Early the next morning, after breakfast and a brief rest, Chu Chengzhou took Xiao Wu to the back of the wooden building to practice their Body Refining technique.
At this moment, 'Diligent Maiden' Zhu Zhuqing had already started practicing her soul skills.
Ning Rongrong? She was following them from behind, preparing to secretly learn the Body Refining technique Chu Chengzhou had promised her last night.
Well, it couldn't exactly be called 'secret learning,' since she had Chu Chengzhou's consent.
"Xiao Wu, yesterday I noticed your boxing wasn't perfect. Practice a few rounds, and I'll correct your mistakes."
Glancing at Ning Rongrong behind him, who was eavesdropping with her ears perked but pretending to be nonchalant on the surface, Chu Chengzhou secretly chuckled. Then with a serious face, he spoke to Xiao Wu.
"Mhm mhm!"
Without suspecting anything, Xiao Wu immediately began practicing the Body Refining technique.
Of course, Ning Rongrong didn't have the ability to see through Xiao Wu's internal soul power circulation route; all she could see at the moment was Xiao Wu practicing boxing.
After several rounds, Chu Chengzhou pointed out Xiao Wu's shortcomings.
Although Xiao Wu's comprehension was good and her boxing was excellent, in the eyes of Chu Chengzhou, who had mastered this technique perfectly, there were still some flaws.
However, considering the subtle differences between everyone's bodies, as long as one mastered the boxing routine, not performing the movements exactly according to his standard wouldn't make much difference. If not for Chu Chengzhou's ulterior motives, there would be no need to point these out specifically.
After all, the core of this Body Refining technique remained the specific soul power circulation route inside the body.
Suddenly, Xiao Wu noticed her little sister Ning Rongrong looking at her and Chu Chengzhou with a resentful expression.
Why was Ning Rongrong resentful? Chu Chengzhou said something here and there, and she wasn't an extraordinarily gifted genius—how could she possibly understand everything?
Seeing the resentment in her little sister's eyes, Xiao Wu pondered quietly.
Could it be... that my little sister wants to learn the Body Refining technique that Xiao Chu created?
Unnamed God King: You have a death wish!
'Brother, Rongrong is looking at us strangely~'
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Wu used soul power telepathy to communicate with Chu Chengzhou.
Generally speaking, soul power telepathy was a small trick for high-level soul masters, but with mastery skills in their possession, both Xiao Wu and Chu Chengzhou had already mastered it.
'It's fine, she just wants to learn our boxing moves. Let her watch.'
'But brother, didn't you say secret techniques can't be passed on?'
Blinking, Xiao Wu looked puzzled.
'The core of our Body Refining technique isn't the surface boxing moves. Even if others learn it, it doesn't matter. Besides, the surface boxing routines can't be concealed; maybe they've already been learned by someone else.'
Chu Chengzhou shook his head and explained.
'Already learned by someone else?'
Xiao Wu's eyes widened.
How could this be possible?
Limited by the perspective of human soul masters, she hadn't truly appreciated the value of the various self-created secret techniques Chu Chengzhou had taught her before. But as her horizons expanded over the years, she increasingly understood their worth.
Such valuable secret techniques, how could they be stolen by others? Did Miss Xiao Wu, the future mistress, agree?
'Did you forget we have teachers at our academy?
Learning the boxing moves of the Body Refining technique isn't difficult. With their strength and insight, just a few observations would allow them to replicate it fairly well.'
Of course, it was only a possibility.
'Oh, right~!'
Xiao Wu suddenly realized.
Boxing routines weren't difficult. Not to mention the six or seven ring teachers at the academy, even she herself could learn most of it after a few observations.
'Brother, why don't you teach Rongrong?
She mentioned earlier that running exhausted her and wasn't very effective.
By the way, Zhu Zhuqing too—they're both two-ring Soul Grandmasters. Even without the soul power circulation routes, the effects of the physical training boxing should still be pretty good.'
Glancing at her two good sisters, Xiao Wu thought for a moment and then spoke to Chu Chengzhou.
'Are you sure you want to teach them?'
