《I forge eternal life with the Dao seed》 Chapter 1 - Mysterious dice ZhenwuRealm, Yuhua Sect, Xuanjing Vein. ¡°Clang clang clang clang!¡± In the dark mine,a group of young men and women dressed in gray cloth and linen, holding pickaxes, hammers, and shovels in their foreheads, were digging hard. The air was filled with amixed smell of dust and ore, and sweat soaked everyone''s clothes. They were like a group of ants, digging and carrying tirelessly.¡­¡­ In the crowd, a thin black boy with a thin figure wiped the sweat from hisforehead, shook his head and sighed. ¡°Damn, this place is really notfor people to treat, and being a social animal is better than 996 every day!"¡± The boy''s name is Zhao Heng. He was originally a small urban white collar. Three months ago, on the way to get off work, he accidentally picked up a silver dice. He just rolled it subconsciously, but he didn''t expect that the dice suddenly shot a ray of light, and he passed through inexplicably. He became one of the seven sects of the Right Path, a handyman disciple of the Yuhua Sect. Nowadays, Zhao Heng''s job is mining, working day and night, but he can only exchange for a meager monthly salary and talkabout it. ¡°The monthly salary has beenpaid.¡± Suddenly, a shout came from outside the mine. Immediately, a middle-aged manwith a white face and fat body wearing a deacon''s robe led several bruised men. This person is''liu Hong¡®, the deacon in charge of the handyman in the mining area. He covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief and shouted at the handyman disciple in the mine. ¡°All come over to accept the amount of tasks and receive your monthly salary for this month.¡± The crowd ¡±hula" suddenly rushedover, and a scrawny young man handed fourteen red bamboo sticks in his hands, full of expectation. ¡°Deacon Liu, this is the amount of ore I dug this month, with a total of 140 tons.¡± Deacon Liu took the bamboo sticks, took out five of them, and broke them casually. ¡°Fifty of the ore you dug is unqualified. Deduct the corresponding monthly salary and receive nine mysterious crystals.¡± Having said that, a big man next to Deacon Liu took out nine light blue crystals of different sizes from the cloth bag in his hand andthrew them to the young man. "Xuanjing" is the universal currency of the true Martial arts world. It contains pure Xuanqi and can be traded or used for cultivation. The young man took Xuanjing, butsaid unwillingly: "Deacon Liu, I have obviously mined very carefully. I have also checked those ores and they are all qualified. How could it be...¡± ¡°Hmm......?¡± Liu Hong squinted at the man. ¡°Why, do you think I deliberately embarrassed you and deducted your monthly salary?¡± ¡°Uh... the disciple dare not!¡± Seeing a trace of coldness in Liu Hong''s eyes, the young man shuddered, didn''t dare to say more, and left honestly. When the surrounding handymandisciples saw this scene, they all looked blank. When Deacon Liu pays his monthly salary, it is common for him to ¡°eat a card¡±. Whoever dares to protest and be dissatisfied will be reprimanded lightly and severely beaten. When it was Zhao Heng''s turn, the amount of tasks was also deducted, and only ten Xuanjing were obtained. And the ten Xuanjing, even the most common quench potion in the sect can''t afford it. This is the norm for handyman disciples. If there is no other way to make money, these Xuanjing are only enough to live on their own. ¡°Oh... there is only such a little mysterious crystal, what should I do for the assessment in two months?"A square-faced youngman next to Zhao Heng let out a sigh. Zhao Heng recognized this person, the original owner of his body, who had very little communication in the Yuhua Sect, and only had contact with this ¡®Du Changqing¡¯. The two got started on the same day, and the dormitory was next to each other. They often did handyman tasks together, and they were quite close. ¡°Brother Du, what are you talking about?¡± Du Changqing said with a sad face: ¡°Don''t you know, Brother Zhao, two months later, it will be the triennial handyman assessment. I heard that those with excellent grades can get sect rewards, get better jobs, and even be promoted to outer disciples. Those who fail the assessment will either be expelled from the sect, or their monthly salaries will be reduced and they will be assigned to do more arduous work.¡± Hearing this, Zhao Heng couldn''t help but feel tight in his heart. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. As the largest sect in the southern region, the Yuhua Sect has extremely fierce internal competition, even if it is a handyman disciple, it is slightly superior. The path of martial artsis divided into ¡®acquired'' and ''innate¡¯. There are three realms the day after tomorrow, ¡®Quenching the body, forging bones, and refining the dirt¡¯, each realm is divided into nine levels. Zhao Heng is only thefourth level of the quenched body realm, and Du Changqing is the fifth level of the quenched body realm. If you want to pass thehandyman assessment, you basically have to quench the sixth level of physical condition to be possible, and their hopes are very slim. Du Changqing sighed:"Oh, I have been stuck in the quenched physical realm for five to six months, and I don''t have enough cultivation resources. It is estimatedthat the advancement is hopeless, Brother Zhao, how about you.¡± ¡°Brother Du, I have justquenched the fourth level of physical state, and even if you don''t have a chance, I have no hope.¡± Zhao Heng responded with a wry smile on the surface, but secretly saidin his heart: "It seems that you have to rely on that thing!¡± ¡­¡­ Separated from Du Changqing, Zhao Heng returned to the dormitoryin Handyman Peak. A low and narrow thatched house with nothing but a cold wooden bed. Zhao Heng locked the door of the room tightly, sat on the bed, and moved his mind. ¡°Swish......!¡± As a silver light flashed across the center of his eyebrows, a fist-sized silver dice hovered quietly in front of him. At the same time, a message came from my mind. ¡°Ten Xuanjing, you can activate the''Dao Seed¡¯ once, do you activate it?¡± ¡°What kind of Dao, it''s obviously just a dice, okay!¡± Zhao Heng complained, touched his pockets, and added the monthly salary he had just received, a total of 33 mysterious crystals. He took out ten mysterious crystals from it and approached the dice. ¡°Whoosh...!¡± The dice shot out a silver light, absorbed all the Xuanjing, and floated into Zhao Heng''s hands. Zhao Heng threw the dice hard. ¡°Wow...!¡± The dice flipped in the air for a few seconds. ¡°Om......!¡± As the light flashed on the surface of the dice, a red dot appeared directly above the dice. ¡°A little bit!¡± Immediately, a messagecame from Zhao Heng''s mind. ¡°The shaking skill one ¡®steals¡¯, which can randomly steal an item within a radius of ten miles. Is it used immediately?¡± At the same time, directly above ¡°one point¡±, an illusory number ¡°x7¡± is alsoprojected. This means that Zhao Heng has used the ¡°stealing¡± skill seven times intotal. "Sure enough, it''s a little bit more.¡± As early as three months ago, Zhao Heng shook the dice, and the first time he shook it to a point. He actually broke out in character, stole a 30-year-old ¡°clotting grass¡±, and sold a full hundred Xuanjing. Zhao Heng was very excited at the beginning, and used Xuanjing, who sold medicine, to try to roll the dice many times. Unexpectedly, after six consecutivetimes, they were all a little "stealing" skills, and the stolen things were all useless debris. Therefore, Zhao Heng did not dare to use this ¡°gold-swallowing behemoth" easily anymore. Until today, hearing Du Changqingtalk about the assessment of handymen, he decided to give it a shot for his own future. Looking at the bright red point, ZhaoHeng gave the order decisively. ¡°Use skills.¡± The next moment, the faint light on the surface of the dice flickered. Zhao Heng only felt a warm and soft texture on his hands. Looking down, he was holding a ¡°redbellyband¡± embroidered with pink mandarin ducks and gold silk strokes in his hand. The bellyband is made of good ice silk fabric, with a soft and delicate texture, and a moving fragrance lingering on the surface. It seems that it has just been taken off from someone else, and there is still a trace of body temperature left. At the same time, the number above one point on the dice becomes ¡°x8¡±. Looking at the bellyband in his hand, Zhao Heng hesitated for a long time, and couldn''t help being stunned. "Damn, ten Xuanjing, just changed to a bellyband?¡± At the same time, a woman''s exclamation came from the depths of Zixia Peak, which was adjacent to the handyman Peak. ¡°Ah...there is a thief!¡± ¡­¡­ After a while, Zhao Heng calmed down. The heart said that this bellyband is of extraordinary quality and exquisite craftsmanship, so maybe it can sell for a good price. ¡°One more!¡± As soon as he was ruthless, he tookout ten more mysterious crystals. After ten seconds, the dice stopped turning, and it was still ¡°a little bit¡±. ¡°Crack!¡± A moss-covered green brick landed crisp and fell at Zhao Heng''s feet. The number of steals is ¡°x9". ¡°Uh......!¡± Zhao Heng was completely speechless, and with twenty mysterious crystals, he changed into a bellyband and a brick? Looking at the only dozen or so mysterious crystals left, his heart was dripping with blood. Just as he hesitated. ¡°Bang bang bang...!¡± Suddenly, the door of the roomwas kicked hard. Zhao Heng quickly retracted the dice and opened the door to see three figures standing outside the door. The first person with a fat head and big ears, dressed in a blue gown, is Deacon Liu who is paying a monthly salary in the mining area today. ¡°Deacon Liu, it''s you, is there anything wrong?"Zhao Heng gave a smiley face. The level of Yuhua Sect is strict, and the handyman disciples are at the very end. Deacon Liu is his immediate superior, and he is also a bone-forging warrior, and he dare not offend easily. Without waiting for Deacon Liu to speak, a handyman disciple of Niu Gaoma on the side snorted coldly. ¡°Cut the nonsense, after the monthly salary is paid, don''t you hurry up and pay the deacon the regular money!"¡± In the mining area, in addition to deducting the tasks of the handyman disciples, Deacon Liu also set an unspoken rule for 30% of the monthly salary to be paid. The former owner of thisbody was severely beaten by Deacon Liu because he did not pay the regular money three months ago, and his soul returned to the sky. Even if Zhao Heng wasnot angry in his heart, adhering to the principle that a good man does not suffer from the loss in front of him, he still took out three mysterious crystals. Deacon Liu put Xuan Jing into a purple package around his waist, and hespoke slowly. ¡°Zhao Heng, you will have to pass the assessment in two months. I think you will probably not pass it. For the sake of your kid''s honesty on weekdays, as long as you take out a hundred mysterious crystals, the deacon can assign you a good job at that time.¡± ¡°One hundred mysterious crystals!¡± Zhao Heng was takenaback by this number and rubbed his hands nervously. ¡°Deacon Liu, how can there be so many mysterious crystals in the juniors, don''t be kidding.¡± Hearing this, Deacon Liu''s face sank and his eyes became uncomfortable. ¡°Hehe... boy, don''t blame me for not reminding you. If you can''t pass the assessment and refuse to spend money to clear up the relationship, you may not even be able to save your life if you are assigned to some dangerous places at that time. You''d better think about it again. In addition, the deacon''s patience is limited, so don''t make me wait too long.¡± Deacon Liu patted Zhao Heng hard on the shoulder and reminded him meaningfully. ¡°Let''s go.¡± ¡°Eh... Deacon Liu, take care!¡± Zhao Heng still smiled with a smile on his face. The moment the other party walks away and closes the door. Zhao Heng''s face stiffened with a smile, his face gloomy, and he paced back and forth in the room. In his previous life, he had a slight "persecuted delusion¡±, and he always worried that the people around him would murder him. Just now he was threatened by Deacon Liu, which made him more and more trembling in his heart, fearing that the other partywould use black hands on him for money and death. This kind of morbid anxiety forced Zhao Heng to take action to deal with the dangers that had not yet occurred. In the end, Zhao Heng''s gaze fell on the only ten mysterious crystals left in his pockets. After a struggle in his heart, he finally made a decision. ¡°If you can shake the dice again, just take a gamble, and if you don''t succeed, youwill succeed!"¡± Zhao Heng summoned the dice again and took out the last ten mysterious crystals without hesitation. ¡°Shake it for me!¡± ¡°Wow...!¡± The dice stopped abruptly after spinning, and a bright red dot appeared! ¡°Why is it still a little bit!¡± Zhao Heng almost sat paralyzed on the ground, his eyes dull. ¡°Huh......?¡± Just when Zhao Heng was almost desperate, he discovered that the number above one point had become ¡°x10¡±. The difference is that the previous numbers were all off-white, but now this number exudes a faint silver glow. At the same time, a tone sounded. ¡°Qi luck stealing, successful accumulation, can consume at least nine times the qi luckaccumulated by ordinary stealing, and carry out qi luck stealing. After use, Qi luck returns to zero. Is it used?¡± ¡°Good luck!¡± Zhao Heng looked surprised. According to the prompts, it can be inferred that he can accumulate a certain amount of luck every time he steals. When you accumulate more than nine times, you can consume these luck for a ¡°special steal¡±, and maybe you can get some good things. ¡°Is this the legendary "ten consecutive draws" summoning the European Emperor?¡± Although he had doubts in his heart, Zhao Heng, who was already exhausted, finally activated his skills. ¡°Luck stealing, use it!¡± As the silver light blooms on the surface of the dice, ¡°x10¡± becomes ¡°x0¡± again. ¡°Plop!¡± In the void, a deep purple package fell in front of Zhao Heng out of thin air. Enjoyingthe story? Support me on Patreonto get early access tonewchapters, exclusive content, and more! Every bit helps me keep bringing these translations to you. Join thecommunityandbecome part of the journey: ??PatreonAlkaysare Chapter 2 - Perfect transformation Handyman Peak, halfway up the mountain. Liu Hong shook his head and walked on the mountain road, reaching out to touch the bulging package around his waist, with a satisfied smile on his fat face. ¡°In just a few months, there have been so many accounts. It''s worth spending a lot of money in exchange for such a deacon position. The future is promising!¡± He was thinking hopelessly about how to squander these belongings. Suddenly, Liu Hong felt that his hands were empty. He hurriedly looked down, but saw that his waist was empty, and the package was missing. Liu Hong hurriedly looked around, not to mention the package, there was not even a ghost. ¡°How...how could this happen?Where''s my package, who stole my package!¡± ¡­¡­ At the same time, in the dormitory of the handyman disciple, Zhao Heng, who had untied the package, was already stunned. Looking inside, full of Dangdang, a pile of radiant mysterious crystals, he almost thought he was dreaming. Is this the power of ¡±Qi luck stealing"? It took a long time for Zhao Heng to wake up from the shock. Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he hurriedly counted the mysterious crystals in the package. There are a total of three hundred mysterious crystals! Even if he didn''t eat or drink, he couldn''t save so many Xuanjing for three years. And in addition to Xuanjing, Zhao Heng also found a light yellow line-mounted book at the bottom of the package. It is called ¡°Thirty-six plans to save your life¡±. Zhao Heng flipped through it curiously and found that there were actually thirty-six enemy tricks in the book. And they are all ¡±kicking the crotch and inserting the eyes, poisoning and setting up an ambush" and so on... The yin tricks of the lower nine streams, although a bit shameless, are very useful.£¬ Especially for Zhao Heng, the ¡°generation of Gou Dao" who is worried all day long and worried about being murdered, this is simply a tailor-made collection. ¡°What a good thing!¡± Zhao Heng put away the book as if it were a treasure, ready to study hard in the future. After stealing the wealth of others in this way, Zhao Heng looked like a thief, and he was a little nervous for a while. Until he found this package, it looked very familiar. ¡°Hey, isn''t this... Deacon Liu''s package?¡± The expression on Zhao Heng''s face suddenly became weird. After a while, he showed a playful smile. ¡°Sure enough, evil is rewarded with evil. Since it is the Xuanjing of "Liu Paipi", then I have to make good use of it.¡± Zhao Heng immediately made a plan, preparing to use part of the Xuanjing to roll the dice to bet on luck, and the other part to buy cultivation drugs. With such a two-pronged approach, it may be possible to pass the assessment in two months. ¡­¡­ At the moment, Zhao Heng summoned another kind of dice. ¡°Wow!¡± In the room, the dice kept turning¡­¡­ After shaking it six times in a row, it turned out to be ¡°a little bit¡±. The stolen items were all bits and pieces. Just when Zhao Heng was disappointed, when he rolled the dice for the seventh time, two red dots appeared directly above the dice! ¡°Two o''clock!¡± Zhao Heng''s eyes suddenly lit up. ¡°What function will it be?¡± Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. The next moment, a message came from my mind. ¡°Perfect transformation, can transform everything except life!Is it used now?¡± ¡°Perfect transformation?¡± Zhao Heng was a little surprised and immediately chose to use it. Immediately, the dice flashed. In the void, a flowing ¡°silver light mass¡± suddenly appeared. ¡°Please put in the items!¡± Zhao Heng looked around and couldn''t find a suitable item for a while, so he simply took out a cyan book from his pocket. The title of the book, "Qingsong Jue", is an acquired technique of ¡°intermediate level of ordinary quality¡± practiced by Zhao Heng. When Zhao Heng got started, he practiced this technique. After three years of hard work, his cultivation level was comparable to breaking through the fourth level of the physical realm, which can''t be said to be slow. ¡°Just try this.¡± He put the book into the photophore, and then the halo on the surface of the photophore circulated. After just a breath, the book of Qingsong Jue in the light group seemed to have become thinner. ¡°Continue the transformation, please inject energy, otherwise the transformation will be automatically suspended after ten seconds.¡± Hearing the tone, Zhao Heng was a little surprised, and subconsciously picked up a piece of Xuanjing and approached the light group. ¡°Whoosh!¡± In the next second, the Xuanjing was directly absorbed, the photophore circulated, and the Qingsong Jue continued to be transformed. Upon seeing this, Zhao Heng simply picked up a handful of Xuanjing and injected it into the photophore. The photophore absorbed fifty or sixty mysterious crystals in a row before it finally stopped. ¡°The transformation is complete, and the items have reached a perfect state!¡± As the light group disappeared, "Qingsong Jue" fell back into Zhao Heng''s hands. Qingsong Jue, which was originally one finger thick, has only a few sheets of thin paper left at this moment. Zhao Heng picked it up suspiciously and looked at it, only to see that at the top of the book, the original ¡°intermediate level of ordinary products¡± had become ¡°advanced level of ordinary products¡±. Zhao Heng''s heart jumped and he quickly checked the contents. After browsing, he was surprised to find that the cultivation content of Qingsong Jue had been greatly deleted, and many of the routes of Qi and blood had been changed. Some have multiple meridians and run as one meridians, while others lead to mysterious branches that even they have never known. The entire qi-blood circulation route has changed drastically in appearance, and the distance has been shortened several times. ¡°This...is this still Qingsong Jue?¡± Looking at the pages of thin paper after being ¡°changed by magic¡±, Zhao Heng was a little doubtful whether this technique could still be practiced. But with the attitude of giving it a try, he still sat cross-legged and ran his qi and blood in accordance with the ¡°modified version of the Qingsong Jue¡±. With the movement of qi and blood, Zhao Heng clearly felt that between heaven and earth, a trace of mysterious qi poured into his body along the pores. ¡°Well... the speed of absorbing mysterious qi seems to have become much faster!¡± Zhao Heng''s heart moved, and he became more and more focused on his exercises. As the qi and blood flow in accordance with the new ¡°meridian circulation¡±. Zhao Heng only felt the qi and blood that had been wandering in twists and turns in his body in the past, running slowly. Now, it''s like suddenly stepping from the small road of sheep intestines into the Yangguan Road. The speed of passage and smooth operation are incredible! As the speed of qi and blood circulation increases, the absorption rate of heaven and earth mysterious qi by the orifices of the whole body is also surging. Xuanqi is a unique energy in the true Martial Arts world, which can stimulate the potential of the human body and refine the physical body. Feeling the mysterious qi entering the body, penetrating into the muscles and bones, and being absorbed by every cell, the body is like a satisfied baby, cheering, Zhao Heng also wants to moan comfortably! This is an unprecedented experience. Moreover, as he became more familiar with the new meridian route, the speed of qi and blood operation was further improved, and the absorption rate of mysterious qi was still rising. Gradually, Zhao Heng was completely immersed in cultivation and couldn''t extricate himself. Qi and blood surged like a tide, and the mysterious qi of heaven and earth filled the body, but Zhao Heng stood still like a green pine on the edge of a cliff. ¡­¡­ The sun''s shadow slanted westward, and night fell. When Zhao Heng woke up from his practice, it was already dawn on the second day. He suddenly got up and found that his movements had become sensitive and powerful, and his energy was surging. ¡°Hmm......?My cultivation base!¡± Zhao Heng was shocked to find that he had already broken through the fifth level of the physical realm. You know, he has advanced to the fourth level of physical state, and it has only been three months. With his medium-to-low qualifications, it was originally estimated that it would take a month at the earliest before he could break through again. Unexpectedly, after cultivating the perfect transformation of Qingsong Jue, he entered the fifth level in just one night. After this night of cultivation, Zhao Heng finally understood the meaning of the so-called ¡°perfect transformation¡±. Taking the exercises as an example, the exercises in the world are all created by people, and it is impossible for people not to make mistakes, and the same is true for the creation of exercises. Many of these meridian routes are either too complicated, or they are far-reaching, or even simply fallacies. As long as they can be practiced in general, they are even a passing exercise. ¡°Perfect transformation" is to repair these fallacies and make the operation route of the exercises safer and faster...to maximize efficiency. Therefore, the transformed exercises have not only become easier to practice, but the level of exercises has also been raised by one level. You must know that in the cultivation world, exercises are extremely precious and rare, and their value must be doubled every time they are upgraded. This wave of Zhao Heng can be described as a steady profit without loss. ¡°The function of this dice is really against the sky!¡± With this modified version of the Qingsong Jue, Zhao Heng finally had confidence in the assessment of handymen. Although he was also very curious about the functions of other points of the dice, Zhao Heng did not continue to roll the dice. Yesterday''s dice roll, coupled with the transformation of the technique, 300 Xuanjing directly cost half of it, and for the remaining Xuanjing, he planned to buy a batch of quenching potions. Now Zhao Heng is already the fifth level of the quenched body realm, if he uses the quenched body potion to assist in cultivation. Within two months, he has a great chance to break through the sixth level of the quenched physical realm. Zhao Heng, under the action of ¡°paranoia¡±, always had Deacon Liu''s gloomy fat face in his mind. Before the crisis, he didn''t dare to relax for a moment. On the same day, Zhao Heng went to the Merit Hall and purchased a batch of body quenching potions. Because he was worried about exposing his wealth, he only purchased one potion and rushed back to the dormitory to start practicing. In the days after that, Zhao Heng worked as a handyman during the day and practiced at night. Every few days, when there was no one in the middle of the night, he secretly went out to buy a body quenching potion. So day after day. A month later, early in the morning. Zhao Heng, who was in good spirits, walked out of the dormitory and went all the way south to the Handyman Peak Mission Hall. Although only one month has passed, through the modified version of "Qingsong Jue", coupled with the assistance of a large number of body quenching potions, his strength has advanced by leaps and bounds. Accordingly, there are not many spirit stones left on his body. Today, he plans to go to Mission Hall to earn Xuanjing from the mission. If he has the opportunity, he also wants to test his strength. However, Zhao Heng wandered around the mission hall and did not find a task suitable for him. Either the task was too difficult or the reward was too low.¡­¡­ After all, the tasks that handyman disciples can receive are all ordinary outer disciples, and the rest are selected. He was struggling with this. ¡°Brother Zhao, you are here too!¡± Zhao Heng looked back and saw that the visitor was ¡°Du Changqing¡± who lived next door to him. ¡°Junior brother, are you here to take on the task?¡± Zhao Heng nodded, ¡°Yes, but I haven''t found a suitable one yet.¡± A smile appeared on Du Changqing''s square face. ¡°Haha, coincidentally, I just took on a task to pick herbs in Niujiaoshan. The reward for the task is not bad. Why don''t we go together.¡± ¡°Niujiaoshan?"Zhao Heng was a little surprised. ¡°Brother Du, I heard that there are many beasts on Niujiao Mountain, so I''m afraid it''s a bit dangerous.¡± Du Changqing smiled and said, ¡°It won''t get in the way. We will pick medicine at the foot of the mountain. We won''t go up the mountain. Don''t you worry about me?¡± Seeing Zhao Heng hesitated a little, Du Changqing added: ¡°Brother Zhao, I heard that a few days ago in Niujiaoshan, the same family accidentally picked a rare spirit grass and sold hundreds of Xuanjing. Let''s take a chance too, maybe it will be released!¡± When Zhao Heng heard this, he didn''t think of finding a suitable task, so he simply nodded and said, ¡°Okay, when will we leave?"¡± ¡°Without further ado, it''s best to go now."Du Changqing looked a little anxious. Zhao Heng hesitated for a moment. ¡°Okay, brother, wait for me for a while, and I''ll go back and prepare something.¡± Seeing Zhao Heng agreed, Du Changqing had a bright smile on his face, ¡°Well, junior brother, you go and go back!¡± Looking at Zhao Heng''s leaving back, Du Changqing lowered his eyes, his eyes became dark and inexplicable for a while.¡­¡­ Enjoying the story? Support me on Patreon to get early access to new chapters, exclusive content, and more! Every bit helps me keep bringing these translations to you. Join the community and become part of the journey. Chapter 3 - Murder and Robbery? At sunset, west of Yuhuazong, dozens of miles away in an overgrown barren ridge. Two figures, one after the other, walked along the deserted mountain path. Du Changqing, who was walking in front, looked back from time to time and looked at Zhao Heng, who had always kept a foot away from him, and couldn''t help being a little surprised. ¡°Brother Zhao, what are you doing so far away from me?¡± Zhao Heng smiled embarrassedly and said, ¡°Brother, I smell of sweat heavily, I''m afraid it will smoke you.¡± In his heart, he said silently: ¡°The first rule of persecution is that in an unknown environment, you must maintain a safe distance from your peers.¡± Du Changqing nodded and smiled: "Then you don''t have to follow me all the time, it''s not convenient to talk.¡± ¡°Brother, you are familiar with the route, it is more appropriate to walk in front.¡± Zhao Heng said again in his heart: ¡°The second rule is that you must never expose your back to others!¡± Seeing Zhao Heng''s persistence, Du Changqing didn''t say much. The two hurried slowly all the way, and finally arrived at the foot of Niujiao Mountain before dusk. Looking at the dangerous mountain peaks towering high like a pair of horns, Du Changqing looked back at Zhao Heng. ¡°Brother Zhao, it''s getting late. Niujiaoshan at night is too dangerous. Let''s find a place to rest under the mountain for a night, and then go up the mountain tomorrow.¡± Zhao Heng nodded in agreement, and then the two of them found a cave near the foot of the mountain, and they built a fire in it to stay overnight. The two sat opposite each other by the campfire, Du Changqing took the initiative to take out a pack of dry food and distribute it to Zhao Heng. Zhao Heng took the dry food, put it in his arms first, then took it out, and ate it slowly. Seeing Zhao Heng eating dry food, Du Changqing''s eyes flashed with a touch of brilliance, and he talked with Zhao Heng with great interest. During the conversation, he took out two more wine sacs and handed one of them to Zhao Heng. ¡°Brother Zhao, drink some wine to warm up.¡± Zhao Heng hesitated a little, stretched out his hand to pick up the wine sac, but suddenly looked at the entrance of the cave and yelled. ¡°Who is it?¡± Du Changqing was taken aback by this voice, and looked back, but found nothing. ¡°Brother Zhao, what did you see?¡±. Zhao Heng looked embarrassed again, ¡°Brother, I see your shadow as someone else.¡± Du Changqing breathed a sigh of relief, quietly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, turned his head and saw that Zhao Heng had already picked up a wine sac and drank it. Glancing at the location of the other wine sac, Du Changqing hooked the corner of his mouth, took the wine sac, and drank heartily. The two ate dry food and drank wine, a quarter of an hour later. Du Changqing, who was slightly drunk, took a sip of the wine, lowered his head, and said coldly. ¡°Brother Zhao, have you become rich recently?¡± Zhao Heng''s expression stiffened slightly when he heard the words. ¡°Could it be that Brother Du is drunk, what kind of wealth do I make?"¡± Du Changqing suddenly sneered, his black and thin square face, under the light of the fire, was a bit hideous. ¡°Brother still wants to hide it from me?In the last month, you have been to the Merit Hall seven times and purchased hundreds of Xuanjing quenching potions. If the younger brother hadn''t made a fortune, where would there be so many mysterious crystals?¡± Zhao Heng''s face changed again. ¡°Are you following me?¡± Du Changqing suddenly got up and stared at Zhao Heng. ¡°Brother Zhao, you and I are in the same class, and the relationship is pretty good on weekdays. If you lend me one hundred and ten Xuanjing, as long as you pass the handyman assessment, Brother will definitely pay you back.¡± Zhao Heng''s gaze narrowed slightly. ¡°What if I don''t borrow it?¡± A fierce light flickered in Du Changqing''s eyes. ¡°Don''t borrow?Brother, you have to think clearly. This is Niujiaoshan. Wild beasts are rampant. It''s normal to have an accident. What''s more... junior brother, you are already highly poisonous, and without my antidote, you will undoubtedly die! ¡°Poisoning?¡± Du Changqing said proudly: ¡°Junior brother, have you forgotten the dry food you just ate?¡± Hearing this, Zhao Heng showed a playful expression on his face, and took out a pack of dry food from his pocket. ¡°What I just ate was my own dry food, this is yours.¡± This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°You......¡± Du Changqing was stunned for a while, but then sneered: "But you still drank my wine.¡± The smile on Zhao Heng''s face became stronger. ¡°I drank your wine, but...I drank your share.¡± Du Changqing was taken aback when he heard the words. Suddenly I remembered that the other party had used the shadow to attract his attention before, so that his gaze was out of the two wine bags. ¡°You...you changed my wine?¡± The next moment, Du Changqing suddenly felt a colic in his abdomen, and his internal organs were scorched like flames. He panicked and took out a pill from his pocket and stuffed it into his mouth. The pain in his body subsided slightly. ¡°How do you know that I will poison you?¡± Du Changqing looked at Zhao Heng in amazement and anger. He didn''t know where he had exposed his flaws. Zhao Heng did not answer this question, because he did not see the flaws of the other party. These behaviors of his are all caused by his own ¡°illness¡±. In the eyes of people like him, anyone can harm him, he only believes in himself! Seeing Zhao Heng silent, Du Changqing finally twisted his face. ¡°Zhao Heng, I will give you another chance and give me all the mysterious crystals on your body, otherwise, I will kill you immediately!¡± Facing Du Changqing''s threat, Zhao Heng calmly got up and looked directly at each other. ¡°Can you...kill me?¡± ¡°You are looking for death!¡± Hostility appeared in Du Changqing''s eyes, and he suddenly held a dagger in his hand, and with an arrow step, he stabbed Zhao Heng fiercely in the neck. He has been in the fifth tier of the quenched body realm for more than half a year, and he is confident that he can easily kill Zhao Heng, a rookie in the fourth tier of the quenched body realm. However, when Du Changqing''s dagger pierced, Zhao Heng on the opposite side did not dodge. He suddenly raised his hand and grabbed it, accurately clasping Du Changqing''s palm, causing the dagger to hover in the air, making it difficult to inch in. ¡°What!¡± Du Changqing was taken aback and stabbed fiercely again, but he was restrained by a huge force in Zhao Heng''s hands and couldn''t move at all. Without waiting for Du Changqing to make other reactions, Zhao Heng''s palm suddenly tightened. ¡°Click, click, click!¡± Du Changqing''s palm was directly deformed by him, and his bones shattered. ¡°Ah......!¡± As soon as Du Changqing let out a scream, Zhao Heng punched him in the chest, smashing him to vomit blood and fly upside down, tumbling to the ground. ¡°You... you have been promoted to the sixth level of the physical realm, how can this be possible!¡± Du Changqing''s face turned pale and he screamed in a daze. Zhao Heng went to the ground blankly, and he had to ¡±mend the knife" to end the opponent. But at this moment, the entrance of the hole, which was originally blocked by stones, was suddenly kicked open. ¡°Wow...!¡± A young man wearing the costume of a handyman disciple of the Yuhua Sect, with a gloomy face and slender eyebrows, strode into the cave. Looking at Du Changqing, who couldn''t afford to fall to the ground, the man grinned and sneered. ¡°Even this kid can''t clean up, Du Changqing, you are really a waste!¡± When they saw the visitors, Du Changqing and Zhao Heng were both surprised. Zhao Heng recognized at a glance that this person was a thug next to Deacon Liu, named Deng Xing, who had the seven-fold cultivation base of the quenched physical realm. It was this person who killed the original owner of Zhao Heng''s body. ¡°Brother Deng, help me!¡± Du Changqing didn''t care why Deng Xing appeared here, and hurriedly called for help. Hearing this, Deng Xing smiled strangely. ¡°Hehe...save you?¡± "Swish!¡± Suddenly, Deng Xing raised his leg and slammed it into Du Changqing''s throat like lightning. "Boom!¡± ¡°Uh......!¡± Du Changqing covered his collapsed throat with his hands, widened his eyes, and fell to the ground to his death. After all this, Deng Xing looked at Zhao Heng slowly, with a calm tone. ¡°Zhao Heng, Deacon Liu suspects that you are colluding with the devil and mutilating the same sect, so he sent me to follow all the way. Now that you killed Du Changqing, with all the human and physical evidence, what crime should you be guilty of?¡± Seeing this situation, Zhao Heng still didn''t understand why Deng Xing was sent by Deacon Liu to kill him and Du Changqing. It is estimated that Deacon Liu''s Xuanjing was stolen, and he was eager to seek wealth, so he came up with a cruel trick to kill and surpass the goods. It''s just that the other party would never have thought that the bag of Xuanjing had actually fallen into their own hands, and they were looking for the right person. Facing Deng Xing''s planting, Zhao Heng did not defend, but asked rhetorically: "Besides you, is there anyone else coming?"¡± Deng Xing was taken aback when he heard the words, and then said disdainfully: ¡°Do you need anyone else to deal with you two wastes?¡± ¡°Oh... it turns out that you are the only one, that''s great!¡± Zhao Heng nodded, and suddenly a leopard jumped straight in front of Deng Xing, resorting to a black tiger to dig out his heart. Deng Xing was taken aback, and suddenly raised his elbow and pressed his palm. The two hit each other, their stature shook at the same time, and they did not give in to each other. ¡°Quench the seventh level of the physical realm?"Deng Xing looked shocked. But as the two of them came and went, after quickly fighting a dozen moves, Deng Xing suddenly narrowed his eyes. ¡°No, you are the sixth level of the quenched body realm! What a thick power of qi and blood, aren''t you practicing Qingsong Jue?How could there be such an overbearing power that can contend with the seven-fold power of my body? Zhao Heng didn''t talk nonsense with him at all, attacking frantically. Seeing that ordinary tricks did not work for this person, Zhao Heng''s mind appeared with the thirty-six tricks to save his life. Splitting his head in his throat, lifting his crotch and kicking his abdomen... All kinds of yin tricks were used in succession, and he almost succeeded several times, forcing Deng Xing to rush his hands and feet, and cold sweat oozes from his forehead. ¡°Boy, you are so shameless!¡± ¡°Bullying the weak, you are shameless!¡± Zhao Heng gained momentum and continued to attack. Deng Xing finally couldn''t bear it. When Zhao Heng approached again, he resorted to a trick of ¡°digging his eyes and kicking his crotch¡±. ¡°Cracked Stone Fist!¡± Deng Xing''s figure suddenly sank, his fist like a meteor, his back hair came first, and he slammed straight into Zhao Heng''s chest. Feeling the power of the opponent''s punch, Zhao Heng was taken aback. He had no time to avoid it, and his arms staggered to resist. "Boom!¡± In this punch, as if being slapped by a wild bear, Zhao Heng''s arms became numb, he staggered backwards, and his blood surged like a tide. Before he could stabilize his figure, Deng Xingshi''s second punch was already in front of him. Although Zhao Heng dodged with all his strength, he was still hit in the shoulder, his figure flew upside down and hit the stone wall, blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth. ¡°Ahem......¡± Zhao Heng''s face flushed and he suffered internal injuries. Deng Xing on the opposite side was joking, ¡°Hehe...there are two things, unfortunately, I have cultivated martial arts, and you are not my opponent."¡± ¡°Martial arts!¡± Zhao Heng showed a sudden expression on his face, and his martial arts skills can make the martial artist burst out with amazing combat effectiveness. Warriors of the same rank, warriors who have practiced martial arts, have an absolute advantage, not to mention that the opponent''s cultivation level is higher than his own. ¡°Boy, before you die, tell me if you have any hidden treasures, maybe I can leave you a whole body."Deng Xing spoke carelessly, completely treating Zhao Heng as a dead man. However, Zhao Heng sneered. ¡°Isn''t it just martial arts, do you think only you can?¡± ¡°Oh...do you also know martial arts?"Deng Xing looked surprised. ¡°Huh, look at my lost fist!