Chapter 12: First Layer of Vitality

The panel presented today was different from usual. In Chen Ping'an's field of vision, at the very end of the "Martial Arts" section, a plus sign had appeared.

"It really can be upgraded!"

Chen Ping'an suppressed the excitement in his heart, cleared his mind, focused his spirit, and tapped on the plus sign.

*Whoosh~*

As the plus sign was tapped, the 5 points of experience in front underwent a miraculous change.

Bit by bit, the experience transformed into starlight, drifting toward the center of Chen Ping'an's brow.

As the starlight entered his body, Chen Ping'an initially felt only a cool sensation, leaving his mind exceptionally clear. Then, strands of complex information surged into his brain.

This information was all about the cultivation insights of the Iron Cloth Shirt. The complex information was instantly understood, digested, and thoroughly mastered by Chen Ping'an; he felt as if he had entered a state of selflessness.

Every bit of cultivation insight did not come from thin air. It felt as if he had cultivated it himself, bit by bit.

Training in the bitter cold of winter and the sweltering heat of summer!

In a trance, Chen Ping'an felt as if he had been practicing the Iron Cloth Shirt for months. Every practice was performed with the most precise posture, and every recovery after practice was supplied with the most appropriate medicinal herbs, ensuring not a single hidden danger or internal injury was left behind.

Everything was done using the most correct training methods and the most suitable rhythm, walking the path of Iron Cloth Shirt cultivation.

Name: Chen Ping'an Realm: Qi and Blood First Layer Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt (Entry Level) (0/15)

"Qi and Blood First Layer!"

A brilliant light seemed to shoot from Chen Ping'an's eyes.

He hadn't just reached the entry level of the Iron Cloth Shirt; he had truly stepped onto the path of martial arts cultivation!

How difficult is martial arts cultivation!

Ordinary people, lacking the proper methods, struggle to even reach the entry level after months of bitter training. Moreover, forcing such training carries the risk of hidden dangers and internal injuries—the risks are immense.

And he... had reached the entry level!?

He had started practicing the Iron Cloth Shirt the day before yesterday, and it had taken a total of three days until today.

He had reached the entry level of martial arts?

It had only been three days.

Although he had been mentally prepared for a while, when it actually happened, Chen Ping'an still felt a sense of unreality.

Three days were enough to turn me from an ordinary person into a Qi and Blood First Layer martial arts practitioner.

This speed is too exaggerated! And...

My future doesn't stop here; it has only just begun!

Chen Ping'an was thrilled.

He could practice the Iron Cloth Shirt twice a day, gaining 2 experience points. According to the panel, reaching the "Minor Success" stage of the Iron Cloth Shirt required 15 experience points. That meant seven and a half days.

In this way, he could fully cultivate the Iron Cloth Shirt to the Minor Success stage within the ten-day deadline set by Young Master Hu!

Thus, the risk of his plan was reduced once again, and he had a greater chance of success!

In the small courtyard, it took Chen Ping'an quite a while to slowly calm his excitement.

He carefully observed the changes in his body. He took off his tightly wrapped undergarments and found that his skin appeared exceptionally smooth, as if it hadn't just undergone the friction of his training.

"So, breaking through a realm also has the function of restoring one to full status!"

Chen Ping'an was secretly delighted, having discovered another hidden function of his golden finger.

He tried tapping his body lightly with his hand and found that even though he was bare-chested, it felt as if he were tapping on clothing.

Chen Ping'an's eyes lit up. The effect of the Iron Cloth Shirt's entry level seemed quite good!

Next, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but increase his strength. As the force increased, he began to feel some pain, but compared to before he reached the entry level, the pain was undoubtedly reduced.

"So that's how it is!"

Chen Ping'an nodded.

The effect brought by the entry level of the Iron Cloth Shirt was equivalent to wearing a thick piece of undergarment, which could greatly reduce the lethality of some punches, palms, and kicks. As for weapons... let's just say it's better than nothing.

The difference between reaching the entry level of the Iron Cloth Shirt and not is like the difference between cutting into tofu and cutting into dried tofu.

Besides the changes in his skin, Chen Ping'an found that his strength seemed to have increased significantly. However, he couldn't say exactly how much without a detailed assessment.

However, whether it was the effect of the golden finger or not, Chen Ping'an's physique and skin hadn't undergone any visible changes.

"Well, at least I can take on two of my former self now!"

Finally, Chen Ping'an concluded.

After feeling the changes in his body from stepping into martial arts cultivation, Chen Ping'an didn't wipe his body. Instead, he wrapped his undergarments back on, wound them several times, and began practicing the Iron Cloth Shirt again.

Normally, with such a short interval, given his physique and cultivation status, he would never be able to complete a second practice of the Iron Cloth Shirt.

However, under the effect of the golden finger, he had been restored to full status after reaching the entry level. It would be a waste not to exploit this bug and continue training.

Half an hour later.

The familiar "+1 experience" appeared again.

Name: Chen Ping'an Realm: Qi and Blood First Layer Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt (Entry Level) (1/15)

Looking at the "1" that appeared on the panel, Chen Ping'an was satisfied.

"At this rate, in another seven days, I can cultivate the Iron Cloth Shirt to the Minor Success stage."

Chen Ping'an looked satisfied, his heart surging with emotion.

Early the next morning, Chen Ping'an got up early and began practicing the Iron Cloth Shirt. After a full half-hour, he successfully turned the "1" on the panel into a "2".

After wiping his body and finishing breakfast with Chen Erya, he headed to the Nanquan Lane Town Pacification Office.

"Ping'an."

Monkey-head had arrived early and greeted Chen Ping'an from a corner. Beside him, Dashan was also there.

Although Chen Ping'an had gotten up early to practice the Iron Cloth Shirt, he was still a little later than usual. However, it wasn't a big problem; he hadn't missed the roll call.

At this moment, the head bailiff and many official bailiffs hadn't even arrived yet!

"I still need to be earlier next time!"

Chen Ping'an felt a secret sense of urgency.

Now, although he had entered the path of martial arts and had some insignificant capital, compared to the rules of the Town Pacification Office, he was still like an ant.

"What's going on today?"

Walking up to Monkey-head and Dashan, Chen Ping'an noticed that the layout today seemed different from usual and asked curiously.

The bailiffs, who usually stood in groups of three or five, were today gathered in large numbers in the center.

"Ping'an, you don't know yet, do you!"

Monkey-head raised his eyebrows, smiling triumphantly.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Ping'an looked toward the center and found that the many bailiffs were vaguely surrounding a young man, though he couldn't see his face clearly.

"Call me 'brother,' and I'll tell you!"

Monkey-head couldn't help but show off. A scene like this was rare, so naturally, he wanted to tease him a bit.

"Forget it if you won't tell me!"

Knowing Monkey-head was joking, Chen Ping'an wasn't annoyed, but he didn't give Monkey-head what he wanted either.

The expression on Monkey-head's face stiffened. He saw that Chen Ping'an wasn't just putting on a show of not asking; he actually didn't seem all that curious. This situation, in turn, made Monkey-head feel an itch of impatience.