74: Class B skinning room

When Fang Huai pushed open Room C03 Skinning Room, the entire place fell silent.

All the Disciples put down the work in their hands, lowered their heads, and dared not make a sound.

Some people who had previously offended Fang Huai were trembling in their legs, almost unable to stand.

The Disciples of the Skinning Room were all amazed, having witnessed Fang Huai's legendary journey over six years, progressing from the Qi Refining Fourth Layer to the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, and finally achieving a top ten rank in the Tianyuan Secret Realm.

Now that Fang Huai enjoyed inner Sect treatment, even if he found an excuse to kill them, the Law Enforcement Hall would not investigate deeply.

“Junior Brother Fang... no, Senior Brother Fang, you're back.”

Luo Heng cautiously stepped forward; although he also possessed the cultivation of the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, he didn't even have the courage to participate in the Tianyuan Secret Realm.

Now that Fang Huai had achieved success, his status, both within the Sect and the Ascension Society, far surpassed his own.

“I've returned, but also to bid farewell.”

Fang Huai's gaze swept over the crowd; nearly a quarter of the Disciples present possessed the [Blood Jade Body], indicating that the Ascension Society had expanded greatly while he was participating in the Secret Realm.

“Well done.” Fang Huai said lightly.

“Huh?” Luo Heng was confused.

“Junior Brother Luo, help me write a letter of introduction for transfer to Room B01 Skinning Room.”

“Room B01 is only accessible to Cultivators at Qi Refining Perfection.”

After Luo Heng finished speaking, he slapped his head fiercely: “With Senior Brother's current status, of course you can go.”

He immediately took out Red Letter Paper and wrote:

“Fang Huai, former Disciple of Room C03 Skinning Room, possesses astonishing talent, superb skill, outstanding character, and friendly demeanor. He is specially recommended as a Disciple of Room B01 Skinning Room. Please accept him.”

Just as he was about to leave, a female Cultivator suddenly came before Fang Huai, nervously handing over a Storage Pouch.

“Senior Brother Fang, here are twenty Spirit Stones. This Junior Sister was ignorant before, and if I have offended you in any way, I hope Senior Brother can forgive me.”

Fang Huai nodded: “As for grudges and favors, This Fang can no longer recall.”

With the female Cultivator leading the way, the rest of the Disciples also gave him Spirit Stones, some more, some less.

One reason was to settle past grievances, and the second was that since he could participate in the True Dragon Assembly, even if he couldn't achieve Foundation Establishment in the future, he would certainly become an Advanced Skinning Room steward. If he were to give them a little support then, they could also enjoy a peaceful end on Skinning Peak.

Fang Huai accepted the Spirit Stones one by one. Even if these people had conflicts with him, they were minor skirmishes, and he had already taught them a lesson through various means.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Luo Heng immediately chased after him as soon as he stepped out: “Senior Brother Fang, here are a hundred Spirit Stones. I hope they can assist Senior Brother on your path of cultivation.”

Fang Huai nodded: “Thank you for looking after me all these years. I won't forget you.”

Luo Heng was flattered and waved his hands repeatedly.

Fang Huai sneered internally. Twelve years ago, you sold me to the Human Puppet Hall, and six years ago, you tricked me into joining the Ascension Society.

Luo Heng, I truly won't forget you. The Four Elephant Shattering Body Evil Qi happens to lack proficiency, so I'll practice on you.

He moved his finger, and a trace of Evil Qi quietly drilled into Luo Heng's body.

----

When Fang Huai arrived at Room B03 Skinning Room, the steward Zhou Quan thought he was a lost Disciple.

“Junior Brother, without Qi Refining Perfection cultivation, you are not qualified to join the Class B Skinning Room.”

Seeing that Fang Huai was only at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, he frowned and asked, “Are you sure you haven't taken a wrong turn?”

Fang Huai took out the letter of introduction: “I certainly haven't taken a wrong turn.”

Zhou Quan was somewhat incredulous, thinking, could it be that after the Tianyuan Secret Realm, all the Disciples at Qi Refining Perfection in the Class B Skinning Room had died off?

To actually use a red letter of introduction to recommend a Disciple at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining.

Seeing Zhou Quan hesitate, Fang Huai handed over his Identity Token: “Please verify my identity, Senior Brother Zhou.”

Zhou Quan took the token, his expression changing drastically: “You are Fang Huai, the Fang Huai who, with the cultivation of the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, fought his way into the top ten of the Tianyuan Secret Realm?”

Fang Huai cupped his hands and said: “It was merely luck. This Junior Brother did not kill anyone; I was just lucky enough to pick up others' relics.”

Lucky?

Do you think you're fooling the idiots in the Profound Sword Sect?

Zhou Quan muttered inwardly; he had also heard about the Ascension Society's infiltration of the Tianyuan Secret Realm.

Any Disciple who managed to come out alive was already an elite. As for picking up relics?

With so many at Qi Refining Perfection, would it be Fang Huai's turn to pick them up?

It must have been gained through slaughter!

Moreover, the opponent's Identity Token clearly stated inner Sect treatment; he absolutely could not afford to offend this person.

“Junior Brother Fang, if you wish to come to this Skinning Room, even without a letter of introduction, this Senior Brother welcomes you!”

