Storm

The City Lord's Mansion's actions were all carried out in secret. Although everyone knew what was happening, no one dared to speak of it.

All the conflict only surfaced on the surface.

Perhaps some people had sensed the deeper currents, but the vast majority were still unaware.

Just a few days later, Wu An, a Core Disciple of the Yangchun Martial Arts School, was attacked by an unknown Viscera Refiner. Fortunately, a martial arts expert secretly guarding him blocked the attacker, otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

After that, the frequency of attacks on the martial arts school's Core Disciples increased, making them afraid to even leave their homes.

As for the other disciples, there was even less to say. Even a large number of elite disciples at the Bone Forging level had died. After all, their attackers were at least at the Blood Condensation realm, and usually at the Viscera Refining realm!

However, while the martial arts school suffered heavy losses, the City Lord's Mansion's Retainers were not faring any better. Especially when attacking the Core Disciples, they were often ambushed by the martial arts school's secretly guarding experts.

Two Viscera Refining Retainers had already died, over ten Viscera Refining Retainers were seriously injured, and the rest had sustained minor injuries.

It could be said that if this continued, the City Lord's Mansion's Retainers would be finished sooner or later.

As for Wu An, the one who had wanted to take down several prodigies, he had met his end on the first day of the operation. His actual combat record was merely having startled that prodigy!

"Steward, this can't go on like this. The martial arts schools' foundations are too deep, and our sneak attacks are difficult to succeed!"

"Yes, yes. That brute from the Benlei Martial Arts School, his palm force is too strong. I took one palm strike and will probably need half a year to recover!"

After complaining initially, these people instantly became animated, each speaking as if they were the most pitiful.

Watching their pathetic display, Steward Qian sat on his chair, sipping his tea, completely ignoring them.

But his ashen face showed his inner rage.

Steward Qian hadn't expected these fellows to be not only naive but also foolish. They were clearly outmatched but still liked to act separately, resulting in them being defeated one by one.

It could be said that reaching this point was entirely caused by these people's lack of thinking.

"Alright, alright. The operation to assassinate the martial arts schools' prodigies will be temporarily halted. Once you've recovered from your injuries, we'll plan properly!"

The other Retainers still wanted to gain some benefits, but before they could speak, Steward Qian's figure disappeared before their eyes.

Outside a secret chamber, Steward Qian was cautiously reporting his achievements during this period. When he finished his report, he suddenly realized his back was drenched in sweat.

Suddenly, an aged voice rang out, "Hmm, I know. There are still three months. I will personally take action. During this time, you have all worked hard!

You don't need to push yourselves so hard anymore. Everything is on me!"

Although the voice was aged, it carried an undeniable aura. Clearly, this was the tone of someone who had held a high position for a long time.

That's right, the one in seclusion in the secret chamber was the Owner of the City Lord's Mansion, and also the nominal highest leader of Laiyang City, City Lord Huang Ling!

He was also the legendary super expert who had broken through to the Innate Realm.

However, Huang Ling's breakthrough was clearly not normal, otherwise, stabilizing his realm would not have taken so long.

In fact, as the City Lord, Huang Ling's own talent was not very strong, even a little worse than those Martial Hall masters.

Although the cultivation method he practiced was more advanced, an Innate Cultivation Method, his inherent deficiency in aptitude meant he still hadn't broken through smoothly at sixty years old.

In the end, he could only request an Innate Pill from his superiors and forcibly break through the bottleneck to enter the Innate realm.

The price for this was that he would become the weakest type of Innate Martial Artist, with little chance of further progress, his potential exhausted, and his lifespan shortened!

But all of this was within Huang Ling's plan. As long as he could control the entire Laiyang City, he would receive rewards from his superiors, and then, obtaining a Marrow Cleansing Pill would not be impossible.

A Transformative Change might not mean a broader future!

It could be said that Huang Ling was making a huge gamble. If he won, he would take a big step forward. If he lost, he would merely be an Innate Martial Artist with a lifespan similar to an ordinary person.

As for being killed, he never considered it. Lanzhou was located near the capital; who would dare to assassinate an imperial official?

Decades ago, when four Innate experts came to Laiyang City, they didn't dare to push him too hard, precisely because of Huang Ling's status!

Receiving the City Lord's order, Steward Qian finally breathed a sigh of relief, and some of the clandestine actions were also canceled.

