"Add points!"
With the consumption of fourteen Wind and Moon Points, Zhou Chen seemed to have trained for several months, sweating profusely every day, persevering relentlessly, practicing the arduous Yi Arrow Skill and body refining stance over and over again.
Finally.
Heaven does not disappoint those who work hard, and he broke through.
Powerful blood energy boiled within him, rushing like a frenzy of water snakes.
His body temperature rose dramatically, especially his skin, which felt like a red-hot sizzling iron, or like thousands of ants crawling across it, causing both pain and itchiness.
Fortunately, this lasted only a few breaths.
Zhou Chen's entire body became warm, and all pain and itchiness disappeared, as if he had returned to the embryonic stage of a fetus, remolded, feeling indescribably comfortable.
His whole being seemed filled with strength, with endless energy!
"Body Refining First Layer, Skin Refining accomplished!"
Zhou Chen's excitement was clear in his eyes, as he exhaled a long breath of turbid air which shot out like a sharp arrow for three feet.
He drew a short knife and cut across his palm, as if cutting into tough cowhide, or as if slicing across smooth fish scales, difficult to break through.
Zhou Chen gradually increased his strength, and the resilient and elastic skin indented under the blade, yet still did not break.
"Hiss! With my defense, even if an ordinary person holds a sharp weapon, it's hard to hurt me. Is this what being a Martial Artist is? Incredible!"
At this moment, Zhou Chen truly felt the difference between a Martial Artist and a regular person, like two different species, incomparable.
Not just the defense, his strength had also surged significantly.
Zhou Chen clenched his fist, with at least a thousand pounds of force.
The Yi Arrow Skill he practiced did not focus on strength, but it was a superior martial art, definitely much stronger than middle and lower rank martial arts.
Zhou Chen raised his hands and sensed, with his keen eyesight, that his arms and fingers seemed to have become longer and stronger.
As Martial Artists train their bodies, over time it also affects their physique. For example, those who practice strength-based martial arts mostly become broad-backed and big-waisted, burly and strong.
According to the introduction, after completing his Yi Arrow Skill training, one will be reborn, transforming into a Houtian Arrow Spirit Body, with long, strong limbs, especially the arms and waist.
Zhou Chen felt his own strength and was very satisfied.
He glanced at his personal panel.
The realm column had changed:
[Realm: Body Refining Second Stage: Refining Flesh (7/2000)]
"Two thousand Wind and Moon Points? Just over two months of work!"
This timeframe is based on Qin Hongyu alone.
Zhou Chen planned to go to Qinghe City tomorrow.
Besides buying a bow and gathering information, he heard that the famous Snow Moon Square in the city was quite complicated, and he was planning to see just how deep the waters were there.
And hopefully explore if there's a faster way to gain Wind and Moon Points.
"Refining flesh..."
Drawing back his thoughts, Zhou Chen focused on the Body Refining Second Layer.
This layer of refining flesh primarily increases strength.
Generally, after refining the flesh successfully, one can pull ten thousand pounds, and defense will also greatly increase.
In Zhou Chen's view now, Zhang Long is estimated to be in the Muscle Refining Realm, as those constables said that Zhang Long was about to break through.
If he breaks through, it should be the Body Refining Third Layer.
Of course.
It's generally hard to judge someone's Body Refining Realm by appearance alone; one can only observe their physique, energy, and spirit to make a rough guess.
"With the improvement of cultivation, the consumption also increases!"
As his cultivation broke through, having worked tirelessly through the night, Zhou Chen's stomach was already growling, hungry to the point his chest was sticking to his back.
Qin Hongyu hadn't woken up yet, and Zhou Chen didn't wake her. He headed to the kitchen to make some food!
Perhaps due to hunger or the smell of meat, Qin Hongyu woke up gently, hurriedly got up, but found herself weak and sore all over.
Looking at the messy bed, Qin Hongyu blushed, quickly pulling down the sheets and bedding to wash later.
After tidying up a bit, Qin Hongyu went to the kitchen, seeing the busy Zhou Chen, and said apologetically:
"Brother Chen, why didn't you call me to do it?"
Saying this, she already took over the task from Zhou Chen's hands.
"Do what?"
Zhou Chen's eyes glanced mischievously at her ample front.
"Cook..."
Qin Hongyu said, feeling Zhou Chen's gaze, fully understanding the deeper meaning in his words:
"You rascal, you're thinking about that all day!"
"Then I won't do it anymore in the future!"
"Don't you dare!"
Qin Hongyu blushed, feeling embarrassed, and chided:
"Get out of here!"
Zhou Chen held Qin Hongyu from behind with a playful grin: "No worries, do your thing, and we won't disturb each other!"
Qin Hongyu: "..."
Half an hour later.
With the efforts of Zhou Chen and Qin Hongyu, the meal was finally ready.
[Wind and Moon Point +1]
"You bad egg!"
Qin Hongyu glared at Zhou Chen:
"Go wash your hands and eat!"
"Got it!"
Zhou Chen didn't delay; he had been hungry for a while.
He went outside, washed his face, flicked the water droplets from his hands, wiped them dry with a towel, and then went to the dining table.
Qin Hongyu had already served him food.
Zhou Chen ate heartily.
And so did Qin Hongyu.
She was hungry too.
Though she had eaten some nutritious snacks, they didn't fill her up, and besides, her consumption was also high.
"I'm planning to go to the city tomorrow to get a good bow. If you need anything, let me know, and I'll bring it back for you!"
Zhou Chen said while gnawing on a piece of deer leg.
"I don't need anything. How about you buy some fabric so I can make you some clothes?"
Qin Hongyu didn't want to spend money and suggested after thinking.
"Alright, then also make some for yourself when the time comes!"
Zhou Chen chuckled; he didn't need Qin Hongyu to do anything, and when he's not at home, Qin Hongyu can make some clothes to pass the time.
The next day.
At dawn, Zhou Chen got up, although reluctant to leave Qin Hongyu's warm little nest, relying on his strong willpower, he left.
Qin Hongyu originally planned to get up early to make breakfast for Zhou Chen, so they could eat before heading to the city.
Unfortunately.
With Zhou Chen's exhaustion, she was still sleeping deeply, let alone getting up early to cook.
Zhou Chen didn't bother to cook, simply washed up, put on some nice clothes, and set off light, with a short blade.
Qinghe City wasn't far from Dahe Village, just about ten miles away.
Although Zhou Chen didn't know any lightweight skill martial arts, he was fast on his feet, and in just over half an hour, he reached Qinghe City.
Qinghe City was built along the Qing River, convenient for water transport, rich in aquatic products, and although not large, it was very prosperous.
Zhou Chen paid a two-wen entrance fee to enter the city, and even though it was still early, the city was already bustling.
Street vendors lined both sides of the streets, selling all sorts of items.
Some sold pancakes, some sugared hawthorns, some buns and bread, some wine, and many fishmongers were selling fish.
Dahe Village and Qinghe City were both close to Qing River, which connects to the Yunmeng Marsh not far away, making the fishery industry prosperous.
Zhou Chen ate a large bowl of beef noodles and didn't rush to buy a bow but wandered around, experiencing the local customs and culture of Qinghe City.
Soon after.
Zhou Chen saw a luxuriously decorated building with the words [Snow Moon Square] written on it in large characters.
In the past life, brothels usually opened after noon, with the girls coming out to entertain at night.
However, things were different here.
Based on his current life's memory, Old Man Cao would often come here, and during the day at that, sometimes staying overnight till the next day before returning home.
But Old Man Cao never brought Zhou Chen here.
"Since I'm here, I might as well take a look inside!"
...