Chu Chengzhou feigned surprise.
'Is it not allowed?'
Xiao Wu felt somewhat disappointed. Her strength had improved rapidly, but her close friends, despite their efforts, hadn't reaped significant rewards, making her feel uneasy.
After all, they were all good sisters. In theory, good things should be shared.
However, secret techniques were private matters. Previously unaware that the boxing moves had already 'leaked,' assuming only grandparents and the two of them knew about it, naturally she wouldn't tell others about the 'family secret technique.'
But since others had already learned it, there was no need to keep it tightly under wraps.
Teaching random people was out of the question, but teaching her little sisters was fine. After all, just the boxing moves alone wouldn't yield results comparable to the complete secret technique.
'Alright! Since they are Little Sister Xiao Wu's good sisters, but only the boxing moves can be taught!'
Pretending to hesitate for a moment, Chu Chengzhou nodded.
"Hehe, thank you, Brother!"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou agree, Xiao Wu quickly hugged him and nudged his chest with her head.
"Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, come over!"
Releasing Chu Chengzhou, Xiao Wu immediately waved to her two little sisters.
Instantly, Ning Rongrong hurried over with a happy expression—the Body Refining technique was about to be hers!
I paid with my first kiss, damn it, not losing at all! I lost big time!
"What is it?"
Hearing Xiao Wu's call, Zhu Zhuqing, who was practicing soul skills nearby, curiously looked over.
"Hmph, given that you two are Xiao Wu's good little sisters, the kind, beautiful, and generous Xiao Wu has decided to teach you a technique to strengthen your physique!"
Hands on her hips, head held high, Xiao Wu proudly declared.
"A technique to strengthen the physique?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing was stunned.
Coming from a family of Netherworld Spirit Cats, Zhu Zhuqing undoubtedly understood the importance of physical strength for soul masters.
However, apart from advancing through additional soul rings, the ways to enhance physical strength in the world seemed limited to physical training and refining soul bones. Are there really specialized techniques for strengthening the physique? She hadn't heard of such.
Her suspicion wasn't baseless. After all, Xiao Wu's soul ring configuration wasn't significantly different from those optimal configurations of other soul masters. Is this Body Refining technique really effective?
"You will know once you learn it!"
Waving her hand, Xiao Wu didn't bother explaining further, ready to let actions speak louder than words.
Of course, the major task of teaching the boxing moves naturally fell on Chu Chengzhou's shoulders.
After all, the Body Refining technique was originally 'self-created' by Chu Chengzhou. As for understanding this technique, no one in the world could match Chu Chengzhou.
Moreover, her grasp of this technique was at the level of 'knowing it works but not knowing why.' She could do it but wasn't suited to teach others.
"Rongrong, raise your arm higher!"
"Zhu Zhuqing, you need to stick out your chest and pull in your stomach for this move..."
Chu Chengzhou, now transformed into Teacher Chu, was delighted. Teaching required hands-on guidance—otherwise, what if the students couldn't learn?
And hands-on teaching inevitably involved physical contact.
For instance, at this moment, Chu Chengzhou stood behind Zhu Zhuqing, holding her arms with both hands, demonstrating the proper movements.
'So big... No, so white... No, both big and white!'
A stretch of snow-white cleavage firmly captured Chu Chengzhou's gaze.
It's confirmed! The ditch is too deep; Dai Mubai definitely can't hold onto it—it must be me, Chu Chengzhou, to take over!
At this moment, Xiao Wu was absorbed in her own practice, and Zhu Zhuqing didn't have eyes in the back of her head, so naturally, neither of them saw where Chu Chengzhou's gaze was directed. However, Ning Rongrong, who was also receiving instruction nearby, was different.
She saw clearly that Chu Zhanan's line of sight was directly aimed at the deep cleavage of her young sister.
'Hmph, indeed a scoundrel!'
With a cold snort in her heart, Ning Rongrong looked at Chu Chengzhou with disdain, but when she looked at her young sister Zhu Zhuqing, envy inadvertently surfaced.
So big, I want it too!