Overnight, Laiyang City seemed to return to its original tranquility, but sensitive individuals had already sensed that something was wrong and were finding ways to leave Laiyang City.

However, none of this concerned Shen Fan, who was practicing martial arts hidden in the Martial Hall. The fighting outside did not affect him anyway.

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Elite disciples were killed, and core disciples were ambushed. What did this have to do with him, an "entry-level disciple"?

In the eyes of most people, he, Shen Fan, was just a good-for-nothing who lacked ambition and preferred to practice Health Cultivation Methods!

This day, Shen Fan was practicing martial arts in a secluded corner as usual. Of course, it wasn't a Health Cultivation Method, but a Second-class Martial Art called the Startling Swan Art.

Even within the Martial Hall, only a very small number of people practiced this martial art; they were either Core Disciples or stewards or high-ranking members.

But how could these people come to the place where entry-level disciples practiced?

So, basically, no one could recognize what Shen Fan was practicing, they just felt it was very powerful.

The Young Apprentice Li An watched nervously from the side. As soon as Shen Fan showed signs of fatigue, he would rush forward to give Shen Fan a massage.

Shen Fan found this treatment to be quite satisfactory.

After practicing the Startling Swan Art once, Shen Fan exhaled a breath of white air, feeling that his internal blood and qi had increased a bit, and the Bone Forging had deepened further.

Shen Fan nodded with satisfaction.

Li An quickly offered tea and a towel.

"Senior Brother, are you tired? Please rest a bit!"

Looking at the Young Apprentice Li An, Shen Fan took the towel and wiped his sweat, took a big gulp of tea, and then smiled:

"Come, practice the True Combined Strength once, I want to see if you've made any progress!"

Shen Fan stood to the side, waiting quietly.

Senior Brother Liu Zhen's term had not yet ended, so he was still the one teaching the apprentices martial arts.

"Senior Brother, here I come!"

Glancing nervously at Shen Fan, Li An felt a bit awkward. Although he knew Shen Fan was guiding him, he still felt nervous.

Finally, Li An performed the True Combined Strength Fist Technique. Shen Fan watched from the side, nodding repeatedly.

To be honest, Shen Fan was shocked by Li An's talent.

He naturally knew that Li An had become an apprentice at the Martial Hall when he first joined. But in just these two short months, this kid had actually reached the introductory level of True Combined Strength!

If nothing unexpected happened, after a few more months of practice, Li An would reach Minor Accomplishment, step into Skin Refining, and become his true Junior Brother!

This talent was far inferior to what Shen Fan possessed when he first transmigrated. He was already comparable to the Little Genius Chen Chong back then.

But now, Shen Fan declared that he was no longer the same person. Martial Dao Prodigy should be his title!

"Not bad, you've reached the introductory level, but don't get arrogant. Your cultivation still needs to be strengthened!"

"Watch me, I'll demonstrate it for you!"

Saying this, Shen Fan performed a powerful Fist Technique. Although it was also the routine of True Combined Strength, Li An felt that Shen Fan's practice was a bit different from his.

Faster, fiercer, and with more momentum – this was Li An's genuine feeling.

Indeed, Shen Fan displayed a bit of Fist Momentum, the purpose being to let Li An experience it in advance. This would be very helpful for his future martial path.

After finishing one round, Shen Fan's final punch landed on a Stone.

He retracted his fist, Shen Fan calmly pointed at the Stone, and said proudly, "When you can achieve this level, you will have reached Great Accomplishment!"

Li An didn't understand. He leaned closer to examine it carefully.

But after looking for a long time, he found nothing. He reached out to touch it, but as soon as he touched the Stone, it shattered into uniform small pieces!

"So powerful, Senior Brother, you—"

Turning around, he found Shen Fan's figure had already disappeared. Li An felt a bit disappointed, but then his spirits lifted.

"Sooner or later, I'll have this kind of power too!"

A blazing fire flashed in the young man's eyes, igniting an unknown legend.

After Shen Fan's boast, he felt refreshed. At this moment, he finally understood why the protagonists he saw in his past life loved to show off so much – it felt so wonderful!

Shen Fan could almost imagine Li An's astonished expression when he discovered the truth about the Stone.

Unconsciously, Shen Fan's lips curled up, and he hummed a tune he loved from his past life.