Entering Dark Force

Time passed quickly.

Xu Qing spent the entire day practicing Eight Extremities Fist in his room, not stopping from morning until dusk.

He had practiced for at least eight hours straight.

"Hoo..."

Xu Qing slowly finished his practice, exhaling a breath of stale air. Above his head, a faint white mist, formed by evaporating sweat, rose.

[Eight Extremities Fist LV4: 40/80.]

"I should be able to level up tomorrow."

Xu Qing glanced at the information for Eight Extremities Fist and nodded with satisfaction. He then felt the last ten taels of silver in his pocket. "Only ten taels of silver left."

Unconsciously.

Xu Qing recalled last night.

He had gone to Chunfeng Tower but hadn't called for any girls, nor had he spent a single cent. So, as he left, the disdainful looks from the surrounding girls and the pimps made Xu Qing feel rather awkward.

"So embarrassing."

Xu Qing shook his head.

In his previous life.

Xu Qing frequented various high-end clubs, spending money lavishly. Everywhere he went, he was surrounded and fawned over by beautiful women. It was nothing like last night, which was truly indescribable...

In the evening.

Xu Qing arrived at the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School but didn't see Instructor Zhang He. Most of the students had already gone home, so Xu Qing went to the martial arts school's warehouse alone.

"Old Man Xiao, I'm here to buy Tai Sui Spirit Meat."

Xu Qing took out ten taels of silver and respectfully placed them before Old Man Xiao.

"Mmm."

Old Man Xiao got up. He walked into the warehouse with a hunched back, as if limping. After a short while, he took out a pound of Tai Sui Spirit Meat and handed it to Xu Qing.

"Here you go."

Old Man Xiao said.

"Thank you, Old Man Xiao."

Xu Qing cupped his hands in a salute and took the Tai Sui Spirit Meat.

At night.

Xu Qing returned home.

He first pan-fried the Tai Sui Spirit Meat and then devoured it heartily, consuming the entire pound. A stream of warmth surged through him.

All the cells in his body seemed to be cheering.

This feeling.

Was truly very comfortable.

"Serpent Evasion Technique."

At night.

Xu Qing began practicing the Serpent Evasion Technique.

Two hours later.

Xu Qing had practiced the Serpent Evasion Technique ten times.

[Serpent Evasion Technique (Incomplete) LV2: 10/10 (Can Upgrade!)]

It's important to note.

The Serpent Evasion Technique was originally an incomplete movement technique. Movement techniques are also a type of combat style, as combat styles not only include fist and palm techniques but also movement techniques, sword techniques, saber techniques, and more...

Additionally.

The Serpent Evasion Technique, having been upgraded to LV2, had now been completed.

"Upgrade."

Xu Qing said.

Buzz!

The next moment.

Xu Qing's consciousness flickered. In front of his eyes, countless tiny figures seemed to appear, continuously practicing the agile, snake-like movements.

Moreover.

Xu Qing felt as if he had entered a mysterious space where the Serpent Evasion Technique was constantly being deduced and practiced.

Soon.

The Serpent Evasion Technique underwent a transformation. His legs became extremely agile, his body felt as if it had turned into a slithering snake, and the force throughout his body condensed into a single stream, forming a soft, agile 'Bright Force'.

Boom!!!

In an instant.

It was like a sudden enlightenment.

A vast amount of knowledge and mysteries surged into Xu Qing's mind. He let out a soft cry and quickly began practicing the Serpent Evasion Technique in his room.

[Serpent Evasion Technique (Partial) LV3: 0/20 (This is a movement technique that imitates snakes, characterized by its agility and lifelike quality. After deduction, it has developed new variations and can condense a soft and agile 'Bright Force'.]

"Hoo..."

Xu Qing took a deep breath. He had finished practicing and felt the changes in the Serpent Evasion Technique, as well as his own condition. He nodded with satisfaction, "It's alright."

The night passed without incident.

The next day.

Xu Qing still didn't go to the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School. He continued practicing Eight Extremities Fist at his residence, aiming to raise it another level today.

Azure Hawk Martial Arts School.

"What a shame, what a shame..."

Zhang He still didn't see Xu Qing today. He was completely disappointed. If he hadn't come yesterday, it might have been due to some delay, but not coming today meant he had truly given up.

"Hahaha..."

"That Xu Qing didn't come again today."

"Indeed."

"Thought he was so great, turns out he's just a silver-like wax spearhead, all show and no substance."

"This is hilarious."

"..."

The other students started to mock him.

"He truly is an unfortunate person."

Ye Langtian also knew about it and casually commented, "Also, I feel the time is almost right. Condensing Bright Force should happen in the next few days."

"Congratulations, Young Master Ye, congratulations!"

"Young Master Ye is truly a martial arts prodigy."

"Yes! Yes!"

"He's only been at the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School for less than a month and is about to master Bright Force."

"..."

Everyone began to flatter him.

Time flew by.

Afternoon.

As evening approached.

"Alright."

Xu Qing's expression lit up. He quickly finished his practice, his eyes flashing. Information about Eight Extremities Fist appeared in his mind. After practicing all day, it was ready to be upgraded.

[Eight Extremities Fist LV4: 80/80 (Upgradeable!)]

"Upgrade."

Xu Qing said.