"Zhu Zhuqing, you continue practicing. Rongrong, don't get distracted!"
Turning his head and seeing Ning Rongrong spacing out, Chu Chengzhou temporarily paused his instruction of Zhu Zhuqing and walked over, grabbing her delicate hand to teach her step-by-step.
Ning Rongrong: "…"
Damn it, Chu F*ckboy is taking advantage of me again!
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
One morning, while Chu Chengzhou was meditating in his bedroom, a wave of profound insights about forging suddenly flooded his mind.
After a long while, having digested these insights, Chu Chengzhou immediately opened his cheat sheet.
[Attribute Panel]
[Host: Chu Chengzhou]
[Soul Power: Level 35 Soul Elder]
[Martial Soul: True Spirit Banner]
[Soul Rings: Purple (1000), Purple (3588), Black (10000)]
[First Soul Skill, Spirit Summoning: Sky Azure Tree]
[Second Soul Skill, Spirit Summoning: Light Lion]
[Third Soul Skill, Spirit Summoning: Fire Phoenix]
[Skills: Nine Breath Recovery (Red), Body Tempering (Black), Spirit Cultivation (Black), Archery (Black), Movement (Black), Control (Black), Defense (Black), Forging (Black), Hypnosis (Gray)]
[AFK Upgrade: 1. Body Tempering (Black), 2. Spirit Cultivation (Black), 3. Forging (Black), 4. Second Soul Ring (Purple)]
Sure enough, two days ago, his spirit power level advanced to Level 35 Soul Elder. The second AFK upgrade slot's defense skill upgraded to Black-Tier and was replaced with Spirit Cultivation to continue AFK. Now, the third AFK upgrade slot's forging skill had also reached Black-Tier.
The Black-Tier forging skill corresponded to the spiritual forging level in later eras. In such times when 'Armor Warriors' roamed everywhere, ordinary soul masters encountering him would respectfully address him as 'Master Chu'!
"Not bad, it's time to forge Spirit Refined Armor and Spirit Refined Strong Bow!"
With his forging skills reaching the Spirit Refinement level and the materials for crafting armor and bows already available, Chu Chengzhou planned to start today.
Taking a glance at his attribute panel, Chu Chengzhou removed the Black-Tier forging skill from the AFK upgrade slots and added the Gray-Tier Hypnosis skill he recently created.
His role was that of an archer, acting as a powerful attacker within the team. His summoned spirit, Little Azure from the Sky Azure Tree, served as a healer, Little White from the Light Lion provided support, and Little Red from the Fire Phoenix was also a strong attacker.
In short, the most obvious weak link in the current team of one person and three summoned spirits was the lack of control.
Control-type soul masters came in various forms, including binding types like Tang San with his Blue Silver Grass (Emperor) martial soul, confinement types like Shui Bing'er from the Skywater Academy with her Ice Phoenix martial soul, and mental types like Hu Liena with her Charming Fox martial soul.
(T/N: The official translation of 'Skywater' sounds so trash imo lmao. Heavenly Water sounds better to me considering they're said to only accept beautiful students that use water and ice elements)
He didn't have the foundational conditions for the first two types, but his mental strength far exceeded that of soul masters at the same level. Thus, Chu Chengzhou intended to develop a new illusion-type skill.
Hopefully, as the Hypnosis skill continuously upgraded and evolved, it would become an illusion-type skill. He hoped nothing unexpected would happen.
As an archer, the most important factor was undoubtedly the accuracy of his shots. Otherwise, no matter how powerful the attack of the arrows was, missing the target was useless.
His archery was excellent; as long as the target was within range, hitting it was never an issue.
However, enemies weren't stationary objects. They wouldn't just stand there waiting to be shot.
Thus, effective control measures became very necessary.
It didn't need to last long; just an instant of daze caused by his illusion skill would suffice to deliver a fatal blow with an arrow to the opponent's head.
Moreover, the efficiency of the AFK upgrade system had greatly improved compared to the initial stages. Upgrading skills followed a schedule: Gray to White took three days, White to Yellow; ten days, Yellow to Purple; thirty days, and Purple to Black; a hundred days.
