All Martial Arts Under Heaven, Only Speed Is Invincible! Devouring the Blood Strengthening Pill!

For a moment, countless envious gazes converged on Su Haoran.

After Elder Hui Jue departed, the crowd erupted.

Zeng Qiu and Wujing immediately squeezed their way over.

"Brother Haoran, are... are you alright?" Zeng Qiu asked, his face full of worry as he examined Su Haoran from head to toe. "I heard that bandit was incredibly powerful. You actually managed to stop him?"

"More than just stop him!" Wujing exclaimed from the side, his voice filled with disbelief despite his usually impetuous nature. "I heard from the senior brothers who returned that the bandit's movement technique was as fast as a ghost, and his cultivation was extremely high. He might have even reached Third Skin Tempering, or perhaps even Bone Forging! Bone Forging! That's a master who can temper their bones to be harder than fine steel! You actually managed to survive under him and drive him away?"

Bone Forging!

Su Haoran's heart also tensed.

At the time, he had only felt the opponent was outrageously strong, but he hadn't expected him to possibly be beyond the Skin Tempering stage.

If his Iron Cloth Shirt hadn't reached Major Accomplishment, that single arrow might have been enough to take his life.

"It was just luck," Su Haoran said calmly.

"That's not something luck can explain," an older Martial Monk chimed in, sighing. "However, making Crimson Hair Stronghold back down and avenging this insult will likely be as difficult as climbing to heaven."

"Yeah," another person agreed. "Crimson Hair Stronghold is very mysterious. It's said that many of their ancestors came from foreign tribes beyond the pass, with naturally reddish hair, which is how they got their name. Ever since they settled in the Qingyun Mountain Range over a decade ago, they've had a notorious reputation. Even several official crackdowns have been repelled by them. In recent years, they've become more cautious and rarely leave their stronghold."

"That's right. Crimson Hair Stronghold is situated in a treacherous terrain, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only one path in. It's incredibly easy to defend and difficult to attack. Their stronghold is teeming with experts. Their Great Leader is rumored to be an old monster who entered Bone Forging many years ago. Ordinary people can't even get close to their gate."

"Last night's bandit, with such incredible lightness skill, is very likely the legendary Third Leader of Crimson Hair Stronghold, 'Ghost Shadow Leopard Cat.' This person excels at stealth and assassination, appearing and disappearing like a phantom. I can't believe they dared to set their sights on our Prajna Temple!"

The crowd pieced together the information about Crimson Hair Stronghold, talking amongst themselves.

In their descriptions, Crimson Hair Stronghold was portrayed as a heavily guarded, expert-filled dragon's den.

Elder Hui Jue's visit, while ostensibly to demand accountability, was more like a show of force to express their stance. Truly making the other side yield was an almost impossible task.

Listening to their discussion, Su Haoran's eyes gradually brightened.

Is it truly impossible?

Not necessarily!

Others found it troublesome because Crimson Hair Stronghold held the advantage of terrain and could defend without coming out.

If Prajna Temple were to launch a full-scale assault, it would be attacking with their weakness against the enemy's strength, with little chance of victory.

But if they could use such methods, why couldn't he?

He subconsciously clenched his fist, feeling the ceaseless flow of Blood Essence within him, and the sense of control from his Soaring Dragon Startling Swan Art reaching Perfection, where his body moved with his will, as if ready to ride the wind.

That Crimson Hair Stronghold Third Leader's lightness skill was indeed exceptional.

But in front of his perfected Soaring Dragon Startling Swan Art, it was still a step slower!

He could use his movement technique to infiltrate the heavily guarded Scripture Repository; why couldn't he infiltrate their so-called "easy to defend, difficult to attack" Crimson Hair Stronghold?

Moreover, the death threat that the black-clothed man, 'Ghost Shadow Leopard Cat,' had uttered before leaving still echoed in his ears!

"This person's lightness skill is formidable. If he were to persistently harass us, without the protection of the many elders, it would indeed be quite dangerous!"

With this thought, a hint of coldness reappeared on Su Haoran's face.

There's always a thousand days to be a thief, but never a thousand days to guard against one!

His need to become stronger was more urgent than anyone else's!

Currently, his Soaring Dragon Startling Swan Art had reached Perfection and could no longer provide him with Comprehension points.

Although his Iron Cloth Shirt and Arhat Fist were steadily progressing, they were also nearing Perfection.

He desperately needed a new, profound cultivation technique to drive the continuous growth of his Comprehension!