¡± Zhao Heng burst into a shout and suddenly rushed towards Deng Xing. He danced wildly with both fists, and he couldn''t see the slightest trick routine, but it was like a set of ¡°Wang Baquan¡±. But Deng Xing didn''t dare to be careless, only that this was a strange boxing technique. He widened his eyes to catch Zhao Heng''s boxing trajectory. The two of them approached in the blink of an eye, and Zhao Heng suddenly punched head-on. When his fist was still a few feet away from Deng Xing, he suddenly spread his hand. ¡°Swish......!¡± A cloud of lime sprinkled head-on, unsuspecting, wide-eyed Deng Xing''s eyes. "Damn, you play yin...!¡± Deng Xing covered his eyes with his hands and shouted angrily. ¡°Puff...!¡± He only felt a sharp pain in his abdomen, and a dagger had been deeply inserted into his lower abdomen. ¡°Scumbag, I''m going to kill you!¡± Deng Xing swept his fists wildly, roaring frantically. Zhao Heng''s cold voice came from a distance on the opposite side. ¡°The dagger is poisonous and highly poisonous.¡± ¡°Uh......!¡± Deng Xing''s body trembled, and then suddenly fell to the ground. After convulsing for a while, he foaming at the mouth and died of exhaustion. ¡°Huh......!¡± Seeing Deng Xing dead, Zhao Hengcai sat slumped in the corner, gasping for breath. Looking at the two corpses on the ground, he had lingering fears. ¡°This world is really too dangerous. I thought that I had been promoted to the sixth level of the physical realm, which was enough to deal with various crises, but I didn''t expect that I almost lost my life. Fortunately, the modified version of the Qingsong Jue made me enough to have a hard encounter with the seventh-tier martial artist of the quenched realm. In addition, I prepared lime powder in advance and smeared snake venom on the dagger to kill this guy, otherwise it would be really dangerous.¡± After a period of ups and downs in his heart, Zhao Heng gradually calmed down, and he began to grope on the two of them. After a period of busy work, he had more than fifty mysterious crystals, several body quenching potions and some healing medicines in his hand. And found a copy of Deng Xing''s body, "Cracked Stone Fist", a lower-level martial art of Fanpin. On Du Changqing''s body again, he found a task Yujian for collecting medicine from Niujiaoshan, as well as a pack of ¡°corpse powder¡±. Obviously, Du Changqing had long planned to kill himself and then destroy the corpse. Zhao Heng borrowed this pack of corpse powder to turn the corpses of the two into pus, and took some healing drugs himself. After two hours of luck, Zhao Heng''s state recovered a lot. Seeing that the night was deep, he stayed in the cave for the night, and couldn''t wait to study the ¡°cracking stone boxing technique¡±. Although it is only a low-level martial art, according to the introduction of martial arts, it has not been a year and a half, and it is probably difficult for ordinary people to even get started. It''s been a long night, and Zhao Heng can''t help but itch a little bit when he just got another mysterious crystal. He thought to himself, if he could transform the cracked stone fist, would it be better to practice it? Moreover, he already knew that one point was ¡°stealing¡± and the other was ¡°transforming¡±. I don''t know what magical effect the other four points of the dice will have? The more I thought about it, the more itchy my heart became. Finally, Zhao Heng couldn''t help but be tempted and summoned the first dice again.¡­¡­ Enjoying the story? Support me on Patreon to get early access to new chapters, exclusive content, and more! Every bit helps me keep bringing these translations to you. Join the community and become part of the journey. Chapter 4 - I didnt do it! Zhao Heng sacrificed the first dice and took out ten more mysterious crystals. The dice absorb the mysterious crystal to rotate. ¡°Wow!¡± ¡°A little bit!¡± Seeing this familiar point, Zhao Heng was a little helpless. He has probably guessed that the probability of each point of this dice is different, and the probability of one point is the greatest. One point is to randomly steal any item within a radius of ten miles. Zhao Heng immediately used his skills. The next moment. ¡°Crack!¡± There was an extra piece of gravel at Zhao Heng''s feet. Zhao Heng shook his head helplessly, sure enough, there is nothing good in this barren mountain range. He took out ten Xuanjing dice again, and went to steal a little skill. ¡°Use skills!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± "Gravel +1¡± Zhao Heng was completely speechless. At the same time, he also noticed that the gravel was stained with bright red blood, which was probably left by some beasts. ¡°Bad luck!¡± With a sneer, Zhao Heng decided to roll the dice one last time. ¡°For the last time, take a chance.¡± The dice were rolled, and it was still a little bit. But Zhao Heng noticed that the number above one point had become ¡°x10" and exuded a silver glow. Coupled with the stealing skills used this month, Zhao Heng has made a total of ten steals.£¬ ¡°The accumulation of Qi luck has been successful, is it used immediately?¡± Zhao Heng''s heart moved, and he couldn''t help but think of the scene where he used his luck to extract and get Deacon Liu''s package. ¡°Luck is also very magical. Although this is a barren mountain, you might be able to get some good things. If you get a Breitling grass, it will be great!¡± Zhao Heng thought expectantly, and at the same time ordered: "Use Qi luck to steal!¡± ¡°Om......!¡± As the dice bloomed with a silver light, suddenly a black light fell in the void. ¡°Swish......!¡± ¡°Puff...!¡± Zhao Heng, who was squatting on the ground, only felt a cold under his crotch, a black and shiny short knife with a short handle and a sharp blade. Just stick it straight between Zhao Heng''s legs, one millimeter short, and Zhao Heng can become a "njjman". ¡°Damn it!¡± Zhao Heng was stunned for a moment, then jumped up, staring at the short knife stuck on the ground. He found that the blade of the knife was stained with blood, and the blood flowed along the blade, and it was still a little warm, obviously fresh blood that had just been contaminated. Thinking of it again, the scope of stealing skills is only a radius of ten miles. Zhao Heng''s heart suddenly burst, ¡°Is there someone nearby hunting mysterious beasts?"Those who dare to act late at night are all masters.¡± Zhao Heng suddenly became a little anxious. The other party was not far from him, and he didn''t know whether it was an enemy or a friend. If the other party finds this cave and finds out that he has stolen his knife, he will definitely kill himself. Although this possibility is very low, Zhao Heng''s persecuted delusional episodes, as long as there is a trace of danger, will be infinitely magnified. ¡°No, no, we must plan ahead!¡± Zhao Heng immediately wiped the blood stains on the short knife with leaves, and thought about wrapping the blade with something to avoid being discovered. As soon as I took out my pocket, I actually found the embroidered red bellyband I got a month ago. Regardless of the 3721, Zhao Heng wrapped the blade of the knife with his belly pocket, pinned it to his waist, and continued to arrange some defensive measures in the cave. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡­¡­ But he said that Zhao Heng was busy in the cave at the same time. On the mountain a few miles away, two figures rose and fell like rabbits, running at extreme speed. The man who escaped in front of him was dressed in a black outfit, with short hair and narrow face, and his eyes were as sharp as a knife. The person chasing behind him was wearing a long moon-white dress. From the curve of the figure reflected in the moonlight, it could be seen that it was a woman. At this moment, the man in black fled at full speed, while covering his right shoulder with his left hand, his entire right arm had been cut off by Qi Gen. ¡°Damn it, which bastard stole my knife!"¡± The man in black gritted his teeth, his eyes erupting with anger. When he fought against the woman just now, he had clearly gained an advantage. At a critical moment, the full force of a knife, even if it does not cost the opponent''s life, it can also cause it to be severely hit. Unexpectedly, at a close call, the black golden leopard-headed knife in his hand actually disappeared out of thin air, causing him to be cut off an arm. The man who had lost his arm with a knife and was seriously injured and defeated could only flee unwillingly. Fortunately, his light body skills were so clever that he was not chased by the opponent for a while. ¡°It can''t go on like this. That woman is so tight. Although she was hit by my dizziness before, she can still suppress the toxicity. Now I am seriously injured and I can''t run for too long.¡± After weighing in his heart, the man in black suddenly had an idea. ¡°By the way, I remember there was a cave at the foot of the mountain before. Simply hide in the cave, if the woman dares to chase after her, Lao Tzu will poison her in the cave and yin her!¡± After making up his mind, the man in black exerted force under his feet, his speed increased by three points, and he swept towards the foot of the mountain at extreme speed. Seeing the snow-white figure behind him, he also accelerated the pursuit. The two chased after each other, and in a moment, they had already reached the foot of the mountain. The man in black followed his memory and rushed to the vicinity of the cave. He took a closer look, but saw that the cave was blocked by a pile of stones. He was puzzled in his heart, and he didn''t have time to think about it. He rushed to the entrance of the hole in a few steps and blasted out with a punch. ¡°Wow...!¡± The gravel tumbled and collapsed, and the man rushed into the cave in one step. Dust from the top of his head fell on his head, face, hands... the skin suddenly felt a violent burning sensation. ¡°Ah......!¡± The man suddenly screamed. ¡°Corpse powder!¡± He rushed forward a few steps abruptly, shaking his whole body, throwing away a large amount of powder, but he was still corroded into a large area of wound. ¡°Who, who is Yin Lao Tzu!¡± The man roared in anger, so depressed that he almost vomited blood. And just as his voice fell, a voice came weakly from his side. ¡°No...I didn''t do it.¡± ¡°Hmm......?¡± The man was taken aback and stared to his side. ¡°Hula......!¡± Before I could see the figure in the darkness clearly, another cloud of flying ash sprinkled into my eyes, tingling hotly. ¡°Ah......!¡± The man screamed, and at the same time he sensed the evil wind in front of him. He subconsciously dodged sideways. Although he avoided the key point, he was still stabbed in the shoulder by a sharp weapon. He shot like lightning, clasping the opponent''s blade, and the moment he touched his hand, he keenly realized that this weapon was his own black golden leopard head knife. ¡°It turned out that you did it!¡± The man''s face was distorted, he roared, and a huge force was born in his hand, he regained the short knife, and slashed it in front of him. At this moment, a figure in front of the man looked at the light of the knife drawn at extreme speed, his eyes were full of horror. This person was Zhao Heng. When he got this bloody short knife before, he was anxious and used corpse powder to cover the danger. He hid in the corner and attacked the knife with lime. I thought I could kill this swift guest on the spot. Unexpectedly, the opponent was ridiculously strong, even if he suffered such a serious injury, he could still counterattack. The opponent''s knife was too fast, and Zhao Heng couldn''t dodge it at all. He subconsciously stretched out his hand to block it, but only the ¡°red bellyband¡± that had been used to wrap the blade before was in his hand. The man''s knife happened to be across his belly and slashed on Zhao Heng''s shoulder. In the dark night, a hint of mysterious brilliance bloomed in the belly. Zhao Heng only felt that the power of that sword was divided by some kind of force and turned into a strong thrust, pushing him out. Zhao Heng rolled to the ground and looked at the red bellyband in his hand in shock. This thing was actually a treasure! Before it was too late to be surprised, the one-armed man in black, holding a short knife, rushed towards him like crazy. ¡°Not good!¡± Zhao Heng was shocked and was waiting to escape. "Scoff!¡± Hearing only a piercing sound, the black-clothed man''s forward momentum suddenly froze. At this time, his chest had been pierced by a cold sword blade, but the man still stared roundly, looking straight ahead, his eyes full of resentment, unwillingness and anger! Drawing out his long sword, the man in black fell down in response. Behind him stood a tall and graceful figure, with a pair of cold and sharp eyes, sweeping towards Zhao Heng in the cave. At this time, Zhao Heng was crawling on the ground with his body, and his feet were ¡°twitching¡± one after another. After a few twitches, his eyes rolled and his body became stiff and motionless. It seemed that the man in black had been slashed to death by a knife just now. However, seeing this scene, there was a faint cold light in those cold eyes. ¡°Since you want to die so much, I will give you a ride!¡± Feeling a touch of sword light approaching, Zhao Heng, who pretended to be dead and failed, quickly got up with a shiver and handed in his hand. ¡°Don''t, don''t, don''t, the heroine, spare your life, I am a good person, a good person!¡± Through the moonlight projected outside the cave, Zhao Heng could see the woman''s appearance clearly. Her face is beautiful, her eyes are like autumn waves, and her long hair flows like a waterfall, falling on the curve of her tall and graceful posture. The breeze blows the woman''s snow-white dress, like a goddess walking from a painting. ¡°So beautiful!¡± Zhao Heng couldn''t help but admire from the bottom of his heart. This was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his two lives. She was simply a ¡°realistic version of the fairy sister.¡± While Zhao Heng was looking at the woman, the other party was also looking at him. At this time, Zhao Heng had unkempt hair and blood on his face, a handful of quicklime in his left hand, a bottle of corpse powder in his right hand, and a big red bellyband hanging from his shoulder. At this moment, the dull gaze in his eyes was startled, and against the background of this shape, there was an evil and wretched smell no matter how he looked at it. ¡°Huh, you are not a good thing to see, you must be a demon demon, and you will die!"¡± Enjoying the story? Support me on Patreon to get early access to new chapters, exclusive content, and more! Every bit helps me keep bringing these translations to you. Join the community and become part of the journey. Chapter 5 - I cant see anything The woman in white drew her sword and stabbed, Zhao Heng hurriedly retreated in fright, explaining again and again. ¡°Female knight, I am not a demon demon, I am a disciple of Yuhua Sect!¡± ¡°Yuhuazong?¡± The woman''s sword posture stagnated, her face full of surprise. ¡°Are you really a disciple of Yuhua Sect?"Her face was full of doubt, and the long sword in her hand maintained a forward stabbing posture at any time. Obviously, if Zhao Heng''s answer made her dissatisfied at all, she would kill her in pain. Zhao Heng hurriedly took out a waist card and handed it to the woman. ¡°Zhao Heng, a disciple of the handyman Peak of the Xiayuhuazong Sect.¡± The woman took the waist card and checked it carefully. ¡°The token is real, how could you stay here alone?"¡± Zhao Heng hurriedly explained: "I took on a task of going out to collect medicine. Seeing that it was too late, I stayed here. I didn''t expect someone to break in suddenly.¡± Zhao Heng quickly took out the Zongmen Mission Jade Jane again. After checking Yujian, the woman finally believed Zhao Heng''s words and returned the long sword to its sheath. ¡°You are lucky. That person was a person in the Demon Dao just now, and he had the cultivation base of refining the dirty realm. If it weren''t for his serious injuries, you would have died a long time ago.¡± Zhao Heng was taken aback when he heard this. Although he had already guessed that the man in black was of extraordinary strength, he did not expect that he was actually a strong man in the dirty realm. In the acquired realm, there are only three layers of ¡°quenching the body, forging bones and refining dirt¡±, which is already the pinnacle of acquired cultivation. At the same time, Zhao Heng also thought that this woman could kill the man in black, and she might also be a strong man in the dirty realm. He hurriedly handed over his hand and said, "I haven''t asked the name of the female hero, what sect and school do you come from?¡± The woman in white glanced at Zhao Heng and said, ¡°I am also a disciple of Yuhua Sect, a disciple of Qingxiafeng, and Yun Qingxue.¡± ¡°It turned out to be Sister Yun, I have heard so much about you for a long time!¡± Of course, Zhao Heng didn''t know Yun Qingxue, but based on the identity of the outer disciple of the Yuhua Sect and the cultivation base of the refining realm, he didn''t dare to neglect it at all. After all, in these barren mountains and mountains, if the opponent is murderous to himself, he will lose his life. Regarding Zhao Heng''s kindness, Yun Qingxue just waved her hand and said, ¡°Okay, it''s late now, so we''ll stay here for one night. You first block the entrance of the cave so as not to be discovered by others."¡± ¡°Okay, senior sister!¡±. Zhao Heng immediately re-blocked the entrance of the cave, then retreated to the corner of the cave, and quietly carried the remaining lime powder and corpse powder. Then, holding the dagger in his left hand and the black golden leopard-headed knife in his right hand, he crossed his hands in front of him, maintaining the fastest counterattack posture, and then shrank in the corner to rest with peace of mind. He turned his head and glanced at Yun Qingxue, but saw that the other party was staring at him with a weird look. Zhao Heng could only smile embarrassedly, ¡°Senior sister, I''m not guarding against you, I''m afraid that there will be bad guys breaking in, so I can protect senior sister as soon as possible!"¡± Yun Qingxue snorted softly, and then said to Zhao Heng: "You turn around first, I want to clean up the wound.¡± When Zhao Heng heard this, he noticed that Yun Qingxue''s white dress had blood oozing out, leaving several knife wounds on her body, and snow-white skin could be seen in the damaged parts of her robe. In the wilderness, the beauty was injured, a familiar scene. Zhao Heng has read many online novels in his previous life. Usually in this case, the protagonist should help the heroine heal her wounds, feast her eyes at the same time, eat some tofu from the heroine, and even have something shameless. Thinking of this, Zhao Heng stood up abruptly.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°What do you want to do?¡± Yun Qingxue''s gaze condensed, and her hand had already pressed the hilt of the sword. Zhao Heng hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Senior sister, don''t get me wrong, or I''d better go outside the cave first, and when you have cleaned it up, I''ll come in again."¡± ¡°Uh......?¡± Yun Qingxue was taken aback when she heard the words. ¡°Are you not afraid of danger outside the cave?¡± She had already seen that Zhao Heng was very courageous. At this time, he took the initiative to withdraw from the cave, which surprised her a little. ¡°It''s okay, I''ll help the senior sister take care of the wind, lest others break in.¡± What Zhao Heng thought in his heart was, if I stay in the cave, do you think I watched you and want to kill me afterwards, what can I do? Moreover, since ancient times, there have been many disasters in her beauty, and this woman is so beautiful. If this matter spreads out in the future, her admirers will know about it. Wouldn''t it be that there are many more people who want to kill themselves and plunge themselves into greater anxiety? Zhao Heng didn''t believe in the plots in yy''s novels. He just wanted to live his life in peace and without disaster. Yun Qingxue was also very satisfied with Zhao Heng''s interesting attitude, so she nodded and asked him to withdraw. Who knows, Zhao Heng had just walked to the entrance of the cave. ¡°Well......!¡± A strange soft hum came from behind. ¡°Brother Zhao, you...wait a minute!¡± Zhao Heng was taken aback, and when he looked back, he saw Yun Qingxue reclining on the ground, with her jade body laid out horizontally and her curves exposed, which was very attractive. Especially at the neckline that was cut in the battle, the raging snow-white waves slapped the deep ravines, which was shocking and at the same time, my heart yearned for it. When she came into contact again, Yun Qingxue looked straight into her bright eyes. Zhao Hengxin''s head jumped violently. ¡°Teacher...senior sister, do you want to...?¡± ¡°I was hit by that guy''s dizziness. I had been suppressing the toxicity before, but now I can''t suppress it anymore.¡± ¡°Ah, then...what should I do?"Many ways of detoxification have emerged in Zhao Heng''s mind. ¡°Anyway, I only need a few more hours of exercise to get rid of toxins, but I can''t move my body now, the wounds on my body...¡± Yun Qingxue''s pretty face flushed, a little unspeakable. Although the injuries on her body are not fatal, if she is not medicated and bandaged in time, she may also be in danger of her life because of excessive bleeding. Helpless, she can only turn to Zhao Heng for help. ¡°Brother Zhao, can you help me... take medicine.¡± ¡°This......¡± Zhao Heng didn''t expect to encounter such a tricky situation. Although he wanted to refuse, the two of them were in the same class after all, and the other party had saved his life just now. He couldn''t see death without saving it. ¡°Hey...okay!¡± Seeing Zhao Heng agreed, Yun Qingxue''s face turned redder, and she said shyly: "Junior brother, can you put your eyes first...¡± Yun Qingxue wanted Zhao Heng to close his eyes, but before he finished speaking, he raised his eyes and saw that Zhao Heng had already been busy. He tore off many strips of cloth from the man in black and wrapped his eyes in layers, more than an inch thick, as if a disc had been inserted in his head. Before this was over, Zhao Heng simply used the red cloth bellyband as a turban and wrapped his head together, leaving only his nostrils and mouth to vent. ¡°Senior sister, you can see it, I can''t see anything. When the time comes, don''t falsely accuse me of peeking.¡± ¡°..." Yun Qingxue''s beautiful eyes widened, a little confused. But Zhao Heng continued to be busy. ¡°By the way, there are still hands.¡± He tore off some strips of cloth again, wrapped his hands around him, and made a pair of simple gloves. ¡°So I can''t see or touch it, senior sister, please call twice and point me out.¡± Yun Qingxue stared blankly at Zhao Heng, who was ¡°heavily armed¡± with Baotou in his belly. It took a long time before he made a sound. ¡°Junior brother, I... I''m here.¡± Zhao Heng followed the sound and approached Yun Qingxue''s side, even though he was blindfolded and wrapped his hands. But the fragrance emanating from Jiaren''s body still made Zhao Heng feel a little uneasy. In order to avoid making mistakes, he can only stay as far away from the other party as possible. Subsequently, under the command of Yun Qingxue, Zhao Heng used a more cautious approach than surgery. Unbuttoned, undressed, wiped, medicated, bandaged¡­¡­ Even with the ¡±gloves" blocking him, Zhao Heng could still feel the faint warmth of Yun Qingxue''s soft and smooth skin that could be broken by a bullet, which made him feel at war with heaven and man. In the deep mountain cave, the two of them behaved so ambiguously, at first, Yun Qingxue was also shy and difficult to support herself. But as time passed, he found that Zhao Heng''s pores all over his body were resisting contact with him. Even with his head covered, he turned his head behind him, as if he regarded himself as a mighty beast. Gradually, Yun Qingxue''s mentality underwent a subtle change. In addition to a long-lost sense of security, there was also a faint resentment in her heart. In the past, in the sect, those male disciples of the same sect, who were not trying to approach themselves, were courting, but they ignored them at all. Today, he was forced to let Zhao Heng bandage himself with medicine. Not only did the other party not take the initiative, he also looked very disgusted with his performance. ¡°Doesn''t this guy like women?Still think I''m not good-looking... afraid I''ll rely on him?¡± This weird thought actually rose in Yun Qingxue''s mind. After a while, Zhao Heng finally bandaged Yun Qingxue''s wound. He groped hurriedly, retreated to the corner of the cave, and took off his headgear and eye mask facing the stone wall. ¡°Senior sister, how are you feeling now?¡± Behind, Yun Qingxue''s complexion was ruddy and she panted slightly. She leaned her body on the stone wall, struggling to use her hands that had regained some strength, closed her clothes, turned her eyes, and looked at Zhao Heng, who didn''t dare to look back as if she was ¡°thinking about the wall¡±. The corner of his mouth couldn''t help but radiate. ¡°This guy is quite interesting.¡± She responded softly: ¡°I''m fine, you are also injured, so let''s rest.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Zhao Heng nodded immediately and breathed a sigh of relief in the face of Shi Bi. He said in his heart that he had done so, and there should be no more trouble in the future. Afterwards, Zhao Heng looked at the red bellyband in his hand again. I can''t help but think of the knife that the black-clothed man slashed at him before, but it was actually blocked by this thing. This belly must be a treasure, and I have to study it carefully when I look back. Quietly putting away his bellyband, Zhao Heng began to exercise on his knees. Two fierce battles in a row today exhausted him physically and mentally, and his injuries were not light. The modified version of the Qingsong Jue mobilizes the whole body''s qi and blood, circulates, and the strands of mysterious qi penetrate from the pores, and begin to repair Zhao Heng''s injuries and make up for the lost qi and blood.¡­¡­ Enjoying the story? Support me on Patreon to get early access to new chapters, exclusive content, and more! Every bit helps me keep bringing these translations to you. Join the community and become part of the journey. Chapter 6 - Deacon Lius temptation Early the next morning. ¡°Huh......!¡± Zhao Heng exhaled a turbid breath from his mouth, collecting energy and gathering breath. Overnight, he had recovered from his injuries and was full of energy and blood again. In addition to benefiting from the healing drugs he took, it was mainly the transformed Qingsong Jue, which could attract many of heaven and earth''s mysterious qi and nourish the body. However, a warrior who ¡°quenches the body and forgets the bones¡± cannot retain the mysterious qi in his body, but can only quench the physical body. Only those who refine the dirty realm, after the internal organs are tempered, can form a special cycle to store a small amount of mysterious qi. It is said that those innate martial arts can blend the mysterious qi with the physique, release and retract, do whatever they want, and perform various secret techniques against the sky. However, the innate martial artist is too far away from Zhao Heng. In the Yuhua Sect, only the inner disciples who have obtained the true biography can reach the innate realm. Calming his short and complicated thoughts, Zhao Heng opened his eyes. The cave was quiet, and there was no movement at all. He looked back and saw that Yun Qingxue was no longer in the cave, but there was an extra package and a note beside him. He picked up the note and looked, leaving a few lines of beautiful handwriting on it. ¡°The things in the package are your reward last night.¡± The corners of Zhao Heng''s mouth moved slightly, and his heart was awkward when he said this. Yun Qingxue also wrote: "Zhao Heng, I owe you a favor. If you need help in the future, you can go to Qingxiafeng to find me.¡± Putting down the note, Zhao Heng opened the package, and his eyes were a pile of blue and barking low-level mysterious crystals, enough for a hundred pieces. In addition, in the Xuanjing, there is also a jade bottle with the words ¡°Quenched body Pill¡± engraved on the bottle. Zhao Heng''s gaze condensed, and he quickly opened the stopper of the bottle, poured out a red and crystal pill, and smelled a refreshing aroma. ¡°It''s quenched body pill!¡± Zhao Heng was surprised. The quenched body pill is much more advanced than the average quenched body potion. One is worth nearly two hundred Xuanjing. It is said that it has an excellent effect on the improvement of the skills of the acquired martial artist. Yun Qingxue deserves to be a strong man in the refining realm and directly left such a large amount of wealth for herself. ¡°This woman is so generous!¡± Zhao Heng hurriedly put away Xuanjing and the pill and carried his bags with him. Then he didn''t leave in a hurry but looked around in the cave. The body of the man in black had already been cleaned up by Yun Qingxue, and Zhao Heng removed all the traces he had left one by one. During the inspection, he made an unexpected discovery. In a dark corner of the cave, Zhao Heng picked up a dark green book with the word ¡°Poison Sutra¡± written on it. What is recorded in it is the configuration method of some poisons. Zhao Heng guessed that it was most likely that the man in black fell while fighting with himself last night. The use of poison has always been the usual method used by people in the Demon Dao, and it is disdainful of the martial arts of the right path. But Zhao Heng quietly put this ¡°poison Sutra¡± in his arms. In his heart, all the right paths and magic paths are the same. What can save his life and relieve his anxiety are good things. The quicklime and corpse powder are very easy to use. After reviewing it and confirming that there were no mistakes, Zhao Heng got out of the cave. Looking at the rising sun outside the cave, Zhao Heng couldn''t help sighing when he thought of the two great wars he experienced last night and the healing of Yun Qingxue.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°This sun... is so big and round!¡± After leaving the cave, Zhao Heng did not rush back to the sect immediately but first went to the foot of Niujiaoshan Mountain to pick herbs and complete the task Du Changqing had collected. As a handyman disciple, some tasks must be achieved every month. Whether it is daily task mining or this kind of out-of-office task, it must be counted in it. If it does not meet the standards, it will be punished. Fortunately, Zhao Heng was now in good health, and he quickly completed the picking task and rushed back to the sect before sunset. He delivered the task as soon as possible, but on the way back to the handyman Peak, he saw a familiar fat figure standing in a shadow. ¡°Deacon Liu!¡± Zhao Heng''s heart tightened, trying to bypass the opponent, but it was too late. Liu Hong had already seen him and walked towards him. Seeing Zhao Heng safe and sound, and appearing here alone, Liu Hong''s eyes showed surprise and astonishment. ¡°Zhao Heng, I remember you went on a mission with Du Changqing. Why did you come back alone?"¡± Zhao Heng didn''t panic either and immediately showed a sad expression on his face. ¡°Brother Du, he...is dead!¡± ¡°Dead?¡± ¡°We were collecting medicine in Niujiaoshan and were attacked by mysterious beasts. To save me, Brother Zhao singled out a group of mysterious beasts and was separated by those beasts. I was also lucky and escaped back.¡± Hearing this, Liu Hong looked suspicious and tentatively said, ¡°Then have you ever seen Deng Xing? He also went to Niujiaoshan to perform a mission yesterday.¡± ¡°Brother Deng, I haven''t seen it before."Zhao Heng looked blank. During the exchange between the two, Liu Hong kept staring at Zhao Heng''s expression, but still couldn''t see the slightest flaw. After pondering for a moment, he nodded and said, "Okay, you can go back first.¡± ¡°Deacon Liu, farewell!"Zhao Heng turned around and left. But he just took a step. ¡°Huh......!¡± Suddenly a strong wind came from behind and hit the back of his head.£¬ Zhao Heng was taken aback, and the power of qi and blood in his body exploded, like a cheetah, and he suddenly moved sideways to dodge, avoiding the blow. ¡°Deacon Liu, are you...?¡± Zhao Heng looked back at Liu Hong in surprise. The latter retracted his palm at this moment and looked at Zhao Heng with a weird expression. ¡°Zhao Heng, I haven''t seen you for a few days. Your cultivation base has grown so fast. I''m afraid you have reached the sixth level of quenching body state. I remember you a month ago, you were still in the fourth level of physical state.¡± Zhao Heng''s expression changed, but he didn''t expect Deacon Liu to be so cunning. Even if he was seen through the cultivation base, he still smiled and said, ¡°Deacon Liu, you are joking. The boy is also lucky. This time, he picked an unknown fruit in Niujiaoshan. After swallowing it, the cultivation base will be automatically upgraded.¡± Liu Hongpi said without a smile: "That''s it, you are so lucky, okay, you can go back.¡± Zhao Heng hurriedly said goodbye and left, and the moment he turned around, the expressions of both of them became extremely gloomy. Zhao Heng rushed back to the dormitory, closed the door tightly, and began to pace back and forth in the room again. His delusions began to attack again, and he was in a very anxious mood. Thinking of Liu Hong''s cold expression when he left, Zhao Heng was a little restless. He knew that Liu Hong had become suspicious of himself, and with this person''s cruelty, he was likely to attack him again. Zhao Heng couldn''t help but think that if Liu Hong could ¡°disappear forever¡±, he would no longer be anxious. But the opponent is a deacon of the sect, or a strong man in the realm of bone forging, with his current strength, he can''t compete with it at all. ¡°Strength, I must improve my strength as soon as possible! If I can break through the realm of bone forging and become an outer disciple, Deacon Liu can''t do anything about me, and then find another opportunity to let him disappear, and I can rest easy.¡± Now with the help of the Taoist dice, Zhao Heng has gradually gained confidence in himself. ¡­¡­ In the following days, Zhao Heng began to actively prepare. He did not go to the mining area to report, but took out tasks every day, completing tasks to earn Xuanjing. As soon as he had time, he practiced the Qingsong Jue, while studying the "Cracked Stone Boxing Technique" and the "Poison Sutra". In addition, it is to shake the dice once a day and take a chance. In addition to the one hundred Xuanjing that Yun Qingxue gave him, and the Xuanjing that he had obtained from Deng Xing and Du Changqing before, he had a total of one hundred and sixty Xuanjing. In this way, nine days have passed. On this day, a handyman disciple sent by Deacon Liu finally found Zhao Heng. Someone told Zhao Heng that he hadn''t been to the mining area to report for nine days. According to the rules, handymen in the mining area must report every ten days. Upon receiving this news, Zhao Heng was not surprised. He had expected that Deacon Liu would not let him go. This time, he would start with himself! Although he has practiced diligently these days and his cultivation base has improved, he still has not been able to break through the seventh level of the physical realm. The situation is not optimistic, he knows that he must prepare for the second hand. But there is only one day, what can I do? Zhao Heng thought of dice for the first time. In addition, today, for nine days, Zhao Heng rolled the dice once a day, stealing randomly every time, but not once did he steal anything of value. ¡°Shake it a little more, you can get luck, maybe you can get something good!" Time was running out, so Zhao Heng decisively took out the dice, consumed ten Xuanjing, and shook it again. Sure enough, it was a little bit more. Stealing x10 can be used to steal luck once. Zhao Heng hesitated for a moment and did not use it immediately. After using this skill so many times, he has also accumulated some experience. Being in the peak of handyman, the resources are barren, even if you use Qi luck to steal, it is estimated that you will not get anything good. It''s better to take the initiative to go to some places where Depot has a greater chance and artificially adjust the probability. As soon as he said, Zhao Heng immediately walked down Handyman Peak and headed towards ¡°Danquan Peak¡±, one of the nine peaks of the sect. Danquan Peak is the base of the Yuhua Sect, the Alchemy Sect. There is a master alchemist of the sect who opens a furnace for alchemy at the top of the peak. Zhao Heng''s idea is very simple. If you use Qi luck to steal around Danquan Peak, you might be able to get some panacea and make yourself a great advance in cultivation. However, as a handyman disciple, Zhao Heng could not enter Danquan Peak without a special task. He could only find a secret place close to the peak at the foot of Danquan Peak. Seeing no one around, Zhao Heng meditated in his heart. ¡°Use Qi luck to steal.¡± ¡°Om......!¡± With a flash of silver light in the center of his eyebrows. ¡°Pat......!¡± On the ground in front of Zhao Heng, a slap-sized tip fell. Enjoying the story? Support me on Patreon to get early access to new chapters, exclusive content, and more! Every bit helps me keep bringing these translations to you. Join the community and become part of the journey. Chapter 7 - Thunder Blast Pearl Seeing the tips that fell to the ground, Zhao Heng hurriedly stepped forward to pick them up, put them in his pocket, turned around and left. He didn''t take out the tips until he returned to his dormitory. He stretched out his hand and squeezed it, and it turned out to be three round, pigeon-egg-sized things. Zhao Heng was overjoyed. Could it be that his luck was really so good? What kind of panacea did he draw? He hurriedly untied the tips and dumped the contents out. ¡°Clang clang clang...!¡± Things fell into Zhao Heng''s hands, collided with each other, and made the sound of gold and stone. Zhao Yan glanced at it, what kind of pill is this, it is clearly three black iron beads. ¡°What is this thing?¡± Zhao Heng found that there was still a note in the tip bag, which read: "The experimental version of Thunderball, press the organ, and it will explode automatically after five breaths, and its power will be reduced.¡± ¡°I''m going!¡± Zhao Heng was so scared that he almost threw the beads in his hand out. Isn''t this the alien version of the ¡°grenade¡±? Just now, I was separated from the tips and pressed it blindly a few times, so I wouldn''t touch the organ, right? After hurriedly checking and confirming that he had not touched the organ, Zhao Heng felt relieved. In addition to cultivating warriors in the true martial arts world, there are also alchemists, talisman masters, formation masters and alchemists... special occupations. These three violent thunder beads should also be refined through special techniques, and they are ¡°experimental versions¡±. Presumably, except for the creator, few others have seen them. And seeing the power of violent thunder beads and power-capable gravel, Zhao Heng estimated in his heart that even the strong in the bone-forging realm could not bear it. Thinking of this, he couldn''t help showing an excited smile on his face. With this thing, his self-protection ability has been greatly improved. However, this is not enough! Even if you have the help of foreign objects, your own strength is too weak, it will not work. Zhao Heng thought for a moment, and took out a jade bottle from his arms. This was the quenched body pill that Yun Qingxue gave him. Quenched body pill is an elixir for the acquired martial artist to strengthen the physical body and improve his skills. It is extremely effective. Zhao Heng decided to take this medicine first to improve his cultivation level. Without hesitation, he raised his head and took the pill. The pill turned into a stream of fluid in his mouth and went straight into his abdomen. Immediately, Zhao Heng felt a mass of pure and warm energy spreading continuously from his abdomen, blending into his limbs and bones, and the blood in his meridians began to boil.¡­¡­ He hurriedly worked on his knees, running his whole body''s qi and blood, circulating all day long. The Qingsong Jue, which has been transformed and strengthened, has doubled its speed with the blessing of surging medicinal power, frantically digesting the medicinal power of Quen Body Pill. Zhao Heng can clearly feel that his body is constantly strengthening in this state.