Cold night settled in.

Tens of li outside T-Junction Bridge, on the outskirts of Little Blue Garment Ridge.

Faint dawn light filtered through layered leaves, softly spilling onto the damp, yielding earth.

A tall figure slowly stretched his frame.

Any knowledgeable eye would instantly recognize that this giant was practicing Baolin Martial Hall’s foundational stance art: Three Forms Stance.

Of course, if anyone truly saw this scene, their eyes would probably pop out.

Who practiced stance work near a mine, breathing that soul-draining mineral dust—tired of living?

One mishap inviting “mine miasma,” and life would be forfeited for nothing.

Beast roars echoed faintly from afar, yet Xiangzi seemed deaf to them, focused only on circulating blood energy throughout his body, stepping steadily.

Compared to the earlier Four-Square Horse Stance that only tempered blood energy, Three Forms Stance, as Baolin Martial Hall’s core foundation art, was naturally far superior.

Beyond tempering blood energy, it emphasized “stand like a nail, move like wind,” stressing force rising from the root, energy conduction from lower to upper—practiced deeply, one could achieve “force permeating the whole body” and comprehend Bright Force.

For Xiangzi, who had already grasped Bright Force, using Three Forms Stance to train blood energy and force application was even more crucial.

Realm could be piled up with broths and minerals, but martial technique required real grinding.

For some prodigiously gifted martial artists, the wonders of blood energy and force application could even transcend realm restrictions—back at Baolin Martial Hall, Lin Junqing had personally demonstrated this to Xiangzi.

That day, Lin Junqing deliberately suppressed his realm; Xiangzi couldn’t even touch the corner of his clothes.

“The wonder of application lies in the heart.” That “heart” was a martial artist’s depth of understanding of their own body, and more importantly, their mastery over force.

Lin Junqing’s words when teaching Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist had stayed etched in Xiangzi’s mind.

And to master that profound Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist, Three Forms Stance was the absolute priority.

Back when he was an apprentice at the hall, most of Xiangzi’s time went into skin-grinding and bone-quenching just to endure Bone-Strengthening Broth, leaving this superior fist art somewhat neglected.

Back then, Lin Junqing had relied on this very art to dominate all peers in Forty-Nine City.

Even the proud old hall master had nothing but praise for it.

In the quiet dense forest, Xiangzi repeatedly walked the stance and fist frames—clothes billowing, force surging.

Time unknown passed until finally, in his mind, a satisfying ding.

[Three Forms Stance +2]

[Progress: 1/500 (Minor Accomplishment)]

Xiangzi slowly withdrew the stance, wiped sweat from his brow, joy rising—Three Forms Stance

had finally reached minor accomplishment.

In that instant, a profound mysterious sensation welled up.

The blood energy crimson pearl in his dantian suddenly flashed.

Blood energy surged like an ocean, washing through limbs and bones.

Xiangzi stood still, yet his clothes fluttered without wind—amid the raging force, bursts of “bone thunder” rang from his body.

Compared to initial Ninth Grade entry, this “bone thunder” was clearly crisper and brighter—the sound of blood energy, skin, and tendons resonating under the cleansing surge.

At the same time, the crimson pearl in his dantian grew visibly rounder, its color more crystalline and translucent.

Blood energy, skin membrane, tendons and bones—the three foundation arts all minor accomplishment.

This meant he had truly stepped into Ninth Grade minor accomplishment realm!

Less than two months since entering Ninth Grade—crossing a tier so quickly was utterly world-shaking.

—

Xiangzi’s foot stomped, waist twisted, and he blasted a punch at a tree thick as a man’s embrace.

Force arrived before the fist!

Indeed, at minor accomplishment, his control over force became even more instinctive.

Surging force exploded before his fist—after a thunderous crack, the thick tree toppled.

Amid flying dust, Xiangzi blinked, then scratched his head—back at the rickshaw yard, even a full-power kick only left an inch-deep dent in Donglou’s elm trunk.

Now… this tree several times thicker was felled with one punch?

No wonder Uncle Jie always said each martial threshold was a chasm.

Well, in past-life web novel terms… he now had “the strength of one tree”?

