Martial Saint: The Beginning Grants the Talent of Dragon Sinews and Tiger Bones
Chapter 40

First Blood Change Perfection, Turtle Breath Technique Beginner

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8mo ago

A few days later.

News that the Black Tiger Gang's headquarters had been burned down, and their leader Zhao Hu and a steward from the Huang Family had died, spread like wildfire.

It flew through the outer city of Gaoye City overnight, causing quite a stir.

Various factions reacted differently; some rejoiced, while others felt a sense of shared misfortune.

Most, however, were secretly speculating about which ruthless individual dared to provoke both the Black Tiger Gang and the Huang Family at the same time.

However, Wang Yuan, the actual instigator of this turmoil, appeared unusually quiet in the following days.

He understood the principle that "the tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

Having just accomplished such a major feat, he was currently in the spotlight, and any unusual action could attract unwanted attention and suspicion.

Therefore, he strictly followed his usual routine, traveling between his home in the South District and the Panshi Fist Academy.

Apart from practicing martial arts, he barely left his house.

As he had expected, government constables did come to inquire.

They were just two ordinary yamen runners, and their attitude was polite enough.

They merely asked Wang Yuan about his whereabouts that night and whether he had any grievances with the Black Tiger Gang, as a matter of routine.

Wang Yuan had already prepared his response. With a calm expression, he stated that he had been cultivating at home all night and that his parents and sister could testify to this.

As for his grievances with the Black Tiger Gang.

He frankly admitted that he had clashed with them before because his family had been harassed, but he had had no contact with them since moving to the South District.

Given his current status as a True Disciple of the Panshi Fist Academy and his composed demeanor, the constables did not trouble him further. After a brief record, they left.

After seeing the constables off, Wang Yuan pondered in his heart.

He knew this might just be the beginning and that the Huang Family would not let this matter rest.

But at least on the surface, they had no evidence pointing to him.

Pushing aside the external disturbances for the moment, Wang Yuan poured all his focus into his martial arts cultivation.

With the solid foundation laid by the Crimson Blood Ginseng.

Coupled with the money he had plundered from the Black Tiger Gang, which allowed him to purchase better medicinal meals and Monster Beast Meat for replenishment, his cultivation progressed at an astonishing rate.

Even his Talent Bead had broken through forty percent.

At this pace, he would be able to undergo his next talent awakening in just half a year.

Inside the inner courtyard of the Panshi Fist Academy.

Wang Yuan stood shirtless, sweat dripping from his bronze skin, his muscles defined and full of explosive power.

He practiced the Panshi Fist repeatedly, his movements becoming increasingly steady and refined.

His Blood Essence surged with his fists, subtly resonating with the earth beneath his feet.

Each punch and step carried a heavy, rock-like essence, as if he had truly transformed into an ancient, unmoving mountain.

His Blood Essence, which had already reached the peak of First Blood Change.

Through these days of arduous training and resource accumulation, it was constantly being compressed and refined, like a volcano on the verge of eruption, accumulating terrifying power.

He was just a single step away from the bottleneck of Second Blood Change!

Zheng Shan, who was observing silently from a distance, watched Wang Yuan's rapid progress.

Even with his cultivation as a Hua Jin Martial Master and his years of experience, his heart was stirred by immense shock and an indescribable sense of awe.

How long has it been? At most, a little over a month since he first generated Blood Essence?

Zheng Shan marveled inwardly.

"First Blood Change is already perfected, and he's on the verge of Second Blood Change..."

"This speed is unheard of."

"Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, truly terrifying!"

"Even a High Grade Bone Structure cannot explain this terrifying strength. Let's claim it as High Grade Bone Structure plus innate divine strength."

Zheng Shan had initially thought that even with Wang Yuan's exceptional talent, it would take at least half a year to accumulate enough for First Blood Change.

But reality had repeatedly shattered his perceptions.

At this rate, the young man would likely be able to touch the threshold of Third Blood Change within a year.

What an astonishing cultivation speed!

"Perhaps... my Panshi Fist Academy can truly flourish because of him, and even... ascend to the ranks of Prefecture City?"

A thought, which even Zheng Shan found somewhat audacious, involuntarily surfaced.

He looked at Wang Yuan with increasing satisfaction and anticipation.

This was the capital for his retirement.

Daughter Zheng Ying and eldest disciple Shi Long have limited talent. If they can reach Entering Force before the age of forty, he'll be grateful.

