Starting from the Locked Dragon Well, I'll grind my way to becoming the Great Sage of Immortal

The explosive power of the black sphere would severely injure even ten martial artists with qi and blood if they were unprepared; they would either die or be seriously injured.

"Yin Lei Pearl..." Jiang Qi examined the surface of the iron pearl and saw several tiny characters, as fine as mosquito gnats.

These single-use weapons are incredibly powerful, but they are estimated to be difficult to manufacture, expensive, and often unavailable.

However, it's not surprising that Fanjiangjiao, a notorious bandit, possessed such a life-saving item.

Jiang Qi put away the Yin Thunder Pearl, knowing that it might be able to turn the tide of battle at a crucial moment.

Then he checked several other things.

A piece of animal hide, with the outline of a mountain shrouded in mist drawn on it, and some barely discernible markings beside it, the exact location of which is not yet clear.

There was also a secret letter, written by Fan Jiangjiao to a leader of the "Blackwater Camp," mentioning the kidnapping of the two masters of Litong Money Shop and requesting the Blackwater Camp to provide assistance in demanding a ransom.

"Blackwater Camp..."

Jiang Qi's face darkened.

Around Licheng, there are countless bandits of all sizes, but the Blackwater Camp is an extremely powerful bandit group entrenched in the Cangyun Mountains, a hundred miles north of Licheng.

It is said that his camp is full of experts and has a tight organization. It has repeatedly repelled government sieges and even the bandit army has suffered losses at his hands. It is one of the biggest worries of the Licheng government.

Unexpectedly, the River-Turning Dragon was in cahoots with the Blackwater Camp.

Thinking of this, he picked up the Yin Thunder Pearl again, his face showing deep thought.

"Still not strong enough... A single bead can severely injure ten martial artists with Qi and Blood. And outside there are even formidable bandits like the Blackwater Camp, who are troublesome even for the Dang Kou Army."

"In this chaotic world, the only way is to become stronger faster!"

He began to examine himself.

"Currently, my main offensive strategy relies on the 'Wind-Breaking Blade' at its peak, combined with the 'Blood Gathering' burst. My ultimate move is 'Shadow Slash'."

"It seems to be enough, but the quality of the Windbreaker Blade is ultimately limited, and its power is beginning to show its limitations."

The blood-red protective shield that the Flipping River Dragon used in actual combat could only be violently shaken by the ninth move of the "Breaking Wind Blade," "Wind Ceases and Waves Rest," combined with the [Rending Wind] blade intent. It could not break through the defense in one strike and required continuous slashes to achieve success.

In the ever-changing life-or-death struggle, the risks and variables are undoubtedly increased.

Therefore, the Wind-Breaking Blade is extremely effective against ordinary martial artists, but it becomes somewhat inadequate against opponents who have cultivated special defensive qi or possess protective treasures.

"I need a higher-level swordsmanship technique," Jiang Qi thought to himself.

However, Zhenyuan Martial Arts School only teaches two martial arts techniques: "Breaking Wind Blade" and "Chasing Wind Step".

In the tradition of martial arts, the principle of "skills are not easily passed on" applies. To acquire higher-level martial arts skills, there are essentially two ways: either spend a huge sum of money to buy them, or join a powerful force and earn merit in exchange for them.

Neither of these two approaches is a reliable or easy method.

High-grade martial arts techniques are rare on the market, and their prices are often staggering.

Joining forces in exchange for resources means more constraints and risks.

A moment of silence.

"It's more reliable to obtain the title of 'Martial Artist' through examinations, enter the Martial Arts Bureau system, or seek a military position in the government. This way, you can acquire martial arts skills through legitimate channels, and the quality of your skills will be more guaranteed."

"In terms of defense, I have black armor, but black armor is ultimately an external defense, far less comprehensive than the Qi and blood shield that covers the entire body like the River-Turning Dragon."

Therefore, defensive martial arts techniques or cultivation methods must also be considered. This will allow for more effective countermeasures when encountering explosive weapons like the Yin Thunder Pearl, or even more powerful attacks...

......

Litong Money Shop, the main hall of the inner house.

