Third Blood Martial Artist!

Chen Jing spent the entire night in his room, pouring his heart and soul into practicing the Bone-Humming Swift-Travel Technique.

Now that Chen Jing was a bona fide Second Blood Martial Artist, supported by a robust reservoir of blood-qi, the progress of the Bone-Humming Swift-Travel Technique far exceeded his expectations.

In just a few short hours, he had already condensed nearly one-third of the blood-qi required for the technique.

At this pace, in just a few more days, Chen Jing would be able to master this evil movement technique to the First Blood level.

The next morning, Chen Jing arrived at the River-Breaking Fist Academy on time and, as usual, plunged into the Central Courtyard to practice the River-Breaking Fist with a calm and focused mind.

His fists moved like the wind, his inner strength dense and steady, and his techniques were becoming increasingly refined.

However, in recent days, Fei Feng's attention toward Chen Jing had noticeably waned.

At first, Fei Feng would often pause to watch Chen Jing practice, attempting to pinpoint the reason for his slowed progress after breaking through to the Second Blood level.

But after observing for several days and finding that Chen Jing's cultivation speed remained mediocre, lacking any of his former brilliance, Fei Feng could only sigh helplessly and gradually look away.

Nowadays, Fei Feng's guidance for Chen Jing had become increasingly sparse, as he poured most of his focus into Xiang Lingfei.

After all, Xiang Lingfei had been progressing rapidly, his blood-qi becoming increasingly thick and refined, and he was only a step away from breaking through to the Second Blood level; he was clearly more worthy of cultivation.

Chen Jing did not mind Fei Feng's shift in attitude.

After all, with his own progress slow and Xiang Lingfei advancing rapidly, it was only human nature for Fei Feng to favor him, and there was no need to take it to heart.

Just as Chen Jing's blood-qi was surging, a panicked figure suddenly rushed into the academy, instantly shattering the tranquility of the Central Courtyard.

A senior disciple ran over, his face deathly pale and drenched in sweat, stumbling as he shouted, "It's bad!"

"What is the meaning of this panic!"

Fei Feng was in the middle of instructing Xiang Lingfei when he saw this, his brows knitting together as he reprimanded him in a stern tone.

The senior disciple reached Fei Feng, grabbed his knees, and gasped for air several times before shouting breathlessly, "Ma, Master! It's bad! That Yan Peng from the Black Crow Sect... he, he has broken through to a Third Blood Martial Artist!"

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Fei Feng's body stiffened, and the sternness on his face was instantly replaced by disbelief: "Say that again? Yan Peng has broken through to Third Blood?"

Not far away, Chen Jing's movements came to an abrupt halt upon hearing this. His brows furrowed tightly, and a storm of shock surged in his heart.

Chen Jing had originally planned to wait until he had fully mastered the Essence Blood Body-Covering Technique and the Bone-Humming Swift-Travel Technique, and his strength had reached a new level, before finding an opportunity to strike at Yan Peng and avenge the beating that had nearly killed him.

But Chen Jing never expected that before he could even master those techniques, Yan Peng would break through to the Third Blood level!

There was a world of difference between a Third Blood Martial Artist and a Second Blood Martial Artist; it was an absolute suppression of realms that could not be compared through mere combat experience or technique.

Now that Yan Peng's strength was no longer what it used to be, the difficulty of seeking revenge had increased several times over.

"It, it's true!"

The senior disciple nodded vigorously, adding in an urgent tone: "The Black Crow Sect is already beating drums and celebrating grandly; the news has spread throughout the entire East City, there's no mistake!"

Fei Feng's expression turned incredibly grave after hearing this. After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath and said in a low voice to the disciples in the Central Courtyard: "Everyone, continue your training. Do not slack off!"

With that, he turned and walked quickly into a room deep within the academy, the door slamming shut behind him, clearly to contemplate the situation regarding Yan Peng.

Once Fei Feng left, the disciples in the Martial Arts Arena could no longer contain themselves, gathering together to whisper and discuss the news with varying expressions.

"My god! Yan Peng actually broke through to Third Blood? That's the qualification to open a martial arts school!"

"Excluding those from the great families in the Inner City, there are only thirteen Third Blood Martial Artists in our Outer City. Now that the Black Crow Sect has added another one, the gap in strength has suddenly widened!"

"I'm so envious... A Third Blood Martial Artist, that's someone standing at the very pinnacle of the martial arts world in Red Rock County!"

At this moment, someone lowered their voice and asked cautiously: "Do you guys think Master's expression just now was a bit off?"

"You don't know about that?"

A senior disciple with more experience curled his lip and explained in a similarly hushed tone: "Years ago, Master had a disciple he thought very highly of, who somehow offended Yan Peng."

"That Yan Peng was always perverse and violent; he directly attacked and crippled that senior brother's meridians!"

"Master was furious at the time and went straight to their door to cripple Yan Peng in retaliation, but he was stopped by the Black Crow Sect leader, and the two nearly came to blows."

"Ever since then, our River-Breaking Fist Academy and the Black Crow Sect have been at odds!"

"So that's what happened? But we are in the West City, and the Black Crow Sect is in the East City; we don't usually have any conflicts, right?"

"That's because both sides only had one Third Blood Martial Artist before, keeping the strength balanced, so neither dared to act rashly."

The senior disciple sighed and continued: "Now that the Black Crow Sect has two Third Blood Martial Artists, that balance has been broken. Who knows if they will take this opportunity to expand and suppress martial arts schools like ours?"

Listening to the discussion, the connections in Chen Jing's mind gradually became clear.

It turned out that the River-Breaking Fist Academy and the Black Crow Sect had long-standing grievances, and they had only lived in peace because of a balance of power.

