Surviving in the chaos of battle, I'm grinding for proficiency.

Li Chuan took a deep breath, calming his slightly agitated heart.

All my attention was focused on my legs.

then.

"Bang!"

One last whip kick!

[Practicing the Lightning Shadow Kick, Proficiency +1]

[Raikage's leg technique has reached its peak!]

Instantly, Li Chuan felt a strange, tingling sensation in his legs.

Previously, due to practicing this fighting style, both of his legs were covered with a layer of calluses.

While it was indeed incredibly hard, it also restricted his movements and made him less agile.

However, as Raikage's Leg technique broke through to the perfect state, this layer of keratin was melting away at an extremely fast speed!

In just a few breaths, Li Chuan lowered his head again.

He discovered that his legs had become the same as before he had practiced leg techniques.

There was nothing unusual about it, and no sign of any training.

But beneath those sharply defined muscles lies explosive power!

"Is this what it means to return to simplicity?"

"Even though I've reached the pinnacle of perfection, I've reverted to the original form of my legs!"

Li Chuan moved his legs slightly and discovered that in this position...

Even without the stratum corneum covering it, its hardness is not reduced at all, and may even be stronger!

Along with it, my own legs.

All those large muscle membranes stretched out completely.

This makes the transmission of power from the legs faster and more direct!

"The explosive power of my legs has at least doubled."

Li Chuan kept feeling the changes in his legs.

"Now, if I were to fight He Chen again, I wouldn't need to go to great lengths to find an opportunity."

"Five moves, within five moves, I can completely destroy He Chen!"

Only then did Li Chuan truly realize the terrifying power of a perfect combination of two fighting styles.

This is an effect where one plus one is greater than two!

Physique, speed, and strength have all been enhanced in every way.

Even without using the Thunder Shadow Kick, Li Chuan was confident he could defeat He Chen head-on using only the Tongbei Fist.

In the past, if he had only used Tongbei Fist, He Chen would have definitely beaten him to death.

However, with the enhancement of the perfected Raikage Kick, the power of the Tongbei Fist is stronger than before.

"So, just how powerful am I now?"

Curious, Li Chuan immediately focused his energy on his legs.

"Bang!"

A fierce whip kick lashed out at the wooden stake.

The moment the kick landed, large shards of wood flew up.

After the sawdust settled, Li Chuan took a closer look.

This is a century-old wooden stake, enough for even a master of internal energy to practice martial arts.

He actually kicked it so hard it bent!

Even before, when he used the Raikage Kick.

That would only make the wooden stake shake, and at most leave a few marks.

After all, this century-old driftwood was originally designed to meet the daily needs of those who possess extraordinary strength.

This shows that his killing power has far exceeded that of ordinary martial arts practitioners.

【Skill: Jade Skin Technique (Mastery)】

[Proficiency: 2104/3000]

Li Chuan pondered in his heart:

"In less than a month, the Jade Skin Technique should be perfected."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

With a creak, Li Chuan opened the door and found Zhuang Beiwang standing there.

"Senior Brother Li, Master wants to see you!"

"Is Master Liang looking for me?"

Li Chuan nodded and strode into Liang Xingzhou's room.

"Master, what is it?"

Liang Xingzhou looked troubled and was deep in thought, rubbing his temples incessantly.

It wasn't until a breath or two after Li Chuan called him that he reacted:

"The magistrate of Wei County summoned all the forces in Anning County and said that they would jointly discuss the matter of suppressing the Rebirth Sect."

At this point, Liang Xingzhou sighed:

"Every time they talk about attacking the Rebirth Cult, nothing good ever comes of it."

Moreover, I don't think Magistrate Wei's motives are that simple.

Liang Xingzhou glanced at Li Chuan:

"Achuan, you've been practicing asceticism lately, so you might not be aware of this."

The friction between the county magistrate and the three major families is becoming increasingly intense.

There are often cases where people are accidentally killed.

At this juncture, they probably still intend to force us to take sides.

Li Chuan's eyes remained calm:

"What's meant to be will be, let's go and see what he really means."

……

Wei County Magistrate's Office.

"Junior Brother Li, Master Liang."

Tang Xiang greeted the two of them with a smile.

