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."

We do,"

then replied with a cold harrumph.

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

sincere. He was going to turn them down, but he'd be embarrassed after they were so friendly to him. Giving the situation a mental shrug, he followed

...

at the fourth grade of Skin Refinement!

to the great cat's vital areas, and using his spiritual power to deflect the creature's claws and

...

creature at the fourth grade of Skin Refinement!"

three days, they had encountered more than ten beats of Skin Refining, all at the fourth grade. Lewis and Vivian usually took care of them, and Ricky was too slow to keep

more and our packs will be full," Lewis said. Then he saw something, and his shout echoed through

they heard something very different from

loud, raspy hiss, and the sound made them all prepare for a fight.

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

at the 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, "Luther, I think this one's

helper? It's his turn to

arms crossed. He spat the

couldn't stand to keep quiet,

along because he trusts us. If you let him fight that thing, it's like watching him commit suicide," Lewis complained after hearing Luther's sardonic

Luther." Vivian also scolded him. He'd probably lost any chance he had with her by

he dies, we can always find another mediocre warrior," Luther said, doubling

didn't care about their personal squabbles. It had been steadily advancing on them as they bickered among themselves.

"Let me at him!"

steel saber from the scabbard slung along his back, leaving shadows

Ricky back only to find his

also exclaimed

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