His qi-and-blood barrier was still shattered outright.
His entire body was sent flying by Qin Bo's punch.
Fortunately, his strength was not weak. He forcibly twisted his qi and blood in midair, and only then managed to steady himself.
The several guards around them were all dumbstruck.
They were all at the late Body Tempering Realm.
The weakest had already reached Organ Refining, while the one Qin Bo had knocked flying was at the Bone Refining Realm.
After steadying himself, the Bone Refining Realm guard's face shifted from green to white. He was both shocked and furious.
He had never imagined that his dignified Bone Refining Realm strength would actually be sent flying by a single punch from the seemingly young Qin Bo.
The several guards nearby had still been somewhat doubtful of Qin Bo's strength.
Now that they had witnessed this scene with their own eyes, all of them were left deeply shaken.
"You... you brat, you actually possess such strength. Are you at the peak of the Bone Refining Realm?!"
The Bone Refining Realm guard said this with lingering fear.
He had noticed that Qin Bo had held back at the final moment. Otherwise, he would probably have suffered serious injuries.
"I am nothing special. I just happen to be at the peak!"
"Young Master Qin's strength is formidable. Thank you for showing mercy."
Just then, a burst of footsteps came from the outer gate.
"What happened? What are you doing?"
A clear, melodious female voice rang out.
The guard was the first to see the newcomer and hurriedly bowed.
"Greetings, Miss. We were merely sparring with this young master."
The Bone Refining Realm guard respectfully bowed to the owner of that clear voice. His attitude was worlds apart from the arrogance and overbearing manner he had shown Qin Bo earlier.
Following the guard's gaze, Qin Bo saw a woman in a pale-blue silk dress walking over with graceful steps.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, with skin white as snow. Her bright eyes sparkled as they moved, and she carried an innate air of nobility.
"Sparring? I saw how you were at daggers drawn just now. That didn't look like an ordinary spar."
The young miss slightly furrowed her brows, her gaze shifting between Qin Bo and the guard.
Qin Bo also hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Miss. It truly was only a spar just now. I got carried away and failed to control my strength. I hope you won't take offense."
Qin Bo guessed that this woman was someone of considerable status within the City Lord's Mansion, so he was extremely courteous in his words.
The young miss gently nodded, her gaze lingering on Qin Bo as a hint of curiosity flashed through her eyes.
"From your accent, you don't sound like a local. Where did you come from, and why were you sparring with the guards of my City Lord's Mansion?"
Qin Bo was just about to answer when the Bone Refining Realm guard spoke first.
"Miss, this young master is preparing to participate in the Demon Suppressing Division's examination. Just now, I saw that his strength was extraordinary, so I wanted to ask him for some pointers."
"What?! He's taking the examination?"
Upon hearing this, she immediately became excited and held out her hand toward Qin Bo.
"Hello, I'm preparing to take the examination too. My name is Zhou Ruixue!"
Qin Bo was stunned, then held out his own hand as well.
"Li Family Village, Qin Bo!"
Zhou Ruixue smiled and shook Qin Bo's hand, her eyes filled with delight.
"I never expected to meet someone else taking the examination at the City Lord's Mansion. What a coincidence. Young Master Qin, seeing how powerful you are, I imagine passing the examination is practically guaranteed."
Qin Bo hurriedly replied humbly, "Miss Zhou, you flatter me. The Demon Suppressing Division's examination must be fraught with difficulties. I wouldn't dare let my guard down."
"As for you, Miss Zhou, as someone from the City Lord's Mansion, you must understand the examination better than I do. I hope you can offer me some guidance in the future."
Zhou Ruixue covered her mouth and chuckled. "Guidance is too strong a word. We can simply exchange pointers."
"Although I am... from the City Lord's Mansion, I only know a little about the examination. I heard that this examination will involve not only a contest of strength, but also tests of strategy and adaptability."
The two became more and more engrossed in conversation, while the Bone Refining Realm guard beside them listened with some helplessness.
He secretly grumbled, This young miss is truly a martial arts fanatic. As long as the topic touches on martial arts, she can chatter away with blazing enthusiasm.
But he did not dare interrupt them and could only stand there awkwardly.
After chatting for a while, Zhou Ruixue seemed to remember something and said, "Young Master Qin, since we're both taking the examination, why don't we find a time to discuss our cultivation insights together? We might inspire one another, and it could help us with the examination as well."
Qin Bo readily agreed. "I couldn't ask for more. Miss Zhou, come find me anytime you have the chance."
Zhou Ruixue nodded with a smile. "Good. Then I won't disturb you any longer, Young Master Qin. We'll talk in greater detail another day."
With that, she left with her maidservant.
Qin Bo and the several guards had become acquainted through fighting, and soon grew familiar with one another. They insisted on dragging Ling Yuan out for a drink.
In the end, Qin Bo used the examination as an excuse and finally managed to refuse them all.
Returning to the small courtyard.
Qin Bo took out the Book of Yin Marriage.
"Hey, Miss Luo, can you hear me?"
"I am here, Young Master. I can hear you."
"What level of strength do you possess?!"
"I am the daughter of the Ghost King, Young Master. I possess the strength of an evil spirit."
"Hmm, that strong? Then will you be able to make a move in the future?"
"No, Young Master. The moment I leave the marriage book, my father will be able to trace me, and then he will send people to capture me."
Qin Bo was stunned.
You can function as bait too?!
If I lack lifespan in the future, can I have her come out for a stroll, then lure the eerie creatures over?
Thinking of this, Qin Bo's eyes lit up, and the expression with which he looked at the marriage book became lecherous.
"Young Master... your expression..."
Luo Qingyan's bashful voice came from within the marriage book.
"Can you see me from inside the marriage book?"
"Mhm, I can, Young Master."
"No, you can't look. What if I'm taking a bath?"
"Young Master, I don't mind."
Qin Bo was helpless and put away the marriage book.
His consciousness sank into his mind. It had been a long time since he had checked his own strength.
"System, bring up the panel!"
[Host: Qin Bo] [Physique: Bronze Tendons Iron Bones] [ cultivation: Body Tempering Realm (Peak)] [Skills: Ancient Desolation Body Tempering Technique (Peak), Pig Slaughtering Saber Technique (Return to simplicity)] [Remaining Lifespan: 89 years]
"Eighty-nine years of lifespan. That will be enough for now."
"I still need to join the Demon Suppressing Division as soon as possible. Only then can I obtain cultivation methods and martial skills for the subsequent realms. Otherwise, I have no room left to improve."
"I heard the old Daoist say that the next realm is the Blood Condensation Realm!"
"Blood condensation—just as the name suggests, it means condensing qi and blood."
"The martial path of this world is about stimulating one's inner potential and giving birth to the qi and blood unique to humanity."
"Then one uses this qi and blood to resist the eerie!"
"Perhaps I can start with the Ancient Desolation Body Tempering Technique and the Pig Slaughtering Saber Technique, and see whether I can further unearth the potential of these two skills, preparing for my breakthrough into the Blood Condensation Realm."
Qin Bo muttered to himself.
The Ancient Desolation Body Tempering Technique had already reached the peak. Every time he used it, he could feel the might of his own strength, yet it seemed capable of stimulating his potential on an even deeper level.
As for the Pig Slaughtering Saber Technique, it had reached the Return to simplicity realm.
The saber technique appeared simple, but in truth contained endless variations.
If he could combine it with cultivation of the Blood Condensation Realm, it might produce an unexpected effect.
Before you continue