Chapter 311: Let The Star Sea’s Wild Waves Rise; A Single Cold Edge Sweeps Across It All
“Obsidian Martial Arts Hall?”
“Are you sure you are not mistaken?”
The White Masked Youth looked at the subordinate making the report and could not help but confirm again and again.
He had thought Obsidian Martial Arts Hall was just a faction that had only recently risen in the Mist Mountain Region and would not pose any threat at all to their Red Moon Merchant Guild. He did not expect that just as Elder Kuilang was thinking of extorting something from them, Obsidian Martial Arts Hall immediately gave him a harsh counterblow.
In the City of Light Chasing, the profits from the B-grade battle armor in his shop accounted for fully more than half, and the main customers were the various gangs in the city.
Although these gangs were not very strong, and even the gangs in the suburbs rarely had martial artists sitting in town, they controlled quite a few miniature energy veins in the wilderness and often traded with vagrants. From time to time, they would get some good items to sell to him, earning him quite a lot.
If these gangs all spent their accumulations to buy weapons instead, then the future profits of his shop would be reduced by half. At the end of the year, let alone any promotion to general store manager, it would already be good if headquarters did not send him to pioneer in the forbidden zone.
“Absolutely sure.” The Blood Pattern Clan Youth nodded. “Those weapons sold by many big shops must be activated with Lightning Palm, and Lightning Palm belongs exclusively to Obsidian Martial Arts Hall. Previously only those grey-robed disciples and Martial Arts Hall Guard Corps disciples could learn it. Now if you buy those weapons, Lightning Palm Upper Volume is directly included. It can be confirmed Obsidian Martial Arts Hall is the one selling. Moreover, it is not only for sale here in the City of Light Chasing. It seems all major cities in the Mist Mountain Region have them for sale.”
“I understand. Go down and rest.”
The White Masked Youth let out a deep breath, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness. After dismissing his subordinate and remaining silent for a long time, he entered a secret chamber underground alone.
At this moment, inside the secret chamber, a Blood Pattern Clan Old Man was cultivating. With each breath he took, terrifying energy storms swept through the chamber. This Blood Pattern Clan Old Man was Kui Lang, one of the few Peak High-level Blood Condensation Realm martial artists in the entire Mist Mountain Region, a Blood Condensing Realm master that even the Mist Mountain Domain City had to take seriously.
Kuilang only stopped his routine cultivation when he sensed the White Masked Youth entering.
“What is it? Did someone from Obsidian Martial Arts Hall come to trade?” Kuilang asked with some excitement.
Now he was only half a step away from that legendary Heavenly Human Realm, but relying on his current early Heavenly Human Realm cultivation method to charge into the Heavenly Human Realm, his chances of success were slim.
To increase the success rate, he had to make a great contribution to the Red Moon Merchant Guild and redeem a precious treasure from headquarters.
One hundred guard robots and one Limit Breaking Level Martial Skill: such a contribution would be enough for him to redeem a precious treasure and then attempt to break into the Heavenly Human Realm. As long as he succeeded, the sky would be the limit.
“Elder Kuilang, these are some of the things Obsidian Martial Arts Hall did.” The White Masked Youth spoke as he took out a compiled document. “Because of those weapons Obsidian Martial Arts Hall is suddenly selling, B-grade battle armor has become a complete joke. Not only my shop, but I estimate all cities in the Mist Mountain Region will see their profits cut by half…”
If it were only his shop’s profits cut in half, he might still be able to conceal it from headquarters. But if the shops in all the major cities of the Mist Mountain Region had their profits halved, it would definitely alarm headquarters; it would be impossible to hide.
When headquarters investigated the reason then, he would be in serious trouble.
“What an Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, what a Lin Qi!” Looking at the document in his hand, Kuilang’s expression turned as dark as water. In his agitation, the document was directly shaken into powder in his hands, and the overflowing qi and blood almost knocked the White Masked Youth, whose strength had reached the Bone Forging Realm Advanced Level Limit, to the ground.
“Elder Kuilang, what should we do now?” The White Masked Youth asked anxiously. “I am afraid this matter will be reported to headquarters soon.”
After thinking for a moment, Kuilang directly took out a blood-red pendant and handed it to the White Masked Youth, speaking very seriously. “Since Obsidian Martial Arts Hall is not in a hurry, we will give them some pressure. Take this pendant and go find the Dragon Hunting Corps. They have been operating in the Tianhe Region recently. Ask them to help Smiling Skull clear out the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall disciples in the Mountain of the Dead. I believe they will not refuse.”
