"Mom, I've finished my second bone tempering. I don't plan to go to school for the next six months. It won't help me improve much anymore, and it'll be quieter at home."
Lu Hao came out and spoke to his mother, who was sitting on the sofa. Going to school would interfere too much with earning Slaughter Points.
"Sure, Hao'er. I was going to bring it up with you anyway. You've just finished your second bone tempering. Once you've trained your Stance Technique to the Realm of Solid Stance, I'll hire a combat instructor to come teach you combat techniques."
"Since you want to become a martial artist and go to Magic City, you can't neglect your practical fighting skills. You won't have time to go to school then, either. Since you've brought it up yourself, I just need to tell your homeroom teacher before the semester starts."
Bai Qiuyao said.
"Hmm? Combat techniques? Mom, what kind of instructor are you getting for me? I feel like my Stance Technique is about to break through. It should happen in the next day or two, and then my Vital Blood will probably reach its limit soon, too."
"He's a friend of mine. He teaches Basic Combat Technique at Martial University, and he's mastered both basic boxing and kicking. Teaching you won't be a problem for him. We're on good terms, too, so I'll ask him to come teach you at home."
Lu Hao nodded. Basic boxing and kicking were essential foundations in the early stages. As for weapons, he personally leaned toward the saber.
The saber was the boldest of all weapons.
It embodied ferocity and decisiveness, favoring strength over finesse and broad, sweeping blows. A saber wielder feared nothing.
The saber was made for killing. One strike of a great saber, and blood would flow.
"Mom, I'd like to know what kind of cold weapon this instructor specializes in."
"Cold weapons? Hao'er, have you already decided what weapon you'll use for the rest of your life? Kicking and boxing are fine, since they're universal, but you'll use a cold weapon for your whole life. You can't make that decision carelessly."
"I've decided. I want to train with the saber. A saber wielder fears nothing; it's the boldest of all weapons. That's why I've chosen it as my weapon for the future."
"That's fine. You can learn kicking and boxing from my old classmate first. He can teach you Basic Blade Technique, too. He's done a lot of in-depth research into Basic Combat Technique."
"Focus on building a solid foundation with him. Once you've got that down, I'll find you a low-grade saber combat technique, and then you can start practicing it."
"Mm, I understand."
Back in his room, Lu Hao continued practicing his Stance Technique. He couldn't slack off; he wanted to break through as soon as possible and start training in combat techniques.
The next day,
Lu Hao got up early and checked his Vital Blood.
[Vital Blood: 187/187 cal+]
[Spirit: 279/279 Hz+]
After a night's rest, both his Vital Blood and mental energy had reached their peak. Lu Hao then spent 50 Slaughter Points to raise his Vital Blood limit by one point.
The increase was simple. Lu Hao felt the Vital Blood in his whole body surge, and then his limit went up. His second bone tempering had already strengthened his body, so with Slaughter Points helping, the improvement was easy.
After a quick breakfast, Lu Hao took out a bottle of Body Strengthening Liquid, mixed it with water, and poured it into the bathtub. Although his second bone tempering had greatly improved his physical fitness, the liquid still had some effect.
So he needed to keep soaking in it.
He soaked for an hour, then continued practicing his Stance Technique. In the afternoon, he went to the slaughterhouse to earn Slaughter Points.
...Three days later, early in the morning.
After using the Body Strengthening Liquid, Lu Hao continued practicing his Stance Technique. But this time, the technique began to change. It was shifting from a stance that was merely stable to one that was firmly rooted. Lu Hao hurriedly focused on sensing the change. Before long, his Stance Technique successfully broke through.
The breakthrough didn't cause a spectacle like the one that came with a Vital Blood breakthrough, but its benefits couldn't be overlooked.
Lu Hao's Stance Technique had now reached its second realm, the Realm of Solid Stance. From then on, even if he couldn't defeat an enemy, his stance would keep him from being knocked down.
In the Realm of Solid Stance, his feet were like rocks, rooted in the earth. No one could move him!
There were probably very few high school students who had reached the Realm of Solid Stance. With his Stance Technique at this level, he could begin training in Basic Combat Technique. Without it, practicing Basic Combat Technique would take twice the effort for half the results.
After increasing his Vital Blood by one cal, Lu Hao stopped. For the past three days, he'd been adding two points to his Vital Blood each day, using up almost as many Slaughter Points as he earned. His Vital Blood limit was now 194 cal. He'd probably reach the limit the day after tomorrow. Then he could save up a batch of Slaughter Points and try his third bone tempering.
In the afternoon, as usual, he went to the slaughterhouse to keep killing pigs. Starting today, Lu Hao could earn twice as many Slaughter Points each day—nearly 200.
That was because Old Wu, who worked beside him, really couldn't take it anymore. Every time he watched Lu Hao kill pigs with increasing enthusiasm, Old Wu felt a little afraid.
On top of that, Lu Hao's Vital Blood had been increasing every day, and his aura had grown stronger.
To Old Wu, an ordinary person, Lu Hao had seemed like a tiger these past few days, radiating an intimidating presence. Combined with the bloody smell clinging to him after slaughtering pigs, it had left Old Wu terrified.
So yesterday, Old Wu spoke to the boss and quit on the spot. Since Lu Hao worked so efficiently and the boss couldn't find anyone right away, he gave Old Wu's afternoon shift to Lu Hao and raised his pay.
Lu Hao didn't care about the pay. Taking over Old Wu's work meant that from then on, he could earn 200 Slaughter Points a day. Even after adding two cals of Vital Blood each day, he'd still have over 100 Slaughter Points left to save.
Lu Hao was naturally delighted. The more Slaughter Points he had, the faster he could improve. Now, as he butchered pigs, he hummed "Happy Days." Luckily, no one else was nearby; otherwise, someone would definitely have called the police.
That evening, after dinner,
"Mom, my Stance Technique has broken through. I've reached the Realm of Solid Stance, and my Vital Blood has increased quite a bit, too. Can I start learning combat techniques?"
Bai Qiuyao looked at Lu Hao in surprise. She could understand his Stance Technique breaking through, given the benefits of his second bone tempering, but his Vital Blood had increased so quickly.
Bai Qiuyao placed her hand on Lu Hao's arm and sent a surge of Vital Blood into him, examining his body. She found nothing unusual; his Vital Blood was simply more active than normal.
Since there was nothing wrong, she could only attribute it to his talent. Perhaps the second bone tempering had awakened some kind of talent and caused his Vital Blood to increase so quickly.
"Mm. In that case, let's start tomorrow. I'll invite your instructor over tomorrow morning. From then on, you can spend every morning learning combat techniques. As for the afternoons, you can decide for yourself what you want to train in."
"Mm, it's settled."
Lu Hao agreed. This wouldn't affect him much, since practicing combat techniques would naturally involve using his Stance Technique, so he wouldn't neglect that training. And he could spend the afternoons earning Slaughter Points.
Mm, this kind of life was fulfilling and satisfying. After all, who wouldn't be happy watching themselves grow stronger bit by bit?
Before you continue