A warning

"Thank you for your hospitality, Senior Brother Zhang."

"I've gained some special insights into the Iron Mountain Fist. I'll demonstrate a few moves in your courtyard today, Senior Brother Zhang. I hope they can be of help to you."

Ye Fan rose as he spoke.

"Good."

Zhang Lingfeng also wanted to see how far Ye Fan was from breaking through to transforming Jin.

"Boom!"

Ye Fan stepped beside the small well.

An Ascending Mountain Form burst forth like a fierce tiger released from its cage. Qi and blood seeped out from his flesh and skin, circulating freely within them. This was a sign that the first and second shackles had been unlocked.

Ming Jin manifested strength within the skin, while dark force concealed it within the flesh. As Qi and blood circulated, one overt and one covert, the fist technique resonated with both skin and flesh.

This allowed Qi and blood to erupt with destructive power that crushed rotten wood and swept away withered branches.

Ye Fan wanted to intimidate Zhang Lingfeng and make him fund his purchases of Qi and Blood Pills, so he unleashed the full power of his Qi and blood.

The more Zhang Lingfeng watched, the more astonished he became.

Ye Fan truly lived up to his supreme-grade aptitude. With Guo Wei's earlier financial support, he had only just broken through to dark force, yet his control of Jin was already so practiced.

Even if Guo Wei continued reducing his supply of Qi and Blood Pills, this fellow was very likely to break through to transforming Jin within three years. At the very least, reaching minor mastery of dark force by the martial examination would be no problem.

"Boom!"

Finally, Ye Fan finished with a Descending Mountain Form.

The instant he threw the punch, a surge of Qi-powered force seemed to seep out from his flesh and skin.

Clap, clap!

"You're truly extraordinary, Junior Brother Ye. You'll surely achieve a first-class result next year."

Zhang Lingfeng applauded.

"While I was at the Yan Lineage's residence, I happened to hear Lord Huang mention that Great Qing has been unsettled lately. Those above may launch strict investigations into some gangs. Your Warm Breeze Hall doesn't have a dark force expert among its ranks yet, Senior Brother Zhang. You should prepare early."

Ye Fan offered the reminder.

"Thank you for letting me know, Junior Brother Ye."

Zhang Lingfeng cupped his hands.

Ye Fan's expression froze. Then he forced a smile. "It's getting late. I shouldn't impose any longer. I'll take my leave."

"All right. Take care, Junior Brother Ye."

Zhang Lingfeng saw Ye Fan to the door.

He watched Ye Fan disappear into the alley.

"You don't know what's good for you."

Ye Fan's face darkened.

He did not believe Zhang Lingfeng had failed to understand him.

He wanted Warm Breeze Hall to fund him, yet Zhang Lingfeng stubbornly refused to take the bait. It seemed he would have to show Warm Breeze Hall a thing or two and make Zhang Lingfeng come begging to him instead.

"He even brought Huang Jiefu into it. Looks like he's getting impatient."

Zhang Lingfeng sneered.

The next day.

Ye Fan did not arrive at the martial school to practice until the afternoon.

Zhang Lingfeng knew Ye Fan had gone to see Huang Jiefu that morning. Sure enough, Hei Hu came to find him a little later and said Huang Jiefu wanted to meet him that evening.

Zhang Lingfeng understood that Huang Jiefu was doing Ye Fan a favor by trying to give him a warning.

But he had always been the one warning others. How could he let someone else warn him? Since Ye Fan was still dreaming, he could hardly blame Zhang Lingfeng for showing no courtesy.

"Boom!"

So he unleashed his full Qi and blood in the inner courtyard and began practicing the Twelve-Routine Iron Mountain Fist in earnest.

With the help of the Qi and Blood Pill, Zhang Lingfeng was now considerably stronger than when he had demonstrated his skills to Guo Wei two days earlier.

He deliberately waited until Guo Wei came out to inspect the disciples' training before performing the Iron Mountain Fist at full strength.

Guo Wei already knew he had attained dark force.

But none of the disciples knew except Liu Feng.

Now, he stirred his Qi and blood at full strength. Freed from the shackles of skin and flesh, his Qi and blood surged as his fists opened and closed, his punching force booming deafeningly. His Twelve-Routine Iron Mountain Fist bristled with a tiger's might, carrying the imposing presence of one man holding a pass against ten thousand.

Wu Yun, Yang Tao, Zhao Hu, Liu Rushuang, and even Ye Fan turned to look.

Guo Wei, too, wore an astonished expression.

