The Fish Leaves the City, Undercurrents Intertwine
In the early morning, sunlight pierced through the thin mist and shone on the campus of Jinling Martial University.
Dongfang Yueming, carrying a black tactical backpack and holding the E-grade Tang sword he bought for 10,000 Federal Credits, walked out of the dormitory building.
He took a deep breath of the crisp air, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
"The outdoor training outside the city is finally about to begin."
"The Blood Nourishing Technique requires four Yellow Grade techniques to synthesize into Heaven Grade."
"More importantly, the [Blood Refining Method] required to break through to the next realm!"
Dongfang Yueming gripped the hilt of the knife tightly.
"As long as I successfully complete this field training and obtain those crucial 10 credits, bringing my total to 100, I can choose a Yellow Grade Blood Refining Method from the school's library for free!"
"At that time, the sea will be wide enough for fish to leap!"
The assembly square at the school gate was already packed with people.
The second-year students, organized into groups of three, were gathering. Some were nervously checking their equipment, some were excitedly discussing the Ferocious Beast they were about to face, and others were forming larger alliances in small groups before setting off.
Dongfang Yueming found her group, the thirty-sixth.
"Good morning, Dongfang."
A slightly chubby boy with a kind smile on his face came up to him and extended his hand.
"My Zhu Hao, and I'm at the Fifth Level of Blood Nourishing. From now on, we'll be teammates. Please take care of me."
Dongfang Yueming nodded and shook hands with him.
"The Dongfang Yueming. It's not about taking care of them, but about helping each other out."
In the instant they shook hands, Dongfang Yueming keenly noticed the thick calluses on Zhu Hao's mouth and palm. The location and hardness of those calluses were definitely not from practicing martial arts, but rather... the marks of years of holding a knife!
[A swordsman? And quite skilled at it.]
Dongfang Yueming calmly withdrew his hand.
"Have you two finished exchanging pleasantries?"
A cold, authoritative voice interrupted their conversation.
Xiahou Ying, dressed in a tight-fitting black combat suit that perfectly accentuated her tall figure, walked over with a long sword slung over her shoulder and an expressionless face.
"Now that everyone's here, let's set off."
Her words were brief and to the point, showing no intention of trying to get close to the two of them.
"Xiahou, wait a minute!" Zhu Hao quickly put on a smile and rubbed his hands together. "The area outside the city is fraught with danger. Shouldn't we discuss our tactics first? Or perhaps check our supplies again...?"
There's no need for that.
Xiahou Ying gave him a cold glance.
"You two, just don't cause me any trouble."
Dongfang Yueming keenly sensed the powerful, yet concealed, fluctuations of qi and blood emanating from Xiahou Ying.
[His vital energy surged like a rainbow, accompanied by the faint sounds of wind and thunder...]
[Seventh Level of Blood Nourishing!]
[Looks like she made a breakthrough last night. No wonder she's so confident.]
Zhu Hao wanted to persuade her further, but seeing Xiahou Ying's unyielding gaze, he could only smile awkwardly and shut his mouth.
Just as the three were preparing to set off.
"Sakura-chan! Wait a minute!"
A few boys from the next group quickly walked over. The one in the lead, with dyed blond hair, smiled ingratiatingly and said, "It's not safe outside the city, so why don't our two groups travel together? That way, we can look out for each other."
"Roll."
Xiahou Ying didn't even look at him properly, simply uttered a single word, and turned to leave.
The blond-haired boy's smile froze on his face, his complexion turning pale and then red, but he dared not retaliate.
Zhu Hao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Drop--"
After passing through the towering steel walls of the base city, the three officially entered the "wilderness zone."
And shortly after they left.
Inside the watchtower above the city gate, a pair of cold and sharp eyes were fixed on Dongfang Yueming's departing figure.
Senior student and student union disciplinary committee member – Zhan Qiushui!
She was tall and slender, dressed in a smart and practical outfit, holding a sheathed Tang sword in her hand, exuding a cold aura that kept strangers at bay.
"Buzz--"
Her phone vibrated; it was an encrypted text message.
[Remember, do not act rashly!]
Zhan Qiushui looked at the text on the screen, snorted coldly, and rapidly tapped the screen with her slender fingers.
[I know.]
She put away her phone, her gaze returning to the vast wilderness, a resolute light flashing deep within her eyes.
Those scum hiding in the shadows will definitely be after him.
[You only want me to observe? That's a joke!]
[Let them show their true colors, then I'll see if their claws are harder, or my blade is sharper!]
[Those who made the move were probably just some Blood Refining Realm Rat who couldn't stand the light of day. What do I, Zhan Qiushui, have to fear!]
On the other side of the city gate, in a dark corner.
A man in a gray trench coat with a sinister face also withdrew his gaze from Dongfang Yueming.
Xiahou Jing.
One of the stewards in the Xiahou Family who was specifically responsible for handling the "dirty work".
"Is this the blood offering the young master ordered?"
He stuck out his scarlet tongue and licked his dry lips, his eyes filled with cruelty and greed.
"Young and vibrant, it looks like it should taste great."
"Next, it's my turn to appear."
Xiahou Jing took out an exquisite storage bag from his bosom.
Inside were two Profound Grade Blood Nourishing techniques and several bottles of potent medicines that could forcibly stimulate the production of blood and qi.
"First, cleverly deliver these 'bait' into his hands."
"Once he tasted the benefits, he was overjoyed and cultivated relentlessly, pushing his qi and blood to their limits..."
"That was the perfect moment for him to be served at the young master's table!"
Hehehehe...