"If you've come at me so many times, now you want to pat your ass and go!?" Wei Tao roared, blood bursting from his body as his strength focused in one place. He executed the Traveling Stone Fist throwing technique with exceptional proficiency, reaching a higher level.
Like a large rock launched by a trebuchet, the thief's corpse soared across a distance of over ten meters, crashing into the back of the thin man.
Without delay, Wei Tao hurled a large stone as a concealed weapon. Its impact resounded, causing the tree's bark to crack and branches to fall.
Caught off guard, the thin man had to hastily dodge.
In that moment, his vision turned black, and he found himself deceived, standing right in front of Wei Tao.
Startled, the thin man realized the other party's speed and power far surpassed his expectations.
This was undoubtedly a Martial Artist who had mastered the technique of qi and blood manipulation.
Had he known this, he would have never incited those fools to provoke each other.
Wei Tao descended with a punch, unleashing a powerful gust of wind pressure.
Red Line Fist, Progress Hammer!
The thin man had no choice but to cross his arms, meeting force with force to defend himself.
However, a crisp cracking sound echoed as the defensive barrier formed by his hands shattered, bending and breaking several fingers.
Wei Tao exhaled and struck again with another punch.
Directly hitting the young man's face, it caused a thick spray of blood to burst forth.
Boom!
The sky rumbled with a muffled thunder.
Raindrops the size of beans pelted down, crackling as they fell.
"If you dare to rob my belongings, you deserve to be killed by me."
Wei Tao soaked himself in the rain, carefully inspecting each thief before rummaging through their belongings in search of anything valuable.
Several others were destitute, having toiled for half a day only to find not even a single copper coin.
Only the archer brought Wei Tao a pleasant surprise.
With his own hands, Wei Tao acquired a package worth at least ten taels.
This harvest even surpassed his previous six mountain thief.
The rain grew heavier.
Dumping all the corpses into the mountain stream, Wei Tao hastened with his burden, finally arriving back at Cangyuan City just before the gates closed.
..................
Within the courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall.
Master Zhou appeared to have indulged in some evening wine, his face slightly flushed.
Lounging in a large Imperial Tutor chair, he had opened all the doors of the hall, enjoying the sound of rain outside while leisurely sipping from a teapot.
When Wei Tao entered, Master Zhou merely raised his eyelids slightly and gestured towards the stool beside him.
"Speak, is there a pressing matter that brings you to the Martial Arts Hall at such a late hour?"
Footsteps resounded from the corridor outside the hall, and Eldest Senior Brother Tan Pan and Fifth Senior Brother Peng Yue, who resided in the Martial Arts Hall, also arrived.
"Master, today I went hunting in the mountains and encountered a pack of red-capped gray wolves," Wei Tao stated directly.
"Not bad, good practice of boxing, going to the mountains to gather herbs and hunt..." Master Zhou drunkenly remarked, suddenly sitting upright. "Wait, did you say you encountered red-capped gray wolves?"
"Yes, Master, I chanced upon a pack of red-capped gray wolves," Wei Tao confirmed.
"Are you certain it was the red-capped gray wolf!?" Master Zhou's eyes immediately lit up. "Where is their specific territory?"
Wei Tao provided a detailed description, concluding with, "I also managed to kill two of them and brought their bodies back. They're in the courtyard outside."
"Take me to see," Master Zhou replied eagerly, walking out. "This group of beasts has been hiding deeper within the mountain range, making it increasingly challenging to catch them in recent years."
"If they truly are red-capped gray wolves, Little Seventh, you will have accomplished a great feat, and the Blood Activation Pill you brewed will be indispensable."
Eldest Senior Brother Tan Pan and Fifth Senior Brother Peng Yue quickly joined in, skinning and deboning the red-capped gray wolves.
They first extracted the parts necessary for brewing the Blood Activation Pill before setting up a stove in the courtyard, gathering various medicinal ingredients, and beginning the cooking process.
Not long after, Wei Tao received a large plate from Peng Yue, filled with black and mushy pieces of meat emitting a peculiar odor. He eyed them with suspicion.
Is this really the meat of the red-capped gray wolf?
Why doesn't it resemble stew at all?
However, upon seeing Master Zhou's delighted expression as he voraciously took a bite, Wei Tao followed suit and took a fierce bite himself.
Wei Tao stared wide-eyed, his senses sharpened.
This sensation was truly indescribable.
It felt like chewing on a large clump of herbs, filled with a fishy and bitter taste.
Despite the discomfort, he managed to withhold the urge to spit it out immediately, forcing himself to swallow the partially chewed piece of wolf meat with great difficulty.
Goo dong!
The wolf meat slid down his esophagus and settled in his belly.
Wei Tao glanced at the remaining pieces on the plate, hesitating. Suddenly, a surge of heat coursed through his body, making him feel as though he were intoxicated.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and activate your qi and blood!" Teacher Zhou chided, tapping his arm with a chopstick.
Wei Tao immediately understood and, while eating the meat, began to circulate his qi and blood as he had been taught.
Master Zhou's voice echoed in his mind intermittently.
"With the assistance of various medicinal ingredients, the activation of qi and blood is only temporary. To truly meet my expectations, you must expand your body's capacity for qi and blood through internal cultivation during the period of heightened medicinal efficacy."
"Every individual's physical condition is unique. Some are naturally blessed with strong constitutions, making it easier for them to stimulate greater qi and blood. However, most people possess average aptitude and can only gradually improve their bodies through diligent training."
"Skin Refinement serves as the foundation of our Red Line Fist cultivation. Once you reach the pinnacle of Skin Refinement, you can attempt to break through to the deeper level of Muscle Refinement."
"Although the skin and flesh fascia are interconnected, the internal cultivation techniques are generally the same. The differences lie in a few areas, such as external applications and internal medicine. Today, as your teacher, I'm in a good mood, so I will provide a detailed explanation of the essentials of Skin Refinement and Muscle Refinement cultivation. Remember as much as you can."
Wei Tao listened attentively, occasionally swallowing a bite of wolf meat and quickly following it with a glass of medicinal wine to stimulate his qi and blood.
As he felt the continuous warmth in his hands, his qi and blood gradually grew stronger.
He exhaled slowly, releasing impure air, and experienced a sense of comfort within his heart.
Among the eight direct disciples of the Red Line Sect, Wei Tao's aptitude was far from exceptional—some might even consider it mediocre. However, as long as he could sense progress, it was the greatest blessing he could ask for.
Time flew by, and soon it was midnight.
Wei Tao and Peng Yue began tidying up the remaining mess, preparing to marinate the rest of the wolf meat with herbs overnight to feed the other direct disciples.
Master Zhou let out a belch and drunkenly rose to his feet. "Little Pan," he called.
"Disciple is here," Tan Pan responded.
"When you return, have Little Seventh lead the way. You and Little Fifth will hunt two more red-capped gray wolves," Master Zhou instructed.
"Yes, Master."
"Remember, this must be done quietly. Don't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. If you encounter a pregnant she-wolf, make sure to hunt some prey to feed them."
"Rest assured, Disciple has taken note of it."
With his words spoken, Master Zhou stumbled towards his living quarters, with Tan Pan following closely behind.
After walking a short distance, he suddenly stopped and turned back to address the group. "After this year's inner courtyard Disciple examination, I will be heading out to the far gate. Make sure to cultivate diligently during this time and don't disappoint me when the time comes," he declared.
"Disciples will obey the teacher's orders." Wei Tao and Peng Yue put down their belongings and simultaneously bowed in agreement.