Chapter 100: Scheming and the Black Spear!

Only a moment later.

Lu Yuan, sitting cross-legged on the bed, slowly opened his eyes.

A spiritual light swirled in his eyes, revealing an indescribable, wise brilliance, and then he moved his mind to communicate with the Heavenly Book:

【Earthly Fiend-Ingestion: Earth (0%)】

Under the enlightenment brought by consuming a large amount of Luck Power, his comprehension and mastery of the Ingestion Technique had already advanced.

Without a word, Lu Yuan immediately took a Bait Stone Pill from his Pot Heaven Bag, swallowed it in one gulp, and then activated the Ingestion Technique.

Subsequently.

Whoosh.

As if a raging fire were cooking oil, the Bait Stone Pill that had fallen into his stomach upon the activation of the technique began to decompose and refine rapidly. The medicinal power contained within it, under the effect of the technique, seemed to undergo a certain reaction, swiftly transforming into vast essence and surging upward.

Feeling this refining effect, which was far superior to before, Lu Yuan was greatly surprised and then accelerated the absorption of the Bait Stone Pill's medicinal power.

In just a short while, the vast medicinal power of the pill was mostly digested, and it had even generated more than a wisp of Dharma Power within his body.

Lu Yuan savored it for a moment, a slightly surprised smile appearing on his face:

"The effect and efficiency of the Food Consumption Technique have both doubled. My three hundred-plus units of Luck were not spent in vain!"

For the same Tiaohe Zhishu-treated Bait Stone Pill, the Ingestion Technique previously could only achieve an effect increase of about fifty percent.

But now that the Food Consumption Technique had advanced, the amplification effect had doubled, and the medicinal efficacy of one Bait Stone Pill had also doubled; one pill was now equal to the effect of two!

The simplest and most direct manifestation was that his efficiency in Refining Essence into Qi would increase significantly as a result. With autonomous cultivation supplemented by pills, he could refine nearly twenty wisps of True Qi in a month, and in at most five years, he could accumulate a thousand wisps of Dharma Power, bringing his Refining Essence into Qi cultivation to perfection!

Compared to the decades he had initially calculated, this speed was already a rocket-like improvement.

"This is only after advancing one Food Consumption Technique; if I advance Guidance as well and use both simultaneously, wouldn't it be even faster?"

"If I have enough Luck Power, and I also advance the two techniques of Stone Boiling and Medicine, wouldn't I be able to break through Refining Essence into Qi in a year or so?"

The more Lu Yuan thought about it, the more his heart surged.

The cultivation foundation he had built relying on the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Arts had 【Ingestion】 and 【Guidance】 as absolute cornerstones, while the Tiaohe Zhishu of 【Stone Boiling】 and 【Medicine】 were second only to them, also serving as important pillars to accelerate his cultivation.

If all four of these were advanced, he dared not imagine how fast his cultivation could become.

Of course.

The Guidance technique was fine, but the progress of the two techniques of Stone Boiling and Medicine was still too low, and the Luck Power required was simply too much. To upgrade them, it was best to practice diligently while accumulating Luck.

Once this thought crossed his mind, ripples suddenly stirred in his heart.

That was the prompt brought by the 【Sprouting】 technique.

As if he had sensed something, he pushed the door open in advance and came to the courtyard gate.

Then, he heard a burst of footsteps approaching, and someone gently knocked on the door.

He waited slightly, then opened the courtyard gate with a smile on his face:

"Uncle-Master, Old Gu, please come in quickly."

Those who came were naturally Lin Xingchao, who was sitting in a wooden wheelchair, along with Xi Beichen, Gu Yourong, and Gu Kanshan and his daughter.

They all looked at Lu Yuan with extremely complex expressions, especially the two peers, Xi Beichen and Gu Yourong, whose gazes were as if they were looking at some prehistoric monster.

Just like that.

Several people walked quickly into the courtyard in silence, and under Lu Yuan's guidance, they arrived at the main hall and sat down.

