Comprehending the Second Realm

With Iron Hand step, the ground cracked instantly!

A large hand, as big as a fan, brought a whistling wind and slammed down towards Dongfang Yueming's head!

Dongfang Yueming dared not be careless; his blood and qi erupted instantly as he raised his fist to meet the attack!

"Bang!"

A dull, loud bang!

Dongfang Yueming felt as if his fist had struck an indestructible piece of steel!

A tremendous force of recoil struck, causing his blood to surge and forcing him to stagger back several steps!

Iron Hand, on the other hand, only swayed slightly before regaining his balance.

"Hmm? You actually survived one of my blows?" A hint of surprise flashed in Iron Hand's eyes. "Your physical body... it's quite something."

"But..."

He grinned maliciously and lunged forward again!

"Let's see how many blows you can take!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The two clashed again!

However, this time, Dongfang Yueming was completely at a disadvantage!

His prized blood and qi power struck the opponent's bones, which had been tempered and refined over countless trials, yet... it failed to cause any substantial damage!

This is the terror of the Bone Forging Realm!

Skin of copper and bones of iron, impervious to swords and spears!

"Puff!"

After another fierce battle, Dongfang Yueming finally couldn't take it anymore and spat out a mouthful of blood!

A sharp pain shot through his right arm, clearly indicating a fracture!

"Big brother!" Hong Ling cried out and rushed forward, trying to shield him from the next attack.

"Don't come any closer!"

Dongfang Yueming shoved her away and stared intently at the Iron Hand that was closing in.

[No!]

Ordinary scattered qi and blood cannot break through his defenses at all!

The effort is too scattered!

To win...

[The body's vital energy and blood must be compressed! Condensed! Compressed again!]

[Transform into... indestructible... Gang Qi!]

In the face of life and death, a flash of inspiration!

[Ding! You have mastered the second realm of Martial Dao — the Blood Gang Realm!]

[Ding! You have comprehended the cultivation technique "Nine Revolutions Blood Gang Art" (0/1000, not yet Entry)!]

[Point Allocation!]

[Ding! 1000 points consumed, first rebirth!]

[...]

[Ding! 3000 points consumed, Ninth Rebirth (Perfection)!]

"Boom--!!!"

A crimson wave of energy erupted from Dongfang Yueming's body!

That was no longer scattered qi and blood, but... a blood essence as solid as a substance!

"What?!"

The expert in Bone Tempering was utterly shocked!

Before he could react, a fist enveloped in crimson aura shattered his protective spiritual light and pierced through his chest!

"Puff!"

A master of Bone Tempering has fallen!

After shaking off their pursuers, the two arrived at a desolate mountain cave.

"Big brother..." Hong Ling looked at Dongfang Yueming, who was tending to his wounds, and finally mustered up her courage to whisper, "I... I like you!"

Dongfang Yueming paused, looked up at the flushed little face, and a mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

"Oh? How much do you like it?"

"I like it as much as I like candied hawthorn berries!"

"So... if I and a candied hawthorn berry fell into the water at the same time, who would you save first?"

"Oh my god! You're so mean!"

Hong Ling stomped her feet in anger and turned away to sulk.

Dongfang Yueming smiled and stopped teasing her.

"Alright, don't be angry. Come here, I have something good to teach you."

"Hmph! I won't listen!"

Although she said that, when Dongfang Yueming began to explain the profound meaning of the "Nine Revolutions Blood Gang Art", her pair of pink little ears still stood up honestly.

[Hmph! Just wait until I master this so-called Blood Qi...]

[I'll beat you to a pulp and teach you a lesson you won't tolerate anymore!]

She made a silent vow in her heart.

In the early morning, the first rays of sunlight shone through the gaps in the leaves and fell on Hong Ling's rosy little face.

"Ha!"

She let out a delicate shout, and her blood and qi surged, actually faintly condensing into a thin layer of protective qi shield!

Blood Gang Realm, achieved!

"Big brother! Take this!"

Full of vigor and brimming with confidence, she waved her little fists and charged towards Dongfang Yueming, who was grilling meat nearby!

"Good timing."

Dongfang Yueming smiled slightly, without getting up, and simply extended one hand casually.

"Bang!"

He caught Hong Ling's seemingly powerful punch with ease.

"The power is good, but unfortunately... the technique is too poor."

With a flick of his wrist, an even more condensed and domineering surge of blood energy erupted forth!

Blood Fist - Explosive Fist!

"Oops!"

Hong Ling felt an irresistible force strike her, and she was instantly thrown back, landing hard on her backside.

"Waaah... You cheated! You used more force than I did!" She rubbed her bottom in grievance.

Dongfang Yueming shook his head helplessly.

This girl, although her skill level has improved, she still needs to practice her combat experience...

Afternoon, deep in the jungle.

"Roar--!"

A level 2 Demonic Beast, the "Ironclad Crocodile," over three meters long and covered in thick, scaly armor, was baring its blood-red maw, threatening the two of them.

Level 2 Demonic Beast, equivalent to the Bone Forging Realm in humans!

"Big brother, don't move! Let me do it this time!"

Hong Ling stopped Dongfang Yueming from making a move, her eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit!

I'll prove to you that I'm no worse than you!

She gave a sharp shout and moved with lightning speed, taking the initiative to meet him!

Blood energy protects the body, and the wind from the punches howls!

This time, she didn't act recklessly as before, but instead skillfully used the terrain to deal with the clumsy Ironclad Crocodile.

Finally, after fighting for half an hour...

She seized an opening, gathered all her blood energy, and punched the Ironclad Crocodile in the softest part of its abdomen!

"Boom!"

The enormous Demonic Beast crashed to the ground!

"Huff... huff..."

Hong Ling was panting heavily, her body covered in sweat, but her small face was beaming with the joy of victory.

"How about that? Aren't I amazing?" She raised her chin, looking smug.

"Amazing! My Ling'er is the best!" Dongfang Yueming gave her a thumbs up without hesitation.

Upon hearing the words "my Ling'er," Hong Ling's face instantly flushed red, her heart filled with a sweet joy, but she still managed a huff. "Who said you own her...?"

It was late at night.

Having eaten and drunk her fill, Hong Ling pretended to be fast asleep, but while Dongfang Yueming closed his eyes to rest, she secretly, little by little, moved closer to him.

Then, like a kitten, she curled up in that warm embrace.

Dongfang Yueming smiled helplessly yet affectionately and reached out to embrace her.

Time flies.

In the blink of an eye, another half month has passed.

During this period, Dongfang Yueming Perfection a technique called "Hundred-Refined Blood Gang" and integrated it into his own system, making his blood qi power more refined and profound.

Hong Ling, after countless battles, finally stabilized her realm, not only reaching the Blood Gang Ninth Stage, but also mastering the Blood Gang Fist Art to perfection!

On this day, Hong Ling suddenly whispered mysteriously in Dongfang Yueming's ear.

"Big brother, shall we... go to town again?"

"Hmm? Where are you going?"

"Of course! I want to see what comes after the Bone Forging Realm. I already want to advance to the next realm!"

She blinked her big eyes, her mischievous expression utterly adorable.

"Okay." Dongfang Yueming couldn't help but pinch her little cheek. "I'll do whatever you say."