Thugs

Chapter 16 — Thugs

The Life-Death Wheel is constantly filling me with the power of Life-Death. That's why my body and mind grew more powerful and tenacious. And when Soul Blood flows through the Life-Death Wheel, its energy and power gets amplified by a lot.

After feeling the new changes, I unsummoned the Spirit Heart that soon returned inside of my mind space.

I quickly entered the inside of my mind to check it out. Upon entering, I could quickly see that the chaotic red ocean had expanded to become more vast. Its rate of expansion had also increased under the Life-Death powers that filled it.

I then stared at the human silhouette that resembled myself.

A large red-green wheel hovered behind it while slowly rotating clockwise. It emitted a formidable pressure while releasing a constant source of Life-Death to fill and nourish my body and mind.

"The coexistence of Life and Death will lead to all things to flourish."

As the wheel rotated to slowly absorb the energy from the atmosphere, I saw tiny red and green particles generating from within it.

The particles that contained Life and Death Attributes were mutually attracted to each other, latching onto one another and maintaining the most delicate balance.

Since ancient times, the power of Life and Death didn't mix well. If the two collided, it would just end with annihilation. But in these small particles, Death actually revolved together with Life. Both forces were complementing each other, supporting and restraining the other.

As the particles were paired together, they began to condense, combining and arranging themselves to one large character.

Battle Fury.

Berserker's Rage.

"As expected, this Life-Death Wheel was the reason for the natal abilities…"

As the two opposing attributes underwent a strange chemical reaction to amplify each other, I stared at the particles that formed into words to tell me about my natal abilities.

At the same time, I gained a clearer understanding of the Life-Death Wheel.

"The Death Attribute bestows my mind and body with destructive capabilities, while the Life Attribute bestows my mind and body with tenacity and strong vigor."

That was pretty evident since I could feel my body being stronger even without Spirit Heart and Soul Blood.

"And with them amplifying each other, the effects were further enhanced. My senses and perception have further sharpened."

Returning to reality, I was exhausted but my natural recovery speed that was enhanced by the Life-Death Wheel and purple blood quickly took action.

I looked at the refined Heavy Silver on the workstation. Despite removing every impurity, it was still bigger and wider than my waist. Its weight was also very immense after its density reached the limit of Thousand Refinements. And unlike its previous silver color, it was a dark gray color now.

As my eyes left the metal, I then saw Meng Tian unconscious on the ground with a strange expression.

"..."

I went silent.

"I'll return tomorrow…"

I left the workshop and decided to rest at the inn.

As I arrived at the inn, I decided to eat to fill my hungry stomach. I've already bought many high-class ingredients beforehand to cook my own food. I have a lot of money now so I didn't mind splurging a bit when it comes to food.

After all, food was the building blocks of our body.

The food was cooked swiftly. I started to gulp down the foods one by one, gradually forming a mountain of bowls.

Soon, I was stuffed and I returned to my room.

I sat cross-legged on the bed and started to do the Steel Breathing Method to rest.

I don't sleep much nowadays. I instead spent the whole night using the Steel Breathing Method which gradually refined my mind and body.

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Early Morning.

I opened my eyes from my usual breathing routine to stand up with a clear mind and energetic body.

At this time, most people were probably still sleeping with working adults already awake.

I did my usual workout routines that involved doing hundreds of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and running for hundreds of kilometers.

After some hours of light workout, I finished and soon went to eat.

As I ate, I realized that I didn't know how to increase my soul blood nor how to develop my Martial Soul.

I remember the Red Mountain Academy.

"It seems like I need to study."

But first, I went to the workshop again after eating.

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I met up with Meng Tian who had already recovered from his shock.

"Good timing. Before I give you a task, forge the Heavy Silver metal you refined yesterday to whatever equipment you need. It has already been Blood Sacrificed with you."

"Blood Sacrificed?"

I've heard about this from Hu Yu, but she didn't explain much about it.

"I see, so you still don't know about It."

Meng Tian began to slowly explain about Blood Sacrifice.

"Blood Sacrifice means to let your blood vessels become one with a metal, creating a bond between your blood and metal. So, It would become part of your body."

I nodded in understanding while feeling intrigued.