Of course, minor accomplishment brought more than raw strength—the key was another leap in force comprehension.

With current power, if he sparred Zhao Mu again at the hall, that former Senior Brother Zhao probably wouldn’t last twenty moves.

—

He looked up at the sky—the crescent moon cast hazy light.

Probably the Tiger hour (3–5 a.m.). Time to head back.

Xiangzi exhaled contentedly, shouldered an ungraded deer demon carcass, and slung the rattan box onto his back.

For some reason, this deer demon had foolishly charged earlier—naturally taken down with one punch and gratefully accepted.

This also explained Deputy Ban’s confusion—why no demon beasts appeared at night lately?

Trash doesn’t walk itself to the bin; demon beasts don’t stop hunting humans for no reason.

The absence around T-Junction Bridge these nights was simply because Xiangzi practiced here every night.

Before leaving, Xiangzi glanced deep into the forest—now minor accomplishment Ninth Grade, he should find time to venture deeper.

After all, the colorful minerals were deep in Little Blue Garment Ridge—the deeper, the better for blood energy tempering.

If lucky enough to pick up vein ore or crystal ore… instant fortune.

To capable martial artists, Little Blue Garment Ridge was a treasure map.

Even Forty-Nine City’s three great halls had built settlements inside, sending disciples year-round for training—otherwise, where did Hundred Herbs Court’s precious pills and broths come from?

Most demon beast meat Clear Gang transported came from here, then shipped to Forty-Nine City.

But Baolin Martial Hall was strictly hierarchical—non-minor accomplishment Ninth Grade could not enter the mine area.

Even places like Li Family mines were only for top outer disciples.

As for perilous Little Blue Garment Ridge, only Ninth Grade perfection or inner disciples qualified—Xiangzi had no right.

Thus, he could only sneak to the outskirts at night to train.

—

Next day, sun high.

Perhaps tired from last night, Xiangzi rare slept until three poles high.

Knocking at the door.

“Master, awake?”

Spoken by a delicately pretty little maid, beside her an almost identical girl.

The twins Xiao Hong and Xiao Lü.

Ban Zhiyong had picked them days ago from refugees with grass markers outside Feng outer village—bought specifically to serve Xiangzi.

Three silver dollars total—market rate one per virgin girl; the extra for the rare twin pair.

Their parents had kowtowed thunderously.

Xiangzi had told them not to enter the inner room without permission.

Timid girls, they dared not cross the line—now anxiously hopping outside, only daring to whisper, “Master… someone’s been waiting a long time at the gate. Says he’s Local Master Liu from Clear Gang.”

Just risen, Xiangzi paused—Liu Futang? Wasn’t he in Nanyuan? Why come today?

—

Stepping out, he saw Liu Futang standing grim-faced, behind him dozens of armed men—several Ninth Grade martial artists.

Even Ban Zhiyong had changed into martial short shirt, holding a huge axe.

Xiangzi frowned—this lineup brought all Nanyuan elites.

“Master Xiang.” Liu Futang cupped fists gravely. “One of our demon beast meat transport teams didn’t return on time last night. I fear they’re lost in Little Blue Garment Ridge.”

Xiangzi’s heart jolted.

Nanyuan Clear Gang’s biggest job was escorting meat out of Little Blue Garment Ridge safely onto trains.

Like at Harmony Rickshaw Yard—each team had over twenty men, mostly past Blood Energy Barrier, plus Ninth Grade guards.

An entire team—gone?

“If it were anything else, I’d never trouble Master Xiang, but if this blows up, Clear Gang can’t explain to the Grand Marshal’s Mansion. Now we can only ask Master Xiang to notify Baolin Martial Hall to send men.”

Liu Futang spoke solemnly, face dark.

As Nanyuan’s Local Master, he’d bear the first blow if something went wrong.

Yet Xiangzi’s expression stayed calm, only gazing deeply at the regional leader. “Since Local Master Liu came to me, you haven’t hidden it from Forty-Nine City Clear Gang either. I have one question—may I ask?”

“Please speak plainly, Master Xiang.”

“Is Clear Gang… planning to cover this up?”

Caught red-handed, Liu Futang looked embarrassed. “Er… Master Xiang sees clearly.”

