The recent period of cultivation had deepened his understanding of the realm considerably. Gu Sheng opened the panel to check his progress.
[Name]: Gu Sheng
[Age]: 17
[Realm]: Bone Refining Realm (Copper Bone)
[Martial Arts]: Chopping Wood (First-level Tearing), Archery (First-level Penetration), Iron Stone Fist (First-level Massive Power), Shapeshifting (First-level Strong Body), Snake Breath Skill (First-level Snake Breath), Flying Thunder Leg (First-level Lightning Speed), Golden Body Skill (Perfect 30%), Blood Fury Three Forms (Perfect 44%), Helian Weapon Casting Skill (Small Success 75%), Blood Activation Skill (Small Success 85%), Shadow Concealment Skill (Entry-Level 58%)
...
Through this period of cultivation, Shadow Concealment Skill was only 42% away from achieving Small Success.
Once Shadow Concealment Skill reached Small Success, its effects would transform dramatically. Gu Sheng had seen Qian Jin wield it, and its impact was nothing short of astonishing!
The visual effect of invisibility, paired with the Shattering Star Crossbow equipped with a silencer, was truly the perfect combination for ambushes!
Gu Sheng carefully reviewed the skills on his panel before beginning an analysis of his current state.
Although Chopping Wood, Archery, Iron Stone Fist, and Flying Thunder Leg had all reached the level of special effects, as his cultivation grew daily, these skills were gradually failing to keep pace with his progress.
Archery, bolstered by the powerful Shattering Star Crossbow, was still passable and performed well in combat. However, the tearing effect of Chopping Wood, the massive power of Iron Stone Fist, and the lightning speed of Flying Thunder Leg were starting to seem insignificant. If he advanced to the Silver Bone Realm, these skills would have little practical value for him.
"It seems I need to accelerate my cultivation of Golden Body Skill. If the fusion effect of the three body-refining martial arts isnât satisfactory, Iâll have to find a way to learn other martial arts."
The Holy Pill Sect boasted a plethora of martial arts, including Yellow Level and even Dark Level techniques. However, such graded martial arts were extremely rare treasures not only within the Holy Pill Sect but also in other sects. Their value rivaled that of the Guiding Method, accessible only to a select few.
While graded martial arts were currently beyond Gu Shengâs reach, he could still aspire to second-rate and first-rate techniques.
Every official disciple of the Holy Pill Sect had the opportunity to enter the Scripture Pavilion, where many second-rate and first-rate martial arts could be exchanged for sect contribution points.
Although Gu Sheng had never been to the Scripture Pavilion, the pricing of those martial arts was undoubtedly steep, judging from the disciplesâ promotion mechanisms!
Back when Gu Sheng first started practicing martial arts, he worried about money. Now, he was troubled by sect contribution points.
Fortunately, his luck wasnât too bad. With the sectâs Killing Order in place, he could earn a large number of contribution points by hunting down members of the Thousand Poison Sect en masse.
Gu Sheng entered a state of cultivation, unaware of time passing.
It turned out that Wu Xinyu held significant weight in his fatherâs heart.
Upon receiving the news, Wu Gui rushed over from the Thousand Poison Sect without hesitation.
"Where is my son?"
Outside the attic, a corpulent, greasy man wearing a purple robe with golden trim questioned Baixue Yuzi coldly.
This man was none other than Wu Xinyuâs father, the Second Elder of the Thousand Poison Sect, Wu Gui!
Baixue Yuzi naturally recognized Wu Gui. She smiled at him and said, "Mr. Wu, your speed truly isnât disappointing. Your son is in my masterâs attic. Please wait a moment while I go notify him."
Wu Gui shot a cold glare at the attic but refrained from acting out.
Baixue Yuzi lifted the restriction and entered the attic, surprised to find Gu Sheng sitting cross-legged in deep cultivation with his eyes tightly shut. "So diligent! Even this brief moment isnât wasted. No wonder he reached the Copper Bone Realm at just seventeen years old. Such dedicationâremarkable!"
Baixue Yuzi gently patted Gu Shengâs shoulder a few times to wake him. "Stop cultivating for now. Wu Gui is here."
After Baixue Yuzi went upstairs to inform him, the atticâs restriction was lifted, and Lu Junyi descended with a loud voice, "Since youâre already here, come on in. Weâre all old acquaintances."
Wu Gui walked into the attic with a grim expression. Upon spotting Wu Xinyu curled into a corner, his face was filled with sorrow.
"Father! Youâre finally here. I was so scared. Wahhhh..."
