Lin Chang'sheng quickly began circulating the Sun and Moon Breathing Technique, absorbing the surging inner strength generated within his meridians.
This inner strength, as it was taken in by the Sun and Moon Breathing Technique, kept flowing into his Dantian, nourishing his Eight Extraordinary Meridians and his muscles and bones. Lin Chang'sheng could feel his aura climbing higher with every moment!
If his inner strength was like a river before, then now, it was a Grand Canal running through his body!
With a mere thought, Lin Chang'sheng opened his panel.
[Great Dao is Simple: Level 1]
[Lin Chang'sheng: 16/55]
[Cultivation: First-class (0/12500)]
[Cultivation Technique: Sun and Moon Breathing Technique (Mastered 14298/25000)]
[Martial Arts: Archery (Great Perfection), Iron Sand Palm (Great Perfection), Flying Eaves and Light Body Skill (Great Perfection), Cyan Snake Sword Technique (43003/62500), Celestial Maiden Scattering Flowers (Fragment) (Proficient 487/500)]
[Alchemy: Qi Replenishing Pill (367/500)]
[Spend a certain amount of silver to simplify cultivation technique, martial arts, etc.]
[Status: Yin Qi Invasion (Weakened)]
"I wonder just how strong I am now?"
Lin Chang'sheng clenched his fists and activated the Sun and Moon Breathing Technique, only to feel his inner strength surging through his entire body—like he could tear mountains apart! He was about to test the destructive power of the First-class Realm.
From what he knew—
In all of Mu City, there were four Second-class Experts on record. Wait—Ma Zhankui was dead, so that left only three Second-class Experts. Now that he had advanced to First-class, he was already the top fighter in Mu City.
Boom!
Lin Chang'sheng utilized the Sun and Moon Breathing Technique, faced the cliff behind him, and threw a punch. Instantly, the inner strength in his Dantian followed his fist, and the Qi Force blasted out over half a zhang!
Splitting Sky Fist!
Rumble!
With a thunderous crash, the Qi Force smashed into the rocks, sending debris flying. The cliff wall instantly cracked open, and five zhang of rock collapsed in a cloud of dust!
Swish!
Lin Chang'sheng unleashed the Flying Eaves and Light Body Skill, tiptoeing like a swift swallow, and appeared more than ten zhang away!
"Now that's First-class Realm for you!"
Staring at the vast collapsed section of cliff, Lin Chang'sheng's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
He had achieved the First-class Expert Realm.
Inner strength could now be projected half a zhang out, unleashing half a zhang of Fist Force, Sword Qi, Blade Qi, Splitting Sky Palm—even eyesight, hearing, physical toughness—his overall ability had skyrocketed!
With inner strength projected, he could flick a leaf or a flower and kill someone several zhang away!
"With my current realm, if I fought Ma Zhankui, would I need four arrows? One arrow would be enough to take his life!"
Lin Chang'sheng thought to himself silently.
.........
Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall.
Training yard.
"Old Zhang, has Lin Chang'sheng come by to train Iron Sand Palm lately?"
Martial arts instructor Liu Zhengming came to the yard, finding Instructor Zhang who was teaching new disciples the Iron Sand Palm.
"No, I thought he was with you practicing Breathing Technique. We've got a lot of new kids now, so I haven't paid much attention."
Instructor Zhang shook his head.
"That kid's got talent. If we train him well, he could reach Third-class in the future. But you can't just mess around—three days fishing, two days drying nets won't get him anywhere!"
Liu Zhengming frowned.
"Maybe something's up at home for him? Want to send a disciple to check in on him?"
Instructor Zhang suggested.
"Yeah, that's fine. I'll send someone over."
Liu Zhengming nodded.
Just then, an elder with enormous hands, a sturdy build, and a calm aura strode over, flanked by two strong-looking young men.
"Master!"
"Master!"
Instructor Zhang and Liu Zhengming both bowed respectfully.
"Mm, I've got something to take care of. You two go on."