“Mm, understood.” Xiangzi pondered, had the maids fetch paper and brush, wrote several paragraphs carefully, then stamped it with his hall jade token.

“Deputy Ban, send a trusted man to Baolin Martial Hall—find inner disciple Wan Yuxuan. If Senior Brother Wan isn’t there, find Zhao Mu.”

“With this letter, they’ll know what to do.”

“Must be someone trustworthy—if word leaks, don’t blame Baolin for not helping!”

Ban Zhiyong’s heart tightened; he took it and rushed out frantically.

Yet hearing “Wan Yuxuan,” even Liu Futang couldn’t help but blink.

All Forty-Nine City knew how arrogant the Wan family heir was.

Who’d think this mere new Ninth Grade Master Xiang was actually close with Wan Yuxuan?

And from the tone… quite close?

At this thought, Liu Futang’s respect deepened. “Then I’ll trouble Master Xiang to hold the fort. I’ll take men to Little Blue Garment Ridge stronghold first.”

Before turning, Xiangzi said, “Wait. I’ll go with Local Master Liu.”

Liu Futang paused, a strange feeling rising—he’d heard this lord was overbearing here, daily using demon beast meat to win Clear Gang hearts, thinking him another scheming idler posting for ease.

Yet at this critical moment, the giant volunteered to come?

This was perilous Little Blue Garment Ridge.

And an entire team vanished—possibly something sinister behind it.

Perhaps reading the Local Master’s thoughts, Xiangzi only smiled faintly. “Back at the hall, Qi Ruiliang helped me greatly—even before entering Ninth Grade, Brother Qi specially gifted me a dose of ‘Foundation Solidifying Powder.’”

“This matter is grave—how could I stand by?”

Hearing this, Liu Futang felt genuine gratitude, cupped fists deeply. “I’m a rough man—no fancy words. I owe you this time. If Master Xiang ever needs anything, Liu will not refuse.”

Xiangzi shouldered his rattan box, then said before leaving, “Local Master Liu, pull everyone back to Nanyuan. Take my two little maids too.”

Liu Futang paused, then understood—this lord feared the team’s disappearance hid something deeper; if so, someone might target the Clear Gang members left at T-Junction Bridge.

Such meticulous thinking.

Just hearing of the missing team, he already prepared for the worst—

Exactly what Liu Futang feared most.

He had sent a telegram to Old Helmsman Qi this morning from Nanyuan.

The reply was simple—eight characters: See the living person, see the corpse if dead.

Liu Futang knew how critical this was—since the Great Shun banner fell, this was the first time an entire Clear Gang team vanished in Little Blue Garment Ridge.

These years under Marshal Zhang, plenty of powers in Forty-Nine City eyed this route hungrily.

If Clear Gang botched it, they’d give others ammunition.

That’s why they hadn’t reported to the Grand Marshal’s Mansion and handled it privately.

Lost demon beast meat was nothing.

Even dead disciples—just pay settlement fees. Joining Clear Gang meant living on the knife’s edge; life and death were heaven’s will.

But the route out of Little Blue Garment Ridge absolutely could not be lost—it was Clear Gang’s lifeline in Forty-Nine City.

And right now, even Liu Futang didn’t know—Old Helmsman Qi had already boarded the train to Nanyuan with several Local Masters.

—

A large force thundered away from Li Residence at T-Junction Bridge.

Then split into two groups.

One group on horseback headed north toward Great Blue Garment Ridge.

The remaining dozen escorted the two little maids south to Nanyuan.

Poor twins—bought only days ago, now moving again—teary-eyed, insisting on packing things. Those were expensive items their master bought from Feng Village; they were heartbroken.

Finally, Xiangzi scowled, and only then did the girls reluctantly leave.

The mighty force galloped across T-Junction Bridge, kicking up clouds of dust.

At that moment, two figures flashed on the opposite bank.

“Brother Hong… looks like Clear Gang is heading deep into Little Blue Garment Ridge?” a Feng guard sucked in cold air.

Feng Hong’s face was icy, eyes flickering darkly.

“Back to Feng Village—report to Second Master Wen!”