"Raise Yin Yang Introduction to First Layer." Lusheng recited in his mind.

The Modifier instantly shuddered once as the Yin Yang Introduction column slightly blurred. From unentered, it changed to entered in a flash, then to First Layer.

Lusheng clearly felt the strand of qi at his lower abdomen become much clearer. His body had no other anomalies either and he further said: "Raise Yin Yang Introduction to peak of Second Layer!"

The Modifier flashed slightly again. Then Yin Yang Introduction's option changed once more from First Layer directly to the peak level of Second Layer.

The instant his status changed, Lusheng suddenly felt over half the inner qi of his Black Tiger Jade Crane Skill decrease.

Meanwhile, a strand of peaceful, relaxed qi began slowly circulating inside him following a third pathway.

Three kinds of inner force, three streams of inner qi formed an intersecting spherical shape within his body, some fast, some slow, constantly cycling.

With one portion of Yin Yang Introduction, Lusheng distinctly sensed his body held a kind of different feeling than usual.

The constant dry irritation at his throat vanished without a trace. The slight heat in his heart now also completely disappeared.

He felt his entire being become more complete and balanced.

"Looks like Yin Yang Introduction should have the effect of eliminating Black Evil Skill's side effects. This inner cultivation's comprehension realm is rather high..." Lusheng narrowed his eyes in thought. "Perhaps I could take Yin Yang Introduction as the fundamental method to derive from, using Black Tiger Jade Crane Skill as supplement."

He immediately sunk his mind the moment he decided and took advantage of the ample gloomy qi present to begin derivation while the burden on his body from raising Yin Yang Introduction also seemed insignificant.

"Derive next layer of Yin Yang Introduction," he recited inwardly.

The entire Modifier interface fiercely flashed once, blurring.

Very quickly, after just over a dozen breaths, the interface cleared up again. And Yin Yang Introduction's displayed status had changed from Second Layer to Third Layer.

Upon entering the third layer of Yin Yang Introduction, Lusheng even felt the circulation speed of the Black Evil Skill inside him gradually slow down. That inner qi previously like a scalding fiery line now started cooling down as its revolution speed decreased somewhat, becoming unhurried.

Lusheng lightly exhaled in comfort. His gaze finally fell onto the Black Evil Skill.

"With the inner qi foundations of Black Tiger Jade Crane Skill and Yin Yang Introduction, next time, I should be deriving the Black Evil Skill..."

Yet when his sight dropped onto the option behind the Black Evil Skill, he abruptly froze. That derivable button was still there!

"What's going on??"

Lusheng swiftly pondered and soon came to some understanding.

"Probably because the gloomy qi inside this jade hairpin far surpasses those previous powders and the like. So after deriving one common, low-level martial art, there's still remnants left. Enough to derive a second martial method! This should be why!"

Figuring it out, Lusheng's mood turned much more cheerful. Although he lost quite a bit this time with his hair and money pouch all burned away, compared to the gains, it was nothing.

"Commence Black Evil Skill derivation!"

His consciousness lightly pressed the button behind the Black Evil Skill.

Hiss...

The Modifier flashed once more, blurring.

Roughly another dozen or so breaths later, the Modifier slowly resumed display. The Black Evil Skill's status also changed, directly from Third Layer to Fourth Layer with the words transformed to: 'Unknown Fire Poison Skill: Fourth Layer.'

A fiery line shot straight up from Lusheng's perineum to his chest and abdomen, then neck, gushing into his face. After entering his brain, it abruptly erupted and dispersed into countless fine, warm streams that permeated his entire head like gentle rain, moistening the soil.

Mm...

Lusheng couldn't help letting out a sound of comfort.

He gently pulled his clothes open to see his chest and abdominal skin surprisingly revealing a blood-red line, dividing his body into two. As eye-catching as could be.

"Is this... the unique effect of the Black Evil Skill's fourth layer?"

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

He carefully experienced the new Black Evil Skill's cultivation path.

"It has some sensation of Yin Yang Introduction's methods, plus Soul Breaking Palm's heart technique. This cultivation method probably isn't the original version anymore... By integrating quintessence from other inner cultivation, forming a fused new inner force boundary, it shouldn't be called Black Evil Skill anymore. I ought to change the name..."

Looking at the vertical blood-red line on himself, Lusheng's mind stirred.

"This color is as red as blood. And since it was derived with Black Evil Skill as the foundation, let's call it Blood Evil Skill."

The moment he settled on this in his heart, the Black Evil Skill column in the Modifier rapidly shifted names to Blood Evil Skill.

Lusheng looked over the remaining martial arts again to see if any more derivations were possible but no buttons existed this time. Clearly all the previous gloomy qi was used up.

"Let's test its might first."

Lusheng extended his hand emitting Blood Evil Skill inner qi swift as electricity into his right palm and gently patted a nearby tree trunk.

Hiss.....

Patches of white smoke instantly floated off the trunk while the aroma and sounds of burning wood drifted out. Lusheng's single slap palm strike actually burned a black, sunken handprint onto that trunk!

He was also shocked by his palm's might.

"This can't even be considered within the scope of martial arts!?" Lusheng marveled inwardly. "No matter how strong the power, exchanging just one meet and touch with this kind of palm would mean getting instantly scalded and burned through right? How's this hand any different from a branding iron??"