Fang Huai hadn't expected the inner Sect status to be so effective. He thanked him: “Thank you, Senior Brother, and please look after me!”

...“Fellow Senior and Junior Brothers, this is our new Junior Brother Fang Huai.” Zhou Quan introduced him with a smile.

“Senior Brother Zhou, which Skinning Room did this Junior Brother transfer from?”

“Confidential.”

“Senior Brother Zhou, an Eighth Layer of Qi Refining coming here—did he use your back door?”

“My back door isn't as wide as yours.”

“...”

Teasing sounds came from all directions. Since Zhou Quan's cultivation was nearly equal to the other Disciples in the Skinning Room, the atmosphere was less serious.

As for Fang Huai achieving a top ten rank in the Tianyuan Secret Realm, few people here knew about it.

Even if they did know, they wouldn't say it out loud, waiting instead to watch the joke of others running into Fang Huai and suffering a loss.

“Junior Brother Fang, the No. 2 Skinning Table is currently empty, you should go there.” Zhou Quan said.

“Him? The No. 2 Skinning Table?”

The group of Disciples revealed expressions of disbelief.

They knew that the No. 2 Skinning Table had been vacant ever since its owner died.

It wasn't that the Disciples didn't want to go, but if they went and their technique wasn't up to par, they would be ridiculed to death.

The smaller the table number, the higher the skill of its owner.

Rather than leaving the No. 2 table shamefully due to insufficient skill, it was better not to touch it at all.

Fang Huai did not refuse, nodding slightly, and walked over under the astonished gaze of the crowd.

His gaze swept over the dozen or so Disciples in the Skinning Room, revealing a simple and honest expression:

“Senior Brothers, this Junior Brother is new here, and I don't know which Yao Beast's hide is easy to process?”

“Cloud Swallowing Python!”

“Iron Thread Mantis!”

“Fierce Cloud Woodlouse!”

“...”

Everyone spoke at once, mostly naming High-Grade Yao Beasts, clearly carrying a hint of mockery.

They thought, why is this kid here embarrassing himself when he can't even recognize all the Yao Beasts?

“Cloud Patterned Leopard!”

Just then, the Disciple at the No. 1 Skinning Table spoke, and the rest instantly fell silent.

Fang Huai looked in the direction of the voice. The Disciple sat at the No. 1 table, his face haggard, his head full of white hair, fully focused on processing a Yao Beast at the Qi Peak.

With every lift and fall of the knife, there was a sense of profound mystery just by watching.

[Wu Xi]

[Qi Refining Perfection]

[Skinning Peak (White)] [Innate Dexterity (Red)]

[Skinning Peak: Only an Epiphany away from Skinning Technique Perfection]

[Innate Dexterity: Innate, cannot be cultivated Acquiredly]

Zhou Quan agreed: “Those people were just joking. Only the Cloud Patterned Leopard mentioned by Senior Brother Wu is the easiest Yao Beast to handle in the Class B Skinning Room.”

He paused, then added: “Senior Brother Wu's skill is not inferior even when compared to the Foundation Establishment Junior Martial Uncles of Class A. Listen to him.”

Fang Huai quickly cupped his hands toward Wu Xi and bowed in thanks: “Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Wu.”

Even with his inner Sect treatment, he was not referred to as “Senior Brother” by Zhou Quan, yet Zhou Quan willingly called Wu Xi Senior Brother.

This recognition was clearly earned by Wu Xi through genuine skill.

“Go to the storage room and bring the Cloud Patterned Leopard here, and process it properly in front of me.”

Wu Xi's gaze was stern: “If you fail to complete it today, then scram back to Class C.”

Silence fell instantly.

Zhou Quan opened his mouth, wanting to say something conciliatory, but ultimately shut it.

It was true that Fang Huai had inner Sect treatment, but Wu Xi also had an inner Sect Junior Martial Uncle supporting him; neither side could be offended.

“Alright!”

Fang Huai wasted no words, placing the Cloud Patterned Leopard onto the Skinning Platform.

Although he had achieved Major Achievement in the Skinning Technique, it was still not enough to gain Wu Xi's approval and claim the No. 2 Skinning Table.

His mind shifted, and he swapped away the opponent's [Skinning Perfection].

In an instant, his mind cleared, filled with a sense of sudden enlightenment.

His fingertips traced the Cloud Patterned Leopard's body, and then he slowly closed his eyes.

“Is this guy joking? How can he process a Yao Beast with his eyes closed?”

“He probably got scared silly by Senior Brother Wu's words, right?”

Fang Huai ignored the words of the surrounding Disciples and focused on processing the Yao Beast hide himself.

Wu Xi's lifelong mastery of techniques and insights were integrated into his Sea of Consciousness.

When he opened his eyes again, the Cloud Patterned Leopard's skin and flesh were separated, and a complete hide was spread flat on the Skinning Platform.

“Senior Brother Wu...”

Seeing that the sun had already set, Fang Huai sighed, realizing that he had been so focused on comprehending the Skinning Technique that he had ignored the time limit set by Wu Xi.

“Stay in this Skinning Room.” Wu Xi was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

When the skinning knife in his hand touched the Yao Beast again, it lacked the familiar feeling of the past. He sighed inwardly:

“This person's talent is so high that it actually damaged my Dao Heart. Respectable and formidable!”