Arriving at Qingshan Town

The night was deep and the courtyard was silent.

Qin Ming was standing on a wooden stake in the courtyard, his feet firmly planted on the ground like a crouching tiger. With a twist of his waist and back, the skin, muscles and fascia of his entire body instantly tightened, and the Qi and Blood of the Late Skin-Refining Realm surged and flowed throughout his body.

"Drink!"

Qin Ming suddenly let out a low roar, like a tiger. He lowered his shoulders and waist, gathering his Qi and Blood in his chest.

The next moment!

His body suddenly exploded with power!

Tiger Descends the Mountain!

Qin Ming's Qi and Blood and qi surged, his spine creaked, and he swung his fists, the wind from his punches whistling, sweeping away the withered leaves in the courtyard.

This is clearly a move from the "Tiger Fist" of the Tiger Martial Arts Academy. It follows a fierce and powerful approach, allowing the user to unleash all their brute strength Qi and Blood in a very short time, inflicting a storm of attacks on the enemy.

The next moment, his punching style changed. The original fierce punching force was completely contained within his body, but it felt even more ferocious than before.

Tiger Fist of Eighth Grade Xingyi Fist!

The Tiger 'Xingyi Fist of Xingyi Quan is more restrained, emphasizing true artistic conception. When still, it reveals nothing, but when in motion, it is like a fierce tiger emerging from the mountain, powerful and domineering.

Qin Ming constantly changed his moves, switching back and forth between the Tiger Fist and Xingyi Fist.

Both styles of boxing imitate the tiger form, one external and one internal. Qin Ming practiced them simultaneously to verify their effectiveness against each other.

As the punches were repeated time and again, the two tiger-like forces gradually merged.

The originally rough and unrestrained Ninth-Rank Tiger Fist was gradually devoured by the Eighth- Xingyi Tiger Fist. The originally scattered brute force began to gradually solidify, slowly gathering and eventually returning to the fist wind and muscles.

Qin Ming's boxing style began to transform. Each of his punches not only possessed the fierce and domineering power of the Tiger Fist, but also contained the essence of the Eighth Xingyi Tiger Fist.

After an unknown amount of time, when Qin Ming's clothes were soaked with dew, he finally stopped.

[Eighth-Rank Martial Arts Xingyi Fist (Fusion): (30/500) Minor Mastery]

[Pig-Slaying Saber Technique bonus: 2% chance to trigger blade momentum]

Originally a beginner's student of Xingyi Fist, he unexpectedly broke through to the Minor Mastery completion level, Ninth-Rank Martial Art, Tiger Fist, disappeared from the list.

"They actually merged."

Qin Ming was both surprised and delighted. He swung his fists, and at first glance, his fist technique looked somewhat similar to the Tiger Fist, but upon closer inspection, one could see that the two were quite different.

One has form but no spirit, the other has both form and spirit.

Qin Ming belongs to the latter category.

"That's good, then we don't have to worry about Xingyi Fist being recognized."

As dawn broke, Qin Ming stood in the stance for a while longer.

"My Martial Uncle is right. The Eight Trigrams Stake Skill is just the most basic stance technique. I must pass the assessment and join the Demon-Hunting Team to obtain higher-level Internal Cultivation Manual!"

To survive in this chaotic world, an Internal Cultivation Manual for dealing with Ghost Monsters is essential.

When his whole body felt hot, Qin Ming took off his shirt and whipped his entire body with a leather whip.

[Ninth-Rank Martial Arts (Incomplete): Iron Body Shirt (30/100) Not Yet Mastered]

Qingyang County, County Yamen.

Xiong San received a message early in the morning that the county magistrate would be coming today.

What's that corrupt official doing here?

Xiong San frowned slightly.

Before long, all twelve people had arrived.

As soon as Qin Ming arrived, he saw a burly, bald man staring intently at him with a sinister grin on his face.

"Yan Yue-Ren!"

Qin Ming quickly guessed the other party's identity, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

"Late Skin-Refining Realm, kid? With that kind of strength, just wait until we get to Qingshan Town and I'll make you pay! Even if you've cultivated Horizontal Training Martial Arts, it'll be useless!"

Yan Yue-Ren was already thinking about how to torture Qin Ming, making him wish he were dead.

Qin Ming.

Xiong San beckoned to Qin Ming, "Come over here."

"Martial Uncle."

Qin Ming bowed.

"He actually called Xiong San Martial Uncle?"

The others were all taken aback.

This young man, who was about three meters tall, was actually Xiong San's nephew!

"You must be Qin Ming, recommended by Chief Constable Xiong."

An elderly man with gray hair and a thin body walked over. Upon closer inspection, his face was covered with grayish-brown spots, giving him a gloomy and lifeless appearance. However, his eyes occasionally flashed with a sharp light, revealing a sinister and ruthless look.

This man was none other than Yu Qing, the magistrate of Qingyang County.

"Grown ups."

Everyone bowed in greeting.

"Someone at the Late Skin-Refining Realm dares to join the Demon-Hunting Team? They've got some nerve!"

Yu Qing snorted coldly, his face showing displeasure.

Because Qin Ming's appearance took up a Reserve Team Member position, causing Yu Qing to receive one less bribe, Yu Qing felt unhappy whenever he saw Qin Ming.

