Dragon-Elephant Prison-Suppressing Body

Golden Blade Sect, main headquarters.

When the news of the deaths of ten Golden Blade Sect members in the hall, including two beginner martial artists, reached him, Zhao Jinsheng, the sect leader, could no longer sit still.

He cursed at the hall masters seated below him, "A bunch of useless gluttons, you can't achieve anything but ruin everything. Hurry up and investigate. No matter who it is, I will flay them alive."

The hall masters retreated, muttering to themselves.

Another scout reported that ten bodies were piled together and burned, their faces unrecognizable and impossible to identify, yielding no clues.

However, the most suspected party was the Black Dragon Gang; they had the strength and sufficient motive to commit the murders.

After dismissing everyone, Zhao Jinsheng grumbled his way to his backyard, pushed open a hidden compartment, revealing a deep passage leading to an underground secret chamber.

He took a breath and slowly walked down.

The secret chamber was not large, lit by flickering flames. In the center sat a pill furnace, and beside it, a figure sat with a pale face and sinister eyes.

A faint smell of blood lingered in the air. Looking towards a corner, several ashen-faced corpses could be seen, as if their blood had been drained.

"Did you find the item?" the man asked without looking up, his voice hoarse.

Zhao Jinsheng bowed slightly, his voice bitter, "Sir, I am incompetent. The item was not found, and I lost several brothers, including two Skin Realm martial artists."

For a sect like the Golden Blade Sect, beginner martial artists were already the backbone.

The man frowned and said coldly, "If you can't find it, keep looking. He is severely injured and dying; he can't have run far."

Zhao Jinsheng nodded repeatedly.

The man added, "The deaths of two useless people are nothing. Hurry and bring more talent and medicinal ingredients."

Zhao Jinsheng felt troubled. His Golden Blade Sect was merely a small to medium-sized sect. Killing a few people was already their limit; any further action would attract the attention of the authorities, which would be troublesome.

As for medicinal ingredients, the sect's coffers had been emptied recently to train beginner martial artists, leaving them with very little money.

He could only agree, "Alright, I will handle it as soon as possible."

Chen Yuan opened his eyes and stretched comfortably. The troublesome matters were resolved, and he slept soundly.

He glanced at his status panel. The system did not criticize him for violating the Dao of Survival principles; it still gave him +4 points.

It seemed yesterday's actions were flawless. No one would have expected that he, a mere martial artist not even at Minor Accomplishment in the Skin Realm, could single-handedly wipe out ten people.

[Comprehension: 27]

[Bone Structure: 53]

[Cultivation: Skin Realm; Clear Force]

[Techniques]

[Rock-Solid Stance Technique (Minor Accomplishment): 197/1000]

[Six Harmonies Mind Boxing (Minor Accomplishment): 76/1000]

[Dao of Survival Points: 5]

[Evaluation: Unassuming, does not provoke others, understands the principle of biding one's time. You have glimpsed the threshold of the Dao of Survival. Daily Dao of Survival points +4]

In over a month, due to constant practice, the Rock-Solid Stance Technique had improved quite rapidly.

The faster the progress, the faster the cultivation of qi and blood, and the faster the tempering of the skin and membranes.

He also practiced Six Harmonies Mind Boxing regularly; he couldn't neglect it. With the improvement in comprehension, the efficiency also increased. Previously, practicing for a day yielded 2 progress points; now, half a day yields 2 points.

He still needed to work harder!

Chen Yuan thought about yesterday's events and felt a lingering fear.

He had initially thought the strength of a beginner martial artist would be enough to deter local gangs, but he hadn't expected the Golden Blade Sect to be so aggressive, almost capturing Xiaoyu.

To prevent such incidents from happening again, he had to become stronger.

If he could reach the Jade Marrow Realm and achieve Perfection in Transformation Force simultaneously, who in Qingyuan County would dare to provoke him?

However, it was too early to think about that now. The immediate priority was to improve his strength as quickly as possible, in case the Golden Blade Sect returned.

After washing up, he pushed open the door.

He saw neighbors gathered in small groups, clapping and cheering about the demise of the Golden Blade Sect scoundrels.

"They truly got what they deserved. I wonder which great hero helped us. If it was the Black Dragon Gang, then they did one good deed."

"Good riddance! If they were still alive, who knows what suffering we might have endured."

