Probing Zhou Qiming, Master Yuan Regrets and is Shocked!

With Master Yuan's resolve to die set, everyone felt the sky was falling. Even a peak Bone Forging martial artist like Yuan Tieyi was like this; who could possibly stop Jinsha Gang's butcher's knife now?

Furthermore, even if they escaped through the pre-dug tunnel, they would inevitably die in the pursuit by various factions.

The disciples exchanged glances, despairing as they left. They returned home to pack their belongings and planned to scatter and flee under the cover of night.

Cheng Yu was somewhat reluctant and stepped forward to persuade, "Master, let's go together. We can look out for each other. As long as we're alive, we'll have firewood to burn. Once we reach the County Town, we'll definitely have a chance for revenge."

Yuan Tieyi was resolute, "A martial artist like me has already been targeted by the enemy's experts. Going with you will only endanger the Cheng family. Good disciple, only you are accompanying Master at the end. What a shame."

Yuan Tieyi shook his head. Cheng Yu was too late in focusing his mind on martial arts due to his social life and interactions. Moreover, a Bone Forging martial artist like him posed too great a threat and was already on Jinsha Gang's kill list. If the Cheng family split up and fled, perhaps there would be a sliver of a chance.

Overnight, the situation deteriorated, and everyone felt like they were on a ship doomed to sink.

Cheng Yu was helpless and was about to rush out when he saw a young man walking into the courtyard under the moonlight.

"It's you? What, have you come to laugh at an old man?"

Yuan Tieyi looked up, his expression somewhat complicated. He certainly remembered this young man from the restaurant. His talent and physical fitness were good, but his Root Bone Potential was too poor. Otherwise, he would have considered taking him as his final disciple back then.

The person who arrived was Zhou Qiming. He had just come from the blacksmith shop, having bought over ten catties of fine iron to digest using his Iron Gall special effect, aiming to break through to Bone Forging.

With his terrifying strength of several thousand catties, combined with this fine iron, his Bone Forging speed was more than seven to eight times faster than others. Unfortunately, the blacksmith shop was coerced by Jinsha Gang to rush the production of standard military equipment, so he couldn't buy better quality Hundred-forged Fine Iron.

If there were ten-forged or even hundred-forged fine iron, one catty would be more effective than a bottle of high-grade Bone Forging Pill.

"I must hurry to the County Town. Better resources are there," Zhou Qiming sighed. A shallow pond couldn't raise a dragon; Jinshui Town's sky was too low.

He looked at Yuan Tieyi and got straight to the point, tentatively bringing up the issue of the King's Blood. This trouble had to be resolved; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully. He also hoped to find the answer here.

After all, Yuan Tieyi had experience in the County Town and had seen the world; perhaps he could identify the problem.

"What, you've been cursed by a noble family's bloodline?"

Yuan Tieyi was greatly shocked and examined the blood-red curse mark on the young man's chest.

Noble families were like demons, with their bloodline talents and methods being incredibly bizarre. Thus, no one dared to openly kill the disciples of noble families who were out on training missions, for fear of retaliation.

Yuan Tieyi could tell that the move left by King Chaotian was clearly similar to that of a slightly weaker noble family. Perhaps that Chao Ritian was an illegitimate son abandoned by some noble family.

"Trouble. Only a Qi Profound Realm martial artist above Viscera Refining can intervene, or King Chaotian must resolve it personally..."

Yuan Tieyi frowned, feeling sorry for the young man. Clearly, neither method was possible.

All that was left was to rely on luck, gambling that he wouldn't encounter the Sky Shaker Bandits' lackeys. Once he got close to King Chaotian's people, the bloodline curse would be like a bonfire in the night sky, not far from death.

"Thank you for the explanation. Is there no other way?"

Zhou Qiming asked again, showing no fear. Even if the Hantian Army was powerful, they could probably only lock onto a general area. Then, he could find a crowded organization to hide in, or simply hide near the County Town's government office. In any case, the situation was far from as desperate as Yuan Tieyi described.

"Yes. You've already cultivated Copper Skin, right? If you can achieve Hua Jin in the Muscle Cultivation stage, with your refined force under minute control, you can also refine external bloodline substances."

Yuan Tieyi's eyes gleamed as he examined Zhou Qiming's skin and membranes. However, he didn't continue to dampen the other's will to survive.

Force refinement was roughly divided into External Force, Hidden Force, and Hua Jin. To achieve Hua Jin at this age would signify monstrous talent, even more inconceivable than Viscera Refining or Qi Profound Realm. Keep in mind that some Viscera Refining martial artists had not mastered the technique of Hua Jin. This was entirely an accumulation of time and comprehension; there were no shortcuts.

