Hunting Immortals and Demons

Bone strength acquired, Martial Marquis attained.

However, Lu Yan’s breakthrough was not yet complete.

His Qi-blood was six times thicker than an ordinary person’s, so naturally, it wouldn’t give birth to just one strand of bone strength.

The abundant Qi-blood merged and solidified with a single speck of starlight, and half an hour later, the second strand of bone strength was born.

Then came the third strand, the fourth strand...

Only after six strands of bone strength were formed did his transformation truly come to an end.

"During their breakthrough to the Martial Marquis level, typical martial artists could only give birth to a single strand of bone strength. Then they need to strengthen it through cultivation. But I have manifested six strands,"

"When a regular Martial Marquis fights someone, they could only explode with a single strand of bone strength to attack their enemy. But I can use six strands,"

Lu Yan carefully felt the bone strength within his skeleton, as if he had six extra arms. He could control them as naturally as an extension of his own body.

When not in use, they would disperse into his bones. But with just a thought, he could make them explode into action.

Bang!

A punch from Lu Yan created a crater fifty centimeters wide on the stony wall of the valley, sending fragments of rock flying.

"The explosive force of a single strand of bone strength was not as powerful as before my breakthrough,"

Lu Yan estimated.

It made sense as he had just advanced to this level. His Qi-blood had not fully transformed into bone strength yet, and similarly to undergoing Limit Breaking, the days following the breakthrough into the Martial Marquis level would be a rapid enhancement period.

Once the rapid enhancement period ended, the cultivation level would have completely stabilised, reaching its peak after the breakthrough.

"Let’s try to explode with more strands of bone strength at once."

Next, Lu Yan tried to merge and subsequently explode with two strands of bone strength, immediately creating an even larger pit on the stone wall.

Then it was three strands, four strands... six strands.

When engaged in combat, he could choose to explode with a single strand, or all six at the same time, with a formidable strength that far surpassed a martial artist of the same level.

After resting for a while, Lu Yan took out a piece of dried martial food and began to chew and swallow it.

Since he was preparing for a breakthrough, Lu Yan naturally had made preparations, not only bringing the Mutated Nine-section Heart Meat and Beast King Bone-Protecting Soup but also a large quantity of dried martial food.

He began to practice the thirty-six forms of the Vajra Indestructible Skill.

The energy from the martial food became Qi-blood.

And this Qi-blood then transformed into bone strength. His six strands of bone strength were gradually growing stronger.

Meanwhile, the burgeoning bone strength could permeate the bones and muscles, unceasingly strengthening them, until finally, they turned into real steel and iron.

Qi-blood is the root of everything.

In a blink of an eye, ten days had passed, and the rapid enhancement period had come to an end.

Lu Yan’s muscular strength had increased by twice as much as before the breakthrough.

The increase in bone strength was even more drastic, three times stronger than before the breakthrough, as solid as iron.

The bone strength had also grown by fifty percent compared to when he had just broken through.

Whenever he exploded with a single strand of bone strength, it equaled the power he possessed before the breakthrough.

"Finally, I have achieved the status of Martial Marquis, it’s worth the elaborate preparation."

A smile appeared on Lu Yan’s face.

After so many years in this world, he finally possessed a degree of self-defense.

With regards to future cultivation, he just needed gradual progress, continue taking martial food, enhance his bone strength. Once the bone strength reaches a certain limit, he can look for the next point, break the inner bone space, break into the Martial Marquis Level Two, the inner layer of Martial Marquis.

Right now, Lu Yan was at the Martial Marquis Level One, the outer layer of Martial Marquis.

With just a leap, he left the valley and not long after, returned to Baiyue City.

He planned to return to his residence, vacate the villa, retrieve his deposit, and pack his bags to return to Baicao City.

But the moment he had stepped into the villa’s entrance, he halted.

After his breakthrough to the Martial Marquis level, his body had greatly enhanced. While his body grew stronger, his senses had also drastically improved.

He sensed that there were people in the house.

And not just one, but two. Their auras were formidable, radiating a dangerous vibe.

Presently, those who could invoke a sense of danger in Lu Yan can only be other Martial Marquises.

"Have I been exposed? Lu Wenxuan?"

Lu Yan’s eyes turned cold instantly as he spun around to flee.