Buzz!

As soon as he spoke.

The Omni-Codex glowed, Xu Qing's mind jolted, and his vision blurred. Countless figures appeared, continuously practicing Eight Extremities Fist.

At the same time.

Xu Qing's consciousness seemed to enter a mysterious space where the passage of time was imperceptible.

Xu Qing continuously practiced and deduced the profound mysteries of Eight Extremities Fist.

Without realizing it.

He had reached a state of epiphany.

Boom!

At the very beginning.

The fist force of Eight Extremities Fist was fierce and powerful, as if every punch was meant to pierce the heavens, erupting with extremely dominant and evident strength.

However.

As time passed.

The boxing style of Eight Extremities Fist began to change, gradually shifting from its initial fierceness to a softer, smoother rhythm, creating a sense of yin and yang harmony.

The force within the fist techniques began to seep into his body, tempering his bones and sinews, no longer confined to just the flesh. The Bright Force also started to change, transforming from the depths of his body into a 'Dark Force'.

"As expected."

Xu Qing opened his eyes, feeling invigorated, and began practicing Eight Extremities Fist within his room. His movements were no longer abrupt but possessed a sense of returning to simplicity.

At the same time.

The Bright Force within Xu Qing's body had gradually transformed into Dark Force.

He had become a Dark Force master.

[Eight Extremities Fist LV5: 0/160 (Originally just a common short-punching style, its movements were fierce, unpretentious, and explosive, capable of strengthening the body. However, through continuous innovation, it can condense the power of the entire body's blood, flesh, bones, and sinews, penetrating deep into the bones and condensing 'Dark Force' to temper the physical body.)]

"Excellent, excellent, excellent."

Xu Qing's face was filled with joy as he felt the changes within himself. "There's been another qualitative leap. This upgrade to Eight Extremities Fist has directly allowed me to break through the limitations of Bright Force and condense Dark Force."

"With this,"

"I have reached the second stage of the first step of martial arts, the 'Force Realm'."

"Gulp... Gulp..."

Amidst his joy.

Xu Qing's stomach protested. He was hungry. He had only eaten a pound of Tai Sui Spirit Meat last night, and he had also practiced the Serpent Evasion Technique.

Today, he had practiced all day.

In the evening.

Xu Qing had even upgraded Eight Extremities Fist and then advanced to the 'Dark Force' level.

It could be said.

The essence of the pound of Tai Sui Spirit Meat had long been depleted.

If Xu Qing hadn't been eating Tai Sui Spirit Meat these past few days, he probably wouldn't have been able to sustain himself today.

"I can't go on."

Xu Qing took a deep breath and patted his pockets, finding not a single cent. He glanced at the sky, which had not yet fully darkened.

Without hesitation.

Xu Qing quickly left his residence.

Half an hour later.

Underground black boxing.

At Yu Chen's place.

"Are you a reincarnation of a hungry ghost?!"

Inside the room.

Yu Chen watched Xu Qing devour everything in sight. Chickens, ducks, fish, and even pig trotters were all consumed by Xu Qing with the speed of a whirlwind.

"Burp~~"

Finally.

Xu Qing finished everything, leaving nothing but bones, which he almost crushed and swallowed before letting out a satisfied burp and patting his belly.

"Xu Qing, you scoundrel, you still owe me a hundred taels of silver, and now you've come to my place to freeload."

Yu Chen cursed loudly.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely pay you back the hundred taels of silver."

Xu Qing waved his hand.

"I don't believe you."

Yu Chen glared at Xu Qing. "How many days has it been since you left with eighty-three taels of silver? In about five or six days, you've spent it all and now you're freeloading at my place."

"This meal alone must have cost me at least five taels of silver."

Yu Chen cursed again.

"Cough, cough..."

Xu Qing coughed lightly. "Uh, do you have any ways to make money? You know, practicing martial arts is very expensive. I'm really short on cash lately!"

"Make money? I'd like to make money too. Why don't you give me a way?"

Yu Chen rolled his eyes at Xu Qing.

"Don't be so formal."

Xu Qing said.

"If you want to make money, I do have a few avenues, but they're all quite dangerous. I think it's better if you don't take too much risk."

Yu Chen said.

"Tell me about them first."

Xu Qing said.

"The first one."

Yu Chen held up a finger. "That's tomorrow's underground black boxing match. The participant is Fan Yanbin, one of the three heads of underground black boxing."

"You should know,"

"This guy is a genuine Bright Force master. He's mastered the combat style and body refinement method of Changfeng Martial Arts School. His strength is immense. In his eyes, Pang De is just trash."

"If,"

"you can defeat Fan Yanbin tomorrow, I guarantee you'll earn at least a hundred taels of silver."

"Of course,"

"this is a pipe dream."

"A hundred taels of silver."

Xu Qing's eyes lit up.

But.

Xu Qing thought of something else.

If he defeated Fan Yanbin, his own strength would be exposed.

"Isn't Fan Yanbin one of the three heads of underground black boxing? Why is he fighting himself?"

Xu Qing asked.

"He's short on cash."

Yu Chen said, "You know yourself that practicing martial arts is expensive. Last time, he bet on Pang De to win, but you won instead, losing a full hundred taels of silver."

"Are there other ways?"

Xu Qing asked.