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."

ignore him. We do,"

with a

hot. As Ricky didn't seem

be embarrassed after they were so friendly to him. Giving the situation a mental shrug, he followed the three people deep into

...

grade of Skin Refinement! Let

inflict damage to the great cat's vital areas, and using his spiritual power to deflect the creature's claws and teeth. Before too long, Lewis smashed the beast's skull in with

...

fourth grade of Skin Refinement!" Vivian exclaimed.

the last three days, they had encountered more than ten beats of Skin Refining, all at the fourth grade. Lewis and

more and our packs will be full," Lewis said. Then

very different from a human

raspy hiss, and the sound made them

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 keep

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

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

as he glared at Ricky, arms crossed. He

You finally couldn't stand to keep quiet, ' Ricky

If you let him fight that thing, it's like watching him commit suicide," Lewis complained after hearing Luther's

him. He'd probably lost any chance he had

If he dies, we can always find

on them as

"Let me at him!"

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

exclaimed as he wanted to draw Ricky back

exclaimed out of concern.

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