Martial Arts: My talent multiplier increased

Immediately afterwards, an extremely violent howl exploded overhead.

The treetops shook violently. A huge, dark shadow descended from the sky.

"boom!"

The landing point was exactly where Tie Meng was about to step down.

A large crater was smashed into the ground. Debris flew everywhere, hitting the surrounding tree trunks with a loud crackling sound.

A snake-lizard, over two zhang long, lay at the bottom of the pit. Its entire body was covered with grayish-white stone scales, the same color as the surrounding rocks.

Its forepaws, sharper than a blade, plowed three half-foot-deep furrows into the hard bluestone ground.

Late stage of Bone Refining Realm.

If Tie Meng had stomped down just now, those three claws would have already ripped out his internal organs.

Tie Meng's back was instantly soaked with sweat.

Cold sweat trickled down my spine.

The thing was hidden in the tree, odorless and silent. Even he, a veteran mercenary who had lived a life of bloodshed for five years, didn't notice it at all.

How did this kid know?

Tie Meng's Adam's apple bobbed wildly. He looked at the back of Fang Yuan's head.

That wasn't the look you give a sixteen-year-old boy. It was the look you give a monster.

Fang Yuan did not look at the snake lizard.

He avoided the large pit and continued walking in a different direction.

The lizard didn't give chase. The instant Fang Yuan threw the stone, it sensed a dangerous aura that made it extremely uncomfortable. Its beastly instincts led it to lie low.

Tie Meng quickly followed.

The next hour.

Fang Yuan called for the team to stop three times.

The first time. Ahead lay a seemingly flat, open space. Fang Yuan had Tie Meng throw a rock weighing several tens of kilograms towards it. The rock landed, and the ground instantly collapsed. A disguised abyss-like fissure appeared. Below lay a dark, unfathomably deep abyss.

The second time. A stream flowed through the woods. The water was crystal clear. Tie Meng was about to cup some water to wash his face when Fang Yuan kicked his hand away. Water droplets splashed onto Tie Meng's iron arm guards, instantly corroding them into pits. Corrosive mineral venom.

The third time. A thicket of bushes covered in red berries. Fang Yuan circled it for a full mile, refusing to get close. Tie Meng later realized it was a nest of hundreds of fist-sized poisonous bees.

three times.

Tie Meng was completely speechless.

He slowed his pace, moving from standing shoulder to shoulder with Fang Yuan to a half-step behind.

This is the unspoken rule in the mercenary world.

The one walking in front is the bait, and the one following half a step behind is the guide.

He entrusted his life to Fang Yuan's eyes.

Fang Yuan noticed the change in Tie Meng's position.

They didn't say anything.

keep going.

The Divine Soul Perception Network suddenly detected a very subtle fluctuation.

Fifteen zhang to the right front. A stone wall overgrown with weeds. At the base of the stone wall are several large stones, each several people high.

Fang Yuan changed direction and headed straight for the pile of rocks.

Tie Meng followed suit step by step.

Reaching the stone, Fang Yuan squeezed sideways into the gap between the two boulders.

The iron-clad man was so big that he kept groaning as he was squeezed.

At the end of the crevice was a natural cave about the height of a person.

The entrance to the cave was completely obscured by several thick vines. To the naked eye, it was impossible to tell that there was a cave there.

Fang Yuan drew his short knife and cut the vines.

A rich aroma of herbs wafted over.

Tie Meng took a deep breath, and his eyes lit up instantly.

The two entered the cave.

The cave is not large, only about half the size of a room. The surrounding rock walls are covered with various kinds of glowing moss.

On the central stone platform, there grew seven or eight medicinal herbs.

Fang Yuan's gaze swept over them quickly.

Purple Heart Vine, Earth Dragon Root, and White Jade Mushroom. These are all low- to mid-grade spiritual herbs, and can be sold for tens of taels of silver per plant in the outside world.

His gaze finally settled on the two plants at the deepest part of the stone platform.

A plant entirely crimson, its leaves resembling burning flames. The Crimson Flame Flower.

A crystal-clear plant, its roots and stems covered with a thin layer of white frost. Ice Silkworm Grass.

