Lying in Wait in the Dense Forest

Dozens of miles outside Black Water City, deep within a range of mountains rarely touched by human footsteps.

Yan Kui hid in a natural cave concealed by vines and scattered boulders. The entrance was narrow, allowing only one person to enter while crouching, but the interior was quite spacious. He used huge rocks carried from nearby to block the entrance, leaving only a thin crack for air to circulate, sealing himself in completely.

At this moment, he sat cross-legged on the damp, cold ground at the deepest part of the cave. Everything around him was pitch-black, with only the faint pale-red glow cast by the [Crimson Modifier] screen in his mind.

7.0 points of Origin Power.

This enormous fortune burned in his heart like blazing fire. Yet Yan Kui was not dazzled by this sudden wealth. As a former free-fighting champion, he knew well that only by remaining calm when holding the advantage could one have the last laugh.

He carefully examined his physical condition.

Although minor mastery of Iron Cloth Shirt had given him Copper Skin and Iron Bones, and his strength far surpassed that of ordinary people, compared to the mountain-like Corpse Fiend at the bottom of the well in the Old Lin Family Manor, he was still as weak as an ant.

It was a pure, transcendent pressure that went beyond Mortal Martial Arts, making him feel unprecedentedly insignificant.

"Peak Viscera Refining Realm... half-step Blood Change... a monster of that level is something I simply cannot contend with right now."

Yan Kui simulated a battle with the Corpse Fiend in his mind, and the conclusion he reached was—certain death.

Meeting it head-on was something only fools would do.

He had to become stronger.

And stronger in every aspect.

He looked at the list of cultivation techniques on the screen.

Raging Bull Fist: Mastery

Iron Cloth Shirt (Incomplete): Minor Mastery

Body Nourishing Technique: Not Yet Initiated

"Body Nourishing Technique..."

Yan Kui's gaze finally settled on this newly acquired cultivation technique.

This technique did not focus on slaughter, but its description—"nourish the five viscera, harmonize yin and yang"—deeply attracted him.

External hardening techniques like Raging Bull Fist and Iron Cloth Shirt placed an enormous burden on the body.

"Those who seek longevity cultivate both within and without."

He had read quite a few wuxia novels in his previous life and understood this principle well. Now that the system lay before him, he naturally had to take the steadiest path toward the ultimate.

"System, upgrade Body Nourishing Technique!"

Yan Kui did not hesitate in the slightest.

[0.5 Origin Power consumed. Body Nourishing Technique initiated.]

[1.0 Origin Power consumed. Body Nourishing Technique reached minor mastery.]

[2.0 Origin Power consumed. Body Nourishing Technique reached mastery!]

3.5 points of Origin Power surged into his body in an instant like floodwaters bursting through a collapsed dam.

This time, the sensation differed from every previous point allocation. A warm, jade-like current appeared out of thin air within his Dantian, flowing like a gentle stream through every inch of his meridians.

Wherever this current passed, the cold Yin Energy that had been tangled deep within his lungs and viscera rapidly receded like melting ice and snow. The oppressive stuffiness lodged in his chest, impossible to shake off, vanished completely into thin air.

He felt his five viscera and six bowels become livelier than ever before, as though reborn. His heart beat with greater force, every pulse delivering abundant Blood Qi throughout his body. His breathing became deep and prolonged, as though he could draw in the breeze between heaven and earth.

No matter how strong external techniques became, they ultimately relied on the five viscera and six bowels to supply Blood Qi. Now that his internal organs had been nourished, his overall endurance and Impact Resistance would undergo a qualitative leap.

When the final point of Origin Power entered his body and Body Nourishing Technique reached mastery, Yan Kui's body underwent a subtle yet profound change.

His skin was no longer merely tough as before; it became far more elastic. With every breath of his pores, it seemed as though he could draw in and release the primordial energy of heaven and earth. Though the Blood Qi throughout his body was vigorous, it was no longer scorching and outwardly released. Instead, it became more restrained, like an ancient pool concealing its depths.

[Constitution: 2.5 -> 3.5]

The Body Nourishing Technique alone had increased his Constitution by a full point!

This meant that his vitality, recovery ability, and even his resistance to toxins and Yin Energy had all reached an entirely new level.

He slowly opened his eyes. To him, the dark cave was as bright as day. An unprecedented sense of comfort filled his entire body, and even his spirits rose.

"3.5 Origin Power remaining."

Yan Kui clenched his fist, feeling the abundant strength filling his body. Now, he had enough capital to further strengthen his external techniques.

"Iron Cloth Shirt..."