In just two days, Zhang Lingfeng had made such progress in his control of dark force. Although he had given Zhang Lingfeng a Qi and Blood Pill,

the pill was meant to strengthen his Qi and blood and consolidate the foundation of his strength. Its effect on his progress in dark force should not have been so obvious within a day or two.

"Junior Brother Zhang, you..."

Ma Fei exclaimed in surprise.

"Dark force! Junior Brother Zhang has broken through to dark force!"

Yang Tao cried out.

"Junior Brother Zhang has attained dark force."

Liu Rushuang also found it unbelievable.

Wu Yun's mouth hung slightly open. Zhang Lingfeng's attainment of dark force had caught him off guard as well. He recalled Liu Feng saying that Dong Wenhan had died after Zhang Lingfeng repeatedly struck him in the back over his heart.

Could Zhang Lingfeng have broken through to dark force several days ago?

And simply kept quiet about it all this time.

"This..."

Ye Fan's eyes widened.

He could not help looking at Guo Wei. Seeing that Guo Wei looked astonished too, he instinctively assumed Zhang Lingfeng's cultivation had everything to do with his regular nourishment.

The Zhang Clan truly had deep pockets. He had underestimated him before.

"Master, your disciple seems to have gained a little insight."

After finishing his fist routine, Zhang Lingfeng smiled at Guo Wei.

"Good. Very good."

Guo Wei nodded approvingly.

Yang Tao frowned. From their exchange, he could tell Guo Wei had known about Zhang Lingfeng's breakthrough to dark force before they had.

"Congratulations on breaking through to dark force, Junior Brother Zhang."

Ma Fei stepped forward to congratulate him.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Ma. I'm hosting a banquet at the Drunken Spring House tonight, and Lord Huang will be coming as well. Senior Brother Ma, and all my senior brothers and sisters, please be sure to attend."

Zhang Lingfeng cupped his hands toward everyone.

"Haha, of course."

Ma Fei laughed.

"Congratulations on breaking through to dark force, Junior Brother."

"What wonderful news."

"It's truly surprising that you managed to break through in such a short time, Junior Brother Zhang."

Yang Tao, Liu Rushuang, Zhao Hu, Wu Yun, and the others spoke in turn.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhang."

Ye Fan's gaze grew somewhat heated.

Had the Zhang Clan dug up a treasure trove? They had actually enabled someone whose root bones had closed to break through to both Ming Jin and dark force in less than a year and three months.

"Thank you, Junior Brother. Remember to come with Lord Huang."

Zhang Lingfeng smiled.

"Of course."

Ye Fan nodded, but a moment later, he seemed to think of something, and his expression unconsciously grew grave.

"Master, your disciple has finally managed to attain dark force. I'd like to invite you to the banquet as well."

Zhang Lingfeng addressed Guo Wei.

"All right. I'll be there."

Guo Wei nodded.

Ma Fei was inwardly startled.

When he and the other senior brothers had attained dark force, they had also hosted banquets for their fellow disciples and invited Guo Wei, but Guo Wei usually declined.

The last time Guo Wei had attended a disciple's banquet was when Ye Fan broke through to dark force.

"Junior Brother Zhang, let me arrange tonight's banquet for you. Don't refuse. Consider it a small gesture from your eldest senior brother."

Ma Fei stepped forward and spoke.

"How could I let you do that?"

Zhang Lingfeng demurred.

"If you refuse, you'll be denying me face. I arranged it when Junior Brother Ye broke through to dark force, too."

Ma Fei insisted.

"Then thank you, Eldest Senior Brother."

Zhang Lingfeng expressed his gratitude.

They were students of the same intake, so it was not unreasonable to call Ma Fei their eldest senior brother.

"Since Eldest Senior Brother has already arranged things for you, I'll host another banquet for you in a few days as your senior sister."

Liu Rushuang spoke with a serious expression.

"Me too!"

Yang Tao chimed in.

"That's right. One banquet each. No one gets to wriggle out of it."

"Hahaha, good!"

Zhao Hu and Wu Yun vied to speak.

They were all perceptive people and could see how much importance Guo Wei placed on Zhang Lingfeng.

Ye Fan's expression grew increasingly ugly.

The change in his fellow disciples made him all the more eager to break through to transforming Jin as soon as possible, lest Zhang Lingfeng steal his limelight.

Meanwhile, Zhang Lingfeng gave Hei Hu, who stood in the outer courtyard, a meaningful look. Hei Hu understood immediately and hurried toward the eastern district government office.

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