¡­¡­ Time goes by minute by minute. Soon, it was dawn on the second day. In the mining area near the foot of Handyman Peak, Liu Hong arrived early to count the handyman disciples who came to report. In the crowd, he didn''t see Zhao Heng''s figure, he didn''t laugh angrily. The other party did not come to the mining area for ten days to report, and violated the regulations of the handyman peak, so he could punish the other party justly. At that time, he could kill him with just a little movement of his hands and feet. However, Liu Hong''s thoughts just started in his heart. At the entrance of the mine, a long-overdue familiar figure appeared. ¡°Zhao Heng!¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Seeing Zhao Heng walking into the mine, Liu Hong looked surprised, and then quietly began to arrange handyman work. ¡°You guys go to Mine No. 1, you guys go to Mine No. 2...¡± After arranging most of the people, he looked at Zhao Heng. ¡°Zhao Heng, you and them go to the newly mined No. 18 mine.¡± Mine No. 18 is located in the deepest part of the entire mining area and is also the most hidden mine. In addition to Zhao Heng, there are six people. They are all dogs who follow Liu Hong''s side on weekdays. They are of extraordinary strength. Among them, there are even two warriors who have quenched the eighth level of the physical realm. The eyes of everyone looking at Zhao Heng were faintly cold. Zhao Heng moved slightly in his heart, but his face was silent, and he followed the instructions to the No. 18 mine. Looking at Zhao Heng''s leaving back, a sneer floated at the corner of Liu Hong''s mouth. ¡°Fight with me, this is what happens to you!¡± But it was said that Zhao Heng and his party had walked for about a quarter of an hour before they arrived at Mine No. 18. The entrance of the mine is a bit narrow, allowing only two people to pass, but the mine is very wide. After everyone walked into the mine, no one else started working immediately, but two people guarded the entrance of the cave. The other four people surrounded Zhao Heng. Zhao Heng had expected it a long time ago, but pretended to be surprised: ¡°You...what do you want to do?¡± Among the two young people with the eighth level of quenching physical state, one sneered: ¡°Brother Zhao, we heard Deacon Liu say that you have risen from the fourth level of quenching physical state to the sixth level in one month. It''s really amazing. I don''t know what secret you used, can you tell me to wait so that we can quickly improve our strength?¡± Zhao Heng said nervously: ¡°I...I explained to Deacon Liu that I only broke through by accidentally taking a spirit fruit.¡± The young man''s smile became more playful, ¡°Oh... there are such good things. Presumably, there is still a panacea on Brother Zhao''s body. Don''t be petty, take it out and let us enjoy one or two."¡± ¡°Yes, take it out quickly!"Everyone urged together. Feeling the increasingly fierce gaze of everyone, Zhao Heng said weakly: "I...I really don''t have it anymore, brothers, let me go.¡± Another sturdy young man with the eighth level of physical condition snorted coldly: "Huh, it seems that you are going to swallow the benefits alone, Brother Zhao, this is a mining area. There will be some accidents every month, killing and wounding a handyman disciple, but no one will ask.¡± The young man gave a wink to the others, and everyone was aware of it, and at the same time approached Zhao Heng. Some even drew daggers and other sharp weapons from their waists, and murderous intent appeared in their eyes! Perceiving the changes of several people, Zhao Heng''s heart tightened, but his face panicked. ¡°Don''t... don''t kill me. I do have a spirit pill on my body, but it makes my cultivation level rise. If I give it to you, can you let me go?¡± As soon as these words came out, everyone''s stature stagnated at the same time. Obviously, they didn''t expect that Zhao Heng really had a panacea. ¡°You hand it over first!¡± The two young people headed by them urged in a hurried voice, and the others also had hot eyes. Zhao Heng, on the other hand, stretched out his hand unwillingly into his arms. He fumbled for a tip, pinched a round object from it, and gently pressed it with his fingertips. ¡°Kacha......!¡± A slight sound did not alarm anyone. ¡°One breath, two breaths, three breaths...!¡± After Zhao Heng meditated for three times in his heart, he suddenly took out a black round bead and threw it to the opposite side. ¡°Take it!¡± The size and shape of round beads are the same as pill pills. Seeing Zhao Heng throwing this thing out, two young people with the eighth level of physical state snatched it at the same time, and the other two also swarmed up. Only Zhao Heng, at the moment he threw this thing, turned around and flew, crawling to the ground! ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom...!¡± In the dim mine, it was like a round of scorching sun rising. The blazing light burst out, instantly devouring the two eight-fold warriors of the quenched realm closest to the round beads, and the bodies of the two were blown to pieces on the spot. The other two people were too close, and they were also directly blasted to death by a strong shock wave. ¡°Wow...!¡± The mine shook, the gravel flew over, and the power of thunderstorm beads was somewhat beyond Zhao Heng''s imagination. The two handyman disciples who were blocking the wind at the entrance of the cave were also shocked by the violent explosion. Before he could react to what happened, a figure suddenly sprang out of the smoke and dust, and hit the throat of a six-tier martial artist in the quenched realm with a punch. ¡°Kacha......!¡± With a crisp sound, the man broke his neck and died on the spot. ¡°You......!¡± Another young man with the seventh level of physical state, who saw clearly that the person who made the move was actually Zhao Heng, who had been timid and cowardly before, his pupils trembled in shock, and at the same time he punched Zhao Heng''s face. Facing the punch of a seven-fold martial artist who quenched the physical realm, Zhao Heng did not hesitate and hit him with a punch. ¡°Boom......!¡± The two fierce fists shook against each other, Zhao Heng didn''t retreat for half a step, but the young man screamed, his wrist was dislocated by the blast, and his body hit the stone wall behind him heavily, his blood surging like a tide. Without waiting for him to react, Zhao Heng raised his foot like lightning, kicked his lower yin, and then suddenly raised his elbow, colliding with his throat. ¡°Kacha Kacha!¡± With two crisp noises, a warrior with the seventh level of physical state was killed by Zhao Heng before he could even scream. From Zhao Heng''s explosion to Zhao Heng''s killing of two people, everything happened between the electro-optical flint. Zhao Heng lifted the bodies of the two of them, threw them into the mine, and yelled out of the mine again. ¡°Help, the mine has collapsed!¡± The violent vision of Mine No. 18 had already alarmed everyone in the mining area. Among them, the fastest response was Liu Hong, who had been paying attention to the movement here. He rushed to the No. 18 mine as quickly as possible, and there was smoke and dust in his eyes. Through the smoke and dust at the entrance of the cave, it was vaguely visible. The gravel in the mine was all over the ground, and there were many figures lying down horizontally and vertically. It did seem that a collapse had occurred. ¡°How could this happen?"Liu Hong was also surprised. At the same time, I immediately thought of Zhao Heng, and I didn''t know if this kid was dead or alive. Thinking of this, Liu Hong stepped into the entrance of the mine in one step. The place where he landed happened to be a stone slab. ¡°Click......!¡± There was a slight sound, and Liu Hong, who was cultivating the bone realm, vaguely captured the strange sound. After just hesitating for a moment, Liu Hong, who was suspicious by nature, stepped forward, and his seemingly clumsy fat body slid out at an alarming speed. ¡°Boom!¡± Just as he exited a few feet away from the entrance of the cave, an explosion sounded, and from where he had just landed, a terrifying shock wave of energy burst out. Even if Liu Hong hid fast enough, he was lifted out by this energy and rolled far away on the ground. At the same time, in the corner of mine No. 18, there was an unheard sigh. ¡°It''s a pity that none of this is dead!¡± Enjoying the story? Support me on Patreon to get early access to new chapters, exclusive content, and more! Every bit helps me keep bringing these translations to you. Join the community and become part of the journey. Chapter 8 - A Narrow Escape from Danger. Chapter 8 - A Narrow Escape from Danger. With the No. 18 mine, a second explosion occurred, and the entire mining area shook. It even alarmed the patrol disciples of Jiufeng Law Enforcement Hall. A team of law enforcement disciples from outside rushed to Mine No. 18 to inquire about the cause of the shock. At this time, outside the No. 18 mine, it was already crowded by the crowd, and Deacon Liu stood in the center of the crowd with a gloomy face covered in ashes. ¡°Liu Hong, what happened?¡± Headed by the law enforcement team, a short-haired young man with a strong figure and bright eyes asked in a deep voice. Seeing the visitor, Liu Hong''s expression changed, and he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him. ¡°Captain Wu, why are you here too? I just arrived here, and there was a mine collapse inside.¡± Although Liu Hong is a deacon, these law enforcement disciples are all formal disciples of the outer door, and their status is comparable to him. And the captain Wu in front of him is even more powerful and has a deep background, and he dare not neglect it at all. When Captain Wu heard this, he frowned and said, "Don''t go and see how the casualties are inside. The collapse of the mine is not a trivial matter.¡± ¡°Yes yes!¡± Liu Hong hurriedly took a few handyman disciples and took the lead into the mine. Seeing that there was no danger inside, Captain Wu just waved and led a team of law enforcement disciples into it. When everyone entered the mine, they saw a very miserable scene. Under the rubble all over the ground, the corpses of several handyman disciples were half-exposed and half-covered, blood flowed on the ground, and there were broken limbs and broken arms. Looking around, there was no survivor. Liu Hong searched in the mine, and finally fixed his gaze on the corner of the mine. One was pressed by a stone slab, the corners of his mouth were bleeding, his eyes turned white, and his eyes were on the figure of a young man who was dead. ¡°This kid is also dead.¡± This figure was Zhao Heng, although the collapse of the mine and the explosion just now were extremely weird. But at least after killing the disobedient kid, Liu Hong was barely able to accept it. ¡°Hurry up, get these corpses out!¡± Liu Hong immediately ordered a group of handyman disciples. While everyone was cleaning up the body. ¡°Ahem......!¡± Suddenly a weak cough came from the corner of the mine, attracting everyone''s attention. I saw Zhao Heng, who had been crushed to death by the slate, opened his eyes tenaciously again. ¡°Help...help, I can still...rescue!¡± Everyone was taken aback, Liu Hong''s eyes widened even more, and he only hesitated for a moment. With a flash of cold light in his eyes, he approached Zhao Heng. Captain Wu, who was on the side, said loudly at this time: "You two go and rescue the survivors and send them to the hospital for treatment.¡± Two law enforcement disciples hurriedly stepped forward to rescue Zhao Heng from under the stone slab, while Liu Hong was forced to stop. With the help of two law enforcement disciples, Zhao Heng walked out of the cave with difficulty, and looked back at Liu Hong. The latter had a gloomy expression and stared at Zhao Heng, the murderous intent in his eyes almost uncontrollable. But Liu Hong knew that there was a law enforcement team here, and he had no chance to start. After everyone cleaned up the mine, Captain Wu said to Liu Hong. ¡°Deacon Liu, this time the mine vein collapsed and a number of handyman disciples died. As the deacon in charge of the mining area, you are not to blame."Captain Wu said in a bad tone. Liu Hong, who was on the side, was shocked when he heard the words.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. He knew that the accident in the mine could be big or small. If Captain Wu wanted to pursue it, he could even arrest him in the law enforcement hall, interrogate him severely, and punish him for dereliction of duty. It would be terrible if Zhao Heng, who had just been taken away, gave up some other secrets. Liu Hong hurriedly whispered: "Captain Wu, this was an accident, and I don''t want it to happen. You have to help me.¡± Captain Wu grinned when he heard this: "It''s easy to say, we two are old acquaintances, and the captain is naturally facing you. It''s just that I''m not in charge of this matter alone. I have to lobby for you and owe others for this matter. This is a bit difficult...¡± Hearing this, the corners of Liu Hong''s mouth twitched slightly, knowing what the other party meant. Helpless, he could only take out a bag full of Xuanjing from his body, and stuffed it to Captain Wu with great pain. ¡°Excuse me, Captain Wu, say a few words for me, this is a little bit of my heart!¡± Captain Wu took the package, weighed it in his hand, and quickly stuffed it into his pocket before patting Liu Hong on the shoulder with satisfaction. ¡°Deacon Liu, don''t worry, I''ll take care of this matter, brothers, close the team!"¡± Captain Wu led the people away, leaving only Liu Hong with a livid face. Looking back on everything that happened today, the explosion at the entrance of the mine, and Zhao Heng''s lucky survival, he felt extremely strange, but he couldn''t find direct evidence. ¡°This must have something to do with Zhao Heng, son of a bitch, even you can''t kill me, I''m a deacon for nothing!¡± ¡­¡­ An hour later, Zhao Heng had already returned to the handyman peak. The disciple of Law Enforcement Hall was not so kind. He took one of his handyman disciples to treat him. Zhao Heng went to buy a few packs of herbal medicines at will, and came back after doing it. Sitting on the wooden bed in the dormitory at this moment, Zhao Heng recalled what happened in the mine today, and he was still very sorry in his heart. In the mine, he used thunderstorm beads and his own force to eliminate all the handyman disciples who wanted to attack him. He also disguised the illusion of a collapsed mine and set a thunderball at the entrance of the cave. All this was done to kill Liu Hong and never suffer from it. And once the thunderball explodes, after the energy is released, it will not leave any traces, and no one will guess that it was done by themselves. This plan was originally seamless, but Liu Hong was so alert that he avoided this mortal catastrophe. ¡°After this incident, Liu Hong will definitely suspect that the deaths of Deng Xing, Du Changqing, and those handyman disciples in the mine are all related to me. I am afraid that I will never die with me!¡± Zhao Heng couldn''t help rubbing his forehead to relieve his anxiety. He was really helpless. When he came to this world, he just wanted to stay in the sect and practice well, but he got into big trouble with Liu Hong. Zhao Heng also thought of seeking Yun Qingxue''s help. With the strength and identity of the opponent, he was naturally not afraid of Liu Hong. But Zhao Heng denied this idea. The so-called ¡°where there are women, there are rivers and lakes¡±, not to mention a stunning beauty like Yun Qingxue. Once there is an intersection with her, the ghost knows how much trouble it will cause. At that time, won''t there be more people who want to harm themselves. ¡°No, I have to rely on myself for this matter. In order to be able to eat and sleep in the future, this Liu Hong... must die! There are still 20 days left for the handyman assessment. Presumably Liu Hong will never let me pass. I must find a way to pass the assessment first, leave the mining area, and then find a way to kill him.¡± Zhao Heng made up his mind and immediately prepared for the handyman assessment. Last night, Zhao Heng, who took a quenched body pill, had already broken through to the seventh level of quenched body realm in his cultivation base. With the perfectly transformed Qingsong Jue, his strength can completely crush ordinary warriors of the same level, and he can even fight hard with the eight-fold warriors of the quenched physical realm. Moreover, the medicinal power of Quen Ti Dan has not been fully digested, and it is estimated that in the next few days, his cultivation speed will increase a lot. ¡°It''s a pity that Cracked stone Boxing still hasn''t got started. If I can get started with this set of martial arts before the handyman''s assessment, or if there is a breakthrough in my cultivation level, my probability of passing the assessment will be higher!¡± However, it is obviously difficult to achieve these two points by ordinary means, and you still have to rely on ¡°Dao dice¡±. Zhao Heng took out all his belongings. A red bellyband with amazing defensive power, a violent thunder bead, a black golden leopard head knife, a pack of lime powder, and half a bottle of corpse powder. There are also the remaining sixty mysterious crystals that were rolled the dice before. More than 60 mysterious crystals are only enough to shake the dice six times. It is definitely not enough to accumulate ¡°luck¡±, but you can also take a chance. It''s a big deal that after you get the money, you can go around the Nine Peaks of Zongmen by yourself, maybe you can get something like ¡±Thunderball". After making up his mind and holding the mentality of giving it a try, Zhao Heng consumed ten Xuanjing and shook the dice again. ¡°Wow...!¡± The dice whirled for a while, then suddenly froze. ¡°Om......!¡± Two bright red dots appeared in front of Zhao Heng. ¡°Shaking skill Two is ¡®perfect transformation¡¯, which can transform all items except life. Is it used now?¡± ¡°It''s actually two o''clock!¡± Zhao Heng''s gaze shrank suddenly, and he couldn''t help but feel excited. After Dice transformed the Qingsong Jue at the beginning, not only did he improve his technique to the first level, but his cultivation speed also doubled several times, and the strong effect can be seen. Zhao Heng just thought for a moment, and then directly ordered: "Use skills!¡± The next moment, a silver light group appeared in front of Zhao Heng. ¡°Please put in the items.¡± Zhao Heng immediately touched it from his arms and took out a light yellow book. "Fanpin''s lower-level martial arts "Cracked Stone Fist".¡± This martial art was obtained by Zhao Heng when he killed Deng Xing at the foot of Niujiaoshan. With this martial art, Deng Xing completely suppressed Zhao Heng. If he hadn''t used Yin tricks, he would have died in the first place. Zhao Heng has also studied this cracked stone fist for a while, but he can''t even ¡°get started¡±. Usually, the entry stage of martial arts is divided into: entry, small success, medium success, and great success. Zhao Heng estimated that with his own talent, it would be impossible for him to cultivate the cracked stone fist to a great success in three to five decades, or even a lifetime. But now with the perfect transformation of Taoist dice, everything has turned around. Zhao Heng resolutely put "Fist of Cracked Stone" into the light group¡­¡­ Enjoying the story? Support me on Patreon to get early access to new chapters, exclusive content, and more! Every bit helps me keep bringing these translations to you. Join the community and become part of the journey. Chapter 9 - Mastering the Cracked Stone Fist! Chapter 9: Mastering the Cracked Stone Fist! ¡°The energy input is interrupted, and the transformation is aborted!¡± In the cabin, Zhao Heng was a little helpless when he heard the tone of the dice. In order to transform the Cracked stone Fist, he put all the remaining more than 50 mysterious crystals into the light group. I also saw with my own eyes that the cracking stone boxing technique has changed from ¡°low-level Fanpin¡± to ¡°middle-level Fanpin¡±. Unexpectedly, after the upgrade of this cracked stone fist, it can continue to strengthen. You know, the Qingsong Jue of the intermediate level of Fanpin has only been strengthened to the advanced level of Fanpin, and it has reached a perfect state. Can the cracked stone fist also be strengthened to the advanced level? Although he wanted to transform the cracked stone Fist to the end, Zhao Heng no longer had Xuanjing. After the reinforcement was suspended, Zhao Heng picked up the cracked stone fist, which had been streamlined several times, and read it carefully. Just after reading it again, Zhao Heng had a refreshing feeling. Compared with the original split stone boxing, the perfectly transformed split stone boxing method has become easy to understand. The obscurity of the convergence of many moves originally required cultivators to constantly ponder and study, but all of them are succinctly pointed out here. Even the line of qi and blood running in the body, and the picture of the boxing technique, are perfectly displayed. If the previous cracked stone fist was a huge treasure, it would take Zhao Heng''s continuous research to open the layers of doors and get the treasure. The modified version of the cracked stone fist is to inform Zhao Heng of the location of the treasure key. He only needs to get the key and open the door to get the treasure. The difficulty of the two is not the same. ¡°Try how effective the cultivation is!¡± Zhao Heng couldn''t wait to practice according to the content of martial arts. He moved his steps and opened his boxing frame. His fists moved like rolling stones and his steps were like shooting stars. Zhao Heng was in this narrow dormitory, maneuvering and punching constantly. At the beginning, Zhao Heng''s boxing skills were simply in vain and very incoherent. But as time passed, he became more and more focused, and his boxing movements gradually became coherent and natural, and he gradually had a sense of smoothness of ¡°flowing clouds and flowing water¡±. Zhao Heng''s punches became faster and more powerful. The whole person was like a top, maneuvering sharply, and the shadows of the punches were connected into one piece. ¡°Hoo hoo hoo......!¡± In the room, there was a faint fist wind whistling. Zhao Heng''s muscles, bones, internal organs, and even the qi and blood in his body were completely mobilized at this time, achieving a mysterious resonance. This state lasted for a full period of time. When Zhao Heng''s whole body became hot and red because of this high-intensity exercise, it was like a boiling ¡°boiler¡±. Zhao Heng''s eyes suddenly flashed, and his fist burst out like a flood of broken walls. ¡°Hi!¡± He blasted out a punch and hit the earthen wall of the wooden house directly. ¡°Boom......!¡± I only heard a muffled sound, the earthen wall shook, and a depression one inch deep was blasted out. After Zhao Heng''s punch was blasted out, strands of white mist appeared from his mouth and nose, and his body staggered and almost fell to the ground. He only felt all over his body, even his toes were soft, and his whole body seemed to be prostrated. The sweat soaked his clothes in an instant, faintly bringing out some silt-like impurities. Nevertheless, Zhao Heng was extremely excited. Because of the depression in the earthen wall, it proved that he had already started the cracked stone fist. In just a short period of time, a martial art was introduced. If this matter is introduced into the sect, I am afraid it will cause a huge sensation. But Zhao Heng knew that if he let others know that he could transform his martial arts skills, he would never want to be at peace in this life. Collecting the transformed version of the cracked stone fist in person, Zhao Heng''s first thing was to take out the dry food stored in the dormitory and gobble it up for a while. Just getting started with the cracked stone fist at an extremely fast speed consumed a lot of his physical strength, and he must replenish it immediately, otherwise his body will easily leave hidden dangers.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. And this meal ate more than half of Zhao Heng''s stored dry food. Looking at the empty pockets and the few dry food left, Zhao Heng couldn''t help but smile bitterly. In order to be able to quickly improve his strength, he emptied his family this time, and even eating became a problem. However, Zhao Heng is not worried either. He has made up his mind to continue to take on out-of-office tasks from tomorrow. Not only to earn the mysterious crystal, but also to sharpen his strength. Now that he has successfully entered the cracked stone fist, he even wants to hunt some mysterious beasts. Hunting mysterious beasts is very dangerous, but the rewards are also the most generous. ¡°There are only 20 days left, which is the handyman assessment. I must be fully prepared!¡± ¡­¡­ At the same time, a quiet room in Handyman Peak. Deacon Liu had a gloomy face and ordered several handyman disciples. ¡°These days, keep an eye on that kid Zhao Heng for me. As soon as there is any wind and grass, come and tell me immediately. If he dares to go out of the sect, you will follow him. Once you have the opportunity, you know what to do, right?¡± ¡°We understand, Master Deacon!¡± ¡­¡­ Three days later, Yuhuazong was in the dense forest at the foot of Niujiaoshan Mountain in the southwest. Zhao Heng was walking alone in the mountains and forests. He had been out for three days and had completed a number of sect tasks. Even when walking in the wild, Zhao Heng was masked in a black turban and wore an unmarked plainclothes. Not for others, walking outside, hiding your identity and appearance is the first priority, so as not to be remembered by your enemies and get angry. After driving cautiously for a while, Zhao Heng found several herbs needed for the task on a low slope. He was overjoyed and was about to step forward to pick it. ¡°Swish......!¡± Suddenly, on the hillside ahead, the weeds flickered, and a dark shadow rushed towards him. Now Zhao Heng is already a seventh-tier martial artist in the quenched physical realm. When he heard the movement, he reacted quickly and dodged sideways. Two figures staggered past, Zhao Heng looked back and saw an animal with erect ears, shaped like a fox and a hound, grinning at him with extremely vicious eyes. ¡°Foxhound!¡± Zhao Heng recognized at a glance that this was a low-level mysterious beast. The mysterious beast and the warrior in general, there is also a hierarchical division. The low-level mysterious beast refers to the level 1-3 mysterious beast, which corresponds to the acquired warrior''s body quenching, bone forging and dirt refining realm. In the area of Niujiaoshan, there are basically low-level mysterious beasts active. The foxhound Zhao Heng met was a first-class mysterious beast, not weak in strength. But Zhao Heng was not afraid in his heart, instead, there was a faint sense of excitement. In the past few days, he has always wanted to find a mysterious beast to practice his hands, but he was as cautious as him, and worried that he would encounter too strong mysterious beasts, so he killed himself instead, so he never rushed up the mountain. And now the lone foxhound encountered is also of moderate strength, and it is a suitable opponent. More importantly, the skin of a foxhound can be exchanged for five mysterious crystals, which are of attractive value. It seemed that Zhao Heng''s bad intentions were also noticed, and under the fierce eyes of the foxhound, there was also a hint of vigilance. One person and one beast confronted each other for a long time. ¡°Roar......!¡± Finally, the foxhound was impatient and rushed towards Zhao Heng. Zhao Heng''s hands were quick and his eyes flashed sideways again, but the foxhound refused to stop and pounced one after another. Zhao Heng dodged continuously, rolling back and forth on the grass in the forest, narrowly avoiding the foxhound''s claws several times. His behavior undoubtedly stimulated the ferocity of the foxhound even more. At the same time, he also believed that Zhao Heng was not aggressive, and boldly rushed towards Zhao Heng. This time, Zhao Heng also dodged sideways, but while dodging, he blasted out a punch that had been gaining momentum for a long time. ¡°Cracked Stone Fist!¡± The fist brought a whistling wind and blasted towards the foxhound''s waist fiercely. The foxhound was taken aback, and its body could not avoid it in the void, but it still used its strong coordination to twist its body and resist the punch with its shoulders. ¡°Boom......!¡± With a muffled sound, the foxhound screamed, and was directly blasted out a few meters away. ¡°It''s done!¡± With a blow, Zhao Heng was overjoyed, but saw the foxhound roll over and get up from the ground again. Although there was blood faintly overflowing at the corner of his mouth, it was clear that his fierce appearance had not lost his combat effectiveness. ¡°It can actually resist the cracked stone fist.¡± Zhao Heng sighed in his heart that the body of the mysterious beast was really not comparable to that of humans. After Zhao Heng''s heavy punch, the foxhound not only did not retreat, but became fierce, roared, and rushed towards Zhao Heng at extreme speed, with fangs and sharp claws, and attacked Zhao Heng. Zhao Heng relied on his flexibility to dodge, plus the cracked stone fist to fight against him. Although he hit the foxhound several times in a row, he only injured him and still failed to kill him. On the contrary, he had several decorations on his body. Zhao Heng was depressed in his heart, and when he saw the foxhound roaring and rushing again, he put out both fists, but he spilled into the air. ¡°Huh......!¡± Two large handfuls of quicklime spilled directly into the foxhound''s eyes and nasal cavity.¡­¡­ The human "biological and chemical weapons" suddenly made this foxhound learn to be a human being, rolling all over the floor in pain. Without saying a word, Zhao Heng pulled out the black golden leopard head knife from his waist, and went down a few times, causing the foxhound to be completely killed. After the battle, Zhao Heng wiped the sweat from his forehead, and couldn''t help shaking his head and sighing. ¡°It seems that it''s better to use Yin tricks.¡± Treat the foxhound carcass slightly, peel off the fur and claws, and stuff it into the package. Zhao Heng did not leave immediately, but used a leopard-headed knife to quickly dig a round pit on the road where he came, and inserted a sharpened bamboo pole in it, covering it with branches and soil. After all this, Zhao Heng climbed up a nearby big tree, lay on the trunk, and adjusted his pranayama. After waiting like this for about a quarter of an hour, Zhao Heng faintly heard some movement not far away. He immediately lowered his body and looked into the distance through the gap between the branches and leaves. I saw a young man wearing the costume of a handyman disciple of the Yuhua Sect, who was sneakily following the route he had come, groping forward, as if he was tracking himself. Zhao Heng recognized the person at a glance, who was also a handyman in the mining area, the dog leg next to Liu Hong. In fact, as early as Zhao Heng received the task and left the sect, he found that someone was following him, and he also knew the purpose of these people. At this moment, without saying a word, he lay on the branch of the tree, watching the man approach step by step. In the end, he stepped into the trap. ¡°Puff!¡± ¡°Ah......!¡± The young man fell into the trap, let out a scream, and gradually disappeared. Then, Zhao Heng jumped down and came to the front of the pothole. He took out a few mysterious crystals from the opponent''s body, dumped some corpse powder, disposed of the body, and then filled the pothole with soil. After all this, Zhao Heng said helplessly: "Don''t blame me, I was born with little courage. If you want to harm me, I can only kill you and let you settle down. It''s the only thing I can do." Enjoying the story? Support me on Patreon to get early access to new chapters, exclusive content, and more! Every bit helps me keep bringing these translations to you. Join the community and become part of the journey. Chapter 10 - The Bone Transformation Sect Chapter 10: The Bone Transformation Sect It had been ten days since Zhao Heng left the sect to carry out his mission. In the middle of the Servants¡¯ Peak, at Liu Hong¡¯s residence: ¡°It¡¯s been ten days, and there¡¯s still no sign of Zhao Heng, yet several of our own men have gone missing. What exactly are you all doing?¡± Liu Hong scolded one of his subordinates angrily. The subordinate, with a bitter expression, replied, ¡°Steward Liu, it¡¯s not that we¡¯re not trying hard, but that bastard Zhao Heng is simply too cunning. He accepted several tasks in different locations at once. After leaving the sect, he started wandering in circles and specifically chose dangerous and difficult paths. To track him, we had no choice but to split up, and that¡¯s when accidents began happening.¡± Liu Hong, holding a cup of hot tea, listened to his subordinate¡¯s explanation, becoming angrier as he heard more. ¡°Useless bunch!¡± With a sudden exertion of force, the teacup in his hand shattered into pieces. --- At the foot of Ox Horn Mountain, deep in the forest, Zhao Heng planted his feet firmly and delivered a punch as swift as lightning. A *Rock-Splitting Punch* landed squarely on a foxhound''s waist. The foxhound howled in pain, its spine fractured as it collapsed to the ground. Zhao Heng stepped forward in an instant, raising his Leopard-Headed Saber and slashing downward. Blood splattered three feet high. Satisfied, Zhao Heng stood with his blade in hand. This was the tenth foxhound he had killed. Over the past few days, as he trained and honed his skills in real combat on Ox Horn Mountain, his movements had grown more refined, and the power of his *Rock-Splitting Punch* had increased significantly. Although he was still far from mastering the technique, its power had far surpassed that of Deng Xing back then. At least, these foxhounds could no longer withstand his punches. Combined with lime powder and the Leopard-Headed Saber, Zhao Heng had become invincible in the outer regions of Ox Horn Mountain. After calculating the time, Zhao Heng decided it was time to return to the sect. First, the herbs he had gathered and the materials from mystical beasts he had collected over the past days had already filled several large bags; he simply couldn¡¯t carry more. Second, Zhao Heng was running low on lime powder and corpse-dissolving powder. Without these items, he felt uneasy. And third, he had noticed that no one had been following him over the past few days. Liu Hong had likely guessed by now that those men had been dealt with by Zhao Heng. With Liu Hong¡¯s cautious nature, he might take action himself if given enough time. Although Zhao Heng was confident he could fight a Martial Artist at the eighth stage of Body Tempering and escape from a ninth-stage one, he knew he stood no chance against a Bone Forging Realm expert. Weighing his options, Zhao Heng concluded that returning to the sect was the safest choice. With that, Zhao Heng squatted down and began expertly harvesting materials from the carcass of his prey. While he was engrossed in his work, a sudden, intense sense of unease gripped him. His hair stood on end as if a great danger was imminent. Zhao Heng wasn¡¯t sure if it was paranoia or an illusion, but he continued mechanically carving up the foxhound. At the same time, his senses heightened to their peak, alert to every sound and movement around him. Just as he finished skinning the foxhound: ¡°Whoosh!¡± A pitch-black needle shot out from the dense forest with a faint, nearly imperceptible sound, aiming straight for the back of Zhao Heng¡¯s neck. Despite the sound being barely audible, Zhao Heng sensed the disturbance. He turned sharply, but the needle had already struck his chest. ¡°Ugh¡­!¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Zhao Heng¡¯s body trembled as he widened his eyes in disbelief before collapsing to the ground. His body twitched a few times before becoming motionless. About ten breaths later, a thick tree in the forest shook lightly, shedding its bark to reveal a hollow cavity. From the hollow emerged a small, thin man dressed in black, holding a flute-like concealed weapon. The earlier needle had been launched from this device. The man slid swiftly down the tree like a nimble monkey and approached Zhao Heng¡¯s body. Seeing the motionless Zhao Heng and the materials and herbs beside him, the man¡¯s face lit up with glee. ¡°Heh, today¡¯s my lucky day. Bagging such a fat sheep¡ªour sect master will surely reward me handsomely! Still, this guy was quite cautious to sense my weapon under such conditions. Too bad your reflexes weren¡¯t quick enough. Rest in peace; I¡¯ll take good care of these treasures.¡± As the black-clad man reached for Zhao Heng¡¯s belongings, a cold voice suddenly rang out. ¡°Thanks for the sentiment, but you can die first!¡± ¡°What!¡± The man froze in shock. ¡°Shing!¡± A gleaming blade slashed toward him with blinding speed. The supposedly dead Zhao Heng suddenly opened his eyes, glaring fiercely as he swung his saber. The attack was swift and precise, a nearly guaranteed fatal strike. But at the critical moment, the man twisted his body like a spring, bending at an impossible angle to narrowly avoid the blow. Though Zhao Heng¡¯s blade left a long gash across his chest, it didn¡¯t take his life. ¡°You¡­you¡¯re still alive!¡± The man staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief. Zhao Heng was equally surprised. ¡°You survived that?¡± Failing to finish the enemy in one strike was unexpected. ¡°Who are you, and why did you ambush me?¡± Zhao Heng demanded coldly, gripping his saber tightly. The black-clad man sneered, ¡°I am Hua Gu Long, a disciple of the *Bone Transformation Sect*!¡± ¡°Bone Transformation Sect? Never heard of it.¡± Zhao Heng frowned. The man¡¯s face twisted with rage. ¡°Ignorant fool! Our sect was once a prominent second-tier demonic sect. How could you not know?¡± ¡°Demonic sect!