Looking at this junior who was now exceptionally unfamiliar, Lin Xingchao asked impatiently:

"A Yuan, what is going on? Why are you setting up a ring here in Jinjin, and that astonishing Godly Strength..."

Lu Yuan naturally would not explain too much, only saying:

"Setting up a ring in Jinjin is naturally to make a name for myself and lay a foundation for future actions. As for the Godly Strength... I was born this way, it's just that I have never fully revealed it until now."

Gu Kanshan asked in surprise: "So, even your master didn't know?"

Lu Yuan nodded with a smile.

The crowd looked at each other in dismay, not knowing what to say.

The matter was too bizarre, and they had to accept this explanation. Lin Xingchao asked hesitantly:

"After today, your reputation will surely spread throughout all of Jinjin, and making a name for yourself will be a given. Is there any need to continue setting up this ring?"

"Of course I must."

Lu Yuan said:

"Two days is not enough; at the very least, I must set it up for a few more days. Isn't there a Martial Arts Grandmaster of the True Martial Realm in the Jinjin Martial Arts Association? I have always been very curious about such figures, and I hope to attract them to appear and make a move during this period to see what kind of martial power they truly possess."

He was not being evasive with this statement.

Although his immortal cultivation realm was still in the early stage of Refining Essence into Qi, he was basically invincible regardless of the martial arts or Daoist Arts experts he faced.

However, out of caution, he still very much wanted to see with his own eyes what kind of strength the Seventh Realm Grandmasters, who stood at the pinnacle of this mortal world, possessed.

Attracting a Martial Arts Grandmaster to fight?

Not expecting Lu Yuan's goal to be so astonishing, the crowd was collectively shaken and left speechless.

Although firearms were rampant nowadays and martial arts were gradually declining, every Grandmaster was still a living legend who could stand against a thousand troops alone, a figure worshipped by countless martial artists.

But upon second thought.

Since four Martial Arts Masters had taken the stage today and none could take his Three Punches, it seemed only natural for Lu Yuan to set his sights on the top-tier Grandmasters.

"A Yuan, I suggest you had better quit while you're ahead."

Gu Kanshan pondered:

"After all, you have just arrived in Jinjin and have no foundation here. After today's display, I fear that both the Martial Arts Association and the Boatmen's Gang will try every possible means to deal with you.

As for the Martial Arts Association, although they have a Martial Arts Grandmaster like Wu Taidou sitting in charge, he is a world-renowned Grandmaster and likely won't lower his status to compete in a ring with a junior like you. After today's events, others in the Martial Arts Association will not sit by and watch you steal the limelight. Although they cannot find an expert capable of taking your Three Punches, they have deep connections with high-ranking government officials, and they could easily use some influence to make it impossible for you to continue setting up your ring at Haihe Square tomorrow."

"That is correct."

Lin Xingchao also added with a grave expression:

"The Martial Arts Association is still manageable; after all, they care about their reputation and follow certain rules of conduct. But that Deng Xiaolin of the Canal Gang has always been perverse and vengeful. You didn't leave him any face on the stage today; given his temperament, he will surely try every possible means to retaliate when he returns."

Under his Yulong Hall, he can mobilize at least ten thousand gang members. Ants can bite an elephant to death; if these people find your residence, they will bring endless trouble. One moment of carelessness could even lead to a life-threatening situation!"

However, regarding this.

Lu Yuan's expression remained unchanged, his gaze shifting slightly:

"Deng Xiaolin's retaliation or whatever is not worth mentioning. But if, as Old Gu said, the Martial Arts Association uses official power to stop me from setting up the ring, that would indeed be a trouble."

The combination of these five Earthly Fiend Arts—Sprouting Head, Sending Staff, Generating Light, Earth Travel Technique, and Invisibility—let alone a small Canal Gang's Deng Xiaolin, even if thousands of modern troops surrounded him with Firearm and Cannon, they could not harm him in the slightest.

But if the Martial Arts Association used official power to pull the rug out from under him and stop him from setting up the ring, it would make him feel a bit troubled.