Seeing Wu Gui, Wu Xinyu darted into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably like a child.
Wu Gui felt heartbroken upon seeing his sonâs injuries. He turned angrily to Lu Junyi and demanded, "Lu Junyi! Itâs one thing for you to detain my son, but how could you beat him like this? Do you really think Iâm someone to be trifled with?"
Lu Junyi didnât respond immediately. He leisurely poured himself a cup of tea, drank it in one gulp, and finally said, "Your Thousand Poison Sect issued a Killing Order, stating that disciples below the Golden Bone Realm in the Red Cloud Mountain Range are free to be killed. Your son disregarded the rules and hunted our sectâs disciples in the Red Cloud Mountain Range, only to be caught after failing in skill. Whoâs to blame? If it werenât for him being fortunate enough to be your son, do you think heâd still be alive? A mere injury is perfectly normal."
Wu Gui erupted in rage upon hearing this: "Stop spouting nonsense! You call this a mere injury?"
Wu Gui intentionally held up Wu Xinyuâs hand, which had been pierced by Gu Shengâs Shattering Star Crossbow, for Lu Junyi to see.
The Shattering Star Crossbow, bolstered by First-level Penetration and Tearing effects, had obliterated most of Wu Xinyuâs hand, leaving only a thread of blood and flesh at the edges. It was past the point of healing; the hand was crippled.
Lu Junyi raised an eyebrow and grinned: "You should be grateful. He only lost a hand. Others lost their lives! Stop wasting my time; hand over a Yellow Level Low Grade treasure and leave with your people. Iâm quite busy and donât have time to argue here."
After rummaging through Wu Xinyuâs belongings, Wu Gui found nothing and glared at Lu Junyi. "Youâve already taken my sonâs Soul-snatching Arrow. How can you shamelessly ask me for another Yellow Level Low Grade treasure?"
Lu Junyi spread his hands, feigning helplessness: "I didnât take your sonâs Soul Chasing Arrow; it was confiscated by our sectâs disciples. Besides, redemption fees are redemption fees, and spoils of war are spoils of war. The two must not be conflated."
Wu Gui was enraged by Lu Junyiâs shamelessness: "Lu Junyi! Youâre elderly; isnât this disgraceful behavior unbecoming? Regardless, I donât have any extra treasures for you. I am taking my son away today! I refuse to believe youâll dare stop me!"
As he spoke, a powerful aura emanated from Wu Gui.
The atmosphere was like a storm, pressing down on Gu Sheng and Baixue Yuzi, their faces pale and bodies trembling.
A somewhat weaker aura radiated from Lu Junyi, enveloping Gu Sheng and Baixue Yuzi and dissipating the stifling pressure.
Gu Shengâs heart pounded furiously as he stared at Wu Gui with a heavy gaze: "So this is the oppression of a Marrow Refining Realm expert? The sheer aura is terrifying; how powerful would he be in combat?"
Rather than feeling disheartened, Gu Sheng was fired up, his fighting spirit ignited. It reminded him of the moment years ago when he witnessed Gu Jingang slaughter the Black Kill Gang with awe-inspiring might!
At that time, Gu Jingang had been a towering figure in his heart, and Gu Sheng vowed to surpass him. Years of cultivation proved he could. Now, faced with someone as strong as Wu Gui, he saw yet another towering mountain. Gu Sheng firmly believed he would surpass him!
"You donât need to posture here. The doorâs right there; I wonât stop you. If you want to leave, just go. But if you end up tearing down my attic or injuring this old body of mine, it wonât be something a mere Yellow Level Low Grade treasure can settle."
Lu Junyiâs tone was calm as he brushed off Wu Guiâs display of strength, seemingly indifferent and willing to let them leave.
Wu Gui shot a cold glance at Lu Junyi: "Hmph! You doddering fool, youâre wise to know your place. This matter with my son isnât over. Iâll ensure your Holy Pill Sect pays a hefty price for this!"
Emboldened by Wu Guiâs backing, Wu Xinyuâs attitude hardened. He cast a venomous glare at Gu Sheng: "Gu Sheng! Youâd better hide in the Holy Pill Sect for life, or Iâll make you pay with blood!"
Gu Sheng responded by silently raising his middle finger and rubbing it against his nose repeatedly, his eyes full of disdain.
Watching Wu Gui and Wu Xinyu leave the attic, Gu Sheng asked in confusion, "Great Elder, are we really letting them go so easily? Wasnât the Yellow Level Low Grade treasure supposed to be part of the deal?"