Chapter 60

In front of him, ten thousand-yuan banknotes, this was the gift of apology that the leader of the Xiuyu Gang specifically instructed to be given to Chen Zong.

"Truly able to endure, one must be cautious of this person," Chen Zong muttered to himself, putting away the ten banknotes. He had killed the other party's gang members and only son, yet the result was not revenge but an apology, and a gift of ten thousand yuan in banknotes. The other party must be bleeding from the heart.

But there was no choice. In front of the Chen family, the Xiuyu Gang was just a small fish. Once it showed any sign of retaliating against the Chen family, it would be immediately eliminated by the Chen family.

"With this, I have over eleven thousand white jade coins," Chen Zong thought to himself. He had set a third goal: to raise one million jade coins, preferably two million.

...

In the small courtyard, everything was restored to the state when Chen Chuyun was there, making it convenient for Chen Zong to train.

Chen Zong was only wearing a pair of shorts, his body coated with a layer of black ointment that shone in the sunlight. He was practicing the first three movements of the Body Tempering Technique.

He had long mastered the first three movements. As he moved his limbs and body, the black ointment seeped into his skin. Chen Zong felt a chill, as if a layer of frost covered his skin, which gradually turned hot, as if he were soaking in hot water.

The black ointment was the Ice-Fire Tempering Ointment. The method of preparation was very detailed, and after several simulations, Chen Zong successfully brewed it in a bronze cauldron for three days and three nights.

The usage was simple: apply the ointment evenly on the skin and then practice the Body Tempering Technique to absorb it.

After alternating cold and heat nine times, Chen Zong practiced the first three movements of the Body Tempering Technique nine times. The black ointment on his skin was completely absorbed, leaving a thin layer of powder that fell off.

Washing off the powder, Chen Zong's skin looked more lustrous than before, seemingly more resilient and taut, like leather.

"The effect is very obvious," Chen Zong was delighted.

Every day, he applied the Ice-Fire Tempering Ointment once. After ten days, the ointment was used up, and his skin became even tighter and tougher, even affecting his muscles and bones. When he circulated his blood and qi to the second level of the True Sword Heaven-Cutting Technique, the slight pain disappeared completely.

"I need to get more herbs," Chen Zong thought to himself. He took the banknotes and went to the Dingtian Pavilion again. This time there was no discount, and a set of herbs cost eight thousand two hundred white jade coins, which was eight thousand two hundred white jade coins after rounding off.

"Eight thousand two hundred white jade coins for a set of herbs, lasting ten days. I wonder how many sets I need to practice the first level of the Body Tempering Technique," Chen Zong thought, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

To buy the Nine-Turn Blood-Returning Pill, he needed one million white jade coins, but he also had to quickly improve his cultivation and strength, which required a lot of resources. The Chen family would not give him so many resources, so he had to obtain them on his own.

"Higher cultivation and greater strength mean earning more jade coins," Chen Zong took a deep breath and said to himself.

Thinking about it, a normal fifth-grade herb was worth eight hundred white jade coins, a sixth-grade herb was worth sixteen hundred white jade coins, a seventh-grade herb was worth thirty-two hundred white jade coins, an eighth-grade herb was worth six thousand four hundred white jade coins, and a ninth-grade herb was worth twelve thousand eight hundred white jade coins.

If he could find a hundred-year-old treasure herb, its value would increase tenfold.

All of this required sufficient strength to qualify.

When the second set of Ice-Fire Tempering Ointment was used up, Chen Zong picked up a wooden stick and struck himself with three-tenths of his strength. He could clearly feel that the moment the stick hit his skin, it encountered significant resistance, as if a force from his skin repelled the stick.

It was like hitting rubber, though not as exaggerated, but much tougher than before.

Tempering the skin to make it tougher undoubtedly enhanced his ability to withstand attacks, especially from fists or blunt weapons. If he could achieve the first level of Copper Skin, he might even be able to resist ordinary sharp weapons.

Such obvious progress motivated Chen Zong even more. He couldn't help but imagine what his physique would be like if he practiced the Body Tempering Technique to the third level of Iron Bone, and if he could reach the fourth level, it would not only enhance his physical defense but also break through the human limit, giving him the potential to advance further, like a beast.

Every day, in addition to practicing the Body Tempering Technique, Chen Zong did not neglect other aspects of his training.

Sword techniques were a must, and he continued to practice the three principles of speed, accuracy, and stability. He had already forged a new set of heavy iron arm guards at the foundry. Perhaps due to his previous experience or better control of his strength, this set of arm guards was stronger and weighed one hundred and fifty pounds each.

At first, Chen Zong was very unaccustomed to wearing them, but he gradually adapted over time.

The first level of the Light-Splitting Sword Technique had reached its peak, and he had no idea how to reach the subtle level. The second level, Light-Splitting Shadow, had reached its peak, and he didn't know when he could break through to the peak level.

The Willow-Brushing Sword Technique, Eagle-Striking Sword Technique, Flashing Lightning Sword Technique, and the Eight True Sword Techniques were all at the subtle level, and he still had no idea how to reach the true secret level, even though he had already cultivated the true secret level of the Shadow Sword Technique.

