Chapter 233 - 136: Water Arrow

Chapter 233: Chapter 136: Water Arrow

Ever since stepping into the Iron Bone Realm, Xu Mo could clearly feel the continuous changes happening inside his body.

The qi and blood in his body were like a stream that had once rushed through a narrow channel, only to suddenly pour into a much wider and deeper riverbed. The current itself had become immense and powerful, and it was now constantly absorbing tributaries and rain along its path, growing stronger with every passing moment.

This wasn’t the result of deliberate cultivation, like practicing Qi Collection or consciously circulating his energy. Instead, it was an almost instinctual "internal circulation" that occurred constantly.

His qi and blood flowed on their own through bones as tough as iron, sinews as strong as steel, and his newly widened and fortified meridians. Each cycle was like an invisible hammer, tempering and solidifying his body at the most microscopic level. His strength, speed, reflexes, and even the acuity of his five senses were all accumulating and improving bit by bit through this continuous "self-evolution."

This reminded Xu Mo of when he had first broken through to the Cowhide Realm. It had been similar back then. His body had felt like it had shrugged off a heavy set of shackles and entered a brand new, possibility-filled stage. For a long time after that breakthrough, his power had climbed at a rapid pace.

That power surge had actually led Xu Mo to misjudge his own strength. For a while, he thought he was still at the level he’d been at right after breaking into the Cowhide Realm. It wasn’t until he rescued the Sharp Sword Squad that he realized just how strong he’d become.

This growth in the Iron Bone Realm, however, seemed even more profound and full of potential.

Xu Mo felt as if every beat of his heart was injecting new power into his increasingly formidable physique.

’If I were to break it down more carefully...’ Xu Mo thought to himself after his cultivation session, feeling the surging qi and blood within him. ’I should be in the early stage of the Iron Bone Realm right now. The rapid growth period of the early stage, to be exact.’

The Second Grand-uncle who had taught him the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training had only spoken of the major realms—Cowhide, Iron Bone, and Golden Body. He had never mentioned any nuanced differences or divisions within each realm.

Until now, Xu Mo had stuck to this same rough classification. But it was becoming clear that to better understand his own condition and guide his future training, he needed to establish a more detailed internal standard.

Based on his own experience, Xu Mo tentatively divided each major realm into three stages:

Early Stage: The period right after a breakthrough. The body undergoes a qualitative transformation and enters a "grace period" of rapid power growth. All abilities are significantly enhanced as one adapts to and explores how to use the power of the new realm.

Mid Stage: The period of rapid growth ends. The pace of improvement slows considerably, and one enters a relatively stable accumulation phase. The main tasks here are to solidify one’s foundation, refine one’s energy, master existing powers, and prepare for the next transformation.

Great Success: After a long period of accumulation, one’s energy is abundant, and the body has reached the peak of the current realm. One can faintly sense the barrier to the next realm. At this point, one must find an opportunity or build up a sufficient "reserve" to attempt a breakthrough.

’I just don’t know how long this ’early stage’ of the Iron Bone Realm will last,’ Xu Mo thought, looking at his long shadow stretched across the courtyard wall. He felt a mix of anticipation and faint worry.

Faster growth was always better, of course, but Xu Mo knew the rapid gains of the early stage couldn’t last forever.

Part of him hoped this phase of rapid improvement would last a while longer, allowing him to accumulate even greater strength. Yet he also had a nagging feeling that the Iron Bone Realm was far deeper than the Cowhide Realm. Reaching Great Success, let alone glimpsing the next realm of Golden Body, would be no easy feat.

「The next day.」

Xu Mo collected his thoughts and checked his equipment.

He wore his usual practical outfit and carried his AWM, AK-47, Mountain-Cutting Saber, and TT33. When Xu Mo met up with Zhang Yun at the assembly point, he keenly sensed that Zhang Yun’s gaze held a new, indescribable layer of trust that hadn’t been there the day before.

After yesterday’s ambush by the fish at the riverbank, the thin ice of their "temporary partnership" had melted away. In its place was a much stronger understanding and respect, forged in the crucible of danger.

"Area F-6 again today," Zhang Yun said, handing the route map to Xu Mo. His voice was calm, but his eyes lingered for a moment on the Mountain-Cutting Saber at Xu Mo’s waist.

"Mm," Xu Mo grunted, taking the map and glancing over it. The route was the same as yesterday’s. They both tacitly avoided mentioning the previous day’s close call, nor did they discuss why they were still assigned to Area F-6. Everything proceeded as normal.

They set off, with Xu Mo taking the lead and Zhang Yun following behind, just like before.

Upon entering Area F-6, the vast, scorched-black field once again stretched out before them. This time, however, they both instinctively shifted their route, keeping at least six or seven meters away from the riverbank. The monstrous fish that had leaped from the water to attack them the day before had served as a stark warning: the seemingly calm river was now a treacherous, forbidden zone.

The line of sight across the open field was excellent.

Far in the distance, Xu Mo and Zhang Yun spotted their two "neighbors" on the opposite bank. The other pair had clearly learned their lesson from yesterday as well. Their patrol route was even further inland, keeping a wider berth from the river than Xu Mo and Zhang Yun were.

Separated by the wide river and the scorched earth, they exchanged waves from a distance. It was a simple acknowledgment; neither side had any interest in getting closer to chat like they had the day before.

A tacit sense of caution hung in the air. Xu Mo’s stunning Sword Skill from the day before, combined with the monstrous fish that had lunged from the water, made it clear to everyone: the river had become a dangerous boundary that was best not crossed.

The patrol continued in silence and vigilance. Aside from the sound of the wind sweeping over the scorched earth and the faint noise from a distant construction site, all was quiet.