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

with a

hot. As Ricky didn't seem to be a

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 the three people deep into

...

of Skin Refinement! Let

using his spiritual power to inflict damage to the

...

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

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

packs will be full," Lewis said. Then he saw

something very different from a human

a loud, raspy hiss, and the sound

in and out, and black glutinous venom spilled

You don't want to let it bite

helper? It's his turn to show off his martial

Ricky, arms crossed. He spat the last two words mockingly.

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

came along because he trusts us. If you let him fight that thing, it's like watching him commit suicide,"

probably lost any chance he had with her by

him. If he dies, we can

as they bickered among themselves. Any

"Let me at him!"

drawing a fine steel saber from the scabbard slung along his back, leaving shadows and light footprints on

back only to find his warning was barked too

exclaimed out of concern.

Luther said, apparently