Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

Jingyun Residence.

Fang Xia assumed the Sanyang stance, his feet like the roots of an old tree, his spine straight as a pine tree on a cliff.

Each breath caused my chest to rise and fall.

The surging blood and qi within my body felt like tiny mice scurrying about.

Those are signs unique to the inner realm of the stone skin, where qi and blood temper the tendons, bones, and skin.

However, Fang Xia frowned, and even the improvement in his cultivation could not dispel the gloom in his heart.

"Have you heard? The Liu family...it's so tragic!"

"It's not just the Liu family! Yesterday in the west of the city, a branch leader of the Black Tiger Gang, a master of the Inner Refinement Realm, had his head smashed!"

"And one of the Cao family's guard leaders was torn in two..."

"Who exactly is that thug? How dare he be so brazen, even slaughtering the Black Tiger Gang and the Cao family like this?"

.........

I recall the hushed discussions among the inner disciples during the morning classes.

A chilling coldness rose from him and lingered.

Fang Xia lowered her eyes, concealing the fear surging within them.

That vicious man dared to slaughter even the Black Tiger Gang and the Cao family at will.

Moreover, their methods were so brutal as to be utterly outrageous.

He was all too aware of his strength at the very beginning of the Stone Skin Realm.

In their eyes, they were no different from ants.

You have to understand, the Black Tiger Gang and the Cao family are the top forces in Heishan County!

Images of my family involuntarily surfaced in my mind:

The mother's hunched figure, the eldest brother Fang Qing's fluttering left sleeve.

The elder sister-in-law's gentle eyes as she lightly stroked her lower abdomen.

And there was also the clear, crisp laughter of my younger sister, Fang Qiuwan…

These images intertwine, creating a profound sense of powerlessness.

Especially the unborn child in the eldest sister-in-law's womb, that is the next generation of the Fang family.

If they are implicated because of him, he will be guilty even if he dies a thousand times over.

"Not enough stone skin, far from enough..." Fang Xia roared in his heart, his blood churning slightly.

Is the Stone Skin Realm within?

In the face of such a vicious person, what difference is there between us and ants?

It would be one thing if I died, but if I implicated my family...

Thinking of the horrific massacre of the Liu family by the murderers, and of the unborn child in her sister-in-law's womb, Fang Xia almost suffocated.

Only through cultivation! Only through power!

Fear and pressure lashed at him like an invisible whip.

Fang Xia suddenly opened his eyes, bloodshot veins appearing in them, and his stance training instantly shifted from stillness to movement.

He let out a low roar, his body taut like a bowstring, his palms flying, creating a whistling wind.

Qingyang Palm!

The palm strikes were numerous, their power condensed and substantial.

Every strike is aimed at the limit, squeezing out every bit of potential from the muscles, bones, and skin.

The palms are no longer practiced in a conventional manner, but are slashed out like arrows released from a bow!

Qingyang Palm!

No longer pursuing the perfection of the "form" of the moves, no longer caring about the "principle" of the flow of Qi and blood.

Instead, he channeled all his fear and anxiety into a torrent of palm force.

The palm strike was no longer a simple shriek, but was filled with a desire to protect.

"Not enough! Faster! More powerful!"

"Protect them! We must protect them!"

........

Under extreme pressure, Fang Xia's mind became highly focused, and everything outside became blurred.

The swirling palms of Jingyun Residence were driven by a single thought at this moment—to protect!

In this selfless practice, a wondrous transformation quietly took place.

At a certain moment, when Fang Xia's palms crossed and slashed out along some mysterious trajectory, the palm technique suddenly changed!

It is no longer simply about being powerful and swift.

The palm strike seemed to be bound by an invisible force, becoming more condensed, like a sharp blade!

The transitions between moves are now seamless; the palm strikes follow the mind's intention, moving with perfect ease and fluidity.

The scattered energy and blood that had been impacting the muscles, bones, and skin were now being smoothed out by an invisible hand, perfectly aligning with the flow of energy.

Like all rivers flowing into the sea, they eventually converge at a single point on the edge of the palm!

hum!

Fang Xia felt as if a thin membrane in her mind had been pierced!

An unprecedented sense of clarity arose within me.

He instinctively swung his palm again, the movement flowing smoothly.

The palm strike tore through the air, producing a deep, muffled sound; its power was more than doubled!

"This is..." Fang Xia stopped abruptly, remaining in the gesture of extending her palm, staring blankly at her hand.

As Fang Xia focused his mind on his sea of ​​consciousness, he observed that the words "Great Talent Comes Late" on his destiny chart had changed.

[Sanyang Zhuang Minor Success (42/100)]

[Qingyang Palm Minor Completion (1/100)]

[Body Tempering Realm: Skin Barrier - Intermediate Stone Skin Realm (3/100)]

[Introduction to Tiger and Leopard Bone Refining Technique (36/100)]

[Introduction to Qi Sensing Techniques (43/100)]

Looking at the "late bloomer" destiny, Fang Xia smiled slightly.

Qingyang Palm, minor success!

However, ecstasy comes and goes like the tide.

The palm strikes have become refined, and the moves have become more fluid and harmonious.

But can the skin, muscles, and bones of the Stone Skin Realm withstand a single palm strike from that vicious man?

Fang Xia slowly withdrew her palm, her gaze becoming even more profound than before.

"The Lesser Mastery of the Qingyang Palm is just the beginning," he muttered to himself.

"If the stone skin isn't enough, then I'll go for the copper skin! Even the flesh! The bones! The strength! I need even greater power!"

After finishing practicing the palm technique, Fang Xia did not stop and began to cultivate the "Tiger and Leopard Bone Refining Technique".

This secret technique became his lifeline.

