Fierce Tiger's First Roar

For the next two days, the atmosphere in the camp was as taut as a drawn bow.

The frequency of scouts traveling back and forth increased significantly, and the news they brought back was worse with each report. The main forces of Northern Mang seemed to be in constant motion. At night, the muffled sound of war drums, like distant thunder, could be heard, stirring up widespread panic. Strict orders were issued from above to reinforce fortifications, take inventory of weapons, and even the Supply Camp was assigned more guard duties.

An oppressive, suffocating tension permeated the air, a prelude to a great battle.

Chen Qing used this brief period of calm to improve himself relentlessly.

He didn't hesitate to have the system comprehend the incomplete fragment of the Iron Body Skill given to him by Squad Leader Zhang.

[Consumed 100 Proficiency Points, Comprehended Fragment of Iron Body Skill (Initial Glimpse: 0/300)]

A stream of information on how to circulate qi and blood to temper the skin and membranes, making them as tough as iron, flooded his mind. The technique was indeed crude, primarily focused on taking hits, but for Chen Qing, who lacked defensive means, it was a godsend.

He attempted to circulate the Iron Body Skill. His qi and blood surged along specific routes, cleansing his skin and causing a series of slight stinging and tightening sensations. Simultaneously, he discovered that while cultivating the Iron Body Skill, the qi and blood circulation routes of the Black Tiger Fist and Black Tiger Saber Technique could resonate faintly with it, as if there was some fundamental commonality between the three.

[Cultivating Iron Body Skill, Proficiency +2]

[Qi and Blood Circulation Stimulates Black Tiger Fist Intent, Black Tiger Fist Proficiency +1]

Just as he expected! The path of drawing from multiple sources and integrating them was the right one!

He no longer confined himself to practicing a single technique. Instead, he tried to fuse the defensive tempering essence of the Iron Body Skill, the fierce charging form of the Black Tiger Fist, the treacherous and brutal momentum of the Black Tiger Saber Technique, and even the resolute piercing intent of Zhao Tie's military spear technique from his memory. He continuously deconstructed, combined, and verified them.

Inside the tent, his figure was sometimes as steady as a rock, his qi and blood contained, his skin and membranes subtly emitting a barely perceptible dull sheen (Iron Body Skill); at other times, he moved like lightning, his fist wind whistling with the might of a tiger descending a mountain (Black Tiger Fist); and yet at others, his saber flashed mysteriously, like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, waiting to strike (Black Tiger Saber Technique).

Several different artistic conceptions flickered across him in succession. Although he was far from achieving perfect integration, he gained a deeper understanding of how to wield "power." On the system's light screen, the proficiency of all three martial arts increased at a considerable rate.

[Black Tiger Fist Proficiency +3]

[Black Tiger Saber Technique Proficiency +3]

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency +2]

He carefully stored the three Blood Qi Pills. They were his trump card for survival, and he would not use them unless absolutely necessary.

Chen Qing did not completely neglect the four men under him, Shi Tou included. He took the time to teach them the most basic stances for taking hits and deflecting force from the Iron Body Skill. He didn't expect them to achieve much, only hoping they might have a slightly better chance of surviving in the chaos of battle. At the same time, he more strictly urged them to practice the simplest chopping and blocking techniques.

Although Shi Tou and the others complained bitterly about the grueling training, they gritted their teeth and persevered, feeling the minuscule progress they were making and developing a growing sense of awe for Chen Qing. They vaguely felt that by following this young Squad Leader, they might truly find a sliver of hope for survival in this meat grinder of a battlefield.

On the third day, in the darkest hour before dawn.

Wooooo—!!!

A piercingly shrill horn, unlike any they had heard before, like the death cry of a dying behemoth, suddenly shattered the silence and echoed throughout the entire camp!

Not just one, but from all directions simultaneously!

Immediately following, the earth-shattering sound of hooves and war cries surged from the east, north, and west of the camp like a tsunami! The light of torches instantly merged into one, illuminating half the sky in a bloody hue!

"Enemy attack—!! All troops, meet the enemy!!!"

The hoarse roars of the officers exploded in the darkness, carrying an undisguised panic.

It's over! We're surrounded!

The thought, like ice-cold water, doused the hearts of everyone in the camp.

