Lou Yi even saw Xu Qing, who was responsible for managing the orchard and whom he had met just a short while ago.

Despite his advanced age, Xu Qing also ran back to the sect seeking refuge.

The Extreme Fist Sect temporarily entrusted a group of old farmers outside the city to manage the orchard.

In terms of treating disciples well, the Extreme Fist Sect surpassed many other sects.

"How did the world become like this?" Zhan Weida waved a white folding fan in front of his chest in annoyance, "My family's business is also shrinking across the board, and we're not doing business with other cities anymore.

I heard that Su City is extremely dangerous, always on the verge of being breached. There's a rare Giant Eagle Beast King that even Martial Artists can't handle."

"Indeed. My father frets all day, saying that the fabric won't sell at all.

If the beast tide continues into next year, even if he isn't killed by monsters, our family will fall into ruin..." Beside him, the adorable female disciple Xu Yun clung closely to Zhan Weida, her face full of worry as well.

"In the past years, was there only one Beast King?" Lou Yi asked.

"That's right, during the beast tides that occur roughly every ten years, there would usually only be one Beast King.

After all, the beast hordes can't be commanded by two kings simultaneously." Not far away, Jia Hong gracefully walked over with delicate steps, instantly drawing the attention of many men within the sect.

Among the women Lou Yi had seen, only Tian Su Shi could compare to her.

Seeing Jia Hong, Xu Yun felt a bit nervous and uncomfortable.

This is a normal reaction when a woman encounters a peer more beautiful than herself.

Noticing this, Zhan Weida gently squeezed her small hand, comforting Xu Yun considerably.

"What does Miss Jia think is the reason?" Lou Yi asked.

"I'm not sure of the reason, but I believe the imperial court won't sit idly by," Jia Hong responded confidently.

"The Central Plains is tens of thousands of miles away from us. Even if the imperial court wants to send a large army, it can't be done in just a day or two," Zhan Weida couldn't help but retort sarcastically.

Sending an army on a long expedition involves so many aspects, it could take months.

"If the court sends reinforcements, they might not send ordinary people," Jia Hong smiled slightly, "I heard from Young Master Xu that the imperial court has experts stronger than ordinary Martial Artists. If they are willing to act, quelling the beast tide would be a mere gesture."

"Stronger than ordinary Martial Artists? Can they be stronger than Meng Konghua?" Zhan Weida showed disdain.

Meng Konghua is recognized as the number one expert in Wangjiang County, always elusive.

It's widely believed that there's no one stronger than him even in the Central Plains.

"This young woman wouldn't know about that." Jia Hong finished speaking, then gracefully departed.

Lou Yi then quietly asked Zhan Weida, "How many passes into the inner city can you get?"

The current situation was unique, and the City Lord's Mansion was strictly controlling the number of people moving from the outer city to the inner city.

Of course, a prominent family like the Zhan Family naturally held many passes.

"I can probably get three or four," Zhan Weida had no reservations towards Lou Yi, "But if I ask my brother and father, doubling that shouldn't be a problem."

"Good." Lou Yi nodded.

He had previously asked Elder Zhang, and the sect could also grant him two passes, making a total of ten.

"Why do you need them? For your family?" Zhan Weida asked, puzzled.

"I no longer have any family," Lou Yi shook his head, "But I have some friends. I'm planning to go to the outer city in the coming days to bring them over."

"It's very dangerous to go out now!" Zhan Weida frowned, advising Lou Yi.

But seeing his firm expression, knowing he couldn't dissuade him, he said, "Alright, alright, be careful.

By the way, the Earth Dragon Essence Tendon you asked me to find is already on the way and should arrive at my house by this afternoon."

"Really, that's very timely." Lou Yi was delighted.

"I had people keep an eye on the item Young Master Liu wanted for quite some time.

It just appeared at Su City's auction a few days ago..." Zhan Weida briefly recounted the origin of the Earth Dragon Essence Tendon.

"Is that so, then it must have cost quite a bit of silver, I'll give you some." Lou Yi pretended to reach for his money.

"Get lost, you rascal." Zhan Weida laughed and scolded.

The two arrived at the Zhan Family, and indeed, the Earth Dragon Essence Tendon had arrived, placed within a three-foot-long wooden box.

Opening the lid.

It was found to be entirely crimson, two fingers thick, coiled like a snake, stretching to several zhang long when unraveled.

Gripping it in hand, pulling with slight force, it deformed but did not break, its toughness clearly surpassing ordinary tendons of animals.

Lou Yi brought the Earth Dragon Essence Tendon back to his rented room, sat on the bed, and looked at the Attribute Panel.

In the talent section, a faint plus sign appeared next to Swift.

Imagining a force pressing on it: Swift (Beginner 0/20 + Earth Dragon Essence Tendon) → Swift (Proficient 0/100 + Celestial Silkworm Silk).

The Earth Dragon Essence Tendon in his hand visibly seeped into his body.

Unfamiliar memories surfaced in his mind:

Lou Yi transformed into the leader of the Red-crowned Bird Spirit, several times the size of an ordinary Red-crowned Bird.

It was as tall as a human, with a half-transparent red crest atop its head.

Its legs were thicker than those of ordinary beasts, and at the knees, spiral-shaped protrusions of muscle were visible.

As a naturally gifted leader, it led its clan to consecutively defeat the Cangying Race, White-feathered Eagle Race, and Golden Pheasant Race... becoming the veritable Bird King of the forest.

The sky became its domain, allowing it to take any Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures at will.

The Red Crowned Bird King's body grew ever larger, with massive muscles emerging all over, no longer concealable by feathers.

Until one day, it discovered the corpse of an Earth Dragon Essence deep within the forest.

The Earth Dragon Essence, resembling an oversized lizard, was suspected to possess thin bloodlines of the Ancient Dragon Race.

Though the corpse had decomposed due to time, its tendon remained blood-red, completely unaffected.

A deep-seated desire engraved in its soul drove the Red Crowned Bird King to consume the Earth Dragon Essence Tendon.

Subsequently, its body seemed greatly stimulated, undergoing a mutation...

In reality, Lou Yi opened his eyes.

A massive surge of chilling energy appeared within him, transforming his tendons, melting the original and birthing more robust new tendons.

His legs underwent a core remodeling.

Their muscles grew firmer, the knee area broke and reformed, emitting a crisp 'crackling' sound.

"Swift."

As Lou Yi activated his talent, his body began undergoing visible changes.

'Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!'

The tendons inside his body tightened one by one, with many close to the skin, outlining faint red marks.

His waist, back, hip, and thigh muscles were interconnected, forming a cohesive whole.

His legs thickened considerably, with spiral muscles forming around the knees.

There were only seven or eight circles upon entry; now there are nearly twenty circles!

Lou Yi went to the courtyard, slightly bent his right leg, and lightly pushed off the ground.

The twenty circles of springs compressed sharply, then released in an instant.

'Swish!'

He shot up like a rocket, instantly soaring five to six zhang high.

If exerted fully, even ten zhang would probably be an easy feat.

Of course, in real combat, rarely would one jump that high.

Lou Yi valued the speed enhancement brought about by Swift even more.

...

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