In this tranquil and serene environment, Chen Cheng’s mind became exceptionally clear. He gradually entered a state of deep focus, forgetting both himself and the world around him. As he cultivated, notifications from his panel appeared from time to time.

[Iron Armor Skill derivation progress increased.]

...

Having cultivated the Iron Armor Skill to the Perfect Level, his skin had reached the stage of Profound Gold Hide. Now, cultivating the Iron Armor Skill provided a minuscule enhancement to his skin, but it still offered a slight improvement to the strength of his Qi Blood.

Moreover, as the derivation of the Cultivation Technique progressed, the circulation of his Qi Blood was slowly shifting. Instead of only tempering his skin, it was now also gradually tempering his Major Tendons.

Once his Qi Blood could temper all his Major Tendons in a single Circulation, the derivation of this Inner Breath Technique would be complete, transforming it into an Inner Breath Technique for the Muscle Strengthening Realm.

Chen Cheng could feel that the stronger his Qi Blood became, the more effectively it tempered his Major Tendons. And as his Major Tendons strengthened, the Qi Blood Power he could circulate grew even more formidable.

Once he broke through to the Muscle Strengthening Realm, he would be able to channel his Qi Blood entirely through his Major Tendons to unleash power, achieving the level of Bright Force.

When attacking, Mingjin Power would burst from his body, its might far surpassing the Power Dao of someone at Skin Grinding Realm Perfection.

Under normal circumstances, a Small Success Martial Artist of the Muscle Strengthening Realm could easily defeat three Perfect Martial Artists of the Skin Grinding Realm.

The reason Yan Jian was now beginning to rally the Yan Family’s forces was the confidence granted by his strength at the Small Success Level of the Muscle Strengthening Realm.

It could be said that reaching the Small Success Level of the Muscle Strengthening Realm elevated a person beyond the status of the Outer City’s gentry and prominent households. They would be strong enough to support a sizable family in the Outer City.

But in Chen Cheng’s view, Small Success in the Muscle Strengthening Realm was still not enough. ’Getting bogged down with building a family’s power will just lead to distractions from endless social obligations, which will delay cultivation. It’s a classic case of sacrificing a greater gain for a smaller one.’

Of course, Yan Jian’s approach wasn’t entirely without merit. The Qingcheng Gang frequently did business in the Black Market. If he really became Wu Qingcheng’s son-in-law, he would most likely gain an additional channel to acquire Muscle Strengthening Pills from the Black Market.

After all, Muscle Strengthening Pills were indispensable for cultivation in the Muscle Strengthening Realm—they were of the utmost importance.

His state of deep focus ended, and Chen Cheng stopped cultivating, calling up his panel to take a look.

[Skills: Iron Armor Skill (Perfection) (Cultivation Technique derivation in progress. Current progress: 22/100. Once derivation is complete, the technique can advance to an Inner Breath Technique of the Muscle Strengthening Realm.)]

In just a single session of focused cultivation, the derivation progress had increased by 6 points, bringing him one step closer to deriving the Iron Armor Skill Inner Breath Technique for the Muscle Strengthening Realm. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

’By my calculations, it shouldn’t even take a month to complete the derivation. When that time comes, I’ll be able to cultivate the Muscle Strengthening Technique and become a Martial Artist of the Muscle Strengthening Realm.

The future looks bright!’

Chen Cheng thought to himself with a smile.

On the nearby terrace, a proud-looking Xi’Er was teaching Mu Xiaowan how to use millet to attract and play with all sorts of birds.

Bailu Avenue was adjacent to Jishui Lake, so the environment was much better than on Shisong Street in the Ruyi District. Xi’Er had attracted a great deal more birds—a whole flock of them.

The Night Owl, Xiao Guzi, had also been brought to their new home in the Lishui District. The strange bird had grown larger again and now stood a good three to four feet tall.

It would fly out at night to forage for food, no longer needing the Chens to feed it. During the day, it would either stay by Chen Cheng’s side or Xi’Er’s, find a corner, and squat there motionlessly.

This strange bird was extremely sensitive to strangers. As soon as an unfamiliar person arrived at the Chen Family’s home, it would start calling out, "COO COO COO."

However, it seemed to be quite fond of Mu Xiaowan. It was currently squatting motionlessly beside her, allowing her to gently rub its large, cat-like head.

"Haha, Xi’Er, this Xiaoguzi of yours is certainly well-behaved."

Mu Xiaowan’s smile was as lovely as a flower in bloom. Seeing that Chen Cheng had stopped cultivating, she rose and came to his side, gently resting her head on his shoulder.

"Brother Cheng, the view from our terrace is so beautiful!"

"It is." Wrapping his arm around Mu Xiaowan’s soft, slender waist, Chen Cheng smiled. A thought suddenly struck him, and he asked, "Xiaowan, do you know how to swim?"

Mu Xiaowan shook her head. "I rarely go near the water, so I don’t know how to swim."

"It’s a bit hot today. Why don’t I teach you how to swim? We can cool off in the lake while we’re at it," Chen Cheng said with a smile.

’If she can’t swim, visiting places like the pleasure barges on Jishui Lake could be a bit dangerous.’

"Learn to swim?" Mu Xiaowan blinked her beautiful eyes, feeling a little tempted. "I’m afraid it won’t be easy."

"Don’t worry. With an expert teacher like me, you’ll learn in no time," Chen Cheng laughed. In a flash, he stripped off his outer clothes, leaving him wearing only a pair of shorts.

Chen Cheng now had a tall and powerful build, his muscles lean and solid, exuding a masculine air. A faint blush crept onto Mu Xiaowan’s pretty face.

"Brother Cheng, you have no shame!" Mu Xiaowan chided coquettishly.

Chen Cheng just laughed, flexing and stretching slightly. Huge, chiseled muscles suddenly bulged across his body.

His muscles rippled and twitched, almost as if they were dancing.

Mu Xiaowan giggled, amused, and ran toward the bedroom as if to escape. A short time later, she returned to the terrace, her jade-like feet bare, wearing a light, short-sleeved top.

Her jet-black hair was tied simply behind her head. Her features were as lovely as a painting, her smile was enchanting, and her long legs made her figure seem all the more slender and graceful.

She was the very image of the classical praise: "Eyebrows like kingfisher feathers, skin like white snow; a waist like a bolt of silk, teeth like pearly shells. One enchanting smile could captivate cities and topple nations."

Even phrases for legendary beauties—those who could topple cities, make fish sink and birds fall from the sky, or cause the moon to hide and flowers to blush in shame—were not enough to describe her loveliness! Chen Cheng couldn’t help but stare, utterly dumbfounded.

"Brother Cheng, is this alright?" Mu Xiaowan asked, a little bashfully.

Chen Cheng snapped back to his senses and laughed heartily. "Of course it is."

"How do we get down from here?" Mu Xiaowan asked, looking nervously at the surface of the lake, which was more than ten feet below the terrace.

"We jump, of course!" Chen Cheng laughed, scooping Mu Xiaowan up by the waist. Then, he leaped off the terrace and into the lake.

"Ah...!" Mu Xiaowan cried out in shock, instinctively clinging tightly to Chen Cheng’s neck.