208: Chapter 28 Middle stage of third grade!

"As long as there are a few more... a few more high-quality 'sacrifices', the first blood inscription of this 'Spirit Whip' can be completely lit up!

When that time comes, the whip will strike with blood-thirst, and its power will double!

My strength will surely reach another level!"

He then carefully put away the long whip as if it were a sacred object.

Then, he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket.

This was a simple information list of some members of the Linhai City Martial Arts Association that he had used every means to force out of Tang Jing just before her consciousness completely faded.

On it were names, positions, and rough strength assessments known to Tang Jing.

His gaze moved slowly across the paper, finally stopping on a name.

"Qin Yan... a freshman at Modu University of Martial Arts, third grade early stage..."

A hint of greed and ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

"A genius from Modu University of Martial Arts... there must be a lot of good things on him, right? Resources, pills, weapons..."

...

In the following days, Qin Yan's life was regular and compact.

Every day he rose at dawn, taking his sleepy-eyed but gradually accustomed younger sister to the Martial Arts Association.

He devoted himself to twelve hours of bitter cultivation, while Qin Xiaoxi studied and observed in the family area's lounge.

At dusk, the siblings went home together.

However, beneath this tranquility, undercurrents were always surging.

The news of Tang Jing's disappearance could not be hidden after all.

A few days later, the association reported the situation internally. Combining scattered clues from the scene investigation and abnormalities before her disappearance, the conclusion pointed to Zhang Bei.

She had likely met with a foul end.

This news cast a shadow of grief, indignation, and solemnity over the entire Linhai City Martial Arts Association.

The intensity of the operation to capture Zhang Bei suddenly increased, and everyone in and around the association was on edge.

Higher-ups like Wang Meng were under immense pressure, and their tempers had become much shorter.

Qin Yan naturally heard the news as well.

In his heart, he felt regret for Tang Jing, a respectful girl he had only met once.

At the same time, he gained a more direct understanding of Zhang Bei's cruelty and arrogance.

This also made him more concerned about his sister's safety, almost to the point of never leaving her side.

Every day, traveling between the association and home, he maintained the highest state of alertness.

With his perception fully open, he watched for any unusual movement around him.

Time passed in tension and bitter cultivation.

...

February 1st, evening.

Martial Arts Association training room.

The spear shadows had ceased; Qin Yan stood holding his spear, eyes closed in concentration.

Inside his body, blood flowed at high speed through his vessels, its temperature rising significantly, making a faint rushing sound.

Qin Xiaoxi sat quietly on a bench in the corner of the training room.

In her hands, she held a copy of "Basic Martial Artist's Observations (Teenager Edition)" borrowed from the association's archive room.

But her gaze rested more on her brother with worry.

She saw Qin Yan's skin turning slightly red, and a faint white mist even rose from his head; his whole person seemed like a red-hot bronze statue.

Although she didn't understand exactly what was happening, she could feel that her brother was at a critical moment and didn't dare make any sound to disturb him.

After a long time.

The boiling vitality throughout Qin Yan's body slowly calmed, and the unusual red flush on his skin faded.

He let out a long breath of turbid air, which was long and murky, carrying a slight fishy smell.

He lightly clenched his fist and could clearly feel the changes inside his body—his strength was more solid, and his energy was more abundant than ever before.

Even some minor abrasions on his skin from previous training now felt a slight itching sensation, healing at a speed far exceeding before!

"Blood Circulation Realm... it's done!"

Joy surged in Qin Yan's heart.

This meant he had officially stepped into the third grade mid-stage!

He immediately pulled up his personal panel to check:

[Level: third grade mid-stage]

[Blood Refining: Blood Circulation Realm (Accelerated Self-Healing)]

[Vitality: 965 cal]

[spirit: 74 Hz]

[Martial Skill: Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear Blood Refining Chapter, Fourth Revolution (97%)]

[Spear Technique: Fourth Stage (27%)]

[Alchemy: First-Grade Alchemist (34%)]

(Second-Grade Alchemist: Unlocks at 7 Hz spirit power)

[Skill Points: points]

[Note: As long as you work hard, there will be rewards]

"965 cal!"

Qin Yan looked at this number, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

From 765 cal at the third grade early stage to 965 cal at the mid-stage, it increased by 20 cal.

More importantly, entering the Blood Circulation Realm greatly increased blood activity.

He also gained the initial "Accelerated Self-Healing" ability; minor injuries in battle could heal faster, greatly enhancing his survivability.

"With my current strength, combined with the amplification of the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear and the fourth-stage Spear Light skill...

I can easily achieve an instant kill against an ordinary third grade late stage martial artist under my full power!"

"However, if I face a Third-Rank Peak martial artist, I still have no chance of winning.

In the Blood Refining Realm, the later it gets, the greater the vitality increase brought by each small realm jump.

From the third grade late stage to the Third-Rank Peak, the vitality increase can reach 40 cal!

That is a quantitative leap."

"But it's a pleasant surprise that this spirit power has actually increased by another point."

Qin Yan's gaze fell on his spirit intensity, 74 Hz, which was another 1-point increase from before.

When he completed the skull tempering at the second grade, it involved his mind, so his spirit power increased.

Upon breaking through to the third grade, his spirit power increased again.

Qin Yan had some conjectures about this.

Blood Refining tempers the blood of the entire body, which naturally includes the blood within the cranium.

As the blood quality improves, its nourishing and supporting effect on the spirit also strengthens, leading to a slight increase in spirit power along with vitality.

"Brother, are you... are you okay?"

Seeing that Qin Yan had finally "moved," Qin Xiaoxi quickly put down her book and ran over, her small face filled with concern.

"I'm fine. Not only am I fine, but it's a good thing."

"I just broke through a small realm, going from the third grade early stage to the third grade mid-stage. So my body's vitality was a bit restless, but it's stable now."

"Breakthrough?" Qin Xiaoxi's eyes lit up. "Brother, you've become stronger again?"

"Mm, a little bit stronger." Qin Yan nodded with a smile.

"That's great!"

Qin Xiaoxi cheered and then started shaking Qin Yan's arm. "Brother, you broke through tonight; this is a great occasion!

Let's not eat at home. How about we go out for a big meal to celebrate?

I know a new barbecue restaurant that opened nearby; I heard it's really delicious!"

Looking at his sister's expectant eyes, Qin Yan's heart softened.

He had been training hard lately, and his sister had been following him obediently; he really should take her out to relax.

"Alright, I'll listen to you. Let's go have a big meal." Qin Yan readily agreed.

"Yay!"

The siblings packed their things and left the Martial Arts Association.

That barbecue restaurant was indeed not far, just a ten-minute walk.

The streets at night were brightly lit, with a bit more of a lively atmosphere than during the day.

(The previous chapter was stuck in review and had a lot of cuts, woohoo~)