The elder nodded at them and turned away with the young men.
........
Mu City County Government Office.
Back Courtyard.
In a parlor screened off by a partition.
County Magistrate Chen Ling held a tea cup, staring gravely at the three men before him. "Today, I invited you three Hall Masters for something important. I need your help."
In front of Chen Ling—
On the left, an older man with huge hands and a strong build, calm presence, nearly sixty—none other than He Tieshou, Master of the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall.
On the right, a middle-aged, square-faced man—firm look, bulging biceps, a body radiating sheer power—was Liao Jinzhong, Hall Master of the Golden Bell Martial Arts Hall.
The one in the middle, lean, about fifty, pale and beardless, exuded a gentle vibe—he was Ji Liuyun, Master of the Liuyun Martial Arts Hall.
These three were Mu City's current top experts!
"For Lord Chen to ask, it's an honor! Whatever you need, we'll go through fire and water!"
Liao Jinzhong, Master of the Golden Bell Martial Arts Hall, patted his chest.
"Please, tell us what needs us three to step in?"
"......"
Ji Liuyun and He Tieshou chimed in.
"You three should know about the massacre of Ma Zhankui's family."
Chen Ling's eyes flashed as he looked at them.
"Do you mean for us to join forces and take down the killer of Gang Leader Ma?"
He Tieshou, Ji Liuyun, and Liao Jinzhong traded looks at Chen Ling's words.
"That's right."
"I'm ashamed to say—Ma Zhankui was my brother-in-law. Whoever could kill Ma Zhankui has to be at least Second-class. No constable could hope to handle him. That's why I need your help."
"If you can take care of this, you'll each get three hundred taels of silver! And of course, I'm sure you know what other 'favors' I can do for you!"
Chen Ling nodded.
He'd already learned the killer's hideout, and was calling the three Second-class Hall Masters for a one-strike kill!
"Alright, I'm in."
Liao Jinzhong nodded.
"When do we act, Lord?"
He Tieshou and Ji Liuyun nodded their agreement too.
Three hundred taels was no joke, but the real prize was the Lord's promise of favors!
For a martial arts hall, the Lord's favor could mean all kinds of benefits!
"Wait for my signal,"
Chen Ling thought for a moment.
He already knew—the killer jogged at Lonely Wolf Mountain every day. That's the perfect spot for the ambush!
"Good!"
The three nodded.
.......
At the foot of Lonely Wolf Mountain.
Amid the woods.
A youth dressed in faded cyan, nimble frame—his toes tapped the ground and he leapt over a zhang high, darting through the woods like a swallow. His speed was extraordinary!
This was Lin Chang'sheng, now at the First-class Realm.
At this moment—
Lin Chang'sheng wanted to howl at the sky, but held it in.
"Time to head home. Wenjing should be cooking dinner."
His eyes flashed, and he sped off for home.
With the Flying Eaves and Light Body Skill perfected and his breakthrough to First-class Realm, Lin Chang'sheng had gotten several times faster—flitting through the forest like a shadow.
Soon—
He reached the bamboo grove at the gate. Seeing smoke rising behind the house, he couldn't help but smile.
"Li Yun?"
Suddenly, Lin Chang'sheng spotted a young man about seventeen or eighteen waiting at his door, watching the curling smoke—looking about ready to knock. Lin called out at once.
Lin Chang'sheng recognized him—
He was a disciple at the Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall, and practiced Sun-Bathing Breathing Technique with Lin Chang'sheng.
"Chang'sheng, you're back! Instructor Liu Zhengming wanted you—he sent me to check in!"
Li Yun's eyes lit up when he heard Lin Chang'sheng call, and he walked over.
"Instructor Liu wanted me?"
Lin Chang'sheng felt a jolt inside—he hadn't expected Instructor Liu to keep such close tabs on him.
"Yeah, Instructor Liu says you've got talent. You shouldn't be slacking off, so he had me check if something was holding you up. He wants you back training ASAP."
Li Yun said.