Chapter 15: A Thousand-Pound Strength, Entering the City (Third Watch, Please Continue Reading)

“Add points!”

With the consumption of fourteen Fengyue Points, Zhou Chen felt as if he had trained for several months, sweating profusely every day, diligently and tirelessly practicing the Yi Archery Technique and body tempering over and over again.

Finally.

Heaven rewards the diligent; he broke through.

A powerful vitality surged violently within his body, like countless water snakes writhing wildly.

His body temperature rose sharply, especially his skin, which felt as if it were being seared by a burning hot iron, or as if thousands of ants were crawling all over him—both painful and itchy.

Fortunately, the sensation lasted only a few breaths.

Zhou Chen’s whole body became warm and cozy; all the pain and itchiness vanished, as if he had returned to the embryonic stage in the womb, reborn and reforged—a sensation of indescribable comfort.

He felt as if his entire being was filled with power, an inexhaustible strength coursing through him!

“First level of Body Refinement, skin tempered!” Zhou Chen’s eyes gleamed with excitement, exhaling a long breath of stale air that hung dense and sharp like an arrow shooting three feet forward.

He drew a short knife and sliced it across his palm, feeling it cut into something as tough as hardened leather, yet as slippery and difficult to pierce as fish scales.

Gradually increasing his force, the resilient and elastic skin beneath the blade caved inward but did not break.

“Hiss! With this kind of defense, even an ordinary person wielding a sharp weapon would find it hard to hurt me. Is this what it means to be a warrior? It’s truly incredible!”

At this moment, Zhou Chen deeply felt the vast gulf between a martial artist and an ordinary person—as if they were two entirely different creatures, incomparable.

Not only had his defense increased, but his strength had surged dramatically.

He clenched his fist; it felt like at least a thousand pounds of force.

Though the Yi Archery Technique he cultivated did not emphasize brute strength, it was a superior martial art, certainly far stronger than average or inferior styles.

Raising both hands, Zhou Chen’s keen eyesight discerned that his arms and fingers seemed longer and stronger.

When martial artists temper their bodies, their physiques change accordingly. For instance, those who cultivate strength-based martial arts often become broad-shouldered and powerfully built.

According to the introduction, after completing body refinement with the Yi Archery Technique, one undergoes a complete metamorphosis into a postnatal Arrow Spirit Body—long-limbed and lithe, with especially powerful arms and waist.

Feeling his own strength, Zhou Chen was quite satisfied.

He glanced at his personal status panel.

The realm section had changed:

[Realm: Body Refinement Level Two — Muscle Tempering (7/2000)]

“Two thousand Fengyue Points? That’s just over two months of effort!”

This estimate was based on Qin Hongyu alone.

Zhou Chen planned to visit Qinghe City tomorrow.

Besides buying a bow and gathering information, he had heard that the renowned Xueyue Pavilion in the city was mysterious and complex; he intended to check how deep the waters were.

He also hoped to explore whether there was a faster way to earn Fengyue Points.

“Muscle tempering…”

Snapping back to reality, Zhou Chen rested at the second level of body refinement.

This stage of muscle tempering primarily increased strength.

Generally, successful muscle tempering grants superhuman strength and greatly enhances defense.

——

From Zhou Chen’s current perspective, Zhang Long was probably at the muscle tempering stage; those constables had said he was close to breaking through.

If he did, he would likely reach the third level of body refinement.

Of course,

It was difficult for an ordinary person to accurately judge one’s realm by appearance alone; one could only guess based on physique and aura.

“My cultivation has grown stronger, so my consumption has increased as well!”

With the breakthrough and after a night of hard work, Zhou Chen’s stomach was growling loudly, painfully hungry.

Qin Hongyu was still asleep; Zhou Chen did not wake her but went to the kitchen to cook by himself.

Perhaps it was hunger or the aroma of meat that stirred her; Qin Hongyu slowly woke and hurriedly got up, though her whole body felt sore and weak.