“Directly mobilize the Dragon Hunting Corps?” The White Masked Youth looked at the blood-red pendant in his hand, his voice trembling a little.
Their Red Moon Merchant Guild had a dozen or so corps pioneering in the forbidden zones. These corps were also symbols of the Red Moon Merchant Guild’s strength. Among them, the Dragon Hunting Corps could rank in the top five of all the corps, able to hunt high-level cataclysmic monsters as easily as playing.
Normally, these corps only obeyed the headquarters president’s orders. The elders of the Merchant Guild were only on equal footing with the corps leaders in status. The Dragon Hunting Corps usually did not even give face to the great elders of the Merchant Guild. It was hard to imagine that a single blood-red pendant could invite the Dragon Hunting Corps to act.
“Go quickly and return quickly. I will do my best to suppress the news in each city on my side.” Kuilang ordered directly.
“Yes!” The White Masked Youth immediately nodded and left, not daring to stay even a moment longer.
…
Early morning, three days later.
In Chiyue Town, inside the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall intermediate gravity room.
Sitting cross-legged in the intermediate gravity room, Lin Qi’s whole body suddenly trembled. His body, which had grown as strong as an ox from long-term exercise, seemed to deflate like a punctured ball. All the muscles on his body, and even his build, began to shrink.
From slightly over two meters tall, in less than ten seconds he returned to his original one meter eighty. The muscles all over his body became as evenly proportioned as those of a leopard.
“Good. This body strengthening secret technique has reached the Second Level Perfection!” Lin Qi opened his eyes and looked at his body, feeling very pleased in his heart.
After spending three days, he finally trained his body to the level of the Second Layer Perfection Realm, allowing his body to undergo a significant metamorphosis.
Lin Qi then opened his system panel to check.
Host: Lin Qi.
Age:
Administrator permissions: level three.
Permission level: level four merit-based admission authority.
Martial arts level: Bone Forging Realm Advanced Level martial artist.
Strength: 31,2 + 9,600 kilograms. （Bone Forging Realm Advanced Level martial artist standard: 12,000 kilograms）
Speed: 6 + 96 meters per second. （Bone Forging Realm Advanced Level martial artist standard: 115 meters per second）
Internal organs: internal refinement and strengthening completed 150%.
Bone tempering: whole body bone tempering completion 85%.
Cultivation method: Startling Spirit Breathing Technique （Dark Light Cultivation Method Third Level proficient 12%, Cloud Mist Cultivation Method Third Level proficient 8%, Reverse Star Cultivation Method Third Level proficient 15%）
“It improved this much?” Lin Qi could not help but click his tongue as he looked at his panel data.
After obtaining the newly optimized fusion of the three cultivation methods, he did not popularize these three new cultivation methods to all players, but instead made them cultivation methods that only core disciples could practice, completely distinguishing players between inner disciples and core disciples.
However, even though the number of players cultivating the new methods decreased, he himself still relearned all three within just three days, reaching proficient level with all of them. His physical fitness had increased quite a bit, but at the Bone Forging Realm Advanced Level, his strength had only reached a little over 25 tons.
Yet now, just by reaching the Second Layer Perfection Realm of the body strengthening secret technique, his basic body strength had increased by 6 tons. In addition, the extra strength increased from 3,200 kilograms at First Level Perfection directly to 9,600 kilograms, and his speed skyrocketed by an extra 96 meters per second. It was simply defying the heavens.
In other words, even without activating the Transcendent State, relying purely on his physical fitness, he could match an Initial Stage Blood Coagulation expert. After all, the standard strength for an Initial Stage Blood Coagulation martial artist was only 45 tons, while without any buff he had already reached 41 tons. It would not be an exaggeration to call him the strongest Bone Forging Realm martial artist beneath the Blood Condensation Realm.
Lin Qi then walked to the testing instrument in the intermediate gravity room and casually punched the strength tester.
Bang!
The intermediate gravity room, which was entirely modified with C6-grade alloy, trembled slightly, and the strength tester displayed an astounding value.
8 tons!
“Can Second Level Perfection of the body strengthening secret technique raise the overall physical fitness by 50%?” Lin Qi was also shocked as he looked at the test result.
