Chapter 7: Practice combat skills

"bang" A thunderous slap resonated through the air, landing with brutal force on the face of the man with a dark complexion. The impact was so powerful that it sent him reeling backwards, his mouth spilling a dozen bloody teeth onto the ground. "I apologize for my impulsiveness," Drake Dragon offered a polite apology to the man he had slapped, a hint of regret in his voice. The sound of the slap echoed throughout the Combat Skills Pavilion, capturing the attention of everyone present. Startled, they abandoned their current activities and turned to witness the commotion. "Who dares to disrupt the order of the Combat Skills Pavilion?" A cold voice pierced through the air as a man dressed in black emerged from the shadows. His icy gaze fell upon Drake Dragon and the injured man, his expression one of stern disapproval. In his presence, a powerful aura emanated, overwhelming those around him, making it difficult to breathe. Drake Dragon instinctively narrowed his eyes, sensing the might of this individual. "A Blood Coagulation Realm expert," Drake Dragon realized, surprised by the presence of such a formidable individual. However, he took solace in the knowledge that the Combat Skills Pavilion was a significant location under the watchful guard of powerful individuals. The Combat Skills Pavilion was a sacred place, and any disturbances within its walls would result in imprisonment. This rule was well-known to all who treaded its floors. "The situation calls for an explanation," the Blood Coagulation Realm expert demanded with anger evident in his voice. "He should be the one to answer your questions," Drake Dragon replied innocently, showing no signs of fear as he extended his palms in a gesture of innocence. The dark-faced man seethed with anger. It was clear that he had been slapped, so why was he expected to provide explanations? "Sir..." At that moment, Ethan Zhou, who had been observing from afar, hurriedly approached and interjected, speaking to the Blood Coagulation Realm expert. "Allow me to explain. Victor Wang suddenly experienced an uncontrollable itch on his face, which forced him to slap himself. There was no use of force involved, I assure you." Victor Wang wore a bewildered expression and attempted to speak out, but when he saw Tom Li frantically signaling towards him from a distance, he chose to swallow his words. "You are Marquis Manhuang's son, aren't you?" The Blood Coagulation Realm expert glanced at Ethan Zhou before shifting his gaze to Victor Wang on the ground. "Indeed," Ethan Zhou affirmed promptly. The man nodded in acknowledgment, briefly glancing at Victor Wang, and then declared, "If your face itches, scratch it, there is no need for such dramatic action that implies you have loose teeth. I do not wish to witness a repeat of this incident. Clean up the mess you have created." With those final words, the man turned and departed, leaving behind a stunned audience. No one had expected Ethan Zhou to come to Drake Dragon's aid. "Did you hear that? Even adults must clean up after themselves. Looks like I have to take care of the mess left behind," Drake Dragon chuckled, as if he had anticipated this outcome. With a satisfied grin, he walked away, continuing his leisurely selection of combat skills. Victor Wang's eyes burned with anger as he watched Long Chen's arrogant figure vanish into the distance. This slap was utterly humiliating. "Victor Wang, exercise patience. If you accuse Drake Dragon of assaulting you, he will be imprisoned for a month. However, if you bear this humiliation, Li Hao will assist you in reclaiming your position tomorrow. Endure it," Ethan Zhou advised. Victor Wang nodded, aware of the impending battle between Li Hao and Drake Dragon. Initially, he had taken pleasure in tormenting Drake Dragon, dismissing the consequences. But today, his excessive behavior had backfired, and he had no one to blame but himself. Several individuals rushed to collect the scattered teeth and wipe away the bloodstains from the ground. Ethan Zhou couldn't help but wonder, "Your face isn't too swollen. It seems that Drake Dragon's strength isn't as great as expected. But why did he manage to knock out your teeth?" Others shared a similar confusion. Typically, only significant force could dislodge teeth with such intensity. "Who knows? He's a peculiar character," Victor Wang responded with a despondent sigh. Unbeknownst to him, Drake Dragon possessed extensive knowledge of human anatomy, thanks to his expertise in medicinal refinement. That slap had been executed with finesse, skillfully manipulating the impact to loosen Victor Wang's gums and dislodge his teeth. Drake Dragon's actions were extremely ruthless, causing permanent damage to Victor Wang's teeth. Dental regeneration is a difficult process that cannot be easily treated with medicine. As a result, Victor Wang will only be able to eat using a single tooth from now on. Witnessing the consequences of Victor Wang's misfortune, everyone became more cautious and refrained from provoking Drake Dragon again. The incident served as a lesson, instilling honesty among all individuals who feared the consequences of antagonizing Drake Dragon. Drake Dragon took advantage of his spare time to immerse himself in studying various ancient manuscripts. These precious works contained exclusive combat skills and techniques that were solely accessible within this collection. The martial arts literature was not to be taken away and absorbed, but rather to be read and admired within the confines of that space. Among the texts was "Yu Niu Jin," a book of combat skills categorized into three tiers: heavenly, earthly, and human. These were the lower-level human combat skills, considered the most basic yet subtly effective techniques. Even though they were at the lowest level, they were still highly cherished. The fact that the noble prince required the supervision of a blood coagulation master to peruse even these low-level skills demonstrated the high value placed upon combat skills by the Fengming Empire. "The simplicity, clarity, directness, and efficacy of the spiritual power operation route in this particular combat skill are commendable," thought Drake Dragon as he read through the text. This specific technique suited him well, especially given his profound understanding of his body's meridians. He could quickly grasp and implement its teachings. Upon closer examination, Drake Dragon discovered that his soul's power had significantly increased, acting as an incredible aid to his memory. It seemed nearly equivalent