¡± The term sent a chill through Zhao Heng. In the Southern Region of the True Martial Realm, righteous and demonic sects were in constant conflict. The righteous sects, led by the Mixed Origin Sword Sect, had formed an alliance with other major sects. The demonic sects, led by the Heaven Fiend Sect, also had their own alliances. Though the righteous sects held the upper hand overall, the demonic sects were known for their ruthless and unpredictable methods. Many righteous cultivators had fallen to their schemes. The Bone Transformation Sect disciple before him, though weaker than the internal organ-forging demonic cultivator slain by Yun Qingxue earlier, was still a formidable opponent. If not for Zhao Heng¡¯s keen senses and the protective red undergarment he reluctantly wore, he might already be dead. --- "Hey, kid, I¡¯ve already introduced myself. What sect are you from? Why are you covering your face out here in the wilderness? Could it be that you''re also one of my Demon Dao brethren?" Hearing the black-clad man''s words, Zhao Heng felt a slight relief in his heart. Luckily, he had been cautious enough to wear a veil. Otherwise, if these Demon Dao scoundrels saw his real face, it would be troublesome. His thoughts flashed, and Zhao Heng raised his voice proudly: "Hmph, what nonsense! Demon Dao? I, Liu Hong, from the Outer Disciple Peak of the Yuhua Sect, will never change my name! You¡¯re not even worthy to hold my shoes in front of the Huagu Men!" Upon hearing Zhao Heng''s words, the black-clad man instantly flew into a rage. "You bastard! How dare you look down on the Huagu Men? I¡¯ll fight you to the death!" The man suddenly charged forward, and two sharp Emei daggers slid out from his sleeves, stabbing fiercely towards Zhao Heng. Zhao Heng¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he gripped the Leopard Head Knife to counter. "Clang! Clang! Clang¡­!" The weapons collided, sparks flying. As they fought head-on, Zhao Heng immediately sensed that the man¡¯s cultivation was at the Eighth Layer of Body Refining. Fortunately, his physical strength was much greater than that of others at the same stage, so in a direct confrontation, he wasn¡¯t at a disadvantage. However, the black-clad man was extremely agile, dodging and twisting like an eel, making it hard for Zhao Heng to find an opening. Instead, he was forced to constantly defend against the man¡¯s ghostly movements and quick strikes from the daggers. "Heh heh¡­ Kid, with this little strength, you dare look down on my Huagu Men? You¡¯re truly overestimating yourself," the black-clad man taunted, attacking relentlessly. Zhao Heng, forced to retreat step by step, realized that he might be in danger of losing. Suddenly, his expression became resolute. "You forced my hand. I have no choice but to use my strongest move¡ª¡®Three-Point Return Slash,¡¯ a high-grade martial skill!" With a roar, Zhao Heng swung the blade with all his might, aiming a powerful slash at his opponent. The black-clad man, upon hearing the words "high-grade martial skill," was immediately shocked. Seeing Zhao Heng¡¯s overwhelming momentum as he slashed down recklessly, he became even more alarmed. Without daring to be negligent, the black-clad man used all his strength, crossing the two Emei daggers to block the falling blade. "Clang¡­!" The sound of metal against metal rang out, but the black-clad man was stunned. Although Zhao Heng¡¯s strike looked terrifying, it had little actual power. While he was momentarily distracted, a fist the size of a sandbag hit his chest. "Stone-Cracking Fist!" "Boom¡­!" The punch landed solidly on his right chest, sending the man flying backward, a mouthful of blood spattering from him. "You¡­ You dare deceive me!" the black-clad man exclaimed. Zhao Heng didn¡¯t give him a moment to recover. With a quick step forward, another punch followed. The black-clad man¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He quickly raised his daggers to block, but Zhao Heng let go of his knife and threw a handful of lime powder at him. "Whoosh¡­!" A cloud of lime powder hit the man¡¯s face. "Ahhh¡­!" The black-clad man screamed in agony, his heart filled with both shock and rage. He almost couldn¡¯t tell who the real Demon Dao person was. As Zhao Heng¡¯s blade wind and punch both approached, and with the black-clad man already heavily injured, he no longer dared to face the attacks. Relying on his blurred vision, the man quickly retreated with a strange footwork, swiftly disappearing into the forest. Even though Zhao Heng swung his knife quickly, he only managed to slice off the man¡¯s bag, but the black-clad man escaped. As he fled, the black-clad man¡¯s vengeful voice echoed through the forest. "Outer Disciple Peak, Liu Hong from Yuhua Sect, the Huagu Men will remember you. This isn¡¯t over!" Enjoying the story? Support me on Patreon to get early access to new chapters, exclusive content, and more! Every bit helps me keep bringing these translations to you. Join the community and become part of the journey. Chapter 11 - Bone Transformation Step Chapter 11: Bone Transformation Step Watching the man in black quickly flee, Zhao Heng did not pursue him. Because he really couldn¡¯t catch up. The man''s speed was too fast, even with injuries, he was still faster than Zhao Heng. Moreover, who knows if there were accomplices nearby? The best plan was to leave¡ª"The thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best." Anyway, Zhao Heng hadn¡¯t revealed his identity. The other party only remembered the name "Liu Hong" from the Miscellaneous Peak of Yuhua Sect. What did that have to do with Zhao Heng? He used his knife to lift the bundle on the ground, then turned and ran in the opposite direction of the man in black. After running for several miles, he reached a secluded, empty spot. Only then did Zhao Heng stop. He rested briefly, then, with the bundle in hand, he moved to a nearby stream. He placed the bundle in the flowing water, rinsed it for a moment, and then retrieved it. After all, the man was from the demonic path, so there was a chance the contents might be poisoned. Washing it in flowing water would make it much safer. He carefully cut open the bundle with his knife, and nothing unexpected happened. Inside, there were only some herbs, a dozen Mystic Crystals, and a packet wrapped in oiled paper. Zhao Heng carefully unwrapped the oiled paper and found a gray-colored book. It hadn¡¯t been soaked, thanks to the oiled paper, and there was no dust or strange odor on its surface. After confirming there was no poison, he took the book and examined it closely. "Intermediate Martial Skill: Bone Transformation Step." Just a glance made Zhao Heng¡¯s eyes light up. "An actual body technique!" In fact, when he fought the man in black, Zhao Heng had suspected that the man practiced some form of movement technique. Now, it was clear¡ªit was this "Bone Transformation Step." In the cultivation world, martial skills were already extremely valuable, and body techniques were even rarer among them. After all, having a body technique that allows one to move faster than their opponent by even a single step meant that one could always seize the initiative. At critical moments, it could even save one''s life. For someone like Zhao Heng, who was prone to anxiety, a body technique was the perfect way to alleviate his worries¡ªhow could he not be thrilled? Moreover, aside from this body technique, Zhao Heng also noticed that the herbs the man had gathered were quite familiar. Many of them matched the descriptions of poisons from the "Poison Classic" he had obtained earlier. He speculated that the man was likely preparing to brew poison with these herbs. Coincidentally, Zhao Heng had been wanting to make the poisons from the "Poison Classic," and now he had the materials. This trip had indeed yielded great rewards. Not wanting to linger too long, Zhao Heng quickly stored the items and changed his clothes before setting off again. He rushed back, and finally, before sunset, he returned to the sect. "Help me exchange these materials for Mystic Crystals!" Upon returning to the sect, Zhao Heng immediately went to the Merit Hall and exchanged all the materials he had obtained from the magical beasts for Mystic Crystals. The skins and claws of ten fox dogs were exchanged for fifty Mystic Crystals. Then, he went to the Mission Hall, turned in all the tasks he had taken, and earned twenty more Mystic Crystals. Next, he visited the market at the foot of the mountain, where he bought dry food, jerky, and two hundred pounds of quicklime, spending five Mystic Crystals. Including the ten Mystic Crystals from the demonic martial artist and the twenty Mystic Crystals from the miscellaneous disciples who had been tracking him but were taken out instead, he was left with a total of one hundred and eight Mystic Crystals.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. If it had been before, Zhao Heng wouldn¡¯t have believed it¡ªhe had earned so many Mystic Crystals in just ten days. This was all thanks to Zhao Heng¡¯s rapidly increasing strength. Now that he was at the Seventh Layer of Body Refining, with the ability to fight at the Eighth Layer, he was considered a top-tier disciple among the miscellaneous workers. However, Zhao Heng was not satisfied. No matter how strong he became, he was still no match for Liu Hong. The one hundred and eight Mystic Crystals could only be used to roll the dice ten times to accumulate some luck and steal a chance. To ensure he passed the Miscellaneous Disciple Assessment without surprises, it was still a bit precarious. "I¡¯ll just have to take it one step at a time," Zhao Heng muttered to himself. For the next period, Zhao Heng returned to the Miscellaneous Peak and began a period of secluded cultivation. He had already exceeded his task quota for the month, so there was no need for further assignments. As for the mining area, he had been supposed to report every ten days, but after the incident in the mine, Zhao Heng had taken sick leave and had not returned. Elder Liu had not sent anyone to find him. Zhao Heng knew that Elder Liu wasn¡¯t letting him off the hook; instead, he was waiting for the right moment to strike. Most likely, Zhao Heng would be targeted during the Miscellaneous Disciple Assessment in ten days. With a sense of urgency, Zhao Heng focused on his training. Apart from practicing the Qing Song Formula and the Stone Crushing Fist every day, he also studied poison-making using the "Poison Classic" and the necessary equipment. He even began training in the "Bone Transformation Step." Unfortunately, the difficulty of this body technique was even higher than that of the Stone Crushing Fist. It would be impossible to master it in a short time. Every day, Zhao Heng raced against time, wishing he could turn one day into three. Seven days passed, and Zhao Heng¡¯s cultivation had improved considerably. The medicinal effects of the Body Refining Pills had been fully absorbed. He could vaguely sense that he was on the verge of breaking through to the Eighth Layer of Body Refining. He just wasn¡¯t sure if he could make the breakthrough before the assessment. Moreover, Zhao Heng had successfully brewed a new batch of Corpse Powder and a type of "Soft Muscle Powder" that could weaken the strength of a Body Refining practitioner. Even after achieving this, Zhao Heng still felt uneasy. Every day, he rolled the Dao Seed dice once. As expected, for seven days, he had obtained a bit of "stealing" each time. To increase his chances of getting something good, Zhao Heng visited all the peaks of the Yuhua Sect. Unfortunately, the success rate of ordinary stealing was too low, and he ended up with nothing. With only three days left, Zhao Heng felt that he wasn¡¯t adequately prepared. He couldn¡¯t help but sigh. If only he had enough Mystic Crystals, like before, and could do a few "luck extractions" and "perfect transformations," he would be absolutely certain of passing the Miscellaneous Disciple Assessment. "Sigh¡­ How can I make some quick money?" Zhao Heng fell into deep thought. With his current strength, even if he hunted magical beasts, he would only earn a few Mystic Crystals in three days¡ªmaybe ten or twenty at most. After pondering for a while, Zhao Heng finally walked out of his dorm and headed for the Mission Hall. The Mission Hall was the fastest way to earn Mystic Crystals, and there were high-reward tasks available. Zhao Heng decided to look for an opportunity. Arriving at the Mission Hall, Zhao Heng scanned the top of the task board with the crowd. The tasks at the top were the highest reward ones. Zhao Heng looked around, but his expression turned blank. "Kill a third-tier magical beast, the Blood-eyed Wolf. Task reward: Three hundred Mystic Crystals." "Kill a demonic martial artist at the Bone Refining stage. Task reward: Two hundred and fifty Mystic Crystals." "Pick a fifty-year-old Lingxi Herb. Task reward: Four hundred Mystic Crystals." ... Looking around, all the high-reward tasks were either extremely dangerous and required powerful strength, or they involved finding rare spiritual herbs guarded by powerful magical beasts. These tasks seemed unrelated to Zhao Heng, who was at the Body Refining stage, and none of the other miscellaneous disciples seemed interested in them either. Zhao Heng shook his head in disappointment and was about to leave the Mission Hall. As he passed a crowded area, he overheard a conversation. "Wow... This search task actually offers a reward of three hundred Mystic Crystals, and you don¡¯t even have to leave the sect." "You mean the task to find the lost jade pendant at the Qinglong Pool to the west of the sect?" "You know about this task too?" "Of course! This task has been posted for almost half a year. It¡¯s said that a female disciple from the outer sect accidentally lost a jade pendant at the Qinglong Pool. This pendant is of great importance to her, so she posted the task, offering a large reward for its return. When the task was first posted, many people rushed to take it, but in the end, no one found it. A few unlucky ones were knocked unconscious by the big fish in the pool and drowned. After that, no one dared to take the task." "Yeah, Qinglong Pool is so vast. Finding a jade pendant there is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Only a fool would take such a task." "I¡¯ll take this task!" As soon as the words were spoken, a figure pushed through the crowd and headed straight for the top of the task board where the search task was posted. [----------------¡ã-------------] Thank You for Reading! Translating these stories is my passion, and every chapter I bring to you is crafted with care and love. If you¡¯ve enjoyed the journey so far, I humbly ask for your support to continue sharing these adventures with you. By joining my Patreon, you¡¯re not just supporting me¡ªyou¡¯re helping these amazing tales reach more readers, ensuring faster updates, and unlocking exclusive perks like early access to chapters and bonus content. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. Together, we can keep this journey alive and thriving. ??Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Thank you for being part of this story. Let¡¯s forge ahead together! Chapter 12 - This Can Work? Chapter 12: This Can Work? In the task hall, amidst a crowd of discussions and mockery, Zhao Heng received the task jade slip and turned to leave. That''s right, he had accepted the task offering 300 Xuan Crystals to find a lost jade pendant at the Qinglong Pond. Although many people from the sect had taken up this task before, only to return empty-handed, he felt that his chances might be a bit greater. To ensure the task''s success, Zhao Heng first went to Qinglong Lake, located in the northeastern direction of the sect. After some on-site estimation, Zhao Heng determined that the entire Qinglong Lake spanned a range of about ten miles in radius. He then personally found the outer sect senior sister who had posted the task. This senior sister, who had the cultivation of the Bone Forging Realm and a sturdy build that could rival two of Zhao Heng''s own, seemed to be in a sorrowful state, with tears about to fall as she spoke. She even promised Zhao Heng that if he found the jade pendant, she would offer herself to him. From her response, Zhao Heng was certain the information was accurate. After politely rejecting her offer, Zhao Heng returned to his dormitory. There, he shook the dice three times¡ªone ordinary theft, one ordinary theft again, and finally, an accumulated luck theft. Afterward, he hurried back to Qinglong Pond. The pond was shaped like a crescent, surrounded on all sides by dense forest. The tranquil waters were dotted with boats, some with couples flirting, others with fishermen casting their lines. Zhao Heng spent a bit of silver to rent a small boat and paddled alone to the center of the pond. With only a net in hand, he began casting it in a frantic manner, attracting the attention of people nearby, who watched in confusion. But no one knew that, at this moment, Zhao Heng silently muttered in his heart, "Use the Steal skill!" In the next moment, the net dipped slightly. He quickly pulled the net, and a shiny, fist-sized silver ingot appeared in it. Though silver ingots were far less valuable than Xuan Jin, this large chunk was still worth enough to buy a lot of food. The people around him were surprised, thinking his luck was excellent. Zhao Heng calmly collected the ingot and cast the net again into the water. Some fishermen nearby sneered. "This guy must have hit the jackpot. He finds a silver ingot and thinks it''s his skill? If he''s so capable, why doesn''t he pull up some gold?" At that moment, Zhao Heng used the Steal skill again. "Hmm?" The net again dipped, heavier than before. With a slight tug, a golden ingot, as big as a fist, appeared in the net. This gold was worth about two Xuan Crystals. The onlookers gasped in astonishment, and a few fishermen were left stunned. One of them couldn''t help but scoff, "Pfft, big deal, find a huge fish if you''re really that skilled!" Zhao Heng, however, was feeling increasingly serious. Now it was the last cast. He couldn¡¯t afford to make a mistake. ¡°Luck Steal!¡± After ten ordinary steals, the accumulated luck steal was triggered at this moment.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. "Whoosh!" Zhao Heng suddenly felt the net sink heavily, almost pulling him into the water. He quickly exerted force to pull, and to his surprise, a huge fish¡ªmore than human-length and as thick as an adult''s waist¡ªwas hauled into the boat. The fishermen on the shore finally turned red with envy. "Damn, how is this possible?!" Zhao Heng, however, was in a sour mood. "Why is it a fish? It should have been the jade pendant!" He had used his luck steal just to get that pendant and earn 300 Xuan Crystals as a reward, but now it seemed his plan had backfired. ¡°This is a huge loss!¡± With a grim expression, Zhao Heng looked at the fish''s large mouth and suddenly had an idea. He quickly paddled the boat to the shore, clutching the silver ingot, gold, and the large fish, and began heading back. Not long after Zhao Heng left, in the coming days, many small boats appeared near Qinglong Pond. Everyone had nets in hand, and they began casting them wildly in the waters, forming a peculiar scene. But that''s a story for later. For now, Zhao Heng had returned to the Servants'' Peak. Beside a small stream, he used a knife to gut the big fish. As the knife cut open the fish''s belly, Zhao Heng''s hand quickly reached in and his eyes lit up as he pulled out a beautifully crafted pair of mandarin duck jade pendants. ¡°Just as I thought!¡± Zhao Heng had suspected that the pendant might have been swallowed by the fish, which explained why no one had found it. Now, his suspicion was confirmed. ¡°As expected of Luck Steal, it completed the task for me!¡± Excited, Zhao Heng marveled at the 300 Xuan Crystal reward. Thinking of the upcoming Servant Exam in three days, his confidence grew. Unfortunately, high-reward tasks like these were rare, and Luck Steal didn''t always guarantee success. If it did, it would have been a shortcut to wealth. Zhao Heng didn¡¯t rush to turn in the task. Instead, he waited until late at night, when the task hall was nearly empty, to quietly hand it in. With 300 Xuan Crystals in his possession, he returned to his dorm. Locking the door, Zhao Heng placed the 300 Xuan Crystals on his bed and took out the dice. Before rolling, he carefully burned incense and washed his hands, praying for good luck. Once everything was set, Zhao Heng took ten Xuan Crystals and threw them confidently. ¡°Roll for me!¡± ¡°Clink¡­.¡± The dice spun for a moment, then landed on one. Zhao Heng remained expressionless, not immediately using his skill, and continued shaking the dice. Five consecutive rolls, all landing on one, but Zhao Heng wasn''t discouraged. He secretly began to anticipate the outcome. After so many rolls, he had started to notice a pattern. Every twenty rolls, he usually got a "Perfect Enhancement" once. The interval for that was typically between the fifteenth and twentieth rolls. After ten rolls and five more, he had now hit fifteen, so the two-point result should be coming soon. Zhao Heng kept rolling until the nineteenth roll. ¡°Buzz¡­¡± Finally, two red dots appeared. ¡°Just as expected!¡± Zhao Heng was ecstatic as he raised his hand. Another perfect enhancement opportunity! He immediately chose to use the skill. A familiar silver light appeared in front of him, and Zhao Heng took out two books. One was Shattered Stone Fist, which had reached Intermediate Mortal Grade and could be further upgraded, while the other was Bone Transformation Step, which was already at Intermediate Mortal Grade. Zhao Heng wanted to enhance both techniques and decided to try putting both into the light sphere. However, a surge of energy repelled them. A voice spoke: "Only one item can be enhanced at a time!" After a brief hesitation, Zhao Heng chose Bone Transformation Step. Though enhancing Shattered Stone Fist would improve the technique''s level and power, even simplifying it further, Zhao Heng considered that his movement technique was his weak point. If he could master Bone Transformation Step, his self-defense ability would greatly improve. Without hesitation, Zhao Heng threw Bone Transformation Step into the light sphere. He had prepared a hefty amount of Xuan Crystals for the enhancement. After a short time, the light sphere absorbed a total of 120 Xuan Crystals, completing the enhancement. ¡°Enhancement complete. The item has reached its perfect state!¡± Zhao Heng quickly took the book and checked. The cover''s "Intermediate Mortal Grade" had changed to "Top-tier Mortal Grade!" The perfect enhancement had propelled Bone Transformation Step to the pinnacle of Mortal Grade. Though it consumed a lot of Xuan Crystals, Zhao Heng was satisfied with the result. He didn''t immediately practice the technique. Instead, he counted the remaining Xuan Crystals¡ªninety left. He had rolled eight times for theft and once for perfect enhancement. After some thought, Zhao Heng decided to roll twice more. If all went as expected, the next two rolls should be theft, and after ten thefts, he''d get another luck steal. ¡°Roll for me!¡± The first roll, once again, landed on one. "One more roll." ¡°Clink¡­¡± The dice spun in mid-air, and when they landed, an eerie blue light glowed from them. Zhao Heng stared intently. ¡°One, two, three... it''s three!¡± [----------------¡ã-------------] Thank You for Reading! Translating these stories is my passion, and every chapter I bring to you is crafted with care and love. If you¡¯ve enjoyed the journey so far, I humbly ask for your support to continue sharing these adventures with you. By joining my Patreon, you¡¯re not just supporting me¡ªyou¡¯re helping these amazing tales reach more readers, ensuring faster updates, and unlocking exclusive perks like early access to chapters and bonus content. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. Together, we can keep this journey alive and thriving. ??Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Thank you for being part of this story. Let¡¯s forge ahead together! Chapter 13 - Miscellaneous Tasks Examination Chapter 13: Miscellaneous Tasks Examination "Three points!" Zhao Heng looked in surprise at the number he had rolled. At the same time, a prompt sounded in his mind. "Memory Plunder: There is a certain chance to plunder another''s memory from their soul body. Currently, no suitable target detected." "Memory plunder?" Zhao Heng''s surprise deepened. According to the explanation from the dice, he could use this skill to steal others'' memories, but what exactly did "soul body" mean? Was it referring to the soul? Zhao Heng had heard that strong cultivators who reached the Innate realm not only possessed immense physical power capable of splitting mountains, but their soul power also became extraordinarily strong, even allowing them to manipulate objects from a distance. However, Zhao Heng had never seen the soul body of a post-natal martial artist. "How exactly do I use this skill? Am I supposed to find an Innate-level expert to experiment on?" Zhao Heng shook his head helplessly. It seemed that this skill would have to wait until he had an opportunity to use it in the future. Afterward, Zhao Heng shook the dice again, accumulating a luck steal before storing away the remaining mysterious crystals. With his Bone Transformation Step now enhanced, Zhao Heng planned to enter a secluded training session for three days, focusing entirely on refining his movement technique while striving to break through to the eighth stage of the Body Refining realm. Once he passed the handyman assessment and rid himself of Steward Liu¡¯s control, he would be free to figure out a way to deal with him, securing a stable and peaceful life. With this goal in mind, Zhao Heng put all his effort into intense cultivation! At the same time, on one of the Nine Peaks of the Feathering Sect, Qingxia Peak. In a cave dwelling filled with dense mystical energy, with its top inlaid with crystals emitting spiritual light, a stunning woman in white was bowing to a closed stone chamber. "Greetings, Master. I failed to report in time, please forgive me." There was a long silence in the stone chamber before a clear, ethereal voice rang out. "No need for formalities, Qingxue. I heard from your senior sister that you were injured during your mission?" The woman in white was Yun Qingxue. "I was unskilled and, while slaying the demonic cultivator, I was poisoned and injured. But I have fully recovered now." Upon hearing this, a vast, invisible energy enveloped Yun Qingxue through the stone chamber door. After a long pause, the voice continued. "Mm, not only have your injuries healed, but your cultivation has also made progress. You''re now only one step away from the Innate realm." "Since you have completed the task I assigned you, I will keep my promise. From now on, you will be my official disciple, not just a named one." "If you reach the Innate realm one day, you will inherit my true teachings!" Upon hearing this, even Yun Qingxue, a practitioner in the Body Refining realm, couldn¡¯t help but show an excited expression. She understood very well what it meant to be accepted as a formal disciple by this powerful figure. If, one day, she reached the Innate realm and inherited her Master''s true teachings, then even her family would no longer be able to control her, and she would be free to decide her own future. "Thank you, Master!" Moments later, Yun Qingxue left the cave dwelling, holding several treasures and pills bestowed by her Master. Looking at the rising sun in the distance, feeling the gentle spring breeze and the fragrant scent of flowers, Yun Qingxue smiled with a hint of joy. In that instant, her breathtaking beauty made all the surrounding scenery pale in comparison. It had been a long time since Yun Qingxue had felt so happy. It was as though she were a bird that had long been trapped in a cage, finally catching a whiff of freedom. At that moment, a young man''s figure unexpectedly appeared in her mind. "If it weren''t for his rescue that night, I might not have been able to kill that demonic cultivator, and I could have bled to death. Where would I have this opportunity now? But it¡¯s been almost a month, and he still hasn¡¯t come to claim his reward. Could something have happened to him?" Soon, it was the morning of the third day. In the southwestern part of the Feathering Sect, an open space at the junction of the sect and the forest was bustling with people. Today was the once-every-three-years handyman assessment. There were over ten thousand handyman disciples in the Feathering Sect, responsible for various sect duties, divided into several districts. Every three years, there was an assessment, with thousands of handyman disciples participating. After each assessment, some disciples with insufficient talent would be eliminated, while others with exceptional abilities would be given opportunities to access more resources. Throughout the history of the Feathering Sect, some handyman disciples had risen to fame through the handyman assessment and later joined the outer sect or even reached the Innate realm, entering the inner sect. Although such individuals were one in a million, they were still admired by all handyman disciples. At this moment, Zhao Heng was also in the crowd, carrying a large sack about half his height. He explained to those around him that it was filled with dry rations. This year¡¯s handyman assessment followed the same rules as in previous years. A section of the nearby forest was designated as the assessment area, where all the handyman disciples had to enter, gather spiritual herbs, and kill mystical beasts to earn points.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. The disciples had to accumulate points to reach the qualifying line in order to pass. The assessment lasted for twelve hours. At the moment, handyman disciples from various districts were waiting with their respective stewards for the assessment to begin. Zhao Heng¡¯s group, made up of about a hundred handyman disciples from the mining district, stood together. At the front of the group was Liu Hong. Liu Hong had already seen Zhao Heng but said nothing, seemingly unconcerned about what had happened before. However, Zhao Heng was naturally sensitive, and with his enhanced strength, his perception had significantly improved. Standing in the crowd, he could sense the many hidden, cold glares focused on him. Zhao Heng knew that today¡¯s assessment would not be simple. These people were likely targeting him. Sensing the danger, Zhao Heng instinctively felt anxious but was not afraid. He had prepared well for this assessment. Anyone who wanted to harm him would not escape unscathed. "Boom! Boom! Boom¡­!" As the sound of bells rang, the assessment was about to begin. A middle-aged man in a deep blue robe walked up to a makeshift platform at the front. This man, whose position was higher than even Liu Hong¡¯s, was Zhou Cang, the "Chief Steward" of the handyman peak. It was said that he had once been a powerful Innate cultivator but had fallen to the Post-natal realm due to severe injuries. Even so, he was still a prominent figure among the handyman disciples. Zhou Cang paced up to the platform. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, and immediately, silence fell upon them. "Cough, cough... Everyone, today¡¯s handyman assessment has generous rewards prepared by the sect to encourage you all. The top 100 will receive thirty mysterious crystals each, the top 30 will receive sixty, the top 10 will receive one hundred mysterious crystals plus a Body Refining Pill. If you make it to the top three, you¡¯ll get one hundred mysterious crystals, a Body Refining Pill, and the chance to choose a martial technique from the library, free of charge." These few words sent the handyman disciples into a frenzy! Living at the bottom of the sect, they had never seen so many mysterious crystals, let alone a Body Refining Pill and martial technique rewards. Many had red eyes and secretly swore to risk their lives to aim for a higher rank. As for Zhao Heng, he wasn¡¯t interested in those rewards. He only cared about meeting the minimum score required to pass. With the Dao Seed Dice in hand, it was only a matter of time before he broke free from the handyman status and became an outer sect disciple. For this assessment, his primary concern was survival. After all, entering the assessment area meant entering the wilderness. Although the law enforcement team would patrol randomly, the danger remained high. In every handyman assessment, there were always casualties. "Alright, I declare the handyman assessment officially begins. All handyman disciples, enter the assessment area." "You can exchange points for spiritual herbs or mystical beast ears. If you leave the assessment area early, are severely injured, lose combat ability, or die, you will fail the assessment." With Zhou Cang¡¯s command, thousands of handyman disciples grabbed their weapons and packs, flooding into the dense forest ahead. "Finally, it''s starting!" Zhao Heng lifted his large sack and joined the crowd, heading towards the forest... ### Part 4 Translation: The dense forest was teeming with life, the tall trees and thick underbrush creating an almost labyrinthine atmosphere. The sunlight barely pierced the canopy, casting the surroundings in a dim, mysterious light. Zhao Heng followed the crowd, his senses alert to every sound and movement. He knew that this forest, while filled with valuable resources, was also home to dangerous mystical beasts. Many disciples had perished here in previous assessments, either due to injuries from beasts or accidents. His mind was focused, but his heart remained calm. The presence of the Dao Seed Dice in his possession gave him a sense of confidence. He knew that as long as he kept his wits about him and did not underestimate the danger, he could survive. Soon, the group dispersed, each disciple heading in different directions to search for spiritual herbs or hunt mystical beasts. Zhao Heng, however, took a moment to assess his surroundings. He had been in this forest before during training, so he knew the general terrain and some of the more common mystical beasts that roamed here. But this was different. This time, the stakes were much higher, and his life was on the line. As he ventured deeper into the forest, the sounds of the others faded away, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unknown creatures. Zhao Heng¡¯s hand gripped the hilt of his weapon, his senses sharpened, ready for anything. He didn¡¯t need to go far before he noticed a faint glimmer ahead. It was a patch of spiritual herbs, a rare and valuable variety known for its healing properties. Zhao Heng¡¯s heart quickened. This was the perfect opportunity to gain some points, and perhaps even an advantage in the assessment. He carefully approached, scanning for any signs of danger. As he reached out to pluck the herbs, a rustling sound from behind made him freeze. Without hesitation, Zhao Heng spun around, drawing his weapon as his eyes scanned the forest for the source of the sound. Out of the underbrush emerged a large, black wolf, its eyes glowing with an eerie light. Its body was covered in coarse fur, and its massive frame suggested it was no ordinary creature. This was a mystical beast, and a dangerous one at that. The wolf snarled, its mouth frothing with dark energy. It was clearly ready to pounce. Zhao Heng¡¯s heart raced, but he didn¡¯t panic. He had faced dangerous creatures before, though none as menacing as this one. His mind raced for a plan. The wolf lunged with incredible speed, its claws outstretched and its teeth bared. Zhao Heng quickly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the beast¡¯s attack. He knew he couldn¡¯t afford to waste time. This beast was strong, and if he wasn¡¯t careful, it could seriously injure him¡ªor worse. With his weapon in hand, Zhao Heng struck, aiming for the wolf¡¯s exposed side. His blow landed, but it only seemed to anger the beast further. The wolf let out a deafening growl and swung its tail, knocking Zhao Heng off his feet. He hit the ground hard, his weapon slipping from his grasp. The wolf closed in, its fangs glistening with deadly intent. Zhao Heng knew he had to act quickly. He couldn¡¯t afford to lose his life here. His hand instinctively reached into his pouch, retrieving a small, glowing crystal. It was a treasure he had received from a previous training session, one that could enhance his strength for a short period of time. With no time to hesitate, Zhao Heng crushed the crystal, and an immediate surge of energy coursed through him. His body felt lighter, faster, stronger. With newfound strength, Zhao Heng quickly regained his footing and charged at the wolf, this time with even greater speed. The wolf tried to react, but Zhao Heng was faster. He dodged another strike from the beast¡¯s claws and, with a swift motion, struck at the wolf¡¯s neck. The blow was precise, and the mystical beast let out a final, anguished howl before collapsing to the ground. Zhao Heng stood over the fallen wolf, panting heavily but alive. He quickly searched the beast, retrieving its beast ear and other valuable components that could be exchanged for points. His heart still racing from the close call, Zhao Heng took a moment to collect himself. He had survived his first real test, but he knew this was only the beginning. There would be more beasts, more danger, and more competitors. He took one last look at the wolf¡¯s corpse, then turned and headed deeper into the forest, determined to make the most of this opportunity and continue pushing toward his goal. The hours passed quickly as Zhao Heng navigated the forest, collecting spiritual herbs and slaying other mystical beasts. He had already encountered several more dangerous creatures, but with each fight, he grew more confident in his abilities. His training, combined with the boost from the treasure crystal, made him a formidable opponent. However, he remained cautious. The forest was full of unknown dangers, and he knew that other disciples, especially those who were more experienced or had stronger skills, would pose an even greater threat. As the day wore on, Zhao Heng¡¯s points continued to accumulate. He had already reached the minimum threshold required to pass the assessment, but he wasn¡¯t satisfied. His goal was not just to survive, but to excel¡ªto prove himself worthy of breaking free from the handyman status and becoming an outer sect disciple. Nightfall approached, and the temperature in the forest began to drop. Zhao Heng found a relatively safe spot to set up camp, knowing that he would need to rest before continuing his hunt the following day. As he settled down, he couldn¡¯t help but think about the events that had brought him here. His encounter with Yun Qingxue, the mysterious dice, and the strange skills that had appeared¡ªit all seemed too surreal. But no matter how strange the circumstances, one thing was clear: Zhao Heng was no longer just another handyman. He was on the path to something greater. With that thought in mind, Zhao Heng closed his eyes and drifted into a light sleep, preparing himself for whatever the next day would bring. [----------------¡ã-------------] ?Thank You for Reading!? Translating these stories is my passion, and every chapter I bring to you is crafted with care and love. If you¡¯ve enjoyed the journey so far, I humbly ask for your support to continue sharing these adventures with you. By joining my Patreon, you¡¯re not just supporting me¡ªyou¡¯re helping these amazing tales reach more readers, ensuring faster updates, and unlocking exclusive perks like early access to chapters and bonus content. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. Together, we can keep this journey alive and thriving. ?? Join me on Patreon: patreon*com/flokixy Thank you for being part of this story. Let¡¯s forge ahead together! Chapter 14 - This Fool! Thousands of miscellaneous disciples surged into the dense forest, resembling fish entering the sea, quickly disappearing without a trace. Outside the assessment area, Liu Hong stood with a group of elders, his cold gaze fixed on the direction Zhao Heng had left, his eyes filled with frost. "Heh¡­ you little brat, I don''t believe you''ll make it out alive this time!" Although Zhao Heng was only a disciple at the Body Refining stage, he had escaped Liu Hong''s traps several times and even caused him some trouble. Liu Hong, who was naturally cautious, felt an inexplicable sense of threat from Zhao Heng. This made him determined to eliminate him at all costs. This time, however, Liu Hong was confident that his preparations were thorough enough. Even if Zhao Heng was a ninth-level Body Refining martial artist, death would be inevitable for him! At that moment, the miscellaneous disciples who had just entered the assessment area began to act according to their plans. Some called out to their friends to team up. Others quickly broke away from the main group and acted alone. Then, there were those who stayed still, quietly plotting something. Zhao Heng belonged to the second group. He moved quickly, leaving the main group behind, and found a hidden spot where he quickly checked his belongings and equipped himself. Weapons: A dagger and a dark steel leopard-head knife. Armor: In addition to the oak shield on his back, he also had a red undershirt, which he was too embarrassed to mention. Special items: Fifty pounds of lime powder, two bottles of hallucinatory powder, two bottles of corpse-dissolving powder, one Thunderbolt Pearl, and some dried food. Moreover, Zhao Heng had made a trip to the Merit Hall earlier that morning to buy several items suitable for use in the wild. Although these items were expensive and drained his savings, Zhao Heng believed they would prove useful. After equipping himself fully, Zhao Heng did not act immediately. He first lay flat on the ground, listening intently to the surrounding sounds. Then, he touched a large tree and surveyed the area. As expected, Zhao Heng noticed subtle movements in the surrounding forest. It seemed that more than one person was quietly approaching his direction. These people were forming a half-surrounding pattern, closing in on his location, clearly having been following him. Fortunately, Zhao Heng had already prepared mentally for this. He immediately set off, heading deeper into the forest. This forest was a designated area set by the sect, spreading out in a fan-like shape. The deeper one went, the larger the area became, and the less likely they were to encounter other people. The people following Zhao Heng clearly noticed his movements. They did not rush, continuing to track him deeper into the forest, maintaining a certain distance. Both sides proceeded deeper into the forest for a couple of hours. Zhao Heng kept moving, never stopping. Among the dozen or so figures trailing behind him, the two leading disciples exchanged a glance. One of them, a short and stocky man with dark skin, couldn''t help but curse under his breath. "Dammit, this kid entered the patrol zone. He¡¯s neither picking herbs nor hunting spirit beasts, just running forward. Does he suspect us?" The tall, thin young man with an eagle nose and long eyebrows furrowed his brow and replied, "It shouldn¡¯t be. He¡¯s alone. If he had noticed us, he would have panicked and fled by now. He¡¯s probably trying to enter the deeper part of the assessment area, a place where no one has been, to collect herbs." "When should we act?" the stocky man asked. "Let¡¯s wait a bit longer. The deeper he goes, the less likely he is to encounter other participants or patrols, making it easier for us to act!" "Alright, we¡¯ll wait. I heard this kid only has the cultivation of the sixth level of the Body Refining stage. We, the elite of the mining area, can easily kill him with just one of us!" The young man with the eagle nose spoke softly, "Don¡¯t underestimate him. If we fail in the task given by Elder Liu, none of us will have a good outcome." "Understood!" Meanwhile, Zhao Heng, who was hastening through the forest ahead, was fully aware of the group following him, though his gaze remained calm. Through careful observation, he noted that they were numerous and each of them had excellent martial skills. Originally, Zhao Heng had considered trying to shake them off, but he realized that doing so would only draw attention and cause them to close in on him all at once, which could be even worse. "It looks like I''ll have to go with Plan B," he muttered to himself. As they ventured deeper into the assessment area, the dense forest around them occasionally echoed with the growls of spirit beasts. Clearly, they had entered the territory where spirit beasts were active. The spirit beasts in the assessment area were captured by the sect, and the highest-level ones were only at the peak of the first rank. But for a miscellaneous disciple with only the Body Refining cultivation, these spirit beasts were already a significant threat. Once in this dangerous zone, Zhao Heng''s actions began to change. He started heading straight for areas that seemed perilous¡ªdense shrubs, murky swamps, and dark caves¡ªplaces that appeared to be full of danger. His reckless behavior left the group of disciples trailing him utterly baffled, as they thought he was clearly seeking death.