5: Wilderness Inn, the Limits of Mortal Bodies

It was the third day after leaving Black Stone City.

The wilderness wind carried a dry, dusty scent, whipping against Gu Yang's face.

During these three days, Gu Yang was like a Tyrannosaurus Rex that had charged into a flock of sheep.

He avoided the main road, deliberately choosing to traverse remote mountains and forests.

The blind wild beasts and low-level Yao Beasts became his best touchstones.

Whether it was the ferocious Black Wind Leopard or the incredibly strong Iron Skin Pig, none could withstand a single blow from his fists, which were filled with destructive power.

"Mortal iron is still too fragile."

Gu Yang casually tossed the Mountain-Cleaving Saber, whose edge was already chipped into a sawtooth pattern, onto the roadside.

He had damaged it during a collision with an Iron Skin Pig.

His strength was too great; ordinary refined steel weapons simply couldn't withstand such violent output.

"It seems only my Physical Body is the most reliable weapon."

Gu Yang glanced at his arm; beneath the bronze skin flowed a chilling sense of power.

It was noon, and the sun was scorching hot.

At a mountain pass ahead, a tattered wine banner fluttered weakly in the wind.

"Yuelai Inn."

The name was common, but in this remote wilderness, far from any village or shop, it stood out starkly.

The scent of meat buns wafted through the air, an undeniable temptation for Gu Yang, who had been chewing on dry rations for three days in the wild.

Gu Yang narrowed his eyes and strode over.

At the entrance of the inn, a waiter with a sharp face and monkey cheeks was dozing against the door frame, but he suddenly opened his eyes upon hearing the heavy footsteps.

When he saw Gu Yang approaching like an iron tower, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, replacing it with a fawning smile.

"Yo! Esteemed guest, stopping for a meal or staying the night?"

Gu Yang didn't speak, walking straight into the main hall and finding the sturdiest table to sit at.

"Five catties of cooked beef, two jars of good wine, and ten large steamed buns."

Gu Yang's voice was deep, causing the chopstick holder on the table to tremble slightly.

The waiter wiped the table while secretly sizing up Gu Yang.

His build was terrifyingly robust, his muscles solid; he looked like a practitioner.

But... the waiter had sharp eyes; he couldn't sense any fluctuation of "Inner Qi" from this person.

In this world, the Inner Qi (or Internal Force) Cultivated by a Martial Artist has distinct characteristics.

As for Gu Yang, apart from his vitality being as vigorous as an ox's, his Meridians were completely empty.

"So he's just a brute with innate Divine Power."

The waiter defined him in his heart, a hint of greed and cruelty flashing in his eyes.

This kind of person, possessing only brute strength, was the perfect "fat sheep"—having no Sect background and being easy to handle.

"Alright! Please wait a moment, honored guest, the meat will be right out!"

The waiter shouted, turned, and scurried into the back kitchen.

Before long, the wine and meat were served.

Gu Yang didn't hold back, grabbing the beef and chewing it heartily.

Just as he was halfway through his meal, a seductive, scantily clad proprietress swayed over, carrying a plate of steaming buns.

"Oh my, this strong man is truly magnificent. It's been a long time since a hero like you visited my little establishment."

The proprietress giggled, placing the buns on the table and intentionally brushing against Gu Yang. "These are freshly steamed meat buns, a gift for the warrior to try."

Gu Yang paused his movements and glanced at the plate of buns.

The meat filling was minced very finely, and it smelled strongly of a special spice that masked the original flavor of the meat.

"Human meat?"

Gu Yang suddenly spoke, his voice as flat as if he were asking about the weather.

The smile on the proprietress's face instantly froze. A cold light flashed in her eyes, and a short dagger slid out from her sleeve, stabbing straight toward Gu Yang's throat!

"Since you figured it out, then stay and become the filling!"

At the same time, four large men armed with broadswords rushed out from the back kitchen. The waiter also slammed the door shut, drawing out an iron chain with a sinister grin.

"We originally planned to use sleeping powder to give you a quick death, but since you're seeking death, don't blame us brothers for being ruthless!"

One of the large men roared, and the Thick-backed Cleaver in his hand sliced fiercely toward Gu Yang's back, accompanied by the sound of rushing wind.

