ckstone City.


    At the boundary between the Inner and Outer Cities.


    Fang Xi strode confidently down the center of the street, acting like a ma for monsters.


    Stomping!


    Nearby creatures, as if drawn to delectable prey, rushed towards him with frenzied intensity.


    “Die!”


    Fang Xi casually unleashed a palm strike.


    Bang!


    The struck cursed being’s spine contorted into a terrifying ‘bow’ shape, nearly splitting it in two. It flew backward, crashed onto the ground, andy motionless. It was worth noting that even martial apprentices with three transformations of blood and qi found these cursed beings challenging due to their incredibly resilient bodies.


    Yet, under Fang Xi’s power, they were as fragile as brittle wood!


    Rip!


    He grabbed a cursed being by its arm and effortlessly tore it off, causing blood to gush forth.


    “It feels almost like tearing apart a beggar’s chicken…” Fang Xi frowned, dodging the spray of blood.


    Although he wasn’t affected by demonic magical toxins, he still felt it was rather unsanitary.


    “If cursed beings crumble this easily under my hands, how much more fragile must ordinary humans be?”


    With a sweeping kick from his right leg, he sent a group of nearby cursed beings flying.


    In the next instant, a wooden figure charged towards Fang Xi, its skin pulsating as if countless insects were writhing beneath.


    <em>Pop! Pop!</em>


    As the wooden figure reached Fang Xi, its skin burst open, unleashing myriad nt roots from within its flesh and orifices,shing out at him!


    Amidst thousands of whipping tendrils, several particrly cunning ones attempted to prate Fang Xi’s body.


    <em>ng! ng!</em>


    The sound of metal striking echoed!


    Despite resembling diamond-hard drills, the roots impaled on Fang Xi’s skin could only leave fleeting white marks before swiftly dissipating.


    “The Iron Clothes Art’s defense is indeed impressive!” Fang Xi sliced through entangling vines with his hand, shaped like a de.


    Next, a paper talisman appeared in his grasp.


    “Fire!”


    A ball of spirit me materialized and engulfed the wooden figure.


    With a pitiful scream, the wooden figure disintegrated into ash.


    “Cultivation spells prove highly effective against demonic servants!” Fang Xi nodded, then his expression shifted.


    Assisted by the Heavenly Vision and Earthly Hearing Art, his eyesight and hearing greatly enhanced, he sensed multiple wooden figures converging upon him.


    “Wasting paper talismans is shameful.”


    Having tested his abilities, Fang Xi was about to leave when something caught his eye amidst the ashes of the wooden figure - a dusty seed.


    “Surviving even under a cultivator’s spirit me?” Fang Xi was slightly surprised. He carefully sealed the seed in a jade bottle and added several magical energy barriers on top.


    Only then did he leisurely use Red Snake Leg to depart, leaving behind futile roars and pursuit from the remaining wooden figures…


    “Huff huff!”


    After evading the wooden figures, Fang Xi gazed at the Demon Tree, his expression gradually growing serious: “This demon’s servants are increasing rapidly, their aura bing stronger. It seems close to advancing… I must leave here before it reaches that stage!”


    To depart, however, he needed a Forced Entry Talisman. During his recent visit to the market, Fang Xi had specifically inquired and found its cost to be around thirty-five spirit stones!


    Additionally, he still owed five spirit stones for the sweet treats to his fellow Daoist!


    “I originally wanted to further hone my martial skills…”


    “But now, it looks like I should immediately seek out True Force martial arts, break through to the secondyer of Body Refinement, andmence trading between realms…”


    At the eastern city gate, the Baiyun Dojo encampment bustled with activity.


    “Da-shixiong is back!” Liu Taotao’s eyes lit up as he spotted Fang Xi and promptly approached to greet him.


    “Hmm!”


    Fang Xi casually tossed over a bag filled with provisions, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.


    In these times of dwindling supplies, his frequent outings always yielded abundant returns, effectively sustaining nearly half the dojo’s poption.


    In reality, if Mu Canglong knew that Fang Xi had also delivered close to a thousand pounds of food to Fatso Han this time, he would undoubtedly be even more astonished.


    “Da-shixiong!”


    Tang Xuan and others hastily took the bags, their faces beaming at the substantial weight indicating ample provisions.


    As Fang Xi scanned the area, he noticed Hao Lan among them.


    This unfortunate child had lost his father, the dojo master, during the demonic disaster, and the entire Boulder Dojo was wiped out. After relying on charity from the Baiyun Dojo for some time, he mustered the courage to be Mu Canglong’s disciple, thus bing Fang Xi’s little junior brother.


    On the other hand, Tang Xuan seemed particrly contenttely, his face glowing red, clearly enjoying his time with Miss Bai.


    After greeting Lily, Mu Piaomiao, and others one by one, Fang Xi headed to the significantly smaller training ground to begin practicing martial arts.


    In the training area, several targets brought from the Baiyun Dojo stood ready.


    One target appeared especially hefty, made entirely of iron with a rope wrapped around its exterior - it was Mu Canglong’s personal wooden stake.


    However, without hesitation, Fang Xi began using it diligently.


    <em>Bang! Bang! Bang!</em>


    His punches struck the iron post with teeth-grating sounds.


    Watching this scene, Hao Lan swallowed hard, realizing how audacious he had been to challenge Da-shixiong earlier. Thankfully, his luck held…


    “Wait, is that…?” After observing for a moment, his mouth dropped open in surprise.


    As Fang Xi’s strikes continued, the rope binding the iron post snapped, revealing its dark metallic surface beneath. Astonishingly, one after another, imprints of fists and palms became visible on the post!


