Chapter 62: Stealth Weapons Expert? Second-Grade?

Chapter 62: Stealth Weapons Expert? Second-Grade?

These past couple of days, I've been constantly on the move, leaving me with little time to cultivate properly. Wu Yuan coaxed the blood-red mist with his consciousness, merging it seamlessly into his muscles, tendons, skin, bones, and every drop of blood.

How comfortable. The last time Wu Yuan felt the blood-red mist assimilate into his body was when he first unlocked his upper dantian lobe. At that time, he was in a semi-conscious state, and the quantity of blood-red mist was scarce. It couldn't compare to the clarity and intensity he was experiencing now.

From start to finish, Wu Yuan's strength did not seem to undergo significant improvements, but the peculiar changes in his body left him feeling increasingly comfortable and brimming with vitality. His cells were metamorphosing, his DNA continuously evolving! It was just like hammering a piece of iron over and over again. Although its weight remained unchanged, there was a qualitative improvement.

Most importantly, even as the blood-red mist surrounding the black pagoda seeped into his body, Wu Yuan felt no exhaustion or pain.

After a long time, Wu Yuan expelled a long breath and stood up. I’ve absorbed all of the blood-red mist around the black pagoda in one go? This body of his was like a gluttonous beast, ravenously absorbing the blood-red mist until there was none left!

In a few hours, my physical strength has increased by about 500 catties!

Wu Yuan lightly clenched his fist, his sinews exerting force. He could accurately gauge his strength. The blood-red mist did not directly enhance his physical strength, but the optimization of his genes still elevated it indirectly. Now, he could deliver a force of 34,000 catties with a single punch!

Second-grade martial artists, also known as Savant experts, require a minimum single-arm strength of 100,000 catties. Now, if I employ Threefold Power Surge, I will be able to surpass this threshold.

But Wu Yuan knew better. Using such a measure to judge a martial artist's true strength was grossly inaccurate. During the ambush on the boat a few days ago, both Gu Ji and the sword-wielding assassin, who were merely first-rate Adepts, easily unleashed attacks surpassing 100,000 catties in force. This was because cultivating to the third and second grades signified that the body was honed to an advanced level, and such martial artists typically mastered the Power Surge technique.

Savant experts who have mastered Threefold Power Surge can potentially unleash a force of 400,000-500,000 catties at full power. Even those who master Twofold Power Surge can still burst forth with a colossal force of 200,000 catties.

As one's physicality became stronger, martial skills began to play an increasingly significant role in bolstering overall strength. And the higher one's cultivation grade, the more remarkable the enhancement.

Thus, Wu Yuan was confident that he could defeat the majority of first-rate Adepts. But if he were to encounter a Savant expert, he would need to be careful. Regardless of how competent Wu Yuan was in martial skills, getting struck by 400,000-500,000 catties of force in a moment of carelessness meant getting pulverized into meat paste.

As for Land Rankers? As humans who have reached their biological limits, their martial skills were at least at the Rigid Yet Supple stage. Such powerhouses could burst forth with power far beyond that of a Savant expert.

Even if Wu Yuan's martial skills were slightly superior to a Land Ranker, a single blow from them would be enough to end his life. There was a simple reason for that: the gap in strength was simply too massive. This was also why Wu Yuan was trying to keep as low a profile as possible. He was still too weak, he could not afford to be arrogant just yet.

The blood-red mist is almost exhausted, but my body can still evolve. I must find a solution. A cold glint passed through Wu Yuan's eyes.

Collecting his thoughts, Wu Yuan pulled out a green jade vial from his bundle and swiftly dissolved the remaining drops of spiritual liquid into the water.

The blood-red mist amplifies potential. As for direct enhancement of physical strength, natural treasures like the spiritual liquid are required. Wu Yuan lifted the basin, downing its contents in a single gulp. Originally, I had thought that the remaining spiritual liquid would suffice for a month, maybe two, of cultivation. Yet, to my surprise, I have consumed it all within just ten days.

As the spiritual liquid entered his stomach, a surge of energy erupted forth.

Continue. Wu Yuan resumed practicing the Tiger Leopard Bone Training Technique.

With each rigorous movement, his musculoskeletal system received a profound stimulation, permeating even his innermost organs. Having experienced an increase in its biological limits, his musculoskeletal system greedily absorbed the pure energy under such stimulation.

Wu Yuan's physical constitution continued to improve.