He could certainly go on a killing spree, slaughtering all the officials, soldiers, and even the high-level members of the Martial Arts Association who dared to stop him, but his idea of continuing to set up the ring to make a name for himself and harvest Qi Luck would be completely ruined.

Seeing that Lu Yuan did not care about Deng Xiaolin's threat at all, Lin Xingchao's tone became somewhat urgent, and he earnestly advised:

"A Yuan, you must not be careless and underestimate the enemy. That Deng Xiaolin has many subordinates and great influence; he can even get hold of firearms and explosives. If he finds out your tracks and address, an ambush or assassination would be almost impossible to guard against. He might even fire a black gun from under the stage while you are holding the ring!

Since you are in Jinjin, I, as your martial uncle, must ensure your safety. Today, you have achieved your goal of making a name for yourself. Why not pause for two days, avoid the limelight, and talk about the ring later?"

Lu Yuan, however, smiled slightly:

"Martial Uncle, everyone has some secrets. Since I have said I do not fear Deng Xiaolin's retaliation, you can rest assured. By comparison, I would like to ask you two: is there any way for me to continue this ring tomorrow without being affected by the government?"

Seeing Lu Yuan so confident, Lin Xingchao was momentarily speechless.

He seemed to want to persuade him further, but Gu Kanshan suddenly stopped him and spoke up:

"Xingchao, concern leads to chaos. Don't forget that A Yuan is someone who defeated four Martial Arts Masters in a row. Since he says he is not afraid, he naturally has his own considerations."

Lin Xingchao was stunned: "That is true."

Gu Kanshan looked at Lu Yuan, his gaze burning:

"A Yuan, since you have the heart to do something earth-shattering, we will naturally support you. I suddenly thought of a way that can not only allow you to set up the ring without being affected, but also make you famous throughout Jinjin and even spread across the thirty-six provinces, and perhaps even win back some dignity for the hundreds of millions of citizens of the world. Are you interested?"

"Oh?"

Lu Yuan immediately became interested:

"I would like to hear the details!"

Meanwhile.

Inner City, Jinyu Mantang Building.

Jinyu Mantang is one of the best restaurants in Jinjin, and it is also a place where the veterans of the Martial Arts Association often gather.

It was near evening, but the lobby, which should have been full of guests, was deserted, and the atmosphere was heavy and murderous.

Inside the lobby.

Zheng Shan'ao, Huang Shihu, Ouyang Heng, and other famous masters sat in the seats of honor, surrounded by twenty or thirty veterans and martial arts school masters.

And the reason they gathered together was to discuss only one topic.

That is, how to deal with Lu Yuan tomorrow!

"If you ask me, we should just invite the old man Wu Taidou to come forward!"

Hou Zhenhua, who was sitting in the front row, stood up and said:

"This kid is clearly planning to keep the ring going; he is obviously trying to step on the face of our Martial Arts Association to climb up. If we don't deal with him severely, the face of our Martial Arts Association will be lost!"

"No!"

In the crowd, Hu Yixiang, who had been knocked off the ring by Hou Zhenhua earlier, stood up to disagree:

"What kind of status does Wu Taidou have? That kid is only in his early twenties; that would be giving him too much credit! Even if the old man Wu Taidou teaches this kid a lesson, he would have earned enough hype and taken a huge advantage!"

Hou Zhenhua immediately looked at him sideways: "Surname Hu, what do you want then? Just watch that kid step on the face of the Martial Arts Association?"

"Talk nonsense!"

Hu Yixiang snorted coldly:

"In my opinion, it is better to directly ask the government to come forward and ban that kid from setting up the ring at Haihe Square on the grounds of gathering and causing trouble, or simply drive him out of Jinjin. I assume an outsider with no foundation can't do anything about it!"

"Nonsense! If such methods were to spread, would our Martial Arts Association still have any face left?"

"What methods? This kid is just relying on his Godly Strength to act recklessly; treating him like this is already polite enough! Right now, Deng Xiaolin of the Canal Gang might be thinking of ambushing gunmen to fire a black gun. It is still a question of how many days that kid can live!"

