The legendary warrior

The slick, disgustingly sticky saliva fell on Ricky's trembling form.

The mistreatment and humiliation was a menace he had to endure; he was no longer their respected genius young master. Now, he was nothing more than a frail boy at their mercy, one that had lost even his cultivation base. Ricky couldn't help but let the vulnerability he felt show on public display. It was an exploitable weakness that led Hunter's group roaring with laughter.

Ricky was an insignificant pest in their spiteful gaze. Someone—no, something that didn't even deserve a beating, as the savages harbored an arrogant thought that killing him would only dirty their hands in the process.

"Oh! Right, I almost forgot," Hunter exclaimed in a cheerful tone. The two men he was with looked down on Ricky, exchanging knowing glances between each other while smirking. "There's an order from the Dominant Top Elder. They said that all disciples in the Nan Clan who had failed to reach the third grade of Skin Refinement in the next three days—" Hunter paused, smiling jeeringly at Ricky. "—shall work as miners in the clan's mine."

He gauged Ricky's expression upon hearing the news, but the boy remained unnervingly silent. Hunter scoffed before he and his men chuckled at him scornfully. As they prepared to leave, he called out to him for the last time to deliver an ominous threat. "So, loser Ricky, my 'Young Master', don't be late to the mine. If you're not there on time, we'll be the ones sending you there in person!"

...

"AHH!" A scream full of hate and loathing shook the old, thin walls of the shabby hut Ricky was living in. He refused to accept this miserable fate he was in; he wanted to deny his lack of power before the people who abused him.

He cursed as he sat with his legs crossed on top of his creaking, wooden bed, and glared at the half-cooked head of the Pig Monster with Bloody Eyes placed in front of him.

It was sent to him by his enemy, Nate, as a satirical move meant to tease and mock his current circumstances. Ricky felt ashamed; itching with the desire to burn the abominable thing into ashes. However, he knew that his pride came second to his need for the pig's blood vitality.

He had to absorb it together with the function of the renewed spiritual meridian in his body, so that he might soon be able to reach the third grade of the Skin Refinement.

Otherwise, he would be taken to the mine to do hard labor work, and be forced to come to a dead end.

Gritting his teeth, Ricky swallowed his indignity and gobbled the pig's head after tearing it into pieces.

During the remainder of the night, Ricky poured his all into refining his body and flesh. Perhaps, the joy of regaining his spiritual meridian also helped in retaining his focus during his rigorous training.

He didn't stop until the first telltale signs of dawn broke through the early morning sky. Yet, Ricky remained unbothered as he continued to persevere until he heard the satisfying crisp clicks sounding all over his body.

It was, without a doubt, an indication that Ricky had made a breakthrough in his cultivation base.

One night—only in one night, had he managed to jump from second to the third grade of the Skin Refinement.

in astonishment. "What grade is this new spiritual meridian? Its speed of inhaling the spiritual energy of earth and heaven is ten

mostly due to the regain of the spiritual meridian in his Soul Sea.

be a five-star

to himself with great excitement.

all of Stone City's history, a five-star spiritual meridian

granted him a chance to sit on top of the hierarchy, seeing as those who possessed a high caliber of power were regarded

will and determination, Ricky exclaimed his promise with confidence. The thought of being able to wield this ability with great prowess made him feel more thrilled and encouraged than ever.

...

disciple who had successfully reached the third grade of Skin Refinement. From there, they may also receive three Body Refining Pills," Ricky mumbled. After spending

were a valuable cultivation resource;

Body Refining Pills that easily. I'll have to fight them, ' He deduced, frowning in disdain. 'No, even if I win, there's no guarantee that I'll get the pills. After the fight, I have to escape from this clan. Otherwise, after Gilbert and his son know that I

he whispered to

musings, his feet unfailingly carried him towards the Miraculous Medicine Pavilion.

arrive, with the site located on the west side of the Nan Clan's courtyard that was only

to the esteemed property went far from unnoticed, as he had already

infamous among the whole Nan Clan. His nicknames such as "Loser Ricky" and "Traitor" were ones that spilled from gossiping mouths every time someone had caught sight of him

ridicule flitted through the tense atmosphere; all aimed directly

is he thinking? Is the loser here to get the

Master' Ricky came here

Nan Clan felt akin to

to be oblivious and

former genius is really

on how the Traitor will

our current young master, Nate, considering their

fell over Ricky's face as he continued on his path. For now, he was useless against their sarcasm and judgments, but he believed that he would someday be

...

to get

to the two burly men who were responsible