Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

"My primary goal right now is the junior knight fighting tournament in four months."

Xilun's gaze sharpened.

This match is not only about representing the Iron Cross Club, but also an excellent stage to showcase our strength to the entire city of Saint Laurent.

More importantly, there's the prize. If he can win the grand prize, that incredibly precious "Rebirth Potion," it will be the key to breaking through from the first-tier Baptist and advancing to the second-tier "Tearer."

Only by reaching the second tier would he be qualified to truly stand firm in front of Balk and completely tear him apart.

"At worst, if I have to face Rose, I'll get my revenge."

A cold glint flashed in Xilun's eyes.

He still vividly remembered Ross's arrogant demeanor at the Ocelli family's estate, and the vicious whip kick that deliberately injured him.

At that time, Lord Lund descended like a war god, avenging him with absolute power and throwing Ross against the wall like a rag doll.

But Xiren had his own pride. The protection of others was ultimately an external force. He had to fight back on the ring fair and square, vent his anger, and show those self-important nobles of the Ocelli family what true power was.

……

The sound of rain continued unabated in the small room.

Xilun sat on the edge of the bed, his brain working at high speed like a sophisticated gear machine, analyzing the situation he was currently facing and the gap in strength.

He began to ponder Ross's underlying strength.

"Ross is at the first-tier extreme level. His blood and qi have been honed to perfection. He is almost ready to complete his second baptism and step into the threshold of the second tier."

Xilun narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling the violent power Ross had unleashed that day.

That sense of pressure was far more solid and sharp than Marshall's during the Pioneer Cup.

"As for me, although I have made rapid progress, the time I have been baptized is too short, and there is still a considerable gap between me and the first-level extreme realm."

Xilun silently made plans in his mind.

In terms of strength, his current major technique, "Great Sea Whale Guiding Technique," has just been stabilized at the second level.

Although this technique is domineering and can grant him a much stronger life force than others of the same level, it still seems somewhat weak when facing an extreme expert like Ross who has been cultivating for many years.

"If I can break through to the third level, I might be able to barely compete with Ross, but I can only exchange a couple of blows and won't be able to last long."

Only by reaching the fourth level, where qi and blood are continuously replenished, can one completely contend with the opponent and not be at a disadvantage.

Xilun pondered, "If I can reach the legendary fifth level, then my strength will be more than twice as strong as Ross's at the extreme level."

This is extremely difficult to do.

The further you progress in the Giant Whale Guidance Technique, the more terrifying the physical and mental strain becomes, and it is extremely difficult to master, requiring a long and arduous process.

But for me personally, it's alright.

He possesses the talent of "adaptive organs" and has an endurance far beyond that of ordinary people. Given enough resources and extreme environments, he can grind up his experience points.

As for physical strength, Xilun is actually very strong.

After being tempered to the extreme by the refrigeration equipment and baptized in several life-or-death battles, his muscle density and bone hardness are comparable to those of a low-level mutant.

However, compared to Ross's body, which was supported by his family's wealth, had been at the first level for several years, and had been nourished by countless precious medicines, it was indeed lacking in some foundation.

"However, the difference in physical strength is not the most fatal flaw."

Xilun exhaled a breath of stale air. "Our most critical weakness right now is in combat skills."

Although he has mastered the Bellero kick and the Dorok Dark Claw technique to a very high level, with the Dark Claw technique even reaching the master level, these are still unarmed combat techniques.

In a real life-or-death struggle, especially against an enemy wielding advanced and extraordinary weapons, being unarmed often puts you at a significant disadvantage.

"I need to practice a weapon-based fighting style."

Xilun's gaze hardened. Weapons are extensions of the arm, a geometric amplification of killing efficiency.

The mission is now busy and the road is difficult. A noble genius like Ross is blocking the way ahead, and a gangster boss like Balk is watching closely behind.

To carve out a path through these difficult circumstances, we must continue to work incredibly hard.

Xilun once heard his mentor Lund say something like this:

"To become a strong person, one must demand the same high standards of oneself as the strong person."

If you only focus on the mud beneath your feet, you'll never see the storm on the mountaintop.

Xilen pondered this "standard." If he wanted to surpass Rose completely in four months, he began to plan a specific timeline.

"The Great Sea Whale Guiding Technique can't be mastered to the fourth level in four months; that would require a massive amount of resources."

However, for the third level, as long as high-intensity refrigeration training is maintained, supplemented with medication, one or two months should be enough.

