A few days later.
News that the Black Tiger Gang's main headquarters had been burned down, and that Gang Leader Zhao Hu and the Huang Family steward had died miserable deaths,
seemed to have sprouted wings, spreading throughout Gaoye City's Outer City overnight and causing no small stir.
The various factions reacted differently. Some applauded in delight, while others mourned the rabbit's death and feared the fox's fate.
More people secretly speculated about just which ruthless figure had dared to stroke both the Black Tiger Gang's and the Huang Family's tiger whiskers at once.
Yet Wang Yuan, the true instigator behind this turmoil, behaved exceptionally well-behaved over the following days.
He deeply understood the saying: "The tree that stands out in the forest is sure to be toppled by the wind."
Having just done something so enormous, with the storm still at its fiercest, any unusual move could draw unnecessary attention and suspicion.
Thus, he strictly followed his usual routine, traveling between his home in South District and Panshi Fist Academy.
Other than practicing martial arts, he scarcely stepped outside.
As expected, government constables came to question him during that time.
Only two ordinary yamen runners came, and their attitude was fairly polite.
They merely went through the formalities, asking about Wang Yuan's whereabouts that night and whether he had any grudge against the Black Tiger Gang.
Wang Yuan had long prepared his explanation. Calmly, he stated that he had been cultivating at home all night, and that his parents and elder sister could testify for him.
As for his grudge with the Black Tiger Gang,
he also frankly admitted that there had indeed been a conflict earlier because his family had been harassed. However, after moving to South District, they had had no further dealings.
Now that he was a True Disciple of Panshi Fist Academy, coupled with his proper response, the constables did not make things difficult for him. After taking a simple record, they left.
After seeing the constables off, Wang Yuan quietly pondered.
He knew this might only be the beginning. The Huang Family would never let the matter rest.
But at least on the surface, they could find no evidence pointing at him.
Temporarily setting aside the disturbances outside, Wang Yuan poured all his focus into martial arts cultivation.
With the solid foundation laid by Crimson Blood Ginseng,
and the silver he had looted from the Black Tiger Gang allowing him to purchase better medicinal meals and Monster Beast Meat for replenishment, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.
Even his Talent Bead had already surpassed forty percent.
At this rate, he would be able to undergo his next Talent Awakening in just half a year.
Within Panshi Fist Academy's inner courtyard,
Wang Yuan stood bare-chested, sweat streaming over his bronze skin. His muscles were sleekly defined and brimming with explosive force.
Again and again, he practiced Panshi Fist, his movements growing increasingly steady and condensed.
Vital Blood surged and circulated with his fist forms, faintly resonating with the earth beneath his feet.
Every punch and every step carried the heavy intent of an immovable boulder, as though he had truly become an eternal mountain that would never change.
The Vital Blood within him, which had long reached Peak First Blood Change,
was continuously compressed and refined through these days of arduous cultivation and accumulated resources. Like a volcano on the verge of eruption, it gathered terrifying Vital Blood.
He was only one step away from the bottleneck of Second Blood Change!
Zheng Shan, who stood nearby observing in silence, watched Wang Yuan's fierce rate of progress.
Even with the cultivation and years of experience of a Hua Jin Martial Master, stormy waves rose in his heart, filling him with indescribable shock.
Has it really been that long? Even counting it all up, it has only been a little over a month since he first nurtured Vital Blood, hasn't it?
Zheng Shan clicked his tongue inwardly.
"His First Blood Change has already reached Perfection, and he is about to charge toward Second Blood Change..."
"This speed is simply unheard of."
"Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone truly is terrifying to such a degree!"
"Even High Grade Bone Structure cannot explain such terrifying strength. We should tell others he has High Grade Bone Structure combined with Innate Divine Strength."
Zheng Shan had originally thought that, even with Wang Yuan's extraordinary talent, it would take at least half a year for him to complete the accumulation for First Blood Change.
Yet reality shattered his understanding time and again.
At this rate, the boy would likely touch the threshold of Third Blood Change in less than a year.
What a cultivation speed that shocked heaven and horrified the world!
"Perhaps... my Panshi Fist Academy can truly flourish because of him, perhaps even... gain a foothold in Prefecture City?"
A thought that even Zheng Shan himself found somewhat audacious surfaced uncontrollably.
The way he looked at Wang Yuan grew increasingly pleased and expectant.
This was the foundation of his retirement.
His daughter Zheng Ying and eldest disciple Shi Long had limited talent. If they could achieve Force Entry before turning forty, he would thank heaven and earth.
And his third disciple Shang Yong had limited talent as well, so there was even less to say.
