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."

Just ignore him. We do," Vivian

with

thought Vivian was hot. As Ricky didn't seem to be a rival, Luther

were sincere. He was going to turn them down, but he'd be embarrassed after they

...

of

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

...

out the double-tail fox! He has to be a creature at the fourth grade of

encountered more than ten beats of Skin Refining, all at the fourth

couple more and our packs will be full," Lewis

something very different from a

a loud, raspy hiss, and the sound made them

beast had to be at least five feet long. Its tongue darted in and out, and black glutinous venom spilled out, melting the patch of ice and snow it fell on. The boa's constriction abilities were less useful in finding food than they could have been, so mother nature let it

5th grade of Skin Refinement, if not more. You don't want to let it bite you—its venom kills!" Watching the boa, Lewis swallowed his saliva, saying,

it easy, Lewis. Don't we have a helper? It's his turn to show

arms crossed. He

You finally couldn't stand to keep quiet, ' Ricky seethed inside.

If you let him fight

He'd probably lost any

pull his own weight. We're not gonna carry him. If he dies, we can always find another mediocre warrior," Luther said, doubling down on his

boa didn't care about their personal squabbles. It had been steadily advancing on them as they bickered among themselves. Any closer and it would be attacking at least one of the four.

"Let me at him!"

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

he wanted to draw Ricky back only to find his warning was barked too

exclaimed out of

Luther said, apparently unconcerned with Ricky's fate.