Gao Long, the Flesh Refining Method Obtained!

Just as Dongfang Yueming dealt with his ambushers and quietly departed, something else was happening.

A festive atmosphere filled the area before the gates of the Gao Family's magnificent mansion.

Gao Hu had, for once, set aside his usual arrogance and overbearing manner. Excitement and reverence showed on his face as he stood respectfully at the gates, welcoming an extraordinary young man.

The young man appeared to be in his early twenties. He wore a finely tailored white martial arts uniform and had handsome features and deep, sharp eyes. As he walked, he carried himself with the composure of a still abyss and a towering peak, like a mountain that could not be shaken!

He was Gao Hu's elder brother, and the Gao Family's true, peerless genius of this generation-Gao Long!

Gao Long had long since graduated from the United University Martial Arts Academy. His astonishing talent had earned him a place in a martial arts holy land at the heart of the dynasty, where he could pursue higher-level studies! He was the pride of the entire Gao Family and even the whole city!

"Brother! You're back!" Seeing Gao Long approach, Gao Hu hurried forward to greet him, his voice full of admiration and affection. Only in front of Gao Long did he act like a younger brother.

"Mm." Gao Long nodded calmly. His gaze swept over Gao Hu, and he gave a slight nod of approval. "Not bad. You've reached the entry stage of Flesh Refining, a little faster than I expected."

His brother's approval thrilled Gao Hu all the more. He hurriedly said, "It was all thanks to the guidance and resources you gave me last time, Brother. Otherwise, I wouldn't have broken through so quickly!"

A faint, warm smile appeared on Gao Long's face. He raised a hand and patted Gao Hu on the shoulder. "We're family. No need to stand on ceremony."

He turned his wrist, and a delicate jade bottle appeared in his palm. He handed it to Gao Hu. "Take this bottle of Dragon Tiger Tendon Tempering Pills. They'll be enormously beneficial when you try to reach Lesser Flesh Refining, or even the greater stage."

"Dragon Tiger Tendon Tempering Pills?!" Gao Hu's eyes went wide, and his breathing grew rapid! These were high-grade pills worth a fortune! They were said to greatly strengthen the resilience and power of muscles and tendons-a treasure that those in the Flesh Refining Realm dreamed of obtaining! And his brother had casually given him a whole bottle?!

"Brother! This is too valuable!" Though Gao Hu was practically drooling, he still hesitated.

"Take it." Gao Long's tone brooked no argument. "You're my younger brother. Your future is the family's future."

He looked at Gao Hu, his gaze turning solemn. "Little Hu, remember this: the Flesh Refining Realm is only the beginning. Your first goal must be to enter the United University's Seed Class! Only by getting in can you gain access to the true core resources and inheritances, and qualify to walk the path to becoming a true powerhouse! Don't disappoint the family, and above all, don't disappoint me!"

"Yes, Brother! I understand!" Gao Hu nodded emphatically, his eyes shining with resolve! He clutched the jade bottle tightly, feeling the surging medicinal power emanating from the pills. His whole body seemed to fill with strength!

With these Dragon Tiger Tendon Tempering Pills, my cultivation in the Flesh Refining Realm will definitely speed up enormously! Before long, I'll be able to break through to Lesser Flesh Refining! Even... the greater stage isn't impossible!

Gao Hu was filled with unprecedented confidence and anticipation! It was as though he could already see a bright future in which he advanced by leaps and bounds, successfully entered the Seed Class, and eventually caught up with his brother!

As for Dongfang Yueming... he had long since cast him beyond the nine heavens.

An eagle had no reason to spare a thought for an ant.

Night quietly fell, and the city lights began to glow.

Qian Jingming was sitting in a secluded private room at a teahouse, holding a brand-new thread-bound book. Four large characters were written across its cover in bold, soaring strokes-"Crimson Sun Flesh Refining Method."

As he leafed through it, a peculiar smile appeared on his face.

"Hehe, this Crimson Sun Flesh Refining Method is quite a good advanced Flesh Refining method. It's considerably better than the academy's basic one, and its market price is at least 180 contribution points." Qian Jingming rubbed his chin, making a private assessment.

"However..." His smile grew even stranger. "This technique has a 'side effect' that's neither too big nor too small. While cultivating it, the yang energy in your body becomes excessively vigorous. If you lose control, it's easy to... well, have your qi and blood surge and make a fool of yourself in public, especially in front of the opposite sex. Hehehe..."

He had pulled a few strings and paid a little of the difference out of his own pocket to obtain this technique through a certain channel. It fit neatly within Dongfang Yueming's budget of 120 contribution points, and it really was more effective than the basic one. As for that "little" side effect...

That brat swindled me so badly before. He deserves to suffer a little! Qian Jingming gloated inwardly.

He checked the time. It was about time. He put away the Flesh Refining Method, rose, and left the teahouse, heading straight for Dongfang Yueming's dormitory.

Dongfang Yueming had just finished dinner and returned to his dormitory. Patrolling and dealing with the "accident" had cost him quite a bit of stamina today.

He had just been about to sit down and rest for a while when someone knocked on the door.

"Boss Dongfang! It's me, Qian Jingming!"

"Come in."

Qian Jingming pushed the door open and entered, his trademark shrewd, mercenary smile still on his face.

Dongfang Yueming's gaze went straight to the bulging package in his hands. He raised an eyebrow. "Did you bring the Flesh Refining Method?"

"Hehe, how would I dare neglect something you asked me to do, Boss?" Smiling, Qian Jingming carefully took the thread-bound Crimson Sun Flesh Refining Method out of the package and handed it over. "Please have a look, Boss! This is good stuff I went to great lengths to obtain! It's definitely much better than the academy's basic one!"

Dongfang Yueming took the book. It had a slight weight to it, and its pages carried a faint scent of ink. He quickly leafed through it, committing the technique's qi circulation routes, muscle-tempering methods, precautions, and everything else to memory.

When he turned to the last page, the system notification sounded as expected.

He immediately checked the panel.

[Character: Dongfang Yueming]

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

[Techniques: Basic Skin Tempering Method (perfected), Layered Wave Skin Tempering Method (perfected), Crimson Sun Flesh Refining Method (0/6, not initiated)]

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

[Points: 828]

The Crimson Sun Flesh Refining Method... requires 6 points to reach the entry stage? Dongfang Ming's heart stirred. That's even higher than the 4 points for the Layered Wave Skin Tempering Method. It really does seem to be a more advanced technique.

He was fairly satisfied with the Flesh Refining Method.

Seeing Dongfang Yueming accept the technique, Qian Jingming's smile grew even brighter. "Boss, now that you've got the technique... it's about time, isn't it? Should we head to the gathering?" He hadn't forgotten the task Senior Shi had entrusted to him.

"Mm, all right." Dongfang Yueming nodded and replied casually, "Go outside and wait for me a moment."

"Huh?" Qian Jingming froze, his heart skipping a beat. "Boss, you... you're not going back on your word, are you?" He looked at Dongfang Yueming somewhat suspiciously.