All hope rested on this youngest disciple.
"Boom!"
In the training ground, Wang Yuan unleashed the final form of his Fist Technique. The Vital Blood within him burst forth like a river breaking through its banks, emitting a low roar.
He slowly drew in his stance and exhaled a long breath of turbid air. The breath condensed without dispersing, like a ribbon of white silk.
He could clearly feel that the barrier that had blocked him for so long was now as thin as a cicada's wing.
Second Blood Change was within arm's reach!
"I still need an opportunity, or... another Treasure Medicine similar to Crimson Blood Ginseng..."
Wang Yuan clenched his fist, confidence gleaming in his eyes.
He was not impatient. With the current situation so delicate, steadily raising his strength was the proper path.
He planned to continue refining Panshi Fist and Mountain Breaking Spear Technique.
He would also begin studying the Turtle Breath Technique. Having another method for concealment and preserving his life was always a good thing.
Once he broke through to Second Blood Change, he could practice several more martial arts and further build up his Vital Blood.
Others could only practice one martial art at First Blood Change, then another at Second Blood Change. By the time they reached Third Blood Change, they would have practiced only three martial arts in total.
But Wang Yuan was different. At First Blood Change, he had already practiced Panshi Fist, Chasing Wind Leg, and Mountain Breaking Spear Technique. Once he reached Second Blood Change, he could likely practice three more, or even more than that.
By the time he reached Third Blood Change, his Vital Blood would likely have accumulated to a terrifying extent.
Night had deepened. Wang Yuan sat quietly in the side room.
He did not hurry to sleep. Instead, he opened the Turtle Breath Technique manual he had obtained from Zhao Hu.
The manual was not thick, but its contents were quite profound.
It mainly explained how to use a special breathing rhythm and method of circulating Vital Blood to restrain one's aura, heartbeat, and even body temperature, achieving a realm where one's "form resembled a turtle's breath, hidden as though empty."
Wang Yuan read it with full concentration. With his current Major Accomplishment of First Blood Change cultivation, only a step away from Second Blood Change,
as well as the minute control over his body granted by Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, he found it not difficult to understand.
"The principle is not complicated. The key lies in precise control of Vital Blood and coordination with breathing..."
Following the manual's instructions, he tried adjusting his breathing until it became long, faint, and seemingly there yet not there.
At the same time, his thoughts guided the surging Vital Blood inside his body to slowly settle, like a receding tide returning to stillness.
At first, there was some resistance. The forceful sensation of rushing Vital Blood conflicted with the stillness required to conceal his aura.
But Wang Yuan quickly found the balance between them.
The Talent Bead mark on his chest seemed to emit a trace of nearly imperceptible coolness, making his mind stiller and clearer, and his control over his own condition even more precise.
In less than half an hour,
the faint "heat" and "sharpness" naturally radiating from Wang Yuan's body due to his abundant Vital Blood began to withdraw inward.
His breathing became inaudible, and his heartbeat slowed as well.
If one had not seen him with one's own eyes, merely sensing his aura might have made one think that what sat there was simply a lifeless stone.
"This is... Entry Stage already?"
Wang Yuan opened his eyes. Feeling his almost "vanished" sense of presence, a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.
The Turtle Breath Technique was far easier to cultivate than he had expected.
Was it because his talent was exceptional, or because Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone and the Talent Bead provided hidden enhancements?
Either way, it was a good thing.
The Turtle Breath Technique reaching Entry Stage meant he had gained an extremely practical skill for preserving his life and moving stealthily.
Whether acting in secret or avoiding the senses of powerful enemies in the future, he would have several more degrees of assurance.
"Next, it is time to dispose of those useless things."
Wang Yuan's gaze fell upon the Black Tiger Saber Technique manual, the Huang Family Token, and the scattered silver he had hidden in a concealed compartment beneath his bed.
The Black Tiger Gang had only just been wiped out, and the Huang Family steward was dead. The situation was still tense.
His identity as a Panshi Fist Academy disciple could be a protective talisman at certain times, but when dealing with these "dirty goods," it would instead easily arouse suspicion.
Especially that Black Tiger Saber Technique manual and the Huang Family Token—they were simply burning hot potatoes.
There was no benefit in keeping them. He had to dispose of them as soon as possible, exchanging them for useful resources or clean silver.
The legitimate shops in the Inner City were definitely not an option. It would be too easy to expose himself.
And in the Outer City, there was only one place where all manner of people gathered, information flowed freely, and no one asked about origins—
"The Black Market."
Wang Yuan murmured softly.
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