Jin Taiwen activated the Engraving, a faint light pierced from his back, forming an incomplete pattern behind him.
His explosive power was enhanced, crossing a five-meter distance in an instant, his fist shot out like a cannonball.
The basic Engraving [Gunpowder] primarily functions to increase the engraver's explosive power, and to allow the body to bear this power, there are secondary features that slightly strengthen the body. The sequences that can advance include [Warrior], [Shield Warrior], and [Explosive Dragon], etc.
Yan Luo recognized at a glance what kind of Engraving Jin Taiwen had on him. He flipped his left palm, grabbed Jin Taiwen's wrist, and dodged to the side.
With his back foot drawing a semicircle, Yan Luo pressed his body close to Jin Taiwen, his right arm like a serpent, wrapped around Jin Taiwen's neck.
Yan Luo pressed his left side body tightly against Jin Taiwen's right side, pulling Jin Taiwen towards himself, their faces turning to face each other as Jin Taiwen's ankles twisted.
Jin Taiwen let out a roar, aiming his left fist at Yan Luo's head, but suddenly his body leaned to the left, toppling over.
This was because Yan Luo's right hand had yanked Jin Taiwen's upper body, so even though his feet stood firmly as if rooted to the ground, his upper body involuntarily tilted.
Taking advantage of the momentum, Yan Luo lifted his right leg, driving his knee upwards, hitting Jin Taiwen's abdomen, causing him sharp pain and even obstructing his power.
Eventually, Jin Taiwen's fist landed on Yan Luo's shoulder but did not cause him any injury, only a slight ache.
Realizing the unfavorable situation, Jin Taiwen quickly flung away Yan Luo's left hand with his right arm, preparing for a short-range energy burst to strike Yan Luo's stomach.
Just then, Yan Luo seemed to see through his thoughts, knowing what was in his mind, he immediately released his arm and retreated half a step.
Then, he kicked out.
Clearly, Jin Taiwen was the Engraver, yet he was suppressed by Yan Luo from beginning to end.
Jin Taiwen's body flew out, crashing into a table, sweeping the uncleaned trash on it to the floor.
"Hahahaha!"
Seeing Jin Taiwen being beaten so badly by a newcomer, the surrounding Hunters laughed uproariously in schadenfreude.
Jin Taiwen clutched a chair, trying to stand up, but the severe pain in his abdomen made it difficult, and after struggling for a while, he flipped over, kneeling on the ground and retching incessantly.
The laughter gradually subsided, and people looked at Jin Taiwen in confusion. A Hunter walked over, patted Jin Taiwen on the shoulder, "Brother, are you okay?"
Jin Taiwen, after all, was an Engraver, with the Engraving [Gunpowder], which also slightly enhanced the body, he shouldn't be this fragile.
Hearing this, Jin Taiwen glanced at Yan Luo, fear flashing in his eyes, he quietly replied, "This, this kid's strength is extraordinary..."
But Yan Luo hadn't even activated an Engraving; no matter how strong he was, how strong could he be?
Hearing Jin Taiwen's words, the other Hunters curiously looked at Yan Luo.
Could Yan Luo be one of those naturally strong individuals?
"Alright!"
At this moment, a lazy man stood up, clapped his hands, drawing the crowd's attention.
Li Xinyue stood at the sidelines watching, noticing that those unruly Hunters showed some obedience when facing that man.
Who is he?
[Hechuan Wuzechuan] yawned, propping a hand on the table, spoke softly, "Jin Taiwen, Yan Luo, you two stop now, no more fighting, or it'll damage the harmony. Jin Taiwen, don't think about revenge. If you challenge Yan Luo to a duel honorably, I won't stop you, but if I know you used underhanded means, I'll throw you into the core circle of the Crimson Abyss. As for Yan Luo..."
Here, Wu Zechuan paused, looked at Yan Luo, and smiled, "Although you can't engrave, I checked your performance structure, and found that your mind and knowledge reserve are quite good. The instructor's evaluation of you is [Head filled with data on all the demons in the Crimson Abyss]. As the leader of the [Mountain and River] Warband, I can let you join the band, would you be willing?"
Unable to engrave?
Yan Luo being invited by Wu Zechuan to join the Mountain and River Warband did not surprise people because Yan Luo was indeed a genius.
What surprised the Hunters present was that Yan Luo couldn't engrave?
A waste who couldn't engrave became a Hunter?
Hearing Yan Luo couldn't engrave, Jin Taiwen was stunned for a moment, his mouth twitching involuntarily, but quickly he composed himself, suppressing his inner joy.