In terms of physical strength, it has been tempered by refrigeration and subjected to extreme pressure in daily life. Although it is still somewhat lacking, there will not be a qualitative difference.

Therefore, the biggest difference lies in that still undefined weapon-based combat technique.

"I need to learn an extremely powerful weapon-based fighting technique, and ideally, I should be able to reach an expert level before the competition."

At this point, Xilun stroked his chin thoughtfully.

According to the knowledge he learned from his mentor, the proficiency level of basic combat techniques in this world is divided into four stages: beginner, proficient, expert, and master.

The truly lethal and extraordinary fighting techniques have a much more profound system.

The three stages of first, second, and third order are collectively known as the "transcendental level".

At this level, the upper limit of combat skills is not just the master level that ordinary people can reach.

Above the Master level, a fifth and extremely terrifying level emerges – the "Transcendent" level.

Martial arts that reach an extraordinary level can manipulate the elements that roam the world with every move, unleashing destructive power far exceeding the limits of the human body.

Correspondingly, when extraordinary individuals advance to the fourth, fifth, or sixth tier and enter the terrifying "Chaos Layer," their extraordinary combat skills will develop a sixth level—"Chaos-level Proficiency."

That power was enough to incite chaos and destroy city-states.

Xilun seemed thoughtful:

"Although Ross is a first-level extreme realm cultivator, he is still young and has an impetuous nature."

His extraordinary fighting skills are probably at the expert level, not quite at the master level.

I myself need to reach at least a master level in weapon-based combat to completely overwhelm my opponent in terms of skill.

Xilun sighed, thinking it over and over, and realized that the overall gap between the two sides was indeed quite large.

After all, Ross had received systematic training from his family since childhood, and his cultivation time was much longer than mine.

"If I could have another year, that would be plenty of time."

Unfortunately, reality doesn't grant me the mercy of waiting.

Xilun thought a lot, turning all the pressure into a cold, fervent motivation. Finally, he closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep.

He needs to recover his strength for tomorrow's training.

……

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the rain had stopped, and the air was filled with the earthy smell of soil.

Xilen opened his eyes on time and went for his usual morning run.

Walking along the dilapidated streets of the lower town, he controlled his breathing, letting sweat soak his back.

After his morning run, he practiced his Dark Claw Kung Fu and kicking techniques dozens of times in the small park behind the hotel until his blood and energy were fully activated.

After finishing his morning exercise, he returned to the Golden Rooster Hotel and received a letter from the front desk owner, Mori.

On his way back to Room 106, Xilun casually opened the envelope.

The letter, carrying a faint scent of violets, was sent by Daisy.

The handwriting in the letter was delicate yet lively, and she wrote a lot of rambling.

He excitedly told her that he had recently been practicing an ancient technique, and although he often made a mess of the room, he felt it was very magical.

Then, she brought up the matter that Xilen had asked her earlier.

"Siron, about what you asked before, how to practice mental power and analyze the logic of spells."

I think you don't need to be in such a hurry.

Mysticism is a profound and unfathomable field of study. You need to first find a true "witch" to awaken your mystical talents, open the door to spiritual vision, and then decide which aspect of mystical practice you wish to pursue, such as astrology, alchemy, or curses.

"Of course, you don't necessarily need to devote your energy to practicing mysticism."

Your extraordinary physical talent is already quite outstanding; perhaps focusing on the path of a knight would be a better option.

By the way, I'm going to learn pharmaceutical manufacturing with Susie soon, I hope I don't blow up the crucible.

At the end of the letter, her writing softened:

"Now that we've got the point straight, Siron, no matter what happens, no matter how unfair the world is to you, you must love life."

Otherwise, how happy would those hiding in the shadows, laughing at you?

Xilun stood in the corridor, quietly read the last line of text, and then folded the letter and put it away.

He let out a breath and reached up to rub his slightly throbbing temples.

He did indeed intend to minor in mysticism. When facing those bizarre alien species and insidious curses, mere physical strength often puts him at a disadvantage.

However, he has been too busy lately, and his energy has been completely drained in order to prepare for the fight and seek revenge.

"Let's put it aside for now. First-tier battles mainly rely on internal energy and combat skills, and we don't need the direct help of mysticism for the time being." Xilun made a decision in his heart.

Of course, once the extraordinary path is upgraded to the second or third tier, and one gradually comes into contact with more high-level extraordinary relics, potion recipes, and those areas involving mental pollution, a deep knowledge of occultism will be needed as support.