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Yet, oddly, Zhao Heng managed to pass through these perilous regions without a scratch. But strangely, as the group of disciples followed Zhao Heng¡¯s trail, spirit beasts began to emerge from the dark corners of these regions and launched savage attacks on them. Wild boars from the thickets, snakes and insects from the swamp, and lizards from the caves¡ªall these spirit beasts, startled by the disciples¡¯ movements, suddenly attacked. The surprise attacks caught the disciples off guard. Fortunately, the group was powerful, and with many members, especially the two leaders, who were both at the ninth level of the Body Refining stage, they were able to fend off and kill the spirit beasts that attacked. However, as time passed, Zhao Heng¡¯s path became more treacherous, and the attacks on the disciples grew more frequent. A few of them were injured, and one was severely wounded and lost the ability to move. The group hadn¡¯t caught Zhao Heng, but they had slain a large number of spirit beasts, accumulating quite a few points. Meanwhile, Zhao Heng, who was still ahead, continued charging through various dangerous places like a headless fly, seemingly unaware of the perils around him. At this point, the eagle-nosed young man leading the group and the stocky, dark-skinned man were both wearing grim expressions. "This bastard, how is he so lucky? These spirit beasts haven¡¯t ambushed him even once," the stocky man grumbled, nearly fuming with anger. The eagle-nosed man, equally puzzled, shook his head. "If it happened once or twice, it could be luck. But for him to survive so many close calls... there¡¯s something strange about it." "Is he using the spirit beasts to deal with us? How is he doing it?" "Who cares how he¡¯s doing it? We just need to take him down. Otherwise, we don¡¯t know what other tricks he might pull!" the stocky man growled fiercely. The eagle-nosed young man hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. He subtly signaled to the dozen or so miscellaneous disciples with a cultivation level above the sixth stage of Body Refining, who had been following them closely. With a single command, the group quickly began chasing after Zhao Heng, who had just crossed over a dirt mound, speeding up to catch up with him. As the group hastened their pursuit, Zhao Heng, who had sensed their approach, remained unfazed. His footsteps did not falter; instead, he turned slightly to observe his pursuers from the corner of his eye. He was aware that they were closing in, but he had already anticipated this move. With his preparations and understanding of the forest¡¯s dangers, he knew he had a good chance of dealing with them, even if they caught up. As the forest grew denser and the sounds of spirit beasts became louder, Zhao Heng finally reached a small clearing, his expression calm as he prepared to face what would come next. The disciples following him, meanwhile, had entered a state of heightened alertness. They had no intention of letting Zhao Heng escape again, and their leader, the eagle-nosed youth, ordered them to surround the clearing. "Don''t let him escape! Close in!" he barked, his voice sharp as he prepared for the final assault. Zhao Heng glanced around quickly, noting the tightening circle of his pursuers. He could feel the tension rising as they closed in on him. The stocky man with dark skin sneered, his hand tightening around his weapon. "This time, there¡¯s no way out for you, brat." With no more room to retreat, Zhao Heng finally made his move. His body shifted, like a shadow weaving through the trees, as he darted toward the densest part of the forest, where the terrain was most treacherous. The group of disciples, taken by surprise at his sudden burst of speed, hesitated for a moment before chasing after him. But this hesitation gave Zhao Heng the precious seconds he needed to set his plan into motion. The moment the disciples entered the dense part of the forest, Zhao Heng activated a hidden mechanism. He had prepared for this very moment, knowing that he would be pursued. Suddenly, the ground beneath the disciples'' feet began to shift. Sharp spikes of wood shot up from the earth, creating an almost impenetrable barrier around them. The disciples cursed and attempted to jump back, but the traps were carefully placed, making it impossible to avoid them without injury. Several of them were caught by the spikes, their cries of pain filling the air. Others scrambled to help, but the dense forest and hidden traps made it difficult to move quickly. Zhao Heng, however, used the chaos to his advantage. He dashed forward, disappearing deeper into the forest. Back at the clearing, the eagle-nosed young man and the stocky man cursed loudly as their group was caught in the trap. "How could this happen?" the stocky man gritted his teeth, his face dark with frustration. "That brat set this up deliberately!" The eagle-nosed man¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched Zhao Heng disappear. "No matter how many tricks he has, he won¡¯t be able to run forever. We¡¯ll catch him sooner or later." With a final look toward the trapped disciples, the eagle-nosed man turned and led the group forward, though now with more caution. They had learned their lesson, but Zhao Heng¡¯s cunning had made the chase far more difficult than they had anticipated. The scene unfolded like a carefully orchestrated drama. Zhao Heng, standing alone amidst a gathering of wild beasts, suddenly threw the now half-burned dark red wooden stick towards the slope. It was as if he had predicted the movements of the beasts down to the smallest detail. The bright blue flames from the stick lit up the night sky in a dazzling arc, its intense light momentarily blinding. The beasts, who had been hesitating around Zhao Heng due to the repelling scent of the Beast Repellent Liquid, could no longer restrain themselves. With a deafening roar, they surged forward in a frenzy, charging towards the slope at full speed. The eagle-nosed youth and the others, hidden on the slope, had not yet recovered from the shock of Zhao Heng¡¯s boldness. Their eyes widened as the wild beasts, now in a blind rage, came straight toward them. "Shit! He actually threw it toward us!" the stocky man cursed, eyes wide with fear. The beasts were closing in fast, and the once-safe slope was now a target for the enraged creatures. The eagle-nosed youth, realizing the gravity of the situation, immediately shouted, "Retreat! Get out of here now!" But it was too late. The first wave of beasts had already reached the base of the slope, their fangs bared and eyes bloodshot, ready to tear into anything in their path. Zhao Heng, who had thrown the burning stick, was unfazed by the chaos he had triggered. He calmly picked up his skewer of chicken and continued to roast it by the fire, as though he had nothing to fear. But his calmness masked a deeper plan, one that was about to unfold with the beasts'' attack. As the first wave of beasts reached the base of the slope, they collided with a hidden barrier of blue flames, erupting around the hilltop. The fire Zhao Heng had set was not just a distraction; it was a trap. The surrounding trees had been lined with a special type of flammable powder mixed with the blood essence of powerful beasts. Once the blue flames made contact, it set off a massive chain reaction that engulfed the entire area. The beasts that had followed the scent of blood were not just met with a group of humans; they were also caught in a fiery storm. Screams and roars filled the air as the beasts, disoriented and trapped in the flames, struggled in vain. From the slope, the eagle-nosed youth and the others could only watch in stunned disbelief as the scene before them unfolded. Zhao Heng had played them all. What seemed like a reckless attempt at cooking had instead been a trap, drawing the beasts directly into a deadly confrontation. "How could this be¡­?" The eagle-nosed youth¡¯s voice was barely a whisper, as he watched the flames consume the beasts and their path towards the slope. Zhao Heng, who had been so calm, now stood up from the fire, wiped his hands, and turned to face them. A sinister smile tugged at his lips. The battle was over before it had even begun. The beasts, once wild and untamed, were now caught in the traps Zhao Heng had set. The fire, combined with the cunning use of the Beast Repellent Liquid, had turned the tide in his favor. As the remaining survivors of the beast charge fled in panic, Zhao Heng approached the still-burning fire. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. This was no accident. He had prepared for everything, every detail, every move. Turning toward the slope where the others were hiding, Zhao Heng spoke, his voice cold and confident, "You can come out now. It¡¯s over." The eagle-nosed youth and the stocky man, still shell-shocked from the events, finally gathered their wits and emerged from the shadows, their eyes filled with a mixture of anger and awe. "You... this was all planned?" the eagle-nosed youth asked, his voice trembling slightly. Zhao Heng smirked. "You think I didn¡¯t know you were following me?" The tension between them thickened. The battle wasn¡¯t over yet. Even though Zhao Heng had won this round, the true test of his resolve and strength was yet to come. [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon Now: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 15 - Setting a Trap ¡°Ah... this is bad!¡± As soon as Zhao Heng threw the burning piece of Blood Spirit Wood, the group of youths hiding at the top of the slope realized that things were going awry. ¡°Run!¡± Everyone scattered, fleeing in all directions, but the speed of the beasts was even faster. They surrounded the top of the slope from all sides, quickly trapping the group. The pungent smell of the Blood Spirit Wood, combined with the tempting scent of the human cultivators'' fresh flesh, stirred the beasts into a frenzy! ¡°Roar...!¡± A massive gray wolf leaped into the air, its sharp claws slicing through the thigh of a disciple, and blood gushed out. The intense smell of blood sent the beasts into a frenzy, and they rushed to attack the disciples. ¡°Ah...!¡± Screams rang out from all around. The eagle-nosed youth and the man quickly snapped out of their initial shock and panic. They calmed themselves and shouted. ¡°Don¡¯t panic! Everyone, attack together! Kill these beasts!¡± The two of them, relying on their strength as ninth-layer body tempering cultivators, were the first to strike. They quickly killed several of the beasts, which helped stabilize the morale of the group. The rest of the group used all their might to fight the beasts atop the slope. During the battle, the two men couldn''t help but glance at Zhao Heng, who, after throwing the Blood Spirit Wood, had turned and fled deeper into the forest. The two men were furious, but they had no choice but to suppress their anger and lead the others in fighting the beasts. The battle lasted for nearly half an hour. The eagle-nosed youth and the black, chubby man, as ninth-layer body tempering cultivators, led the group in a desperate battle, eventually killing most of the beasts. The remaining beasts scattered and fled. However, they had paid a heavy price. Out of the original 18 members, only seven remained. In addition to the eagle-nosed youth and the black, chubby man, there were five other eighth-layer body tempering cultivators, all wounded and exhausted. ¡°Finally, we¡¯ve driven off those beasts. That damn brat is too cunning. He got so many of us killed. If I catch him, I¡¯ll skin him alive!¡± the black, chubby man panted heavily, cursing in anger. The eagle-nosed youth also had a dark expression on his face. He hadn¡¯t expected that they had already fallen into Zhao Heng¡¯s trap and suffered such a heavy loss. If Elder Liu found out about this, he wouldn¡¯t escape punishment. ¡°Enough talk. Cut off the ears of these beasts and let¡¯s track him down. We need to find that brat and kill him!¡± The eagle-nosed youth understood that, at this point, only by killing Zhao Heng could they redeem themselves. The others understood this as well. They didn¡¯t waste any time resting and immediately followed the direction Zhao Heng had fled. Perhaps Zhao Heng thought they were doomed, but during his escape, he wasn¡¯t cautious and left behind clear traces. When they picked up his trail, the group¡¯s spirits lifted, and they quickened their pace in pursuit. A quarter of an hour later. ¡°Hmm... his footprints have disappeared.¡± The group had chased him deep into the dense forest but found that Zhao Heng¡¯s trail had ended. ¡°How is that possible? Could he have flown?¡± the black, chubby man muttered. Immediately, the seven of them froze and instinctively looked up at the thick canopy overhead. Just as they did, a large amount of white ash suddenly rained down from above! ¡°Watch out!¡± The eagle-nosed youth and the black, chubby man reacted swiftly, dodging the white ash in time. But three of the other five were hit directly, and intense pain shot through their eyes! ¡°Whoosh...!¡± At that moment, a shadow dashed down from the treetops, landing beside the three men, moving like lightning, striking with deadly speed. With swift and lethal moves, the masked figure made three killing strikes¡ªan upward swipe, a throat slash, and a heart strike¡ªall in one smooth, fluid motion. The three eighth-layer body tempering cultivators, already wounded and blinded by the lime dust, had no chance to defend themselves against the surprise attack. They were struck in their vital spots and died instantly. As the dust settled, the eagle-nosed youth, the black, chubby man, and their two companions, who had retreated to a distance, all focused their eyes on the scene. Apart from the three corpses, there was another figure standing there¡ªa young man in gray clothes, carrying a shield on his back, with his face covered by a cloth and his eyes shielded by two transparent crystals. He looked unusual. ¡°Zhao Heng, it¡¯s you!¡± the five of them exclaimed in unison. ¡°Hmm¡­?¡± The young man froze for a moment upon hearing their exclamations. ¡°You recognized me so quickly?¡± The black, chubby man angrily retorted, ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? You didn¡¯t even change your outfit or the ¡®turtle shell¡¯ on your back. You think I wouldn¡¯t recognize you just because you¡¯re wearing a mask?¡± The eagle-nosed youth narrowed his eyes, his tone cold. ¡°Zhao Heng, I really underestimated you. Not only did you dare use the beasts against us, but you even set an ambush here. It seems like you have great confidence in your abilities.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng sighed helplessly. ¡°Gentlemen, I didn¡¯t want things to turn out this way. Elder Liu pressured me relentlessly and was determined to kill me. I only did this to protect myself. I hope you two senior brothers will show mercy.¡± The eagle-nosed youth snorted coldly. ¡°It¡¯s too late to say anything now. You¡¯ve killed so many of our people. Elder Liu won¡¯t spare you.¡± Zhao Heng¡¯s gaze flickered slightly.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°So, you all still refuse to let me go?¡± ¡°Heh... What do you think?¡± The black, chubby man sneered, and together with the eagle-nosed youth and the two other companions, they closed in on Zhao Heng. Seeing this, Zhao Heng¡¯s expression darkened slightly, but a strange smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s almost time.¡± ¡°Hmm...? What are you talking about?¡± The group was momentarily stunned. The next moment, Zhao Heng suddenly sprang into action, moving like a leopard, charging straight for the two eighth-layer body tempering cultivators. Although Zhao Heng¡¯s attack was sudden, the two men were not like the previous three. They had already prepared for such an ambush. Both reacted in an instant¡ªeither striking back or raising their arms to block. However, just as the two men gathered their internal energy to counter Zhao Heng¡¯s attack, they suddenly felt a dizzying sensation in their minds. Their limbs became weak and powerless, and they realized that they had lost a significant portion of their strength. This sudden change was so unexpected that the two men didn¡¯t have time to respond. Zhao Heng had already appeared in front of them like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± Two chilling sounds of bones snapping echoed as Zhao Heng twisted the necks of the two men with ease, killing them almost without resistance. ¡°What!¡± Seeing this, the eagle-nosed youth and the black, chubby man were both shocked. Just as they were about to move, they suddenly felt an odd sensation in their bodies. Their muscles felt weak and soft. ¡°You... you poisoned us!¡± Zhao Heng casually dropped the two dead bodies and turned to look at the eagle-nosed youth and the black, chubby man. He smiled smugly. ¡°Looks like you two senior brothers are indeed quite intelligent.¡± ¡°When did you poison us?¡± the eagle-nosed youth asked, his voice cold. ¡°Heh... When I spread the lime dust earlier, I also added a little colorless, odorless Softening Powder. How¡¯s the effect?¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible! You were in the same area, why didn¡¯t you get poisoned?¡± the black, chubby man barked in disbelief. Zhao Heng chuckled. ¡°Because I was wearing the mask.¡± His mask had already been soaked in water, which protected him from inhaling the lime dust. As for the transparent crystals on his eyes, they were specially made goggles to prevent the lime from getting into his eyes, allowing him to execute his surprise attack. ¡°If you two still have any questions, feel free to ask. I¡¯m happy to answer.¡± The black, chubby man was about to retort, but the eagle-nosed youth¡¯s eyes suddenly flashed with murderous intent. ¡°Stop wasting time. He¡¯s trying to buy time and let the poison take deeper effect. We need to end this quickly and kill him!¡± The black, chubby man shuddered as realization hit. He finally understood Zhao Heng¡¯s sinister plot. ¡°Despicable bastard, die!¡± With a roar, the black, chubby man surged forward, his internal energy boiling and suppressing the effects of the poison. He charged toward Zhao Heng, unleashing a barrage of lethal strikes. Despite having just fought the beasts and now being affected by the Softening Powder, the black, chubby man was still a ninth-layer body tempering cultivator. In his rage, his attack was so powerful that even an average eighth-layer body tempering cultivator would struggle to defend against it. He was confident that Zhao Heng would not be able to withstand his onslaught. However, in the face of the black, chubby man¡¯s strikes, Zhao Heng merely narrowed his eyes. His body tensed and then shot forward like an arrow, meeting the attack head-on with fists and palms. ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡± Fists and feet collided, each strike creating a dull thud. The two fought fiercely, neither giving way. The battle was intense, with both sides seemingly evenly matched. However, Zhao Heng¡¯s attacks were increasingly vicious and cunning. His strength seemed to grow as the fight continued, and he gradually began to gain the upper hand. ¡°You... You¡¯re also a ninth-layer body tempering cultivator?¡± the black, chubby man gasped in disbelief. The black, chubby man¡¯s face twisted in shock, struggling to comprehend what was happening. Zhao Heng, in response, gave a low laugh, his movements swift and precise. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve underestimated me. You¡¯re not the only one with a few tricks up your sleeve.¡± The two continued their fierce clash, the sounds of their strikes echoing in the dense forest. Each blow was met with the same intensity, but Zhao Heng¡¯s relentless speed and agility allowed him to steadily gain the upper hand. ¡°Your body is still too slow,¡± Zhao Heng taunted as he dodged a powerful blow from the black, chubby man, stepping in closer with each movement. He seized the opening and landed a decisive strike to the man¡¯s abdomen, sending him stumbling back. The black, chubby man gasped for breath, his face turning pale from the poison and the impact of Zhao Heng¡¯s strike. He attempted to retaliate, but his movements were sluggish and uncoordinated. Zhao Heng smirked, eyes gleaming with confidence. ¡°You¡¯ve been poisoned, and your body¡¯s too weak to keep up with me. It''s over.¡± Before the man could recover, Zhao Heng darted forward like a striking snake. With a quick twist, he grabbed the black, chubby man¡¯s arm and snapped it with a loud crack. The man howled in pain, but Zhao Heng was merciless. He moved swiftly, delivering a series of precise strikes to vital pressure points, immobilizing him completely. The eagle-nosed youth had been watching the battle closely, his face growing darker with every passing second. His eyes narrowed, calculating his next move. He knew he couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate any longer. ¡°Zhao Heng!¡± the eagle-nosed youth shouted, his voice sharp and filled with malice. ¡°You won¡¯t get away with this!¡± With a swift movement, the eagle-nosed youth lunged at Zhao Heng, but Zhao Heng was already prepared. He spun around, using the momentum from his previous attack to deliver a powerful roundhouse kick that sent the eagle-nosed youth flying backward. The eagle-nosed youth gritted his teeth, struggling to regain his footing, his hands shaking with rage and frustration. The poison was clearly taking its toll on him as well, but his pride wouldn¡¯t allow him to retreat. With a growl, he forced himself back into position. ¡°You¡¯re going to pay for what you did!¡± he snarled, but his voice lacked the same confidence as before. Zhao Heng¡¯s expression remained calm, almost amused. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his breathing steady despite the intense fight. ¡°It¡¯s too late for you, senior brother. You should have known better than to challenge me.¡± Without warning, Zhao Heng charged forward, his body moving with incredible speed. The eagle-nosed youth barely had time to react as Zhao Heng closed the distance between them. The battle between the two was like a storm, their movements fast and brutal, but Zhao Heng¡¯s precision and deadly efficiency quickly wore down the eagle-nosed youth. With every strike, Zhao Heng seemed to anticipate the eagle-nosed youth¡¯s next move, dodging and countering effortlessly. In the end, with one final, decisive blow, Zhao Heng struck the eagle-nosed youth across the chest, sending him crashing to the ground. The youth coughed up blood, his face twisted in pain, and his body went limp, unable to continue the fight. Zhao Heng stood over him, chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. His eyes were cold, devoid of any sympathy. ¡°You... you won,¡± the eagle-nosed youth gasped, blood dribbling from his mouth. Zhao Heng crouched down, his voice low and deadly. ¡°This is the price you pay for underestimating me. Now, it''s over.¡± With that, he finished off the eagle-nosed youth, ensuring no one would be left standing in his way. The silence that followed the fierce battle was deafening. Zhao Heng stood amidst the fallen bodies, his expression grim. The once-boisterous and bloodthirsty group of martial artists had been reduced to a few lifeless corpses scattered across the ground. He wiped the blood from his hands, his breathing slow and controlled as he surveyed the carnage. His eyes flicked over the remaining bodies¡ªthose of the black, chubby man and the eagle-nosed youth¡ªand a faint smirk curled at the corner of his lips. The poison he''d secretly introduced had worked perfectly, weakening his opponents, and his strategy had paid off. His swift strikes had dismantled them piece by piece, their bodies too frail to keep up with his relentless assault. "Such a waste," Zhao Heng muttered under his breath, glancing at the dead bodies of the remaining disciples. "But necessary, I suppose." With his mission complete, Zhao Heng turned his back to the scene of destruction and began walking toward the deeper forest, his steps measured and steady. The poison in his enemies¡¯ bodies was designed to weaken them gradually, and the final blow had ensured that even if they had any residual strength, it was now gone. His mind was already focused on his next steps, planning the path ahead. After all, there were still other dangers waiting for him in the wilderness, and he couldn¡¯t afford to drop his guard just yet. With the battle over, the forest grew eerily quiet again, the only sound the faint rustling of the trees in the wind. Zhao Heng¡¯s mind was now racing with thoughts of what had just occurred. He had played his hand expertly, using the forest and the poison to his advantage, but now that the immediate threat was neutralized, he needed to focus on surviving the rest of his journey. It wasn¡¯t long before he reached a clearing, where he stopped and took a moment to catch his breath. His body was bruised, and the wounds from the earlier fight would need attention soon. However, he still had time before he could afford to rest. His focus shifted to the deeper part of the forest. Somewhere beyond the trees lay his goal, a place where danger lurked, but also where he could find the next step in his path. Zhao Heng knew that his survival depended on his ability to remain one step ahead of everyone who wanted him dead. As he continued walking deeper into the woods, his thoughts turned toward the future¡ªtoward those who might still be waiting for him. There were still enemies out there, lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment. But for now, Zhao Heng would keep his cool and move forward, knowing that every step he took brought him closer to his ultimate goal. [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 16 - Total Annihilation In the dense forest, the black, overweight man and the young eagle-nosed man, both poised and ready for action, were stunned upon witnessing Zhao Heng''s battle power. Since the beginning of the servant assessment, they had never clashed with Zhao Heng. The only information they had gathered about him was from Elder Liu, who had told them that Zhao Heng had reached the sixth level of Body Tempering a month ago. Although Zhao Heng had previously displayed his skills, killing five people, the two had attributed it to the effects of quicklime and Softening Powder, dismissing his strength entirely. However, the moment they engaged in combat, Zhao Heng¡¯s power far exceeded their expectations. The sheer strength and speed he demonstrated could only be achieved by a martial artist at the ninth level of Body Tempering. But how could he possibly have reached the ninth level from the sixth level in just one month? What they didn¡¯t know was that Zhao Heng¡¯s true cultivation was actually at the eighth level of Body Tempering, and he had just broken through last night. However, due to the perfected version of the Qing Song Technique, his vitality was far greater than that of others at the same level, allowing him to display strength equivalent to a ninth-level Body Tempering martial artist. Since the battle had begun, Zhao Heng wasn¡¯t going to offer any explanations. He pushed his inner vitality to the extreme, the perfect cycle of the Qing Song Technique accelerating rapidly. His attacks grew fiercer, and the black, overweight man found himself unable to keep up. "Spirit Wind Palm!" The man shouted, transforming his fist into a palm. His palms alternated in rapid succession, creating a gust of wind that was as fast as lightning. At this critical moment, the black, overweight man disregarded the strain on his vitality and unleashed a set of inferior-grade martial skills. Though he was only a beginner, among martial artists of the same level who hadn''t trained in martial techniques, he still held an advantage. Unfortunately for him, Zhao Heng showed no mercy. "Crackstone Fist!" Zhao Heng clenched his fists tightly, his feet firmly planted as though rooted to the ground. He struck with fists that felt as powerful as a collapsing mountain! "Boom¡­!" The fists and palms collided head-on with a deafening sound, but Zhao Heng stood firm, unyielding. The black, overweight man¡¯s palms felt as if they had been shocked by electricity. His body staggered backward, his face flushed as he felt his vitality almost overturned by a tremendous force. Taking advantage of this, Zhao Heng followed up with a heavy second punch aimed directly at the man¡¯s throat. The black, overweight man¡¯s pupils contracted, fear flashing in his eyes. Just then, a figure darted forward. "Crushing Heart Claw!" It was the eagle-nosed young man who made his move. His claw struck out with a sharpness akin to a knife, more powerful than the black, overweight man''s Spirit Wind Palm. "Bang!" The fist and claw clashed, causing Zhao Heng to stagger slightly. Five blood marks appeared on his fist, causing a dull pain. Yet the eagle-nosed young man was forced to retreat several steps, his fingers twitching as his entire arm began to feel numb. The impact from that strike had felt like he was clawing at solid stone, his fingers nearly breaking. "How can this be? This guy is also using the Crackstone Fist, which is only an inferior-grade technique. How does it have such power? Could it be that he has already cultivated it to the Lesser Mastery stage?" The eagle-nosed young man couldn¡¯t fathom this, but Zhao Heng had indeed improved the Crackstone Fist to an intermediate level of the inferior grade. Its power and level were leagues ahead of its original form. "Let''s attack together! We must kill him!" At this point, the eagle-nosed young man was no longer merely following Elder Liu¡¯s orders. If Zhao Heng wasn¡¯t killed today, even if he wasn¡¯t killed by Zhao Heng himself, having such a sinister and ruthless enemy would turn every night into a nightmare. In the next moment, the black, overweight man and the eagle-nosed young man launched a joint assault. One attacked with palms like a raging storm, while the other swung claws like a razor. They came at Zhao Heng from both sides. Faced with their encirclement, Zhao Heng''s eyes gleamed with sharpness. He didn¡¯t retreat but advanced, meeting their attack with his Crackstone Fist, roaring forward like the wind. Although Zhao Heng could be anxious and worried, often fearing that someone might try to harm him, it didn¡¯t mean he was timid. On the contrary, in order to eliminate these anxieties, he would go to any lengths, even at the cost of his enemies¡¯ lives, to deal with those who posed a threat to him. In an instant, the three of them were locked in combat. Facing the dual assault of two martial artists at the ninth level of Body Tempering, Zhao Heng¡¯s vitality circulated at full speed. He swung his fists, attacking with one on each side, pushing the Crackstone Fist to its maximum power. He used the raw force of his strikes to counter their numerous and tricky attacks. For a moment, the three of them fought fiercely, with Zhao Heng using one against two, barely holding his ground. At this point, the modified Qing Song Technique and the Crackstone Fist¡¯s power were fully unleashed. The perfected version of the Qing Song Technique was not only stronger than the original, but the circulation path of his vitality was also shortened by several times. This meant that Zhao Heng¡¯s internal circulation was much faster than others, making his vitality far thicker and more enduring. In contrast, the black, overweight man and the eagle-nosed young man were forced to regulate their breathing during the intense battle, giving Zhao Heng the opportunity to keep up with both of their assaults at the same time. As for the Crackstone Fist, its power was self-evident, and Zhao Heng had noticed that the modification of the Crackstone Fist seemed to have been tailored specifically to his condition by the Dao Seed Dice. Originally a martial art based on the earth¡¯s strength, the technique, when Zhao Heng used it at full force, had developed an almost endless flow, an unbroken rhythm. This perfectly complemented the Qing Song Technique within him, further boosting its power. The combined efforts of the two still couldn¡¯t defeat Zhao Heng.