He withdrew his inner qi and closely observed the charred handprint on the trunk, discovering this blackened imprint didn't purely rely on temperature. Rather, a tremendous portion depended on some kind of toxin, using corrosion to scorch and sear the trunk, producing this effect.

Yet even so, it was still too formidably amazing.

"Don't know how I currently compare to famous masters." Lusheng was very satisfied but lacking a concrete contrast, he had no clue exactly how mighty he'd become.

"Also, money's tight at home too. Just asked dad for quite some silver last time. And right during this special moving period, can't heap more burdens on father. I still ought to think of something myself."

Lusheng pondered a bit. Considering his circumstances, an excellent idea suddenly came to mind. Though this method would need to wait until after the imperial exams.

The exams were in three days.

"The exams are in three days. After getting through them, I can immediately execute my previous notion. Otherwise with no money at home, even supplementary medicines would become difficult to guarantee." Lusheng felt his recuperation medicines were already rather inadequate recently. Although there was nurturing inner qi in reserve, clearly the restoration speed from that inner qi was growing slower too. If this dragged on, it may start impacting martial arts practice.

"Plus gloomy qi... Don't tell me I'd have to personally experience some troubles every time before finding more?" Lusheng suddenly recalled the jade pendant on Chen Jiaorong and also gained some inspiration.

"Forget it, I should head back to review first. We can talk more after the exam. Although I don't care much for an officer's post, it's still father and stepmother's hopes after all."

East Mountain Academy. Day of exam.

The horizon stretched milky white. Many batches upon batches of scholar students already waited outside the academy gates.

Great numbers of scholar students dressed in grey, white or green long garments were all gathered before the academy entrance, noisily discussing the content of potential exam topics.

Scattered in the crowds were several horse carriages stopped here and there on roadsides and corners. Their lifted curtains revealed face after aged or youthful face inside.

Some awaited examinee family while most were heirs of wealthy, eminent families. Too haughty to stand together with the common poor scholars outside, they leisurely rested and read inside the carriages instead.

Lusheng wore a moon-white long robe with a tall black hat worn by Embroidered Guard elites covering his entire head. Only a hint of missing hair could vaguely be glimpsed from his temple sides.

He stood alone leaning in the shadows at the academy gates, silent with closed eyes to nourish his spirit as he quietly awaited the exam.

Very quickly, another white carriage slowly drove over. Two people disembarked, one a pot-bellied man in yellow robes. The other a graceful, beautiful maiden.

The moment they alighted, both swept their sights everywhere seeking familiar faces.

That fatty's gaze landed on Lusheng after a sweep. His eyes lit up.

"Brother Sheng!!" The fatty raised his hand shouting animatedly as he happily ran over.

"Zheng Xiangu," Lusheng helplessly opened his eyes watching the fatty swiftly approach. "Such a vast assembly, can you please keep your voice down and preserve some decency."

"Decency my a*s! Fat Lord here has this temper by nature. Whoever can't stand the sight is welcomed to come at me!" Zheng Xiangu didn't care one bit and after not seeing each other a spell, even started addressing himself as Fat Lord.

"How about it? Feeling confident?" Lusheng casually asked.

"Fair enough... fair enough..." Upon mentioning this, Zheng Xiangu instantly forced two dry laughs. He sidled closer stealthily looking left and right before whispering softly as if committing theft, "Gotta leave it all to my little sis this time, Fat Lord here can't make it...

"Greetings Brother Sheng." Zheng Xiangu's sister Zheng Yuer came over and politely greeted. She wore women's long garments, appearing graceful with a cultured air.

"Three exam sections. Ethics, policy argument, military mastery. Which you confident in?" Lusheng speechlessly questioned.

"Still recall bits from childhood schooling but now, heh heh, long forgotten," the fatty dryly laughed.

Lusheng was wordless. For him, it was no more than memorizing the crucial points from all teaching materials, thoroughly comprehend and integrate some personal insights to reach this level. Basically guaranteed to pass but wanting front ranks would be hard. Though he merely sought to make his family content with scraping by anyway.

"Looks like Brother Sheng brims with confidence instead." Zheng Yuer chuckled. "Why not guide my brother some. You see he really can't pass as is."

"That said, it's hardly worth boasting. Simply embodying the phrase 'Lacking Desire Shall Inspire Awe'. Our exam grounds are selected at our East Mountain Academy too so we don't even need to leave, rather convenient waiting straight inside."

"Brother Lu, been a while." Chen Jiaorong walked over after disembarking an extravagant carriage. Seeing them here, he also came to greet.

"Really have you to thank again for preserving my little life last time." He smiled bitterly all over his face. "

"Only natural. No need always keep mentioning it." Lusheng waved his hand. "Speaking of, how come Brother Zhenguo isn't seen today?"

"Him?" Chen Jiaorong shook his head. "Got selected for exam candidate inspection so went in early. Don't know what happened recently but seems he received some shock as his ethics and argumentation constantly sharpened. Afraid he'll actually place this time."

"Oh?" Lusheng felt a trace of surprise. He assumed Song Zhenguo would be dejected over Yun'er's matters yet unexpectedly still roused his spirits.