Rising through the ranks (revised)

"Bang!"

Clouds of white air exploded from where fist met palm, and Violent Bear immediately felt an immense force surge along his arm into his body.

The punch blasted Violent Bear back five or six steps.

On the other side, Wei Sheng took two steps back before steadying himself.

That alone made it clear who was superior!

"What?!"

Violent Bear's expression darkened.

He had struck hastily and had not used his full strength, but dealing with someone at the fifth refinement should still have been no problem. Yet someone at the third refinement had driven him back?!

"This is..."

Jiang Liuchuan abruptly rose, staring at the black gleam that flashed across Wei Sheng's skin as though he had glimpsed a legendary treasure. "Skin refinement perfection? Skin like an abyss?!"

Others might not have seen it, but he had watched Wei Sheng closely from the moment he struck, and had seen everything clearly!

Half the force behind Violent Bear's palm had been canceled out by the punch, while the remaining half had been dispersed by the black membrane covering Wei Sheng's body.

That was precisely why.

Despite his weaker cultivation, Wei Sheng had ultimately retreated only two steps, whereas Violent Bear, whose cultivation was stronger, had failed to disperse that force and retreated a full five or six steps.

"Skin refinement perfection?"

Black Tiger narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Tiger, coming here today was well worth it! What's this young fellow's name? The White Crane Martial Arts Hall will take him!"

At those words, Master Qin, the hall master of the Loyalty and Filial Piety Hall, who had remained silent since arriving, gave a light cough.

"Ahem... Direct Disciple Jiang, you're mistaken. This young man is a disciple of our Fish-Dragon Gang. How could we hand him over to the White Crane Martial Arts Hall? Tiger, put him in my hands. Within two years, I guarantee I'll give you back a Six Refinements!"

Though he had never heard of skin refinement perfection or skin like an abyss, someone who could defeat copper skin and even withstand a palm strike from a Six Refinements martial artist while only at the Third Refinement himself—anyone could figure out with their toes that this was a damned once-in-an-age genius!

"Old Qin, you're utterly shameless! Why would reaching the Six Refinements take two years? Our White Crane Martial Arts Hall would only need one!"

"I..."

Watching Master Qin and Direct Disciple Jiang, who had looked so dignified just moments ago, argue furiously over Wei Sheng, everyone in the courtyard looked utterly bewildered.

Huang Man'er was somewhat dazed.

After coming into close contact with Wei Sheng, he had instinctively sensed that his opponent was strong, but had never imagined he would be this strong.

He had developed copper skin, and his strength ranked among the best of martial artists at his level, yet he had only managed to withstand a single punch from Wei Sheng.

Had Brother Violent Bear not intervened to block the second punch, he probably would have been flat on his back already.

"Old Wei is this strong!"

Che Zhenzhong's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Wei Sheng is this strong?"

Beside him, Niu Yong's mouth also fell open in shock.

When they first saw Wei Sheng step forward to fight, both had been somewhat worried.

But the strength Wei Sheng subsequently displayed left their jaws shattered all over the ground.

Huang Man'er had defeated Brocade-Furred Rat in one move and overwhelmed Ximen Bao in three punches. How formidable had he been?

Yet Wei Sheng had broken through his defenses and injured him with a single punch.

Even more terrifyingly, when faced with a palm strike from Violent Bear, a Six Refinements martial artist, Wei Sheng had actually driven him back several steps.

Was this fellow even human?

Brocade-Furred Rat and Ximen Bao groaned under their breath.

Losing to Huang Man'er was one thing. After all, he had developed copper skin, a one-in-a-thousand achievement.

Yet even someone as formidable as Huang Man'er had been defeated by Wei Sheng in a single move.

In that case, what did Third Refinement martial artists like them, whom Huang Man'er had easily overwhelmed, amount to?!

It was not just them.

Even Shanjia, Golden-Eyed Biao, Violent Bear, and the other Five Tiger Generals stared at Wei Sheng with grave expressions.

Only Fire Ox looked ecstatic once his shock passed.

"...Enough!"

Black Tiger rose and glared at Master Qin and Jiang Liuchuan, who were still arguing. "You're both men of standing, yet here you are squabbling like shrews. Where's your dignity?!"

With that said,

Black Tiger walked straight into the center of the courtyard.

"Tiger Lord."

