Chapter 141 - 140: Copper Skin Iron Bones Takes Shape

Chapter 141: Chapter 140: Copper Skin Iron Bones Takes Shape

’Normal cultivation of the Heart-Burning Record could never be this simple!’

The Panshi Sect had countless disciples, and there were always some facing desperate situations. If the Heart-Burning Record were truly this easy to learn, then no matter how disastrous the consequences, it would never have been shelved and completely ignored.

’Besides the panel, what’s the biggest difference between me and the other disciples?’ Chen Yue’s thoughts raced.

’It’s the Power of Heart and Spirit!’

For other disciples in the Bone Forging Realm, and even many in the Marrow Refining Realm, the Power of Heart and Spirit was more of a latent force hidden deep within their consciousness, difficult to accurately perceive and control.

They might be able to sense killing intent or oppressive auras, but it was impossible for them to clearly condense and guide their Power of Heart and Spirit the way Chen Yue could.

To them, the ’Concentrating Spirit and Fire’ at the start of the Heart-Burning Record was an insurmountable chasm. Forcing an attempt would lead to unimaginable consequences—at best, their minds would be damaged; at worst, their Heart Spirit would collapse entirely.

But Chen Yue was different. He had crossed that threshold long ago.

For him, many of the techniques for wielding one’s Heart Spirit in the Heart-Burning Record—techniques that were profound and obscure to ordinary Martial Artists—came almost naturally.

He had already built a solid foundation; he simply hadn’t applied his Power of Heart and Spirit specifically toward fueling and advancing his Cultivation before.

’So, does this mean that for some Cultivation Techniques, you can lay the groundwork in advance?’ A new thought crystallized in his mind.

’Because I already laid the foundation for using my Heart Spirit, my affinity with a Secret Technique like the Heart-Burning Record, which is so heavily dependent on Heart Spirit control, has reached an extremely high level?’

It was like someone with already profound Inner Strength learning a technique that required it; their progress would naturally be twice as fast with half the effort, perhaps even advancing by leaps and bounds.

’My primary Cultivation Technique, the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield, is a top-tier Body Refining Divine Skill. It has tempered my Physique to a level far beyond my peers, making my foundation incredibly solid.

So, in the future, if I acquire a similar Cultivation Technique, will I also have an extremely high affinity for it because of my existing foundation, allowing me to master it with unstoppable momentum?’

The thought was like a spark, and his mind quickly caught fire.

Chen Yue immediately thought of the Hidden Blade Technique he had seen in the Hidden Skills Pavilion yesterday, as well as the Soaring Void Nine Transitions he had already mastered.

’The Sect didn’t just simplify these Innate Techniques and create prerequisite versions like Soaring Void Nine Transitions and Hidden Blade Technique merely to give disciples at lower realms greater combat strength.

The deeper purpose is for screening and preparation!’

Disciples who manage to cultivate these simplified versions to a high level during the prerequisite stage will naturally find it twice as easy to master the complete Innate Technique once they break through to the Innate Acupoint Refining Realm!

’With the Heart-Burning Record, it was a high degree of affinity with my unique Heart Spirit. In that case, the Hidden Blade Technique...’

Chen Yue’s heart began to beat a little faster. He was almost certain that once he redeemed and began practicing the Hidden Blade Technique, his cultivation speed would be far beyond that of an ordinary person, thanks to his current level of Heart Spirit.

In other words, a Cultivation Technique like the Hidden Blade Technique, which seemed incredibly difficult to others, might not even have a high proficiency threshold for him.

’It seems that from now on, when choosing a Cultivation Technique, I must fully consider its affinity with my existing foundation and traits. This might be a shortcut that allows me to walk faster and more steadily on the path of the Martial Dao...’

Four days slipped by amidst the regular, bustling rhythm of the Panshi Sect.

He rose punctually at 3:45 AM every day, first practicing the Soaring Void Thousand Layer Step in his courtyard until his Body Technique was perfectly fluid and afterimages followed his every whim.

Next came his unchangeable routine of tempering his External Skills with the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield and Great Vajra Palm. This was accompanied by the surging Medicinal Power from a double dose of Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining Pills, which refined his Physique to an even deeper level.

After that, he would circulate his Inner Breath using the Vast Heart Rock Skill to nourish his Heart Spirit and solidify his foundation.

He would then head to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion on Dan Peak to light his cauldron and refine four batches of Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pills.

Chen Yue’s shockingly consistent and high Pill Formation rate—guaranteeing five pills from just four batches—drew countless gasps of amazement and complicated stares.

Upon returning from his Alchemy, he would analyze and work on improving the Nourishing Spirit Pill’s formula.

At night, he would meditate to regulate his breathing and reflect on the day’s gains and losses.

The members of the Mutual Aid Association never again appeared near Chen Yue’s courtyard. They didn’t even try to harass or provoke him in public.

Throughout Dan Peak, it was as if the conflict had never happened. Lin Junshi’s sullen face was also nowhere to be seen.

On the surface, the storm appeared to have passed.

But Chen Yue knew that a small faction like the Mutual Aid Association, one that had managed to entrench itself within the Inner Sect, would never give up so easily.

Chen Yue clearly remembered the look in Lin Junshi’s eyes that day. It held no hint of reconciliation, only temporarily suppressed fury.

The current tranquility was merely the calm before the storm.

Chen Yue was happy to have the peace and quiet, and he used this time to focus all his energy on improving himself.

