CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: SLAUGHTER IN THE FOREST

Chief Luan sat on his horse, watching the soldiers move up the mountain one after another, his eyes flickering.

"Sir, aren’t you going in?" a subordinate asked cautiously.

"Why rush? Are the dogs here yet?"

A moment later, more than a dozen robust black hunting dogs, led by handlers, arrived at the scene.

The hunting dogs spread out with Chief Luan at the center, covering all directions.

Only then did Chief Luan put on his iron helmet, tightened the chain armor on his body, and leisurely followed his subordinates’ footsteps into Black Tiger Mountain.

On the mountain, in a certain concealed thicket, Lou Yi sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his face pale, large beads of sweat occasionally dripping down his forehead.

He looked at the Attribute Panel; having previously killed quite a few archers, he had accumulated 17 points of energy.

The section labeled "Name" was turning a deeper shade of red, starting to throb slowly, warning of a severe state of his body.

’What a potent poison!’

Lou Yi was shocked, not daring to delay any longer, he concentrated his thoughts on the "+" sign behind the name section.

Instantly, 2 points of energy disappeared.

’It’s working!’ Lou Yi felt a surge of joy in his heart.

At the same time, a stream of cool liquid appeared within his body, rapidly flowing through his limbs, bones, and internal organs.

Itch!

An intense itchiness made Lou Yi want to roll on the ground uncontrollably.

It felt as if ants were crawling through his blood vessels and over his bones.

But hearing the faint human voices coming from afar, he grit his teeth and resisted the urge.

After about ten breaths of time.

The itching sensation gradually subsided, and health and vitality returned to his body.

Lou Yi had never felt so good before, as if he had just awakened from a high-quality sleep.

A narrow escape!

The energy also had a healing function, he noted he should save some points for unforeseen needs in the future. Lou Yi thought.

Of course, there is a drawback, recovery doesn’t happen instantly, it takes about ten breaths of time.

It’s unrealistic to use during combat, but it has greatly enhanced his survival ability.

Additionally, as his strength grows, the real-time healing capability of the Attribute Panel may improve—there’s no telling.

Lou Yi looked at the Attribute Panel:

[Name: Lou Yi]

[Age: 19/55]

[Realm: None]

[Skills: Lou’s Axe Skill (Proficient 0/30), Stone Throwing (Mastery 0/30), Basic Boxing Technique (Proficient 0/10), Basic Spear Technique (Novice 0/6), Secret Skill: Dragon-piercing Technique - Fragment (0/20)]

[Energy: 15]

The energy remaining is 15 points, enough to meet the advancement conditions of Basic Boxing Technique.

Though he was tempted to gather five more points to master the secret skill.

But reason told him it might lead to failure.

Lou Yi didn’t hesitate any longer, he advanced the Basic Boxing Technique from proficient to mastery.

points of energy vanished, and unfamiliar memories appeared in his mind.

End of the Yun Dynasty, Macheng, Hongyang Martial Arts Hall.

In the hall, the silver-haired martial artist had a serious expression, his old yet loud voice echoed in the enclosed space:

"Press your chest and lift your back, sink your shoulders, drop your elbows, relax your waist and tighten your hips, let your qi sink into your dantian..."

More than ten men and women in white practice uniforms were intently watching ahead, practicing Pile Skill.

Only after the martial artist left did they relax.

Someone looked enviously towards the corner: "Senior Brother still has it easy, doesn’t even need to practice, just sits there."

In the southeast corner of the room, a man aged about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, sat cross-legged with his eyes closed,

His face stern, emanating an indescribable aura, making it clear he wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

"Senior Brother’s boxing technique has reached a perfect state, the teacher says he is just one step away from entering the realm of martial artists, while the teacher himself didn’t achieve it until almost fifty!" a man looked over with admiration.

"When I find a husband in the future, I’m looking for someone like Senior Brother!" a red-clothed girl said with a flushed face, causing everyone to laugh.

"Junior Sister is lovestruck again!"

At this time, Senior Brother Lou Yi was completely oblivious to the conversations around him, instead pondering other matters in his mind.

Over the years, his boxing technique had been rapidly improving, until it completely halted this year.

It was as if a membrane had appeared in front of him, only by breaking it could he enter a new realm.

If he couldn’t break it, he’d remain at his current level for this lifetime.

"How do I breakthrough?" Lou Yi sought out the teacher, the silver-haired martial artist.

After a moment of thought, the other advised: "Gather the strengths of a hundred families and forge a boxing technique of your own."

Upon hearing this, Lou Yi’s eyes brightened.

The next day, at all the major martial arts halls throughout Macheng, appeared a young man in white.

"Hongyang Martial Arts Hall’s disciple Lou Yi, here to challenge Yang Family Fist!"

"Hongyang Martial Arts Hall’s disciple Lou Yi, requesting guidance from Master Wang!"

"Hongyang Martial Arts Hall’s disciple Lou Yi, here today to... challenge the hall!"

Lou Yi now only a step away from entering the realm of martial artists, coupled with his youth and strength, showed no fear even against figures on par with the silver-haired martial artist.

He quickly made a name for himself.

As he sparred with one hall master after another, Lou Yi’s boxing technique began to transform gradually.

The technique became increasingly streamlined, with no unnecessary moves, focusing solely on defeating the enemy with maximum efficiency.

His moves flowing like a game of chess, knowing several moves ahead with each action.

On this day, he engaged with Master Hong of the largest martial arts hall in the city—Haoyue Martial Arts Hall, who was renowned as the top expert in Macheng.

Master Hong, over sixty, with a seasoned boxing technique, each move seemed natural, completely overwhelming Lou Yi in combat.

But internally, Lou Yi remained calm, without a hint of discouragement, patiently defending and waiting for an opportunity.

All the trials and training during this time, under Master Hong’s heavy hammer strikes, gradually became nutrients absorbed by Lou Yi.

At a certain moment, a bolt of inspiration flashed through Lou Yi’s mind, and his eyes brightened.

He changed from his previously fierce boxing style to a softer approach, catching Master Hong off guard.

In Master Hong’s eyes, Lou Yi, previously a sharp sword from its sheath, now restrained his edge like a calm ocean surface, with an impending volcano underneath.

At a subtle breather in one of Master Hong’s combo punches.

Lou Yi suddenly switched from defense to offense, his fists like thunder landing seven successive strikes, each hitting Master Hong’s weakest points!

’Pff!’

Master Hong stepped back continuously, Lou Yi pressed forward with each step, finally landing a punch on the chest, causing Master Hong to collapse, spitting blood.

As the memory ended, Lou Yi opened his eyes in reality.

At the same time, an extremely powerful surge of heat appeared.

This surge rampaged through Lou Yi’s body like a flood and fierce beast.

"Hiss..."

Lou Yi couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath, holding back the urge to shout, allowing the heat to transform his body.

A large amount of dark yellow liquid oozed from his body, emitting a faint stench.

Once the transformation was complete, Lou Yi wiped and found his skin had turned a complete bronze color, with a different texture than before.

He casually used a stone from the ground to gash his hand, leaving only a faint white mark.

’This texture is almost like cowhide.’ Lou Yi thought to himself.

Though still unable to withstand sharp metal objects, his chances of survival had greatly increased. Encountering some blunt weapons, it wouldn’t easily penetrate.

Plus, the boxing technique reaching mastery level now surpassed the axe skill as his strongest, his strength further enhanced.

"Search quickly!"

"It’s not here!"

Lou Yi looked toward the sound’s direction, his eyes deep and dangerous.

Next, it was time for his hunting moment!

...