The legendary warrior

Three people made their way towards Ricky: a strong young man at the fourth grade of Skin Refinement; a pretty young girl in a light yellow skirt who could match the girl on the mountain peak just now; another young man in white raiment with a nice look but a grim gaze. The power radiating from the one in white was palpable—he was at least at the fifth grade of Skin Refinement, if not the sixth.

"Hey, buddy!" The strong one greeted Ricky with a smile.

"What's up?" Ricky asked.

"We're going hunting. Fierce beasts live deep in the snowy mountains. We could use a little practice and make some money to boot. Wanna come along?"

"I'm headed for the snowy mountain too," Ricky said with a smile.

"That's great! With four of us, we'll probably beat whatever comes our way," the girl exclaimed after hearing Ricky's response.

"So it's a done deal. I'm Lewis, by the way. This is Vivian. And that's Luther over there, the most powerful one of our little group. Don't let the mean look fool you. He's actually a good guy, ha ha!" Lewis said with a smile. "And I didn't catch your name?"

"Ricky!"

Upon hearing Ricky's name, Luther finally opened his mouth, as he gave the stink eye to Ricky. "Well, if it isn't the waste of blood.

Forget it. We don't need this guy. He doesn't have a spiritual meridian. He'd only slow us down.

Besides, this presumptuous piece of crap even wants to fight Wade!"

Luther sneered.

After hearing Luther's words, Ricky frowned, really wanting to put this guy in his place.

Lewis and Vivian were quite embarrassed by Luther's ranting. Word traveled fast, and they knew all about Ricky. He'd beaten Hurley, which was no mean feat. They thought he might be an asset.

Thinking quickly, Lewis draped an arm around Ricky's shoulders as a friendly gesture. "And sometimes Luther can be an asshole, too. Don't let it throw you."

him. We do," Vivian

replied with

because he thought Vivian was hot. As Ricky didn't seem to

see they were sincere. He was going to turn them down, but he'd be embarrassed after they were so friendly to him. Giving

...

at the fourth grade of

it, using his spiritual power to inflict damage to the great cat's vital areas, and

...

has to be a creature at the fourth grade of Skin Refinement!" Vivian exclaimed. She dropped into a fighting

ten beats of Skin Refining, all at the fourth grade. Lewis and Vivian usually

couple more and our packs will be full," Lewis

very different from a human

was a loud, raspy hiss, and the sound made them

in and out, and black glutinous

grade of Skin Refinement, if not more. You don't want to let it

a helper? It's his turn

sneered ironically as he glared at Ricky, arms crossed. He spat the last two

to keep quiet,

you talking about? Ricky came along because he trusts us. If you let him fight

lost any chance he had with her by

him. If he dies, we can always find another mediocre warrior," Luther said, doubling down on

their personal squabbles. It had been steadily advancing on them as they bickered among themselves.

"Let me at him!"

the Snow-scaled Boa while drawing a fine steel saber from the scabbard slung along his back, leaving shadows and

he wanted to draw Ricky back

Vivian also exclaimed out of concern.

What an idiot!" Luther said, apparently unconcerned with Ricky's fate.