Violent Bear and Fire Ox hastily bowed.

Black Tiger did not look at them. He simply gazed at Wei Sheng with a gentle smile. "Wei Sheng, from today onward, you are the fifth Tiger General under my command!"

Violent Bear rubbed his eyes, his expression strange.

Who in Black Mountain City did not know that Black Tiger, the hall master of Weiyuan Hall, was powerful, ruthless, and black-hearted...?

A vicious man who could frighten crying children into silence at night could actually smile?

"This is your reward."

Black Tiger took a long black wooden box from a gang member behind him and handed it to Wei Sheng.

There were three things inside the wooden box:

A banknote worth one hundred taels, a bottle of Golden Body Paste, and a copy of the Flesh Refinement Method!

"Thank you, Tiger Lord!" Wei Sheng bowed in thanks.

"Hahaha, I'm in a good mood today! The Guest-Welcoming Tower, my treat. Everyone's coming!"

With the Five Tiger Generals Selection concluded and a fine general gained, Black Tiger was in excellent spirits and promptly hosted a celebratory banquet at the Guest-Welcoming Tower.

This was Wei Sheng's second time attending a banquet there.

The previous time, Xiao Ran had hosted it in Room Two of the C category.

With Brocade-Furred Rat, Che Zhenzhong, Niu Yong, and the others accompanying them, Xiao Ran, the host, had been so full of vigor and confidence.

This time, Hall Master Black Tiger was hosting in Room One of the A category, and the central figure had quietly become Wei Sheng. His companions were important figures such as Master Qin and Direct Disciple Jiang, men whose stomping feet could shake the Outer City.

Even the Five Tiger Generals merely occupied the lowest seats.

During the banquet, Master Qin and Direct Disciple Jiang were friendly toward him. The latter, in particular, invited Wei Sheng to the White Crane Martial Arts Hall, offering to recommend him as a disciple of the hall master so he could receive the hall master's guidance.

Wei Sheng was extremely tempted when he heard this.

The White Crane hall master was at the twelve refinements, one of Black Mountain City's foremost experts, and exceptionally skilled at teaching. With his guidance, Wei Sheng could avoid many detours in his cultivation.

Unfortunately,

the hall master was currently out of the city. Even if he went to the White Crane Martial Arts Hall, he would not be able to meet him.

Wei He was restless.

He was practicing his punches in the courtyard at home.

Over the past days, medicinal meals and nourishing foods had considerably improved his physical condition.

Though he was still somewhat frail, he no longer became breathless after just a few steps as he once had, and had built up some strength.

So Wei Sheng had taught him the Savage Bull Fist, letting him use it to strengthen his body and temper his blood and qi.

With nothing to do at home, Wei He devoted himself to studying and practicing the fist technique. His mind was clear, and he had a good intuitive grasp of it. Coupled with Wei Sheng's careful guidance, he had now reached minor accomplishment in the Savage Bull Fist.

His second brother was participating in the Five Tiger Generals Selection today. Worried for his safety, Wei He grew increasingly restless the more he thought about it.

In the end, he simply stopped thinking about it and began practicing in the courtyard.

As he immersed himself in his practice, he gradually calmed down, his state of mind growing peaceful.

But just then, a familiar shout came from outside. "Xiao He, good news! Wonderful news!"

Recognizing Che Zhenzhong's voice, Wei He opened the door and, sure enough, saw Che Zhenzhong and Niu Yong.

Both looked extremely excited, especially Che Zhenzhong. Though there was no smell of alcohol on him, his face was flushed red with excitement.

"Brother Che, why are you back? Where's my brother?"

"Old Wei defeated Huang Man'er in the Five Tiger Generals selection, overpowering all the contenders. Tiger Lord personally named him the new Tiger General. He's drinking with Tiger Lord at the Guest-Welcoming Tower right now..."

"He did it?!"

Though he had expected it, Wei He still froze for a moment upon hearing the news.

A Tiger General-one of the few people with the most actual authority beneath the hall master.

Any one of them was in charge of an entire street and dozens of shops.

They were important figures he would never even have dared imagine becoming before...

But now...

My brother became a Tiger General?!

After the banquet ended, Wei Sheng returned home, and Wei He hurriedly brought him a cup of strong tea.

Before Wei Sheng even had time to take a sip, a visitor arrived.