"That's true. Asking Wu Taidou to come forward is giving this person too much credit. It would be better to use this method to drive him away."

For a time, the large hall was filled with discussion, some supporting and some opposing, arguing into a mess.

And in the main seat, Zheng Shan'ao was puffing on his dry tobacco pipe, and suddenly knocked on the table.

The lobby suddenly became quiet, everyone's eyes gathered, and Zheng Shan'ao looked at the four famous masters including Huang Shihu:

"Do you brothers have any insights?"

Regarding the face lost during the day, Huang Shihu still looked gloomy, so he said:

"That kid has inhuman strength. Putting it before us, there are only the two paths they mentioned: either invite Wu Taidou to come out of seclusion, or make it so that kid cannot set up the ring. There is no point in arguing back and forth; let's just vote!"

"That is right."

The oldest, Ouyang Heng, immediately said:

"Those who agree to invite Wu Taidou to come out of seclusion, raise your hands!"

With a swoosh, Zheng Shan'ao in the main seat and a small portion of the martial arts school masters below raised their hands, less than half in number.

"Those who agree to use official interference, raise your hands!"

With a rustling sound, Huang Shihu on the stage, the other two famous masters, and most of the martial arts school masters below all raised their hands.

The result was self-evident.

After counting, Ouyang Heng said: "Since that is the case, we will send people to the government office to contact them later. Everyone can go back."

Hearing this, the many veterans and martial arts school masters dispersed amidst the discussion.

Although Zheng Shan'ao's expression in the main seat was not good, he puffed on his dry tobacco pipe in silence and did not say much.

The emergence of such a young man as Lu Yuan actually made him quite happy and amazed, and he wished he could become friends with him regardless of their age difference.

However, the reputation of the Martial Arts Association is greater than Heaven, and Lu Yuan's act of setting up a fighting ring has caused no small impact on the Martial Arts Association's reputation; regarding the outcome of this decision, he also has no other way.

At the same time.

The base of the Canal Gang.

In Yulong Hall, Deng Xiaolin sat in the main seat with his arms wrapped in bandages, looking at the several leaders who had come to report below, his expression ferocious:

"What, you still haven't found him even now?"

"What on earth are you bastards good for? Thousands of people looking for one person and you still haven't found him!?"

Below the platform, the several leaders were as silent as cicadas in winter, aggrievedly saying:

"Gang Leader Deng, please calm your anger. That kid's disappearance was truly quite strange; none of the brothers present discovered how he left. This kind of trick is truly the first time we have seen it."

"We have already issued a bounty, and a full three or four thousand brothers are outside inquiring and searching. Once there is news, we will certainly notify you immediately!"

Deng Xiaolin said grimly:

"Can you find him before daybreak? I do not wish to see him setting up a ring at Haihe Square tomorrow!"

"Before daybreak..."

The several leaders looked at each other, none daring to give a guarantee:

"It is getting dark now, making it even more time-consuming to inquire and search; it is really not certain that we can find this villain before daybreak."

"Gang Leader, if you are truly unable to swallow this anger, why don't we send a few brothers to mix into the crowd when that kid sets up the ring tomorrow, and then..."

"Good!"

Deng Xiaolin slapped the table, his eyes sinister and filled with killing intent:

"Prepare ten of the best gunmen in the hall, bring the best gear, and find an opportunity to shoot that beast to death tomorrow! I want him to have the life to set up the ring, but no life to step down from it!"

The several leaders did not hesitate, immediately agreeing with sinister smiles:

"Yes!"

"Rest assured, Gang Leader Deng, we will certainly handle it beautifully!"

To people like them, no matter how imposing or peerless one is on the fighting ring, when facing so many black guns, one must still bleed on the spot.

Assassinating with guns on the street seems lawless, but for the Canal Gang, the number one gang that has been entrenched in Jinjin for many years and has close relations with many high-ranking officials, it counts for nothing.

The Canal Gang may lack everything, but what they lack the least is people.

Whether it is skilled gunmen or scapegoats to take the blame afterward!

(End of this chapter)