Yesterday, Pang Fu, the second uncle of the Pang family, who was in charge of the family's junior positions, sat in the seat of honor, with the fourth and sixth uncles below him. Pang Zhan paced anxiously in the hall.

"Master! Master!" A steward from the Pang family rushed in, his voice trembling, "He's back! He's back!"

You're back?!

Could it be...?

The people in the hall were startled and all looked towards the door.

Seventh Master Pang Wei, soaking wet and with tattered clothes, was carrying someone on his back and staggering as he stepped across the threshold.

The person he was carrying on his back was none other than Fifth Master Pang Yun.

"Seventh Brother! Fifth Brother!"

The group immediately went to meet them.

"Quick! Get a doctor!" Pang Wei's voice was hoarse. "Fifth Brother is badly injured, he's dying!"

"Quickly, go and invite Master Lin of Huichuntang!" Pang Fu hurriedly ordered.

Upon closer inspection, everyone saw that although Pang Wei was in a sorry state with some abrasions, his breathing was still relatively stable, and he seemed to be fine.

But Pang Yun was in a terrible state. His face was ashen, his breath was weak, and there was only a bloody, mangled wound on his left ear. His legs were twisted at an odd angle, clearly indicating that his bones were broken. He had fallen into a coma.

Before long, Master Lin from Huichuntang was urgently summoned.

After a series of treatments, including stopping the bleeding, applying medicine, and administering life-saving pills, Pang Yun's complexion regained some color and his breathing stabilized after more than an hour of work, but he remained unconscious.

"Master Lin, what about Fifth Brother...?" Pang Fu asked in a deep voice.

Master Lin wiped his sweat and sighed, "Master Pang's life has been saved. But his left ear... is too badly damaged, and I am powerless to help him."

"Both tibias are comminuted fractures. Even with the best medicine for resetting, it will likely be difficult to fully recover. Walking will require crutches, and the pain will be unbearable on rainy days."

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Disabled?

For Fifth Master Pang, this was probably more unbearable than death.

"It's a miracle we came back alive." Finally, Second Uncle Pang Fu spoke slowly, then looked at Pang Wei beside him, "Seventh Brother, how did you escape danger?"

Pang Wei sat down in a chair, looking at the unconscious Pang Yun on the bed. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, and then he said in a deep voice:

"When the bandit army suddenly besieged Black Fish Bay and the village was in chaos, a masked man in black sneaked into the prison, killed One-Eyed Kui, and released all of us."

Speaking of the "masked man in black," the image of those calm, still eyes in the dimly lit cell involuntarily reappeared before his eyes.

It's so similar... It really looks like Jiang Qi's eyes.

Jiang Qi was merely a young martial artist with five levels of Qi and Blood, while the man in black, capable of instantly killing a ferocious bandit leader like the One-Eyed Demon with nine levels of Qi and Blood, was definitely stronger than someone with ten levels of Qi and Blood, perhaps even more...

Therefore, it couldn't be Jiang Qi.

"Masked men in black?" Pang Fu frowned slightly. "Do you know their background? Why did they save you?"

Pang Wei shook his head: "I don't know. That person didn't say a word from beginning to end. After rescuing us, he left directly, as if he didn't want to reveal his identity."

"What a pity," Pang Fu sighed softly, "If we knew who our benefactor was, my Pang family would certainly repay such a life-saving grace with all our might!"

"Yes," Pang Wei sighed, "If it weren't for that expert, my fifth brother and I would probably have met our demise. This person is incredibly strong, yet he acts without seeking anything in return; he is truly admirable."

......

Zhenyuan Martial Arts School, inner courtyard training ground.

The sect leader, Lin Xuanfeng, and Instructor Zhou stood side by side on the high platform at the edge of the arena, below them were all the disciples of the inner courtyard who were at the mid-stage of the Blood Refining Realm, a total of twelve people.

The museum owner's gaze swept over the crowd, and he slowly began to speak:

"The Martial Arts Examination is approaching in the middle of the month. I have summoned you today to explain the examination rules. I hope you are well aware of them and prepare for the exam with all your might."