Evil Bandit Attack

The Dining Courtyard.

Wu Ming usually ate his three meals a day at the Seven Martial Alliance. Although the food there wasn't exceptionally delicious, it was affordable and never skimped on portions. What you paid for was what you got.

Sitting in a corner of the courtyard, Wu Ming popped the last piece of Python Bull Demon meat into his mouth. This type of demonic meat was incredibly tough, and even after cooking, it required repeated chewing to break down. However, once swallowed and digested, he could feel the potent blood energy within, transforming into a warm current that nourished his body.

"In a few days, I should buy another batch of nourishing medicinal powder."

Wu Ming mused to himself.

Because the human body has limits to its digestive and absorptive capacities, the amount of blood energy that can be refined is also limited. While one could eat meat to their fill daily, medicinal teas were best consumed at most twice a day; any more would be ineffective. As for nourishing medicinal powders, they were typically most effective when used once every half a month to a month.

Nourishing medicinal powders had the strongest effects, but as the saying goes, "all medicine has a three-part toxicity." Using them consecutively in a short period would be difficult for the body to tolerate, hence the need for periods of calm and recovery.

After finishing his last bite of food, Wu Ming glanced at the sky and rose to leave the Dining Courtyard, intending to return to Chen's Apothecary.

However, as he left the Dining Courtyard and arrived at the front courtyard of the Seven Martial Alliance Outer Hall, he unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance.

It was Xu Tong's elder brother, Xu Hao.

Wu Ming had been a member of the Seven Martial Alliance for some time, but he had never met Xu Hao. This was primarily because Xu Hao was part of the Return Mountain Hall, one of the Inner Halls of the Seven Martial Alliance, and rarely worked in the Outer Hall or returned to Xu Village like himself.

At that moment, Xu Hao had a bulging bag slung over his shoulder, seemingly carrying many items. He noticed Wu Ming as well and nodded slightly, saying, "Wu Ming."

"I heard long ago that you succeeded in Blood Forging and joined the Seven Martial Alliance, but I've been busy lately and haven't had the chance to visit you."

Previously, when Wu Yu married Xu Tong, Xu Hao's attitude towards Wu Ming had been rather indifferent. It was only out of consideration for Wu Yu that he was willing to offer some guidance to Wu Ming in his spare time and help him find a livelihood in the city.

However, he hadn't expected Wu Ming to successfully forge blood before the age of eighteen, leaping out of the common populace. He no longer needed any support, which surprised Xu Hao slightly, and naturally, his attitude towards Wu Ming changed.

He was a disciple of the Seven Martial Alliance's Inner Hall, and in a few more years, he had a chance of achieving Third Blood Forging. Once he reached that stage, he could establish his own manor in the city. At that point, he wouldn't be able to personally handle every minor matter, and Wu Ming, as his sister-in-law's brother, was a trustworthy individual. If Wu Ming could reach Second Blood Forging in the future, he could handle many tasks for him.

"Elder Brother."

Wu Ming greeted Xu Hao.

Xu Hao nodded slightly, then took out a dark strip of meat from his bag and tossed it towards Wu Ming, saying, "This is M-python bull demon meat. Its nourishing effects are far superior to ordinary meats. I bought some this time, intending to give it to my second brother to warm his blood and help him attempt Blood Forging. Meeting you here, I'll give you some as well."

He didn't know much about Wu Ming's affairs, only that he had recently entered Blood Forging and joined the Outer Hall of the Seven Martial Alliance. Although becoming a martial artist ensured survival, resources were likely still quite scarce. Since he had encountered him, it was only natural for him, as an elder brother, to offer some support to Wu Ming, especially since Wu Ming did show a little aptitude in becoming a martial artist.

Unlike his brother Xu Tong, for whom he had already provided considerable resources, he had still been unable to successfully forge blood.

Wu Ming caught the strip of meat and weighed it slightly. It was two pounds heavy. Two pounds of Python Ox Demon meat was worth twenty taels of silver. Clearly, it was only because Xu Hao was an Inner Hall disciple of the Seven Martial Alliance and had already achieved Second Blood Forging that he could be so generous.

"You're too kind, Elder Brother. This python-bull demon meat is too valuable..."

"No need to refuse. Since you've joined the Seven Martial Alliance, I naturally should look after you a bit. I just haven't had the time before. Hmm, I have some status in this Outer Hall. If you encounter any trouble, you can come to Return Mountain Hall to find me."

Xu Hao waved his hand at Wu Ming.

As a member of the Inner Hall who had achieved Second Blood Forging, his status was naturally much higher than that of the Outer Hall martial artists. Wu Ming, having just entered Blood Forging and seeking a livelihood in the Outer Hall, would undoubtedly have to struggle for a long time. Offering a little guidance wouldn't cost him much.

Having said that, Without waiting for Wu Ming's reply, Xu Hao left the Outer Hall and strode away.

Watching Xu Hao's retreating figure, Wu Ming held the piece of Python Bull Demon meat in his hand, feeling quite calm. The world was like this; those in power were often helped, while those in adversity were rarely assisted. Only one's own capability earned respect. Xu Hao's change in attitude towards him was understandable and not surprising.

However, for him now, this piece of M蟒牛妖 meat wasn't as crucial. But since Xu Hao had given it to him, he didn't mind accepting it. After all, their families were related by marriage. When the Xu family, or Xu Hao himself, needed help in the future, he would also offer his support.

After leaving the Seven Martial Alliance, Wu Ming returned to Chen's Apothecary.

The sky was growing dark.

After resting briefly in the courtyard, he returned to his room.

Ma Liu and Hu Yong were responsible for guarding the courtyard tonight. Ma Liu would take the first half of the night, and Hu Yong the second half. He didn't need to worry about it, but for him now, it made no difference whether he guarded the courtyard or not; his need for sleep had become very low.

On the bed, Wu Ming placed the Red Python Spear horizontally in front of him. He didn't lie down but sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes slightly, and silently circulated the 'Lin' character technique. Instantly, all sounds ceased, and he quietly entered a state of deep concentration, a state devoid of thought and intention.

As time passed, the sky completely darkened, and the bedroom was plunged into darkness. However, in Wu Ming's perception, it was no different from daytime; every corner of the room was clearly visible.

Furthermore, Ma Liu, sitting on a stone stool in the courtyard, guarding it, his subtle breathing sounds were also incredibly clear in Wu Ming's perception. All the movements in the entire courtyard, including the faint buzzing of flies, were crystal clear to his ears.

Wu Ming's consciousness was exceptionally clear, his mind like a tranquil pool, deep and undisturbed. In this state of 'concentration,' his consciousness was not plunged into slumber, yet he felt no fatigue. Instead, the calmer his mind, the more replenished his spirit became.

After an unknown amount of time, The night deepened.

In the courtyard, Ma Liu sat there bored. He yawned and felt his body stiffen. He lazily stood up, intending to stretch a bit.

Carrying his Zhanma Blade, he walked a few steps along the courtyard. In the dim darkness, he struck a basic stance for wielding the blade and then practiced a set of Zhanma Blade techniques meticulously. Blood energy surged through his body, and he felt quite invigorated.

At the same time, Beneath the dark night sky, about a dozen figures, clad in black night-walking clothes, hid in the darkness. Each of them suppressed their aura and muffled their footsteps to an imperceptible level, silently lurking forward, gradually approaching the courtyard.

It was precisely as these dozen figures reached the street outside the courtyard, separated by only a wall from the interior, that Wu Ming, who had been meditating with his eyes closed in his room, suddenly opened his eyes and cast his gaze towards the outside of the courtyard.