Ultimate True Lord

A whopping 180% increase!

It was almost equivalent to three times the original cultivation speed!

The cultivation of evil arts is already fast, but this one has tripled that speed, which is simply unimaginable. It's like an electric scooter with a jet engine installed at the back, propelling it forward with all its might.

It reached an exaggerated speed that should never have been its original value.

In such a situation, if there is even the slightest obstacle on the road, or if the road is slightly curved, the only possible outcome would be a wrecked car, death, and a pile of mangled flesh.

Unfortunately, the illusory image of the waning moon was already in place. The sunlit avenue was unobstructed, wide and straight, and the light boat had already passed countless mountains.

In the courtyard.

Jiang Ming couldn't wait to start practicing the Crescent Moon Step. His burly figure flashed a few times, and he had already circled the big tree several times, gently patting the trunk a dozen times.

If this were a living person, they would have been repeatedly struck in vital areas, causing internal bleeding and death on the spot.

A moment later, Jiang Ming slowly stopped.

His eyes were incredibly bright, and he made his judgment without hesitation.

"Two days."

"Give me two more days, and I'll be able to break through to the Soft Strength level with the Crescent Moon Step!"

Sure enough, two days later.

Jiang Ming shifted his body constantly in the courtyard, his feet tracing crescent-shaped arcs. His movements were ghostly, stirring up a gentle breeze, his mind and body completely absorbed in cultivation.

At a certain moment, Jiang Ming suddenly felt a sharp pain in both feet. A surge of qi and blood, like a furnace, began to violently surge beneath his skin and flesh. His muscles bulged inch by inch, his fascia expanded, and his skin turned a dark reddish-black.

"Click click click..."

With each step, a crisp cracking sound came from his joints.

He could clearly feel a long, supple flow of qi and blood circulating within his legs, continuously radiating power outwards.

Jiang Ming took a step forward, using the same stride and the same force, but his foot instantly traced a crescent moon arc much longer than a waning crescent. He shot forward with a whoosh, sliding five or six meters.

Then stomp down again.

Jiang Ming was so badly injured that he almost left a blur as he crashed straight into the wall.

He quickly leaped lightly, his whole body flying swiftly over the wall, like a bird flying under the moon, gracefully and freely tracing a long parabola.

Jiang Ming leaped across Baishui Street, as fast as a gust of wind, yet almost without a sound.

On the street, someone was talking when he suddenly felt a slight breeze brush against the back of his head. He stopped talking, turned around, but there was nothing on the street. At this moment, Jiang Ming was already dozens of meters ahead.

"call out!"

After a leisurely stroll.

Jiang Ming leaped over the wall again and returned to the courtyard. Two black afterimages seemed to follow behind him, only catching up with his figure a step later.

This light-body skill is no longer the Crescent Moon Step, but the Crescent Moon Step.

He took a deep breath, feeling the powerful force of the Red Sand Palm and Crescent Moon Step both entering the realm of soft energy within his body. His boundless blood and qi surged, containing an extremely astonishing aura. Once it erupted, it would probably be like a thunderbolt.

"With my current strength, even without using any underhanded tricks, in a head-on duel on a well-regulated arena... I could probably defeat a master of Soft Strength!"

This is not Jiang Ming's full strength.

His strongest form is when he is completely undetected, hiding in the shadows and launching a surprise attack after the enemy has passed by!

One strike, and it's either death or serious injury!

Jiang Ming took a deep breath and felt refreshed.

"Next, I need to focus all my efforts on practicing the Crescent Moon Step, mastering this evil technique to the point of coiling strength. After that breakthrough, I'll switch back to practicing the Red Sand Palm. Left foot stepping on right foot, right foot stepping on left foot, advancing in tandem..."

He lowered his head and glanced at the primitive furnace again.

There are still three beginner martial arts techniques remaining on it, which can be used to strengthen the Crescent Moon Step again in about twenty days to obtain the martial arts trait Shadowless.

Jiang Ming was already quite looking forward to the combined effects of Ghostly Unnoticed and Shadowless. These two complementary traits were more than just additive.

……

……

A few days later, at the end of April.

Wen Family Residence, Bluestone Square.

The herb-gathering team had reassembled, everyone was ready and prepared to depart. Jiang Ming had also prepared a full set of hidden weapons in advance.

This time, we went into the mountains based on the information we had overheard.

Guang Sheng Pharmacy has already conspired with Black Stone Village to ambush the herb-gathering team on their way into the mountains.

This matter cannot be taken lightly, and Jiang Ming was on edge.

Fortunately, a few days ago, his Crescent Moon Step technique broke through to the Crescent Moon level. This soft-strength footwork gave Jiang Ming ample confidence. Even in the worst-case scenario, if he couldn't win, he could easily escape.

A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall.

Jiang Ming's willingness to continue leading the team into the mountains stemmed from his ability to leave at any time. This wasn't out of cowardice or weakness, but rather from shrewdness and wisdom. Truly formidable martial artists don't act solely on impulse.

Always have a backup plan and a way out; only then can you remain invincible. As long as there is room for error, you can continuously maneuver against the enemy.

Even if you lose a hundred times, it doesn't matter; you can always come back stronger next time. But as long as you seize the opportunity and win just once, you can completely turn the tide!

This concept is similar to Jiang Ming's previous understanding of the interplay of light and shadow. All your actions, whether of strength or thought, must remain mysterious. Like hiding in the darkness, letting your enemies guess your outline.

If the other side guesses wrong, they will suffer severe punishment.

on the square.

Jiang Ming's gaze swept across the area, and he was surprised to see two figures walking side by side in the distance—it was Wen Jin and Wen Hong. The two young masters of the Wen family were huddled together, talking in hushed tones; such a harmonious scene was truly rare.

A moment later, Wen Hong turned and left, while Wen Jin walked straight over.

Jiang Ming looked at him and said something rather strange.

"I've never seen you and your brother so close before."

Upon hearing this, Wen Jin gave a wry smile.

"I never expected that my brother would stand by me the whole time, not causing me any trouble at all, and even helping me a lot..."

Jiang Ming's eyes showed surprise, and after thinking for a moment, he said.

"It seems your brother can distinguish between what's important and what's urgent. He knows that we need to unite against external threats and won't fight amongst ourselves or betray his family at this critical moment."

Wen Hong is indeed no ordinary man. No wonder he was able to control more than half of the Wen family's power and resources before; he is no mediocre person.

The two chatted as they walked to an empty courtyard next to the square.

Jiang Ming had something on his mind and couldn't help but speak up.

"Old Wen, you told me a few days ago that you would invite some truly powerful experts to help. Where are they now? The team is about to set off, and I haven't seen a single one. Could they be experts from your Wen family?"

Across from him, Wen Jin smiled slightly and raised his chin.

"Old Jiang, look behind you!"

Just as Jiang Ming was beginning to wonder, someone gently patted his shoulder.

He turned his head instinctively.

Suddenly, a round, honest-looking face, like that of an ordinary wealthy man, came into view.

Jiang Ming immediately straightened his expression and bowed respectfully.

"Teacher, what brings you here?"

The newcomer was none other than Liu Longquan, the master of the Red Sand Martial Arts School!

P.S. I need your help to finish reading the two chapters on Monday, the day after tomorrow. It's for a very important recommendation in the Three Rivers Awards, and failing to get it might cause a major setback. I'm still a bit short on reading progress, so please support me on Monday and finish reading the two chapters from the day after tomorrow. Thank you.