"Of course! There's no restriction on how many times you can try, as long as you don't start cultivating a technique in the meantime. All that matters is reaching a certain threshold density of adrenaline in your body, and you'll be able to break through! Also, from time to time, they'll have to keep supplying their body with those three foods."

Zhang Lie's response left Yun Bing, Chu Feng, and the gathered elites relieved.

Simply stated, they would remain eligible for a breakthrough as long as they replenished their body's supply of those foods and didn't cultivate any technique in the meantime. In theory, given enough preparation time, anyone should be able to break through.

"In that case, I don't have any further questions. I'll transfer the remaining portion of the points to you within the day. However, you promised my sister that you would guarantee her breakthrough, so aren't you going to wait until her trial is over?"

After receiving the answer he wanted, Chu Feng promised to pay up, and Yun Bing nodded in agreement. Of course, Zhang Lie hadn't forgotten about the bet he had made with Chu Feng's sister, Chu Xun: her nose would be very useful to him, after all.

In the main tent, Yun Meng and the others, who ate relatively slowly, had finished their preparations. Because of the successful precedent, they were eagerly expectant as they walked toward the training ground.

Their distrust toward Zhang Lie had now morphed into curiosity about his identity. After all, this mysterious breakthrough had originated from his hands. They were all excited for the training because they had no idea what it would entail, blissfully ignorant that what awaited them would be a trial by fire.

There were four candidates remaining, and Chu Xun also joined them. Zhang Lie motioned for the five youths in front of him to get started, but when Chu Xun walked by him, Zhang Lie suddenly stepped forward and whispered in her ear.

Then, before Chu Feng and the others could react, he pushed her into the training grounds.

After two or three minutes, when they all came back out, Chu Xun really had managed to break through, as did Chu Leng. However, the remaining three Yun hunters, including Yun Meng, didn't succeed.

Honestly, Zhang Lie was a little disappointed by this result. After all, the life-or-death situation that had been manufactured was about as close as you could get to the real thing. However, of the eleven candidates, only four had succeeded, a statistic that wasn't at all impressive.

That said, this wasn't something that Zhang Lie much cared about: Chu Xun's successful breakthrough implied that he'd succeeded in his bet against her.

"Haha, Young Master Chu, Young Miss Chu, congratulations. In that case, remember to let me borrow your nose in the future!"

Chu Feng was overjoyed to have both his siblings break through, and he immediately responded with a smile. "Of course! The Chu clan won't go back on its word. Furthermore, regardless of our arrangement, I owe you a favor on behalf of the Chu clan."

"In that case, I'll accept it with gratitude." Zhang Lie smiled, waving a hand in parting as he walked away.

"Please wait!" Just as Zhang Lie turned to leave, however, Yun Bing pulled him back. "Aren't you being too partial? Of the four breakthroughs, three were from the Chu clan! How can I report back to my clan like this?"

Her hand reached underneath the cloak and clasped Zhang Lie's arm. The contact seemed to spark something between them, and Zhang Lie could even sense a hint of coquettishness in Yun Bing's tone.

In truth, even Yun Bing hadn't expected that she would act so... familiarly with this man. However, she had no choice. Looking at how disappointed Yun Meng was, she knew that if she didn't reach for the opportunity now, her sister's breakthrough could well be significantly delayed.

"Miss Yun Bing, I know the situation doesn't seem favorable to you, but as I've said, I can't guarantee any measure of success!"

"But didn't you promise Chu Xun that you would guarantee her breakthrough?" Zhang Lie insisted that matters were out of his control, but Yun Bing immediately brought up his bet with Chu Xun.

Zhang Lie sighed. "Chu Xun, tell them what I told you right before you entered the training ground."

"You liar, you big, fat liar! He told me to be as relaxed as possible, and I was scared half to death!" Chu Xun, already stewing, flared up the moment Zhang Lie brought the matter up.

Of course, this was exactly what Zhang Lie wanted the others to hear.

"There really isn't any sort of trick to the process—all I did was lower her alertness to increase the shock she would receive. Do you all understand now?"

Zhang Lie's explanation was indeed quite simple, but Yun Bing refused to believe him. Perhaps it was because this mysterious fellow had shocked her so many times today that she had developed some sort of blind confidence in him.

"I don't care! I insist that Yun Meng be able to break through today!"

The Yun and Chu elites were both shocked to see Yun Bing, famed for her composure and demeanor, to be acting in this fashion.

Zhang Lie had no choice but to relent. "Miss Yun Bing, I can give it a try, but again, I emphasize that I can't guarantee any measure of success."

Yun Bing visibly brightened. "Wonderful! In that case, please do so. I—"

Zhang Lie broke her off. "I can try again, but what are you offering me to do so? When I helped Miss Chu here, I was doing so because of my interest in her sense of smell, and I expected that I would find it helpful to me in the future. What will you offer me?"

Yun Bing stilled, not expecting Zhang Lie to make every action a business transaction. "What would you like? Points, techniques, soulshards—as long as it's a reasonable offer, the Yun clan will accept it!"

Zhang Lie smiled. "The Yun clan is generous, but I'm not in dire need of resources at the moment. How about this: I'll offer my help in exchange for your help at some point in the future. Would you accept these terms?"

Yun Bing thought for a moment. "This is a fair offer, but I'm telling you now, I won't help with anything malicious!"

"Don't worry! If anything, I'd be asking for your help dealing with certain lifeforms, not other hunters," Zhang Lie reassured her.

Hearing his words, Yun Bing nodded in agreement.

Zhang Lie finally turned to Yun Meng, who was eyeing her sister hopefully. "In that case, we'll head into the training ground again!"