This meant that in one hundred forty-three days, the Gray-Tier Hypnosis skill would upgrade to a Black-Tier skill, matching the mainstream levels of various skills at his current stage.
In the morning, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were practicing boxing in the backyard.
Meanwhile, Chu Chengzhou sat at the table in the living room, drawing on a piece of white paper.
Perhaps due to Ning Rongrong's poor comprehension or her lack of focus while learning, Zhu Zhuqing mastered the boxing part of the Body Refining technique in just three days. Yet Ning Rongrong took a full week to perform it decently.
The effect of merely the boxing part of the Body Refining technique wasn't very strong initially. As a result, they couldn't detect noticeable improvements in their physique and began to doubt its effectiveness.
Of course, their doubts differed.
Zhu Zhuqing doubted the authenticity of the Body Refining technique, while Ning Rongrong suspected Chu Chengzhou intentionally held back.
However, as time progressed, they gradually stopped doubting.
Though the effect of the boxing wasn't very strong, for two-ringed Soul Grandmasters with relatively low levels, it wasn't too bad.
After all, one was a support soul master, and the other an Agility Attack soul master. Their physiques were relatively weaker compared to peers of the same level.
With a poor foundation, any improvement was more noticeable. Combined with the short duration of their practice, they hadn't yet approached the bottleneck of the boxing effects. Each day after practice, they could sense a steady improvement in their physical strength. Consequently, they devoted themselves with great enthusiasm, driven by motivation far exceeding that of Xiao Wu, who took her blessings for granted.
However, it was worth noting that upon seeing Ning Rongrong, the lazy bug, start practicing diligently, Xiao Wu also became slightly more diligent. Though not drastically, it was still something that made Chu Chengzhou feel gratified.
After a while, the three outside finished their practice session and prepared for a break.
"Huh? Brother, is this a picture of me?"
Sharp-eyed Xiao Wu noticed Chu Chengzhou had drawn her, wearing a splendid blue-gold full-body armor, and happily asked.
"Take a closer look and see if there's anything unsatisfactory."
The blue-gold armor in the drawing lacked a helmet. After adding the final braid, the drawing was complete, and Chu Chengzhou handed it to Xiao Wu.
"Mhm mhm!"
Nodding, Xiao Wu eagerly took the drawing to admire.
"Senior Chu, is this a picture of yourself?"
Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing pointed to another drawing on the table.
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong also looked over.
The drawing depicted Chu Chengzhou himself, similar to Xiao Wu's, wearing a set of blue-gold full-body armor.
However, unlike Xiao Wu's, Chu Chengzhou in the drawing held a large crimson-gold bow, its body covered in flame patterns, exuding unparalleled beauty.
"How does it look? Handsome, isn't it?"
Chu Chengzhou smiled as he asked the two.
Seeing Chu Chengzhou boast about himself, Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes.
Previously, Zhu Zhuqing always appeared cold, her eyes devoid of life. However, with the company of Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, her situation improved significantly, showing more of a girlish side.
Nevertheless, her girlish demeanor was reserved for her two little sisters. Chu Chengzhou fared slightly better, though only out of politeness. Towards others, she remained an icy glacier.
However, after being personally taught by Chu Chengzhou previously, their relationship had grown closer. At least joking around no longer provoked resentment.
"Vain~!"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou looking handsome both in the drawing and in real life, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but mutter.
"Look at what you're saying. Am I not handsome?"
Chu Chengzhou winked at Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong didn't respond but raised her middle finger.
Still, Chu F*ckboy was quite handsome.
"There's a bit of Xiao Wu's heroic demeanor! But... Brother, why is it wearing armor? I usually don't like wearing armor."
At this moment, Xiao Wu, satisfied with her drawing, nodded approvingly and then curiously asked.
Seeing Xiao Wu pleased with the design of the Spirit Refined Armor he drew, Chu Chengzhou explained, "This isn't ordinary armor but Spirit Refined Armor. It can be stored inside the body during peacetime and instantly materialized on the body during battle."
"Spirit Refinement? Brother, did your blacksmithing skills advance again?"
