bookandnovel Chapter 46 Copper Extreme Skill
Chapter 46 Copper Extreme Skill
If I had to pinpoint the biggest difference between him these past few days and before...
That is how I grasped the threshold of "whole-body strength" today under the guidance of Master Zheng.
Now, it seems that this very step saved some skill points when upgrading martial arts skills on the panel.
"Therefore, the skill point consumption on the panel is determined by the 'gap'. The more I train, the fewer skill points I need to replenish. Conversely, the less skill points I need, the more skill points I need."
Fang Shuwen murmured to himself, and the scales in his heart began to sway and fall.
This discovery surprised and delighted him.
Alternative energy is already difficult to obtain, making it hard to increase skill points.
This is why open source is difficult to develop.
Now, we have found ways to cut costs: seek guidance from renowned teachers or diligently practice on our own to improve our progress.
This reduces the consumption of skill points.
Therefore, whether it's to fully master martial arts or to improve quickly, the necessary hard work is indispensable.
"So, I need to work even harder from now on!"
Fang Shuwen turned off the panel and took out the yellowed kraft paper from his pocket.
The paper was new and still smelled of ink.
Judging from its appearance, it should have just been printed.
I just don't know where Wang Jiu got this from.
Fang Shuwen held the kraft paper up to the oil lamp, spread it on the table, and began to decipher each character one by one.
"The Copper Extreme Technique is a method of body tempering. After mastering it, one can generate 'copper skin'."
"To cultivate this skill, one must use immense force as a hammer to repeatedly temper the skin and fascia. Upon mastery, the skin becomes as hard as copper, impervious to ordinary swords and blades, and even able to withstand small-caliber firearms..."
Fang Shuwen's gaze lingered on the words "small-caliber firearms can also defend against it" for a long time.
He looked down at his arm; he had just tested it with a knife, and his skin could withstand a force of about 100 pounds.
But if this "Copper Extreme Skill" is mastered, it can actually withstand bullets?
This is several levels stronger than his current defense.
He continued reading.
Several human figures were drawn on the kraft paper, indicating the routes of blood and qi circulation and the order of tempering.
Start with the hands, then move along the forearms, upper arms, shoulders, back, chest, and abdomen, finally down to the legs and head.
Each illustration was accompanied by dense annotations, some written with a brush and others added later with charcoal. The handwriting was messy, indicating that more than one person had studied this technique.
"For 'copper skin,' it is necessary to use a medicinal bath in conjunction with it; otherwise, the loss of qi and blood will be too great, which may result in damage to the tendons and bones at best, and death from exhaustion of qi and blood at worst."
Fang Shuwen's gaze fell on the words "medicinal bath," and his brows furrowed slightly.
The prescription was written on the back of a piece of kraft paper, listing more than a dozen medicinal herbs.
One pound of light gold, three ounces of red copper, and the herb of worry-free...
These medicinal herbs?
Fang Shuwen's gaze lingered on the list of medicinal herbs.
He originally thought the prescription would contain common tonics like ginseng and he shou wu, which, although expensive, at least would give him an idea of where to buy them.
But these "light gold" and "red copper" don't sound like ordinary medicinal materials.
If these medicinal materials are processed, will they be used for alchemy or medicine making?
Fang Shuwen frowned slightly, folded the kraft paper again, and put it away close to his body.
These medicinal herbs don't sound like things you'd find in a regular pharmacy.
What surprised him even more was the method of using the medicine after it was successfully refined.
This medicine is not to be swallowed, but rather to be used as incense.
Furthermore, a ritual must be performed before one can practice this martial art.
The cultivation method was completely different from what Fang Shuwen had imagined!
"Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. I'll go ask someone tomorrow."
.......
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Fang Shuwen got up.
As usual, he first went to the martial arts training ground and practiced boxing for half an hour, then washed up, changed his clothes, ate breakfast, and went out.
Classes don't start until tomorrow, so I can have a day off today.
He planned to use this free time to inquire at several pharmacies in the county town.
The largest pharmacy in Xikou County is called "Renjitang". It is located at the intersection of East Street and South Street and is a long-established three-storey building.
As Fang Shuwen walked in, a rich aroma of medicine wafted towards him.
Behind the counter stood an old shopkeeper in a gray cloth gown, weighing medicine with a scale. When he saw someone come in, he raised his eyelids and glanced at them.
"Get the medicine?"
"Shopkeeper, I'd like to ask about a few medicinal herbs."
Fang Shuwen walked to the counter and took out a piece of paper that had been copied.
"Could you please check if you have these herbs here?"
The old shopkeeper put down the steelyard and came over to take a look.
"Light gold? Red copper? Asthenospermum villosum..."
"Young man, where did you get this prescription from? These ingredients aren't medicinal herbs; they're minerals and strange substances."
"Um?"
Fang Shuwen nodded, his expression unchanged.
"I just want to ask, can I buy these things in Xikou?"
The old shopkeeper shook his head and pushed the parchment back.
"It's not available for purchase; only city-level martial arts schools can buy it."
"As for the Worry-Free Grass..."
He paused, then lowered his voice.
"That thing is a cursed object; you mustn't even touch it. Young brother, let me give you a piece of advice: it's best to avoid this kind of formula. If you don't know its true nature, practicing it incorrectly can be fatal."
Fang Shuwen thanked him and turned to leave Renji Hall.
"It's not that simple after all."
Fang Shuwen stood on the street, watching the passersby, feeling a little heavy-hearted.
The entry requirements for this "Copper Extreme Skill" were much higher than he had imagined.
"Never mind, let's put it aside for now and talk about it later."
Fang Shuwen shook his head, temporarily suppressing the "Copper Extreme Skill" in his mind.
Right now, the most important thing is still the Tengshe Fist.
Keep practicing, and once you're stronger, more ways to make money will naturally come your way.
He took a deep breath and strode towards the Zhao residence.
........
at the same time,
Office of the Folklore and Antiquities Survey Section, Xikou County.
Lin Xiu sat behind his desk, the ashtray in front of him overflowing with cigarette butts.
His brows furrowed into a deep frown.
"Wang Jiu hasn't returned yet?"
His voice was hoarse, carrying the exhaustion of a sleepless night.
The officer standing opposite him, Liang, shook his head, his expression not looking too good.
"Section Chief, it's been almost sixteen hours since yesterday evening. There's still no news about Wang Jiu. We've checked several of his hideouts in the city, but he's nowhere to be found."
Lin Xiu slammed the report on the table, stood up, and walked to the window.
As dusk deepened outside the window, the streets were quiet, with only one or two rickshaws passing by silently.
"So, Wang Jiu went to follow an ordinary middle school student, and then mysteriously disappeared, his fate unknown?"
Lin Xiu's voice wasn't loud, but every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
He turned around and his gaze fell on Officer Liang's face.
The latter trembled slightly, then said, "Section Chief, I'm sending people to look for him. Wang Jiu's martial arts skills are not bad; something must have delayed him."
"Did it cause a delay?"
Lin Xiu turned around and stared intently at Officer Liang.
"Wang Jiu has been with me for two years. When have you ever seen him neglect his duties?"
Officer Liang opened his mouth, but didn't dare to say anything more.
"Something must have happened to him!"