to photographic memory. After committing the contents of "Gan Niu Jin" to memory and carefully returning it to its original place, Drake Dragon stumbled upon another auxiliary combat skill known as "Wind Chasing Step." The Wind Chasing Step involved utilizing special meridians to channel spiritual power into one's feet, leading to enhanced speed and explosive power. Whether it was for long-distance running or evading short distances, this technique proved highly effective. "Another practical gem," Drake Dragon thought with a slight smile as he quickly memorized the movements of spiritual power outlined in the book and its activation method. As time elapsed, a powerful figure in the realm of blood coagulation appeared, delivering a stern warning to all present. Coldly proclaiming that the allocated time for studying these secret books had ended, he threatened severe consequences for anyone caught hoarding the texts privately. Many individuals harbored dissatisfaction at the stringent management of combat skills in the Fengming Empire. They were only granted half a day each month to study within the confines of this place. The complexity of the combat skills often resulted in several months of practice before mastery could be achieved. Despite their grievances, no one dared to voice their complaints. Drake Dragon found himself slightly stunned by how quickly time had flown by. Others would be shocked to learn that he had memorized two combat skills within a span of just over two hours. Many records within the combat skills texts were cryptic and challenging to comprehend, particularly the terminology concerning the flow of spiritual power and Qi through the meridians. These required further study and experimentation while channeling spiritual energy. Upon leaving the Taixue Palace, Drake Dragon bid goodbye to Yves Chubby and the others, exchanging a few whispered words with Stone Peak. Initially displaying surprise on his face, Stone Peak suppressed his emotions swiftly, although the shock still lingered in his eyes. Upon returning home, Drake Dragon noticed that the previously destroyed house had been tidied up but remained uninhabitable. However, due to the multitude of houses available, they were able to allocate another room for him to use. Drake Dragon first entered his mother's room to greet her. The recent chain of events had left Lady Dragon restless, sensing a slight change in her son following his awakening. Engaging in conversation with him brought her some solace, reassured by the presence of his familiar self. However, Drake Dragon deliberately avoided mentioning the life-and-death duel with Tom Li. After bidding farewell to his mother, Drake Dragon retreated to his own room, locking the door behind him. He consumed the second Fengfu Pill without delay, further strengthening the Fengfu Star beneath his feet. As the Fengfu Star grew, it could store an even greater amount of spiritual energy, akin to a Dantian, contributing to his overall martial prowess. However, the Fengfu Star, at its current stage, remains in prototype form. To fully develop, it requires numerous Fengfu Pills to fill it. Drake Dragon was astonished upon discovering the cultivation method of the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art. Recognizing this as his only path towards a better life, he knew he could not afford to remain ordinary. Failure to pursue this technique would result in being nothing but a mere pawn for others to slaughter. After spending two hours refining the Fengfu Pills, the prototype of the Fengfu Star expanded slightly, emanating a faint aura of power. As midnight approached, Drake Dragon quietly left his quarters and headed toward the firewood shed. Taking a deep breath, he initiated his cultivation, drawing upon his own internal energy. Given his extensive knowledge of his own meridians, he found studying low-level human combat skills effortless. Walking towards a stone mill used for grinding rice, he cautiously lifted it with both hands, exerting his strength. "Rise." To his amazement, the massive stone mill obeyed his command. By sensing carefully, Drake Dragon estimated that he still possessed some reserve strength, reaching approximately 1,500 kilograms. This astounding increase impressed him greatly, considering that his previous strength was a mere one hundred and fifty kilograms. "Well done. If my calculations are correct, my current strength should almost match that of someone in the fifth level of Qi Gathering." Drake Dragon couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Simultaneously, he eagerly anticipated the potential of the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art. Just by cultivating the prototype, his abilities had already experienced substantial improvement. Unbeknownst to him, once he fully developed the Fengfu Star, he would enter an entirely new realm. To what extent could he progress? After battling with his overwhelming curiosity for quite some time, he ultimately succumbed to its allure. He crouched down, focusing his energy into his legs. A potent heat surged through his meridians and flowed into his fist. "Raging Bull Fist!" "Boom!" Drake Dragon unleashed a powerful punch on the stone mill in front of him, resulting in an explosive impact. The colossal stone mill was sent flying, colliding with the nearby wall and causing it to crumble. Stunned by the magnitude of his own strength, Drake Dragon marveled at the unintended outcome. Originally, he had merely intended to test the technique's power, never anticipating such a tremendous display. Observing the illuminated rooms throughout the house, he realized that his actions had stirred alarm amongst the occupants. Feeling a sense of urgency, he swiftly retraced his steps and returned to his room, feigning sleep. However, his heart soared with excitement, manifesting a desire to dance. The Nine Star Hegemon Body Art beckoned him with its mysteries. What levels could be accomplished through the gathering of all nine stars? How formidable would he become? Throughout the night, Drake Dragon remained restless, unable to find tranquility. The following day, as the sun's first rays pierced through the room, he slowly opened his eyes. "Hey, seeking parts from me? It's a lofty aspiration, but it seems you won't be able to achieve it." After rising and freshening up, Drake Dragon overheard the servants conversing about the peculiar events of the previous night in the woodshed. Gazing at the rising sun, a thought occurred to him: "Today is an auspicious day, where all your desires can come true."