Seeing the messy bed, she blushed and quickly pulled off the sheets and blankets, preparing to wash up later.

After tidying up slightly, Qin Hongyu went to the kitchen and saw Zhou Chen busily cooking. Feeling guilty, she said,

“Brother Chen, why didn’t you wake me to help?”

She took over the chores from Zhou Chen.

“What help?”

Zhou Chen’s eyes flicked to the plumpness at her chest, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

“Help with cooking…”

Qin Hongyu spoke, sensing the meaning behind Zhou Chen’s gaze immediately.

“You bad man, all you ever want to do is ‘help’!”

“In that case, I won’t ‘help’ anymore!”

“You dare!”

Qin Hongyu’s face flushed red; she couldn’t save face and scolded,

“Go away!”

Zhou Chen wrapped his arms around Qin Hongyu from behind, grinning wickedly.

“It’s fine, you do your thing; we won’t interfere with each other!”

Qin Hongyu: “...”

Half an hour later.

Thanks to the efforts of Zhou Chen and Qin Hongyu, the meal was finally ready.

[Fengyue Points +1]

“You scoundrel!”

Qin Hongyu gave Zhou Chen a playful glare.

“Hurry and wash your hands, then eat!”

“Alright!”

Zhou Chen didn’t delay; he was very hungry.

He washed his face and hands at the basin outside, shook off the water, dried himself with a towel, and sat at the table.

Qin Hongyu had already served him rice.

Zhou Chen ate heartily.

Qin Hongyu did the same.

She was hungry too.

Though she had eaten some nutritional fast food, it was hardly enough to satisfy her hunger, especially given her high energy expenditure.

“Tomorrow, I’m planning to go to the city to exchange for a good bow. If there’s anything you want, tell me; I’ll buy it for you!”

Zhou Chen bit into a piece of venison leg.

“I don’t need anything. Maybe you could buy some cloth, and I’ll make you some clothes!”

Qin Hongyu didn’t want to spend money and suggested.

“Alright, then you can also make a few outfits for yourself!”

Zhou Chen smiled; he didn’t really need Qin Hongyu to do chores, but when he was away, sewing kept her occupied.

The next day.

At dawn, Zhou Chen rose quietly. Though reluctant to leave Qin Hongyu’s warm nest, he relied on his strong willpower to set off.

Qin Hongyu had planned to get up early to cook for Zhou Chen so they could eat before heading to the city.

Unfortunately,

Thanks to Zhou Chen’s restless antics, she was still deep asleep, no chance to get up early and cook.

Zhou Chen was too lazy to cook himself, so after a quick wash and a change into better clothes, he set off lightly armed with a short knife.

Qinghe City was not far from Dahe Village, only about ten li away.

Though Zhou Chen lacked lightness skills or martial arts for speed, his legs were swift, and it took him just over half an hour to reach Qinghe City.

Built alongside the Qing River, the city had convenient water transportation and abundant aquatic products. Though not large, it was bustling and prosperous.

Zhou Chen paid two wen as an entrance fee and entered the city. Although still early, the streets were already lively.

Vendors lined both sides of the street, selling all sorts of goods.

There were sellers of pancakes, candied fruit, buns, wine, and many fishmongers.

Both Dahe Village and Qinghe City bordered the Qing River, which connected to the nearby Yunmeng Marsh, a rich fishing ground spanning eight hundred li.

Zhou Chen ate a large bowl of beef noodles, not rushing to buy a bow but leisurely exploring to absorb the local customs.

Before long,

He spotted a lavishly decorated pavilion with the words “Xueyue Pavilion” inscribed above the entrance.

In the past life, ancient brothels usually opened in the afternoon, with the courtesans greeting guests in the evening.

But this place was different.

From his current memories, Old Man Cao frequented this pavilion, even coming during the day and sometimes staying overnight before returning home the next day.

However, Old Man Cao had never brought Zhou Chen there.

“Well, since I’m here, I might as well take a look inside!”

...