"Since the metal will become one with my blood vessels… will my reinforced circulatory system extend to the metal?"

I couldn't wait to try it out, so I immediately went to the workstation yesterday.

There, I saw the Heavy Silver left untouched on the forging station.

Touching the metal, I closed my eyes while envisioning the image I should make from this metal.

Slowly, I felt the powerful rage within the metal that resembled mine.

"It's so similar to myself…"

Therefore, I came to a firm decision upon feeling the rageful cry from the metal.

"You became a steel…"

I smiled.

"Then I'll forge you into what you desire."

I raised my hammer and started forging my very first Blood Sacrificed Equipment.

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After forging for hours, I managed to make the Blood Sacrificed Equipment.

"Interesting… I didn't expect a blacksmith to make this kind of weapon. Very unlikely."

Meng Tian gazed at the gigantic equipment I made.

It was far too big, too thick, too heavy, and too rough to be called a weapon, it was more like a chunk of metal.

"This was what the metal desired. I simply followed and perfected it."

Meng Tian nodded.

"This thing also produced an interesting effect called [Tremor]. It can produce massive shockwaves with a swing." Meng Tian commented after we tested it out.

I already knew that some Blood Sacrificed Equipments were capable of producing simple effects.

"This equipment possesses the power to destroy the world."

Meng Tian joked around.

"Maybe." I shrugged my shoulders while lifting the large chunk of metal.

For now, I left it under his care since I lack the means to store it comfortably without drawing unwanted attention.

Meng Tian then told me to leave and rest for now.

Tomorrow, I will finally be able to work and earn money.

I left the workshop and walked down the streets to return back.

Things were fine for a while, but I soon saw trouble en route.

"You villains, release her!"

The black-haired boy from before, Wulin, was trying to save a little girl that seemed to be getting threatened by a group of thugs.

One of them was holding a dagger to threaten the boy and a girl.

The ruckus has attracted people's attention since this occured on the main street. Yet no one stepped up to help the girl who was forcefully being dragged.

Seeing the boy rushing to help, I knew he would only get injured by the dagger. He was that weak.

Although he had a tall stature and some developed muscles, he was inexperienced, he probably hadn't shed blood yet.

The boy began to quarrel with the thugs through righteous words.

He cares so much about being righteous, but lacks the strength to back it.

I hated that.

I see my cowardly self that didn't even have the strength to fight.

Spirit Heart activated, soul blood rumbling within me. An unprecedented power started to fill my body. The Life-Death Wheel amplified that further.

Boom!

I leaped forward as I took a deep breath that caused my fist to harden.

Before anyone could see what happened, I was already in front of the thug holding a dagger, my fist sinking into his stomach, causing his body to simply fold and fly back like a rocket.

Thud!

The thug hit the wall with a shocked expression as blood splattered out from his mouth.

I didn't use all of my strength.

Yet it was enough to cripple him.

The people stared shocked at me that stood straight with my eyes coldly looking at the thugs.

A faint red mist floated around my hardened fist.

"Scram! Or else I'll kill you." I threatened with a low voice.

A suffocating raging bloodlust escaped from my eyes, locking down on them.

I held back on killing since It was morning with many people around us.

"Hieee!" They squealed in fear as they hurriedly left, escaping without the man from earlier.

I then looked at the red mist that receded back into my body as my spirit heart vanished.

My Spirit Heart's passive natal ability.

Battle Fury.

Rage Count: 1/10.

The more I attack in combat, and the more aura I accumulate, the heavier and stronger my strikes become.

With everything calming down, I glanced at the boy and the girl for a moment. A sullen expression appeared as I left without saying another word.

"Scums also exist here…"

Vlad will roam the night once again.

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Tang Wulin felt his gaze linger over the fading back of the boy who easily forced the thugs to retreat easily.

He realized it was the boy that he talked bad to before.

Looking at his own haggard and messy appearance, Tang Wulin smiled bitterly at his own powerlessness.

He felt the boy was cool and really strong, true to his appearance.

Compared to him, he was extremely weak and couldn't even save a single girl.

He then looked at the crying girl he tried to rescue earlier. Seeing her still crying, Tang Wulin began to console her with all his best.

Someday… he will become as strong as that boy.

To make the lives of the people he loved become safe and comfortable.

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