Immediately, two figures sprang out of the house, hot on Lu Yan’s trail.

"Li Wenlong, Li Wenyan, it seems I really have been exposed."

Lu Yan quickened his pace, racing towards the outskirts of the city.

"Don’t let him escape!"

Li Wenlong and Li Wenyan attempted to pursue him relentlessly, pushing their speed to the limit.

Being at least at Martial Marquis Level Two at the very least, their unbelievable speed upon reaching full power stirred up a strong wind in their wake, blowing passersby off their feet.

But they were fast, Lu Yan was even quicker.

Unity of Man and Martial Arts’ Wind Chasing Step, when fused into a single-stream martial art, was more intricate than before. With the aid of the bone strength, Li Wenlong and Li Wenyan couldn’t keep up with him at all.

Shortly, they dashed out of Baiyue City, racing across the wilderness.

Gradually, Li Wenyan began to lag, falling behind. Only Li Wenlong, relying on his powerful explosive strength as a Martial Marquis Level Three, was able to maintain a close pursuit of Lu Yan.

Soon, they were over ten miles away from Baiyue City.

Li Wenlong’s face was icy as he threw his long spear to the side to boost his speed.

The spear weighed several tens of kilograms, so by discarding it, he undoubtedly increased his pace.

Another five miles fled under them.

"It seems like there’s only Li Wenlong and Li Wenyan. They must be quite confident, thinking that they can cope with me with their level-three Martial Marquis abilities?"

Lu Yan thought to himself.

He chose to flee immediately for two reasons -- first, he didn’t want to start a fight within the city for the fear of attracting the attention of the Tuoba Clan.

Secondly, he feared that there might be ambushes by more powerful opponents.

However, after running for so long and seeing no one else appearing, it seemed likely that it was just Li Wenlong and Li Wenyan.

It was also to be expected.

Back in NanYi City, Lu Yan had not displayed extraordinary power.

During the capture of Qiu Family’s shellfish, they had to use cunning to draw away two powerful opponents before daring to act. Even then, Qiu Baiye, with his level one Martial Marquis cultivation, put up a fierce resistance before being killed.

During the theft of the Jade Bone Tiger from the Li Family, Lu Yan had taken advantage of the fact that Li Wenlong and his men were entrapped by demons before he struck.

Would he need to resort to such measures if he possessed the cultivation level of Martial Marquis Level Three or higher?

As for cooking the Beast King Bone-Protecting Soup, it’s mostly meant for family members or disciples to consume. Even if it increased one’s martial level to that of a Martial Marquis, or even an Innate Martial Body, Li Wenlong could handle it.

Given this,

Swish!

Lu Yan suddenly turned around, leaped forward several times as if he was a gust of wind, approaching Li Wenlong and striking a punch towards him.

Li Wenlong was not alarmed but rather pleased. His bone strength radiated fiercely as he also punched out.

Boom!

Like two colossal beasts colliding, a dull sound of impact rang out. Both men’s bodies trembled, retreating a step back simultaneously.

"Martial Marquis Level Three, it’s not all that."

After a round of engagement, noticing that he wasn’t easily suppressed by his opponent, Lu Yan’s confidence greatly surged. He activated the Vajra Indestructible Skill to its maximum potential and his body glow golden. His imposing figure seemed to enlarge a full circle as his six strands of bone strength combined for an explosive reaction. Like a storm, his fists launched a flurry of attacks at his opponent.

A grave expression crossed Li Wenlong’s face. He did not dare to underestimate his opponent, opting to strike back with all his might.

The two men moved extremely fast. In the time it took for a rabbit to rise and a falcon to descend, they had already sparred dozens of times.

Lu Yan realised that purely in terms of bone strength, he was inferior to his opponent.

He had only just broken through. The opponent, however, was already at Martial Marquis Level Three.

However, with the Unity of Man and Martial Arts—the Vajra Indestructible Skill—Lu Yan was no weaker than his opponent, even stronger by a hair.

The top-notch martial arts could only unleash their true power under the drive of bone strength.

Meanwhile, Li Wenyan had also caught up; the distance between him and Lu Yan was only a few hundred meters.

Boom!

Lu Yan and Li Wenlong clashed once more. Taking advantage of the collision’s force, he separated from his opponent and sprinted towards Li Wenyan.

