Chapter 215: Chapter 129: Second-Layer Realm
Body Refining Methods and External Martial Arts Skills complemented each other, and Chen Cheng had followed this principle throughout his cultivation.
This also explained why in this world, Inner Breath Methods had gradually declined while the faster Body Tempering Techniques became mainstream.
But nothing was absolute. At the very least, the Iron Armor Skill Chen Cheng cultivated was a real treasure. To a certain extent, his strength far surpassed that of other Martial Artists in the same realm because he relied on the wonders of the Iron Armor Skill.
Perhaps his master, Mr. Zheng, had also realized this. After suffering an injury to his very foundation in his youth, which halted his progress in the Martial Arts Realm, he had chosen to carve out a new path, focusing more of his energy on researching Inner Breath Methods.
His studies of zither, Go, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and song were likely all part of a larger gambit—an attempt to rise against the odds and rewrite his own Martial Dao destiny.
Chen Cheng had read some miscellaneous books which mentioned that in ancient times, the sages of the Human Race cultivated a wide variety of Dharma Gates. It was even said that some had attained the rank of Saint through literary arts.
Similar accounts in the *Great Yu Martial Canon* were extremely vague, consisting of only a few words and phrases. This was naturally because the founding Martial Saint of the Great Yu had cultivated the Body Tempering school of Martial Arts.
With him being the only Martial Saint in over a thousand years, his Martial Dao legacy naturally became the orthodoxy.
Shaking off his thoughts, Chen Cheng began to cultivate the Great Power Realm. The Great Strength Eagle Claw Skill Root Map surfaced in his mind once more.
The scene before Chen Cheng’s eyes abruptly changed. He became a colossal Dragon Eagle, soaring through a vast expanse of heaven and earth. As its massive wings beat, it periodically brandished its claws, which gathered immense power. Faint wisps of the Great Power Realm’s aura slowly converged on its claws from all across this world.
[Cultivation Progress for the Great Power Realm has increased.]
...
As he deepened his comprehension, notifications from the panel appeared intermittently.
Meanwhile, outside of this vision, Chen Cheng stood tall on the attic balcony amidst the bleak, cold wind. His hands had unconsciously formed into claws, and their posture shifted from time to time.
Waves of ripples were born between his hands, shifting and transforming before instantly vanishing, only to be born anew, transform, and vanish once more—an endless, unceasing cycle.
...
「Inner City, Shen Family Estate.」
In a quiet, secluded courtyard, Shen Qingshuang stood in a pavilion, watching a white-robed figure practice Swordsmanship in the dim light. A sharp glint flashed in her lovely eyes.
That figure in white was none other than Shen Qingyao. Her Body Technique was incredibly fast, making her appear like an erratic phantom. The Short Sword in her hand seemed to possess a Spirituality of its own, faintly revealing a kind of mystical Sword Momentum.
Suddenly, the Qi Blood Power around Shen Qingyao’s body erupted. Her Sword Momentum changed in an instant, the tip of her sword flashing rapidly through the seven-star formation, causing the surrounding ambient energy to shudder and generate countless ripples.
The ripples accelerated, converging upon the blade’s edge. A tyrannical, razor-sharp Sword Momentum was instantly formed. It was condensed but held in check, looking as if it could tear a hole in the very air.
Just then, Shen Qingyao’s Sword Momentum changed once more. The surrounding air grew heavy, suffused with a bone-chilling aura. This frigid air then seemed to compress and condense, as if about to crystallize into countless snowflakes.
PFFT!
Just as the snowflakes were about to form, the frigid energy in the air abruptly dispersed, and they vanished before they could even take shape.
"Sigh... I was just one step away!" Shen Qingyao lamented softly. She sheathed her Short Sword and walked slowly toward the pavilion, her steps unsteady as if from total exhaustion. She had clearly expended all her Qi Blood Power trying to condense her Sword Intent.
"You nearly managed to forcibly condense the Frost Snow Realm with your strength at the Small Success in Bone Forging Realm. That’s already incredible!"
Shen Qingshuang said with great earnestness, her gaze intense.
Shen Qingyao was not satisfied. Shaking her head, she said, "The Ancestor once said that without exception, the True Disciples of the Major Sects comprehend a Mental Realm by Small Success in Bone Forging Realm. Even if they can’t fully grasp it, they can rely on their Qi Blood Power to forcibly condense it. In the end, I’m still lacking."
Shen Qingshuang pursed her lips. "Do you really think of yourself as a True Disciple of a Major Sect?"
Shen Qingyao rolled her eyes at her. "I was just being humble, and you actually took it seriously!
I’ve only just reached Small Success in Bone Forging Realm, and my Phantom Sword Stance is still a bit unpracticed. Once I cultivate for a bit longer and solidify my Cultivation, I’ll naturally be able to forcibly condense the Frost Snow Realm."
"I can’t be bothered with you!" Shen Qingshuang turned her back on her and continued, "I’ve already handled the arrangements for the marriage alliance between Chen Cheng and the Shen Family.
When the Clan Elders ask, you can answer them yourself. Also, Chen Cheng said that a direct-line daughter of the Shen Family can only be his concubine, and it has to be someone he’s personally fond of.
You can be the one to find this candidate."
