Taking advantage of the situation, Long Huang began practicing the Red Tiger Roaring Art, envisioning the might, ferocity, courage, and pride of the Red Tiger.
After half an hour, a roar echoed through the forest, resembling that of an unyielding Red Tiger.
ROOOARR!!
Long Huang's Red Tiger Roaring Art had officially reached minor completion, halfway to major completion.
"Hahaha! All my combat arts are finally at least at minor completion!" Long Huang laughed with joy.
"I wonder."
"How will that old fart react when he sees me with all my arts at minor completion at the competition?"
He thought, recalling how the elder had made it seem like he was destined to die before mastering any of these arts. A slight smug expression was visible on his face.
Then suddenly, Long Huang felt the ground vibrate as he sensed an intense killing intent nearby.
Growl!!!
From the shadows, a beast with armor like stone fur emerged, its eyes filled with hunger and savagery, with paws bigger than Long Huang's entire upper body, its size almost comparable to the Green Eyed Tiger King.
"Good, I was just thinking I needed to find a beast to test out my new combat art."
"Bad luck for you."
ROOAR!!!
Long Huang activated his Red Tiger Roaring Art and let out an ear-piercing roar; his sudden roar caught the Earth Armor Bear off guard, causing it to be stunned for a moment. But that's all Long Huang needed.
Ocean Wave Fist art First Move: Crashing Tide
BOOM!!!
As his fists landed, the Earth Armor Bear was sent flying into a nearby tree. Bloody and severely injured, the Earth Armor Bear.
ROOOOAR!
"You're one tough teddy bear, you know that."
"Well, I don't have all day."
"Let's end this."
Said Long Huang as he taunted the bear with his hands to come over. As if understanding Long Huang's taunt, the bear rushed at him, enraged.
ROOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRR!!!!!!
"Smart but not smart enough!"
Ocean Wave Fist art Second Move: Rolling Current
BOOOOOM!
Long Huang's punch landed square on the Earth Armor Bear's chest, caving it in, bursting its lungs and heart in the process.
"Looks like I'm having some bear curry tonight."
Long Huang couldn't help but lick his lips as he carried his spoils back to his tent to enjoy.
.........
The days went by quickly, and a month had passed, with each day unfolding in rigorous training and relentless pursuit of mastery.
During this time, Long Huang dedicated himself to deepening his understanding of his cultivation technique within the confines of his modest tent, where the flickering light of a single lantern illuminated his diligent notes and notes on his combat arts weaknesses.
To hone his combat skills to the max, he ventured out every day to hunt formidable wild beasts and even engaged in battle with low-level demon beasts in the wilderness surrounding his camp.
After weeks of arduous training and unwavering commitment, he finally broke through to the extreme realm of the Skin Tempering Realm, achieving an impressive milestone, reaching the 12th stage of the Skin Tempering Realm.
Yet, for reasons unbeknownst to him, he struggled to break through to the 13th stage. After several near-failures that left his robes tattered and burned, he learned to engage in battles where he was absolutely confident of winning to preserve his robes.
One cold night, as the moon hung high and the stars shone like gems, Long Huang stood solitary in the heart of a dense forest.
Clad only in his briefs, he was an embodiment of focus and determination, practicing combat arts under the canopy of towering trees.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The stillness of the night enveloped him, the cool air scented with earth and leaves as he assumed a peculiar stance. His fist gave the feeling of waves crashing on the shore. He then started to perform the Ocean Wave Fist art.
First Move: Crashing Tide
Second Move: Rolling Current
Third Move: Tidal Surge
Suddenly, he unleashed a series of fist forms with a profound shout, adrenaline surging through him. With a fluid motion, he thrust both fists forward and leaped high into the air.
His fist strikes cast intricate shadows on the grass below, like the chaotic dance of waves at the ocean's edge. The wind whipped around him, howling fiercely as he executed the Ocean Wave Fist, now at major completion.