This strike was powerful and heavy; if it hit an ordinary person, they would surely be split in two.

But Gu Yang didn't even turn his head, remaining seated on the stool. His back muscles simply clenched tight!

Clang!!

A clear sound of metal striking metal rang out.

The cleaver seemed to have struck a bronze bell cast from refined iron, sending sparks flying everywhere!

The massive recoil shattered the large man's hand web, and the knife flew straight out of his grip.

"What?!"

The large man stared at Gu Yang's skin, which didn't even have a white mark, his eyes nearly popping out. "Hard Qigong?!"

Gu Yang slowly turned around, swallowed the beef in his mouth, and casually patted the dust off his back.

"Didn't you eat? You think you can kill someone with that little strength?"

He stood up. His height of 2.1 meters instantly cast a huge shadow across the narrow inn hall.

"He's a tough opponent! Attack together! Aim for his lower body and eyes!"

The proprietress shrieked, her dagger darting toward Gu Yang's eyes like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

A cruel sneer curled Gu Yang's lips.

"Too late."

Boom!

He casually grabbed the solid wooden square table in front of him. The table, weighing over a hundred catties, felt like a foam board in his hands.

Gu Yang swung his arm in a full circle, using the table like a fan and slamming it across!

"Ah—"

The proprietress, along with her dagger, was smashed away, embedding herself in the wall, her breastbone completely shattered as she spat out fresh blood.

Immediately after, Gu Yang charged into the group like a tiger among sheep.

Black Tiger Digging the Heart!

With one punch, he pierced through the chest of a large man.

Twin Peaks Piercing the Ears!

With a clap of his palms, the heads of two large men collided like watermelons, exploding into a mix of red and white matter.

In just ten breaths.

The inn hall fell silent.

Only the initial waiter remained, slumped on the ground, his crotch wet, trembling uncontrollably while holding the iron chain.

"D-don't kill me... I was forced..."

Gu Yang walked up to him, looking down from above, and gently placed his large, blood-stained hand on the waiter's crown.

"I ask, you answer."

"If you dare to utter a single lie, I will twist your head off and use it as a ball."

Half an hour later.

Gu Yang learned the true scope of Martial Dao in this world from the waiter.

It turned out that the Martial Dao was divided into nine realms: Skin Polishing, Flesh Refining, Tendon Changing, Bone Forging, Viscera Refining... Butcher Wang and these Black Inn thugs were, at most, entry-level fighters in the "Skin Polishing" or "Flesh Refining" stage.

True masters Cultivate a breath of Qi internally and train their tendons, bones, and skin externally.

Upon reaching the Bone Forging Realm, the bones are as hard as iron, possessing strength exceeding a thousand catties; upon reaching the Viscera Refining Realm, the breath is long and sustained, vitality is endless, and they can even briefly unleash Inner Force to wound others.

"According to his description, my sheer Physical Body defense and strength are already comparable to the Peak of the Bone Forging Realm, perhaps even touching the threshold of the Viscera Refining Realm."

Gu Yang analyzed inwardly.

His advantage was the absolute data crush provided by his Status Panel, while his disadvantage was the lack of systematic force application techniques and variations of Inner Force.

If he encountered a true Viscera Refining master and they used Inner Force techniques like "Hitting the Ox Across the Mountain" to penetrate his body, relying solely on Iron Cloth Shirt might not be enough to fully defend against it.

"Qingyang City..."

Gu Yang searched the waiter's clothes and found a crumpled Iron Sand Palm Secret Manual. Although crude, it was better than nothing, so he immediately had the System record it.

Then, he exerted slight force with his fingers.

Crack.

The waiter's pleas for mercy came to an abrupt halt.

Eliminate evil completely.

Gu Yang looted the dozens of taels of silver fragments from the counter and burned the Black Inn to the ground.

In this chaotic world, he was the biggest "Black Inn."

Carrying his pack, Gu Yang looked toward the outline of the majestic city on the distant horizon.

That was Qingyang City.

There were more Advanced Martial Arts Halls, stronger Martial Artists, and... more resources.

"I hope the Martial Arts Halls there can withstand my rough handling."