Bang, bang, bang.
Chang Long’s residence was a detached villa.
The door was opened by a man who bore a seventy to eighty percent resemblance to him: "Who are you?"
"Bounty hunters, here’s the warrant. We suspect you’re connected to a secret organization, routine inspection."
Jiang Huo produced the warrant and squeezed into the villa.
There were quite a few people inside, but after an orderly check, nothing was found.
No docunts, ssages, traces related to the secret organization.
The four had no choice but to give up the investigation.
After leaving the villa, the four went to the roadside restaurant next door to discuss the next course of action.
"Currently, the Berserk Cannon Hunter Squad has seven mbers. Including Baiyu, that’s eight. The other four are on another mission. This investigation task on our side should be a long-term operation."
Jiang Huo looked at the faraway villa: "Now, split into pairs, monitor for a week. If there’s no progress, abandon it. The disappearance of those students might really have nothing to do with Chang Long."
No objections were raised by the group.
And as this was the first task, Baiyu agreed accordingly.
...
Jiang Huo’s plan was quick.
Baiyu and another mber rented a room nearby with a small yard, just a stone’s throw from Chang Long’s villa.
Every day, one person would go out to monitor the villa’s happenings.
Three days passed like this.
Baiyu and the other mber were on rotation, and today was Baiyu’s turn to rest in the lodging.
"The last attempt at the Ancient Quenching and Forging Technique, I wonder if I can break through the Forged Skin stage and start formal Bone Tempering."
Recently, his cultivation sped up as he delved deeper into contemplating cola, and his Blood Qi gradually beca abundant again, reaching the peak of 600 calories.
He distinctly felt the fourth Blood Qi Overflow was approaching.
Crossing the fourth Blood Qi Overflow would formally usher him into the Bone Tempering stage.
This boundary is blurry; only he could feel it.
...
Soon, a big pot was set up in the yard.
Baiyu began controlling the temperature using the Ancient Quenching and Forging Technique as before.
It was like soaking in a self-heating hot spring.
The pot of herbs was completely absorbed, and Baiyu’s physical fourth Blood Qi Overflow was just a step away.
It was indeed just a step away.
Like a download reaching ninety-nine percent, just short of the last one percent, only to be told resources are insufficient, leaving one exceedingly uncomfortable.
"Two weeks until the college entrance exams. I should be able to reach the fourth Blood Qi Overflow, comncing the Bone Tempering stage."
"But being so close now is simply maddening for OCD."
He donned a coat.
Baiyu lay on the yard’s recliner and began browsing through his phone ssages.
On social dia, besides the "Study Help Alliance", "Bounty Hunter Group Chat", and "Class Group", he didn’t have many friends.
Ning Qian: Class leader, I’m already a Quasi-Martial Artist! You’ll be surprised on exam day!!
Baiyu opened the ssage and chatted with her for a few minutes before she went offline due to her busy study schedule.
He then glanced at ssages in the class group.
Lan Ziyue, Qin Shou, Yue Zian, and Qianren were all cultivating on the Legendary Ship.
Since the Profound Celestial Pivot group learned of Baiyu and Erza’s connection, they had no thoughts whatsoever about Linjiang City’s credits. The competition in other cities caused Linjiang’s ranking to rise to the second among six cities.
Everyone was restraining their students from the district, ensuring minimal friction with Linjiang district students.
Of course.
Others were aware of the stakes as well.
For one, Baiyu, this monster, could wield a wrench and hamr people for credits in the cafeteria. Is it possible he has no special connections?
Secondly, this guy’s combat capabilities could defeat musclen like King Kong.
Lastly, it was this ti that lead students from several cities acted together.
Although outsiders didn’t know the result.
It was clear that these people suffered losses—big losses!
In the past, they’d return boasting their actions, bounty missions, and extra earnings.
But now.
Each stayed silent, unwilling to reveal even half a word.
On the Legendary Ship, the students from Linjiang City were basking in pride.
The suppressed frustration within their district vanished with Baiyu’s return and a series of impressive moves. The class leader never fails under pressure.
The group chatted about these events, and everyone seed quite excited.
However, Baiyu habitually kept a low profile and didn’t prefer speaking at such tis.
Continuing to scroll through the ssages.
Jiang Xi: You registered as a bounty hunter without inviting ?
Gan Yuhan: Jiang Xi and I are also planning to take the bounty hunter exam, not much to learn lately. Which bounty hunter team did you join?
The two girls had recently bonded.
Baiyu brushed them off with a couple of words, closed his phone, prepared to cultivate and consolidate the Myriad Beasts Battle Technique, and revise knowledge from books on Magic Elixir and Spiritual Arts when a ssage popped up.
"Co quickly to the riverside park outside the villa; there’s a lead."
The ssage was from his partner.
An experienced bounty hunter from Berserk Cannon Hunter Squad.
A Tier Nine Martial Artist, with three ridians opened from the five, already with two Blood Qi Overflows.
Of course.
Baiyu consistently showed only the strength of a Tier Nine Martial Artist with two ridians opened and one Blood Qi Overflow. Being a newcor, the partner didn’t particularly concern himself with Baiyu.
Many actions, investigations were done solo by the partner.
Now suddenly summoning Baiyu seed a bit odd.
"Could sothing have happened?"
A cautious Baiyu furrowed his eyebrows, first ssaging Jiang Huo, then grabbed the modified Living Iron Short Blade and R8 pistol, ensuring preparations before heading out.
The R8 modified by the chief had beco a genuinely Magical Item.
Just the bullets capable of carrying Blood Qi and effectively breaching the Martial Artist’s body and Blood Qi defenses were enough to surpass most conventional weapons.
...
The incident occurred in the external woods.
This was an old park by the river, well-greened but not highly trafficked.
At this hour, it was nightti.
Baiyu made his way to the riverside park, straightforwardly heading to the agreed spot, only to find a pool of blood on the ground.
Sothing had indeed happened.
Baiyu’s expression was grim, intending to leave, but t a black-robed individual approaching.
Under the dim light of the streetlamp,
a towering figure erged.
Chang Long’s upper body was stained with fresh blood, his mouth sared with dried remnants, and his gaze was predatory: "Baiyu!!"
His shout felt like a parent catching their child gaming at an internet cafe.
Baiyu instantly beca alert, saw the blood on him, and confird his suspicion: "As expected, connected with the Abyssal Ascetic Association. What happened to the bounty hunter?"
"I killed him."
Chang Long smiled malevolently: "I’ve installed signal jamrs around. You won’t escape today. An old friend of mine has been wanting to et you for a long ti."
As he spoke,
another man stepped out, clad in a black robe.
If ng Lei were here, he’d instantly recognize him as the one he wanted to slap to death, only to be backstabbed by Allen, narrowly fleeing—Gurman.
The last few active Assistant Priests of the Abyssal Ascetic Association.
"Keke, Baiyu... So you’re Baiyu, isn’t it?"
Charman’s eyes flashed with deep-seated hatred.
During this period, his eating and sleeping were disrupted, each day loathing the idea of tearing this bastard to shreds.
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