"My lord, although my junior disciple's cultivation level is not high, he has mastered the Greater Mastery of Horizontal Training Martial Arts, and his strength is no weaker than that of the Flesh Refining Realm. In addition, he has methods to subdue Ghost Monsters, so he will certainly not disappoint you."

Xiong San stepped forward and said.

"Xiong San, he's your junior apprentice, so naturally you'll speak up for him. I'm warning you in advance: if this operation fails because of Qin Ming, you might lose your Black Gauze Cap!"

Xiong San's expression froze. With the Black Sha Skill activating on its own, his killing intent surged, and he wished he could immediately tear Yu Qing to pieces.

"What, you want to fight? Xiong San, are you trying to commit insubordination?"

Yu Qing sneered, showing no fear whatsoever. According to the laws of the imperial court, if Xiong San dared to kill him, he would definitely be on the imperial court's wanted list.

"You jest, sir."

Xiong San suppressed his murderous intent and forced a smile onto his face.

"Are you joking? I'm not joking with you. If this kid messes things up this time and drags the whole team down, Xiong San, you've really reached the end of your career Chief Constable!"

However, if you get this kid to back out now, then I'll pretend I never said that."

Xiong San remained silent and indifferent.

"No need, I trust him."

Xiong San said slowly.

"Very good."

Yu Qing's lips curled slightly. "Xiong San, I've already warned you. Just don't deny it later."

As he spoke, Yu Qing gave Yan Yue-Ren a wink.

Yan Yue-Ren nodded imperceptibly.

This morning, he met with Yu Qing privately, Yu Qing made it clear that he wanted to take this opportunity to get rid of Xiong San and remove him from his official position.

The solution is simple.

If they secretly eliminate Qin Ming in Qingshan Town, and then plot to kill a few others, they can frame Qin Ming for the crime. In this way, Xiong San will be held jointly liable, and Yu Qing can openly suspend Xiong San from his duties and investigate him.

"Your mission this time is to go to Qingshan Town to rescue people and investigate the Ghost Fog. It would be best if you could completely eliminate the Ghost Fog. Later, I, the magistrate, and the Demon-Hunting Team will accompany you."

Xiong San gave a brief explanation and then the meeting ended.

The group boarded the carriage and headed towards Qingshan Town.

Qin Ming's gaze fell on a carriage following behind.

That's Demon-Hunting Team.

The Demon-Hunting Team currently has nine members, and six of them came this time.

Everyone in the Demon-Hunting Team is at the Flesh Refining Realm, including those who participated in the team member assessment this time, except for Qin Ming.

However, due to Qin Ming's robust physique of about three meters and his status as Xiong San's junior disciple, few people underestimated him.

Qin Ming stood in a stance with his eyes closed, mentally rehearsing Xingyi Fist Quan.

He discovered this by chance: constantly practicing martial arts in his mind could also increase proficiency points, but the speed was much slower than normal training.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

We've arrived at Qingshan Town.

Qin Ming looked up and saw that the once vast Qingshan Town was now shrouded in Ghost Fog.

Moreover, this Ghost Fog is exactly the same as the one Qin Ming encountered a few days ago!

"That female ghost is probably recuperating here!"

Qin Ming whispered, subconsciously glancing at his abdomen.

His abdominal knife wound had already healed. At that time, the female ghost was severely injured by the Sha Qi of the Butcher's Knife and it is highly likely that she came to Qingshan Town to possess a living person and suck their Qi and Blood to heal her wounds.

That's why this place is shrouded in Ghost Fog.

"It appears to be the lowest level of Ghost Fog. The Wraith within are weak and lack intelligence; they merely attach themselves to living beings and devour their Qi and Blood."

A middle-aged man with a crew cut spoke slowly.

Even in the extreme cold, he was only wearing a tight black short-sleeved shirt. He was about two meters tall and had a strong build. Although he was not as tall and strong as Qin Ming, he was still comparable to Li Shengnan.

He is Yang Zhi, a member of the Demon-Hunting Team.

"Once you remove the Wraith and rescue the living people inside, the mission will be Perfect Mastery completed. This is the lowest level of Ghost Fog; with your strength, as long as you are careful, you won't encounter any danger."

Seeing everyone's eager expressions, Qin Ming sneered inwardly.

If it were really as simple as this person says, that would be great. That female ghost alone is not someone to be trifled with. Rushing in would only make you her food!

"To be fair, this assessment will only consider the results, not the process. We'll rank those who survive, and the one ranked first will officially join the Demon-Hunting Team. Does anyone have any objections?"

Xiong San's gaze swept over everyone, except for a brief pause on Qin Ming.

No one speaks, which is equivalent to a pre-set assumption.

The twelve people were ready, and they used various methods to quickly approach Qingshan Town.

In Qingshan Town, at the County Yamen, Ghost Fog hung in the air.

"Hmm, the smell of Qi and Blood... a Martial Artist is approaching..."

No, it's that kid!

He's back!

The Ghost Fog churned, and a female ghost in red quickly emerged from Ghost Fog.

"Damn brat, you dare come back! This time I'll make you pay!"

The Red-Clad Female Ghost stirred up Ghost Fog, which then transformed into a whirlwind and vanished swiftly.