Zhang Meng's Plans

Before long, he found a gaunt man in the corner of a dim tavern, his eyes as fierce as a starving wolf's. The man gave off the savage aura peculiar to a desperado, and his cultivation was surprisingly at Lesser Flesh Refining as well.

"Scorpion, interested in a job?" Zhang Meng lowered his voice and got straight to the point.

The man called Scorpion raised his clouded eyes and glanced at Zhang Meng. "What job? How much?"

"Teach a new student a lesson. He's at Greater Skin Tempering," Zhang Meng said. "Just break one of his legs. Five hundred federal credits."

Scorpion hesitated at that. It was best not to offend students from the academy if he could help it. If the target had any backing, there would be endless trouble down the road.

Seeing Scorpion hesitate, Zhang Meng's eyes flashed with malice, and he raised the price at once. "A thousand! Plus this!" He pulled a small jade bottle from his robes. It contained several healing pills. "Once the job's done, the pills are yours too!"

At the sight of the pills, a greedy gleam flashed through Scorpion's eyes! For people like him, who licked blood from the edge of a blade, healing pills were hard currency!

"Good! Deal!" Scorpion hesitated no longer and agreed at once. "Name and location."

"Dongfang Yueming, a newcomer to the East City Security Patrol's Third Squad." A sinister smile appeared on Zhang Meng's face. "He patrols from East District Three to East District Four every day. Find your own chance to strike, and do it cleanly!"

"Don't worry. I guarantee he'll be bedridden for months!" Scorpion grinned viciously and tucked the pill bottle into his robes.

Watching Scorpion walk away, Zhang Meng felt malice and vindictive pleasure intertwine in his heart. A twisted smile appeared on his face.

"Dongfang Yueming... let's see you hog the limelight! Let's see you steal my woman! Soon, you'll know what happens when you offend me, Zhang Meng! I'll make you lie on the ground and howl like a dead dog!"

The morning sun streamed through the window, casting dappled light across the floor of the spartan dormitory.

Dongfang Yueming woke from a deep sleep right on time, feeling relaxed all over and more energetic than ever before. A Jade Skin Realm body did more than provide astonishing defense; its recovery ability and basic physical condition had also undergone a qualitative leap.

As usual, he sank his consciousness into his mind and checked the panel.

[Character: Dongfang Yueming]

[Realm: Body Tempering - Skin Tempering Realm (Jade Skin) (2 points gained daily)]

[Cultivation methods: Basic Skin Tempering Method (perfection), Layered Wave Skin Tempering Method (perfection)]

[Martial arts: Basic Thirteen Fast Saber Forms (perfection), Gale Movement Technique (perfection)]

[Points: 816]

"Not bad, another two points." Dongfang Yueming looked at the steadily rising number, a satisfied smile curving his lips. The feeling of growing stronger steadily every day was simply wonderful!

In a cheerful mood, he washed up and headed to the cafeteria for breakfast.

The cafeteria was noticeably livelier today than it had been over the previous two days. After a few days of adjustment and arduous cultivation, some of the more talented or hardworking new students had finally reached the threshold of cultivation.

"Hey, guys, how's your cultivation going?"

"Don't even mention it. I still can't feel anything. It's driving me crazy!"

"I... I think I'm starting to feel something! I sat up all night, and I finally felt a faint trace of qi and blood moving beneath my skin!"

"Really? Quick, tell us what it feels like!"

As everyone chattered about their cultivation experiences, most of them still sighing and groaning, a somewhat high-pitched voice rang out, filled with barely concealed pride:

"Hahaha! I've got good news! Just now, I successfully stirred my qi and blood and completed my first skin-tempering cycle! It's still very faint, but as long as I keep cultivating step by step, Skin Tempering Entry is just around the corner!"

The speaker was an ordinary-looking young man, though his face was radiant with excitement at that moment.

As soon as he spoke, cries of astonishment and envy erupted around him!

"Holy shit! Liu Yu, not bad! You found your sense of qi and completed your first cycle already?"

"Amazing! It's only been a few days! Looks like you really have a talent for martial arts!"

"Congratulations! You've got to treat us once you reach entry!"

"Sigh, comparisons are enough to drive a man mad..."

Faced with everyone's congratulations and envy, the young man named Liu Yu grew even more pleased with himself. His chin was practically pointing at the sky, as if he were already a dragon or phoenix among men.

Basking in their flattery, he happened to glance at Dongfang Yueming, who was eating quietly in a corner. A barely perceptible trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.

Hmph, what good is being handsome? Liu Yu muttered to himself. In the world of martial arts, strength has the final say! Apart from his face, what does this kid have going for him? I bet he hasn't even found his sense of qi yet. Won't he just end up getting eliminated? He subconsciously lumped Dongfang Yueming in with those "flower vases."

Dongfang Yueming seemed oblivious to it all and continued calmly demolishing the mountain of food before him. The progress of these new students simply held no interest for him.

After eating, he rose and left the cafeteria, ready to report to the patrol station.

As he brushed past the self-satisfied Liu Yu, Liu Yu's gaze fell on the long saber at Dongfang Yueming's waist.

Seeing the brand-new scabbard and the obviously well-tended hilt, Liu Yu's disdain deepened.

Heh, he hasn't even reached entry, and he's copying others by wearing a saber? he sneered inwardly. He even got himself a new one. What a show-off! Isn't he afraid it'll get in his way when he walks?

He paid Dongfang Yueming no mind, thinking that he was merely trying to imitate the senior students and draw attention to himself.