Henry Owen was no exception. He summoned the same determination he once used to fight for seats in the study room and strode into the room ahead of the crowd.

The structure of this room resembled a tiered lecture hall. The interior was spacious, yet within a few breaths, it was packed with people.

Henry Owen arrived early, securing a seat in the first two rows with an excellent view.

But before long, he was surprised to find that a circle of empty seats had formed around him.

Although the area was clearly crowded, the inner sect brothers nearby seemed to avoid him as if he were the plague.

Some people, unaware of the situation, tried to squeeze over and sit down, only to be forcibly driven away.

Henry Owen's heart tightened slightly as he noticed eight or nine youths in the crowd casting cold, unfriendly glances his way.

Henry Owen immediately understood—he had been targeted.

And it was almost certainly related to yesterday's Longsheng incident.

Henry Owen frowned slightly, but then pushed aside distracting thoughts and focused all his attention on the visualization diagram for Nourishing Vitality Technique.

It wasn't that he was unconcerned, but rather that several martial instructors were watching the room.

Even if those people wanted to make a move against him, they wouldn't choose such a public place.

Besides, being afraid was useless; it was better to memorize the diagram as soon as possible.

The visualization diagram for Nourishing Vitality Technique hung on the front wall, about three zhang wide and tall, occupying most of the wall.

The painting depicted a great sun rendered in ink wash.

At first glance, it seemed simple, but upon closer inspection, the ink outlines, flames, and rays of light all possessed a mysterious charm.

After gazing at it for a while, Henry Owen felt as if the 'great sun' was shining directly into his consciousness, scorching hot.

His brow felt warm, and strands of primordial yang energy began to grow there, spreading throughout his body.

The Nourishing Vitality Technique surged within him, undergoing strange changes.

At this moment, the effect of his cultivation was even better than when he practiced at dawn under the morning sun. Combining the two would surely yield even greater results.

Henry Owen estimated that it wouldn't be long before he could master the first level of the Nourishing Vitality Technique.

However, to advance further, he would need the corresponding secret medicine.

The second level of the Nourishing Vitality Technique corresponded to the 'Lower Ninth Grade' rank.

Only after improving his martial arts technique could he be considered a true Ninth Grade martial artist.

There were eighteen ranks in the Nine Grades of Martial Arts, and each required a corresponding secret medicine to advance.

However, the visualization diagrams for martial arts techniques were equally crucial, allowing practitioners to progress with half the effort.

For example, the diagram before Henry Owen was a simplified, weakened version of the sun.

Ordinary people could not visualize the true great sun; doing so would burn their souls or even cause self-immolation.

Thus, the experts of the Wuxiang Divine Sect had captured a tiny fraction of the 'Great Sun Primordial Yang' essence on paper, allowing even unranked martial artists to visualize it and gradually progress in the future.

Visualizing this diagram while practicing the technique not only accelerated cultivation but also nurtured pure primordial yang energy.

What delighted Henry Owen was that, after crossing over, his memory seemed to have improved significantly.

His 'Eagle Eye' ability allowed him to notice every detail of the diagram.

In just a moment, Henry Owen had memorized the visualization diagram perfectly.

When he closed his eyes, the sun's essence remained vivid in his mind.

Still, to be safe, Henry Owen repeatedly studied and scrutinized the diagram until he was certain he wouldn't forget it, then got up to leave.

Soon after, someone else filled Henry Owen's seat.

However, several stern-faced youths nearby also stood up, trailing after him as he left the room.

Henry Owen's gaze sharpened slightly, and he paused for a moment before continuing forward as if nothing was amiss.

He first went to look up the secret medicine formula for the second level of the Nourishing Vitality Technique.

In fact, the Zhengyang Martial Hall sold complete second-level secret medicines internally.

But the price was outrageous—a single bottle cost four hundred taels of demon silver.

Not only did Henry Owen lack the money, even if he had it, he wouldn't spend it so recklessly.

The vast majority of people learned the formula and gathered the ingredients themselves, usually at less than a third of the martial hall's price.

Henry Owen memorized all the formulas, then thoughtfully glanced back.

Those youths were still tailing him, becoming increasingly brazen.

They were only holding back because of the crowded surroundings.

But if he tried to go to the second or third floor, he would definitely be blocked by them.

So, before he could study the 'Yazi Diagram,' he had to deal with this trouble.

Chapter Eight: Taking the Blame

Henry Owen's first thought was to seek help from the martial instructors stationed in the building.

However, to Henry Owen's dismay, the two instructors he found along the corridor were both extremely indifferent.

"They want to harm you? Do you have any solid evidence?"

"I think you're just being paranoid. They're all your fellow disciples—why would they bear you ill will?"

From their eyes, Henry Owen saw a hint of disdain and pity.

The youths behind him, seeing this, became even more brazen, their eyes fierce and faces sneering as they closed in on Henry Owen.

There were nine of them in total, varying in height and build, but all without exception were sturdy and strong.