SPLASH...

Water sprayed into the air as the two of them tumbled into the clear lake.

Mu Xiaowan instinctively began to flail in the water. But she didn’t know how to swim, and the more she struggled, the more she sank. Just then, a pair of warm, strong hands lifted her up.

Breaking the surface again, Mu Xiaowan was both startled and delighted.

"Brother Cheng."

"Xiaowan, swimming is easy..."

...

A short while later.

Chen Cheng lay floating on his back, gazing lazily up at the vast, azure sky, feeling relaxed and content.

Mu Xiaowan was a quick learner and could already swim freely in the lake. She was overjoyed, like a white swan, dipping in and out of the clear water. Occasionally, she would playfully tickle Chen Cheng from underwater.

...

Night fell.

In the main bedroom, on a wide, silk-covered bed, Mu Xiaowan snuggled against Chen Cheng’s chest, whispering about how much she had missed him over the past few days.

She also told him a few things about the Zheng Martial Arts Hall.

During the recent flood, Mr. Zheng had taken many people out of the city to hunt Demon Beasts and had not yet returned.

The first lady, Gongsun Rou, had also gone out several times, but she always rushed back within three to five days.

The massive Zheng Martial Arts Hall was established in the Inner City District, and it was clear they primarily relied on Mr. Zheng hunting Demon Beasts outside the city to make a living.

Furthermore, the Zheng Family’s cultivation resources were entirely dependent on hunting Demon Beasts.

Mr. Zheng was on his own, so the situation was not actually very optimistic.

"Brother Cheng, will you also go out of the city to hunt Demon Beasts in the future?" Mu Xiaowan asked with some concern. Many of the disciples from the Zheng Martial Arts Hall who went out to hunt Demon Beasts had been injured by them.

Gently kissing her forehead, as smooth as jade, Chen Cheng smiled. "I probably won’t be leaving the city."

"Okay." Mu Xiaowan felt much more relieved.

Early the next day, Chen Cheng hired a horse-drawn carriage and personally escorted Mu Xiaowan back to the Zheng Martial Arts Hall before returning to his post in Lishui District.

In the days that followed, Chen Cheng became even more diligent in cultivating the Martial Dao.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, half a month went by.

「One morning.」

Chen Cheng was cultivating the Martial Dao in his backyard, his body weighed down and his hands fitted with the Dragon Eagle Iron Claws.

He fully activated his Iron Armor Skill, causing the blood and qi throughout his body to surge. Each and every move of his Powerful Eagle Claw Skill was executed with immense force, swift and fierce.

[Iron Armor Skill deduction progress has increased.]

...

[Powerful Eagle Claw Skill cultivation progress has increased.]

...

An hour later.

[Cultivation Technique successfully deduced. Current Iron Armor Skill deduction progress (100/100)]

[Skills: Iron Armor Skill • Muscle Strengthening (Uninitiated 1/10)]

...

"I finally have the Muscle Strengthening Realm’s Iron Armor Skill!" A pleased look appeared on Chen Cheng’s face as he began to cultivate the Iron Armor Skill of the Muscle Strengthening Realm.

...

[Skills: Iron Armor Skill • Muscle Strengthening (Beginner Level 1/100)]

After several hours of cultivation, a notification appeared on his panel, and Chen Cheng finally broke through to the Muscle Strengthening Realm.

In that instant, his blood and qi surged violently, circulating through the major tendons of his body, continuously nourishing and strengthening them.

CRACK!

Chen Cheng unleashed a full-power Dragon Eagle Spreading Wings. The major tendons throughout his body suddenly connected, letting out a crisp crack.

"Dragon Eagle Captures the Tiger!"

He executed another move from the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill. Power surged as he thrust out the Iron Claw, and a hard, basin-sized rock instantly turned to dust.

Several more days passed.

On this day, Chen Cheng was patrolling the streets with his constables. As he walked, he silently circulated his Iron Armor Skill while also practicing the hand movements of the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill.

[Iron Armor Skill • Muscle Strengthening cultivation progress has increased.]

[Skills: Iron Armor Skill • Muscle Strengthening (Small Success 1/1000)]

’I’ve finally reached the Small Success Level of the Muscle Strengthening Realm.’

Waving his hand to dismiss his constables, Chen Cheng walked into a roadside teahouse, ordered a pot of tea, and began to drink leisurely.

He called up his panel again to check it.

[Name: Chen Cheng

Realm: Muscle Strengthening (Small Success)

Skills: Iron Armor Skill • Muscle Strengthening (Small Success 1/1000)

Powerful Eagle Claw Skill (Perfection, Powerful Eagle Claw Stance 4515/100,000)

Wind Chasing Saber Technique (Perfection, Wind Chasing Saber Stance) (Cultivation Technique under deduction, current deduction progress (12/100). Once deduction is complete, the technique can advance to a Superior Technique.)

]