He came here differently from Li Chuan and the other two because he represented the interests of the Tang family, not the interests of Songfeng Martial Arts School.

However, he was still the nominal senior disciple of Songfeng Martial Arts School.

Although in everyone's eyes, this position already belongs to Li Chuan, the teacher-student relationship that should exist on the surface must still be maintained.

After a brief exchange, a minor official dressed in a blue round-necked robe announced in a loud voice:

"The magistrate of Wei County has arrived!"

As the sound spread, the refined-looking Magistrate of Wei County slowly walked into the arena.

The people who had arrived earlier each had different expressions and thoughts.

Tang Xiang gave Li Chuan and the other man an apologetic look, then quickly stepped forward.

Those like the Tang family, who almost openly side with Magistrate Wei, are almost all like this.

The remaining martial arts schools and families that had not taken sides all looked somewhat nervous and uneasy.

Magistrate Wei walked to the center of the table and casually tossed his round-necked robe behind him.

He wore a peaceful smile:

"Please do not be alarmed. The reason I have gathered you all here today is to discuss the matter of defeating the Rebirth Sect."

As soon as he finished speaking, the clerk behind him immediately spread out a map.

Magistrate Wei raised his hand and pointed to the location of Huangshi County:

"The remnants of the Rebirth Cult are becoming increasingly rampant, and can be described as lawless."

Three days ago, they used mysterious means to lure many monsters to attack the outer city of Huangshi County.

"Before they were ready, the city gates of Huangshi County were easily breached, and the monsters rushed in, creating a scene of utter carnage."

"After the city fell, many people were forced to wander outside, and were absorbed into the Rebirth Sect, which further strengthened their power."

Magistrate Wei sighed:

"Learn from the mistakes of others, and follow their lead."

"Given time, when the Rebirth Sect becomes powerful enough, even Anning may not be safe."

"To prevent the people of our county from suffering this calamity."

"After much deliberation, I have decided to establish a 'Peace Guard'!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiang suddenly raised his voice and asked:

"May I ask Magistrate Wei, what exactly is this Taiping Guard, and what benefit does it offer to the safety of the people of our county?"

Magistrate Wei stroked his long beard and smiled:

"The Taiping Guard was established to eliminate the remnants of the Rebirth Sect."

"Responsible for eliminating evildoers within a hundred miles and maintaining the stability of our county."

Tang Xiang, as if playing the straight man, asked again:

"Then how was the Taiping Guard established, and where did its operating resources come from?"

Magistrate Wei laughed loudly:

"Simple!"

"Those with connections should contribute their presence, and those without should contribute financially."

"Each martial arts school or family that wishes to be affiliated with my county magistrate's office only needs to provide five Ming Jin (vital strength) practitioners."

The magistrate's words immediately created a tense atmosphere throughout the prefecture.

Although on the surface, three Ming Jin and one An Jin are not many.

But most importantly, it must be registered under the name of the county magistrate's office!

That means they've already chosen sides!

The magistrate scanned the crowd, his tone gradually turning cold:

"If you do not wish to be affiliated with the Taiping Guard, then contribute two hundred taels of silver as funds for its establishment."

Many forces that had initially intended to remain neutral turned pale instantly.

Two hundred taels of silver is quite a lot of money.

Moreover, this is a completely unequal number compared to five Ming Jin (a type of martial arts expert).

The magistrate is forcing them to take sides; if they don't want to choose sides, they have to pay up!

"Greetings, Magistrate Gao Yi! My Tang family is willing to serve under your command and produce ten outstanding warriors!"

Tang Xiang clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"The Wang family is also willing to be affiliated with the county magistrate's office!"

"The same applies to Qianyun Martial Arts School!"

Those forces that had already firmly sided with the county magistrate naturally came out to support him immediately.

After hearing what the magistrate said, many of the previously hesitant factions made up their minds to join.

The magistrate nodded with satisfaction to these people, then turned his gaze to Li Chuan and Liang Xingzhou.

His tone clearly conveyed displeasure:

"Li Huajin accidentally killed the true disciple of Tianyi Martial Arts School, resulting in our county losing a key force."

"This sum of money should be paid by you all on his behalf!"