    “Not enough, still not enough!” Suddenly, Fang Xi let out a long cry, shaping his hand like a de.


    <em>Whack!</em>


    With a strike akin to a divine weapon, his hand de cleaved through the iron post, severing it as easily as if it were no thicker than an adult’s thigh.


    <em>ng!</em>


    The massive severed portion crashed against the wall, causing intense vibrations and dislodging clouds of dust.


    Witnesses to this spectacle stood agape.


    “Fang Xi…”


    Mu Canglong appeared at the edge of the training area, gazing at the broken iron post with excitement. “Could it be… you’ve already surpassed the human body’s limits and be a True Force Martial Artist?”


    “Just barely short!” Fang Xi retracted his hand de, feeling slightly disappointed yet sensing the changes within him.


    With the aid of Blood and Qi Pills, breaking through the human body’s limits to attain True Force seemed tantalizingly close.


    With his current progress in refining marrow with true force, it would likely take just a few more months, at most a year, to attain True Strength and break free from the limitations of Great Liang’s third-rate martial arts!


    Unfortunately, this pace was still too slow.


    ‘Therefore… I need a True Strength martial art.’


    Fang Xi’s eyes flickered as he turned to Mu Canglong. “Master, has anything significant happened recently?”


    “Most issues have been manageable,” Mu Canglong hesitated briefly before continuing, “Recently, messengers from Yuanhe Mountain near the south city gate arrived, demanding ourpliance with their orders. They im that their Protector Envoy might have found a way for us to escape…”


    “A way to escape?”


    Fang Xi’s interest piqued immediately. “What exactly is this method?”


    “I’m not entirely sure, but Yuanhe Mountain insists on our obedience, including the submission of food supplies… In return, they promise a limited number of spots for escape.” Mu Canglong’s expression showed deep conflict.


    It was clear that he doubted the feasibility of this n yet couldn’t bear to give up hope. A drowning man clings desperately to even the slightest straw of possibility.


    “For now, let’s keep the dojo out of this and observe the situation further,” Fang Xi decided swiftly.


    Within Baiyun Dojo, his decisions carried such weight that even Mu Canglong could not easily overturn them.


    As he epted the handkerchief from Lily and wiped his hands, Fang Xi casually added, “Also… I n to be away for some time.”


    “Away again?” Mu Piaomiao felt disheartened. “We have enough food supplies for many days…”


    “It’s not about the food,” Fang Xi replied. “If enemiese while I’m gone, show them this iron pir.”


    His decision to leave was naturally aimed at Yuanhe Mountain.


    Whether it was the growth of the Demon Tree or the mounting debt pressure with five spirit stones owed, Fang Xi had to swiftly sell Great Liang’s resources within the southern wilderness’s cultivation realm and exchange them for spirit stones.


    To aplish this, he needed at least Middle Stage Qi Refinement strength.


    Fang Xi knew that achieving a breakthrough in the Evesting Spring Art beyond its fourthyer would not be feasible in the short term.


    That left only his rapidly advancing martial arts as an option.


    However, despite significant progress, he still fell short of attaining True Force mastery.


    “Perhaps only Yuanhe Mountain’s secret martial arts reach the True Force level, which could elerate my advancement significantly.”


    With a contemtive gaze, Fang Xi stepped out of Baiyun Dojo’s premises and quickly vanished amidst the deste streets.


    At the South City Gate.


    “Sir Protector… I’ve already contacted all the dojo masters as instructed. Red Rock Dojo and Three Flowers Dojo have agreed to our terms. They will soon deliver substantial resources, manpower, their sect’s martial arts, along with the Divine Intent Diagrams!” Qiao Wuchang reported, bowing deeply.


    Facing him stood Linghu Yang, his aura increasingly profound, akin to both divine and demonic presence.


    “I understand,” Linghu Yang nodded coldly.


    “Sir Protector…” Qiao Wuchang gritted his teeth, “However… regarding the promised exit slots for them…”


    He harbored genuine concerns about this matter.


    Despite being a trusted subordinate, Qiao Wuchang knew well that escape from the Demonic Domain was nearly impossible, even for gods or spirits!


    “You doubt me?” Linghu Yang red icily at Qiao Wuchang.


    “This subordinate wouldn’t dare.” Although Qiao Wuchang had long entered the realm of True Force martial artists, he had no illusions about Linghu Yang’s ability to effortlessly kill him. He immediately knelt down, pleading, “Sir Protector, considering my unwavering loyalty… please guide me towards survival!”


    “A way out… naturally exists.”


    Linghu Yang closed his eyes. “I’ve already achieved mastery of True Force… Now, my next step is to break through to the Zongshi realm. Once aplished, perhaps I can find a way out…”


    “Zongshi?” Qiao Wuchang’s eyes widened.


    On the entire Yuanhe Mountain, only one legendary ancestor might have reached such a realm, if at all.


    Moreover…


    As expected, Linghu Yang continued, “Unfortunately… within our sect, only the martial artist portion of the Yuanhe Five Thunders Hand was passed down to me. Achieving the Zongshi level still poses some difficulties…”


    “Not surprising for someone like you, Protector Envoy.”


    Qiao Wuchang’s eyes gleamed momentarily before darkening with malice. “So that’s why you ordered those dojo masters to hand over their martial arts? To gather strengths from various schools?”


    “Chuckle… What could be worth learning from third-rate martial arts?” Linghu Yang shook his head dismissively. “My intention was merely to bestow them a grand gift, and then… use their blood and flesh to pave my path to bing a Zongshi… Here’s your task: Starting today, capture unwilling cultivators for me - as many as possible!”