"Heh, this Chen Cheng certainly is arrogant!" Shen Qingyao chuckled, staring at Shen Qingshuang’s back with amusement. "Shen Qingshuang, you really are far too lenient with him!
A mere disciple from a Humble Family is marrying up into our Shen Family, yet he demands a direct-line daughter be his concubine, and he even gets to be picky about it?
How interesting. How very, very interesting!"
Shen Qingshuang whirled around and snapped, "If you’re not satisfied with the outcome, you can go talk to Chen Cheng yourself."
Shen Qingyao’s smile was radiant. "It’s not like Chen Cheng is my subordinate. What would I talk to him about? Besides, he only knows me as Shen Junmo, and he certainly doesn’t think well of me.
As far as he’s concerned, he’s probably terrified I’m going to steal his Mu Xiaowan! Haha!"
Shen Qingshuang fell silent.
Shen Qingyao continued, as if talking to herself, "Mu Xiaowan’s beauty is otherworldly; she’s a rare gem. With a wife like her, I suppose Chen Cheng has the capital to be arrogant.
I’m afraid that in his heart, only a woman like Mu Xiaowan could be the one he desires. Our Shen Family may have plenty of direct-line daughters with both talent and looks, but who among them could possibly compare to Mu Xiaowan?
This makes things difficult!"
"Difficult or not, that’s your problem, not mine!" Shen Qingshuang said coolly, then started walking out of the pavilion.
Shen Qingyao quickly called out to her. After looking her up and down, she said with a laugh, "You know, with your beauty, you could probably give Mu Xiaowan a run for her money. How about we just arrange for you to be Chen Cheng’s concubine?"
Shen Qingshuang’s expression instantly darkened. "Shen Qingyao," she said coldly, "I think *you’re* the one who should be Chen Cheng’s concubine!"
"Alas..." Shen Qingyao shook her head with a thoughtful air. "It’s not entirely out of the question. As long as Chen Cheng’s Martial Arts Power can catch up to mine, what would be the harm in me becoming his concubine?
It just so happens that I get along wonderfully with Mu Xiaowan. When the time comes, the two of us sharing a husband should make for some interesting stories."
"Suit yourself! As long as you’re happy," Shen Qingshuang huffed.
Shen Qingyao suddenly shook her head again, analyzing the situation with a straight face. "The two of us are both burdened with the mission of carrying on the Shen Family’s legacy, but we can’t make our own choices. To be considered worthy in the eyes of the clan elders, a prospective husband would need to be at Bone Forging Realm Perfection, or even have advanced to the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm.
But it’s hard to find such a young prodigy in Linji City. After all, the Shen Family can’t form a marriage alliance with the other three major families.
Chen Cheng reached the Muscle Strengthening Realm at eighteen or nineteen, so there’s actually a chance he could reach Bone Forging Realm Perfection before he turns thirty. You should encourage him more, get him to train diligently. You have to give him a little hope, right?"
"If you’re so thoughtful, you go encourage him yourself!" With that, Shen Qingshuang strode out of the pavilion and quickly left the courtyard.
’This Qingshuang is being really strange. I was just saying it casually, was it necessary to get so angry? Don’t tell me... that girl has actually taken a fancy to Chen Cheng?’ Shen Qingyao murmured, lost in thought.
...
「Chen Family Estate, Attic Balcony.」
Chen Cheng stopped his cultivation. After only a single hour, he was unbelievably exhausted. His Qi Blood Power was heavily depleted, and his mind felt weary as well.
’It seems my method for cultivating a Mental Realm not only consumes Qi Blood Power but also Spiritual Power.
Both Qi Blood Power and Spiritual Power are tied to my Martial Arts Realm. The higher my Realm and the stronger my physique, the stronger they will be.
With my current strength, I can probably only focus on cultivating my Mental Realm for two hours each day. Any longer and I fear I won’t be able to handle the exhaustion.’
He checked the panel again.
[Skills: Powerful Eagle Claw Skill (Perfection) (Powerful Claw Stance) (First Layer of Great Power Realm 980/200,000)]
’One hour of cultivation increased my progress by more than 500 points. If I cultivate for two hours a day, I can gain about 1,000 points of progress.’
’In a month, I can gain around 30,000 points. At this rate, it should only take about seven or eight months to master the First Layer of Great Power Realm.’
’Incredible!’
A faint smile touched Chen Cheng’s lips. This feeling—knowing that as long as he cultivated, his progress was guaranteed to increase—was just too satisfying!
’Plus, as my Martial Arts Realm improves and my physique strengthens, the amount of time I can spend in focused cultivation each day will also increase. This means the time it takes to master the First Layer of Great Power Realm will only get shorter!
I’ll only be nineteen after the New Year. Mastering a Mental Realm at nineteen... with that kind of power, I should be able to completely crush the True Disciples of the Major Sects, right?
Once I master a Mental Realm, my combat power will take a qualitative leap and reach a whole new level.
The future is full of promise!’
Time passed quickly. A month went by in the blink of an eye, bringing them to the end of the year.
It was also time for the annual assessment at the Lishui Sub-Department.
On this day, Chen Cheng rose early. After finishing his cultivation of the Great Power Realm, he stood on the balcony to rest for a moment, his gaze drifting toward Jishui Lake, which was shrouded in a vast, white mist.
