Returning to the woodshed, Zou Feng's expression grew solemn.
The Blood-handed Butcher was causing trouble again and again; he was clearly determined to give the Yang Mansion no peace.
At the very least, he'd probably have to butcher Yang Qianqian before he'd be satisfied.
After all, wiping out the entire Yang Mansion was simply not realistic at this point.
The Yang Mansion didn't just rely on the experts from the Heart Meeting Martial Arts Hall stationed there.
Even the Yuan Guang County Government Office had people secretly watching, just waiting for the Blood-handed Butcher to walk into their trap.
So, a complete massacre was out of the question.
Especially since the poisoning plot had failed, it was even more of a fantasy.
However, the Blood-handed Butcher still had his accomplice use a Disguise to infiltrate the Yang Mansion.
In that case, his objective was easy to guess...
Either assassinate Yang Qianqian or kidnap her.
Judging by the Blood-handed Butcher's rumored methods, kidnapping Yang Qianqian was the most likely scenario.
After all, that was the best way to torture the woman and vent the pain of losing his son.
It was even possible the Blood-handed Butcher would make her bear him another son...
At this thought, Zou Feng smiled and shook his head.
'Why am I thinking about this pointless stuff? As long as it's not targeting me or affecting me, it's fine.'
'This is a feud between the Yang Family and the Blood-handed Butcher. What's it got to do with me?'
But you can't be too careful...
'That's why I have to reach Entering Grade as soon as possible. Only then will my safety be truly guaranteed.'
'Otherwise, the weakest of these troublemaking masters of the Evil Dao are probably at the Ninth Grade.'
'That woman who dared to use a Disguise to infiltrate the Yang Mansion is so skilled and daring. It's highly likely her strength has reached the Eighth Grade...'
'Yang Yanpeng, oh, Yang Yanpeng... Xu Haoran will most likely be 'ripe' tonight. Aren't you going to make your move?'
Zou Feng couldn't help but start thinking about Yang Yanpeng.
Although he couldn't know exactly when Yang Yanpeng would act, as soon as Xu Haoran was 'ripe', the countdown would begin.
The reason was simple: Yang Yanpeng couldn't wait any longer.
He must have been driven nearly mad by the side effects.
If Yang Yanpeng hadn't also cultivated his Five Poison Palm to the Integration and Mastery level, giving him strong poison resistance, he would likely have been at death's door or already dropped dead.
So, the moment he discovered Xu Haoran's breakthrough, Yang Yanpeng would have to act immediately.
According to Yang Yanpeng's plan, he would achieve the Refinement of the Gu he had raised, allowing his Five Poison Palm to advance to Refined Skill and simultaneously reach Entering Grade.
At that point, how could he fail to resolve the strange "discomfort" plaguing his body?
And the day Yang Yanpeng made his move would also be the day Zou Feng reeled in his own net.
'A Five Poison Skill at the Refined Skill level... Just thinking about it is exhilarating.'
After all, his current Integration and Mastery realm was already absurdly powerful; he could definitely attempt to reach Entering Grade now.
'As for how to handle Yang Yanpeng when the time comes...'
"Five Poison Skill (Integration and Mastery), Progress: 10%"
"Chaos Finger (Entering the Hall and the Room), Progress: 86%"
"Drunken Immortal Moon Gazing Step (Entering the Hall and the Room), Progress: 75%"
"Materia Medica of Herbs (Slightly Accomplished), Progress: 100%"
Over the past few days, Zou Feng had become quite satisfied with his progress in the three Evil Skills.
It was obvious that the progress of his Chaos Finger and Drunken Immortal Moon Gazing Step had increased rapidly.
This wasn't solely due to Yang Yanpeng. Although the side effects were being transferred, Zou Feng's own diligent Cultivation was still indispensable.
The rapid improvement of his Chaos Finger and Drunken Immortal Moon Gazing Step was primarily because his Five Poison Skill had reached Integration and Mastery.
