88: Chapter 88 Practicing to the Extreme

He added another twenty percent of his strength, using half of his total power.

Pffft.

The blade finally cut in, but it only went three-tenths of an inch deep before getting stuck. It felt like slicing into a piece of tough rubber.

"Such tough skin." Chen Mo pulled out the blade and took a cold breath as he saw the slight nick on the edge.

If it were a living Liu Dalong circulating his blood and Qi, how terrifying would this defense be?

I'm afraid even if this blade of mine were chipped and bent, it wouldn't hurt him in the slightest.

"This is the 'Iron Ox Skin Grinding Method' of the Iron Cloth Martial Arts Hall."

Head Li sighed and stood up. "This technique is extremely painful to practice. One must soak their body in special medicinal liquids and be constantly beaten with wooden sticks and iron bars. But once mastered, the results are truly remarkable. In a fight within the same Realm, it's practically cheating. Others can hack at you ten times and you won't die, but one strike from you will take their life."

Chen Mo looked at the corpse on the ground, lost in thought.

"Since it's so powerful, why was he still killed in one move?"

"Because of Realm suppression."

Head Li shook his head. "No matter how tough the Skin Tempering is, it can't block the Penetrating Force of a Muscle Refining expert. Moreover, the opponent also had Sword Intent. Skin can defend against sharp blades, but it can't withstand vibrational force. That single sword strike shattered his heart directly."

Having said that, Head Li glanced at Chen Mo and said earnestly, "Younger Brother Chen, in this world, there is always someone better. This Liu Dalong was also a talent, but it's a pity he fell before he could grow."

"Head Li, since this Skin Tempering method is so powerful, can we practice several types?"

Chen Mo suddenly asked, "For example, if I practice the Iron Ox Skin Grinding Method, then practice a Copper Skin Technique, then a Golden Bell Shield... and make my skin as thick as a city wall, would I be able to block the Penetrating Force of a Muscle Refining expert?"

Hearing this, Head Li was first stunned, then burst into laughter, laughing so hard he almost teared up.

"Younger Brother Chen, your idea is quite... naive."

Head Li patted Chen Mo on the shoulder. "In theory, it's indeed possible. But no one in this world would do that."

"Why?"

"Because of time."

Head Li stopped smiling and held up a finger. "To reach Perfection in a high-grade Skin Tempering method, even someone with good Aptitude takes three to five years; those with average Aptitude take eight to ten years. And that's with the help of sufficient medicinal herbs."

"A person's energy is limited, and blood and Qi also have a Peak period."

"Normally, a Martial Artist must complete Skin Tempering and Muscle Refining before the age of thirty to have any hope of reaching the Bone Refining Realm. If you spend twenty or thirty years in the Skin Tempering Realm, practicing seven or eight methods, by the time you're finished, you'll be in your forties or fifties. Your blood and Qi will start to decline, and you'll be stuck at that level for the rest of your life."

"By then, you'll just be a tortoise shell with slightly thicker skin. Any Bone Refining Realm expert could kill you with a single slap. Tell me, is it worth it?"

Head Li's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over a normal person's head.

But Chen Mo was not a normal person.

He stood there, listening to Head Li's instruction. On the surface, he nodded in agreement, but in his mind, it was as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning, instantly illuminating everything.

Time?

Declining blood and Qi?

Age Bottleneck?

These were insurmountable chasms for others, but for Chen Mo, they were nothing!

He had a panel.

As long as he had potential points, he could instantly reach entry, mastery, or Perfection.

What took others ten years might only cost him a few potential points and a good night's sleep.

Moreover, his lifespan could increase. As long as he kept making Breakthroughs and collecting health-preserving Cultivation Techniques, his blood and Qi could remain at their Peak, even more vigorous than a young person's.

Head Li was right; practicing multiple Skin Tempering methods would delay Realm Breakthroughs.

But that was based on the premise of "limited lifespan and slow cultivation speed."

What if both of those constraints were gone?

Chen Mo looked at Liu Dalong on the ground, his eyes growing brighter.

If he practiced every Skin Tempering method he could find on the market...

Iron Bull Skin, Copper Skin, Stone Skin, Diamond Skin...

Layer upon layer.

Making his skin tougher than refined steel and more resilient than cotton.

By then, let alone the Muscle Refining stage, even a Bone Refining Realm expert might have trouble breaking his defense.

How was this a tortoise shell?

This was clearly a human tank!

"Younger Brother Chen? What are you thinking about?" Head Li saw Chen Mo dazing off and waved a hand in front of his eyes.

"Ah? No... it's nothing."

Chen Mo snapped out of it, a simple and honest smile appearing on his face. "I was just thinking, since the killer is so powerful, our small force might not be enough."

"That's for sure." Head Li curled his lip. "Cases involving martial arts experts are mostly reported to the Six Doors or the Inner City Inspectorate in the end. We're just going through the motions to protect the scene."

"Alright, have the brothers carry the bodies back. The Coroner still needs to perform the autopsies."

Head Li waved his hand and began directing his subordinates.

Chen Mo stood aside, watching the busy Runners, his hand unconsciously touching the hilt of the blade at his waist.

Liu Dalong's death served as a warning, but it also showed him a clear path.

This world was too dangerous.

High attack and low defense was a path to death.

Only by stacking defense to the max would one be qualified to talk about output.

"After reaching Skin Tempering Perfection, I definitely won't rush to Breakthrough to Muscle Refining."

Chen Mo swore to himself, "I'm going to temper this layer of skin until the end of time, until it's impervious to all methods!"

He turned his head and looked at Zhao Dazhu. "Dazhu, when we get back later, go and find out something for me."

"What is it, Head?" Zhao Dazhu asked, huffing and puffing as he carried a corpse.

"Go find out which martial arts hall in the city has the toughest, most resilient Skin Tempering method."

"Also, keep an eye on the black market for any unorthodox External Cultivation Techniques. As long as it's for Skin Tempering, whether it's the Righteous Path or the Evil Path, I want to know about anything that can make the skin tougher."

Zhao Dazhu was stunned for a moment. "Head, you're planning to..."

"I want to live a few more years."

Chen Mo grinned, revealing a row of white teeth that, under the morning sun, gave off an indescribable... craftiness.

Since he had a cheat, he had to push it to the limit.

Only mediocre Martial Artists make choices.

I, Chen Mo, want them all.

...

By the time they arrived at the City Guard Department, the sun had already climbed to the center of the sky.

Although it was late autumn, the sun was unusually fierce, making one's scalp tingle. Chen Mo didn't return to the duty room but went straight to the back hall.

Ye Zhiqiu was drinking tea.

This Constable who had been parachuted in from above was currently holding a white porcelain teacup, her eyes fixed on a book in her hand, not even looking up. There was no incense lit in the room, but there was a faint scent of books, clearly distinct from the smell of sweat and blood outside.

"You're back?"

Ye Zhiqiu turned a page, her voice neither warm nor cold.

Chen Mo bowed with hands clasped and reported the tragic scene at Official Liu's house and Head Li's analysis in detail. He emphasized the eldest son, who was killed in one hit despite being at Skin Tempering Perfection, and the Penetrating Force suspected to be from a Tongmai Realm expert.

After finishing, Chen Mo stood with his hands down, waiting for instructions.

Ye Zhiqiu put down the teacup, which hit the table with a light, crisp "clink."