High-grade elixir.

Fang Yuan took out a leather bag and deftly uprooted all the medicinal herbs and packed them away.

Tie Meng watched from the side without making a move.

According to the rules, whoever discovers it keeps it. He didn't dare utter a sound.

Fang Yuan's mind was racing.

Double the comprehension is unlocked.

Crimson Flame Flower. Extremely hot attribute.

Yangyan Dan. An experimental product developed in the secret chamber of Baicaotang.

The formula was quickly broken down in my mind.

If you crush the Crimson Flame Flower and extract its fire toxin, you can replace the Blazing Sun Grass in the original recipe. The temperature should be controlled at 70%. The cold water quenching step should be delayed by half a breath.

The success rate of pill formation can be increased by 30%.

Most importantly, the drug's effectiveness can be doubled. The period of weakness caused by side effects can be shortened by half.

An extremely clear improved formula took shape in my mind.

Key moments are etched into memory.

Fang Yuan stuffed the leather bag into his pocket.

"Find a place to camp."

into the night.

The cold light from the dome overhead dimmed, turning into a deep, eerie blue.

The two found a sheltered cave.

No fire was lit. Lighting a fire in a secret realm is tantamount to suicide.

Fang Yuan sat cross-legged on the ground, closing his eyes to rest.

Tie Meng leaned against the rock wall, holding a piece of dried meat in his hand, tearing it apart with a crunching sound.

After chewing for a while, Tie Meng swallowed the dried meat.

"Brother Fang."

Fang Yuan didn't open his eyes. "Speak."

Tie Meng's voice sounded particularly rough in the dark cave.

"You saved my life today and helped me avoid so many pitfalls."

"I, Tie Meng, don't take favors for nothing. But I have to be frank with you."

Fang Yuan opened his eyes. He looked at him in the faint blue light from outside the cave.

"I entered the Beast Cave not for any medicinal herbs or minerals."

Tie Meng's fists were clenched tightly.

"I'm here to kill someone."

"Two years ago, there was an iron ore vein thirty miles outside Blackstone City. Shi Potian had his eye on that vein. My father was the mine manager, and he led his men to defend it to the death."

"Shi Potian sent his personal guards."

"My father's legs were smashed inch by inch from the knees down."

"My brother was only twelve years old at the time. He rushed up and bit them, and they chopped off his right arm with a knife."

Tie Meng's breathing became extremely heavy, and his chest heaved violently.

"When I got there, the mine was gone. The man was crippled."

"When those guys left, they said something like, 'Save your lives, we'll have our fun later.'"

Tie Meng looked down at his iron arm guards.

"That little genius won't remember my father and my brother. He's crippled too many people under his command."

"But I remember."

"I never intended to leave here alive."

"As long as I can get rid of Shi Potian, or his guards, my life will be worth it."

The cave became quiet.

Only Tie Meng's heavy breathing could be heard.

Fang Yuan did not respond.

In my mind, a sand table simulation quickly unfolded.

Tie Meng. Late stage of Bone Refining Realm. Rich in combat experience and possesses an extremely strong physique.

The motive for revenge is clear: it's a fight to the death.

Such people, as long as their goals align, are the sharpest blades. They are more reliable than any ally based on verbal promises or shared interests.

Because he wouldn't even give up his life.

Shi Potian brought twelve men. One of them was killed today, leaving eleven.

Fang Yuan is going to scavenge for resources in the secret realm, and sooner or later he'll run into the people of Blackrock City. Luckily, he has a fearless tank in front of him to hold the line.

cost-effective.

Fang Yuan tapped his knee lightly with his fingers.

"I might not be interested in Shi Potian's fate."

Fang Yuan's voice rang out in the darkness, as calmly as if he were discussing the weather the next morning.

"But what if his men get in my way?"

Fang Yuan paused for a moment.

"I don't mind cleaning it up while I'm at it."

Tie Meng suddenly raised his head.

In the darkness, those bloodshot eyes stared intently at Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan didn't look at him again.

He leaned against the rock wall and closed his eyes again.

Outside the cave, a ray of deep blue light shone on Tie Meng's iron arm guards, which were covered in dried blood.