As the saying goes, learning one thing helps you understand another.
Once the Five Poison Skill was mastered, it was unlikely for another Poison Skill like Chaos Finger to lag behind; it would only continue to benefit.
Furthermore, since the Five Poison Skill was created by integrating the Five Beasts Pile Skill, it had naturally improved Zou Feng's overall physical condition, especially the strength in his lower body.
This, in turn, allowed a Body Technique Martial Arts like the Drunken Immortal Moon Gazing Step to improve through the same principle of analogy.
In short, Zou Feng's previous fantasy of getting all three Evil Skills to Integration and Mastery before attempting Chong Meridian Entry...
...had now become a reality.
'If I really reach Entering Grade at this pace, even as a Ninth Grade, I could probably go toe-to-toe with an Eighth Grade Martial Artist...'
After another high-intensity Cultivation session, Zou Feng was "exhausted."
After all, prolonged periods of dull, tedious work could also lead to a sense of exhaustion.
He went out, finished his afternoon chores, and then had to head to the front courtyard to go through the motions of his practice.
Yang Yanpeng still hadn't shown up.
But as they were practicing, something unexpected happened over with Xu Haoran.
With a series of clear, crisp CRACKLING sounds, Xu Haoran, who was practicing his stance, suddenly exuded a hint of Divine Charm from his Five Beasts Pile Skill.
The entire aura he gave off while holding the stance was instantly different.
"A breakthrough?!"
Zhao Tianhu darted over in a single bound.
He then sized up Xu Haoran carefully.
"Good, good, good! You kid, you've actually managed to cultivate the Five Beasts Pile Skill to the Minor Success Realm!"
Zhao Tianhu was genuinely delighted.
After all, it meant he had taught two students with the potential to reach Entering Grade in the future.
If word of this got out, he wouldn't have to remain a mere Hospital Martial Artist at the Yang Mansion.
Other prominent families would soon be inviting him to serve as a Hospital Instructor.
If the Yang Mansion wanted to keep him, they'd have to raise his pay.
After being praised for a while, Xu Haoran wore an expression so smug he looked like he was about to float away.
He looked as if he was about to start floating.
It wasn't until his eyes met Zou Feng's that he looked a bit embarrassed.
Zou Feng, of course, understood what had just happened. It wasn't that Xu Haoran's Five Beasts Pile Skill had broken through, but rather his Five Poison Palm.
He just didn't know if this public breakthrough happened because Xu Haoran truly couldn't suppress it any longer, or if he wanted to let Yang Yanpeng know sooner to get the matter over with.
After all, it was hard to sleep at night knowing you were constantly being targeted.
After the practice session ended, Zou Feng shot Xu Haoran a look and walked straight toward a secluded spot.
Xu Haoran took the hint and immediately followed.
"Tonight, it's best if you don't sleep. Stay alert for any sign of trouble!" Zou Feng warned gravely.
Xu Haoran first nodded emphatically, then asked nervously, "Brother Feng, you think Yang Yanpeng will make his move tonight? Is he in that much of a hurry?!"
"If you saw the fruit you'd cultivated finally ripen, wouldn't you be eager for a taste?"
"Especially if eating it would grant you immense benefits immediately!"
Hearing this, Xu Haoran's face turned green. He forced a bitter smile. "Er... Yang Yanpeng's method of Refinement... he's not going to literally eat us, is he?"
"It won't come to that, but don't expect it to be pleasant!" Zou Feng said. "In any case, stay sharp. Even if it's not tonight, Yang Yanpeng will definitely make his move within the next few days."
After hearing this, Xu Haoran mulled it over for a moment. "Brother Feng, what if the first target Yang Yanpeng chooses for Refinement isn't me, but you?"
Zou Feng shrugged and said dismissively, "Then let him try. I'm prepared for him, but he isn't prepared for me. The moment he thinks he's succeeded will be the perfect opportunity for me to turn the tables on him!"