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. What was even worse was that the two noticed that the Softening Powder¡¯s poison, which they had been suppressing with their vitality, was starting to turn against them. Their bodies began to feel weak and soft. With the ongoing loss of their strength, their situation was becoming increasingly perilous. At that moment, Zhao Heng suddenly reached into his clothes and pulled out two bags of powder. Clenching his fists, he struck. The powder in his left hand was glaringly bright, a bag of quicklime, while the powder in his right hand was colorless and odorless but contained the highly toxic Softening Powder. Taking advantage of the goggles and wet cloths he had prepared, Zhao Heng recklessly released the poison. The black, overweight man and the eagle-nosed young man were left helpless. They couldn¡¯t dodge, nor could they take the hit. Frustration nearly made them want to vomit blood. Feeling their bodies growing increasingly soft and weak, with the poison no longer manageable, they were filled with fear and began to contemplate escape. But it was already too late. Their legs lacked strength, and they couldn¡¯t run fast enough. In that moment, Zhao Heng acted like a hunter closing in on his prey, striking out with deadly force. No longer bothering to use the Crackstone Fist, he drew his black gold-leopard-head knife from his waist and charged forward, swiftly slashing their throats, one by one. Looking at the two who had now completely died, Zhao Heng wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath. "Ha... finally took care of you two." In order to deal with the dangers in today¡¯s assessment, Zhao Heng had pushed himself to reach the eighth level of Body Tempering overnight, leaving many precautions in place. This included spending a considerable amount of Xuan Crystal at the Merit Hall to purchase materials such as Blood Spirit Wood and Beast Repellent Liquid. Though it had been costly, it was worth it as he had successfully eliminated those who wished to harm him. Now, he could finally feel some peace. "Wait... Liu Hong, I must make him disappear for good before I can truly relax." Zhao Heng muttered to himself. He didn¡¯t dare to stay on the spot for too long. Quickly, he used corpse powder to handle the bodies of the seven men present. He then swiftly collected their belongings, packages, and that large bag full of "beast ears," taking it all with him. Zhao Heng couldn¡¯t help but feel uneasy as he moved, sensing that something was watching him. It felt as though a pair of eyes were secretly observing him from the shadows, making him uncomfortable. However, Zhao Heng didn¡¯t make any overt reactions to the sensation. After gathering the spoils of war and clearing the scene, he quickly moved on, heading deeper into the forest. He walked for several miles, yet the feeling of being watched persisted. Zhao Heng furrowed his brow, making his way toward a large tree. He drew his black-gold leopard-head knife and started digging a small hole in the ground, before stuffing a bag into the hole. While working, he muttered to himself. "I¡¯ve taken care of all these people. If I take their belongings out now and someone finds out, it¡¯ll be a hassle. I¡¯ll bury everything here for now and come back for it after the assessment is over." Zhao Heng carefully buried the package, then used a round stone slab to cover the hole, marking it as a reminder. Once the task was done, Zhao Heng felt a sense of accomplishment and finally let out a breath of relief. But just as he relaxed his body, a sudden, sharp sound cut through the air. "Swish, swish, swish...!" From the dense forest behind him, three cold rays shot out simultaneously, aiming straight for the back of Zhao Heng¡¯s head, his neck, and his tailbone. These three rays were unbelievably fast, striking at awkward angles. Within moments, they were only a few feet away from Zhao Heng, almost impossible to dodge! Zhao Heng¡¯s senses were sharply attuned to the danger, and in an instant, his body reacted. His hands moved in a blur, grabbing the black-gold leopard-head knife at his waist. With a swift, almost imperceptible movement, he turned to face the incoming cold rays. The three projectiles were a blur of light, but Zhao Heng¡¯s speed was far beyond what his opponents had expected. As the rays closed in, his body seemed to move with a fluid grace, evading the direct path of the strikes. He could feel the danger of the three attacks, each targeting a vital point with deadly precision. There was no room for error. Zhao Heng¡¯s heart raced as his instincts kicked in. He shifted his weight and bent his knees slightly, preparing to use the full power of his physical strength and his martial arts skills to deal with the threat. With one clean motion, he sidestepped the first ray aimed at his head and swung the black-gold leopard-head knife in a wide arc, blocking the second attack that was headed for his neck. The knife¡¯s blade clashed against the cold ray with a sharp sound, creating sparks in the air. He twisted his wrist, redirecting the attack to the side. But just as he thought he had deflected the first two, the third ray was already bearing down on him from behind. Zhao Heng¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. He had misjudged the speed, and the third strike was coming far too fast. In a desperate move, Zhao Heng rolled forward, dodging at the last second, but the ray grazed his shoulder, leaving a thin, deep cut that stung like fire. His muscles burned with pain as the poison from the Softening Powder began to affect his body, but he didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it. The assailant who had launched the attack was already stepping forward, their figure emerging from the shadows. It was a man with a menacing grin, his eyes filled with malicious intent. "You¡¯re quite fast," the man said with a laugh, his voice cold and mocking. "But you''re still too slow." Zhao Heng narrowed his eyes. This man was no ordinary opponent. His aura was terrifying, and he could tell that the man was a martial artist at the ninth level of Body Tempering, much like the black, overweight man and the eagle-nosed youth. However, his skill was on a different level¡ªmuch more refined and deadly. "Who are you?" Zhao Heng asked, his voice low, his eyes scanning for an opening. The man simply smiled and raised his hand, showing a pair of gleaming daggers, their edges reflecting the light in the forest. "I''m your worst nightmare," the man replied, his grin widening as he prepared for another attack. The man with the gleaming daggers stepped forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. Zhao Heng¡¯s heart raced as he assessed the situation. The man¡¯s movements were smooth and calculated, showing no signs of hesitation or doubt. Zhao Heng could tell this was someone with real skill. Without wasting any more time, the man lunged toward Zhao Heng with a burst of speed, his daggers slashing toward Zhao Heng¡¯s chest. Zhao Heng¡¯s muscles tensed, ready to react. He couldn¡¯t afford to be distracted by his wound. His body moved with precision, narrowly dodging the man¡¯s first strike, then countering with a punch from his left hand, aiming for the man¡¯s exposed side. But the man was too quick. He twisted his body, dodging the punch with ease, and slashed with his daggers in a swift, deadly arc. The sound of the blades cutting through the air was like a death knell. Zhao Heng¡¯s instincts screamed at him to move, and he spun, narrowly avoiding the attack that would have split his ribs. As the man followed through with another deadly swipe, Zhao Heng¡¯s hand shot out, grabbing the dagger¡¯s hilt with lightning speed. The force of the strike caused his muscles to scream in protest, but Zhao Heng held on, refusing to let go. The two struggled in the middle of the forest, their every move a dance of life and death. Zhao Heng¡¯s body was pushed to its limits as he parried, blocked, and countered with the black-gold leopard-head knife. He could feel the pain from the earlier strike, the poison from the Softening Powder slowly working its way through his system, but he refused to let it slow him down. He was determined to win this battle. With a surge of energy, Zhao Heng pushed the man back, breaking free from their deadly stalemate. He stepped back, eyeing the man warily. "You¡¯re a skilled fighter," Zhao Heng said through gritted teeth. "But it won¡¯t be enough to take me down." The man smiled, a cold, twisted grin. "We¡¯ll see about that." With a roar, the man lunged again, his daggers flashing through the air with deadly precision. Zhao Heng¡¯s eyes narrowed, his body coiling with anticipation. He was ready. The man surged forward with terrifying speed, his daggers slicing through the air in a deadly arc aimed directly at Zhao Heng''s chest and throat. The flashing blades came at him with unrelenting force, as if they were trying to tear through the very fabric of his being. Zhao Heng¡¯s heart pounded, and his mind raced, calculating his next move. He could feel the poison from the Softening Powder spreading, his body growing heavier, but it only served to fuel his determination. He had no intention of losing here, not when he was so close to his goal. With a swift pivot, Zhao Heng twisted his body, narrowly dodging the first dagger that came for his chest. The second dagger aimed for his throat, but Zhao Heng used his black-gold leopard-head knife to intercept the strike. Sparks flew as the daggers clashed against the knife¡¯s blade. The impact sent a shockwave through Zhao Heng¡¯s arm, but he gritted his teeth and pushed forward, his own weapon striking with deadly force. He swung the leopard-head knife in a wide arc, aiming for the man¡¯s exposed side. But the man was fast. He sidestepped, his eyes gleaming with malice. The battle was far from over. Zhao Heng didn¡¯t hesitate. He knew this would be a fight to the death. He pressed forward with renewed ferocity, his body moving like a blur as he unleashed a series of rapid strikes with the black-gold leopard-head knife. Each blow was precise, calculated, designed to find an opening. The man was quick to respond, his daggers flashing like lightning as he parried and countered with terrifying skill. The forest seemed to hold its breath as the two combatants clashed, each strike echoing through the trees. Zhao Heng could feel the strain on his body as the poison from the Softening Powder began to take its toll. His movements were slower, less fluid, but he refused to give up. His instincts were sharpened, his mind clear, and his resolve stronger than ever. As they fought, Zhao Heng¡¯s thoughts flashed back to the countless hours of training, the trials he had overcome, the battles he had won. All of it had led to this moment. This was his test, his time to prove himself. With a sudden surge of strength, Zhao Heng pushed the man back, creating a brief opening. The man faltered for just a split second, but it was enough. Zhao Heng didn¡¯t hesitate. He lunged forward with all his remaining strength, his leopard-head knife slashing in a deadly arc toward the man¡¯s throat. The man¡¯s eyes widened in shock, realizing too late that he had been outmaneuvered. The leopard-head knife cut through the air with deadly precision, and in an instant, the blade was at the man¡¯s throat. [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 17 - Passing Away Very Peacefully Facing the Sudden Attack Faced with this sudden attack, although Zhao Heng''s hair stood on end, he didn''t panic and instantly responded. He twisted and ducked his head, hiding behind the shield on his back. Two gleaming flying knives embedded themselves in the shield, vibrating with a humming sound. Simultaneously, Zhao Heng''s legs twisted oddly, his body as flexible as if boneless, avoiding the flying knives aimed at his lower body. "Oh...?" A light exclamation came from the dense forest. "Who''s there?" The moment Zhao Heng dodged the flying knives, he flashed behind a large tree trunk. "Hehe... not bad skills. No wonder you were able to take out all those people sent by Steward Liu!" With light footsteps, a young man wearing miscellaneous disciple''s clothes emerged from the dense forest. The youth was well-proportioned with handsome features, but the cold smile and killing intent in his eyes gave him a dangerous aura. Confrontation "Are you sent by Liu Hong?" Zhao Heng asked cautiously, never having seen this person before. "Let''s just say I am. However, I''m only here because I owe him a favor, and this time I''ll take care of you for him." Zhao Heng''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Have you been following me?" The youth smiled lightly. "Yes, I was. Initially, I thought those people would handle you, but they turned out to be so incompetent, getting taken down by you alone." Saying this, the youth looked at Zhao Heng with interest. "I''m really curious; how did you manage to increase your strength so much in just two months? From the fourth level of body refinement to your current state, did you really consume some heavenly or earthly treasures?" "If you can offer such treasures, maybe I''ll spare your life." Zhao Heng''s expression shifted slightly. "Really?" "Of course!" "Fine, I''ll give it to you!" Zhao Heng directly reached out and threw a handful of lime and a soft tendon dispersant at the youth''s face. The youth, however, was prepared and waved his sleeve to fan away the dust. With his other hand, he pulled out two flying knives from his sleeve and shot them at Zhao Heng, forcing him to retreat. "Hehe... I expected you''d try that!" the youth laughed coldly. Zhao Heng didn''t say a word and continued to wildly scatter lime. Although the youth had some precautions, he couldn''t withstand the large quantity of lime. Several dozen kilograms of lime were scattered, turning the area around them into a foggy, smoggy environment. The youth, though not hit directly by the lime, was still choked and his flying knives continued to shoot out as he retreated from the fog. "Cough... cough... Your lime must be all used up now!" The youth, covered in dust and looking somewhat disheveled, glared at Zhao Heng with great malice. "Your flying knives are all used up too," Zhao Heng replied, his eyes equally cold. Both men locked eyes and simultaneously charged at each other. Zhao Heng took a powerful step forward and unleashed a robust punch. The punch was mighty and dense, a basic level of the "Stone Shattering Fist." Facing Zhao Heng''s attack, the youth smirked and adopted the same stance, punching out. "Stone Shattering Fist!" He also executed the Stone Shattering Fist, colliding with Zhao Heng''s punch. "Bang...!" A muffled sound echoed as the youth stumbled back a step. Zhao Heng, however, was pushed back several steps, his fist aching and his arm numb. "Stone Shattering Fist, small achievement!" Zhao Heng was surprised to see the youth''s skill level. The Stone Shattering Fist was one of the most basic postnatal martial arts techniques. It was not surprising that the youth also knew it, but what shocked Zhao Heng was the youth''s fist''s power and density, far surpassing his own and clearly reaching the small achievement level.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. "How''s my Stone Shattering Fist?" the youth laughed coldly, his body suddenly closing in with rapid and fierce punches like falling rocks. Zhao Heng did not dare to slacken and swung his fists to meet the youth''s, retreating as they exchanged blows. The two men engaged in this standoff for dozens of moves. Although Zhao Heng was at a clear disadvantage, he continued to resist stubbornly without falling. This surprised the youth, whose cultivation had already reached the peak of the ninth level of body refinement and was just a step away from entering the bone refinement realm. Combined with his small achievement in the Stone Shattering Fist, he was nearly unbeatable among peers of the same rank. The youth was astonished by Zhao Heng''s resilience. From a power perspective, Zhao Heng was only marginally at the ninth level of body refinement, and his Stone Shattering Fist was just at the basic level. It shouldn''t have been so tough. Moreover, the youth noticed that Zhao Heng''s Stone Shattering Fist was not only more powerful than the ordinary basic level but also had a unique blend of hardness and softness, making it very odd. Though puzzled, the youth had absolute confidence in defeating Zhao Heng. He believed that in this high-intensity battle, Zhao Heng wouldn''t be able to hold out for much longer. Zhao Heng, struggling to withstand the youth''s increasingly fierce attacks, was also puzzled. "Why hasn''t the soft tendon dispersant taken effect?" Earlier, when scattering lime, Zhao Heng had also spread a large amount of soft tendon dispersant. The youth didn''t wear a mask and couldn''t have avoided inhaling it entirely. Moreover, with his intense mobilization of qi and blood, the dispersant should have taken effect quickly. This was also why Zhao Heng had engaged in close combat¡ªto speed up the effect of the dispersant. Seeming to sense Zhao Heng''s confusion, the youth laughed coldly: "You''re wondering why the soft tendon dispersant hasn''t taken effect? That little bit of dispersant is useless against me. Since entering the sect, I''ve been working in the spirit herb garden and have seen all sorts of medications. I''ve already taken an antidote beforehand." "Hmm?" Zhao Heng was surprised; he hadn''t expected the youth to not only be powerful but also knowledgeable about poison. "Enough, no more playing around. Go die!" The youth''s voice turned cold, his speed increasing by threefold as he unleashed two deadly punches aimed at Zhao Heng''s face and chest. The intent was to make Zhao Heng unable to dodge. Facing these lethal punches, Zhao Heng''s pupils suddenly constricted, but his mind remained calm. His body twisted at an unbelievable angle, avoiding both punches simultaneously and counterattacking with a punch aimed at the youth''s throat. The youth was shocked, forcibly retracting his punches and retreating to avoid the dangerous blow. "You''ve actually cultivated a body technique!" The youth looked at Zhao Heng in disbelief. As a miscellaneous disciple, being able to cultivate any martial technique was already remarkable. The rarity and value of body techniques far surpassed other types of techniques, even among outer sect disciples. That Zhao Heng had cultivated one and was already at the basic level was truly astonishing. The youth''s initial shock turned into a fiery passion. "You have so many good things on you; after I kill you, they''ll all be mine!" The youth''s entire body surged with qi and blood as he launched another attack on Zhao Heng. He swung his fists wildly, aiming to crush Zhao Heng with overwhelming force. Liu Feng couldn''t do anything about Zhao Heng, and Zhao Heng couldn''t land a hit on Liu Feng. For a moment, both sides had reached a stalemate. However, if they continued fighting like this, Zhao Heng would definitely lose first. After all, Liu Feng was at the peak of body tempering, with greater qi and blood reserves. And although the Bone Transforming Step was mysterious and effective, the body could hardly sustain its prolonged use. Facing this difficult situation, Zhao Heng glanced at the large tree where he had secretly buried his package earlier, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. Liu Feng, still engaged in battle, noticed Zhao Heng''s changing expression and his demeanor shifted. He suddenly moved sideways, actively disengaging from the battle to charge toward that tree. "What are you doing?" Zhao Heng was greatly alarmed. Without stopping, Liu Feng sneered, "Kid, don''t think I don''t know. You''ve hidden all the good stuff you got from those people here. Since I can''t kill you, I can''t leave empty-handed. I''ll take these things, and I''ll tell Liu Hong it was you who took them. Then he''ll come finish you off!" As he spoke, Liu Feng had already reached the tree and was reaching to lift the stone slab. A fierce wind whistled from his side. "Don''t touch my things!" Zhao Heng rushed over anxiously, throwing a punch at Liu Feng. Liu Feng sneered with disdain, countering with a punch that sent Zhao Heng stumbling back several steps. "I may not be able to kill you, but you can''t stop me either!" Seeing Zhao Heng''s urgent reaction, Liu Feng became even more certain there were valuable items hidden there. After repelling Zhao Heng, he kicked away the stone slab. Under the slab was a layer of soil with a dead branch stuck in the middle. Liu Feng didn''t notice that the branch moved slightly upward, as if something had pushed it from below. He brushed away the soil and grabbed hold of a round object. "What''s this?" He brought the object up to his eyes - it was an iron ball the size of a pigeon''s egg, beautifully patterned and quite attractive. Not far away, witnessing this scene, Zhao Heng sighed softly and expertly dropped to the ground, covering his ears with both hands. The next moment. "BOOM...!" A violent explosion rocked the quiet forest, sending shock waves rolling outward and startling countless birds into flight. After the explosive force dissipated, Zhao Heng stood up and looked at where Liu Feng had been standing. Besides a large crater, Liu Feng''s corpse was basically nowhere to be found. Based on experience, Zhao Heng judged that Liu Feng had probably passed away very peacefully. "Say I told you not to touch it, yet you still did. Now you''ve learned your lesson," Zhao Heng said innocently to himself. That round ball was none other than the last thunder pearl he had. Earlier, after eliminating those miscellaneous disciples who were chasing him, Zhao Heng had a vague feeling of hidden danger. Although he couldn''t confirm if this was just his paranoia. But following the principle of being prepared for danger, he had taken action and set up precautions. So, Zhao Heng had pretended to bury treasure halfway through his journey but actually set up a "trigger-type landmine" using the thunder pearl. This was to have a backup plan in case he couldn''t handle the enemy. Unfortunately, Liu Feng perfectly triggered this backup plan. Although he had spent his last thunder pearl, destroying such a strong enemy made Zhao Heng satisfied. It was just a pity that the thunder pearl''s power was too strong, destroying everything on Liu Feng''s body, including the valuable items. Liu Feng was a miscellaneous disciple from the Spirit Herb Garden, which was a lucrative position. He must have had many good things on him. "Ah... what a shame!" Zhao Heng sighed. Preparing to leave, he was concerned that the earlier commotion would attract other participants and patrol teams. However, at this moment, a prompt from the divine dice system echoed in his mind. "Detected a dissipating soul. Can use ''Memory Plundering'' skill. Do you want to use it immediately?" [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 18 - Youre Cheating! Upon sensing the divine dice system''s prompt, Zhao Heng''s thoughts stirred. Previously, after killing so many enemies, he hadn''t triggered the memory plundering skill. But Liu Feng could trigger it - was this because his strength and soul were stronger? The dice system prompted that the soul was about to dissipate. Zhao Heng didn''t hesitate and directly activated the theft skill. As the skill triggered, a faint blue light flashed across Zhao Heng''s forehead. A white misty light from the area where Liu Feng had been killed was immediately absorbed by the blue light. Zhao Heng felt his brain swell, as if something was merging into his mind. It took nearly ten breaths before returning to normal. Rubbing his head and wondering what had happened, he suddenly noticed two strange memories had emerged in his mind. One set of memories was about various spirit herbs. Suddenly, massive herb information flooded his consciousness - names, cultivation methods, and medicinal properties became crystal clear, as if he had immersed himself in this field for years. The other memory segment concerned the Stone Shattering Fist. Zhao Heng suddenly gained numerous insights into this technique, its intricacies profound and far beyond the entry-level understanding. Instinctively, he threw out a Stone Shattering Punch. "Whoosh...!" The punch was sharp and powerful, striking an ancient tree. The tree trembled, with half of Zhao Heng''s fist embedded in its trunk. The punch''s power had dramatically increased, approaching the small achievement level. Zhao Heng believed that by slightly digesting the memories in his mind, he could quickly reach the small achievement realm of the Stone Shattering Fist. Zhao Heng was shocked. He understood these were results of memory plundering - he hadn''t just gained memories, but also the other person''s experience. As for why only these two memory segments remained, he guessed that Liu Feng''s soul had already fragmented. For Liu Feng, his years of cultivating spirit herbs and practicing the Stone Shattering Fist were his most profound memories, which is why they were stolen. After once again marveling at the dice system''s miraculous skill, Zhao Heng quickly slipped away from this dangerous location. The sun had already set, and darkness was approaching. The magical beasts in the examination area began to become active. Many were still hunting magical beasts in the starry night, desperately accumulating points. Zhao Heng had already found a safe place to rest and recover. The previous group''s battle with magical beasts had yielded many beast ears, ensuring they would definitely pass the examination. As for achieving a higher ranking, Zhao Heng hadn''t even considered it. Although higher rankings meant better rewards, it would also attract unwanted attention. He didn''t want to stand out. The next morning, the sect''s bronze bell rang, signaling the miscellaneous disciple examination was about to end. Miscellaneous disciples from various areas gradually emerged, most covered in wounds and exhaustion, carrying beast ears they had hunted to exchange for points and rankings. Various area supervisors had long been waiting. Today, Supervisor Liu was radiant, especially pleased that Zhao Heng had not yet appeared. "Finally rid of this troublesome kid. I can now sleep peacefully," Liu Hong thought to himself. However, as time passed and the examination deadline approached, Liu Hong suddenly realized that more than ten disciples from the mining area were still missing - precisely the eighteen people he had sent to deal with Zhao Heng. Liu Hong began to feel uneasy. His gaze swept through the spirit herb garden area''s disciples, but he couldn''t find Liu Feng either. "Hmm... Could something have gone wrong?The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. No, that''s impossible. Even if those people couldn''t kill Zhao Heng, Liu Feng couldn''t have failed. He''s already one step into the bone refinement realm. Most ninth-level body tempering warriors are no match for him!" Liu Hong thought. Just as Liu Hong was feeling anxious, a blood-covered figure emerged from the distant forest, staggering and disheveled. Despite the person''s miserable appearance, Liu Hong immediately recognized him. "Zhao Heng!" This kid actually wasn''t dead, and all the people he''d sent to eliminate him had vanished. "How could this be?" Although Liu Hong had countless questions, the current setting demanded restraint. He could only watch as Zhao Heng approached the point exchange area. "I... I want to exchange points!" Zhao Heng said weakly, stumbling. He walked with difficulty, carrying a large package and swaying as if about to collapse. Two law enforcement disciples quickly moved to support him. Zhao Heng was deliberately acting, wanting to appear unimpressive and avoid drawing attention to his smooth examination passage. The middle-aged supervisor casually waved his hand. "Open his package." Everyone assumed that given his apparent injuries from hunting a first-level magical beast, his achievements would be mediocre. However, when the package opened to reveal a full collection of beast ears, everyone was stunned. The point exchange supervisor, the distant Liu Hong, and even the miscellaneous disciple peak''s chief supervisor Zhou Cang all cast surprised looks. Instantly, dozens to hundreds of eyes locked onto Zhao Heng. Zhao Heng''s heart trembled. "What''s happening? Did I fail the examination?" After quickly counting the beast ears, the middle-aged supervisor spoke with a strange expression: "Twenty-five pairs of beast ears, two hundred and fifty points. Young man, congratulations on passing the examination. You''re ranked third overall." "What!" Upon hearing his ranking, the previously weak Zhao Heng suddenly jolted, nearly throwing off the two supporting law enforcement disciples. "Don''t get too excited. Your performance is quite good," the middle-aged supervisor tried to comfort him. Zhao Heng''s mouth twitched. In his mind, he was thinking: "How is this possible? I''ve been sleeping since last night and even abandoned thirty percent of my beast ears. How could I still rank third? The other miscellaneous disciples can''t be this incompetent." If others heard his inner thoughts, they might want to kill him. Humans and magical beasts had inherent physical differences, and hunting same-level magical beasts was extremely challenging. Not everyone had martial techniques or would use tactics like Zhao Heng''s stone lime strategy. A typical ninth-level body tempering warrior killing more than ten magical beasts in a day would already be considered impressive. As for spirit herbs, this area had long been picked clean and was rare to find. The blame lay in Zhao Heng''s rapid strength improvement and lack of understanding of the examination''s details, leading to his misjudgment. The situation became somewhat bizarre, with Zhao Heng''s plan to remain low-key completely failing. At this moment, a cold voice rang out: "Zhao Heng, with your strength, it''s impossible you could hunt this many magical beasts. You must have cheated!" Everyone turned to look. The speaker was none other than the mining area supervisor, Liu Hong. With this statement, everyone began casting suspicious glances at Zhao Heng. Indeed, the other two in the top three rankings were outstanding miscellaneous disciples at the peak of body tempering. How could this unknown newcomer possibly be in the same league? Hearing Liu Hong''s accusation, Zhao Heng was not anxious but instead felt joy. "Just what I was hoping for," he thought. Zhao Heng immediately responded, "Supervisor Liu is right. These magical beast ears were not actually killed by me." Hearing this, Liu Hong coldly laughed, "Zhao Heng, cheating in the miscellaneous disciple examination is a serious offense. Mild punishment means canceling your results, severe punishment means expulsion from the sect!" Zhao Heng calmly replied, "I didn''t cheat. I picked up these beast ears." "Picked up?" Everyone was stunned. "Nonsense! Do you take us for fools?" Liu Hong coldly rebuked. Zhao Heng explained leisurely, "Here''s what happened. While hunting magical beasts, I coincidentally encountered a group of people fighting magical beasts. They all died mutually, so I simply cut off the magical beasts'' ears." "Impossible!" Liu Hong categorically denied. Zhao Heng insisted, "It''s true. If you don''t believe me, you can investigate the examination area." At this moment, a law enforcement disciple who had been patrolling the examination area spoke up, "He''s not lying. We did discover traces of magical beasts and participants fighting yesterday. Those participants'' bodies were likely eaten by other magical beasts." The crowd suddenly understood. This kid had just gotten incredibly lucky. Liu Hong still seemed skeptical. "How could your luck be so good? Precisely encountering a beast group fighting participants, right near you?" Zhao Heng counter-questioned, "I''d also like to know why that group appeared near me. Supervisor Liu, if you''re still unconvinced, why not have the law enforcement brothers conduct a thorough investigation to see if there''s something suspicious?" "You...!" Liu Hong''s face changed instantly. He naturally understood the implication of Zhao Heng''s words. Seeing Zhao Heng so confident, many people began to believe his story. Even Zhou Cang, the chief supervisor, spoke up: "Since the law enforcement team has confirmed this incident, it seems this young man was just lucky. Let him pass." With the chief supervisor having spoken, Liu Hong, despite his unwillingness, didn''t dare say more. Amid the crowd''s buzzing discussions, the two exchanged a brief, meaningful glance. Their internal thoughts were surprisingly identical: "Damn it, I''m definitely going to kill You!" [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 19 - Hey, That Servant! The servant assessment finally ended, and everything seemed back to normal. Although over a dozen servants from the mining area had perished during the assessment, the overall number of casualties was actually lower than three years ago. Naturally, no one paid much attention to this. The only surprising outcome was Zhao Heng, the so-called "lucky scavenger," who unexpectedly ranked third in the assessment, leaving many astonished and sighing with disbelief. Following the announcement of the rankings, it was time to distribute rewards. As the unexpected dark horse in the top three, Zhao Heng received a reward of 100 spirit crystals, a Body Tempering Pill, and permission to select one ordinary-grade manual from the library at no cost. However, instead of feeling joy, Zhao Heng felt as though he was sitting on pins and needles. He was deeply uneasy, sensing that the gazes directed at him were filled with malice, greedily eyeing his rewards. Thankfully, he had passed the assessment, and soon, he could pick better servant tasks, leave the Servants'' Peak, and avoid any further plots against him. Shortly after, the head steward, Zhou Cang, issued an order. "The sect''s newly announced servant tasks have been allocated to each area. All deacons, distribute new assignments to those who passed the assessment." As per the usual custom, disciples who passed the assessment were assigned tasks at the sect''s Nine Peaks, meaning they no longer had to stay on the Servants'' Peak permanently. The tasks at the Nine Peaks not only offered better rewards but also provided better cultivation opportunities due to the abundant spiritual energy. On top of that, there was a chance to build connections with influential figures within the sect. It was an enviable opportunity cherished by all. When the deacons from various areas handed out tasks, the newly assigned disciples couldn¡¯t help but cheer with excitement. Zhao Heng, too, eagerly anticipated his upcoming assignment. However, as he waited, uneasiness grew in his heart. Liu Hong, the deacon for the mining area, had already assigned tasks to others who had passed the assessment, but Zhao Heng still hadn¡¯t received his appointment. A sinking feeling overcame him. And sure enough... After a long wait, Liu Hong finished assigning tasks to everyone but left Zhao Heng hanging. Unable to endure it any longer, Zhao Heng stepped forward to ask. "Deacon Liu, what about my assignment?" Zhao Heng deliberately raised his voice so that those in the surrounding areas, as well as the head steward Zhou Cang, could hear, ensuring Liu Hong couldn¡¯t cover up any misconduct. As expected, many nearby turned to look, and even Zhou Cang started walking toward them. Being the surprise third-place finisher, Zhao Heng had garnered significant attention. "Liu Hong, has this young brother not received a task yet?" Zhou Cang asked, his tone puzzled. According to protocol, those ranked higher should be given priority for assignments. Noting how Zhao Heng had deliberately drawn attention and even caught Zhou Cang¡¯s interest, Liu Hong glared at Zhao Heng subtly but put on a surface smile. "Head Steward Zhou, I was just about to bring something up with you," Liu Hong said courteously. "What is it?" Zhou Cang asked. "It''s about establishing a deputy manager for the mining area," Liu Hong explained with a smile. "The mining area is continually expanding, and managing all of it alone has become increasingly difficult for me. Recently, there were even a few minor incidents. So I would like to request your approval to appoint a deputy manager to assist me in managing the mines. I believe Zhao Heng would be an excellent choice for this position. He¡¯s young, capable, and well-suited for the role!" "Hmm...?" Hearing this, Zhao Heng nearly stumbled. So this was what Liu Hong had been plotting! While the title "deputy manager of the mining area" sounded impressive, it was merely a way to tie Zhao Heng to the mines, leaving him at Liu Hong¡¯s mercy. True to form, Liu Hong was as sinister as ever. What shocked Zhao Heng more was that Zhou Cang actually nodded slightly, seemingly in agreement with Liu Hong¡¯s suggestion. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Zhao Heng quickly spoke up: "Deacon Liu, Head Steward, my cultivation is shallow, and I lack the experience necessary for such a heavy responsibility. I must respectfully decline¡ª" Before he could finish, Liu Hong interrupted him with a smug tone: "Oh, Zhao Heng, are you worried I¡¯ll mistreat you? Even if you stay at the mines, as deputy manager, your monthly salary will be much higher than it is now! Of course, I won¡¯t force you. You can try the position for a few days, and if it doesn¡¯t suit you, I¡¯ll assign you a different task. Besides, all the other tasks have already been allocated. Any new assignments might take some time to become available." Hearing this, Zhao Heng immediately understood Liu Hong¡¯s malicious intent. He and Liu Hong were already at odds; staying in the mining area¡ªLiu Hong¡¯s territory¡ªwould undoubtedly lead to disaster. But as a mere servant disciple, even with his third-place ranking, Zhao Heng¡¯s influence was limited.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "Very well, this seems like a good arrangement," Zhou Cang said, nodding. "Zhao Heng, since Deacon Liu values you so highly, you should try the role of deputy manager for a few days and see how it goes." Zhao Heng¡¯s heart sank. He thought to himself, "A few days? I probably won¡¯t even survive that long!" What should he do? Zhao Heng was not the type to sit and wait for death. Two plans quickly formed in his mind. Plan One: Expose Liu Hong¡¯s misconduct¡ªhis extortions, abuses, and killings of servant disciples¡ªright in front of Zhou Cang. However, there was no guarantee that Zhou Cang wasn¡¯t complicit, and revealing his involvement in killing Liu Hong¡¯s subordinate could put him in even greater danger. Plan Two: Pretend to agree for now, lower Liu Hong¡¯s guard, and strike tonight to settle the matter once and for all in a life-or-death confrontation. Both options carried significant risks and a low probability of success. But it seemed Zhao Heng had no choice. As Zhao Heng¡¯s face darkened with deliberation, Liu Hong smirked slyly, casting him a mocking glance. Just as everything seemed set in stone¡ª "Hey, you, the servant! I happen to need someone to watch over the medicine garden. Why don¡¯t you give it a try?" A melodious and ethereal voice suddenly echoed from afar, instantly drawing everyone¡¯s attention. In the distance, the crowd automatically parted to clear a path. A tall, graceful figure dressed in pure white robes walked toward them. It was a young woman, her snowy white attire as pristine as fresh snow. Her delicate, jade-like face, with features so perfect they seemed divinely painted, exuded an otherworldly beauty that was impossible to describe. For a moment, it felt as though a celestial maiden had descended into the mortal realm, rendering all else pale and insignificant. The air fell silent. Countless people stared in a daze, entranced by her ethereal presence. Yet the woman paid no mind to any of this. She gazed past the crowd and locked eyes with a surprised young man in gray robes. A subtle, almost imperceptible smile graced her lips. "Yun Qingsnow?" Zhao Heng muttered, his disbelief audible. When he heard her voice, he doubted his ears. But seeing her clearly, he was stunned. She was none other than Yun Qingsnow¡ªthe prodigy of Qingxia Peak¡¯s Outer Sect¡ªwhom he had encountered that fateful night at the foot of Ox Horn Mountain! Why was she here? The crowd quickly snapped out of their trance. "Wait, isn¡¯t that Yun Qingsnow from Qingxia Peak?" "Yun Qingsnow! The number one beauty of Qingxia Peak? The genius ranked in the top ten of the Outer Sect''s Radiance Rankings?" "Indeed! I heard Yun Qingsnow has reached the pinnacle of the Visceral Refining Realm, making her one of the sect¡¯s most promising candidates for breaking through to the Innate Realm. She¡¯s a true Outer Sect prodigy. Why would someone like her come here?" The entire assessment area erupted in excitement due to Yun Qingsnow¡¯s unexpected arrival. Outer disciples and servant disciples might seem to differ by a single rank, but their statuses were worlds apart. What¡¯s more, the person standing before them was not just any outer disciple, but one of the most beautiful and talented figures among them, someone who evoked admiration and yet made others feel inferior by comparison. At this moment, Yun Qingsnow stood in front of Zhao Heng and said in a cold tone, ¡°I¡¯m talking to you. Would you be willing to help me look after the medicine garden?¡± Startled for a moment, Zhao Heng saw Yun Qingsnow subtly wink at him, and he quickly nodded. ¡°I¡¯m willing! Of course I¡¯m willing! It would be an honor for me to assist Senior Sister Yun in tending the medicine garden!¡± Hearing this, Liu Hong finally reacted. ¡°This¡­ This won¡¯t do!¡± he blurted out. Yun Qingsnow turned her gaze toward Liu Hong. Though it appeared to be just a casual glance, it carried an overwhelming sense of pressure, causing Liu Hong to momentarily stop breathing. He involuntarily retreated several steps, his heart trembling with fear. ¡°Are you talking to me?¡± Yun Qingsnow¡¯s voice was calm and gentle, yet it carried an inexplicable sense of dominance. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Liu Hong broke into a sweat, suddenly unable to speak. It was Zhou Cang who stepped forward with a smile, breaking the tension. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Nephew Yun Qingsnow. What wind has brought you here? Forgive me for not welcoming you earlier.¡± Yun Qingsnow glanced at Zhou Cang and clasped her hands in respect before speaking. ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Steward Zhou. I recently started cultivating a new medicine field and need a servant disciple to look after it. I heard today is the sect¡¯s triennial servant assessment, so I came to find a suitable candidate.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s the case! Nephew Yun, there¡¯s no need for you to trouble yourself by coming personally. If you¡¯d just sent word, I would have selected a capable and experienced servant from the Spirit Medicine Garden and sent them to you myself.¡± Though Zhou Cang spoke as if he were her elder, it was clear from his tone that he held Yun Qingsnow in high regard¡ªthere was even a hint of flattery in his words. However, Yun Qingsnow merely shook her head slightly and looked toward Zhao Heng. ¡°Thank you for your kind offer, Steward Zhou. I¡¯ve heard this person ranked third in the servant assessment, so he should have some abilities. Let¡¯s have him tend to the medicine garden for me.¡± Her tone was casual, as if she didn¡¯t know Zhao Heng at all. Hearing this, Liu Hong, standing off to the side, turned pale. Zhao Heng already posed a significant threat to him. If Zhao Heng were to become Yun Qingsnow¡¯s servant, his future prospects would undoubtedly rise. Should Zhao Heng find success, it would only spell disaster for Liu Hong. ¡°No, I absolutely cannot let this boy rise to power,¡± Liu Hong thought to himself. Steeling his nerves, he said, ¡°Senior Sister Yun, although Zhao Heng ranked third in the assessment, much of that was due to sheer luck. Furthermore, he¡¯s been working in the mines since entering the sect and knows nothing about tending medicinal herbs. I fear he might ruin your important work.¡± Zhou Cang nodded in agreement. ¡°Deacon Liu has a point, Nephew Yun. Why don¡¯t I take you to the Spirit Medicine Garden to choose a few experienced servants instead?¡± Yun Qingsnow furrowed her brow slightly and glanced at Zhao Heng, about to say something. Before she could speak, Zhao Heng, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stepped forward and said, ¡°Steward Zhou, Deacon Liu, rest assured. I have the skills to tend to Senior Sister Yun¡¯s medicine garden.¡± Hearing this, Liu Hong sneered. ¡°Zhao Heng, you¡¯re just a miner. What could you possibly know about tending to medicinal herbs? Don¡¯t brag just because you want to cozy up to Senior Sister Yun.¡± Zhou Cang frowned slightly, displeased with Zhao Heng¡¯s bold claim. But Zhao Heng couldn¡¯t afford to care about anyone¡¯s opinion at this moment. He knew Yun Qingsnow had come today to repay the favor she owed him. While no one would dare stop her from forcefully recruiting him as her servant, it would undoubtedly lead to suspicion and speculation about their relationship¡ªsomething that could cause significant trouble. As the saying goes, "One must have their own strength to forge iron." This was a moment where Zhao Heng had no choice but to put himself forward. Facing Liu Hong¡¯s scorn, Zhao Heng clasped his hands behind his back, recalling something in his mind. Suddenly, he spoke aloud with confidence: ¡°The highest-grade medicinal herbs, 120 kinds, are the rulers. They nourish life and align with the heavens. They are non-toxic and harmless even with prolonged use. Those who wish to attain lightness of body, vitality, and longevity should refer to the Upper Canon. The middle-grade medicinal herbs, another 120 kinds, are the ministers. They nurture the spirit and benefit humanity¡­¡± As Zhao Heng¡¯s voice rang out, one of the servants from the Spirit Medicine Garden exclaimed in surprise. ¡°This is¡­ the Compendium of Spirit Herbs!