Ever since his Reverse Star Hand reached First Level Perfection, its strength buff could increase his power by 35%, a heaven-defying boost to physical strength.
As for Thunderous Mountain Movement, another Limit Breaking Level Martial Skill he had perfected, although it also provided a powerful buff like the Supernatural Level Divine Might, it only increased qi and blood intensity and total qi and blood. Thunderous Mountain Movement could raise qi and blood intensity by 50% and total qi and blood by 30%. For those who used qi and blood and internal force, the improvement could be said to be heaven-defying.
But compared to the Second Level Perfection of the body strengthening secret technique, Thunderous Mountain Movement was clearly a notch inferior.
“Looks like I must obtain that inheritance metal plate as soon as possible.”
Lin Qi’s eyes burned with a trace of fervor as he looked at the effects of the body strengthening secret technique.
Just Second Level Perfection had such an effect. If he cultivated it to Third Level and Fourth, he could hardly imagine how great the improvement would be.
Just as Lin Qi was planning to test his body toughness, the door of the intermediate gravity room was pushed open by a figure.
“Hall master, the advanced students have almost all arrived. What training arrangements should we give them?” Qin Mu, vice leader of the Martial Arts Hall Guard Corps, inquired.
Compared to three days ago, Qin Mu had already advanced from a martial artist to an Initial Stage Bone Forging Realm expert. His strength had undergone a tremendous transformation.
“Looks like those resources were not wasted.” Lin Qi glanced at Qin Mu and could not help but nod, then instructed, “Since those advanced students are here, let them train with you all as usual. The meditation room, gravity room, and cultivation tower will be open as normal.”
“Hall master, what if they want to learn our set martial skills?” Qin Mu asked worriedly.
The set martial skills he was learning now started at High-Class Super-Class Martial Skill, with power comparable to Extreme Super-Class Martial Skill. Although learning these martial skills could not compare with learning Limit Breaking Level Martial Skills, in the Mist Mountain Region, they were still top-tier martial skills. Teaching them to others would feel like a huge loss.
“Other than Startled Swan Steps, if anyone wants to learn the matching martial skills, it does not matter if you all teach them, as long as they can learn them.” Lin Qi nodded with a smile.
Three days ago, he had briefly tested the members of the guard corps to see whose cultivation talent was good enough to learn independently without relying on the meditation room.
Among them, Qin Mu, Xiong Yuedie, Xia Ling, and Estina met his requirements. Without using the meditation room, they learned one of the three new cultivation methods solely by themselves. Their talent was extremely high, and they had future potential to impact the Heavenly Human Realm.
So for these four, he officially began investing large sausages and big bananas from the roulette wheel, planning to let them first quickly reach the Blood Condensation Realm so they could share more management duties for him in the future.
Now looking at Qin Mu, Qin Mu had not disappointed him. In just three days, he had advanced from an advanced martial artist to the Bone Forging Realm, progressing at a stunning pace.
“By the way, how is the modification of the large training field I asked you to do?” Lin Qi asked.
The performance field required an independent space of ten thousand square meters. It was also the best training room he gained after his administrator permissions were upgraded to level three. If it could be transformed quickly, it would be greatly beneficial for both players and local disciples.
“It should be completed by tomorrow.” Qin Mu replied with slight embarrassment.
“Not bad.” Lin Qi nodded with a smile. “Next, take those advanced students to the advanced training room to test their baseline. They paid so much money; when they go back, they must gain something.”
The sale of training quotas back then was not only to earn energy crystals but also to make a name for Obsidian Martial Arts Hall. Upgrading his administrator permissions required a massive number of disciples, and these advanced students were his living advertisements.
“Yes!” Qin Mu bowed and quickly left.
Outside the martial hall in Chiyue Town, fifty geniuses from various major factions had already gathered. The weakest among them was at the Initial Stage Bone Forging Realm, while the strongest had reached the Bone Forging Realm Advanced Level Limit.
They sized one another up, each regarding the others as competitors and full of vigilance.
However, among these people, two men were completely unconcerned with the others. Instead, the two carefully observed the players passing by around them.
“How much strength has this Obsidian Martial Arts Hall hidden? Why are there so many grey-robed disciples?” Alec, vice city lord of Star Tower City, looked at the laughing and chatting players on the street and could not help but sigh.