The True Sword Heaven-Cutting Technique was still at the second level.

But no matter what, Chen Zong could feel progress in every aspect, even if it was very subtle. The only thing that had not progressed at all was the True Secret Heaven-Light Cloud-Shadow Sword, which seemed to have reached its limit.

Chen Zong knew that the Heaven-Light Cloud-Shadow Sword could still be improved and enhanced, far from reaching its limit. However, his understanding of the true secret level was still very limited, and he could only explore it bit by bit, like feeling his way across a river.

"If I can enter the Seven Stars Martial Academy, I might find information about the true secret level," Chen Zong thought to himself.

At least earning one million white jade coins and entering the Seven Stars Martial Academy was his short-term goal.

He was following the goals he had set, advancing steadily and firmly step by step.

At the foundry, Chen Zong had already told Elder Lie that he would not go there anymore because of the lack of time.

If he could forge precious iron weapons in a short time at the foundry, Chen Zong would certainly invest a lot of time, but unfortunately, even Elder Lie could only forge treasure iron weapons, and the process from preparing the treasure iron to forging the weapon took a lot of time, with no guarantee of success.

Elder Lie was naturally unwilling and even threw a tantrum, but Chen Zong was very firm. He would not change his goals and training plan for this, especially with limited time.

Time flew by, and before he knew it, Chen Zong had been back at the clan hall for quite some time.

In addition to training, Chen Zong would also visit Chen Yiming in the outer hall. Chen Yiming's training was going well, and he had already started the third blood qi tempering, though it was unknown if he could proceed to the fourth.

On April 17, 396 True Martial Era.

After completing the practice of the True Sword Heaven-Cutting Technique, Chen Zong shook his head, feeling the strength of his blood qi.

"In half a month, it will be the Wind Martial Talent Battle. My cultivation is unlikely to reach the sixth level of the Blood Qi Realm before then," Chen Zong frowned slightly.

Previously, he wasn't in a hurry, but now, to earn one million white jade coins quickly, improving his cultivation and strength was necessary. Entering the Seven Stars Martial Academy was clearly the most direct method at the moment.

"I wonder if I can participate in the Wind Martial Talent Battle with the fifth level of the Blood Qi Realm," Chen Zong suddenly thought. Chen Chuyun had told him that he should have the sixth level of the Blood Qi Realm before the age of eighteen to participate, but he didn't specify anything else. It was unclear if this was a rule or if Chen Chuyun underestimated him.

"I'll ask the elder," Chen Zong thought to himself and immediately left the small courtyard for the main hall.

Fortunately, Elder Li was in the hall.

"What brings you here, young man?" Elder Li spoke bluntly.

"Elder Li, I want to ask about the conditions for participating in the Wind Martial Talent Battle," Chen Zong smiled and bowed, then sat down next to Elder Li without being too formal.

"Are you thinking of participating in the Wind Martial Talent Battle?" Elder Li's eyes widened as he looked Chen Zong up and down. "Your cultivation is still at the fifth level of the Blood Qi Realm, right?"

"Yes, but my strength is not inferior to the sixth level of the Blood Qi Realm," Chen Zong said confidently.

"That's true," Elder Li nodded. He had heard about Chen Zong defeating Chen He and Chen Xia. "The rule is that you can participate if you reach the sixth level of the Blood Qi Realm before the age of eighteen. If you want to participate, you can."

"In that case, I will participate," Chen Zong said firmly.

"Entering the Seven Stars Martial Academy is indeed a good thing," Elder Li said. "Whether it's the training environment or resources, the Seven Stars Martial Academy is far superior to the three major families and five major clans in Wind Martial City. If you can enter, your cultivation will improve faster. Since you want to participate, the family will report your name in a few days."

Family members usually register through the family, which is the most direct and convenient way.

"There's no need to thank me," Elder Li waved his hand. "You have good talent and great potential. I believe that no matter in Wind Martial City or other martial cities, you will not be inferior to others. Our Chen family is one of the five major clans in Wind Martial City, but in the entire Eastern Continent, it is not much."

Chen Zong listened quietly, sensing that Elder Li had more to say.

"Our Chen family's ancestors have worked hard generation after generation to make the family migrate to the Supreme Martial Main City and take root there. Unfortunately, after hundreds of years of effort, it has not been achieved," Elder Li sighed.

The five main cities of the Eastern Continent, each with a powerful force rooted in the main cities, but the land and resources of the main cities are limited. The entry of new forces means the exit of old forces, which is very cruel.

"One day, if any of you young people can cultivate to the True Martial Realm, perhaps there will be some hope for the family to enter the Supreme Martial Main City," Elder Li smiled, patting Chen Zong's shoulder. "Young man, I have high hopes for you. If anyone in our Chen family can cultivate to the True Martial Realm, I think you have the greatest chance."

"Elder, you are too kind to me," Chen Zong smiled. Honestly, the True Martial Realm was still very far away, and whether he could reach it was still unknown, but the unknown did not make him afraid; instead, it sparked his fighting spirit.

The True Martial Realm, no matter how far away, he would strive to reach it, not for anything else, but to stand higher and appreciate more of the wonders of the world.