He shifted his gaze to the Iron Cloth Shirt entry.

[Iron Cloth Shirt (Incomplete): Minor Mastery +]

This cultivation technique was currently his main defensive method and the foundation he relied on against ghosts and physical attacks. Though minor mastery allowed him to block blades and swords, the ghost claws of the Red-clothed Female Ghost had still broken through his defense.

Yan Kui knew well that before absolute strength, even the finest techniques were useless. What he needed was ultimate hardness.

"Continue upgrading Iron Cloth Shirt!"

[3.0 Origin Power consumed. Iron Cloth Shirt reached mastery!]

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Rumble!

This time, the transformation process was even more intense—and even more painful.

He felt as though his muscles, fascia, and bones were being madly compressed, tempered, and reconstructed by an invisible force. It was as though a giant inside his body had torn every cell in him apart, then refilled them with harder materials.

He gritted his teeth, veins bulging as the muscles throughout his body twitched without cease from the extreme pain. Yet his will was as hard as steel. Even as sweat poured down like rain, he did not let out a single groan.

When the excruciating agony reached its peak and then receded like the tide, Yan Kui discovered that his body had undergone another earth-shaking transformation.

His height increased by another half inch, reaching two meters and three. His weight had increased considerably as well, making his entire body appear even more imposing, while his lines became smoother.

A restrained black gleam surfaced over his skin, like mysterious iron tempered a thousand times. It was hard and cold to the touch, yet without the slightest roughness.

He could feel that every inch of his skin and every bone in his body was filled with explosive power.

───────────

[Crimson Modifier]

Host: Yan Kui

Status: Peak Condition (boundless energy, Blood Qi like a dragon)

Body Data:

Strength: 2.2 -> 3.2 (increased size and density brought a boost in strength)

Agility: 1.2 -> 1.7 (improved bodily coordination and explosive power)

Constitution: 3.5 -> 4.5 (Copper Skin and Iron Bones, immune to all poisons, Blood Qi like a furnace)

Martial Arts:

Raging Bull Fist: Mastery

Iron Cloth Shirt (Incomplete): Mastery (Traits: Black Iron Body, Level 1 Rebounding Force, Weak Magic Resistance)

Body Nourishing Technique: Mastery (Traits: Everlasting Vitality, Long-Lasting Inner Breath)

Origin Power: 0.5

───────────

"Strength 3.2, Constitution 4.5..."

Yan Kui clenched his fist, feeling the unending strength in his palm, and an involuntary smile curled across his lips.

He casually threw a punch.

His fist tore through the air, kicking up a violent pressure wave. It was as though the air inside the cave had been sucked dry by that punch, producing a dull pop.

This strength was enough to split steles and shatter stone.

At this point, he had completely broken away from the category of Mortals. If he had merely been a strong martial artist before, then now he was a humanoid ferocious beast!

Skin Refining, Meat Refining, Bone Refining Realm... these realms of Mortal Martial Arts had become blurred upon his body, because his body had already surpassed the limits of Mortals.

"0.5 Origin Power remains... I'll save it for now."

Yan Kui did not rush to spend the final 0.5 points of Origin Power. He knew well that in a dangerous environment, even a tiny amount of Origin Power could be the key to preserving his life.

He stood and stretched his muscles and bones, producing a series of crackling sounds.

"It's time to return."

Now that his strength had increased greatly, he had enough confidence to face everything in Black Water City.

He moved aside the huge boulder blocking the cave entrance, and moonlight spilled in through the gap.

By the moonlight, he saw his own reflection.

It was a giant filled with explosive power. Though he still wore ragged hunter's clothes, the restrained pressure around him was enough to make any wild beast turn tail and flee.

He took a deep breath, savoring the mountain forest's uniquely cool, clear air.

"Black Tiger Gang... Corpse Fiend... Zhao Family..."

A trace of cold killing intent flashed through Yan Kui's eyes.

"No one can take what belongs to me, Yan Kui. Those who owe me will repay it all tenfold."

He was no longer that sickly wretch whom anyone could butcher at will.

He was a hungry wolf that had just awakened, about to return to the flock and tear apart the hunters who had once thought he was merely prey.

The night was deep. In the sky over the direction of Black Water City, a faint blood-red glow could be seen.

It was the sight of the entire Black Water City being shrouded in Yin Energy after the Corpse Fiend emerged.

Yan Kui's figure flashed, melting into the night as he stealthily made his way toward Black Water City like a ghost.

The first thing he needed to do was find out what had happened in Black Water City.

What, exactly, had happened within the city?

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