Immediately, Xiao Wu's eyes widened. She remembered a bit about the classification of metal forging levels; Chu Chengzhou had mentioned it to her before.
What puzzled Xiao Wu was how Chu Chengzhou's blacksmithing skills advanced again?
She hadn't seen him wielding a hammer lately. Could it be that this skill automatically upgrades? (Ehe~)
"Yes, it advanced. Come, Xiao Wu, let me measure your body."
Saying this, Chu Chengzhou took out a measuring tape, preparing to measure Xiao Wu's body.
"Measure my body?"
Hearing this, Xiao Wu blushed.
"Since it's armor, of course, we need to measure your physique! If it doesn't fit properly, it's better not to wear it."
Chu Chengzhou said earnestly.
Armor must fit properly; otherwise, reshaping it after forming would be troublesome.
"Then let Rongrong or someone else measure me~"
Xiao Wu said shyly.
I feel like your measuring is a bit inappropriate!
"No, I'm the one forging the armor. I need to know all your measurements precisely."
Chu Chengzhou firmly rejected her suggestion.
Joking aside, how could such a good opportunity be delegated to others?
Hmm, I'll measure Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing later and make them a set of Spirit Refined Armor.
Taking advantage? How can this be considered taking advantage?
Drifting in the rivers and lakes, who can avoid getting cut? As a soul master, battles are inevitable. Since my girlfriend's best friend isn't very strong, this is for their safety!
"Brother, let's go to the room to measure~"
Blushing, Xiao Wu whispered.
Such an embarrassing thing shouldn't be done in front of the two little sisters.
"Mhm."
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
This suits me perfectly! If someone were watching, it would be inconvenient to act!
Of course, in reality, Chu Chengzhou didn't take advantage of Xiao Wu. After all, she was his childhood fiancée and wasn't going anywhere. However, a certain little devil would follow suit later!
After recording Xiao Wu's various body measurements, Chu Chengzhou entered the forge room.
Curious, Xiao Wu and the other two followed him in.
Chu Chengzhou didn't start by forging the Spirit Refined Armor or the large bow but instead took out the Thousand-Refined Heavy Silver Hammer.
With his forging level breaking through, he naturally needed to upgrade his tools first.
Thinking for a moment, he also took out the Thousand-Refined Heavy Silver Bow.
The Thousand-Refined Heavy Silver Bow was facing obsolescence and would no longer be useful. Chu Chengzhou planned to recycle it, melting it down to increase the weight of the Heavy Silver Hammers.
Heavier Heavy Silver Hammers would better showcase his miraculous forging technique of brute force.
Of course, the weight couldn't be too excessive; otherwise, it would be unwieldy. After melting the over-a-hundred-pound bow body into the Heavy Silver Hammers, a combined weight of over seven hundred pounds was sufficient.
"Xiao Wu, does your brother not use coal for blacksmithing?"
Looking around and not finding any coal or similar fuel in the forge room, Ning Rongrong curiously asked Xiao Wu.
Though the young mistress didn't engage in blacksmithing, she knew that coal was needed to burn fires for forging.
"My brother hasn't used coal for a long time. Last time when he forged the hammers and the Heavy Silver Bow, it was Fatty who lit the fire. This time, he probably plans to let Little Red light the fire?"
Xiao Wu replied uncertainly.
"Fatty lighting the fire?"
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances.
Good grief, other blacksmiths use coal, but you, Chu Chengzhou, use Ma Hongjun as forced labor?
Come to think of it, Ma Hongjun's 'Phoenix Fire' was indeed hotter than regular charcoal flames.
Contrary to their expectations, Chu Chengzhou didn't summon the Fire Phoenix spirit.
After removing the bowstring from the Thousand-Refined Heavy Silver Bow, Chu Chengzhou's right hand, which held the hammer, emitted a fiery red glow of soul power. Then, he touched the right hammer to the Heavy Silver Bow body on the forging platform and began infusing soul power.
As the fire attribute soul power continuously infused, the originally dull gray Heavy Silver Bow body visibly began to turn a dark red.
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