Back in Furious Wind Town, when their two families joined forces, they had still been overwhelmed when facing the siege of a thousand Obsidian Martial Arts Hall disciples, and Furious Wind Town ultimately fell.
But now, the number of grey-robed disciples they saw along the way was astonishing. Just the martial artists they had seen already numbered no fewer than three thousand, with more than forty in the Bone Forging Realm. Considering their ability to transform, just thinking about it made one’s scalp tingle.
“There are indeed many grey-robed disciples in this Obsidian Martial Arts Hall.” Huang Lang beside him also sighed. “But according to the information our leader obtained, even if Smiling Skull were not dealing with Obsidian Martial Arts Hall in the Mountain of the Dead, Obsidian Martial Arts Hall would likely be killed by the arriving Dragon Hunting Corps.”
“The Dragon Hunting Corps? The one belonging to the Red Moon Merchant Guild? Why are they going after Obsidian Martial Arts Hall?” Alec could not help but be surprised.
The Dragon Hunting Corps was almost universally known in the Four Regions. Though the corps only had one thousand members, the number of catastrophe level monsters that had died by their hands exceeded thirty. Until now, the Dragon Hunting Corps had only lost a few dozen people. Their strength was so terrifying that even Smiling Skull had never dared provoke them.
“Yes, it is them.” Huang Lang said slowly. “From what I have heard, it seems Obsidian Martial Arts Hall stole the business of the Red Moon Merchant Guild, so the Dragon Hunting Corps was dispatched. They may arrive at Mist Mountain Domain City today and negotiate with the domain city. If they can persuade Mist Mountain Domain City, Obsidian Martial Arts Hall will be in danger.”
“No way. Will the domain city allow such a thing?” Alec was shocked.
The domain city had always forbidden outside forces from rampaging against local factions in its jurisdiction, especially attacking major cities. Doing so would bring the domain city’s full pursuit.
“That I do not know.” Huang Lang shook his head, then saw Qin Mu walking out. “The leader’s people are here. Let us go as well.”
Alec nodded and followed.
Although they did not know whether the Dragon Hunting Corps would attack, they absolutely had to quickly learn Limit Breaking Level Martial Skills. Otherwise, they would have no way to explain themselves to the city lords behind them.
…
In the Mountain of the Dead, within a dense forest canyon.
Several figures in silver-gray clothing moved quickly through the forest. A man in his thirties, with only mid-level apprentice strength, was at the center, while several young men and women in their early twenties guarded around him.
“Well? Is there any ore here?” Han Xiong, whose strength had reached the beginner martial artist level, asked in a low voice.
The other young men and women present, whose strength had likewise reached the martial artist level, all looked at the man in his thirties, their expressions extremely tense.
“Yes! There is an energy vein here! And the reserves are not small. It is very likely a medium or larger energy vein.” The man in his thirties tapped the rock with his shovel, joy on his face.
“A medium or larger energy vein? Then we are rich, right?” Han Xiong was also extremely excited.
Wilderness players mining on their own basically did not need to hand over their harvests. If their team had its own energy vein, they would probably never have to worry about food and drink again.
But just as everyone had no time to be excited for long, a loud rumble came from the sky. Three sky battleships more than three hundred meters long stopped above them. On the decks stood many Blood Condensing Realm masters. Even separated by five to six hundred meters, their presence made the faces of Han Xiong and the others turn grim.
“Who are these people?”
While Han Xiong and the others were still puzzled, they saw a Blood Pattern Clan Middle-aged Man floating in midair from the battleship, playing with marbles in his hand. The moment he saw Han Xiong and the others, the marbles shot out rapidly from his hand.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh…
The sound of breaking air was like a storm. Before Han Xiong and the others could react, everything before their eyes went black.
“Dead? I am just dead like this?”
“Who was that? A boss?”
Inside the virtual game pods, everyone stared blankly at the pitch-black screens.
Just relying on the marbles in his hand, he had shot from more than five or six hundred meters away, and they, as martial artists, did not even know when they had been hit. It was simply unbelievable.
“Brother Xiong, what do we do now? There is a medium or larger energy vein there. Are we going to give it up?” A young man could not help asking.
The man standing on the battleship was clearly not someone small martial artists like them could contend with, but they were also reluctant to give up a medium or larger energy vein.
“What else can we do? Call reinforcements.”
“Just say we found a world boss here. If they want to kill it, come quickly!”