The Supply Camp instantly erupted into chaos, panic spreading like a plague. Some grabbed weapons haphazardly, others ran around like headless chickens, and some simply collapsed to the ground, their bowels loosening.

"Form ranks! If you don't want to die, stick close to me!"

Chen Qing's roar, like a tiger's growl, instantly drowned out the surrounding chaos. He was already fully armed, saber in hand, his eyes burning with a cold flame in the darkness. The slightly accomplished Black Tiger Fist intent, combined with the initial stage Iron Body Skill's qi and blood, emanated a chilling aura from him.

Shi Tou, Hei Wa, and the other two were jolted awake by the shout. They scrambled to grab their weapons and instinctively clustered tightly behind Chen Qing, as if he were the only lighthouse in the darkness.

Boom!

The camp's wooden palisade splintered under a tremendous impact! A tide of Northern Mang cavalry and infantry, like a breached dam, roared into the camp!

The slaughter began instantly!

Flames, blood, the clash of weapons, the screams of the dying, the neighing of warhorses... all the sounds mingled together, forming a symphony of hell.

The area where Chen Qing was located was almost instantly overwhelmed. Several Northern Mang cavalrymen, wielding their sabers, slaughtered the disorganized auxiliary soldiers as easily as slicing through vegetables.

"Form a circle! Back to back!"

Chen Qing commanded sharply, simultaneously shooting out like a cannonball, actively charging towards an approaching Northern Mang cavalryman!

Seeing an auxiliary soldier dare to charge at him, the cavalryman's face contorted into a cruel smile. He swung his saber, using the momentum of his horse, and with a piercing whistle, it slashed towards Chen Qing's head!

As the blade neared his body, Chen Qing's footwork suddenly shifted. His body twisted at an incredible angle, narrowly dodging the blade. At the same time, his left hand, fingers hooked like claws, fiercely gripped the edge of the saddle!

Black Tiger Fist—Climbing Mountains and Crossing Ridges!

His arm erupted with astonishing strength. He actually used the leverage to leap into the air, flipping onto the horse's back like a nimble ape, landing behind the cavalryman!

The Northern Mang cavalryman was greatly alarmed. Before he could react, a cold palm pressed down on the crown of his head!

Crack!

A sickening bone-cracking sound echoed.

Chen Qing twisted his wrist sharply, instantly killing the cavalryman. He then kicked the corpse off the horse and seized the reins himself!

[Killed Northern Mang Cavalryman, Gained Qi and Blood, Black Tiger Fist Proficiency +25!]

He controlled the startled warhorse, shifted the curved-head saber to his right hand, his gaze like lightning as he scanned the chaotic battlefield.

"Mount up!" he roared at Shi Tou and the other three who were struggling to maintain formation.

Shi Tou and the others were both surprised and delighted. They desperately cut down two approaching Northern Mang infantrymen and scrambled towards Chen Qing. Chen Qing swung his saber, parrying the scattered arrows shot at them, covering their retreat.

Just then, an extremely ferocious aura locked onto him!

A Northern Mang centurion, exceptionally burly and clad in iron-plated leather armor, wielding a heavy wolf-tooth club, noticed this auxiliary soldier who had instantly seized a horse and was fighting with extraordinary ferocity.

"Kill!"

The centurion roared and charged like a savage bear. The heavy wolf-tooth club swept towards them with the momentum to destroy everything! The wind howled mournfully, and the power was far greater than that of the centurion Chen Qing had killed earlier!

Peak Skin Refining Realm! He might have even half-stepped into the Bone Forging Realm!

Chen Qing's pupils constricted. He couldn't take this blow head-on!

He abruptly spurred his horse, which cried out in pain and shot forward, narrowly evading the sweeping range of the wolf-tooth club. However, the wind from the club still stung his cheek.

"Dismount and die!" the centurion roared, raising his wolf-tooth club again, bringing it down like a mountain!

A fierce glint flashed in Chen Qing's eyes. Instead of dismounting, he yanked hard on the reins, causing the warhorse to rear up, its front hooves stomping fiercely towards the centurion!

At the same time, he leaned out from the horse's back, his saber darting out like a venomous snake from its den, aiming straight for the centurion's exposed armpit, which was vulnerable due to his raised wolf-tooth club!