"That makes things easier." Zhou Qiming's eyes lit up. He had finally found a path. Being constantly targeted by King Chaotian made him very unhappy.

With the Woodcutting Saber Technique breaking through its limit twice and the Iron Cloth Skill breaking through its limit twice, Zhou Qiming's force had long since accumulated to an unimaginable level. He was probably only a thin veil away from the Hua Jin level.

"I must hurry to consume Treasure Medicine and Treasure Pills to restore and supplement my Root Bone value. If the Iron Cloth Skill breaks through its limit one more time, I'll definitely achieve Hua Jin," Zhou Qiming felt a sense of urgency, hoping Cheng Yan would bring back the needed high-grade Treasure Medicine from the County Town soon.

"What level are you at now?"

Seeing Zhou Qiming's lack of dejection, Yuan Tieyi was even more surprised. Could the other party really break through to Hua Jin? He felt he could see through Zhou Qiming less and less.

Yuan Tieyi's body tensed, and he suddenly attacked. Force spurted from his palm, striking towards the other's face.

Of course, if the situation turned unfavorable, he would retract his force in time and would not truly strike lethally.

However, the expected scene and sensation did not occur. To his surprise, as his palm force enveloped downwards, it was like a mud ox entering the sea, as if hitting an iron wall, blocked by an insurmountable chasm!

Yuan Tieyi gasped, feeling a sense of madness and disbelief. He had already overestimated the defensive capabilities of the other's skin and membranes, but he still underestimated Zhou Qiming!

"This, this is Hidden Force! You've already cultivated Hidden Force? How is this possible? And your Root Bone!"

Yuan Tieyi's heart trembled, his eyes widening like copper bells. He was shocked beyond measure, completely losing his earlier sadness and grief.

Under the sneak attack from this Bone Forging martial artist, Yuan Tieyi believed he had figured out Zhou Qiming's true capabilities!

Muscle Cultivation peak, Copper Skin, Hidden Force.

Being able to digest and block thirty percent of his Iron Cloth Force indicated a mastery of force that reached the Hidden Force level.

For someone of Zhou Qiming's age, this was too inconceivable. And if he remembered correctly, this kid only got the Iron Cloth Skill manual two to three months ago!

Without any guidance or resource assistance, relying purely on his own fumbling attempts, he had actually managed to become a Hidden Force martial artist at the peak of Muscle Cultivation. How could this be considered inferior Root Bone?

Yuan Tieyi was shocked and bewildered, finally overwhelmed by regret and astonishment. If he had firmly taken this kid as a disciple back then, perhaps the outcome would have been different!

What shocked and astonished Yuan Tieyi the most was that in just three months, this guy's Root Bone had actually improved to the middle-grade level!

The transformation of 14 points of Root Bone value meant he was no longer comparable to when he first entered the martial arts school!

Root Bone and aptitude were determined by fate at birth. Yuan Tieyi, at his age, had never heard of anyone being able to raise their Root Bone. Even if one was lucky enough to obtain a top-grade heavenly treasure, the improvement would be limited; it would never go from unranked inferior root to the current middle-grade, as if scrap iron had turned into gold!

"You, you, you!" Yuan Tieyi clicked his tongue repeatedly, speechless, only feeling that the other party was a monster.

The handyman from the restaurant he had once looked down upon was now outrageously monstrous to the point that he couldn't understand him. Was this still human? Perhaps a young demon?

Zhou Qiming remained unfazed, having already obtained the information he desired. As for Yuan Tieyi's surprise attack and probing, he didn't take it seriously at all.

Little did he know that the strength he displayed was already a month's worth of progress for him. Even this much had Yuan Tieyi's mind racing with wild assumptions. Zhou Qiming shook his head, finding it amusing.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior. The sky is getting late, and I still have to go to the restaurant to work," Zhou Qiming said, turning to leave. He was also worried that Jinsha Gang might go after Xu Hailai.

"Brother Zhou, are you still willing to take me as your master!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Yuan Tieyi's face turned red. He immediately regretted it, but what was said couldn't be taken back. To win over the genius before him, Yuan Tieyi had thrown caution to the wind, feeling incredibly anxious.

Cheng Yu, standing nearby, was also dumbfounded, equally shocked and bewildered. What was happening? What had Brother Zhou done to make Master's attitude change 180 degrees?

Cheng Yu was completely confused, unable to grasp the situation.