The legendary warrior

There were only three people who remained in the forest. There was Ricky, who was using the infernal power to refine his body in the Sacred Blood Pond. The other two were Heather and Grace, patiently waiting beside him.

The process of body refinement took an entire day and night, sometimes even longer.

Of course, Agnes Shui had already left.

Ricky was currently focusing all his attention on battling with the searing, intense burning pain.

Through his new spiritual meridian, Ricky absorbed that strong infernal power in the Sacred Blood Pond, letting it flow within his meridians and blood circulation. He then channeled it into refining his flesh and bones by making them even more reinforced.

These minutes seemed like an unbearable eternity. Ricky's consciousness trembled in the blinding blurriness of the world. The burning pain had penetrated deep into his bones, now dully numbing them.

The expression on his face was one of pure exertion. The fingernails on his fingers had sunk deep into the flesh of his palms. Blood was oozing out from the wounds as streams of perspiration ran in rivers down his arms, dripping rapidly into the pond water.

The excruciating pain could make Ricky fail any minute and lose control.

But he had to persevere. He had to endure this suffering, because this was an opportunity to breakthrough into the Second Degree of the Nine-degree Body Refining Formula.

The infernal power in the Sacred Blood Pond was inherently perfect for the refinement of the Second Degree of the Nine-degree Body Refining Formula.

....

Under the ceaseless blaze of the infernal fire, after an entire day and night had passed, Ricky finally regained consciousness. Slowly, he opened his tightly shut eyes.

He looked down at himself. A layer of black mucous surfaced, coating his skin. They were the impurities expelled from his system during the refinement process. The skin underneath the black mucous had turned clearer, almost glowing.

"Using the infernal blaze to refine is indeed amazing. This time around, not only have I opened the door towards breaking through the Second Degree of the Nine-degree Body Refinement Formula, I've fixed the defects caused from using the Blood Zone to a very large extent!" Upon realizing the changes that had taken place with his body, Ricky exclaimed with satisfaction.

"Ricky, you rascal, you've finally completed the refinement process!" Heather said begrudgingly, yet with shining admiration in her eyes.

Crystal, Ricky laughed as he leaped triumphantly

Second Grade of the Nine-degree Body Refinement Formula!" Grace said with

the frosty power, I feel confident that I'll really manage to conquer the Second Grade

only when you're ready to

know!" Ricky nodded.

back to the Snow Sect now. You know, it's also time to prepare for the Outer Competition," Grace said.

pure high note summoning the Snow Vulture, who came swooping down from

turning towards Heather. His eyes were

have to address me

object and leapt onto

perplexed. "Are... Are

her lips. She held Grace's arm and winked at the shock

really true?" Ricky asked

Grace said, with a slightly nod

looks like I have another junior!" Accepting this new development, Ricky hung his head dejectedly.

said, a hint of annoyance on her

...

Sect, the entire atmosphere of the community had changed

to deliver their very best during training, wanting

wanted to prove themselves in front of girls they were wooing. Others hoped to defeat their long-standing rivals. No matter the reason, everything

make the Outer Competition my stage!" Ricky vowed

confidence to call out to any outer disciple, even

aloud, landing into the courtyard from

the Snow Sect right now!" Grace said, seeing the curiosity on Heather's face.

a male and a female disciple!" Ricky curled his lips and said as he watched their