Attack where he must defend!

The centurion hadn't expected Chen Qing to be so brave. In his haste, he could only retract the wolf-tooth club to block the horse's hooves.

Bang! Squelch!

The warhorse's front hooves were shattered by the wolf-tooth club, and it collapsed with a pained neigh. Chen Qing's saber, meanwhile, took the opportunity to slash open a deep, bone-revealing wound under the centurion's ribs!

"Argh!" The centurion cried out in pain, his ferocity ignited. Ignoring his wound, he swung the wolf-tooth club again!

Chen Qing had just landed and had no time to dodge. He could only bring his saber horizontally in front of him, while simultaneously circulating the Iron Body Skill with all his might!

Clang!!!

A deafening sound like a great bell!

The saber was bent into a terrifying arc by the wolf-tooth club and flew out of his hand! Chen Qing felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, flying backward and crashing into a burning tent before stopping.

A sweet sensation rose in his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. His left arm throbbed with piercing pain; it was likely fractured.

[Received heavy blow, Iron Body Skill proficiency +15!]

[Blood and Qi shaken, Black Tiger Fist intent stimulated, proficiency +10!]

The system's prompts were cold and timely.

"Squad Leader!" Shi Tou and the others cried out, wanting to rush over.

"Don't come!" Chen Qing stopped them sternly, struggling to stand up and wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He stared intently at the Northern Mang centurion, who was clutching his wounded ribs and advancing step by step.

The gap in realms was still too vast. If not for his newly formed Iron Body Skill, that blow would have taken his life.

The centurion's eyes were cruel, looking at him like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

Chen Qing took a deep breath, suppressing the churning blood and Qi and the searing pain in his arm. There was no fear in his eyes; instead, a madness born of being pushed to the brink of despair burned within him.

He abandoned the idea of picking up a weapon, lowered his body slightly, formed his hands into claws, and pressed them against the ground. The blood and Qi around him circulated at an unprecedented speed. The essence of the Black Tiger Fist was pushed to its limit, and a fierce, savage aura that sought to tear everything apart emanated from him.

Faintly, a phantom image of a black tiger seemed to coalesce behind him, letting out a silent roar at the approaching centurion.

The centurion's steps faltered, and a chill inexplicably rose in his heart.

Chen Qing let out a low, inhuman growl from his throat. The ground beneath his feet cracked, forming a shallow pit. He transformed into a black lightning bolt and lunged forward!

No techniques, only the most primal, savage pounce! Condensing all his strength, will, and killing intent into a single charge!

Black Tiger Fist — Divine Intent! Savage Tiger Devours the Heart!

The centurion roared and swung his wolf-tooth club, but it felt like he was striking a true, ancient savage beast!

Chen Qing neither dodged nor evaded, allowing the edge of the wolf-tooth club to graze his shoulder blade, drawing a streak of blood and shattered bone. His claws, like true tiger claws, had already plunged fiercely into the enemy's wound under his ribs, and then—he violently tore outwards!

Squelch—!

Blood and internal organs sprayed out!

The Northern Mang centurion's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at his body, almost torn in half, before crashing to the ground.

[Killed Northern Mang Centurion (Elite), gained abundant Blood and Qi, Black Tiger Fist proficiency +80! Iron Body Skill proficiency +30!]

[Black Tiger Fist proficiency has reached 2000/2000, realm advancement: Mastery (0/5000)!]

[Iron Body Skill proficiency has reached 300/300, realm advancement: Slight Accomplishment (0/1000)!]

A torrent of blood and Qi surged into his body like a bursting river. His injuries began to heal at a visible rate, and his fractured left arm tingled with a numb itch. His comprehension of the Black Tiger Fist instantly rose to a whole new level; the true meaning of the fist technique was fully integrated, and every movement could become a punch! The Iron Body Skill also advanced further, greatly increasing the toughness of his skin and membranes!

Chen Qing stood amidst the blood and flames, drenched in gore, with his shoulder bone exposed, but he stood tall. Killing intent swirled around him like a vengeful god returning from hell.

He slowly raised his intact right hand, picked up the blood-stained, bent Northern Mang standard saber from the ground, and swept his icy gaze across the surrounding Northern Mang soldiers, who were too terrified to approach.

"Who else?"