And Elder Hui Jue's promise was the best opportunity!

An extremely bold idea began to grow wildly in Su Haoran's mind.

He returned to his woodshed, closed the door, and sat down cross-legged.

He didn't immediately consume the precious Blood Strengthening Pill but fell into deep thought, rapidly replaying and integrating the battle from last night and all the information he had just heard in his mind.

Just like the Ghost Shadow Leopard Cat infiltrating Prajna Temple at night.

Crimson Hair Stronghold, so what if they have many people?

His movement technique was even superior to the Ghost Shadow Leopard Cat's!

"All martial arts under heaven are invincible..."

"Only speed is unbreakable!"

Since that was the case, why should he confront them head-on?

You make the first move, I'll make the second.

He could infiltrate the Scripture Repository at night; he could storm Crimson Hair Stronghold alone!

Once this idea took root, it spread like wildfire, impossible to contain.

Su Haoran's eyes flashed with sharp light, and he no longer hesitated.

He sat cross-legged, his mind sinking into his sea of consciousness, and brought up his status panel.

[Name: Su Haoran]

[Lifespan: 25 years]

[Cultivation Techniques: Meditation Scripture (Major Accomplishment 36%), Arhat Fist (Major Accomplishment 71%), Iron Cloth Shirt (Major Accomplishment 45%), Soaring Dragon Startling Swan Art (Perfection)]

[Comprehension: 16 (Unusual Bones)]

The Soaring Dragon Startling Swan Art has already reached Perfection, and cannot provide further comprehension growth in the short term.

Although the Arhat Fist is profound, it is ultimately an offensive technique.

Right now, the most important thing is survival!

That "Ghost Shadow Leopard Cat" is swift and elusive, specializing in stealthy assassination. My greatest advantage is my Perfection-level movement technique, but if I want to infiltrate a stronghold full of experts, and if I make a mistake, a formidable defense is my greatest reliance for survival!

Iron Cloth Shirt!

I must push this formidable body-hardening technique to its limit first!

He took a deep breath and took out the ancient wooden box from his embrace.

The lid was opened, and three Blood Strengthening Pills, the size of longan fruit, lay quietly within. The pills were blood-red, as if containing surging life force. A rich medicinal aroma of blood essence wafted towards him, causing the blood essence within his body to faintly accelerate.

Without the slightest hesitation, Su Haoran picked up one pill and tossed it directly into his mouth.

Boom!

The pill dissolved upon entering his mouth, like a ball of burning fire rolling down his throat and into his abdomen. The next moment, a majestic and unparalleled surge of hot Bloodline Power, like a breaching flood, exploded throughout his limbs and bones!

This power was ferocious and potent, far exceeding any previous cultivation session! If an ordinary martial artist were to consume it rashly, they would likely have their meridians ruptured by the violent medicinal power on the spot and explode!

But Su Haoran's physical foundation was incredibly solid! He immediately calmed his mind and fully circulated the Iron Cloth Shirt's cultivation method.

Under his guidance, the blood essence within his body, initially violently colliding, gradually became tamer. Like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, it repeatedly washed and tempered his skin, muscles, and even tendons!

At the same time, his Comprehension of 16 points, "Unusual Bones," displayed a miraculous effect at this moment.

The obscure bottlenecks within the Iron Cloth Shirt cultivation method became incredibly clear in his mind. How to guide blood essence, how to temper the skin, how to maximize the medicinal effect – countless flashes of insight emerged, raising his cultivation efficiency to an unbelievable level!

The surface of his skin began to emit a faint layer of dark blue. As time passed, this layer of dark blue deepened, and finally, it exuded a cold, hard luster, like metal!

The night passed without incident.

As the sky turned the color of fish belly and the first ray of dawn shone through the window into the woodshed, Su Haoran suddenly opened his eyes.

He slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air. In the faint morning light, this breath carried a trace of faint gray-black. It landed on the ground with a slight "hiss," as if possessing some corrosive property.

This was the impurities expelled from his body during the medicinal tempering of his physique.

Su Haoran looked down at his body, only to see a faint luster of copper and iron flowing beneath his skin.

With a thought, he fully circulated the Iron Cloth Shirt.

Hum!

A layer of almost tangible copper and iron color instantly covered the skin of his entire body!

From a distance, he looked as if he were truly wearing a form-fitting garment cast from refined iron, exuding an indestructible texture!

