Extracting Talent: Ox-like Physique

Early the next morning, before dawn had broken, Wang Yue quietly rose. Carrying the wooden box containing the Black Cloud Fist, he tiptoed to a corner of the courtyard.

He opened the wooden box and took out the pair of jet-black Black Cloud Fist gauntlets. The instant his fingertips touched their gleaming surface, a faint golden light suddenly flashed through his consciousness. The "extractable" prompt he had glimpsed yesterday now clearly manifested as a Martial Soul interface.

Martial Soul extractable: Harmonious Flow Fist at minor mastery (includes minor mastery fist technique, minor mastery Breathing Method, minor mastery footwork)

Talent extractable: Ox-like Physique (body-tempering type; permanently increases Blood Qi capacity and physical strength)

Wang Yue's eyes lit up, and his heart began pounding uncontrollably.

So Martial Souls could be extracted not only from vessels like Black Wooden Stakes—weaponry could trigger it too!

Moreover, this time there was not only martial arts experience, but also a "talent." This was the first time he had seen a talent-type extraction option since transmigrating here.

The Breathing Method of the minor mastery Harmonious Flow Fist could perfectly make up for the weakness in his current "proficient-level Breathing Method."

As for Ox-like Physique, although he did not know its precise effects, the three words "body-tempering type" alone were enough to move him. The foundation of the Blood Condensation Realm was, after all, inextricably linked to the strength of one's physical body.

"Extract Ox-like Physique first!" Wang Yue silently recited in his heart without hesitation.

Extraction cooldown: five days!

Seeing the notification, Wang Yue pondered. So the cooldown was not fixed. What determined it?

The moment the thought crossed his mind, a faint black glow suddenly radiated from the Black Cloud Fist and flowed into his body through his fingertips.

The next second, Wang Yue felt the Blood Qi throughout his body boil like scalding water, surging madly. The single strand of Blood Qi he had originally condensed swelled at a visible rate, growing to three strands in merely a few breaths!

The strength in his body also surged wildly. His muscle fibers felt slightly sore and swollen, yet were filled with an indescribable sense of fullness. It was as though he had undergone another Blood Condensation breakthrough; even his bones seemed to have been tempered, becoming tougher than before.

"What a powerful talent!" Wang Yue could not help but shout as he instinctively began practicing the Harmonious Flow Fist.

Three strands of Blood Qi flowed smoothly through his meridians. Every punch he threw was far heavier than before, and his fist wind cut through the air with a distinct whistle. He could clearly feel that his punching power had risen by at least fifty percent. More precious still, his foundation itself seemed to have quietly improved.

Wang Yue withdrew his fists and stood still, feeling the surging strength within him. The corners of his mouth could not help lifting. With the Ox-like Physique talent, his future progress in practicing fist techniques would likely become much faster.

He put the Black Cloud Fist back into its wooden box, changed into the fitted black clothes Wang Hu had given him, tucked the face covering into his chest, and felt at his waist. Hanging there was the token Wang Hu had secretly slipped him yesterday, one side engraved with "Wang Clan," the other with a blurred tiger character.

Once he was ready, Wang Yue carried the wooden box and headed straight for the exit of the training ground.

The sky was only beginning to brighten. The guards at the training ground entrance had just changed shifts when they saw Wang Yue approaching. One immediately held his longsword across the way and blocked him coldly. "The training ground is off-limits. Without a passage token, no one may enter or leave."

Wang Yue said nothing. He removed the token from his waist and held it out before the guard.

When the guard saw the tiger character on the token, his expression changed instantly. He hurriedly sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully. "So you are someone Commander Wang instructed us to assist! The commander has already ordered that a horse be prepared at the gate."

Wang Yue silently took back the token, nodded, and strode out of the training ground.

After passing through several quiet alleys, he soon arrived before the vermilion gates of the Wang Clan. The gates exuded grandeur, with bronze bells hanging beneath the eaves and imposing stone lions standing guard outside.

A young servant in a short blue tunic stood beside the gate, holding the reins of a brown horse. With both hands tucked into his sleeves, he rubbed them together against the cold.

Upon seeing Wang Yue approach, the servant hurried forward and respectfully asked, "Are you Young Master Wang Yue?"

"This humble one was ordered to wait here. The horse has already been prepared."

Wang Yue did not reply and walked toward the horse.

Taking the reins, he mounted steadily despite it being his first time riding. The strength and control brought by the Blood Condensation Realm made it easy for him.

This horse had clearly undergone special training by the Wang Clan and possessed an exceptionally docile temperament. Wang Yue gently pressed his legs against its sides and said quietly, "Go."

Understanding his command, the horse set off along the main road toward the city gates.

Lihe Town was only ten li from Changyun County. It was one of the satellite towns protecting the county seat, and merchants traveled between them in abundance on ordinary days.

Yet the moment they reached the main road, the horse slowed down. Though it was early morning, many commoners had already ventured out: peddlers carrying shoulder poles, farmers pushing carts, all scattered along the roadside.

Afraid the horse might injure pedestrians, Wang Yue could only slow down. As he carefully controlled the horse, he could not help surveying the buildings along the road.

Though he had already been in this world for several months, this kind of vibrant, everyday street scene still struck him as novel.

Before long, he arrived beneath the gates of Changyun County.

An armored gate guard was leaning against the city gate and dozing. When he saw Wang Yue arrive, he rubbed his eyes and called loudly, "It is not yet time for the city gates to open! We will not let anyone through until the hour of the dragon. Young hero, please rest for a while."

Wang Yue felt somewhat helpless. He had forgotten about the city gates' opening hours.

After considering it briefly, Wang Yue pretended to carelessly expose a corner of the token at his waist. The words "Wang Clan" were visible, more than conspicuous enough.

The gate guard's lazy eyes instantly sharpened. Once he recognized the token, his face changed drastically, and he immediately turned to shout toward the gate tower, "Open the gates, quickly! An honored guest is leaving the city!"

Though the soldiers atop the gate tower had no idea what was happening, they swiftly raised the portcullis and opened a gap in the city gate.

Wang Yue gently pressed his legs against the horse's sides. The horse passed through the opening, and soon vanished down the small road beyond the city.

Behind the city gate, one soldier moved closer to the guard who had shouted earlier and asked in a lowered voice, "What did you see just now? If those above find out we opened the gates early, they'll dock our pay!"

The guard withdrew his gaze and patted his shoulder, his tone helpless. "That man had a Wang Clan token hanging from his waist. Would you dare stop him?"

The nearby soldier suddenly understood, envy appearing on his face. "So he was one of the Wang Clan! No wonder he was so imposing... If I could join the Wang Clan too, even as a mere servant, it would still beat standing here in the cold wind!"

"Stop dreaming." As the gate guard shut the city gates once more, he sighed. "The less trouble, the better. Let's just pretend we never opened these gates, lest we invite trouble."

The other soldiers nodded in agreement. The minor disturbance was quickly swallowed by the morning wind.

Meanwhile, Wang Yue was already riding down a country path.

He took the Black Cloud Fist from the box and slipped it onto both hands.

Naturally, the black outfit was indispensable as well. Clad in it, with the hood draping down around his face and his fists wrapped in black cloth, only the metallic gleam at his fingers could vaguely be seen.