Chapter 55: Chapter 55: This Power... Is Truly Fascinating
After that, Jiang Che bought enough supplies to last them a month and secluded himself at home.
Jiang Che didn’t tell Jiang Ling about the monster. Instead, he said there was an evil Martial Artist on a killing spree outside and warned her not to go out for the time being.
This frightened her so much that she hardly dared to even leave her room.
This put Jiang Che’s mind somewhat at ease.
Better to be timid than to be reckless and lose her life.
As for Jiang Che himself, he began practicing another set of Basic Iron Body Skills, the Iron Wood Body.
The principle behind this skill was similar to the others he had learned.
It simply involved striking his own body with his fists.
Jiang Che’s Fist Technique was already exceptional. Combined with his powerful [Rejuvenation] Talent and his foundation in Iron Body Skills, he mastered this Basic Iron Body Skill to Perfection in a mere ten days.
In the Jiang Family’s courtyard.
Jiang Che stood bare-chested, his shoulder-length black hair fluttering in the wind. His muscles were incredibly well-developed, and he had even grown to a height of 1.85 meters.
From a distance, he looked like an overlord reborn.
"Just as I thought... I’ve broken through!"
The moment he achieved Perfection in the Iron Wood Body, a powerful surge of Qi Blood rushed into his Dantian.
With this, the Qi Blood in his Dantian reached utter Perfection!
Jiang Che’s muscles tensed as he closed his eyes, feeling the throbbing of his Qi Blood.
He felt that once the Qi Blood in his Dantian reached Perfection, it began to slowly seep out, permeating his internal organs.
Jiang Che examined his skin. He found that when he circulated his Qi Blood, his skin didn’t take on the cyan, stone-like texture others had.
Instead, it took on a grayish-black hue, just like the Iron Skin Realm! When he tapped it, it made a metallic CLANG!
’Is it because I’ve mastered multiple Iron Body Skills to Perfection? Does this mean that even in the Stone Skin Realm, I’ll soon have the Defense Power of the Iron Skin Realm?’ A flicker of joy went through Jiang Che’s heart.
At the same time, his [Rejuvenation] Talent was strengthened once more.
Jiang Che tested himself again, his face filled with shock.
’My recovery rate has doubled since the beginning, a 100% increase. And my defense has increased by about 120%...’
Jiang Che felt that if he were to encounter that Blood Sacrifice again, he could now easily escape, even if he couldn’t defeat it.
’Now for my strength...’
Jiang Che walked over to the large bell.
The bell wasn’t huge, weighing exactly 800 jin.
And according to his master, 800 jin was the standard for strength in the Iron Skin Realm.
Jiang Che took a deep breath.
He gripped a raised part of the bell with one hand and gave it a sudden heave.
CRASH!
The large bell was instantly overturned, smashing onto the ground with a deafening crash!
Although he had just entered the Stone Skin Realm, Jiang Che’s strength had already reached the level of the Iron Skin Realm!
"This power... It’s intoxicating..."
Having broken through the bottleneck that had plagued him for so long, Jiang Che felt as if he now possessed limitless power!
Of course, it was only because he had trained multiple Iron Body Skills that his base strength and defense had barely reached the Early-stage of the Iron Skin Realm.
His Qi Blood Amount, however, was far from comparable.
Without the support of Qi Blood, his strength would lack staying power.
He was self-aware enough to understand this.
He waved his hand, bringing up his status panel.
[Name: Jiang Che]
[Age: 17]
[Realm: Qi Blood Second Realm·Early-stage Stone Skin Realm]
[Qi Blood Martial Dao: Cloud-Stacking Fist Minor Achievement (1/200), Flying Swallow Step Minor Achievement (1/200)]
[Skills: Great Success in Calligraphy (350/400), Mountain-Bashing Force Perfection, Iron Wood Body Perfection, Body Refinement Perfection, White Cloud Fist Perfection]
[Talent: Heart Stream, Omen, Rejuvenation]
...
「White Cloud Martial Arts Hall.」
「Disciple Courtyard.」
Gong Yulei, Zhang Xiong, and Lin Xue’er were standing in the courtyard, conversing in low voices.
