A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

A chilly wind blew along the road from Luochuan City to Black Wind Mountain.

The moonlight was obscured by thick, dark clouds tonight, and everything in sight was shrouded in gloom.

Because Black Wind Mountain was occupied by bandits, not to mention at night, even during the day, very few people dared to walk alone on this desolate path.

But at this moment, a young man dressed as a scholar was walking slowly and leisurely.

He seemed oblivious to the lurking dangers around him, his face thoughtful, as if he had something on his mind.

"Since Liu Zhi and Zhao Dacheng agreed to meet at the deserted temple today, why didn't Liu Zhi return to the mountains to inform them?"

The scholar muttered to himself; he was Xu Qingyi, who had been sent down the mountain by the leader of Black Wind Mountain to investigate Liu Zhi's disappearance.

This person is one of the three deputy leaders of Qinglong Village, and his cultivation has already reached the Yi Jin realm.

He had gone to Zhao Dacheng's residence in the inner city during the day to investigate. He learned from the servants of the Zhao family that several of Zhao Dacheng's friends had indeed visited a few days ago, and that Zhao Dacheng had set off this morning.

Thinking of this, Xu Qingyi frowned slightly and slowly shook her head.

He always felt that there was something strange about this whole thing.

After a moment, he stopped thinking about it and his figure swayed. His speed, which belonged to the Yi Jin realm, suddenly exploded, and he instantly appeared a hundred feet away.

He was going to that deserted temple to find out what was going on.

……

Meanwhile, in the wilderness, there was a deserted temple.

"ah--!"

A heart-wrenching scream ripped through the silent night sky.

Zhao Dacheng's blocking arm now hung limply.

He could clearly feel a cold and vicious force surging through his right arm, frantically eroding his bones.

The excruciating pain of his bones being slowly dissolved was so intense that he almost fainted.

"The Bone-Melting Palm Technique?"

Zhao Dacheng was, after all, a renowned master of the Bone Forging Realm. Even though he was in excruciating pain, he was still able to discern the origin of this insidious martial art.

This was none other than the ultimate technique of the Tianhong Martial Arts School in the inner city: the Bone-Melting Palm!

"First it was the Mountain-Shaking Fist of Qingyang Martial Arts School, and now it's the Bone-Melting Palm of Tianhong Martial Arts School. Just who are you?"

The intense pain made him dizzy, and he began to doubt the identity of the man in black robes before him once again.

"The one who'll take your life!"

Zhou Yuan didn't waste any words; he didn't want to give Zhao Dacheng any chance to breathe.

Judging from the opponent's weakening aura, that strange secret technique wouldn't last much longer.

Zhou Yuan channeled all his energy, transforming himself into a blur as he instantly attacked Zhao Dacheng.

Zhao Dacheng's eyes were bloodshot with rage; the person before him was far too vicious and treacherous!

He endured the excruciating pain and mustered the last of his strength to clash with Zhou Yuan.

However, the duration of the secret technique had ended, and his swollen body was slowly shrinking.

With the balance of power shifting, he is no longer Zhou Yuan's match.

After only a dozen or so rounds of fighting, Zhao Dacheng finally couldn't hold on any longer.

"Bang!"

Another Mountain-Shaking Fist landed squarely on his chest. His massive body could no longer maintain its imposing form, and he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

The severe injuries, coupled with the bone-deep weakness that came after activating the secret technique, caused him to collapse to the ground, his face deathly pale.

Seeing Zhao Dacheng, who had been in complete control just moments before, now lying on the ground, Wang Meng, watching from afar, could only feel endless despair on his face.

He was only at the Skin Refining Realm, and was severely injured by the man in black robes after just one exchange.

Now that Zhao Dacheng has been defeated, he has no chance of escaping punishment.

Thinking of his wife who had just given birth to his big, healthy son, and the house he had just bought in the inner city, he was filled with endless regret.

He shouldn't have come out!

Zhou Yuan stared at Zhao Dacheng, who lay motionless on the ground, his face ashen.

Although this person appears kind, he is actually alert and decisive, and his combat strength is far beyond that of ordinary Bone Forging Realm cultivators.

This is the strongest opponent he has ever encountered since his debut.

"Bang!"

Zhou Yuan stepped forward and stomped hard on Zhao Dacheng's chest, causing a large amount of blood to gush from the latter's mouth.

"Can you tell me... who... are you...?"

Zhao Dacheng said haltingly.

"cannot!"

Zhou Yuan still had no intention of revealing his identity. Although this person seemed quite kind, he was indeed cunning and vicious, and his martial arts skills and combat prowess were also quite strong, making him a formidable opponent.

He didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble. After all, there were countless examples of villains dying from talking too much, and he didn't want to make any victory speech at this time.

"Inspector Zhao, may you rest in peace."

A fierce glint flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes as he drew the woodcutter's knife that had accompanied him in slaying many enemies from his sleeve, and then brought it down with a swift motion.

Zhao Dacheng's head rolled to the ground with a thud.

Zhou Yuan remained calm. Having experienced too much bloodshed, his mind was no longer disturbed.

He crouched down and began searching Zhao Dacheng's body.

Somewhat surprisingly, this greedy inspector didn't carry a single coin.

However, he found a booklet bound with gold thread.

Zhou Yuan looked closely and saw five large characters written on the cover in a flamboyant style.

The Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.

Zhou Yuan's heart stirred slightly.

Zhao Dacheng's terrifying strength and his bizarre transformation technique must be inextricably linked to this martial art.

Moreover, just hearing the name makes it seem extraordinary.

He slowly put away the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" and then turned his gaze to Wang Meng, who was not far away.

Although this man was merely Zhao Dacheng's follower, he must have known a great deal about Zhao Dacheng's previous dealings with the bandits.

More importantly, if you don't cut the weeds at the root, they will grow back in the spring.

Therefore, this person must die.

Zhou Yuan gripped the still-dripping woodcutter's knife tightly and walked step by step toward Wang Meng.

Upon seeing this, Wang Meng was terrified, his scarred face turning ashen.

Despite his injuries, he knelt on the ground and desperately kowtowed, begging for mercy.

"Hero, spare my life! Please let me go! I have an elderly mother and a newborn son to support!"

"If you let me go, I swear I won't tell a word about what happened today! I'll do anything for you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan did not respond, but simply raised the wood-chopping knife in his hand slowly high.

But at that very moment...

A terrifying aura, far exceeding the Bone Forging Realm, emanated from outside the temple without warning, instantly locking onto him.

Zhou Yuan's pupils suddenly contracted.

This aura was extremely powerful, even stronger than Zhao Dacheng's after he had just used his secret technique.

The Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Technique) realm!

Zhou Yuan's heart sank slightly, but the wood-chopping knife in his hand not only did not stop, but became even faster.

"You brat, how dare you!"

A loud shout came from outside the temple, the sound waves rolling and making Zhou Yuan's eardrums hurt.

......