Strength was, and always would be, the ultimate foundation for resisting all injustice and threats.

In the blink of an eye, it was midnight again.

Chen Yue sat cross-legged in meditation as usual. His Heart Spirit focused, and a familiar ripple spread through the depths of his Sea of Consciousness.

[Daily Settlement]

[Consumed Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining Pill, faint Bone Marrow Cleansing effect]

...

[Talent: Copper Skin Iron Bones (195/195)]

...

The instant he saw the numbers after "Copper Skin Iron Bones" finally change to 195/195, it was as if a dormant volcano had suddenly erupted.

A scorching torrent erupted without warning from every inch of Chen Yue’s bones, every wisp of his marrow, and even from his most minuscule cells.

"Ugh!"

Even with his resilient willpower, Chen Yue couldn’t suppress a short, muffled grunt in the face of the violent transformation sweeping through his body.

The first sensation to strike was an extreme, maddening itch, as if ten thousand ants were crawling deep within his bones!

This itch didn’t come from his skin, but emanated from within his bones, from the connections of his fascia, from the deepest layers of his muscles, instantly spreading to every corner of his body.

The sensation was enough to drive a weaker-willed person mad, making them want to rip open their own flesh to scratch an itch that wasn’t there.

Chen Yue’s body went taut in an instant, like a fully drawn bowstring. His skin visibly flushed an unnatural red, and veins bulged on his forehead and neck.

Chen Yue clenched his jaw so hard he could taste the metallic tang of blood on his tongue. He shut his eyes and pushed his Vast Heart Rock Skill to its limit, desperately holding on to his clarity of mind as the maddening itch washed over his will like a tidal wave.

The excruciating itch lasted for about ten breaths before vanishing as suddenly as a receding tide.

In its place came a cold that felt as if it originated from the Cold Abyss itself.

Chen Yue felt as if he had been plunged into a ten-thousand-year-old ice cavern. His Qi and Blood Circulation became sluggish and difficult, his muscles grew rigid, his bones felt like they were about to freeze and crack, and his very breath condensed into white frost within the Quiet Chamber.

However, this extreme cold lasted for only a few breaths.

Before the cold could recede, a violent, scorching heat erupted from the core of his body!

The cold and heat clashed violently within him, bringing a tearing, excruciating pain.

Chen Yue’s skin became scalding hot. A faint steam rose from it, mingling with the lingering cold air to form a constantly twisting layer of mist around his body.

This cycle of ice and fire repeated a full nine times!

With each cycle, the pain grew more intense, but through it all, Chen Yue could feel his body undergoing a fundamental transformation.

His bones grew denser and harder. His tendons became more resilient under the tempering of hot and cold. His skin and fascia, like repeatedly forged steel, had their impurities purged, becoming tougher and more elastic.

When the ninth cycle of ice and fire concluded, all the itching, cold, and heat vanished without a trace.

Then, a warm, gentle current of heat emerged without warning, slowly flowing through his entire body, seeping into every inch of his muscles, bones, and skin.

Wherever this warm current passed, all fatigue was swept away, replaced by an unprecedented sense of deep relaxation.

Chen Yue’s tense body finally began to relax, but he remained motionless, keeping his eyes closed to savor the feeling of rebirth that followed his transformation.

He could hear his blood rushing through wider, tougher vessels. He could feel his heart beating with greater force. He could sense a deep-seated solidity from within his bones, like the resonance of clanging metal.

After a long while, Chen Yue slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air. The exhalation carried a faint, metallic tremor.

He opened his eyes. The light within them was brilliant, clear, and profound, as if capable of piercing through all illusion.

Chen Yue raised his right hand, opened his palm, and examined it closely.

The skin on his palm didn’t seem to have changed much, but on closer inspection, a very faint Ancient Bronze luster seemed to flow just beneath the surface, and its texture was finer and tighter.

He slowly clenched his fist.

His knuckles let out a series of sharp cracks—the natural sound of immense power compressing the bones in his hand.

A feeling of majestic, heavy, and incredibly dense power surged from the depths of his body, flowing through every tendon and filling every muscle.

It wasn’t just his strength. His defense, the resilience of his bones and tendons, and even his coordination and reaction speed had all improved across the board.

Chen Yue rose to his full height. He didn’t test his strength. Instead, right there in the Quiet Chamber, he slowly began to perform the movements of the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield.

As his limbs moved, the sound of displaced air was deep and heavy, carrying a faint, low hum like grinding metal.

Chen Yue’s movements weren’t fast, but each one was incredibly solid. Beneath his skin, the bronze luster flickered along with his Qi and Blood Circulation, as if an invisible suit of armor covered his entire body.

Though he wasn’t stomping, each step he took had a solid, mountain-like stability.

Chen Yue performed the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield a full five times, not pursuing speed, but simply trying to completely tame and control the explosive new power within his body.

As he practiced, the powerful aura around him gradually receded, and the strange phenomena accompanying his movements slowly subsided. The immense power and solid defense hidden deep within him, however, were now perfectly integrated into his every action.

He finished the sequence and stood still.

His breathing was long and steady, with not a single bead of sweat on his brow. He sat down cross-legged again, his gaze returning to the tranquility of a placid well.

With a thought, he looked at his panel.

[Heart-Burning Record (Perfection)]

The Heart-Burning Record had reached Perfection two days ago.

But Chen Yue had been holding back, not yet putting it to a real test. He was waiting—waiting for his Copper Skin Iron Bones Talent to fully mature.