On the book page, the bluish-gray radiance suddenly began to descend.

Fortunately, the level of "Flowing Body Steps" was not high, and the strength accumulated over the past two days was just enough.

When the bright area of the book page dropped to the bottom line—

A brand new "Flowing Body Steps" emerged, its grade rising from Mortal Grade, Middle Quality to Mortal Grade, High Quality!

"Excellent! A high-quality movement martial art!"

Ryan Lawson looked excited and began to cultivate.

Behind the academy, in the mountains.

Swish! Whoosh whoosh!

Ryan Lawson moved through the forest with strange steps, shifting and leaping, sometimes slow, sometimes fast, like a nimble swimming fish.

Mortal Grade, High Quality martial arts were much less difficult than Spirit Grade martial arts.

It only took half a day.

Ryan Lawson's "Flowing Body Steps" reached the "Initial Mastery" stage.

Generally, martial arts are divided into four stages: Initial Mastery, Minor Mastery, Major Mastery, and Perfection.

Reaching Initial Mastery in half a day was truly astonishing progress.

It should be noted that after being perfected and enhanced by the Heavenly Book, Initial Mastery of "Flowing Body Steps" was equivalent to Minor Mastery of the original version.

"Could it be that I really am a martial arts prodigy?"

Ryan Lawson was amazed.

Although he had always been perceptive, he had never been this monstrous; the effect of the Fortune Art was simply heaven-defying.

Just possessing spiritual sense was a trait of martial artists above the Earth Origin Realm.

Within the academy, even so-called geniuses would need at least half a month to train a Mortal Grade, High Quality martial art to Initial Mastery.

With "Stellar Sword Finger" and "Flowing Body Steps," Ryan Lawson's overall strength had increased by at least one level!

However, although his strength was great, he had little actual combat experience.

"With my current strength, I can go to 'Black Demon Ridge' to hunt demon beasts."

Ryan Lawson planned to go to Black Demon Ridge to temper his combat skills.

In addition, materials from demon beasts could all be sold for money.

He hadn't forgotten his promise—he absolutely could not let Xue Yao marry Du Yuncheng, and had to pay off the twenty thousand gold debt as soon as possible!

Chapter 012: Breaking Through to the Second Level

Black Demon Ridge was extremely vast, the domain of demon beasts, with the weakest being comparable to the Opening Vein Realm.

It was said that deep within Black Demon Ridge, there were even two-star demon beasts comparable to the Spirit Sea Realm.

Ryan Lawson entered the edge of Black Demon Ridge, targeting one-star, low-level demon beasts, which were equivalent to human martial artists at Opening Vein levels 1 to 3.

Half an hour later.

Ryan Lawson's powerful senses detected a huge, shadowy figure.

It was a wild boar two meters tall, its whole body pitch black, with two tusks as thick as a child's arm extending from its mouth, still stained with scraps of flesh and blood, looking extremely ferocious.

"Giant-Tusked Black Boar! Among low-level demon beasts, it's known for its strength and defense."

Ryan Lawson looked cautious.

Roar! Bang, crack!

The Giant-Tusked Black Boar also spotted Ryan Lawson, its eyes bloodthirsty and excited, smashing several dead trees in a row as it charged at Ryan Lawson.

Ryan Lawson used "Flowing Body Steps," leaping nimbly like a swimming fish, dodging the boar's savage charge.

"Stellar Sword Finger!"

Ryan Lawson gathered a streak of finger light, flashing with a sharp blue glow, slicing open a wound on the boar's body, blood spurting out.

The Giant-Tusked Black Boar was covered in bristles, its defense no less than that of the "Iron-Spiked Water Buffalo," yet Ryan Lawson easily broke through its defenses with a single finger.

After a dozen moves—

Boom!

The blood-soaked Giant-Tusked Black Boar collapsed to the ground. Ryan Lawson immediately stepped forward to cut off the valuable parts from the demon beast.

By dusk, as the danger level in Black Demon Ridge rose, Ryan Lawson prepared to leave.

Just then—

Roar!

Ryan Lawson heard a terrifying roar and sensed an invisible threat.

"That is..."

His eyesight was excellent, and he saw, several hundred meters away, a giant wolf whose fur glowed like flames, exuding a dangerous aura.

Flame Wolf!

A one-star, mid-level demon beast!

Ryan Lawson's expression changed. A one-star, mid-level demon beast was equivalent to Opening Vein levels 4 to 6.

Martial artists below Opening Vein level four, if they encountered a Flame Wolf, would be doomed to instant death.

Fortunately—

This Flame Wolf hadn't noticed Ryan Lawson.

Whoosh whoosh!

Suddenly, a fierce gale swept through the sky, and the shadow of a giant ferocious bird flashed by.

Awooo!

The Flame Wolf let out a miserable howl as its head was torn apart by the unknown giant bird, which then flew off with the corpse.

How terrifying!

Ryan Lawson's heart trembled, and he sucked in a cold breath.

Instantly killed the Flame Wolf!

That unknown giant bird must have been at least as strong as someone at Opening Vein level nine or above.

Whew—

Ryan Lawson took a deep breath, made sure there was no danger nearby, and hurriedly retreated.

Half an hour later.

Ryan Lawson left Black Demon Ridge and let out a long sigh of relief.

His luck was really bad—he had actually encountered such powerful demon beasts at the edge of Black Demon Ridge.

...

Returning to Qingchang City.

He first went to the Martial Market to sell the day's haul, earning a total of 1,300 taels of gold.

The stronger one's abilities, the faster one could make money.

For three or four days in a row, Ryan Lawson left early and returned late, gradually accumulating 7,000 taels of gold.

Through these days of tempering,

His cultivation and martial arts had both improved greatly.

Among them, "Flowing Body Steps" had advanced to Minor Mastery through actual combat.

Because "Flowing Body Steps" had been perfected and enhanced by the Heavenly Book, Minor Mastery was equivalent to Major Mastery of the original version.

The first layer of "Stellar Sword Finger" had become even more stable, and he was constantly approaching the second layer.

On this day—