Purchasing Inner Armor, Preparing for Second Blood Change

Wang Yuan looked in the direction he pointed. Besides a few leather armors, there were two sets of iron armors gleaming with a cold metallic luster.

Although they were only half-body armors, their defensive capabilities were by no means comparable to leather armor.

Wang Yuan's heart skipped a beat.

Armor, especially iron armor, was strictly controlled military equipment in any dynasty, and private possession was a serious crime.

The fact that the Iron Mask stall owner dared to sell it openly in the Black Market indicated that his background and courage were extraordinary.

He was indeed tempted; owning a piece of iron armor would undoubtedly greatly enhance his survivability.

But he patted the thousand taels of silver notes in his pocket, which were still warm from just being acquired.

Then he looked at the price marked next to the iron armor, starting at least at two thousand five hundred taels, and could only helplessly suppress the thought.

He couldn't afford it.

Even with the Black Tiger Gang's assets, he couldn't afford it.

His gaze shifted to some miscellaneous items nearby.

Wang Yuan suddenly had an idea, recalling the lime and chili powder he used to sneak attack Zhao Hu and Steward Huang last night.

This was effective against First Blood Change Martial Artists, but against those with keen senses and protected by Blood Essence, like Second or Third Blood Change Martial Artists, its effect would likely be minimal.

"Boss, do you have any… drugs here that can affect a Martial Artist's Blood Essence or senses?"

"Preferably in powder or smoke form, for ease of use," Wang Yuan asked tentatively.

Upon hearing this, the Iron Mask stall owner's lips seemed to curve into a knowing smile beneath his mask.

He bent down and took out two small porcelain bottles from a locked iron box in the corner.

"'Soft Muscle Powder'. It's colorless and odorless. After inhalation or contact, it will cause Blood Essence circulation to slow down, making your limbs weak."

"It's quite effective against Martial Artists below Entering Force, but its effect is greatly reduced against Entering Force experts."

"Fifty taels a bottle."

"'Spirit Disturbance Powder'. It needs to be activated by Blood Essence to create smoke, which can interfere with senses, causing dizziness and making it difficult to see or hear clearly for a short period."

"Its effect is potent but short-lived, and it's slightly less effective against those with strong willpower."

"Eighty taels a bottle."

Wang Yuan's eyes lit up as he listened.

These were the true "underhanded weapons" that could pose a threat to Martial Artists.

But they were too expensive; a small bottle was worth tens of taels of silver.

After a moment of thought, he chose "Soft Muscle Powder" for its more direct effect and discreet use.

He spent a hundred taels to buy two bottles and carefully put them away.

Finally, his gaze fell upon a relatively "unassuming" black inner armor.

This inner armor was woven from an unknown material, feeling cool and supple to the touch, and seemed to be interwoven with fine metallic threads.

"'Black Silkworm Silk Inner Armor', woven with fine threads of cold iron."

"Although its defensive power is not as good as iron armor, it is sufficient to resist ordinary saber slashes and most sharp weapon thrusts."

"Moreover, it is light and fits closely, making it difficult to detect when worn under outer clothing."

"Eight hundred taels."

The Iron Mask stall owner introduced.

The price of this inner armor was exactly within his budget, and it was extremely practical.

Wang Yuan gritted his teeth and, without further hesitation, took out eight hundred-tael silver notes:

"I'll take this one."

After completing all the transactions, Wang Yuan had three hundred taels of unregistered silver notes left.

Two bottles of "Soft Muscle Powder" and one piece of "Black Silkworm Silk Inner Armor."

As the Iron Mask stall owner saw Wang Yuan out of the stone room and back into the passage, Several people nearby who had noticed them entering the stone room for business looked at Wang Yuan with a hint of apprehension.

Being able to do business inside with "Iron Mask"...

They were either major clients or ruthless individuals with valuable goods; either way, they were not to be trifled with.

The Iron Mask stall owner watched Wang Yuan blend into the crowd, his eyes flickering.

Having been in the Black Market for many years, his judgment was sharp.

Although Wang Yuan had disguised his appearance, the sharpness hidden beneath his calmness, and the courage and strength to possess the Black Tiger Gang's core saber techniques and the Huang Family steward's token.

All indicated that this person was not simple.

"Destroyed the Black Tiger Gang, killed a Huang Family steward... In the outer city of Gaoye City, when did such a ruthless young figure emerge?"

He muttered to himself, then shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

The rules of the Black Market are simple: only the goods matter, not their origin.

As long as it didn't affect business, he couldn't be bothered to stir up trouble.

Wang Yuan could feel the faint, intermittent gazes on his back.

But he didn't panic.

He slowly circulated the Turtle Breath Technique, minimizing his presence, and unhurriedly walked towards the exit.

After successfully exiting the Black Market cave and breathing in the musty air of the ground again, Wang Yuan didn't relax in the slightest.