[Iron Cloth Shirt (Major Accomplishment 80%)]

With just one Blood Strengthening Pill and a night of hard work, amplified by his 16 points of Comprehension, his Iron Cloth Shirt had progressed by a staggering 35%!

"Such potent medicinal power!" Su Haoran's eyes couldn't hide his joy.

He could clearly feel that the toughness of his skin was more than a level stronger than last night!

If he were to face the "Ghost Shadow Leopard Cat's" armor-piercing poison arrows again now, he was confident that not even his skin would be scratched!

However, he also sensed its shortcomings.

"There are still two weak points..." Su Haoran frowned slightly.

He could feel that this layer of copper and iron defense was not perfectly flawless.

Three inches below his left armpit and in the area slightly to the right of his heart, there were two palm-sized regions where the circulation of blood essence was slightly stagnant, and their color was a shade darker than other areas.

These were the weak points! Flaws where the cultivation technique had not yet reached Perfection!

If an expert discovered them and attacked these two weak spots, this body of copper skin and iron bones would be rendered useless!

No, it's not enough!

If I'm going to the Crimson Hair Stronghold, a place as dangerous as a dragon's lair, I cannot leave any obvious flaws!

Su Haoran's eyes flashed with determination. He opened the wooden box again, picked up the second Blood Strengthening Pill, and swallowed it without hesitation!

Meanwhile, on the training ground of the Martial Monk Courtyard, the morning mist had not yet completely dispersed.

Elder Hui Jue, clad in a gray monk's robe, stood solemnly in the center of the field. Before him stood six burly martial monks with steady auras.

These six were all elites of the Martial Monk Courtyard. The weakest among them was already a Second Skin Tempering expert, and two of them had even reached the Third Skin Tempering realm, forming the true core strength of the temple.

"Are you all ready?" Elder Hui Jue's voice was deep and powerful.

"Reporting to Elder, we are all prepared and ready to depart at any time!" The leading martial monk replied with a bow.

Elder Hui Jue nodded, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the woodshed in the Labor Courtyard. He frowned slightly, as if lost in thought.

"Elder," the Martial Monk ventured, observing the Elder's expression, "should we wait for Junior Brother Su Haoran to join us?"

Su Haoran's display of power last night, coupled with the Abbot and Elder's personal commendation, had already spread throughout the temple. In their eyes, it was only fitting to bring the now-famous junior brother along for this trip.

Elder Hui Jue pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "No need."

He sighed, a hint of worry in his voice. "Although that armor-piercing poison arrow couldn't penetrate his physical defenses, the arrowhead was coated with potent venom, and its impact force was considerable. I fear his Blood Essence might have been shaken from resisting it, leaving him with hidden injuries. The most crucial thing now is for him to rest well and thoroughly stabilize his foundation."

"The Elder speaks wisely," another Martial Monk immediately agreed. "Our trip is to represent Prajna Temple and demand justice. It's about reason and our temple's centuries-old reputation. With you, Elder, leading the way, and seven or eight of us accompanying you, we are already showing Crimson Hair Stronghold ample respect. Our presence alone is enough to make a statement. While Junior Brother Su's cultivation is profound, he is young after all. He might not be of much help in such a situation, so it's better for him to focus on his cultivation here in the temple."

Upon hearing this, the other Martial Monks nodded in agreement.

They held no ill will towards Su Haoran; in fact, they held him in high regard.

However, this mission was no trivial matter. They were facing the notoriously fierce Crimson Hair Stronghold, and in their opinion, strength and seniority were paramount.

Su Haoran, a disciple who had joined not long ago, was indeed not suited for such inter-sect negotiations.

Elder Hui Jue listened to their words and found them reasonable.

This trip, while ostensibly to demand justice, was more about probing and deterrence, not a genuine intention to fight.

A large group would appear overly aggressive and detract from the dignified bearing of a righteous sect.

"Very well," he finally decided. "Let him rest. Pass my order: no one is to disturb him. We... depart!"

"Yes!"

Six Martial Monks responded in unison, their voices resonating with power.

Without further hesitation, Elder Hui Jue flicked his wide sleeve, turned, and strode towards the mountain gate with six elite disciples. Their first destination was Qingshi City at the foot of the mountain, where they needed to find a guide familiar with the mountain terrain before they could accurately locate the Crimson Hair Stronghold's hidden entrance.

The figures of the group soon vanished into the morning mountain mist.

Prajna Temple gradually returned to its usual tranquility.

Little did they know that the disciple they believed to be resting peacefully was currently undergoing earth-shattering changes.