A few days prior, he had stumbled upon a cascading waterfall, thinking that some secret was behind this waterfall, he jumped through, eager to uncover secrets behind its shimmering veil, only to be met with disappointment in his search.
However, the waterfall's momentum had sparked a revelation, guiding him as he refined the Ocean Wave Fist. Each strike was now imbued with the essence of crashing waves, magnifying his combat power threefold.
As the fluid movements of his fist cleaved through the air, they appeared almost otherworldly, capturing the intangible essence of a colossal ocean wave.
"Alright, that's enough practicing, time to cultivate."
Long Huang then sat with his legs crossed and his gaze turned inward, as he immersed himself in the Chaos Battle Dragon breathing technique, drawing in the spiritual energy that surrounded the atmosphere.
Snap! swishh..
The sound of something close by could be heard, but Long Huang was oblivious as he was cultivating. The spiritual energy, rich and vibrant, became visible to him, swirling like motes of light as it rushed into his meridians.
With each inhalation, he transformed this raw energy into pure qi, feeling it circulate and amplify within his body.
As the night yielded to dawn, the first light pierced through the dense foliage, causing the dewdrops clinging to the grass to sparkle like jewels.
Long Huang concluded his breathing technique, his eyes flickering open with newfound clarity. He then got out of his tent and walked towards a tree. He then started to perform the Ocean Wave Fist art once more.
First Move: Crashing Tide
Second Move: Rolling Current
Third Move: Tidal Surge
With each move executed, a resounding boom echoed around him, an expression of raw power that lingered long after the strike.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
After hours of intensive practice, he gradually brought his training to a close, sweat glistening on his brow. As he caught his breath, he turned to assess the aftermath of his training, only to find numerous trees uprooted, each trunk marred by the brutal imprint of his fist.
The visual spectacle ignited a spark of curiosity within him.
"I wonder what realm my strength equals now?" he pondered, contemplating the depths of his newfound strength.
"I should head to bed now," he thought.
"But then again, I'm starving."
Snap!...
At that exact moment, the sound of a broken twig interrupted his reverie.
"What the fuck is that?"
Long Huang slowly stepped out of his tent, surveying the area, his only company the dead silence of the night and the cold breeze. Long Huang then heard a snort behind him.
Swish..
He turned sharply, eyes widening in surprise as he beheld a creature about one meter hanging gracefully from a nearby branch.
Its coat was a brilliant snowy white, and its golden eyes gleamed with otherworldly intelligence.
"Nine Element Spirit Deer!"
Long Huang exclaimed uncontrollably, astonishment washing over him as he recognized the legendary creature of myth and lore.
Long Huang once saw a drawing of the Nine Element Spirit Deer in his history of the Eastern Sun Continent records during his classes at the sect.
The Nine Element Spirit Deer is a rare spirit beast.
As Long Huang gazed at the deer, it moved its head, gesturing towards him. Before Long Huang could process everything, it turned and dashed deeper into the mountains.
"Looks like it wants me to follow it."
Long Huang hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to follow the little violet deer into the heart of the mountains.
"Aren't I a bit too trusting of a demon beast, and one that I just met at that?"
"What the heck! What's the worst that can happen?" said Long Huang as he got dressed and followed the deer.
"Wow, how can it do that?"
Long Huang found the deer's speed surprising as it effortlessly weaved through the thick foliage.
If it weren't for Long Huang's training in the Chaos Battle Dragon breathing technique and his use of the Wind Deer Step, it would have been challenging to keep up with the deer at his cultivation stage.
After half an hour of crossing small streams and navigating through forest areas, Long Huang finally arrived at an unusual valley while following the Nine Element Spirit Deer.
The valley was quiet — too quiet, a heavy, savage feeling permeating the area, causing Long Huang to furrow his brows in concern.
As he contemplated whether to enter the valley, the Nine Element Spirit Deer returned from within, snorting at Long Huang and seemingly urging him to follow.
After a brief moment of thought, Long Huang stepped into the valley, following the creature. Upon entering, a wave of thick yin qi, accompanied by an unpleasant odor, hit him in the face.