Du Gang chimed in, "Boss, of course we want to earn merit by hunting demon beasts, but this is far too risky."
The other men said nothing, but their expressions showed that they agreed with Pi Hou and Du Gang.
Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "Who said we don't have the strength to kill a first-level demon beast?"
As his words fell, invisible fluctuations of Origin Force suddenly rippled across his body.
Pi Hou and Du Gang stood closest and immediately sensed the change in him.
"Is that Origin Force?"
"Boss, you've become a ranked martial artist?"
Both men cried out in astonishment.
The other men were all dumbstruck as well.
Chen Shi'an nodded. "Perhaps it was the pressure from the Blazing Fire Lizard. I was lucky enough to break through last night."
After a brief silence, joy spread across the faces of Pi Hou, Du Gang, and the others, and they all congratulated Chen Shi'an.
"Congratulations, Boss!"
"Our boss is incredible! Of all the ranked martial artists in the Stronghold, which one doesn't have connections and someone backing them?
"Our boss relied on himself alone. As a ranked martial artist, he can hold his head higher than any of them!"
"Boss, now that you're a ranked martial artist, you're qualified to become a deputy commander. Once you become one, let me have a squad leader position too."
Chen Shi'an gestured for silence. "Keep your voices down, all of you. The Three-Eyed Civet is nearby.
"If you alert it, we'll be in serious trouble."
The men's expressions changed sharply, and they all shut their mouths, though their faces still beamed as though they themselves had become ranked martial artists.
Amid his delight, Pi Hou lowered his voice. "Boss, are you sure it's a Three-Eyed Civet?
"The tracks that demon beast