Gu Qingfeng allocated two improvement points to the Iron Body Technique, instantly elevating the inferior martial art to the realm of perfection. As soon as this happened, a flood of memories about training the Iron Body Technique surged in his mind. Gu Qingfeng felt an intense itching sensation as a layer of dead skin peeled off, revealing a bronze glow beneath.
Curious, he picked up a blade and slashed at his arm with full force. He felt only a light touch—the weapon couldn't break through his skin.
Next, Gu Qingfeng activated the Iron Body Technique and swung again. This time, the impact created a metallic clanging sound, and the blade shattered on contact.
"Excellent!" he exclaimed, thrilled by the newfound power of the perfected Iron Body Technique.
With this level of mastery, Gu Qingfeng was confident that his physical defense alone could withstand the attacks of any warrior who had perfected the Skin Refining Technique. He wasn't entirely sure yet if he could block the attacks of Blood Refining warriors, but at the very least, he now had the strength to dominate the Skin Refining Realm.
With that, he took out a Blood Refining Pill.
The pill was blood-red, exuding a strange odor that immediately made Gu Qingfeng's blood boil. Without hesitation, he swallowed it.
The pill's potent energy, far stronger than the Qi and Blood Pills he had used before, exploded within him. His body surged with vitality as waves of qi and blood coursed through his veins, washing over his skin and muscles. His entire body flushed red, like a boiled shrimp, before the effect gradually subsided, and his skin returned to its usual color.
"Phew," Gu Qingfeng exhaled deeply.
The Blood Refining Pill had done more for him in a moment than a year of rigorous training ever could. He could already feel the limits of the Skin Refining Realm pressing against him, signaling that a breakthrough into the Blood Refining Realm was near.
Typically, breaking through required specific martial arts techniques, but the Blood Refining Pill offered a shortcut. However, Gu Qingfeng knew he could only take one pill per day without risking damage to his foundation.
The next day, Gu Qingfeng went to the Jinniu Martial Arts School. The atmosphere was tense, but before he could ask what was going on, a disciple came to summon him to the lobby for an important discussion with the master.
Upon entering the lobby, Gu Qingfeng saw Xu Jun, the master of the martial arts school, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. Since joining the school, Gu Qingfeng had encountered Xu Jun only a few times, having learned that the master was often in seclusion to break through to the Blood Refining Realm.
As they exchanged greetings, Gu Qingfeng could sense that while Xu Jun's aura was powerful, it didn't exert the kind of overwhelming pressure he expected, meaning that Xu Jun had likely not yet succeeded in his breakthrough.
Xu Jun's attention shifted to Gu Qingfeng, and his expression changed slightly. "Instructor Gu, long time no see!"
"Greetings, Master," Gu Qingfeng replied, bowing respectfully.
Xu Jun gestured to a seat beside him. "Please sit. We'll begin once the other instructors arrive."
Gu Qingfeng nodded and sat, noticing the curious glances of the other senior instructors. Though he wasn't the most senior of them, Xu Jun's evident respect toward him stirred some surprise and even speculation among the others.
Before long, Xu Jun addressed the gathered instructors. "I've received troubling news. A strange blood mist has appeared outside Lin County, and everyone who entered it has died in horrific ways. Their stomachs were ripped open, and their organs removed—the same fate that befell the victims of the tragedies months ago.
"I believe Lin County has been targeted by an evil spirit."
The term "evil spirit" caused a wave of shock to ripple through the room. Gu Qingfeng, unfamiliar with the term, asked, "What exactly is an evil spirit, Master? I've never heard of it before."
Xu Jun sighed bitterly. "It's no surprise you haven't heard of them. Evil spirits leave no survivors. I only learned about them myself in my youth, by sheer luck.
"Evil spirits are beyond terrifying. Wherever they appear, they bring devastation—sometimes wiping out entire cities or turning counties into graveyards.
"Take the example of Qingjiang Prefecture and Xuanshui City. The official story is that a plague wiped out the population, but the truth is, it was an outbreak of evil spirits that killed everyone. The imperial court spread rumors of plague to cover up the real cause.
"Now, with what's happening in Lin County, I fear we are dealing with the same evil."
Xu Jun's face was filled with regret. "Had I known sooner, I would have left Lin County long ago. But now, it may be too late."