Yan Luo indeed was powerful, even without the ability to engrave, but Yan Luo's growth had already peaked, yet he could still perfect his Engraving, even bearing a second Engraving and formally entering the path of sequences.
In the long run, he would surely become stronger than Yan Luo!
Unlike Jin Taiwen's covert delight, many Hunters, hearing this news, first felt disappointment and pity.
Unable to engrave meant not only could he not handle fatal-level demons, but even his survival skills in hunts were inferior to other Hunters.
No matter how brilliant Yan Luo was in mind and technique, how vast his knowledge, he couldn't cover all bases and respond to every unexpected situation.
Why could such an outstanding young man not engrave?
People looked at Yan Luo, who was earnestly considering Wu Zechuan's invitation.
Being invited by a Warband is naturally a good thing, however, Yan Luo knew that, given his abilities, if he joined a large team, his future would essentially be set.
In such warbands that revere the strong, a weak person couldn't become their leader. Yan Luo couldn't engrave, and to destroy the Abyss, he would have to rely on the strength of others.
If he joined the Mountain and River Warband, he wouldn't be able to gain the decision-making power.
"I'm sorry." Yan Luo finished thinking, shook his head toward Wu Zechuan, "I am just a newcomer and unable to engrave, not suitable for joining the Mountain and River Warband."
With these words, the hall burst into an uproar.
A waste unable to engrave received Wu Zechuan's invitation, already a great mercy, yet he dared to refuse?
What audacity!
Yan Luo's response left Wu Zechuan equally puzzled, but seeing Yan Luo's sincere expression, Wu Zechuan knew this young man still had other ideas.
With a chuckle, Wu Zechuan nodded at Yan Luo, "My invitation remains open indefinitely."
After speaking, Wu Zechuan yawned again, addressing the other Hunters in the hall, "I'm a bit tired, I'm going back to rest, you guys have fun."
Wu Zechuan left, but the number of Hunters in the third-floor hall kept growing.
More and more people knew that a Hunter unable to engrave had appeared in Crimson No.2, and Jin Taiwen generously recounted to others how he fought Yan Luo and ended up being thoroughly beaten.
Whenever discussing this matter, Jin Taiwen would point out who Yan Luo was.
"A waste who can't engrave..."
"Can such a waste become a Hunter?"
"He had exceptional results in the registration exam, exceptionally good, but unfortunately... sigh!"
Hunters revered the strong, and Yan Luo's inability to engrave destined him to be weak.
Therefore, their gazes toward Yan Luo held a mix of sympathy and disdain.
Yan Luo remained undisturbed, their varied glances couldn't shake his determination to overthrow the Abyss.
As the Hunters observed Yan Luo, Yan Luo too was observing them.
Yan Luo logged into the guild's internal community network, scrolling through the registered team list.
After identifying a few potential teammate targets, Yan Luo began to act.
However, due to Jin Taiwen's 'publicity', Yan Luo was met with obstacles with his first three targets.
Even if the teams he approached were small with only two or three Hunters, they were unwilling to let Yan Luo join.
In their mindset, without an Engraving, Yan Luo lacked combat power, and regardless of Yan Luo's superior results in the registration exam, it couldn't change their perception.
Finally, when Yan Luo approached the fourth team, they discussed it among themselves and agreed to let Yan Luo join.
"Lord Wu invited you to join the Mountain and River Warband, why didn't you join?"
This Hunter squad that Yan Luo joined had three people, and after agreeing to let Yan Luo join, Shinkai Katsuyuki couldn't resist asking him.
Clearly, there was a large warband to join, yet he did not join and came to look for them, the small squads. Shinkai Katsuyuki couldn't understand what was going on in his mind.
"Because I am just a newcomer, not having the ability to become a member of the Mountain and River Warband."
Pausing here, Yan Luo continued, "If I accepted Captain Wu Zechuan's invitation to join the Mountain and River Warband, then later if I wanted to leave, it would be quite difficult. Given my ability, just by joining the Mountain and River Warband, my future would be predetermined. I want to form my own Hunter squad, so joining the Mountain and River Warband is the least possible option for me."
After speaking, Yan Luo asked, "May I know when the team will be hunting in the Abyss? I want to arrange my schedule in advance."
Shinkai Katsuyuki and his two teammates exchanged glances, suddenly burst into laughter.
"Three days later, at nine in the morning, we'll gather at the guild entrance."
"Alright." Yan Luo nodded without complaint.