A Step Away

Out on the street, Zhao Han asked around for a shop that sold medicinal pills and found that there really was one, and it was still open.

He now had a lead on the Energy Pill supply.

Zhao Han immediately headed over to the pill shop, whose sign read "Yi Qi Hall."

"Yi Qi Hall? That name's interesting."

He walked inside, and a young attendant immediately greeted him.

Zhao Han noticed that in this world, all the service staff were male attendants, not female.

"Honored guest, what kind of pill do you need?" The attendant bowed slightly and asked.

"Energy Pills. Do you have them?"

The moment the attendant heard Zhao Han's tone, he knew this guy was all talk. Energy Pills were such a low-grade item that any pill shop worth its salt carried them.

Why bother coming to Yi Qi Hall?

After all, Yi Qi Hall sold high-quality goods at premium prices.

Even Energy Pills here cost five qian more than at ordinary shops.

"Yes, we do. One Energy Pill costs two taels and five qian of silver. How many does the honored guest need?" The attendant replied with a smile.

"What, what the hell? Two taels and five qian? Isn't it one tael per pill?" Zhao Han was shocked by the price.

That was almost a month's tuition at the martial arts school.

And Zhang Long and Zhao Hu had said a pill could sell for one tael.

"Heh, honored guest, at an ordinary pill shop, an Energy Pill goes for two taels. But here at Yi Qi Hall, the quality is better, so it's two taels and five qian."

"As for the one tael you mentioned, that must be for a secondhand Energy Pill."

"Uh, I guess that makes sense."

Zhao Han suddenly understood.

It was just like cars or houses—the moment you bought one, it became secondhand and the price got slashed.

But Zhao Han caught another meaning: at an ordinary pill shop, it cost two taels.

That was good news. He could save five qian.

"So, honored guest, how many Energy Pills would you like to buy?" The attendant asked with a smile.

"Uh, I've got something to do. I'll pass for now."

Zhao Han turned and walked straight out of Yi Qi Hall, leaving the attendant sneering in contempt.

If you're broke, why come to Yi Qi Hall? Just here to mess with me?

After asking around a bit more, he found a shop not far away and bought two Energy Pills.

That cost him four taels of silver on the spot, leaving him with just five qian and one tael of gold.

"Two pills are enough to add two hundred proficiency points, pushing me to 970."

Zhao Han's heart raced with excitement. Finally, he was about to master Black Wolf Fist and break through to the Muscle Refining Realm. It hadn't been easy.

He found a dark alley next to the Mad Saber Martial Arts School and, after making sure no one was around, threw himself fully into practicing his fists.

"Ha! Huh! Heh!"

After ten rounds, his proficiency reached 780.

"Hiss!"

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Han swallowed one Energy Pill and continued practicing.

800!

810!

He kept going until his proficiency hit 880.

Then he took the next pill.

After another hundred rounds, Zhao Han's proficiency reached 980.

[Black Wolf Fist, Unranked, Mastery 980/1000]

"Just one step away. Tomorrow morning, ten rounds after breakfast, and another ten before lunch, and that'll be enough."

Zhao Han's confidence soared. He could already see the Muscle Refining Realm waving at him.

That was the Muscle Refining Realm—on par with the hall masters of the Poisonous Snake Gang and the Black Wolf Gang.

Even the Master of the Mad Saber Martial Arts School was only at the Muscle Refining Realm.

Back at the school, it was almost ten o'clock, and he happened to run into Liang Feng returning.

He reeked of alcohol, clearly dragged off by someone for drinks and meat.

As a Skin Refining Warrior and the school's fifth disciple, with ties to so many wealthy families, social engagements were naturally frequent.

No wonder he looked down on the cafeteria food.

"Junior Brother Zhao, what are you going out for so late at night?" Liang Feng asked, half-drunk.

"It's Senior Brother Liang. I was just familiarizing myself with the surroundings. I got lost earlier and only just found my way back." Zhao Han explained softly.

Liang Feng nodded. "I see. As your senior brother, I can tell you're a straightforward person, so let me give you a word of advice: if you want to live long, avoid walking the night roads."

"In the county town, there's plenty of human energy, many martial artists, and strong yang qi, so you don't need to fear the fiends too much. But times are degenerate, and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be."

"Sometimes, the human heart can be more terrifying than a fiend!"

"Is that so? Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother Liang."

"Advice is a strong word. It's just experience from someone who's been there." Liang Feng waved his hand, as if he had encountered such things before.

Between humans and fiends, sometimes humans were more terrifying.

Entering the main gate, Old Man Mi had already fallen asleep.

In an era without phones and without much nightlife, eight o'clock was already very late.

Many people would sink into deep sleep once night fully fell at eight.

Zhao Han had experienced this too. He was born in the rural countryside in the '90s. Even in the early 2000s when he was a few years old, his family had no TV, no internet, and no phone.

Once it got dark, there was nothing to do but read or sleep.

And power outages were common, sometimes lasting days, forcing them to use candles.

In this era, candles were even more expensive; lamp oil was cheaper. Ordinary people had it but didn't use it often.

Returning to the dorm, the three unfamiliar roommates he hadn't yet met were already fast asleep.

Zhao Han didn't disturb them. Moving quietly, he lay down on the bed without even taking off his clothes and fell asleep.

Early the next morning, many apprentices rose early and headed to the training ground for morning practice.

Besides them, apprentices living near the martial arts school also came to the training ground.

Zhao Han had wanted to sleep in, but to avoid drawing attention, he dutifully got up early.

He got up with his three roommates, exchanged names, and got to know each other a little.

But the three didn't seem interested in talking to Zhao Han.

They only briefly introduced themselves before coldly walking away. Zhao Han just shrugged in response.

During dinner the night before, they had already looked down on him.

And they thought he wanted to befriend them? Dream on.

He had warmed a cold butt with his hot face. Zhao Han just shrugged, indifferent.

Did you really think I wanted to befriend you small fries who haven't even reached the Skin Refining Realm?

I just don't want to stand out too much and attract attention.

With a system in tow and a world full of demons, monsters, and fiends, I have to play it safe and keep a low profile.

Arriving at the training ground, Zhao Han realized the martial arts school had far more than thirty apprentices—at least fifty.

There were only five female disciples. Three of them wore form-fitting training clothes, were tall and slender, and had decent looks.

They flaunted their nice figures to a group of young men in the prime of puberty.

Who knows how many apprentices secretly peeked at them instead of training properly.

The other two female disciples had zero viewership.

One was burly and muscular, with arms thicker than Zhao Han's calves, standing alone in a corner, practicing martial arts in self-absorption, completely ignored.

The other female apprentice was plain-looking, with a ponytail, wheat-colored skin, and wearing the standard-issue training uniform. She was clearly from a more ordinary family.

She was too ordinary, and no one paid her any attention either.