Zhang Meng's Choice, Gao Hu's Arrogance!

"What?! No results?!" Dongfang Yueming's pupils contracted! He had been so focused on looking at Skin Tempering and Flesh Refining cultivation techniques that he really hadn't paid attention to the higher realms!

The academy website didn't even make information on Bone Forging Realm cultivation techniques public?!

At that moment, he suddenly remembered what the Shi Family elder had said before!

"The Beast Defense Frontier! Military merit can be exchanged for anything! Including those top-tier cultivation techniques that aren't circulated publicly!"

So... what the elder had said was actually true!

The night grew late, in a dark corner somewhere.

Zhang Meng paced back and forth anxiously, glancing at his personal terminal from time to time, his brow tightly furrowed.

As agreed, once Scorpion completed the job, he should have sent him a message to say he was safe (or rather, to report "success").

But now, several hours had passed, and the terminal remained deathly silent! There had been no reply at all!

"What's going on?!" An ominous premonition welled up in Zhang Meng's heart! That Scorpion is only at Lesser Flesh Refining, but his dagger techniques are vicious, and he's experienced. Dealing with a Skin Tempering Realm freshman should have been as easy as reaching out and grabbing him! How could there be no news at all?

The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong! The unease in his heart grew stronger!

He called on some connections he couldn't bring into the light and began asking around for Scorpion's whereabouts.

Soon, news came back that nearly scared his soul out of him-

Scorpion was dead!

He had been cleanly and decisively beheaded in an alley he had to pass through on his way back to the dormitory! All that remained at the scene was a headless corpse!

"What?! Dead?!" When Zhang Meng heard the news, it was as if he had been struck by lightning! He was completely stunned!

Scorpion was dead?! That Lesser Flesh Refining desperado with his vicious dagger techniques was actually dead?!

Who had done it?!

Could it have been... Dongfang Yueming?!

The moment the thought appeared, he instinctively dismissed it!

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Zhang Meng's face turned deathly pale, and he shook his head repeatedly. "That kid is only at Greater Skin Tempering (he didn't know the protagonist was already in the Flesh Refining Realm). How could he possibly have killed Scorpion at Lesser Flesh Refining?! It must be... there must be another expert protecting him!"

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that this was the only possibility!

To kill Scorpion so cleanly and decisively in an instant, the other party's strength was probably at least at Greater Flesh Refining, or perhaps even the Bone Forging Realm!

"Damn it! Someone's backing this kid?!" Zhang Meng was filled with shock and fear! He had thought Dongfang Yueming was just an orphan with no one to rely on, but he hadn't expected to kick an iron plate!

At the thought that he had sent someone to assassinate a target who might have an expert protecting him, Zhang Meng broke out in a cold sweat!

If the other party traced it back to him... the consequences would be unthinkable!

No! He had to leave as soon as possible! The farther away from Dongfang Yueming, the better!

He made a snap decision! He immediately hurried off to find Captain Wang Zhen.

"Captain! I... I want to resign from the patrol team!" Zhang Meng said hurriedly.

"Resign? Why?" Captain Wang Zhen was somewhat surprised. "Weren't you doing well?" He had been counting on Zhang Meng to give the newcomers more guidance.

Zhang Meng's eyes flickered, and he came up with an excuse on the spot. "I feel... the patrol team's work is too comfortable. It doesn't suit me. I... I plan to go try my luck at the Beast Defense Frontier!"

He thought to himself, Hmph! The Beast Defense Frontier is dangerous, but it's full of opportunities too! Now that I'm at Greater Flesh Refining, it's time I went there to seek the resources and opportunity to break through to the Bone Forging Realm! Besides, a piece of trash like Dongfang Yueming can forget about ever setting foot in a place like that! It'll be the perfect way to get rid of him for good!

Hearing that Zhang Meng was going to the Beast Defense Frontier, Captain Wang Zhen was taken aback for a moment, then a look of understanding appeared on his face.

The Beast Defense Frontier was the path many ambitious martial artists unwilling to settle for mediocrity ultimately chose. Though dangerous, it was indeed the best place to temper oneself and obtain resources.

Since Zhang Meng had already made his decision, he could hardly insist on keeping him.

"Sigh... all right." Captain Wang Zhen sighed helplessly and nodded. "Since your mind is made up, I won't stop you. Once you get there, be careful in everything you do! Staying alive is more important than anything else!"

"Thank you for your concern, Captain!" As if granted a pardon, Zhang Meng hurriedly thanked him, then left the patrol station without looking back, as though afraid Wang Zhen might change his mind.

He had to leave the city as soon as possible, far away from the Dongfang Yueming who frightened him!

Deep within the Gao Family residence, the rich medicinal fragrance had yet to completely disperse.

Gao Hu sat cross-legged, the qi and blood surging around him gradually settling down, but the explosive sense of power was more substantial than ever before! He could clearly feel that his muscle fibers had become tougher and denser, and with every breath he took, he could draw upon even more surging power!

"Hahaha! Lesser Flesh Refining! I did it!"

Gao Hu's eyes snapped open, an incomparably arrogant gleam shooting from them! He stood and casually swung a fist, and a dull explosive boom rang out in the air!

"The Dragon Tiger Tendon Tempering Pill my brother gave me really does have extraordinary effects!" He reveled in the surging power within him. "It's barely been any time at all, and I've soared straight from the entry level to Minor Accomplishment! At this rate, greater mastery, or even perfection, is just around the corner!"

This rapid advance in strength made his ego swell enormously!

Then he thought of Dongfang Yueming, that fool who didn't know life from death.

"Hmph, one month from now? How laughable!" Gao Hu scoffed disdainfully. "Once I reach Flesh Refining Perfection-no, perhaps Greater Flesh Refining alone will be enough-I'll be able to crush him like an ant!"

But waiting a whole month like this seemed too easy on that kid. He would make him spend that month in endless fear and despair!

At that thought, a cruel smile appeared on Gao Hu's face. He opened his personal terminal and entered the Martial Arts Academy freshmen's public chat group. His fingers flew as he typed out a message and directly tagged Dongfang Yueming:

"@Dongfang Yueming, this young master is in an excellent mood today. I've made another breakthrough and entered Lesser Flesh Refining! Since we're classmates, this young master will give you a chance to live!"

"Now! Immediately! Right this instant! Kowtow and admit your mistake in the group! Admit how foolish and arrogant you were before! If your attitude is sincere, this young master may let bygones be bygones and spare your life in the arena a month from now! Otherwise..."

"Hmph, don't blame this young master for showing no mercy when the time comes, leaving you unable to live or die as you wish! Treasure this favor I'm granting you!"

The moment this arrogant, utterly humiliating message was sent, the entire freshmen's group instantly erupted!