¡± [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 20 - Mastery of Spiritual Herbs "One cycle for one day, completing a year, with a full set of 730 in total!" On the vast open field, thousands of servant disciples turned their gaze toward Zhao Heng. Before their eyes, Zhao Heng had recited the Compendium of Spirit Herbs, a manual that every servant of the Spirit Medicine Garden had access to. The Compendium of Spirit Herbs contained over ten thousand words, yet Zhao Heng flawlessly recited it without missing a single word. This feat left even many of the Spirit Medicine Garden servants feeling ashamed of themselves. This scene astonished Zhou Cang and Liu Hong, while a faint gleam appeared in Yun Qingsnow¡¯s eyes. Facing the crowd¡¯s surprised gazes, Zhao Heng pretended to be bashful and spoke humbly, "Although I¡¯ve been working in the mines, I¡¯ve always been learning about the art of herb cultivation and am confident I can take on this responsibility." Liu Hong, clearly unprepared for Zhao Heng¡¯s display, hesitated for a moment before voicing his doubts again. "Zhao Heng, cultivating spiritual plants isn¡¯t just about reciting theory. Memorizing the compendium is one thing, but without practical experience, how can you ensure there won¡¯t be any mistakes?" Zhao Heng grinned, as if expecting this challenge. "Deacon Liu, how do you know I don¡¯t have any experience?" Liu Hong let out a cold snort. "That¡¯s easy to determine. Let¡¯s call upon a servant disciple from the Spirit Medicine Garden to test your knowledge on the spot. That should make things clear." Zhou Cang, observing the tension between Liu Hong and Zhao Heng, hesitated briefly before nodding. He then instructed the deacon in charge of the Spirit Medicine Garden to personally assess Zhao Heng. The deacon turned out to be an elderly man with graying hair. Hearing that a miner like Zhao Heng claimed to understand the art of spiritual herbs piqued his curiosity. He proceeded to ask a few obscure questions about spiritual herbs, expecting Zhao Heng to perhaps answer one correctly at best. To his astonishment, Zhao Heng answered each question fluently and with impeccable accuracy, leaving no room for error. This left the elder deeply impressed. His gaze toward Zhao Heng now carried a hint of admiration, as if seeing a "raw gem" waiting to be polished. After a brief pause, the elder retrieved a plant from a pouch at his waist¡ªa vibrant herb with seven distinct types of leaves. With a smile, he looked at Zhao Heng and said: "Young man, do you recognize this herb? If you can accurately describe its characteristics and determine its growth cycle, you¡¯ll pass this assessment." Hearing this, Zhao Heng focused his gaze on the herb in the elder¡¯s hand. A strange sense of familiarity welled up inside him, making the corners of his mouth curve into a peculiar smile. "Sir, I must admit, I can¡¯t determine the growth cycle of this herb," Zhao Heng replied humbly. The elder¡¯s smile widened, as if he had expected this response. Liu Hong, on the other hand, was overjoyed. If Zhao Heng failed the assessment, he would have no choice but to stay in the mines under Liu Hong''s control. However, Zhao Heng continued, "That¡¯s because this herb doesn¡¯t have a definitive growth cycle. If I¡¯m not mistaken, it¡¯s a hybrid created by grafting seven different spiritual plants together!" The elder¡¯s smile froze, his pupils contracting with shock. "You¡­ you¡¯ve actually discerned my ¡®grafting technique¡¯! Grafting¡­ What a fitting name. Why didn¡¯t I think of that?" The elder exclaimed in amazement. He couldn¡¯t help but ask further, "And can you identify the seven spiritual plants used in this grafting?" Zhao Heng assumed a thoughtful expression before hesitantly answering, "If I¡¯m not mistaken, the plants include Snow Lotus Seeds, Drunken Dragon Grass, Returning Spirit Red Fruit, Tranquil Mind Flower¡­ and possibly Blood Crystal Grass?" He listed all seven plants in an uncertain tone. The elder was already stroking his beard in excitement, visibly impressed. "Excellent, truly excellent! To be able to accurately identify all seven plants is beyond my expectations. In fact, you¡¯ve already passed the assessment. I merely wanted to see how much skill you truly have. From what I can see, your knowledge of spiritual plants in the Servants'' Peak Spirit Medicine Garden is second only to mine!" Hearing the elder¡¯s praise and noticing the shocked gazes from the surrounding crowd, Zhao Heng¡¯s lips twitched as he suppressed the urge to curse. You old bastard! Passing the test is one thing, but why did you have to give me an ¡®extra challenge¡¯? And now you¡¯ve made me stand out even more. Are you trying to get me killed?If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. No, I absolutely cannot stay on Servants¡¯ Peak any longer! Fortunately, Zhao Heng had passed the assessment, largely thanks to the late Spirit Medicine Garden servant, Liu Feng. Using his memory-plundering ability, Zhao Heng had inherited Liu Feng¡¯s expertise in spiritual plants and the Boulder-Splitting Fist technique. The earlier recitation of the Compendium of Spirit Herbs and the answers to the elder¡¯s questions were all thanks to Liu Feng¡¯s knowledge. In particular, the hybrid plant presented by the elder was something Liu Feng had personally tended to in the past. It couldn¡¯t have been more familiar to Zhao Heng. "Steward Zhou, Deacon Liu, do you now believe I am capable of serving as Senior Sister Yun¡¯s assistant in the medicine garden?" Zhao Heng asked confidently. Zhou Cang nodded in approval. "To pass Deacon He¡¯s assessment is no small feat. You¡¯ve done well. Serve Nephew Yun diligently and bring honor to the Servants¡¯ Peak." "Thank you, Steward Zhou. I will do my best!" Zhao Heng replied. He cast a glance at Liu Hong, whose face had turned sour. Yet for the moment, Liu Hong dared not say another word. At this time, Yun Qingsnow spoke up. "Very good. Since you¡¯re skilled in cultivating spiritual plants, it seems I made the right choice. Pack your things and report to Qingxia Peak today." With that, Yun Qingsnow left behind a token and turned to leave. Zhao Heng accepted the token, feeling as though he had grown wings and could fly straight to Qingxia Peak. Under the envious and jealous gazes of the other servant disciples, he bid farewell and departed. As he left, Deacon He from the Spirit Medicine Garden sighed wistfully. "What a fine seedling. If only he could¡¯ve joined my Spirit Medicine Garden. Such a pity that my top disciple, Liu Feng, died mysteriously in the assessment area. Who will take care of my precious herbs now?" Cough, cough. Hearing this, Zhao Heng gave the elder a sympathetic look and said, "Please take care of yourself, sir. My condolences." "Thank you, young man!" The elder replied kindly, watching Zhao Heng leave. Meanwhile, Liu Hong¡¯s face was so dark it looked like it might drip water. Zhou Cang glanced at him and said meaningfully, "I don¡¯t care what grievances you have with Zhao Heng, but I strongly advise you not to provoke Yun Qingsnow. If you cross her, no one will be able to protect you." Liu Hong¡¯s heart trembled. "Steward Zhou, isn¡¯t Yun Qingsnow just an outer disciple? Even if her cultivation is impressive, she¡¯s still no match for you, right?" Zhou Cang sneered. "You clearly don¡¯t understand. Yun Qingsnow breaking into the Innate Realm is only a matter of time. Additionally, she has already been accepted as a formal disciple by ¡®that person.¡¯ Right now, I can¡¯t afford to offend her. In the future¡­ I¡¯ll be even less able to." Hearing this, Liu Hong¡¯s mood became even more complicated. He lowered his head, concealing the malice in his eyes. After leaving the assessment area, Zhao Heng returned to Servants¡¯ Peak, quickly packed his belongings, and headed straight for Qingxia Peak. The Nine Peaks of the Yuhua Sect were vast and interconnected mountain ranges, each with numerous subsidiary peaks, stretching far and wide. Qingxia Peak, located in the southeast of the sect, was majestic and rich in spiritual energy, standing as an equal to the other eight peaks. Compared to it, Servants¡¯ Peak was nothing more than a small hill. With the token Yun Qingsnow had given him, Zhao Heng easily entered Qingxia Peak¡¯s territory as a servant disciple. As he stepped into Qingxia Peak, Zhao Heng felt as though he were Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden¡ªa completely new and dazzling world opened before his eyes. Pavilions, palaces, and temples dotted the mountain. Glowing formations emitted radiant barriers of five colors, guarding the structures. In the void above, auspicious lights shimmered, cranes soared, and disciples in outer-sect robes traversed the mountain paths. Everyone carried themselves with pride and strength, exuding an air of extraordinary capability. What shocked Zhao Heng the most was a beam of white light shooting skyward from near the mountain''s peak, breaking through the sect¡¯s grand formation and ascending into the heavens. Within the light, Zhao Heng could faintly discern a figure. "Flying through the air!" Even though it was just a fleeting sight, Zhao Heng was overwhelmed with excitement. The restrictive formations around the Nine Peaks had always prevented him from witnessing such a spectacle. Without experiencing it firsthand, it was hard to imagine the impact this scene had on a former youth of the 21st century. At that moment, Zhao Heng gained a deeper understanding of the extraordinary nature of this world. Simultaneously, a thought naturally arose in his mind: "If one day I can also fly through the skies and step into the Innate Realm, how incredible would that be? At that point, anyone who wants to harm me¡ªI¡¯ll deal with them first. Just the thought of it feels amazing!" Although his heart harbored such lofty aspirations, Zhao Heng maintained his usual cautious demeanor. Keeping his head down, he walked along the edge of the mountain path, careful not to draw any trouble. Eventually, he arrived at the western slope of the mountain, where a hidden cave estate stood nestled within a dense forest¡ªthis was Yun Qingsnow¡¯s residence. The Yuhua Sect had a rule that all formal outer disciples were entitled to their own cave estate. However, the location and scale of Yun Qingsnow¡¯s residence made it stand out, even among the outer disciples. "You¡¯ve arrived." The cave¡¯s door opened, and Yun Qingsnow gracefully stepped out, clad in a flowing white dress with her hair styled in a high bun. Even though it wasn¡¯t the first time Zhao Heng had seen Yun Qingsnow, he was still struck by her beauty. She seemed as though she had stepped right out of a painting, so ethereal it felt unreal. "Senior Sister Yun, thank you for your assistance today!" Zhao Heng said, bowing respectfully with hands clasped. Zhao Heng knew Yun Qingsnow¡¯s actions at the assessment weren¡¯t by chance. She had deliberately chosen to recruit him as her servant disciple, a favor he felt obliged to acknowledge. Yun Qingsnow, however, waved her hand. "There¡¯s no need to thank me. Consider this as me repaying the favor I owe you. Besides, you earned the position through your own abilities. Now that you¡¯re here, let me take you to see the medicine garden and familiarize yourself with your new work environment." With that, Yun Qingsnow walked past Zhao Heng. As a fragrant breeze drifted by, Yun Qingsnow¡¯s elegant figure quickly disappeared far ahead. Startled, Zhao Heng hurried to keep up. Now in the eighth stage of the Body Tempering Realm, his vitality was abundant, and his speed wasn¡¯t slow. However, Yun Qingsnow¡¯s pace was even more astonishing. Without seeming to exert much effort, her figure moved faster and faster until she was nearly out of sight. Afraid of losing her, Zhao Heng adjusted his footwork. His movements suddenly became ghostly and elusive, his speed increasing sharply as he chased after her¡­ [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 21 - The Ways of the World Zhao Heng and Yun Qingsnow, one chasing and the other running, quickly traversed four or five miles. Yun Qingsnow finally stopped in a mountainous medicinal field, where Zhao Heng caught up, panting and sweating profusely. In contrast, Yun Qingsnow remained pristine and composed, though she did glance at Zhao Heng with some surprise. "You managed to keep up? What kind of movement technique are you practicing? It looks a bit unusual," she asked. Zhao Heng¡¯s heart skipped a beat. In his haste, he had instinctively used the modified version of the Bone-Melting Steps technique. Fortunately, Zhao Heng¡¯s version was a heavily altered one, significantly different from the original. "Senior Sister, it¡¯s just a crude technique I practiced randomly. It¡¯s not worth mentioning¡ªplease don¡¯t laugh at me. By the way, is this your medicinal garden?" Zhao Heng quickly deflected the question and changed the topic. Yun Qingsnow didn¡¯t press him further. She turned to look ahead, where a series of terraced fields stretched across the mountains. These fields were scattered across the slopes, varying in size, and covered in dense mist that obscured the view within. Yun Qingsnow led Zhao Heng toward one of the medium-sized fields. She took out a small crimson flag, and a faint blue energy emanated from her fingertips. Zhao Heng¡¯s eyes narrowed as he immediately sensed a surge of profound energy and a chilling aura. "Releasing profound energy!" Zhao Heng recalled tales he had heard: martial artists in the Organ Refinement Realm could store a portion of the world¡¯s profound energy within their bodies. This must be Yun Qingsnow¡¯s own stored profound energy. As Yun Qingsnow infused a strand of profound energy into the small flag, the flag emitted a flash of white light. The mist ahead churned and parted, creating a clear path. The two of them entered through the path, and the view ahead suddenly opened up. A rich medicinal aroma greeted them. In front of them lay a lush spiritual field spanning several acres, filled with various types of spiritual herbs. In one corner of the field stood a simple grass hut, next to an ancient well. "This is my medicinal garden," Yun Qingsnow explained. "All official Outer Sect disciples in the sect are assigned a personal cave dwelling, but spiritual fields must be rented separately." "Since I also practice alchemy, I planted these spiritual herbs myself and have been personally tending to them," she continued. "Now, as I¡¯m preparing to break through to the Innate Realm, I won¡¯t have time to manage this place. From now on, you¡¯ll stay in the grass hut and take care of these herbs. With your abilities, you should have no trouble looking after them." Zhao Heng was overjoyed to hear this. This spiritual field was located halfway up Qingxia Peak, where the planted herbs naturally attracted an abundance of heaven and earth energy. The environment for cultivation here was leagues better than the conditions on the Servants¡¯ Peak. Yun Qingsnow then went on to explain some of the rules of Qingxia Peak. For example, servant disciples were not allowed to roam freely or trespass into others¡¯ spiritual fields¡­ After a series of instructions, she handed Zhao Heng the small flag that controlled the spiritual field¡¯s formation and departed. Watching Yun Qingsnow¡¯s graceful figure disappear into the sea of mist, Zhao Heng felt a sense of emptiness, as though he had lost something very important. He thought it might be the feeling of having a "crush," but upon closer consideration, he realized what was actually bothering him. "Damn it! I forgot to ask her how much my monthly wages will be!" In the end, Zhao Heng settled into the medicinal garden, making the grass hut his new home. With Liu Feng¡¯s memories, Zhao Heng quickly became adept at tending to the spiritual field. The work was straightforward¡ªwatering, pruning, fertilizing, and pest control¡ªnone of which took much time. Compared to working in the mines, Zhao Heng now had an abundance of free time. He wasted none of it, dedicating most of his time to practicing his cultivation techniques and martial skills. He also spent time studying his Poison Manual and the Thirty-Six Strategies for Survival, learning more about poison refinement and crafty techniques for dealing with enemies.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. As for cultivation resources, Zhao Heng had used up almost all his savings to pass the servant disciple assessment. Thankfully, after passing, he received a reward of 100 profound crystals and a Body Refining Pill, ensuring he didn¡¯t have to worry about resources in the short term. For the next half month, Zhao Heng stayed in the medicinal garden without distractions, fully focused on cultivation. He could feel his cultivation steadily improving, and his Stone-Splitting Fist and Bone-Melting Steps became increasingly refined. Thanks to Liu Feng¡¯s memories, Zhao Heng managed to advance his Stone-Splitting Fist to the "Minor Accomplishment" level within just half a month, significantly enhancing its power. He was delighted by the progress. However, despite his improvements, Zhao Heng¡¯s sense of crisis remained undiminished. He knew Liu Hong wouldn¡¯t let him off the hook. Liu Hong was similar to him in some ways¡ªa person who would spare no effort to eliminate potential threats to his safety. He was likely waiting for an opportunity to strike. While Zhao Heng was temporarily safe on Qingxia Peak, he couldn¡¯t shake the worry that Liu Hong might use other means¡ªor even leverage special connections¡ªto deal with him. The more people that got involved, the harder it would be for Zhao Heng to find peace. "I must raise my cultivation quickly and deal with him as soon as possible!" Currently at the eighth level of the Body Refinement realm, Zhao Heng planned to stabilize his cultivation before using the Body Refining Pill to break through to the ninth level. But before that, he needed to visit the sect¡¯s Library Pavilion to claim his reward. The previous day, the Servants¡¯ Peak overseer, Zhou Cang, had sent someone to inform Zhao Heng that the top three disciples from the servant disciple assessment could visit the Library Pavilion to collect their rewards at Chenshi (between 7¨C9 a.m.). Zhao Heng arrived at the Library Pavilion before Chenshi. The Library Pavilion, along with the Weapon Refining Pavilion, Merit Hall, and Punishment Hall, was one of the sect¡¯s key buildings. It was located in the central area of the Nine Peaks, near a spacious square. Zhao Heng didn¡¯t need a pass to reach the area. The Library Pavilion was a towering, square structure with seven levels, majestic and imposing. Outer Sect disciples stood guard around it. As Zhao Heng approached within 100 meters of the pavilion, a dozen sharp gazes locked onto him. "Who goes there? This is a restricted area¡ªunauthorized individuals are not allowed!" one of the guards barked. The intimidating display made Zhao Heng hesitate slightly, but he quickly reported his identity, explaining that he was there to claim his servant disciple assessment reward. One guard stepped forward to verify his identity token. After confirming everything was in order, Zhao Heng was led to the side entrance of the Library Pavilion, where two other figures were already waiting. One was a tall, imposing young man with a confident demeanor, and the other was a graceful girl with willow-like brows and almond-shaped eyes, radiating an elegant beauty. Zhao Heng recognized them immediately¡ªthey were the first and second place winners of the servant disciple assessment. The man was Ye Bufan, and the woman was Xiao Chuner. These two were considered the leaders among the servant disciples of the Yuhua Sect. Both were at the peak of the Body Refinement realm and had one foot in the Bone Refinement realm. Their strength surpassed that of Liu Feng. However, Zhao Heng, now at the eighth level of Body Refinement, with his Minor Accomplishment Stone-Splitting Fist and Bone-Melting Steps, might not necessarily lose to them in a fight. Still, Zhao Heng didn¡¯t want to draw attention. He approached them and greeted them respectfully, "Senior Brother Ye, Senior Sister Xiao!" Ye Bufan and Xiao Chuner exchanged glances but didn¡¯t return the courtesy. Ye Bufan sneered, "So you¡¯re the kid who got third place in the servant disciple assessment by sheer luck?" Xiao Chuner added disdainfully, "Don¡¯t think that just because you got lucky and managed to place third, or because you¡¯re helping Senior Sister Yun with her medicinal garden, you¡¯re on the same level as us." "Senior Brother Ye and I are already starting Bone Refinement training. Soon, we¡¯ll step into the Bone Refinement realm and become official Outer Sect disciples!" Their unwarranted hostility left Zhao Heng momentarily stunned, but he quickly understood. These two clearly looked down on him and were jealous that Yun Qingsnow had chosen him to tend her garden. Their egos were bruised, and they were lashing out to feel superior. Faced with this classic "arrogant provocation" scenario, Zhao Heng decided to forego any posturing. He smiled apologetically and said, "Senior Brother Ye, Senior Sister Xiao, I indeed got lucky. Otherwise, how could I possibly stand here with such extraordinary individuals as yourselves?" "As for helping Senior Sister Yun, it¡¯s only because she took pity on me. Who knows¡ªif she¡¯s unhappy with me one day, she might kick me out. When that happens, I¡¯ll have to rely on Senior Brother Ye and Senior Sister Xiao, the future Outer Sect elites, to look after me!" "What?" Zhao Heng¡¯s response caught Ye Bufan and Xiao Chuner off guard. They had expected him to confront them or escalate the situation into a physical altercation, giving them a chance to "teach him a lesson." Instead, Zhao Heng was so humble and self-effacing that it felt like punching cotton. Still, they couldn¡¯t help but feel flattered. His words, especially calling them "Outer Sect elites," were like honey to their ears, filling them with satisfaction. They suddenly found Zhao Heng much more tolerable and even somewhat likable. Ye Bufan laughed heartily, "Haha! Junior Brother, don¡¯t take it personally. I was just joking earlier. If you ever run into trouble, feel free to come to me for help!" Xiao Chuner, too, softened her tone, saying, "Junior Brother, luck may have helped you, but you should still work hard to improve yourself and rise in rank." Zhao Heng nodded repeatedly, wearing an expression of utmost gratitude. He added a few more compliments, making both of them beam with pride and warmth. To Zhao Heng, their reaction was unsurprising. Life wasn¡¯t just about fighting¡ªit was also about navigating relationships. Because of his physical ailment, Zhao Heng always sought to turn potential enemies into harmless acquaintances. As for those who couldn¡¯t be turned, he made sure to eliminate them as soon as possible. As they spoke, the Library Pavilion¡¯s doors opened. An Outer Sect disciple appeared and called out to the trio, "The lower-tier manuals are available on the first and second floors. You have one hour to make your selections. After that, you must leave!" The three immediately entered the Library Pavilion and began their search... [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 22: Vision Qi Technique and Bone Refining Pill As soon as Zhao Heng and the other two entered the Library Pavilion, Ye Bufan and Xiao Chuner headed straight for the second floor. The two had already heard that the higher levels of the Library Pavilion housed more advanced techniques. The first floor contained mostly low-level ordinary manuals and various mundane skills from the martial world, which they saw no point in wasting time on. However, Zhao Heng chose differently. After quickly browsing through the first two floors, he decided to remain on the first floor for his selection. The reason was simple: the second floor primarily offered attack and movement techniques. At the moment, Zhao Heng was already practicing Stone-Splitting Fist and Bone-Melting Steps, neither of which he had mastered yet. Adding more martial techniques would only dilute his focus and slow his progress. Moreover, for martial artists in the Postnatal Realm, the amount of energy and blood they could muster was limited. Having too many techniques without sufficient energy to use them would be pointless. After careful consideration, Zhao Heng decided to choose a manual that would provide him with more practical help. He browsed the first floor for half an hour before his eyes landed on a manual titled Vision Qi Technique. Opening the first page, he saw only two lines of description: "Harness the mind to detect Qi, fortify the soul, enhance the six senses, gauge an enemy¡¯s strength, and anticipate their moves!" Zhao Heng¡¯s eyes lit up. Although the manual was only of low ordinary grade, its functionality greatly appealed to him. The ability to discern an enemy¡¯s strength and enhance sensory sensitivity would significantly improve his ability to predict danger and avoid crises. For someone like Zhao Heng, who prioritized survival above all else, this technique was an obvious choice. Without hesitation, Zhao Heng decided on the Vision Qi Technique. With some time left on the clock, Zhao Heng continued browsing through other manuals on the first floor. Many of them piqued his interest, but unfortunately, he could only choose one. The Yuhua Sect had strict rules regarding the management of their manuals. To borrow even a low-level ordinary manual required spending a substantial amount of profound crystals. For high-level manuals, contributions to the sect were also required. Sigh¡­ if only I could select a few more at once! Zhao Heng thought wistfully before a bold idea suddenly occurred to him. "What if I used my theft skill near the Library Pavilion¡­?" But he quickly dismissed the thought. Inside the Library Pavilion, Zhao Heng could faintly sense that they were being closely monitored from the shadows. If a manual were discovered missing, suspicion would inevitably fall on the few people inside. Even if he wanted to use his skill, it would have to be done elsewhere. Half an hour later, the selection period ended. Ye Bufan and Xiao Chuner each selected powerful attack manuals. When they saw that Zhao Heng had chosen only a low-level ordinary manual, they weren¡¯t surprised. They simply assumed Zhao Heng was too weak to handle advanced techniques. After completing the borrowing procedures, the three underwent a thorough body search before leaving the pavilion. This made Zhao Heng feel grateful he hadn¡¯t acted recklessly and attempted to use his skill earlier. Once they exited the Library Pavilion and left the guards¡¯ line of sight, Zhao Heng bid farewell to Ye Bufan and Xiao Chuner. He then made a wide detour around the Library Pavilion and entered a secluded forest. Hidden among the trees, Zhao Heng mentally activated his skill: "Steal!" Before the servant assessment, Zhao Heng had accumulated several uses of Random Steal as well as one use of Luck Steal. He planned to use his skill to snag something valuable from the Library Pavilion. After several attempts at random stealing, Zhao Heng found himself surrounded by useless odds and ends, leaving him disappointed. "It seems I¡¯ll have to try the Luck Steal," he thought. Gazing at the towering Library Pavilion in the distance, Zhao Heng couldn¡¯t help but hope for a powerful manual from the upper levels. "Activate the skill!" With the use of Luck Steal, there was a faint "pop," and a small embroidered pouch appeared in front of Zhao Heng. The pouch looked vaguely familiar. Zhao Heng opened it to find two silver-black spheres, each the size of a pigeon egg. "Exploding Thunder Orbs!" Zhao Heng immediately recognized the items but was momentarily stunned. "Why didn¡¯t I get a manual? How did I end up with two Exploding Thunder Orbs instead?" He instinctively glanced back toward the Library Pavilion and realized the forest he was in was near Danquan Peak, one of the Nine Peaks, situated between the pavilion and his location. At the same time, an elderly man with silver-white hair, who exuded an air of immortality, was briskly walking down the mountain path nearby.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Recalling an incident from over a month ago, the old man couldn¡¯t help but grumble to himself. "Which scoundrel stole the Exploding Thunder Orbs I just developed? If I ever catch them, I¡¯ll make sure they regret it!" "Hmph, at least I¡¯m skilled enough to have rushed through making two upgraded versions. This time, I¡¯m carrying them on me. If they get stolen again, I might as well bash my head in!" The old man muttered smugly as he reached for his waist. The next moment, his body froze. Frantically, he rubbed his waist with both hands. Looking down, he saw that his waist was now completely empty. The old man¡¯s face turned green in an instant. "I¡­ #%&@!" Meanwhile, Zhao Heng pocketed the two Exploding Thunder Orbs and muttered, "Well, I didn¡¯t get a manual, but these orbs aren¡¯t bad either. I¡¯ll have to try my luck again next time." Zhao Heng soon returned to the grass hut on Qingxia Peak and resumed his routine of secluded cultivation. Day in and day out, he alternated between cultivating, studying poisons, and exploring various crafty survival techniques. He also began practicing the Vision Qi Technique. Initially, Zhao Heng thought that without the modification from the Dao Seed Dice, learning the Vision Qi Technique would be extremely difficult. To his surprise, he seemed to have a natural aptitude for the technique. His progress was remarkably smooth, and within less than half a month, he had already reached the beginner level. After mastering the entry-level Vision Qi Technique, Zhao Heng noticeably felt his six senses grow sharper, greatly enhancing his perception. At the same time, his cultivation continued to advance steadily. His eighth-level Body Refinement realm had become fully stabilized. With a Body Refining Pill still in his possession, Zhao Heng planned to prepare carefully before using it to break through to the ninth level. A month passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, the mist outside the grass hut parted, forming a pathway. Yun Qingsnow, in a flowing moon-white dress, appeared gracefully, like an immortal descending to the mortal realm. Although her demeanor remained calm and composed as always, Zhao Heng could clearly sense, thanks to the Vision Qi Technique, that Yun Qingsnow¡¯s aura had grown stronger. In addition to her natural, powerful presence, there was now an ethereal, transcendent quality to her. Yun Qingsnow inspected the medicinal field. Seeing that the herbs were thriving and orderly, a faint smile graced her elegant face. "Not bad. You¡¯ve done well. Here¡¯s your wage for the month," she said, tossing a heavy pouch toward Zhao Heng. Opening it, Zhao Heng saw 50 profound crystals inside. His wages had increased fivefold compared to before, yet the work was much easier. She truly was a dream employer! "Thank you, Senior Sister, for your generosity! I¡¯ll continue to work hard!" Zhao Heng said earnestly, expressing his gratitude. Yun Qingsnow nodded lightly. "Alright, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving now." Zhao Heng hesitated for a moment before asking, "Senior Sister, I¡¯d like to ask about breaking through to the Bone Refinement Realm and becoming an Outer Sect Disciple." As Zhao Heng''s cultivation progressed more rapidly and his breakthrough to the Bone Refinement Realm drew nearer, he had begun planning for his future. Given that Yun Qingsnow was an Outer Sect prodigy, she naturally had access to valuable information. Sure enough, upon hearing his question, Yun Qingsnow looked at Zhao Heng with a hint of surprise before answering directly. "In the Yuhua Sect, as long as you break through to the Bone Refinement Realm before the age of twenty and pass the sect¡¯s assessment, you can become an Outer Sect Disciple. However, breaking through to the Bone Refinement Realm is no easy feat." Hearing this, Zhao Heng focused his attention, knowing he was about to hear something crucial. Yun Qingsnow continued, "The so-called ¡®Bone Refinement¡¯ involves tempering the bones using profound energy. Some people are born with extraordinary bone structures, naturally attuned to profound energy, and blessed with exceptional physiques nurtured by heaven and earth." "These individuals cultivate at an incredible speed, and breaking through to the Bone Refinement Realm is as natural as water flowing downhill, with no bottlenecks to hinder them. I am one of those people." Zhao Heng¡¯s lips twitched. Such a boastful statement coming from Yun Qingsnow¡¯s mouth left him speechless, yet he couldn¡¯t argue against her confidence. Yun Qingsnow continued, "People like me are rare. Most martial artists have average talent. For them, refining their bones requires years of accumulation, using profound energy and vital essence to continuously nourish their bones." "Only when the nourishment reaches the bone marrow and generates a thread of ''Bone Strength,'' also known as ''Inner Strength,'' can they break through to the Bone Refinement Realm." Zhao Heng knew he belonged to the latter category. Unable to hold back, he asked, "For an average person, how long does it take to go from the ninth level of Body Refinement to the Bone Refinement Realm?" "At the shortest, two to three years. At the longest, over a decade. But if someone waits too long, their vital essence declines, their bones deteriorate, and they may never break through in their lifetime." Zhao Heng was taken aback. His current body was already seventeen years old. Based on this timeline, it was uncertain whether he could reach the Bone Refinement Realm before turning twenty. Fortunately, Yun Qingsnow provided an important piece of information. "You don¡¯t need to worry too much. To increase the chances of breaking through to the Bone Refinement Realm, the experts of the True Martial World have developed various spiritual pills and elixirs." "Among them, the Bone Refining Pill is the most effective. It can shorten the time required for a breakthrough by several times." "Bone Refining Pill!" Zhao Heng¡¯s eyes lit up. "Senior Sister Yun, where can I buy this Bone Refining Pill?" Yun Qingsnow glanced at Zhao Heng and replied casually, "Though the Bone Refining Pill is rare, it¡¯s sold by the Seven Orthodox Sects of the righteous path. However, it¡¯s a bit expensive." "A bit expensive? How expensive?" "According to the price set by the Righteous Alliance, one Bone Refining Pill costs 500 profound crystals. However, due to high demand, it¡¯s often sold for upwards of 1,000 profound crystals." "1,000 profound crystals!" Zhao Heng¡¯s breath hitched. Even with the occasional windfall granted by his Dao Seed Dice, he had never come close to seeing 1,000 profound crystals in his life. That number was staggering¡ªfar beyond what Zhao Heng could afford at the moment. Seeing the disappointment in Zhao Heng¡¯s eyes, Yun Qingsnow hesitated for a moment before saying, "If you want the Bone Refining Pill at the lowest cost, there is another way." Hearing this, Zhao Heng immediately sensed an opportunity and quickly asked, "Senior Sister Yun, you¡¯re a prominent Outer Sect disciple with a wide network. Do you have a way to get the Bone Refining Pill at a lower price?" Yun Qingsnow gave him a meaningful look and said, "Why do you think I planted so many spiritual herbs and hired someone to tend to them?" Zhao Heng instinctively replied, "Planting herbs is, of course, for refining pills. Wait, Senior Sister, are you saying¡­?" Yun Qingsnow nodded. "Didn¡¯t I tell you? I also practice alchemy. I¡¯m currently a novice alchemist, and I¡¯m learning how to refine the Bone Refining Pill. I¡¯ve made some progress." "If you can gather the necessary materials, I can refine a batch of pills for you for free. Consider it practice for me, and you won¡¯t have to pay the high fees to hire an alchemist." Hearing this, Zhao Heng¡¯s eyes sparkled with admiration for Yun Qingsnow. She wasn¡¯t just an Outer Sect prodigy¡ªshe could also refine Bone Refining Pills? Truly, she was extraordinary beyond belief! "Senior Sister, you¡¯re amazing!" Zhao Heng exclaimed, his face full of awe. Yun Qingsnow was slightly flustered by Zhao Heng¡¯s exaggerated reaction. She casually said, "I¡¯ll write you a list of materials. Prepare them as soon as you can and come find me." She handed Zhao Heng a handwritten list of materials before departing. After leaving the medicinal field, Yun Qingsnow muttered to herself, "You helped me once, so I¡¯ll help you twice. That way, we¡¯re even¡ªwith interest." "Though refining the Bone Refining Pill isn¡¯t easy, my master said my success rate is already quite decent. I¡¯ve mastered the process enough to make it work¡­ probably¡­" Her last words, however, were spoken with a noticeable lack of confidence. [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 23: A Calamity Unbidden Inside the thatched hut on Qingxia Peak, ever since Yun Qingxue promised to refine the Bone Tempering Pill for Zhao Heng, he had been busy investigating the required materials. He discovered that many of the materials were extremely valuable and scarce, including one of the key ingredients: the heart of a Tier-2 Mystic Beast. In the end, Zhao Heng decided to personally venture into the mountains to gather the necessary herbs. As for the Tier-2 Mystic Beast heart, if all else failed, he would have to purchase one at a high price. With his plan set, Zhao Heng didn¡¯t rush into action. Instead, he remained in the hut and entered closed-door cultivation for several days. Dusk arrived, and after the rain cleared, the air became sweet and refreshing. The fragrance of spiritual herbs lingered around the hut, and dense mystic energy swirled in the surrounding area. Sitting cross-legged on his wooden bed, Zhao Heng completed the final cycle of the Green Pine Technique. He felt his blood and energy surging, his vital force brimming¡ªhis state had reached its absolute peak. At that moment, Zhao Heng took out a "Body Refinement Pill" that he had treasured for a long time. With plans to leave the sect and venture into the wilderness, Zhao Heng decided to break through to the ninth level of the Body Refinement Realm to better prepare for any potential dangers. As the pill dissolved in his stomach, a familiar heat spread throughout his body. The pill¡¯s pure mystic energy merged with his blood, stirring it into a raging torrent¡ªsurging, gathering, and finally bursting forth! As the energy reached its peak, Zhao Heng activated the perfected Green Pine Technique, guiding the turbulent blood to circulate through his body, nourishing his muscles, bones, skin, and internal organs. At the same time, the concentrated mystic energy around the hut seemed to respond to his call, rushing toward him and flowing into his body through his acupoints. In that moment, Zhao Heng¡¯s aura surged steadily and methodically. The next morning¡ª In a small courtyard halfway up the Servants¡¯ Peak, Liu Hong opened the door to his room. His swollen, dark eye bags made it clear that he hadn¡¯t been sleeping well. "It¡¯s been over a month, and that brat still hasn¡¯t left the sect. What should I do?" Liu Hong muttered to himself. He was, of course, referring to Zhao Heng. Ever since the servant assessment, where his men were completely wiped out and Zhao Heng became Yun Qingxue¡¯s personal attendant, Liu Hong had felt as though he had released a tiger back into the wild. These past days, he hadn¡¯t had a single good night¡¯s rest. He had secretly assigned people to monitor Zhao Heng¡¯s movements at the foot of Qingxia Peak. But over the past month, Zhao Heng had shown no intention of leaving the sect, apart from making one trip to the Scripture Pavilion. Recently, Liu Hong discovered that Zhao Heng had been inquiring about certain medicinal materials. This made Liu Hong even more uneasy¡ªhe suspected that Zhao Heng was preparing to break through to the Bone Refining Realm. This realization filled him with dread. He was even prepared to use his personal connections within the sect to eliminate Zhao Heng, regardless of the risks. To Liu Hong, it was better to take the risk than to allow his enemy to continue growing stronger and eventually turn the tables on him. Just as Liu Hong was once again caught in indecision¡ª "Bang! Bang! Bang!" Someone knocked urgently on the courtyard door. One of his subordinates rushed in, whispering a few words