"My daughter said the hero's eyes were incredibly beautiful, like stars in the sky. She's even willing to pledge herself to him. If the hero is willing, I'd be happy to grant her wish."

Chen Yuan couldn't help but chuckle. He had gone on a killing spree last night, his eyes covered in blood, yet they called them stars in the sky. A red giant star, perhaps?

His aunt and uncle were among the crowd, enjoying themselves immensely.

His uncle, carrying his shoulder pole, was supposed to be heading to the morning market but couldn't move now. He was beaming, his spirits high, and his eye injury didn't even hurt anymore.

Huang Juan saw her nephew come out and ran over to tell him the good news:

"A-Yuan, everyone from the Golden Blade Sect died last night. We don't have to pay that two taels of silver today."

Chen Yuan nodded with a smile, "That's wonderful. If Xiaoyu finds out when she wakes up, she'll be thrilled."

That little girl must not have slept well last night.

The crow's feet at the corners of his aunt's eyes smoothed out, "Indeed, the poor girl was crying even in her sleep last night..."

After a few moments of idle chatter, Chen Yuan headed toward Huo Academy.

But he hadn't gone more than a few steps when a voice called out to him.

He turned to see it was Granny Wang calling him, so he walked over and smiled faintly, "What is it, Granny Wang? Do you need help with something?"

Granny Wang looked left and right, then mysteriously pulled him into her dilapidated house and lowered her voice, "Child, you're a good kid. Granny has something for you."

Chen Yuan waved his hand with a smile, "No need, Granny Wang. I earn plenty of silver a month now; you should keep it for yourself."

He assumed Granny Wang wanted to give him some food, and since she was already struggling, he couldn't bring himself to take it.

"Oh, I have no use for this thing. You're a martial artist; it's perfect for you." Granny Wang bent down on her own accord, pulled a thin, thread-bound booklet from under the bed, patted the dust off, and handed it to Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan's eyes flickered. He took it and saw five blurred characters on the cover, as if they had been eroded by time.

He looked closer—Dragon-Elephant Prison-Suppressing Body!

His pupils contracted instantly. The name alone sounded extraordinary. He lowered his voice and asked, "Granny Wang, where did you get this?"

Granny Wang sighed and replied, "A few nights ago, a lad knocked on my door, hoping I would take him in and give him some food. I saw how miserable he was and agreed. The boy was severely wounded; the gash at his waist was already festering, and medicine didn't help. He stayed for a few days and then left. Before he went, he left this booklet, asking me to find a trustworthy martial artist to give it to as repayment for my kindness, but warned me to keep it absolutely secret, or it would bring a fatal disaster."

Thus, she had thought of the lad, Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan flipped to the first page and saw fresh handwriting:

"Obtained from a tomb, but I am being hunted by enemies. Knowing my time is short, I leave this to someone fated. I hope the one who receives this technique will avenge me. The enemy—Sun Xie—is a demonic cultivator. He is behind the Golden Blade Sect. He is at the Marrow Realm with Dark Force, but he is currently heavily wounded. Take care."

At a glance, Chen Yuan instantly connected many things.

The Golden Blade Sect's recent surge in strength and the constant emergence of entry-level martial artists were likely inseparable from this Sun Xie.

The fact that they were ransacking houses yesterday was likely because they had found some clue and were trying to track this person down.

They hadn't expected the man to have already fled, leaving them empty-handed.

The fact that this man left this technique behind meant it was likely of immense value.

His purpose was clear: first, to repay a kindness; second, to exact revenge.

Chen Yuan closed the booklet and said with a solemn expression, "Granny Wang, remember, you must not tell anyone about this, not even your son, or it will bring a fatal disaster."

Granny Wang nodded, "Child, I understand. Rest assured and take it."

She hadn't lived to this age for nothing. Not long after that lad left, the Golden Blade Sect had come knocking, searching house by house; she had naturally sensed something was amiss.

Chen Yuan tucked the booklet into his robes and cupped his hands, "Thank you, Granny Wang. If you have any trouble in the future, just come to me."

"Go on, go on. I've already troubled you enough." Granny Wang waved her hand with a kind smile.

Chen Yuan walked along the bluestone path in a rather good mood. Who said good people don't get rewarded?

The key is to be good to the right people.