Now that Yan Peng had broken through, that balance was shattered, and the River-Breaking Fist Academy would likely face immense pressure.

Thinking of this, a sense of urgency surged in his heart. Chen Jing's pace in practicing his fists quickened, and his fist wind became increasingly sharp.

Chen Jing secretly pondered that he must go to that small house in the Ghost Market as soon as possible to find an even more powerful evil technique!

Otherwise, at his current rate of progress, let alone seeking revenge, it was hard to say if he could even protect himself in the coming conflict between the martial arts schools.

As for wanting to take revenge on Yan Peng, that was now a distant, uncertain prospect!

Just then, a familiar voice drifted from behind.

"Junior Brother Chen!"

Chen Jing retracted his fist and turned around, just in time to see Zhuang Tao walking over with quick strides.

The man looked composed, a gentle smile hanging on his face as he spoke in a casual yet intimate tone: "Junior Brother Chen, are you free lately?"

"Nothing pressing at the moment."

Chen Jing raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his brow and replied in turn: "Senior Brother Zhuang, do you have some arrangement in mind for me?"

Hearing this, Zhuang Tao's smile deepened. He didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Junior Brother Chen, you are now a Second Blood Martial Artist. I fear the Green-skinned Horned Pig meat you've been eating can no longer keep up with the nourishment your blood and energy require."

At these words, Chen Jing's expression flickered, though he did not deny it.

Having consumed Red-Tail Spirit Fish and Spotted Flower Fox meat, Chen Jing could clearly feel by comparison that the benefits he gained from the Green-skinned Horned Pig were no longer as rapid as they once were.

Zhuang Tao nodded, his tone turning serious: "If a Second Blood Martial Artist wishes to advance steadily, one must absorb more refined blood and energy."

"The blood and energy contained within high-tier Exotic Beast Meat are far beyond what ordinary exotic beasts can offer; they are rare and excellent supplements for cultivation."

After a brief pause, Zhuang Tao added: "So, I've been thinking. Now that you are also a Second Blood Martial Artist, it's perfect. With you, me, and Uncle Huan, we will have three Second Blood Martial Artists holding the line."

"If we bring along the hunters we've collaborated with before, it will be enough to venture deep into the heart of Cold Mountain and hunt for true high-tier exotic beasts!"

Having said this, Zhuang Tao did not hide anything and laid the distribution plan out in the open: "As for the spoils, I have already calculated everything."

"The high-tier exotic beasts we hunt will be split equally between you, me, and Uncle Huan."

Zhuang Tao smiled, his tone frank and devoid of any intent to hoard: "The hunters won't participate in the distribution of the high-tier exotic beasts; giving them some Green-skinned Horned Pig meat as payment will suffice. To them, that is already a rare benefit."

"Junior Brother Chen, what do you think of this arrangement?"

Chen Jing did not hesitate in the slightest and nodded in agreement immediately.

High-tier Exotic Beast Meat was equally vital to him; not only could it accelerate the accumulation of energy for his Exemption Bead, but it would also speed up the condensation of his blood and energy for the future.

With Zhuang Tao taking the initiative to invite him, effectively delivering an opportunity to his doorstep, Chen Jing had no reason to refuse.

Seeing Chen Jing agree, the smile on Zhuang Tao's face grew even wider. He reached out and gave Chen Jing's shoulder a heavy pat: "Good! Then it's settled."

"Come to my house early the day after tomorrow to gather, and we will head out of the city together."

With that said, Zhuang Tao stopped talking, turned back to his training area, and settled his mind once more, polishing his fist techniques move by move.

As his blood and energy surged, he exuded a steady, composed air.

Chen Jing gazed at Zhuang Tao's back, his eyes narrowing slightly. He soon collected his thoughts, took a deep breath, and threw his fists again.

Only this time, his drive to train was noticeably more intense.

After all, they were heading into the heart of Cold Mountain to hunt high-tier exotic beasts; any accident could be fatal.

Over the next two days, Chen Jing had to polish his Bone-Humming Swift-Travel Technique as thoroughly as possible so that he would have a better chance of escaping in a critical moment.

Time slipped away quietly amidst repeated breathing exercises and bursts of power.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the scheduled hunt arrived.

The sky was only just beginning to brighten, and the city had not yet fully awakened, but Chen Jing had already arrived at Zhuang Tao's doorstep right on time.

As soon as he reached the entrance, Chen Jing noticed that the preparations this time were far more thorough than the previous hunt for the Green-skinned Horned Pig.

Zhuang Tao and Uncle Huan had been waiting for a long time. Both were clad in heavy beast-hide armor, with sharp long sabers slung at their waists and bows, arrows, and specialized hunting nets on their backs. They were fully armed and wore solemn expressions.

The dozen or so hunters nearby were equally well-equipped, gripping hunting forks and machetes. Each of them was high-spirited, clearly prepared to venture deep into danger.

"Junior Brother Chen, you're here!"

Zhuang Tao spotted Chen Jing at once and hurried over with a smile, holding a piece of leather armor that shimmered with a dark cyan luster: "Quick, put this on!"

As he spoke, Zhuang Tao stepped forward to personally help Chen Jing don the armor. While adjusting the straps, he explained: "Let me tell you, this armor is no ordinary item. It was crafted from the skin of a Three-Eyed White Snake. Its texture is incredibly resilient, and ordinary blades cannot pierce it; it is the best possible choice for protective gear."

At this moment, there was a hint of pride in Zhuang Tao's tone, and he lowered his voice to add: "Just this single Three-Eyed White Snake skin would sell for at least a hundred taels of silver on the market!"