Chapter 11: Body-Tempering Liquid

The bald man’s gauntlets were the most valuable. Little Shorty directly agreed to buy them for one hundred thousand Star Coins. Combined with various miscellaneous spoils and materials, Jiang Yan’s total earnings from this trip amounted to three hundred thousand Star Coins.

Jiang Yan, now holding over three hundred thousand in wealth, had become a widely disliked nouveau riche within a single day.

The official price of “Burst Step” was nearly one hundred thousand Star Coins, but Little Shorty offered it for just ten thousand. Jiang Yan generously purchased it.

After Little Shorty left, Jiang Yan looked at the alloy long saber, now full of nicks and gaps, and sighed with regret.

“The bodies of Fierce Beasts are too tough. A single fight takes such a heavy toll on the blade. I’ll go into the city in a few days to see if there are any good sabers available.”

He knew well that while Wilderness Hunters earned money quickly, they spent it just as fast. Potions, weapons, and armor all needed constant replenishment and upgrades. The slightest carelessness could plant the seeds of future demise.

A good saber would undoubtedly come at a steep price. Despite now holding over three hundred thousand Star Coins, Jiang Yan knew that affording a truly fine blade would still be a challenge.

As night approached, Jiang Yan decided not to venture out again. He simply bought a tent and set it up near the exchange.

Around him, many other Wilderness Hunters had similarly gathered.

This was the life—exposed to the wind and dew.

Jiang Yan was gradually beginning to blend in here.

The next day.

Linjiang First High School, sports field.

Principal Liu Hairen stood on the podium, delivering an impassioned speech.

“With less than a month left until the College Entrance Exam, I once again sincerely wish for each of you to leverage your strengths, achieve excellent results, and gain admission to a top university.”

“However—

The College Entrance Exam is no child’s play; it is a battlefield. In that examination hall, you will face Geniuses from other regions and exceptionally brutal Fierce Beasts. If you merely cultivate behind closed doors, you will certainly not achieve good results.

Therefore, our Linjiang City, together with Jiangyu City, Hequan City, and Nanqi City—a total of fifteen high schools—have jointly organized a simulated practical combat exercise for the College Entrance Exam.

The location is set in the Wilderness!”

Liu Hairen paused appropriately, listening to the students’ reactions below.

Sure enough, the senior-year students of Linjiang First High School erupted into chaos.

“Ah, why would they set the venue in the Wilderness? I’ve heard it’s surrounded by Fierce Beasts. What if we get eaten?”

“Wah… I don’t want to go to the Wilderness. Can I withdraw from the competition? Wah…”

“Hahahaha, Linjiang First High has finally wised up. I’ve long been looking forward to training outside the city like students from big cities.”

“With over ten schools competing together, I wonder where I’ll rank?”

“By the way, are there any rewards for this competition? If there are, I’ll participate. Otherwise, I’ll just forfeit.”

The students reacted with fear, curiosity, and eagerness, but without exception, their responses to this sudden trial were intense.

“Ahem… everyone, quiet down.”

Liu Hairen’s voice over the microphone drowned out the crowd below.

“This competition has been officially approved by the Education Bureau. The top ten will receive valuable Body-Tempering Liquid as a reward, and the top one hundred will also receive substantial prizes.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire field erupted.

For low-level Martial Artists, Body-Tempering Liquid was a rare and precious treasure. Consuming and refining it could replace half a month of arduous cultivation, visibly strengthening one’s Physical Body.

The key point is that Body-Tempering Liquid does not flow into the market; it is strictly controlled by the authorities. Even with money, you can’t buy it. Only defective products can be found on some black markets, and even those are worth a hundred thousand Star Coins!

This shows just how precious Body-Tempering Liquid truly is.

Body-Tempering Liquid has strong drug resistance—the more you take, the less effective it becomes. However, if taken for the first time, its effects can instantly elevate a Martial Artist’s Realm.

Many students at Linjiang First High School lack confidence in getting into university, but if they were to use Body-Tempering Liquid…

Not only ordinary students, but even some Talents and Aperture Openers are eyeing it eagerly.

Linjiang City is just a small city with no channels to obtain such precious Body-Tempering Liquid.

Therefore, even some students from well-off families have never tasted Body-Tempering Liquid.

Amid the restless crowd, only Ai Ning remained calm, looking disdainfully at the excited students.

“Boss, it’s Body-Tempering Liquid! With it, we might be able to get into a better university!”

“Hmph, just Body-Tempering Liquid. I’ve already taken it.”

“Gasp—”

His underling gasped in shock.

“However—” Ai Ning’s expression shifted slightly. “This trial is worth me taking action.”

Ai Ning’s family had once pulled strings to acquire two bottles of Body-Tempering Liquid. One was taken by him, and the other was gifted to the child of a high-ranking official in Linjiang City.

He carefully recalled the sensation of taking Body-Tempering Liquid for the first time, his eyes burning with intensity: “Just a little more… just a little more, and I can Breakthrough to Blood Coagulation Late Stage…”

Liu Hairen looked with satisfaction at the students’ reactions below, then thought of Jiang Yan, who had refused his persuasion, and sneered:

“Without Linjiang First High School, I’d like to see which university would want you. Now, even if you begged me, I wouldn’t give you a chance to return to school.”

Students who obtained Body-Tempering Liquid would undoubtedly far surpass Jiang Yan, a self-taught Martial Artist who didn’t even study.

This was beyond doubt, and Liu Hairen firmly believed it.

“You fought twenty Black Wolves to the death, Savage Sturdy Body greatly enhanced, Physical Body slightly enhanced, Proficiency in ‘Wild Bull Strength’ increased.”

“You fought thirty Black Wolves to the death, Savage Sturdy Body seems to begin mutating, Physical Body slightly enhanced, Proficiency in ‘Burst Step’ increased.”

“Proficiency in ‘Burst Step’ increased.”

“You killed twenty Black Wolves. During the battle, your ‘Wild Bull Strength’ reached Perfection.”

Jiang Yan opened the System panel.

[Host]: Jiang Yan

[Talent]: Savage Sturdy Body (Evolving)

[Realm]: Body Tempering Perfection

[Martial Skills]: (Unranked) ‘Basic Saber Technique’ Perfection

(Yellow Grade Low) ‘Wild Bull Strength’ Perfection

(Yellow Grade Advanced) ‘Burst Step’ Proficient

[Traits]: Heaven Rewards Diligence (Destined) Truth of Desperation (Blue) Haste

Jiang Yan noticed the “Evolving” next to [Savage Sturdy Body], his eyes blazing with intensity.

“Just a little more, just a little more, and it will evolve. I need to fight!”

He glared fiercely at the few surviving Black Wolves, his bloodthirsty gaze making it hard to tell who was the real Fierce Beast.

“Whimper~”

The Black Wolves whimpered, trembling as they retreated step by step.

Fear—they were afraid!

The once brave and battle-hardened Black Wolf clan had been struck with fear by Jiang Yan.

With ‘Wild Bull Strength’ reaching Perfection, Jiang Yan no longer used his fists. He picked up the Alloy Long Saber from the ground, its sharp edge filling the battlefield.

“Kill!”

The perfected “Basic Saber Technique” contained no special effects, yet the long saber danced and weaved through the wolf pack like a dragon playing with a phoenix, effortlessly shattering their formation.

Just then, a deafening howl echoed through the air.

The wolves prostrated themselves, and from among them, a tall and majestic silver figure slowly stepped forward.