"Why did Master suddenly call us here?" Lin Xue’er asked.
After breaking through to the Stone Skin Realm, she had been gradually helping the Lin Family stabilize its businesses.
Those who had previously wanted to carve up the Lin Family’s assets no longer dared to act rashly.
She had been busy managing a profitable business for the Lin Family, even inviting many of her peers for a conference.
But then, her master had unexpectedly sent someone to summon her without giving a reason.
"I don’t know," Zhang Xiong said. "But I’ve heard something’s off in the city lately. A lot of people have vanished without a trace. The rumor is... evil spirits! I wonder if this has something to do with it."
"Evil spirits? That’s ridiculous. Zhang Xiong, I didn’t think you’d believe in that nonsense." Gong Yulei’s face was full of contempt.
Ever since joining the Fish Dragon Gang, he had relied on his outstanding skills and ruthless methods to conquer significant territory for them, earning him a promotion to the position of Vice Gang Leader.
While the Fish Dragon Gang had several Vice Gang Leaders and he had yet to fully establish himself and held little real power, the rewards were tangible.
A monthly stipend of two hundred taels and ten jin of Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat.
His status was now far beyond that of an ordinary martial arts hall disciple.
Now, wherever he went, people would respectfully address him as Master Gong.
Even his own Gong Family had begun to curry favor with him.
All this had made Gong Yulei even more arrogant.
Zhang Xiong frowned at his words but didn’t respond.
Gong Yulei was on the rise, and Zhang Xiong didn’t want to get on his bad side.
"By the way, what about Jiang Che? Why isn’t he here?" Lin Xue’er asked Zhang Xiong. "It’s been so long since I’ve seen him at the hall. He’s still a disciple, isn’t he? It’s not right for him to be absent like this."
"I heard he’s been in seclusion. He’s probably at a critical point in his training and can’t leave the house," Zhang Xiong explained.
When Jiang Che didn’t show up at the martial arts hall for a long time, Zhang Xiong had sent someone to ask about him.
He was relieved to learn Jiang Che was in seclusion at home; at least he hadn’t given up on the Martial Dao.
"Makes sense. After all, if you stuff someone with enough Qi Replenishing Pills and Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat, you can pile-drive even the most talentless hack into the Stone Skin Realm," Gong Yulei said sarcastically.
Just then, Luo Kun arrived in the courtyard.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked slowly toward the group, his expression grave.
"Master!"
They all bowed in unison.
He gave a casual wave of his hand. "I called you here because I have something important to discuss. You all need to listen carefully."
They all nodded.
Luo Kun cleared his throat and began.
"The city has been chaotic lately. For the next half-month, I want you all to stay home and not go out. If you absolutely must leave, do so during the day and travel in a group. Under no circumstances should you go out alone at night!"
Lin Xue’er raised her hand. Luo Kun nodded, giving her permission to speak.
"Master, what’s the reason for this?" Lin Xue’er asked, puzzled. "We are all Martial Artists of the Stone Skin Realm. What could possibly happen to us?"
"The Government Office sent a special notice," Luo Kun said gravely. "Apparently, a mysterious figure is hunting Martial Artists in the city. In the East District alone, more than a dozen Martial Artists have already been killed!"
"Master," Gong Yulei said with a frown, "no matter who this mysterious person is, with so many Martial Artists in the city, and plenty of Force Integration Experts, do we really need to be afraid of him?"
"Don’t think that just because you’re a Vice Gang Leader, you know everything, you brat! You’re still wet behind the ears!" Luo Kun scolded.
Gong Yulei opened his mouth, but ultimately didn’t dare to talk back.
"You are right, Master."
But his sullen expression showed he was far from convinced.
"Hmph!"
Luo Kun glared at Gong Yulei. ’This kid’s been getting too full of himself lately,’ he thought. ’He needs to be taken down a peg.’
"You think he’s so easy to catch? According to Chief Liu, this mysterious person has the strength of the Early-stage of the Iron Skin Realm, at the very least!
"What’s more, his five senses are incredibly sharp. He flees the moment an expert comes within a hundred meters, which is why he’s impossible to catch!
"I might not be afraid of him, but what about you lot?!"
Luo Kun’s voice rose sharply.