As for the third disciple, Shang Yong, his talent is even more limited, let alone mentioning him.

All hope rests on this youngest disciple.

"Boom!"

In the arena, Wang Yuan unleashed his final punch. The Blood Essence within him roared like a river bursting its dam.

He slowly retracted his stance, exhaling a long breath of stale air. The breath condensed without dispersing, like a white silken ribbon.

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 reach!

"I still need a catalyst, or perhaps... another precious medicine like Crimson Blood Ginseng..."

Wang Yuan clenched his fist, a confident glint in his eyes.

He wasn't impatient. The current situation was delicate, and steadily improving his strength was the way to go.

He planned to continue honing his Panshi Fist and Mountain Breaking Spear Technique.

He would also begin to study the Turtle Breath Technique, as having another means of stealth and self-preservation was always good.

Once he broke through to Second Blood Change, he could then practice several more martial arts to accumulate his Blood Essence.

Others could only practice one martial art per Blood Change. They would practice another at Second Blood Change, and by Third Blood Change, they would have only practiced three martial arts in total.

But Wang Yuan was different. At First Blood Change, he practiced Panshi Fist, Chasing Wind Leg, and Mountain Breaking Spear Technique – three martial arts. By Second Blood Change, he could probably practice three or even more.

By the time he reached Third Blood Change, his Blood Essence would likely accumulate to a terrifying level.

The night was deep, and Wang Yuan sat quietly in the side room.

He didn't rush to sleep, but instead opened the Turtle Breath Technique he had obtained from Zhao Hu.

The secret manual wasn't thick, but its contents were quite exquisite.

It mainly described how to use special breathing frequencies and Blood Essence circulation methods to conceal one's aura, heartbeat, and even body temperature, achieving a state of "appearing like a resting turtle, hidden and seemingly empty."

Wang Yuan read intently. With his current cultivation of First Blood Change Perfection, just one step away from Second Blood Change.

Combined with the meticulous control over his body brought by Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, understanding it was not difficult.

"The principle isn't complicated. The key lies in the fine control of Blood Essence and coordination with breathing..."

He followed the manual's instructions, attempting to adjust his breathing, making it long, subtle, and almost imperceptible.

Simultaneously, he guided his surging Blood Essence with his mind, slowly calming it down, like a receding tide returning to stillness.

At first, it was a bit stiff, the power of the flowing Blood Essence conflicting with the stillness required for concealing his presence.

But soon, Wang Yuan found the balance point.

The Talent Bead imprint on his chest also seemed to emit a faint, imperceptible coolness, making his mind more tranquil and ethereal, and his control over his own state more precise.

In less than half an hour.

The faint "warmth" and "sharpness" naturally emanating from Wang Yuan's body due to his vigorous Blood Essence began to recede inward.

His breathing became inaudible, and his heartbeat slowed.

If one hadn't seen it with their own eyes, relying solely on sensing his aura, they might have thought the person sitting there was just a lifeless stone.

"I've... entered the beginner stage?"

Wang Yuan opened his eyes, feeling his almost "disappeared" presence. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

The cultivation difficulty of Turtle Breath Technique was much lower than he had anticipated.

Was it due to his extraordinary talent, or the hidden bonus from Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone and the Talent Bead?

Regardless, this was a good thing.

Entering the beginner stage of Turtle Breath Technique meant he had gained an extremely practical skill for self-preservation and stealth.

Whether acting covertly or evading the perception of powerful enemies in the future, he would have more confidence.

"Next, I should deal with those things I can't use."

Wang Yuan's gaze fell upon the Black Tiger Saber Technique manual, the Huang Family Token, and the scattered silver coins hidden in the secret compartment under his bed.

The Black Tiger Gang had just been wiped out, and a Huang Family steward had died. The situation was currently tense.

His identity as a disciple of Panshi Fist Academy was a shield at times, but when dealing with these "dirty items," it was more likely to attract suspicion.

Especially the Black Tiger Saber Technique manual and the Huang Family Token, they were like hot potatoes.

Keeping them was of no benefit, and they had to be dealt with quickly, exchanged for useful resources or clean money.

The legitimate shops in the inner city were definitely out; they would easily expose him.

The outer city, however, was a mixed bag, full of information and places that didn't ask about origins. There was only one such place—

"The Black Market."

Wang Yuan muttered to himself.

End of Chapter
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