He didn't go straight home.

Instead, he deliberately circled several large loops through the abandoned district.

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Sometimes he sped up, sometimes he hid behind broken walls to observe.

Only after confirming that there were absolutely no followers behind him did he use the cover of night to return to his home in the South District as silently as a ghost.

Closing the door to the side room, Wang Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Dawn was approaching, and a sliver of fish-belly white appeared in the sky.

He looked at the Black Silkworm Silk Inner Armor and the small but dangerous bottle of "Soft Muscle Powder" on the table, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.

The hidden dangers were dealt with, the trump cards were replenished, and there was even a small surplus.

Next, it was time to cultivate in peace and go all out to break through the Second Blood Change.

Wang Yuan put on the inner armor, feeling the cool protection against his skin, and felt much more at ease.

He casually poked it with a dagger and found that the tip only went in a little, still a distance from his skin.

Wang Yuan smiled.

The eight hundred taels were well spent.

However, the inner armor alone wasn't enough for security; it was still an external object.

A powerful body was true power.

He currently lacked a body-hardening martial art.

After breaking through to the Second Blood Change, he would learn a body-hardening martial art.

He possessed the innate Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone physique, so he believed body-hardening martial arts should be easy to get started with.

Wang Yuan pondered inwardly.

In the following days, Wang Yuan's life returned to a semblance of peace.

He went to Panshi Fist Academy punctually every day.

Just like the most ordinary disciples, he honed his fists and feet and practiced his spear techniques.

In the eyes of everyone, he was still that junior brother with extraordinary talent and unremitting diligence.

But no one knew that on that seemingly ordinary night a few days ago.

He had single-handedly flattened the Black Tiger Gang's headquarters, killing their notorious leader Zhao Hu and an steward from the Huang Family in the inner city with his spear.

The Turtle Breath Technique's breath-concealing effect was excellent.

Coupled with Wang Yuan's steady temperament, he didn't reveal any flaws, even when facing his master Zheng Shan and several senior brothers.

He simply threw himself more intensely into his cultivation, transforming the insights and pressure from combat into motivation to consolidate his cultivation and refine his martial skills.

One day, as Wang Yuan finished a round of Panshi Fist cultivation, heat steamed from his body and Blood Essence surged.

Senior Disciple Brother Shi Long walked over, patted his shoulder, and grinned, "Junior Brother, Master wants to see you in his study."

Wang Yuan's heart stirred slightly. He nodded in agreement, tidied his clothes, and headed towards Zheng Shan's study in the inner courtyard.

Inside the study, the scent of medicine mingled with ink.

Zheng Shan sat upright in his armchair, and as he watched Wang Yuan enter, a subtle hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He could feel that his young disciple's Blood Essence was becoming increasingly vigorous and condensed, and his aura was calmer and more restrained.

He was like a piece of fine iron being continuously hammered and tempered, its sharpness hidden, yet appearing more substantial.

"Xiao Yuan, you're here."

Zheng Shan gestured to the chair beside him.

"Sit."

"Master."

Wang Yuan bowed respectfully and sat down.

Zheng Shan didn't engage in pleasantries and went straight to the point, his expression serious:

"Although your time as a beginner is short, your progress has been incredibly swift. The foundation you've laid is far more solid than I anticipated."

"Your First Blood Change has already reached Perfection, and your Blood Essence has accumulated deeply. It's time to prepare for your Second Blood Change."

As he spoke, he took out a wooden box that had been prepared long ago and pushed it in front of Wang Yuan.

The wooden box opened, revealing several items neatly arranged inside:

A "Jade Marrow Grass" that was entirely emerald green, its leaves like jade, emitting a cool and refreshing aura that could calm the mind and protect the meridians.

Three "Blood Dates," the size of longan fruit and a vermilion red, containing pure Blood Essence, were excellent for aiding Blood Change.

There was also a porcelain bottle containing three "Pulse Protecting Pills," which could maximally protect the meridians from damage when Blood Essence violently impacted the crucial points.

These medicinal ingredients and pills were all precious items.

Especially for a Martial Artist undergoing their Second Blood Change, these were enough to bankrupt many small families in the outer city.

"Take these. Once you've adjusted your state, attempt to break through to your Second Blood Change."

Zheng Shan's tone was calm, yet carried warm care and expectation.

"The path of martial arts is like sailing against the current. Though your talent is great, you must not slacken."

"This breakthrough, you must be extremely careful and cautious, striving for stability."

Wang Yuan looked at the wooden box before him, a warm current surging in his heart.

Although his original reason for becoming Zheng Shan's disciple was to evade the Black Tiger Gang, Zheng Shan had truly treated him exceptionally well.

Wang Yuan genuinely acknowledged this Teacher in his heart.

He stood up and bowed deeply:

"Disciple will certainly not let down Master's high hopes!"

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