Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill

In the main hall of the Chen Family’s residence.

"Good tea!" Qian Bin, the Steward from Luo’s Shop, took a light sip from his cup. The rich, mellow aroma filled his mouth. ’This little maid of the Chen Family is quite skilled at brewing tea,’ he thought. ’She’s not the least bit inferior to the attendant who’s been brewing tea at the Luo’s Shop for years.’

When he first entered, he had noticed the little maid was only eleven or twelve years old, yet her manner of welcoming and serving guests was impeccable, her etiquette thorough. Not only that, but the entire Chen residence was neat, tidy, and spotless. It was all clearly the work of this young maid. ’To have trained a maid so well only makes her master seem all the more extraordinary.’

’No wonder Master Chen wasn’t interested when I offered to introduce him to some servants before. With such a diligent little maid, there’s no need for any others.’

Clicking his tongue in admiration, he took another sip of tea before placing the cup back on the table. He looked around at the hall’s furnishings, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

In just a few short months, this Little Brother Chen had gone from being a cautious Little Prison Guard to a major figure in the district. Even a Shop Steward like him had to address him respectfully as "Master."

The change was so fast it left Qian Bin feeling dazed, as if he were in a dream.

If he hadn’t personally witnessed Chen Cheng’s growth with his own eyes, he would never have believed that someone from a Humble Family could make such a spectacular transformation.

Just then, Chen Cheng walked into the main hall with a smile, striding confidently. Qian Bin hurriedly stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "Master Chen!"

"Brother Qian, there’s no need for such formalities!" Chen Cheng said with a laugh.

Qian Bin’s heart warmed, and he chuckled. "Master Chen, calling me Brother Qian is more than I deserve!"

Glancing at the exquisite wooden box on the table, Chen Cheng asked, "Are the Dragon Eagle Iron Claws ready?"

"How could I dare to neglect a task from Master Chen?" Qian Bin quickly opened the wooden box and carefully took out a pair of jet-black, gleaming Claw Gloves that shone with a silvery luster.

"I personally went to the Luo Family’s Blacksmith Workshop and asked the best Craftsman to rush the order. They were just finished this afternoon."

Chen Cheng reached out and took the Dragon Eagle Iron Claws. They felt incredibly heavy in his hands, several catties heavier than the pair on the Weapon rack at the Zheng Martial Arts Hall.

Seeing Chen Cheng admiring them, unable to put them down and eagerly trying them on, Qian Bin said with a smile, "As you requested, Master Chen, these claws were forged from Profound Iron and mixed with precious Secret Silver Ore. They weigh thirty-seven catties, eight taels, and six mace. Their hardness far exceeds Hundred-Forged Refined Steel, comparable to an ordinary Treasure Soldier."

After putting on the Dragon Eagle Iron Claws and making a few gestures, he found they moved as if they were an extension of his own arms. Chen Cheng said gleefully, "They’re truly excellent. A perfect fit!"

Qian Bin was secretly dumbfounded watching Chen Cheng wear the Iron Claws, which weighed over thirty-seven catties, with such ease and freedom.

"Master Chen, the total cost for this pair of Dragon Eagle Iron Claws was one thousand one hundred taels of silver. However, since you are a Tributor for our shop, we will only charge you half price.

Additionally, when the Shopkeeper learned you were the one having the Iron Claws made, the Luo Family’s Blacksmith Workshop waived the labor fee.

You’ve already paid a deposit of five hundred taels of silver, so we’ll just collect five hundred taels of silver this time."

Chen Cheng said, "Alright. In that case, thank you, Brother Qian. And please thank Sixth Madam on my behalf as well."

"Of course, of course!" Qian Bin said with a broad smile.

After seeing Qian Bin off, Chen Cheng put on his weighted under-linens, donned the Dragon Eagle Iron Claws, and brought his total carried weight to over one hundred and seven catties.

Walking on the bluestone pavers of the courtyard, each step was extremely heavy. If he didn’t deliberately restrain his strength, he feared he would shatter a paver with every step.

After pacing back and forth in the courtyard a few times, Chen Cheng finally adapted. His steps now looked only slightly heavier than an ordinary person’s.

Once adapted, Chen Cheng began his Cultivation of the Iron Armor Skill. This Cultivation Technique was an Inner Breath Technique; he circulated the technique’s mantra, adjusted his breathing, and simultaneously mobilized the Qi Blood Power throughout his body.

Under this kind of weight, the effect of mobilizing his Qi Blood Power was significantly enhanced. Chen Cheng once again keenly felt that ultimate, refreshing satisfaction that came from moving under a heavy load.

Circulating the Cultivation Technique did not interfere with his Cultivation of Outer Sect Horizontal Cultivation Techniques. Chen Cheng slowly began to move, cultivating the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill while simultaneously circulating the Iron Armor Skill.

[Iron Armor Skill Cultivation Progress increased.]

...

[Powerful Eagle Claw Skill Cultivation Progress increased.]

...

The two Cultivation Techniques were surprisingly compatible, and his progress soared! As he continued to cultivate, the panel notifications appeared from time to time.

After one hour, a light sheen of sweat had formed on Chen Cheng’s forehead. He stopped moving and called out his panel to check it.

[Name: Chen Cheng

Realm: Skin Grinding Realm (Great Success)

Skills: Iron Armor Skill (Great Success 4503/10000), Powerful Eagle Claw Skill (Small Success 168/1000)...

In just one hour, his Iron Armor Skill Cultivation Progress had increased by more than eighty points, and his Powerful Eagle Claw Skill Cultivation Progress had shot up by more than two hundred points, directly advancing it to the Small Success Level.

’Whoa! That’s absurdly fast!’ Chen Cheng’s eyes gleamed as he marveled internally.

’So an Inner Breath Technique is actually the most suitable thing to cultivate alongside Horizontal Cultivation Techniques. Master once said that cultivating the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill while wearing the Dragon Eagle Iron Claws would double the results with half the effort. He was right.

But I’m not just wearing the Dragon Eagle Iron Claws. I’m also circulating the Iron Armor Skill, an Inner Breath Technique, while under a heavy load. The result is two or three times faster than just doubling the results with half the effort!

With my current physical strength, I can cultivate the Iron Armor Skill under a full load for three or four hours a day without feeling tired. I should be able to cultivate the Iron Armor Skill to the Perfection Realm in less than a month.

Cultivating the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill to Perfection will only take two or three months. As my Martial Arts Realm improves, my Cultivation Progress will only get faster. The future is promising!’

It was almost time to eat, so Chen Cheng didn’t continue his Cultivation. He went into the main building of the inner courtyard and took out the box containing his silver coins from a hidden compartment under a floor tile in his bedroom.

After counting it, all his silver coins added up to just over ninety taels of silver.

After having a pair of Dragon Eagle Iron Claws forged, his entire fortune was nearly depleted again.