28: Breakthrough Jade Skin

【 Martial Dao Minor Achievement, murderous intent solidified, the path of a Martial Artist lies in killing and restraint! 】

【 This Reincarnation evaluation: Ding-grade upper 】

【 This Reincarnation reward: 5 Reincarnation points 】

【 You already have 7 Reincarnation points. You can use Reincarnation points to exchange for: steel military knife (5 points), current cultivation (10 points) 】

“Hiss~ That thing is actually so fierce? Is it really still a cow?”

Gu Chang got up from the bed, grimacing slightly, recalling his encounter deep in Da Wu Mountain, he felt a certain pain in his balls.

This time he didn't encounter a Ferocious Tiger, but a kind of savage bull mentioned in the Xuanbing Blood Fiend Skill.

He had thought that with his significant increase in strength this time, he should be able to successfully complete a hunt.

However, he didn't expect that savage bull to be even harder to deal with than the Ferocious Tiger; not only was it massive in size and thick-skinned, but it also possessed boundless brute strength and was exceptionally fierce. Gu Chang's Iron Skin, which had reached its limit, couldn't withstand the terrifying force of nearly ten thousand jin from its trampling.

“That Reincarnation World definitely has a problem! And it’s a big problem!”

Gu Chang had already felt this way when he encountered the Ferocious Tiger before, and now, after encountering that savage bull, his feeling was even deeper. A normal world absolutely could not contain such terrifying creatures.

Of course, a normal world also couldn't have Martial Artists with a thousand jin of strength and skin like steel.

“It’s a pity I’m a bit short on Reincarnation points, otherwise I could exchange for the Flesh Refining cultivation.”

Shaking his head, Gu Chang didn't exchange for anything in the end, but instead got up directly and started a fire to cook.

Although the tiger meat and secret medicines from the Reincarnation World had already been consumed, he still had plenty in reality.

After eating and drinking his fill, Gu Chang continued to temper his physique, strengthen his Qi and blood, and transform his inner Qi.

“When I went to Linhu Town last time, that Sixth Master clearly noticed something unusual about me.”

“At that time, he must have seen that I was practicing martial arts. Although my appearance hadn't changed much at the time, my overall spirit and vitality were probably somewhat different from ordinary fishermen who suffer from cold and live in the lake all year round.”

“It seems I won’t be able to go to Linhu Town anymore. Anyway, there’s nothing important there.”

While practicing martial arts, Gu Chang’s thoughts also wandered. His living supplies on the boat were running low again, and he would have to find a way to replenish them in the future.

“However, going to other towns also requires changing my identity. At the very least, I can’t use the identity of a fisherman, otherwise, it would be too conspicuous.”

Life in Taihu Lake was naturally peaceful; no matter how lively it was on land, it would not affect his remote and desolate place.

But Gu Chang couldn’t live in the lake his entire life; necessities were indispensable, and his current consumption was also increasing.

For example, the coarse salt he bought last time for curing meat was used up by more than half, and the remaining amount would probably only last him a few days.

At the same time, with the improvement of his strength, Gu Chang’s mindset was naturally changing.

Although he still maintained a strong sense of vigilance towards the government, aristocratic families, Gangs, Martial Forest experts, and mysterious Cultivators of this world, he wouldn't go to the extreme of isolating himself completely from external communication.

After all, no matter how powerful martial arts were, how could they compare to Cultivation?

If there was a way to cultivate, he would absolutely spare no effort to cultivate.

Although his body seemed to lack the Aptitude for Cultivation, he thought that there was always a way out, and relying on the Six Paths of Reincarnation, he would always be able to find a solution.

Even if there was truly no way in the end, as long as he tried, it wouldn't be in vain to have come to this world.

Under the enhancement of tiger meat, Gu Chang's inner Qi became increasingly robust, but it still couldn't compare to that in the Reincarnation World. Next, he planned to gain more Reincarnation points, then exchange for cultivation, and prepare to begin Refining Bone!

As night fell, Gu Chang once again entered the Reincarnation World.

“Hoo~ Haa~”

“Pa! Pa! Pa!!”

Inside the training ground, Gu Chang's chest heaved, his whole body's Qi and blood were like a furnace. Li Ergou and the others, holding iron rods as thick as wrists, heavily struck his body again and again.

“Hoo!”

“Keep using force! Haven’t you eaten?”

“Don’t worry about me!”

“Use all your might!”

Suddenly, Gu Chang opened his eyes and shouted loudly at Li Ergou, Wang Da Niu, and the others.

“Yes!”

“Big Brother, be careful!”

“Use all your strength!”

“Pa! Pa! Pa!”

Immediately, Li Ergou and the others exerted all their strength, fiercely swinging the iron rods to strike Gu Chang's body.

This time, the iron rods left more than just no marks on Gu Chang's body; they rapidly caused swollen marks to appear, and in some places on Gu Chang's skin, even a trace of blood seeped out.

“Pfft! Pfft!”

“Cough cough!”

“Hoo~ Hoo~”

“Hahaha! Good!”

Suddenly, Gu Chang opened his mouth wide and spat out a large mouthful of dark clotted blood, and his entire aura became listless, looking as if he had suffered a severe injury.

“Big Brother!”

“Are you alright?”

“…”

The others were startled at the sight, immediately stopped their actions, and anxiously asked him.

“Hahaha! Of course I’m alright!”

“This is a good thing! A good thing!”

However, Gu Chang laughed loudly, because this time he had finally broken through the limit of Iron Skin, reaching the level of Jade Skin, and he immediately felt a sense of complete transformation.

Upon closer inspection, one would notice that Gu Chang's originally dark and shiny skin color was gradually fading, and a layer resembling jade-like film was slowly appearing on its surface.

Relying on the arduous training of his dual bodies in both the Reincarnation World and the real world, he had finally reached the limit of Skin Refining!

“Really?”

“Congratulations, Big Brother!”

“Hiss~ I didn’t expect it to be a Breakthrough!”

“Big Brother’s skin color has indeed changed.”

“Good news! This is good news!”

“I heard that only Martial Artists who reach the Jade Skin level can truly complete Refining Bone and even begin Marrow Refining!”

“…”

The others were instantly overjoyed upon hearing this news, as the stronger Gu Chang became, the safer they would be!

Soon, after a short rest, Gu Chang fully recovered. At the same time, he found his body had become much lighter, and his skin was more flexible and resilient. When he circulated his inner Qi, his entire epidermis could instantly harden.

At this point, striking it would even produce a metallic resonance, and ordinary swords and blades simply couldn't leave a single mark on him.

The only things that could still harm him were massive heavy weapons, which, by relying on brute force, could attack his body, transmitting the force to his fragile internal organs, thereby causing him fatal injuries.

With his current strength, if he were to engage in another military formation battle, he could charge through the chaotic army at will, even without armor.

A few days later, Gu Chang completely stabilized and adapted to the power of the Jade Skin level, and then he began to plan his next actions.

“The tiger bone hasn’t been used yet, and I’ve already soaked it into tiger bone wine. Now I can finally begin Refining Bone.”

“Even if it’s just Refining Bone Minor Achievement, my strength will be greatly enhanced. By then, if I encounter that savage bull again, I will definitely be able to kill it!”

“However, before that, I should still acquire more Reincarnation points, and also get some secret medicines back.”

His current strength had already reached the strongest level below Refining Bone, placing him just one step away from a captain in the army.

Also, considering that things outside had become chaotic again, he should be able to fish in troubled waters and get some things he wanted.