Combined with the body-tempering ointment, the medicinal power, mixed with the 'secret technique,' circulated deep into the flesh and bone marrow.

A crackling sound came from Fang Xia's bones.

The pain accompanied by the increase in strength gave him a strange sense of relief.

Although Fang Xia knew that he had just entered the middle stage of the Stone Skin Realm, it would not be possible to advance further in just a few days.

But only in this way could he calm the gloom in his heart.

At the same time, a wisp of condensed spiritual energy emanated from between Fang Xia's eyebrows, spreading out like a spider web and enveloping an area of ​​several feet around him.

This is the application of the "Qi Sensing Technique".

He not only used it to conceal his cultivation level, but also to be vigilant about even the slightest abnormality in his surroundings.

The sound of the wind, even the faint rustling of insects, was clearly transmitted back.

Fang Xia could detect any unfamiliar or malicious aura approaching immediately!

He could be attacked by thugs at any moment, and his keen senses were his only hope for survival.

Fang Xia made up her mind to stay at Sanyangtang for a while and not go home.

Firstly, it was so that I could focus on my cultivation and not be disturbed by trivial matters at home.

Secondly, it was also for safety reasons. The county town was in a state of panic, and he didn't want to take any risks.

Practicing stance training, palm techniques, and "secret arts," Fang Xia became engrossed in arduous cultivation, neglecting sleep and meals.

............

A somber atmosphere permeated the police station of the Heishan County government office.

The recent bloodshed has left the police officers on edge and exhausted.

Lu Xiao, dressed in black with a steel knife at his waist, had just returned from Sanyang Hall.

"Boss, you're back." As soon as he stepped into the police station, a middle-aged constable with shifty eyes immediately came up to him.

The man turned sideways, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of obsequiousness, "I have something important to report to you!"

Lu Xiao glanced at him sideways and said in a flat tone, "Speak."

He knew Zhao Si all too well.

This man is greedy by nature and had long been bribed by the Black Tiger Gang.

If they come up to me now, it can't be anything good.

Zhao Si lowered his voice even further and said, "Boss, we've found irrefutable evidence about that kid Fang Xia!"

The Black Tiger Gang has identified Huang Laizi, Ying San, and Ma Wu as the ones Fang Xia killed!

Just think, this kid was able to kill three people in a row, his methods are ruthless!

The Liu family massacre might very well be related to him!

My subordinate believes he should be arrested immediately and brought to court for rigorous interrogation!

Lu Xiao slowly raised his head, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, staring intently at Zhao Si.

The police station fell silent instantly. The other constables kept their eyes down, not daring to utter a sound.

Everyone knows that Officer Lu hates being used as a pawn.

"Oh? Ironclad evidence?" Lu Xiao's voice was not loud, but it carried a hint of coldness.

"The Black Tiger Gang's victim? Who identified Fang Xia as the murderer?"

"Zhao Si, do you take me for a fool, or do you think this county government office is some kind of private brothel run by the Black Tiger Gang?"

Zhao Si felt a chill run down his spine under Lu Xiao's gaze, and forced a smile, saying, "Boss, this...this evidence is conclusive..."

"Confirmed my ass!" Lu Xiao picked up his teacup and slammed it heavily on the table with a loud "bang".

"Ning Tianyang, a dignified expert in the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm, and the master of the Three Yang Hall!"

He testified that Fang Xia did not leave the martial arts school at all on the night of the incident!

Do you think Ning Tianyang is protecting the murderer, or do you think I, Lu Xiao, lack even this basic judgment?

Zhao Si trembled in fright and quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet Lu Xiao's gaze.

Lu Xiao's tone grew increasingly cold as he warned, "Let the Black Tiger Gang deal with their own messes. Don't drag innocent people into this!"

You are a constable in the government, you eat the salary of the county government, and you live off the imperial court.

You know exactly which side you should stand on!

Don't let yourself be used as a pawn, or you'll end up getting yourself into trouble!

"Keep your little bit of cleverness to yourself!"

If you dare to believe every rumor and spread gossip again, don't blame me for being ruthless!

The last sentence was delivered with a stern tone.

Zhao Si hurriedly nodded and bowed, swearing oaths: "Boss, please calm down! It was my mistake! I deserve to die!"

"I swear to Heaven that I am utterly loyal to the government and have no other intentions whatsoever!"

As he spoke, he pounded his chest forcefully.

Under Lu Xiao's watchful gaze, Zhao Si reluctantly left the police station.

She had just stepped out the door and out of Lu Xiao's sight.

Zhao Si's terrified expression vanished instantly, replaced by resentment and hatred.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and spat a mouthful of phlegm onto the ground.

"Pah! Peng Biao, you bastard!"

Zhao Si gritted his teeth, his voice squeezed out from between his teeth, "He brought trouble upon himself, and now he can't get away with it, so he insists on making me go and offend the King of Hell!"

"You made me lose face in front of the brothers! You just wait... this isn't over!"

A fierce glint flashed in Zhao Si's eyes, and filled with rage, he quickly left.

..........

Days passed, and Fang Xia never stopped cultivating.

He devoted almost every moment to cultivation.

They arrived at the training ground before dawn.

Standing meditation, practicing palm techniques...

Occasionally, he would spar with his fellow disciples, gaining a lot of practical experience from it, and his Qingyang Palm improved rapidly.

His palm technique became increasingly refined, and his palm strikes were steady and powerful.

During this period, Fang Xia also gradually showed his improved strength.

The body's Qi and blood levels have stabilized from the middle stage of a rough, unrefined state to the middle stage of a seasoned, well-developed state.

This rate of progress is already quite rare among those with C-grade bone marrow.

However, because of his diligence, high comprehension, good character, and the fact that he has not yet entered the Stone Skin Realm, he is still within the "acceptable" range for everyone.