...

East Cloudhill, Southdream City.

As the heart of the Cloudstride Sect in Southdream Province, the vantage point from the mountain granted a sweeping view of the entirety of Southdream City.

"Savant expert?" Now it was the black-robed man's turn to be surprised, "You didn't mention that before."

"This is merely a guess. The expert's skill with stealth weapons is at the first-rate Adept level," Gu Ji shook his head. "But their ability to conceal themselves is terrifying."

"From beginning to end, I did not even catch a glimpse of them, let alone notice their presence," Gu Ji continued. "If they intended to kill me, I believe it would not have been a challenging task."

"I didn't dare openly search for them during the journey, for fear of offending this mysterious expert."

The middle-aged man drew in a sharp breath. So formidable? He knew very well that Gu Ji's strength surpassed that of the average first-rate Adept. It was indeed likely that someone who could instill such fear in Gu Ji was a Savant expert.

"Alright, I shall depart first." Gu Ji stood up and stated. "Division Head Luo, I will leave the decision to include this stealth weapons expert in the report at your discretion. I will personally inform the hall master upon my return to the sect."

"Mm," the middle-aged man nodded.

The doors of the hall flew open, and like a whisper, Gu Ji vanished into thin air. The black-robed man gazed at the dimly lit trees outside the hall, lost in thought.

Is he truly protected by a Savant expert? Which sect senior is it? How much emphasis does the sect place on this Wu Yuan?

Suddenly, he remembered something important. Nearly slipped my mind. I should warn Wu Mao not to pressure Wu Yuan too much.

...

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky, Wu Yuan descended the stairs, feeling rejuvenated. He had spent the night immersed in diligent practice, and slept deeply for two hours.

"Young Master." Gu Ji came to greet him.

"Uncle Ji, you've worked hard." Wu Yuan said with a look of apology on his face, as though oblivious that Gu Ji had been gone for several hours.

"It's my duty." Gu Ji said. "Young Master, the sect has completed its investigation into the assassination attempt on your life. Division Head Luo personally delivered the findings."

"Division Head Luo?" Wu Yuan seemed a bit surprised. In recent days, his interactions with Wu Xiong and Gu Ji had granted him a glimpse into the inner workings of the Cloudstride Sect’s upper echelons.

The Cloudstride Sect was divided into five halls: the Instruction Hall, Inspection Hall, Military Hall, Finance Hall, and Civil Hall. Within each hall, the hall master commanded the highest authority, followed by the deputy hall master.

Following them in the hierarchy were the division heads. Each hall generally consisted of three division heads, each responsible for the affairs of an entire province.

The division heads of the Military Hall were also the provincial generals, each commanding the entire army of a province. The division heads of the Civil Hall served as the provincial governors, managing all administrative duties of their respective provinces. Each division head of the Instruction Hall was the headmaster of a tertiary martial academy. As for the division heads of the Inspection Hall and the Finance Hall? They did not have such fixed roles.

The Division Head Luo that Gu Ji spoke of was the highest-ranked personnel of the Finance Hall in the Southdream Province.

"This is the relevant information, please take a look, Young Master." Gu Ji handed over the scroll.

Wu Yuan reached out and took it, flipping through it quickly. Soon, he had a clear understanding of the situation and closed the scroll.

"A first-rate Adept, Luo Fu? Luohuang Province?" Wu Yuan softly pondered aloud, "What we should be worried about now is his uncle, Luo Beixiong?"

"You are correct, Young Master. Logically, Luo Beixiong should direct his fury over Luo Fu's death to the Cloudstride Sect." Gu Ji nodded. "Common sense tells us that Luo Beixiong wouldn't dare wreak havoc in the Cloudstride Sect's territory. But his only heir is dead, who knows if he’ll go mad?"

Wu Yuan slowly nodded. Theoretically, someone who had command over a province's military power wouldn't act rashly. But people were unpredictable. How mighty were the emperors of the Han Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty during the ancient eras of the Blue Planet? But after their most valued heirs died, their subsequent actions veered on the brink of lunacy. No human could maintain rationality and composure at all times. Only a machine could do that.

"Uncle Ji, what's your take on this?" Wu Yuan asked.

"For safety's sake, after verifying your abilities at the Southdream Martial Academy, it's best that you do not return to Li City, but proceed directly to the sect headquarters." Gu Ji suggested.