Ambush

Every time he "ignited," he absorbed a large amount of Star Energy. The amount he'd absorbed during this period was equivalent to several days' worth of his usual intake.

His body absorbed the vast amount of Star Energy, constantly tempering his physique. That was why he'd broken through to the Body Tempering Third Layer so quickly.

At the Body Tempering stage, the farther one advanced, the longer it took to break through each subsequent layer.

That was because tempering the body with Star Energy in the earlier stages had already greatly increased its strength.

Now it was harder to temper his body, so it naturally took longer.

Of course, each breakthrough also brought a greater increase in strength.

Even after his Star Energy Aptitude had been completely "ignited," the Star Energy Cultivation Method could still be practiced during the period when it recovered and improved.

After going through several cycles of burning out and improving, Qin Chen could clearly feel that his Star Energy Aptitude had increased considerably.

Before, it was as if Star Energy treated him like the son of its sworn enemy. Now, at least, it regarded him as a stranger.

It wasn't especially friendly toward him, but neither did it repel him too much.

With a little effort, he could draw Star Energy into his body, instead of having to forcibly drag "it" inside as before.

That was a huge improvement!

It was just that he didn't know exactly what level his Star Energy Aptitude had reached.

He would need a specialized Star Energy Aptitude tester for that. He couldn't figure it out just by feel.

Speaking of which, he really needed to criticize his system.

Look at everyone else's systems. They could see their own attribute panels. His system, meanwhile, was useless for anything except Side Effect Reversal.

It didn't have a single extra function.

"Grr~"

Suddenly, a rumbling sound came from Qin Chen's stomach.

Coming back to his senses, Qin Chen felt waves of hunger in his belly.

The Body Tempering Realm was the stage when one needed to take in the most energy. Every breakthrough consumed a huge amount.

He hadn't felt anything while excited about breaking through to the Body Tempering Third Layer, but now that he'd calmed down, he realized he was starving.

Qin Chen checked the time again, then slowly stood up and headed straight for the door without a word.

There was no way he was going to make food himself. If someone else could do the work, why should he do it?

All he had to pay was a few Star Coins.

No big deal!

Qin Chen left his room and went downstairs, heading in a certain direction he remembered.

He remembered that place served incredibly delicious Iron Fang Pig knuckles!

The Iron Fang Pig was the most common Fierce Beast in the Falling Star Mountain Range, and its strength ranged from the Body Tempering Layer One to the Body Tempering Third Layer.

Because they bred quickly, had firm meat, and tasted delicious, Iron Fang Pigs had become the most common Fierce Beast served as food.

The old residential complex where Qin Chen lived was extremely run-down. There were practically no surveillance cameras along the way, and the lights were very dim.

Not long after Qin Chen walked out, a person dressed in a Black Robe appeared at the entrance to the complex and gazed from afar at Qin Chen's retreating figure.

Without a word, he strode after him. At first, he walked at an ordinary pace, but before long he was moving quickly, and then he broke into a run, charging toward Qin Chen at great speed.

"Hm?!"

Qin Chen, who had been strolling leisurely ahead, suddenly stopped. He sensed an intense aura of danger coming from behind him.

His muscles tensed in an instant. Without hesitation, he immediately dodged to the side.

The moment he moved, a gleaming iron claw appeared where he'd been standing.

It came with a sharp whoosh as it cut through the air.

If he'd been even a little slower, he might already have been badly wounded.

Qin Chen steadied himself and looked up. Before him stood a figure almost entirely concealed beneath a Black Robe.

The only visible feature was a pair of eyes glinting with intense bloodlust and excitement buried deep within.

"Body Tempering Fifth Layer!"

Qin Chen's expression grew grave. He stared fixedly at the person who had suddenly appeared and attacked him, then said coldly:

"Who are you? You're trying to kill someone in the city? Aren't you afraid of the enforcers' punishment?"

"If I kill you here, who'll know I was the one who did it?"

A sinister voice, rough as sandpaper, came from beneath the Black Robe.

"Blame yourself, you little brat, for being so ruthless!"

"Ruthless?"

Qin Chen narrowed his eyes. Then, as if he'd thought of something, he stared at the man and asked:

"What are you to He Yi?"

Though he phrased it as a question, his tone was utterly certain.

Because, as far as he could remember, He Yi was the only person he'd had a conflict with.

"The dead don't need to know so much!"

The Black-Robed man's voice rang out again. Then, without warning, he shot forward, his iron claw slashing viciously toward Qin Chen.

"I've been waiting for you!"

Qin Chen's gaze turned cold as he unleashed the Flowing Clouds Chasing Moon Steps at Grand Completion. His body seemed to become a cloud of rosy haze, blurring beyond recognition, dreamlike and illusory.

!!!

The newcomer, He Wu, was jolted with shock.

Before he could react, he felt an immense force slam into his abdomen.

A piercing pain shot through him. He Wu's body was instantly sent flying, curling up in midair like a cooked shrimp.

The intense pain in his abdomen made his body convulse uncontrollably.

He flew more than ten meters before crashing to the ground.

Blood sprayed from his mouth and spattered across the ground.

He lifted his head in disbelief.

"Body Tempering Third Layer? You only awakened a few days ago, and you've already broken through to the Body Tempering Third Layer?"

He Wu's voice was full of shock.

How long had it been since this year's students awakened?

Five days?

He'd reached the Body Tempering Third Layer in five days?

What did that make him, after all these years just to reach the Body Tempering Fifth Layer?

A piece of trash?

Fine! He wouldn't even mention breaking through to the Body Tempering Third Layer in five days. At least he still had the higher cultivation level.

But—

Why could someone at the Body Tempering Third Layer seriously injure a Body Tempering Fifth Layer Martial Artist with a single punch?

You weren't even pretending anymore, were you?

Qin Chen's punch had left He Wu's stomach churning, and intense pain continued to radiate from his abdomen.

Not to mention He Wu—even Qin Chen himself was a little shocked.

He hadn't expected the Seven Injuries Fist at Grand Completion to be so powerful. With one punch, it had crossed two levels and seriously injured his opponent, who was at the Body Tempering Fifth Layer.

As expected, Combat Skills with severe side effects were powerful.

Qin Chen slowly walked toward He Wu. His expression was utterly indifferent, and a hint of murderous intent flickered in his eyes.

He'd clearly sensed the killing intent coming from the other man just now.

Since the other man had wanted him dead, there was no way he could let him go.

As for what he'd tell the enforcers if they found out?

It was perfectly normal for someone to die by accident in self-defense, wasn't it?

After all, there were two minor realms between him and He Wu. It was only reasonable that he'd lost control for a moment, wasn't it?

He Wu struggled to his feet and watched Qin Chen slowly approach. His eyes were filled with gloom.

Qin Chen had seriously injured him with one punch even when he'd been at full strength. Now he had even less chance of being Qin Chen's match.

A strange glint flashed in He Wu's eyes. Suddenly, his expression hardened. He glared at Qin Chen and snarled:

"You forced me into this!!"