C14 Blood Fiend Claw

Days had passed since the Ning Family began their pursuit of Ning Gao, yet the fervor of their manhunt had steadily declined. Their diminishing efforts weren't due to any lingering affection; rather, the perilous terrain of Arlingwaki Hill deterred even the bravest. A mere three-star Apprentice would be considered reckless to venture there, let alone a seasoned Adept.

Ning Gao, driven by impulse, had fled into the treacherous hills. When the Ning Family's higher-ups learned of his escape, they were relieved, considering the matter practically resolved. In Vuiburgh, the incident sparked conversations over dinner but was soon relegated to a forgotten whisper. A fallen young master warranted little attention.

Yet, in the shadows, the Lee family continued to monitor every whisper of news from the vicinity of Arlingwaki Hill.

In the woods by a verdant pond, a Flowered Deer, a three-star Apprentice of its kind, bent its head to drink. Abruptly, a blood-red glow pierced the underbrush, and before the deer could react, it was mounted from behind.

"Blood Fiend Claw!"

The youth's right hand, aglow with blood-red spiritual energy, seized the deer's forehead. Within seconds, the life faded from the creature's eyes, and it collapsed lifelessly to the ground. Meanwhile, the young man's aura grew subtly stronger.

"Exhilarating!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the trees. His clothes might have been worn, but his eyes shone with a piercing clarity.

He hoisted the deer onto his shoulder and leaped across the stones dotting the pond, making his way to a waterfall at its edge. With a powerful jump, he plunged into the cascade.

This young man was Ning Gao, the target of the Ning Family's relentless hunt. The days he spent in the wilderness had not broken his spirit; instead, they had honed his strength significantly. He had advanced to a lower-level four-star Apprentice.

Moreover, Ning Gao's greatest gain was the martial skill he had employed to hunt the Flowered Deer: the Blood Fiend Claw. This technique, derived from the Gluttony Blood Scripture, was unlike any other martial skill available on the market. Martial skills were categorized into four primary levels: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, each further subdivided into lower, middle, upper, and pinnacle tiers.

In a secluded town like Vuiburgh, the martial arts techniques available were all of the yellow level. However, the Blood Fiend Claw stood apart from the rest. Originating from the ancient and infamous Vicious Beast Gluttony, it was a fundamental technique of the Gluttony Clan, defying modern categorization.

As Ning Gao's strength grew, so did the might of his techniques. He had only grasped the Blood Fiend Claw the day before. After a full day of relentless hunting, Ning Gao had finally honed his mastery of the technique. With a mere thought, spheres of blood energy materialized in his hands.

The Blood Fiend was the second technique comprehended by Ji Yuan. It served as a passive amplification ability that could be applied to other martial arts, enhancing their effects. Its true potential extended far beyond martial techniques; when utilized skillfully, it could unlock numerous unforeseen powers.

At present, Ning Gao imbued his hands with the Blood Fiend Qi. Under its augmentation, Ji Yuan's attacks significantly intensified, with a single punch packing the force of a low-level yellow martial skill.

Having retracted the Blood Fiend Qi, Ning Gao recalled the teachings of the Gluttony Blood Scripture. Perfecting this Qi was key to achieving the legendary might of the Gluttony Clan. With diligent cultivation, his Blood Fiend Qi could evolve to the pinnacle of Heaven Rank martial skills, enabling him to shatter the very heavens and earth with his movements.

After his meal, Ning Gao reclined on a vast slab of stone within the cave, his consciousness gradually drifting into another realm.