbearable flaws.
After all, he had practiced for less than a week, and reaching this level was considered decent.
As for Lu Ren, the Red Dragon Inner Core within him was still undergoing rapid transformation, slowly forming into a Bright Sun Inner Core, yet the energy consumed from the Red Dragon Inner Core was still minimal.
The Red Dragon Inner Core’s energy was indeed vast, having been condensed and compressed by the Red Dragon over a long time; its energy level is extremely high. Now, as Lu Ren attempts to digest it, even a subtle strand of energy descending can produce an immensely large amount of energy.
As a result, his physique and spirit currently feel as if they are filled to the brim.
The Bright Sun True Qi within him was reaching the limit his body could accommodate.
Time passed quietly, a month of uneventful life went by, and as Lu Ren was about to explore his shop, Li Tianming called him.
"Teacher, Xu Li from next door sent an invitation, hoping you’ll attend an exchange meeting in three days."
Li Tianming sported a mischievous grin: "I have a feeling they want you to go on a blind date."
"Ah, it hurts!! I was wrong, Teacher!!"
Li Tianming moaned in pain lying on the ground, while Lu Ren calmly retracted his hand and looked at the invitation card.
Martial Arts Exchange Meeting?
Lu Ren pondered slightly; initially reluctant, he finally thought it was a good opportunity.
The flow between the Underworld and the real world is different. Attending the meeting allows him to network with various top-tier people in Juliu City. This could help avoid being blindsided by any sudden issues.
This is also Xu Li’s goodwill.
"Alright, go and recover. I’ve agreed."
Recently, many martial artists came to Juliu City, some with Qi and Blood so vigorous that they were almost visible to the naked eye.
Some, when viewed with Lu Ren’s Qi Observation Skill, bore red names and had Evil Qi wrapped around their entire bodies.
Upon leaving, Lu Ren sought Wang Zhihuan to have him watch over the shop.
"Master Lu, what kind of dining establishment are you planning?"
Lu Ren: "Primarily a noodle shop. I’ve had the noodles before; they’re quite tasty."
Lu Ren had previously discussed with Li Tianming, who had a deep love for culinary research, especially his skill in noodle making. After tasting his noodles a few times, Lu Ren decided to let Li Tianming manage the shop.
He once asked Li Tianming why he hadn’t set up a stall to sell noodles after saving some broken silver at Tongfu Inn.
Li Tianming responded that in Xinfan Town, there was a group always collecting protection fees, and he had witnessed a stall owner who refused to pay being assaulted at night.
Wang Zhihuan pondered briefly upon hearing this, then checked the housing records and said: "Master Lu, how about this location, not too far from where you live, less than fifteen minutes away, and it’s at the junction between Changxing and Liu Fang areas, with high pedestrian traffic. However, the rent for the shop is... "
"Money is not a problem."
Wang Zhihuan replied joyfully: "Rest assured, Master Lu, we’ll get the shop approved to your satisfaction!"
Lu Ren nodded slightly: "Lead the way."
It was a two-story restaurant, though not large, covering only one hundred and twenty square meters, making two hundred and forty in total for two floors. For a noodle shop, that was a substantial space and included a backyard for dwelling and storage.
If business goes well, they wouldn’t have to stick to only selling noodles. They could expand their offerings to other dishes.
Moreover, the location has good foot traffic, with travelers, merchants, and due to its border location, high-skilled martial artists entering the Underworld for resources.
It’s genuinely a bustling place of prosperity.
Lu Ren planned to let Li Tianming handle this matter, and upon hearing it, Li Tianming was filled with excitement, rubbing his hands together: "Teacher, you just watch, my skills are enough to open a shop."
Lu Ren was speechless, having little concern about Li Tianming’s culinary skills. The shop was merely a cover for identity.
When the noodle shop was arranged, it was already three days later, with Li Tianming busy for an entire day feeling like he reached heaven and hell.
He didn’t expect, even after the shop opened, Lu Ren increased the intensity of his fist technique training, instead of easing it.
Even when mixing the dough, Li Tianming was required to use the power of his fist technique.
Resulting in only four hours of sleep daily.
"Teacher, if a person doesn’t die suddenly for a long time, they may suffer from cardiac arrest."
Li Tianming looked pitifully at Lu Ren, feeling as though he encountered someone more cunning than Skinflit.
Could this person really be from the real world?
Not someone from a feudal society oppressing farmers, right?
Lu Ren: "Rest assured, I’m monitoring your physical condition constantly. The fist technique you’re practicing nurtures the spirit, strengthens the physique, and adjusts breathing rhythms, allowing you to enter deep sleep within half an hour, gaining sufficient energy in two and a half hours."
Pausing, Lu Ren added: "Close up early, come with me to the appointment later."
Li Tianming was stunned, "Just opened and we’re closing already?"
Lu Ren casually replied: "Just a cover."
Li Tianming was momentarily dazed, realizing that the true occupation of his master wasn’t making dough.
Indeed, ruthless and merciless, with a fierce spirit.
Li Tianming showed a difficult expression: "I have a family in the real world."
Lu Ren glanced sideways: "Don’t make me slap you; where would a little virgin like you get a wife?"
Like a rabbit trampled on its tail, Li Tianming jumped: "Teacher, how did you guess that?"
Lu Ren: "When you reach my level, you’ll understand why I could tell."
"Will I have a chance?"
Li Tianming dared not hope; Lu Ren’s realm was exceptionally high, even among the Bright Awakening Martial Taoist Family.
Facing Li Tianming’s hopeful and longing gaze, Lu Ren initially wanted to temper expectations, but finally said.
"I started training at twenty-five, now reaching Six Steps of Bright Awakening."
Li Tianming’s eyes lit up instantly.
Understanding the great opportunity in meeting Lu Ren, Li Tianming nodded heavily: "I will take you as my example."
After helping Li Tianming dress reasonably well, the two of them left and headed directly to the neighboring Dragon Abyss Book Society.
Called a book society, it was actually a venue for the exchange meeting, just with a more refined name.
"Is that Lu Ren whom Xu Li always recommended?"
In a water pavilion within the book society, three well-dressed men and women were seated, watching Lu Ren enter through the main gate.