Li Wenlong’s face changed. He yelled, "Be careful. You’re no match for him!"

Before the warning finished, Lu Yan had already pounced upon Li Wenyan, throwing a punch with all his might.

Li Wenyan swung his palm to counterattack, but as a Martial Marquis Level Two, how could he withstand Lu Yan’s full force punch?

Crack!

Li Wenyan’s hand bone broke; his arm twisted. He coughed out blood and retreated.

Lu Yan threw two more punches continuously, one punch deflected and the other hit Li Wenyan’s stomach heavily.

This punch directly shattered his bone protection. The punch was powerful enough to hit through him, causing severe damage to Li Wenyan.

In the rear, Li Wenlong rushed over angrily, with murderous intent surging like a powerful lion, ready to choose his prey and gobble it up.

Lu Yan quickly held Li Wenyan’s throat with one hand, swung his arm, and hurled Li Wenyan towards Li Wenlong.

Lu Yan followed closely behind Li Wenyan, rushing towards Li Wenlong.

As long as Li Wenlong caught Li Wenyan, his attack could follow soon after, taking advantage of the situation.

Li Wenlong noticed Lu Yan’s intention, his eyes frosted over. Without dodging or catching, he sent out a straight punch, hitting Li Wenyan’s body. His powerful fist carried Li Wenyan, who was sent flying back towards Lu Yan.

Lu Yan also punched out.

Under the joint attack of the two masters, Li Wenyan was cleaved in two, thrown to both sides.

Lu Yan and Li Wenlong collided again and continued their speedy conflict.

"You killed a Martial Marquis of the Li Family, hand over your life in return."

Li Wenlong’s eyes turned blood-red, his attack growing more ruthless.

"You’re clearly the one who killed him, don’t falsely accuse others."

Lu Yan responded mockingly.

"If it weren’t for you, he wouldn’t have died. Die."

With a roar from Li Wenlong, his aura roiled, bone strength surged, and he unleashed several killing moves in quick succession.

Lu Yan was unfazed and responded head-on.

Boom! Boom!

A punch from Li Wenlong hit Lu Yan’s left chest, but Lu Yan also landed a punch on Li Wenlong’s shoulder.

Both of them retreated simultaneously, sliding back over ten meters.

Though Lu Yan’s face flushed red for a moment, he was otherwise unstirred. He pushed off with both feet, causing the ground to crack open as his body, like a cannonball, rushed towards Li Wenlong.

A trace of blood leaked from the corner of Li Wenlong’s mouth, his left arm was slightly trembling. He forcibly mobilized his bone strength, and launched himself towards Lu Yan.

A couple of moves later, both men struck the other again.

This time, Lu Yan struck his opponent’s abdomen, and his opponent still landed a punch on his chest.

"Again."

Lu Yan yelled out, continuing to attack, completely abandoning defense. He put all his strength into the offense.

Li Wenlong could only counterattack.

He was very clear, at this moment, he absolutely can’t recoil or turn to run. As soon as his momentum weakens, he will inevitably be crushed and killed by his opponent.

Only fighting till death offers a glimmer of survival.

Boom! Boom!...

The two men fiercely sparred, trading wound for wound.

It’s a pity that the Vajra Indestructible Skill, combining the strengths of nine secondary martial arts—attack, speed, and defense with no flaws, almost no weaknesses.

Relying on his strong defensive power, Lu Yan was able to withstand the onslaught, while Li Wenlong could no longer hold on. After being hit by Lu Yan for the fifth time, he spat out a mouthful of blood, mixed with fragments of internal organs.

His internal organs were severely damaged.

His aura rapidly deteriorated, and his bone strength started to weaken.

Seizing the opportunity, Lu Yan landed a punch on Li Wenlong’s chest. Li Wenlong was sent flying dozens of meters away, smashing three large rocks and two big trees in his path.

With a leap, Lu Yan jumped more than ten meters high and fifty meters away, from the sky he stomped down.

Boom!

This stomp landed on Li Wenlong’s chest. His entire body burst open, with blood and bones scattering around. The ground collapsed, forming a large pit.

Pant!

Lu Yan sat on the ground, panting heavily. He ripped open his clothes and discovered terrible bruises appeared on his body, with a sharp pain in his ribs.