into Liu Hong¡¯s ear. Liu Hong, who had been tense and sullen moments earlier, suddenly lit up with energy. "That brat has finally left the sect!"If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "This time, I¡¯ll handle it myself. I won¡¯t let him return alive." An hour later¡ª On a mountain path leading to Niu Jiao Mountain in the northwest of the Yuhua Sect, a young man in gray traveling gear walked briskly. He carried a shield on his back, with two bulging pouches strapped to his waist. A dagger was held in a reverse grip in one hand, while his other hand hovered near the hilt of the blade at his side. This young man was none other than Zhao Heng, who had just left the Yuhua Sect to head toward Niu Jiao Mountain. Although Niu Jiao Mountain was dangerous due to the frequent activity of mystic beasts, it was also the most abundant source of spiritual herbs near the sect. Zhao Heng hoped to try his luck¡ªgiven his current strength and means, he might even be able to kill a weaker Tier-2 Mystic Beast. As he walked along the rugged mountain path, Zhao Heng¡¯s peripheral vision frequently darted behind him. He mobilized his blood energy, sending two streams of warmth toward his spiritual senses, enhancing his eyes, ears, and other senses. "Qi Observation Technique¡ªactivate!" In an instant, Zhao Heng¡¯s six senses sharpened dramatically. He faintly sensed several concealed gazes following him from a distance. Among them, one gaze felt particularly dangerous¡ªand disturbingly familiar. "Liu Hong!" From the moment Zhao Heng had stepped out of the sect, he had vaguely sensed Liu Hong¡¯s presence. As he moved farther away from the sect, Liu Hong¡¯s aura became increasingly clear. "So he¡¯s finally decided to act personally." Zhao Heng had anticipated this. His trip wasn¡¯t just about gathering herbs¡ªit was also about "luring the snake out of its hole." He knew that Liu Hong had been having him monitored for weeks. Both of them were waiting for the right moment to eliminate the other. Liu Hong feared that Zhao Heng¡¯s growing strength would one day spiral out of control, while Zhao Heng worried that Liu Hong would use his connections to strike preemptively. Both were equally desperate. However, Zhao Heng believed that with his current strength and trump cards, he could face Liu Hong head-on. Thus, he had made the first move. If he could kill Liu Hong outside the sect, the threat would be permanently neutralized. That said, the mountain path they were currently on wasn¡¯t the ideal location. Zhao Heng planned to make his move at Niu Jiao Mountain. It seemed that Liu Hong had a similar idea¡ªthey both continued forward without incident, one in the open and the other in the shadows. After an hour of travel, two peaks resembling bull horns loomed high in the distance. The dense forest on the mountain was shrouded in shadow, and the chilling roars and howls of beasts echoed from within, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. "Niu Jiao Mountain, finally." Zhao Heng paused briefly, sensing the restless auras of those behind him. Without hesitation, he quickened his pace, activating the Bone Transformation Steps, and rushed into the dense forest surrounding the mountain. However, instead of taking the nearest trail up the mountain, Zhao Heng deliberately circled around to a steep and hidden path he had once discovered. Knowing that Liu Hong was a Bone Refining Realm cultivator and had brought reinforcements, Zhao Heng had no intention of confronting them head-on. His best strategy was to set up an ambush. Meanwhile, at the base of Niu Jiao Mountain, Liu Hong and his elite subordinates had followed Zhao Heng¡¯s trail. Just as they were about to make their move, Zhao Heng accelerated into the dense forest, vanishing from their sight. "Damn it. That brat might¡¯ve noticed us!" Liu Hong¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he quickly made a decision. "Go! Don¡¯t give him time to set up an ambush." Under Liu Hong¡¯s command, the group charged up the mountain trail. But after advancing only a few hundred meters¡ª "Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" Dozens of arrows tore through the forest, piercing through branches and leaves as they rained down on Liu Hong¡¯s group. "Watch out!" Liu Hong roared, quickly dodging alongside his subordinates. Despite their swift reactions, one of their men was struck in the chest by an arrow, sustaining serious injuries. Liu Hong¡¯s first thought was that this was Zhao Heng¡¯s doing. But upon second thought, it didn¡¯t make sense¡ªZhao Heng had only just entered the mountain. How could he have prepared such an ambush? Drawing his blade, Liu Hong pointed it toward the shadows of the forest. "Who dares ambush us? Do you know we¡¯re disciples of the Yuhua Sect?" In response, a burst of raucous laughter echoed from the forest. "Heh heh¡­ Of course, we know you¡¯re from the Yuhua Sect. That¡¯s the whole reason we attacked!" Moments later, more than a dozen fierce and oddly dressed men and women emerged from the shadows, their eyes filled with malice as they glared at Liu Hong¡¯s group. Liu Hong¡¯s eyes narrowed. With a glance, he determined that these people were not righteous cultivators. "So, you¡¯re demonic cultivators. Do you think you can challenge the Yuhua Sect and live to tell the tale?" The leader, a burly man in black, sneered. "The Yuhua Sect? Your sect crippled one of our disciples and slandered our Hehua Sect. Do you think we wouldn¡¯t retaliate?" Liu Hong¡¯s heart sank. He was torn between confusion and urgency. He couldn¡¯t afford to waste time dealing with these demonic cultivators while Zhao Heng got further away. "What do you want? Say your piece and let us through!" The burly man snorted. "We¡¯ll let you through¡­ after you help us find someone." "Who?" "A servant from the Yuhua Sect, from Servants¡¯ Peak¡ªLiu Hong." Liu Hong froze in shock. "What¡­? Why are you looking for me?" The burly man¡¯s eyes widened with fury, his gaze like a blade. "You¡¯re Liu Hong? Ha ha ha¡­ What luck! We¡¯ve been searching for you everywhere, and here you are!" "Brothers, cut this bastard into pieces!" "What?!¡­" Liu Hong was stunned. He didn¡¯t understand why they would immediately attack him upon hearing his name. But as the demonic cultivators charged with murderous intent, Liu Hong had no choice but to grit his teeth and lead his men into battle. [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 24: The Crane and the Clam at Odds Midway up Niu Jiao Mountain, within a secluded forest¡ª Zhao Heng waved away the buzzing flies swarming around him, shifted his numb legs, and stared at the empty mountain path in front of him with a puzzled expression. "What¡¯s going on? Why haven¡¯t they shown up yet?" Zhao Heng¡¯s original plan was to circle around the side of Niu Jiao Mountain to the back, setting up ambushes along the way. Once he was ready, he would appear on the mountain path connecting the front and back hills, luring Liu Hong and his group into his traps. According to his calculations, Liu Hong and the others should have arrived here by now after failing to find him on the front mountain. Yet, after waiting for an entire hour, there was still no sign of them. "Could they have lost my trail? Or did they run into a Tier-3 Mystic Beast on the way and get wiped out? Or maybe¡­" Zhao Heng¡¯s thoughts raced, considering various possibilities. "Could those guys still be lying in ambush at the base of the mountain, waiting for me to come down?" After going through numerous potential scenarios in his head and waiting a while longer, Zhao Heng finally decided to change his strategy. He would start collecting materials on the back mountain and use the opportunity to monitor for any signs of his pursuers. If he spotted them, he could then lead them into his traps. It seemed Zhao Heng¡¯s luck was in his favor. In just half a day, he managed to gather several materials needed to refine the Bone Tempering Pill. Although he encountered a few Tier-1 Mystic Beasts, they were easily dealt with. By evening, as the sky began to darken, Zhao Heng found a concealed tree hollow to use as shelter. He blocked the entrance with loose stones, spread some hay to make a mat, and took out a roast chicken from his bag. Pairing it with some still-warm wine from his flask, he enjoyed a hearty meal. The warmth of the food and drink spread through his body, filling him with a sense of comfort and contentment. After eating his fill and letting out a satisfied burp, Zhao Heng sat cross-legged and began meditating. Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain¡ª By a damp and chilling mountain stream, a few figures huddled in the corner of a rocky valley. The biting cold wind howled through the area, occasionally accompanied by eerie wolf howls in the distance. The combination of hunger, exhaustion, and the constant threat of mystic beasts left fear written across their faces. One of them couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and muttered, shivering, "Liu Steward, where do you think Zhao Heng has gone? And don¡¯t forget the demonic cultivators from Hehua Sect¡ªthey¡¯re probably still hunting us. Add to that the mystic beasts on this mountain¡­ And with our provisions lost, maybe we should consider heading back down the mountain?" "Shut up!" Liu Hong, who was sitting cross-legged in the corner, snapped coldly. Under the pale moonlight, his face looked as though it was covered in frost, his expression grim and dark. Liu Hong was in a terrible mood. When he had set out that day, his plan was to quickly take care of Zhao Heng. He didn¡¯t expect to lose Zhao Heng¡¯s trail, and things had only gone downhill from there. On the way up the mountain, they had been ambushed by demonic cultivators from the Hehua Sect. For some reason, the moment they heard his name, the demonic cultivators charged at him like mad dogs. Fortunately, their strongest members were only at the ninth level of the Body Refinement Realm. Despite being outnumbered, Liu Hong and his group managed to repel them. Liu Hong thought that once they had fended off the Hehua Sect¡¯s forces, they could resume their search for Zhao Heng without issue. But to his dismay, the Hehua Sect had more than one ambush waiting for them. Along the mountain trail, they encountered numerous traps¡ªand worse still, a Bone Refinement Realm cultivator from the Hehua Sect had joined the fray. Liu Hong and his subordinates fought fiercely, narrowly escaping the encirclement. They eventually found this rocky valley as a temporary hiding place. To make matters worse, much of their gear and provisions had been lost during the battles. Now, unable to venture out to hunt mystic beasts at night, they could do nothing but endure the cold and hunger. Recalling the day¡¯s events, Liu Hong felt an overwhelming sense of frustration, anger, and helplessness. He let out a long breath, his gaze sweeping over his battered group. **"It¡¯s too late to descend the mountain now. We¡¯d risk running into mystic beasts, not to mention those Hehua Sect scoundrels. "We¡¯ll rest here for the night. At first light, we¡¯ll find some food, recover our strength, and resume searching for Zhao Heng." Though his subordinates wanted to protest, they had no choice but to nod reluctantly. Elsewhere, in a hidden cave on Niu Jiao Mountain¡ª The flickering light of a fire illuminated the cave, where a group of fierce-looking men and women in gray-black robes had gathered. At the center stood a one-eyed, bald man, his piercing gaze sweeping over the group. "Brothers and sisters!" he barked in a harsh tone. **"The Hehua Sect has been in decline for far too long. Now, under the leadership of our Young Sect Master, we have the chance to reclaim our former glory! "The Yuhua Sect has gone too far¡ªkilling our disciples and insulting our sect. We must strike back and show the world that the Hehua Sect is not to be trifled with!"The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. "Strike back! Make them pay!" the crowd roared in agreement. Someone asked, "Senior Brother, what are our next steps?" The one-eyed man¡¯s gaze turned icy. **"That steward, Liu Hong, may be formidable, but we have numbers on our side. **"We¡¯ve already blocked the path down the mountain, and our sentries are stationed across the front peak. They¡¯re surrounded. "Tomorrow at dawn, we¡¯ll launch a full-scale search. We¡¯ll crush them and send a message to anyone who dares to insult the Hehua Sect!" The next morning¡ª Zhao Heng emerged from his tree hollow, feeling refreshed and energized after a night of rest. After hiding the entrance to his shelter, he spent the morning combing the back mountain for herbs. Yet, despite his efforts, he still found no trace of Liu Hong or his group. "Seriously? How are these guys so slow? They couldn¡¯t catch up with a steaming pile of dung!" Zhao Heng muttered to himself, a mix of exasperation and amusement. He considered venturing into other areas to search for them but decided against it, wary of potential ambushes. Instead, he resolved to stay on the back mountain and continue gathering resources while keeping an eye out. Three days passed. Thanks to his exceptional strength, Zhao Heng scoured the outer areas of the back mountain, collecting over half the ingredients needed for the Bone Tempering Pill. He also killed more than a dozen Tier-1 Mystic Beasts, making significant progress. Yet, to his frustration, there was still no sign of Liu Hong¡¯s group. "By now, they should¡¯ve expanded their search to the back mountain after not finding me on the front peak. Why hasn¡¯t that happened?" The situation felt increasingly strange. After some hesitation, Zhao Heng decided to head toward the front mountain to investigate. Moving cautiously, he followed a steep, hidden trail toward the front peak, using his Qi Observation Technique to stay alert for any movements or traces. Before long, Zhao Heng began to notice signs of a struggle¡ªtrampled ground, broken branches, and scattered footprints. Following the trail further, he came across several corpses. Most of them were dressed in gray-black robes, their appearance marking them as demonic cultivators. Among them, however, were two disciples from the Yuhua Sect¡¯s Servants¡¯ Peak. Both sides bore the marks of fierce combat, with grievous injuries evident on their bodies. Curiously, their belongings had not been looted, suggesting that the battle was still ongoing rather than having concluded. Piecing together the evidence, Zhao Heng quickly deduced what had happened. Liu Hong¡¯s group hadn¡¯t been avoiding him; they had been locked in a bloody conflict with another party on the front mountain¡ªlikely the Hehua Sect. "What terrible luck for Liu Hong. Of all the people to run into, it had to be his enemies." Still, Zhao Heng couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of excitement. "The crane and the clam are at each other¡¯s throats¡­ and I¡¯m the fisherman poised to reap the benefits." An opportunity like this to capitalize on the chaos was not something Zhao Heng would let slip through his fingers. Zhao Heng followed the trail of the fighting parties, tracking their movements while scavenging for spoils along the way. As he progressed, he discovered numerous corpses of black-clad individuals. Most of them had purple lips and darkened foreheads, clear signs of having been poisoned. This made Zhao Heng wary. He quickly took precautions against poison and continued his pursuit. After tracking them for seven or eight li (miles), Zhao Heng had reaped a considerable haul from scavenging the battlefield. When he approached a clearing in the woods, the sounds of clashing weapons and furious combat reached his ears. Hiding behind a large boulder and some wild grass, Zhao Heng peeked out. He saw two groups locked in intense battle about ten zhang (thirty meters) away. One group consisted of seven individuals, all dressed in gray-black combat attire. The other group had only four, each wearing the uniform of the Yuhua Sect¡¯s servant disciples. Although the Yuhua Sect disciples were outnumbered, the seven gray-clad fighters seemed to have been poisoned. Their movements were sluggish, causing them to fall back repeatedly. Within moments, the four servant disciples overwhelmed and killed all seven opponents. The leader of the group looked at the fallen enemies and couldn¡¯t hide his excitement. "Liu Steward¡¯s poison is incredible! These demonic scum barely had any combat strength." Another person replied, "Enough talk! Let¡¯s go help Liu Steward finish off that Hehua Sect leader, then we can find Zhao Heng." A third chimed in angrily, "Right. We¡¯ve suffered so much because of that brat Zhao Heng. When we find him, we¡¯ll skin him alive and make him wish he were dead!" The four were practically seething with rage, blaming all their recent misfortunes on Zhao Heng. As they prepared to move to another battlefield and sprinted toward the other side of the clearing¡ª "Whoosh!" From a dense patch of grass, a blade flashed like lightning, striking with sudden fierceness. One of the four disciples, a Body Refinement Realm warrior at the eighth level, was caught off guard. The blade pierced his throat, and blood sprayed out like an arrow. The attack was so abrupt that the remaining three disciples instinctively retreated, staring at the patch of grass in shock. "Who¡¯s there?" The grass parted, revealing a young man in black clothing with a lean build. His bright, dark eyes gleamed as he stepped out, holding a blood-stained short blade. With an innocent expression on his face, he looked at the three disciples and said, "Senior brothers, were you looking for me?" The moment the three saw the young man¡¯s face, their pupils contracted sharply in shock. "Zhao Heng!" But after the initial shock, murderous intent filled their eyes. "You brat! You actually dare show yourself!" "Brothers, let¡¯s kill him! Then this mission will be a complete success!" The three immediately lunged at Zhao Heng. Their movements were swift and precise, revealing that all three were at the ninth level of the Body Refinement Realm. For this operation, Liu Hong had not only come personally but had also brought his most trusted and elite subordinates, aiming to ensure Zhao Heng¡¯s death without any slip-ups. Though they were aware of Zhao Heng¡¯s cunning, their confidence in their ninth-level Body Refinement abilities made them fearless. Even against a Bone Refinement cultivator, they believed they could hold their own in a fight. Facing the combined assault of the three, Zhao Heng instinctively adopted a cautious stance. He moved deftly, his feet shifting smoothly to control the battlefield. With his fists ready to block from all sides and his blade poised to counter, he kept powdered lime and Soft Tendon Powder at hand, prepared to use any means necessary. However, after just a brief exchange of blows, Zhao Heng realized something peculiar. The strength of his opponents was mediocre at best. Their movements, while quick, felt clumsy compared to his own agility. They couldn¡¯t even touch the hem of his clothing. Seeing that the trio was already showing signs of exhaustion, Zhao Heng decided to stop holding back. Activating his Bone Transformation Steps, his figure became a blur, weaving like a ghost through the three of them. His short blade, the Black Gold Leopard-Head Dagger, gleamed with a dark light as it slashed through the air, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. In one fluid motion, he slit the throat of one opponent. As his blade passed through, he spun it around and drove it into the chest of a second disciple. The second disciple let out a muffled groan, his eyes widening in disbelief. Even as the light faded from his gaze, his hands desperately clung to Zhao Heng¡¯s blade. The third disciple seized the moment to strike, channeling all his strength into a powerful palm strike aimed at Zhao Heng¡¯s face. This was an entry-level palm technique, but the raw force behind it was impressive. Zhao Heng, however, remained unfazed. He raised his left hand and countered with a punch. The punch was simple yet robust, carrying an unstoppable momentum. "Crack!" The sound of bones snapping echoed as Zhao Heng¡¯s punch shattered the disciple¡¯s wrist, dispersing the force of the palm strike. But Zhao Heng¡¯s punch didn¡¯t stop there¡ªit continued forward like a cannonball, slamming into the disciple¡¯s chest. "Boom!" The disciple was sent flying several meters, blood spurting from his mouth. His chest caved in, and his lifeless body hit the ground with eyes wide open. In the blink of an eye, a Body Refinement Realm warrior at the eighth level and three at the ninth level were all slain by Zhao Heng. The entire exchange lasted no more than a few dozen breaths. After finishing the fight, Zhao Heng calmly pulled his dagger from the chest of the second disciple. As he wiped the blood from the blade, he muttered to himself: "All of them were at the ninth level of Body Refinement¡­ Why were they so weak? Well, at least I didn¡¯t need to waste my lime powder." [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to +10 Advance chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 25: The Sun and Moon Divine Sect After swiftly eliminating Liu Hong''s four subordinates, Zhao Heng''s eyes flickered as he recalled the mention of the three words "Hua Gu Sect" (Bone-dissolving Gate). A realization dawned upon him, and he immediately understood the situation. The seemingly casual act of shifting blame to another party had unexpectedly worked. After a brief moment of thought, Zhao Heng unceremoniously looted the fallen bodies and continued moving toward the direction Liu Hong and his group had fled. After traveling less than a mile, Zhao Heng once again heard the sounds of a fierce fight. Even from over a hundred meters away, the sharp sound of fists cutting through the air was faintly audible. Zhao Heng¡¯s heart tightened. Holding his breath, he carefully followed the sound and stealthily approached. Finally, he parted the shrubs in front of him and saw what was happening. By a stream about thirty meters away, two figures were locked in an intense battle. One of them was a burly man with a bald head and a single eye, his muscular torso bare and radiating a ferocious aura. The other was a man in a tattered blue robe, his face pale and slightly chubby. Although his robes were torn and his face smeared with dirt, making him look incredibly disheveled, Zhao Heng recognized him at once¡ªit was Liu Hong. The two were fighting barehanded by the stream. The one-eyed man swung his iron fists wide and forceful, with a ferocious momentum. Meanwhile, Liu Hong displayed a bizarre palm technique. At times, his palms struck forward like crashing waves, and at other times, his hands slashed downward like sharp blades, each move venomous and cunning. Their fists and palms collided fiercely, but the bald man¡¯s forehead was covered in sweat, and his lips had turned a faint shade of blue¡ªclear signs of poisoning. At this point, he was merely holding on with great difficulty. The clash between two Bone Refinement Stage experts was extraordinary. Zhao Heng dared not act rashly and chose to quietly observe from the shadows. It was clear that the bald man was gradually losing ground, his mouth cursing bitterly. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought that your Yu Hua Sect, which claims to be a righteous and noble faction, would stoop to poisoning people in secret! Such underhanded, despicable methods!¡± Hearing this, Liu Hong¡¯s face twisted in anger. ¡°Nonsense! I have no enmity with you, yet you ambushed and hunted us down first! And now you dare accuse me of foul play?¡± The bald man sneered coldly. ¡°No enmity? A month ago, wasn¡¯t it you who gravely injured a disciple of my Hua Gu Sect and insulted our sect with your vile words?¡± ¡°A month ago?¡± Liu Hong was momentarily stunned. He distinctly remembered that he hadn¡¯t stepped out of the sect gates at all a month ago, so how could he have provoked the other party? But right now, explanations were pointless. His opponent had been hunting him and his group for days in the mountains near Niutou Peak, leaving them in a desperate situation. If not for poisoning their water supply beforehand, which turned the tables on these demonic sect martial artists, the outcome of this battle would have been far less certain. Now, with both sides harboring a deep and irreconcilable hatred for each other, Liu Hong had no intention of sparing this man. The next moment, Liu Hong¡¯s blood surged within his body, pulling his muscles and bones into motion. A powerful burst of energy erupted from him, channeling through his palms. ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± The collision of fists and palms echoed like firecrackers being set off. This was Internal Force, also known as Bone Force! Although the raw physical strength of Bone Refinement Stage experts wasn¡¯t much greater than that of Body Tempering Stage experts, the explosive force generated within their muscles and bones far surpassed the latter, resulting in devastating damage. As both fighters unleashed their Bone Force and traded ferocious strikes, sweat poured down their faces after only a few moments. The bald man had already been struck by several of Liu Hong¡¯s palm strikes. His body swayed unsteadily, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He was clearly gravely injured and on the verge of defeat.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Seeing this, Liu Hong immediately intensified his offensive, launching a series of killing moves. The bald man was forced to retreat step by step, eventually backing into the trunk of a massive ancient tree. Another palm strike landed squarely on the bald man¡¯s chest, slamming him into the tree with a loud crash. Now cornered with no way to retreat, his defenses were completely exposed. Liu Hong¡¯s eyes narrowed as he prepared to deliver a fatal strike to the bald man¡¯s throat. Even the bald man himself thought he was doomed. ¡°Swish!¡± Suddenly, at the critical moment, a blade light descended from above the tree, slashing directly toward Liu Hong¡¯s head. The strike was so abrupt that Liu Hong sensed the danger and shifted his footwork instantly, leaping backward like an agile monkey. He narrowly avoided the blade and looked up. To his astonishment, a masked figure dressed in black hung upside down from the tree, swinging a short blade toward him. When the ambush failed, the masked man used his other hand to scatter something toward Liu Hong¡¯s face. ¡°Puff¡­!¡± A cloud of quicklime sprayed out, forcing Liu Hong to retreat swiftly. The masked man seized the opportunity to leap from the tree, sheathing his short blade as he pursued Liu Hong at high speed. At the same time, he scattered more quicklime from both hands. Although Liu Hong had been on guard, he hadn¡¯t expected his opponent to have so much quicklime. The air became a hazy fog, blinding him and making it impossible to open his eyes. Suddenly, he felt a fierce punch hurtling toward his face, accompanied by a powerful surge of energy. Liu Hong instinctively lashed out with a palm strike, unleashing his Bone Force to counter the attack. ¡°Boom!¡± Fist and palm collided with a deafening crash. Liu Hong staggered back a step, while the masked man was forced to retreat several steps before stabilizing himself. ¡°A Bone Refinement Stage martial artist?¡± Clearing the quicklime with his sleeve, Liu Hong finally got a good look at the masked man. His expression turned wary. Although he had held the upper hand in their exchange, he clearly sensed the faint trace of Bone Force emanating from his opponent. It wasn¡¯t particularly strong, but it was undoubtedly real. The masked man was none other than Zhao Heng, who had been lying in wait for the opportune moment to strike. Seeing the bald man about to be defeated, Zhao Heng had decided to intervene. Though the bald man was from a demonic sect, their shared goal of killing Liu Hong aligned their interests. Zhao Heng hadn¡¯t expected Liu Hong to be so alert, evading his ambush even while locked in a heated battle. Moreover, when Zhao Heng unleashed a full-force punch, the surge of blood energy and the resulting strain on his muscles and bones inadvertently triggered a trace of Bone Force¡ªsomething he hadn¡¯t anticipated. Having just broken through to the ninth level of the Body Tempering Stage, Zhao Heng¡¯s impressive strength was undoubtedly the result of the Green Pine Technique¡¯s (ÇàËɾ÷) perfect modifications. ¡°Who are you, and why are you interfering in this matter?¡± Liu Hong asked coldly, his gaze fixed on Zhao Heng. Liu Hong felt that this masked figure looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn¡¯t recall where he¡¯d seen him before. Before Zhao Heng could respond, the bald man from the Hua Gu Sect clasped his fists and spoke. ¡°May I ask which sect you hail from, brother? I am Hua Gu Xiong, senior disciple of the demonic Hua Gu Sect. You have my gratitude for saving my life.¡± ¡°Demonic sect?¡± Zhao Heng paused momentarily before realizing that his attire and tactics¡ªspreading quicklime and ambushing from the shadows¡ªmade him look nothing like a righteous martial artist. Being mistaken for a demonic sect member was only natural. But that suited him perfectly. Zhao Heng had no intention of revealing his true identity, at least not before killing Liu Hong. Adopting a rough, gruff voice, Zhao Heng replied, ¡°I am Ren Woxing of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect. I could not stand by and watch an injustice, so I drew my blade to assist!¡± ¡°The Sun and Moon Divine Sect!?¡± Both the bald man and Liu Hong were stunned. Neither had ever heard of such a sect among the demonic factions. Zhao Heng didn¡¯t bother to explain further. Turning to Hua Gu Xiong, he said, ¡°Brother, this Liu Hong is notorious for committing every vile act imaginable¡ªmurder, rape, even preying on eighty-year-old grandmothers! He has no respect for us demonic sects. Since we¡¯ve encountered him today, why don¡¯t we join forces to take him down?¡± Hearing this, Liu Hong nearly spat out blood in rage. Was there no justice left in the world? He had barely dealt with the relentless pursuit of the Hua Gu Sect disciples, only to now face a self-proclaimed ¡°Ren Woxing¡± from some made-up Sun and Moon Divine Sect spreading even more lies! Liu Hong wanted to protest, but Hua Gu Xiong roared, ¡°Very well! I will join you, Brother Ren, to eliminate this scum!¡± Without further ado, Hua Gu Xiong charged at Liu Hong like an enraged bear, swinging his iron fists wildly. Zhao Heng also sprang into action, attacking from the other side with swift punches. The two of them coordinated their attacks, their combined Bone Force forcing Liu Hong onto the defensive. Although Liu Hong¡¯s strength was formidable, facing two Bone Refinement Stage opponents working in tandem left him no choice but to keep retreating and blocking. To make matters worse, Zhao Heng kept throwing handfuls of quicklime at him, creating constant opportunities for Hua Gu Xiong to press the attack. During the chaotic battle, Liu Hong noticed that his strength was gradually weakening. The decline was subtle but unmistakable. ¡°Poison!¡± Liu Hong immediately remembered the faint scent of the quicklime Zhao Heng had thrown earlier. He now realized he had been poisoned. With his strength fading and his opponents growing bolder, Zhao Heng and Hua Gu Xiong¡¯s attacks became even more ferocious and relentless. ¡°Enough! You¡¯ve gone too far!¡± Driven to his breaking point, Liu Hong¡¯s fury erupted. His hand movements shifted as his palms turned into claws, unleashing a chilling energy toward his two attackers. When Zhao Heng and Hua Gu Xiong clashed with his strikes, they were both forced to stumble back. ¡°The Yin Wind Claw! How do you know this demonic martial art?¡± [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to +10 Advance chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy Chapter 26: The Blood-Burning Blade Technique "The Yin Wind Claw?" Upon witnessing Liu Hong¡¯s claw technique, Hua Gu Xiong¡¯s face grew astonished. The Yin Wind Claw was one of the basic martial arts of the demonic sects. While not rare, seeing a so-called righteous martial artist use it was truly bizarre. What¡¯s more, Liu Hong¡¯s Yin Wind Claw had reached minor mastery, and its power was formidable. ¡°Enough talk! Prepare to die!¡± With a dark expression, Liu Hong lunged forward, his claws slashing like blades, every move venomous and precise. Hua Gu Xiong didn¡¯t dare slack off. He hastily unleashed a foundational demonic martial art, the Black Fiend Fist, to counter Liu Hong head-on. However, they had barely exchanged blows before the gap in their skill became evident. Bloody claw marks appeared on Hua Gu Xiong¡¯s body in an instant, painting a grim picture of the disparity between the two. Seeing his advantage, Liu Hong pressed forward to deliver the finishing blow. But just as he was about to strike, a fierce gust of wind rushed toward him from the side¡ªa fist shadow barreling straight at him. Without hesitating, Liu Hong swiped his claw horizontally to meet the incoming attack. "Bang!" Fist and claw collided. Though Liu Hong managed to repel the attacker, he felt his hand go numb, his fingers tingling slightly. "Split Stone Fist? How can you use righteous martial arts?" Liu Hong stared in shock at the black-masked figure, "Ren Woxing", whose Split Stone Fist had also reached minor mastery. ¡°If you can learn demonic martial arts, why can¡¯t I master righteous techniques?¡± Zhao Heng, disguised as the demonic "Ren Woxing," didn¡¯t waste time talking. He launched a relentless barrage of Split Stone Fist strikes, hammering toward Liu Hong with all his might. Hua Gu Xiong, unwilling to be outdone, also threw caution to the wind and joined Zhao Heng in a frenzied assault. Having underestimated the resilience of these two, Liu Hong quickly found himself in a troublesome situation. After several fierce exchanges, he decided it was time to retreat. Shifting his footwork, Liu Hong prepared to escape. But his opponents weren¡¯t about to let him go so easily. Both Zhao Heng and Hua Gu Xiong activated their own movement techniques, closely pursuing him. Hua Gu Xiong¡¯s footwork, known as Bone Dissolution Steps, was agile and swift, allowing him to keep up with Liu Hong. Meanwhile, Zhao Heng used an enhanced version of the Bone Dissolution Steps, which was even more refined and elusive. Hua Gu Xiong noticed its similarities to his own technique but, caught up in the heat of battle, didn¡¯t dwell on it. Unfortunately for Liu Hong, his prolonged battles with Hua Gu Sect over the past few days had already drained much of his energy. On top of that, Zhao Heng¡¯s Soft Tendon Powder poison was beginning to take effect, severely compromising his mobility. Finding himself cornered, Liu Hong finally abandoned all pretense and reached for the blade at his waist. With a sweeping slash, he forced both Zhao Heng and Hua Gu Xiong back a step. Then, without hesitation, Liu Hong bit his fingertip and pressed his bloodied finger onto a groove at the base of his blade¡¯s hilt. His grip shifted into an unusual stance.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Before Zhao Heng¡¯s eyes, Liu Hong¡¯s face paled visibly at an alarming rate. ¡°Buzz¡­¡± The silver blade in Liu Hong¡¯s hand began to tremble, emitting an eerie hum as a sinister blood-red glow enveloped it. A thin line of blood extended from the hilt along the blade, forming a blood ring that spiraled upward, with more blood lines appearing and growing. Witnessing this bizarre sight, Zhao Heng felt a deep sense of unease. Meanwhile, Hua Gu Xiong¡¯s face turned pale with fear. ¡°The Blood-Burning Blade Technique¡­ How do you know the Blood Refinement Sect¡¯s secret art?¡± ¡°What?¡± Zhao Heng was equally shocked. The Blood Refinement Sect was one of the Four Great Demon Sects, a legendary and terrifying demonic faction. What kind of secrets was Liu Hong hiding? ¡°Brother Ren, act now and interrupt him! The Blood-Burning Blade Technique burns the practitioner¡¯s own blood and vital energy to unleash immense power. It¡¯s a secret technique of the Blood Refinement Sect, capable of dealing devastating damage to the enemy¡­ but at great cost to the user as well!¡± Hua Gu Xiong shouted urgently. Zhao Heng didn¡¯t need further encouragement. He drew his Black Iron Panther-Head Blade, charged forward, and swung with all his might. Liu Hong¡¯s eyes flashed coldly as he raised his now blood-enshrouded blade to meet Zhao Heng¡¯s strike. ¡°Clang!¡± The two blades collided, unleashing a deafening sound. The terrifying force of Liu Hong¡¯s strike traveled down Zhao Heng¡¯s blade, making his arm go numb. The webbing between his thumb and index finger tore open, and his blade nearly flew out of his hand. Zhao Heng was sent flying, crashing into a thick tree trunk with a heavy thud. Blood oozed from the corner of his mouth. ¡°So strong!¡± The power of Liu Hong¡¯s strikes had nearly doubled in an instant. As Zhao Heng struggled to recover, Hua Gu Xiong charged in, only to be struck by a horizontal slash that sent both him and his weapon flying. With a low growl, Liu Hong advanced on the two, his murderous intent surging. ¡°Brother Ren, don¡¯t face him head-on! The Blood-Burning Blade Technique is powerful but drains his life force. Stall him, and he¡¯ll burn himself out!¡± Hua Gu Xiong shouted as he dodged. Realizing the wisdom of this strategy, Zhao Heng and Hua Gu Xiong switched tactics. Instead of engaging Liu Hong directly, they used their movement techniques to evade and harass him. Hua Gu Xiong¡¯s Bone Dissolution Steps made his bulky frame surprisingly nimble, while Zhao Heng¡¯s enhanced version allowed him to move with ghost-like agility. Despite his overwhelming power, Liu Hong struggled to land a decisive blow, his frustration mounting. As the battle dragged on, Liu Hong roared angrily, his blood boiling. ¡°Enough! If you want to fight me, you¡¯ll both die!¡± Fresh blood dripped from Liu Hong¡¯s fingertips onto his blade, forming a third blood ring. With his power, speed, and ferocity skyrocketing once more, Liu Hong unleashed a devastating slash. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± Zhao Heng and Hua Gu Xiong both flew backward, blood spraying from their mouths. Hua Gu Xiong scrambled to his feet, turned tail, and bolted. ¡°Brother Ren, this guy is too strong. I¡¯ll repay your kindness another day!¡± Zhao Heng wasn¡¯t surprised by his retreat¡ªdemonic sect members were rarely loyal. But as Liu Hong charged toward him with his blood-drenched blade, Zhao Heng¡¯s instincts told him to run as well. However, a thought struck him like lightning: Liu Hong¡¯s identity and strength are too dangerous to leave unchecked. If I don¡¯t kill him now, he¡¯ll bring endless trouble in the future. Though cautious by nature, Zhao Heng was no coward. When necessary, he could be recklessly bold. Facing Liu Hong¡¯s ferocious charge, Zhao Heng retreated while scattering quicklime, creating a dense fog of white powder. Despite his boosted senses, Liu Hong was momentarily disoriented. Taking advantage, Zhao Heng attacked with a flurry of slashes, though Liu Hong deflected them with ease. As the quicklime fog thinned, Zhao Heng launched one final, desperate strike at Liu Hong¡¯s exposed back. But Liu Hong suddenly spun around, his blade cutting through the air with terrifying precision. ¡°Clang!¡± Zhao Heng¡¯s blade was sent flying, and Liu Hong¡¯s blood-drenched blade slashed toward Zhao Heng¡¯s chest. ¡°Die!¡± Liu Hong roared, his blade cutting into Zhao Heng¡¯s shoulder. But just as it pierced deeper, a faint red glow emanated from Zhao Heng¡¯s body, halting the blade¡¯s advance. Though the blade didn¡¯t kill him outright, the impact sent Zhao Heng flying like a cannonball, crashing to the ground with a sickening thud. Blood spilled from his lips, and his vision darkened. As Liu Hong advanced to finish him, Zhao Heng coughed weakly and smiled faintly. ¡°Liu Hong¡­ it seems your death will come before mine.¡± ¡°What?¡± Liu Hong froze, his gaze dropping to his waist, where a small, dark object protruded from his belt. Pulling it out, he realized it was a small, black orb radiating a terrifying energy. ¡°No!¡± Before Liu Hong could throw it away, the orb detonated with a deafening roar. A blinding white light engulfed the forest, turning night into day¡­ [--------------------------------------------] Enjoyed the chapter? If you want early access to +10 Advance chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy