"Family Head!"
Inside the Gu Family's inner courtyard, Meng Peng's demeanor was incredibly respectful, and his eyes were filled with reverence for the strong when he looked at Gu Qingfeng.
He had personally witnessed the battle outside White Stone City.
Qin Wei, the Great Elder of the Qin Family, and Si Yuanhao, the Hall Master of the Iron Bone Gang's Divine Skill Hall, both renowned figures on the White Stone Dao, were directly suppressed and killed on the spot by the opponent.
With his own power, he had killed six Martial Artists of the Blood Refining Realm, and the weakest among them was at the mid-level.
Such strength was considered top-notch across the entire White Stone Dao.
Meng Peng had always thought that Gu Qingfeng was just an ordinary Blood Refining Realm Martial Artist.
His purpose in joining the Gu Family was to see if he had a chance to learn the Gu Family's mid-grade Martial Arts, nothing more.
But now.
Meng Peng had put aside all his small schemes, and any slight disloyalty had entirely disappeared at this moment.
In his view.
With Gu Qingfeng's terrifying strength, it wasn't impossible for the Gu Family to vie for the position of overlord of the White Stone Dao in the future.
In today's chaotic times.
The court's control over various local powers was weak.
Martial Artists who established clans and sects could be completely free from court control.
Now that the Gu Family was just starting, if Meng Peng followed Gu Qingfeng closely, dedicating his life to serve him, he would definitely benefit when the Gu Family rose.
Similarly.
If he were to betray the Gu Family, in Meng Peng's view, he probably wouldn't find a place to stay anywhere in White Stone Dao.
This was evident from how Gu Qingfeng, without even blinking, suppressed and killed six Blood Refining Realm Martial Artists using thunderous methods.
"How are things going?"
Gu Qingfeng asked indifferently, noticing the reverence in the other's eyes, which was the effect he wanted to see.
The Gu Family really didn't have many capable people on the White Stone Dao; Meng Peng had performed well in all aspects over the years, which was why he had taken Meng Peng with him to seize the Fiery Sun Divine Palm.
The purpose of doing this was to show enough strength to instill awe in others.
Loyalty.
Often required strength as a deterrent.
Meng Peng respectfully said, "Currently, the Qin Family and Iron Bone Gang are both furious, actively searching for that mysterious strong figure, but so far, no one suspects that the mysterious figure is the Family Head.
Also, things about the attempt on Yun Tianxing by the two powers have been exposed at Heavenly Cloud Sect, and I expect that Heavenly Cloud Sect will not let this go easily!"
Gu Qingfeng nodded upon hearing this.
Heavenly Cloud Sect was indeed a major force in the White Stone Dao, not as strong as the Qin Family or Iron Bone Gang, but not to be underestimated.
If neither family had truly exposed their identities, some matters could be overlooked, and Heavenly Cloud Sect might have to swallow the bitter pill.
But now.
With the identities of people from the Qin Family and Iron Bone Gang exposed, Heavenly Cloud Sect would certainly not rest.
This meant.
White Stone Dao was destined to become chaotic.
These events, in Gu Qingfeng's eyes, only had benefits and no downsides for the Gu Family.
After all, the more chaotic White Stone Dao was, the more room there was for his Gu Family to grow.
Additionally.
After this battle.
Gu Qingfeng also had a comprehensive understanding of his strength.
Although he was currently only at the mid-level of the Blood Refining Realm, if he were to fight with his full strength, he could match a peak Blood Refining Realm Martial Artist.
Looking over the entire White Stone Dao.
There were only a few peak Blood Refining Realm Martial Artists.
The only pity was.
Gu Family's foundation was ultimately too shallow.
Within the vast Gu Family, there was only Gu Qingfeng who had stepped into the Blood Refining Realm.
Even if his strength was comparable to the peak of Blood Refining, it was still difficult to suppress the entire White Stone Dao.
After all.
A powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake.
In the eyes of the powers of White Stone Dao, the Gu Family was merely an outsider.
If they had kept a low profile as before, it might have been fine, but if it was exposed that there was a strong presence at the peak of Blood Refining, they would inevitably be targeted by other powers.
Even if Gu Qingfeng was very confident in his own strength, he did not have the confidence to confront the entire White Stone Dao.
Unless.
He could break the limits of the Blood Refining Realm and advance to a higher level.
But reaching that step was easier said than done.
From the Initial Stage of Refining Skin to the Mid-level of Blood Refining, Gu Qingfeng had spent nearly ten years.
From Mid-level Blood Refining to a higher level would inevitably require even more time.
Martial Artists in the Blood Refining Realm have a lifespan of a hundred years.
Gu Qingfeng had already used up about one third of his.
His current goal was simple, as long as he could break through to a higher realm before the age of fifty.
That way.
He could also extend his lifespan a bit.
Afterwards.
Gu Qingfeng looked at Meng Peng and said solemnly, "You did well in this matter. I am aware of your purpose in joining the Gu Family.
As long as you serve the Gu Family faithfully, I will provide you with the opportunity to break through the Blood Refining Realm!"
At this point.
Gu Qingfeng took out a secret manual from his bosom and handed it to Meng Peng.
"This is the first half of the Gu Family Boxing. If you can cultivate it to Perfection, I will pass on the other half to you; then you can make your breakthrough.
However, Gu Family Boxing is of great significance, and without permission, it absolutely must not be taught to outsiders; otherwise, you should be aware of the consequences!"
"I shall serve the Family Head loyally unto death!"
Meng Peng held the Gu Family Boxing with both hands, his expression filled with excitement.
Even though what was before him was just the first half of Gu Family Boxing, and it did not involve any Blood Refining aspect, Meng Peng still saw it as a great opportunity.
Just like Martial Arts in the Refining Skin Realm.
Ordinary low-grade Martial Arts, compared to the first half of a mid-grade Martial Arts, are undoubtedly much less profound.
Although Meng Peng himself was a Martial Artist at Refining Skin Perfection, the Martial Arts he cultivated were merely ordinary, certainly no match for the refined subtlety of the Gu Family Boxing.
"Alright, you may leave now."
"I take my leave!"
Meng Peng departed.
Gu Qingfeng watched his departing figure, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Afterwards.
He took out a gilded brocade box from his bosom, then opened it to reveal a thin secret scroll, the cover boldly inscribed with several large characters.
Fiery Sun Divine Palm!
Upon acquiring top-tier mid-grade Martial Arts for the first time, Gu Qingfeng himself was somewhat excited. He immediately opened the Fiery Sun Divine Palm and began to study it carefully.
When he delved deeply into observing the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, Gu Qingfeng could comprehend the profundity of this Martial Arts; compared to the original Gu Family Boxing and Iron Body Skills and the like, it was utterly incomparable.
Half an hour later.
Gu Qingfeng put down the Fiery Sun Divine Palm, his eyes full of reflection.
"The Fiery Sun Divine Palm is indeed a top-tier mid-grade Martial Arts. This peerless art's level of profundity, even after Breakthrough, the Gu Family Boxing and Iron Body Skills cannot compare."
General Martial Arts are only divided into four stages: Beginner, Small Success, Great Success, and Perfection.
But Fiery Sun Divine Palm is different.
The Fiery Sun Divine Palm is divided into nine layers, each layered into four stages: Beginner, Small Success, Great Success, and Perfection.
The first four layers correspond to the Initial, Mid, Late, and Perfection stages of Refining Skin, while the second set of four layers correspond to the four stages of Blood Refining. As for the ninth layer, it has already reached the standards of a half-step Bone Refining.