Practice is necessary eventually, but not now.

He returned to his room, took out paper and pen, and wrote a simple reply.

He made no mention of Finn's death, nor of the life-or-death pressure he himself was facing.

He simply wrote: "I'm fine. I'll be practicing hard and preparing for the junior knight fighting tournament in four months. Good luck with your medicine making, and don't explode the crucible."

After sealing the envelope and asking Mori to mail it, Siron changed into a clean set of training clothes and left the hotel.

His destination today is Lord Lund's Red Leaf Manor.

Red Leaf Manor is located in the bustling area of ​​the lower city of Saint Laurent. In stark contrast to the mud and noise of the lower city's commoners, it is quiet and luxurious, with the fresh scent of neatly manicured lawns filling the air.

Xiren showed his badge and entered the manor without any trouble.

The ever-stern, meticulous silver-haired butler greeted him without saying much, only bowing slightly and leading him to a spacious hall deep within the manor.

The hall had a very high dome, and the walls were covered with ancient weapons and specimens of alien heads, exuding a chilling atmosphere.

The butler quietly withdrew, and Xilun stood at the edge of the hall, his gaze immediately drawn to the figure in the center.

His mentor, the newly promoted high-ranking knight Lord Lund, was changing into a set of close-fitting, lightweight silver armor and practicing his spear skills.

Lund held a long, crimson spear in his hand.

The spear was made of some unknown material, and its surface shimmered with a dark red luster, as if magma was flowing within it.

Lund didn't use any fancy moves; he simply flicked his wrist forward.

"laugh--"

The air in front of them was torn apart by this seemingly casual strike, producing a piercing hissing sound.

Immediately afterward, the air was compressed to an extreme degree wherever the gun tip passed, producing a series of muffled explosions.

The spear danced in Lund's hands like ripples on water, a natural extension of his arms, a perfect harmony.

Every thrust, flick, and sweep he made carried a suffocatingly heavy sense of oppression, as if the entire hall was trembling along with the trajectory of the spear tip.

After waving it around for a moment, Lund flicked his wrist, and the gun emitted a crisp dragon's roar. He calmly and steadily returned it to his side.

At the lower edge of the hall, two other people were sitting cross-legged on the floor, watching intently.

Xilun recognized them as Lund's other two formal disciples, Aigu and Yus.

Their eyes gleamed with fervor and awe.

Siren watched quietly until Lund put away his weapon and placed it back on the black iron weapon rack to the side.

As Lund took the towel offered by a servant and wiped the sweat from his brow, he asked without turning his head, "Has Xilun arrived?"

Xilun immediately took two steps forward, his posture upright, and said respectfully, "Teacher, I'm here."

Lund turned around, his deep gaze sweeping over Xilun's slightly haggard but determined face.

He nodded slightly, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of all-knowing wisdom: "It seems you've already made up your mind."

Xilen nodded slightly, knowing that his mentor was referring to what happened yesterday with Fein.

Since the tragedy has already occurred, there is no point in wallowing in grief; the only option is to take up arms.

He looked directly into Lund's eyes and said in a deep voice, "Yes, teacher, I want to practice armed combat."

Lund tossed the towel onto the tray and walked to a high-backed mahogany chair at the edge of the hall and sat down.

He pondered for a moment, glanced at the other two disciples beside him, and then looked back at Xilun.

"Besides you, the other disciples, after reaching a certain level, all chose their own weapon-wielding path, and I taught them corresponding extraordinary fighting techniques."

Lund said slowly, "For example, Aigu chose the greatsword, and Yus chose the gauntlets."

However, although I have observed you for a long time, I still can't quite put my finger on which aspect you excel in most.

Lund's tone was very objective; he calmly analyzed:

"You seem to have an almost instinctive talent for practicing skills."

Whether it's the extremely demanding Iron Wall Breathing Technique, the domineering Heavy Sea Whale Guiding Technique, or police combat techniques and the Dorothy Dark Claw Kung Fu, you can master their essence in a very short time.

"However, your abilities seem to be quite balanced."

Your strength, speed, and resilience are all present without any obvious weaknesses, but you also don't demonstrate an absolutely overwhelming prowess in any particular fighting style.

This is both an advantage and a disadvantage when choosing weapons.

Lund looked at Xilen thoughtfully, his deep eyes seeming to see through his soul.

He asked, "Have you thought about what weapon you want to practice with?"

Don't rush to answer. Think carefully about which primary and secondary weapon you want to use, and then tell me your reasons.