Golden Bell Shield Fourth Layer, Body Strength Eight Thousand Jin

The next day!

The rising sun cast its rays upon the Demon Suppression Division's encampment. Morning light streamed through the windows into Lin Baichuan's room, falling upon him as he sat cross-legged on his bed.

Just then, Lin Baichuan, who had kept his eyes tightly shut, suddenly opened them. Two divine lights flashed within his pupils, as brilliant as the midday sun.

"Hoo..."

Exhaling a breath of stale air, Lin Baichuan moved his mind, and his consciousness sea activated the system's attribute panel.

[Name: Lin Baichuan] [Identity: Junior Demon Slayer of the Demon Suppression Division] [Cultivation: Ninth Rank] [Cultivation Technique: Golden Bell Shield (Fourth Layer, 12%)] [Martial Skill: Seven Kill Saber Art (Perfected, 32%)] [Merit: 0]

The fourth layer of the Golden Bell Shield was the result of Lin Baichuan's efforts last night, consuming the 30 points of Merit he gained from killing the demon that had possessed the courtesan Miaoyin of Tianyin Workshop.

"The system is truly powerful. The Golden Bell Shield itself only had three layers, and reaching the perfected third layer granted me five thousand jin of strength. Now, with the system's help, I've directly deduced the fourth layer of the Golden Bell Shield using Merit. Although my cultivation realm is still the Ninth Rank Skin Refining stage, my physical strength has increased to eight thousand jin, a full three thousand jin more than the perfected third layer..."

Lin Baichuan's gaze swept across the system panel, his eyes shining even brighter.

After his attempts last night, he increasingly felt the profound mystery of Merit, which could push the Golden Bell Shield to higher layers. It was a pity he didn't have enough Merit; otherwise, let alone the fourth layer, even the fifth or sixth layer would be entirely within reach.

"It is said that the prodigies of some top aristocratic families cultivate top-tier body refinement techniques at the Ninth Rank Flesh Refining stage, allowing their physical strength to reach the limit of ten thousand jin."

Lin Baichuan murmured to himself, "In the past, I would naturally have had no hope, but it's different now. I have the system, and as long as I have enough Merit, I can continuously deduce the Golden Bell Shield to enhance my physical strength.

With time, not only reaching the physical limit but even breaking this ten thousand jin limit of physical strength is not impossible."

Martial cultivation, the Ninth Rank of the physical body, are all foundational stages. Especially the preceding three stages of skin refining, bone tempering, and organ forging, they are the very foundation of foundations. As the saying goes, a skyscraper is built from the ground up; the more solid the foundation, the greater the weight it can bear.

Similarly, the more solid the foundation of martial arts, the further one can go in the future.

This is also why the gap between truly talented individuals, prodigies, and ordinary martial artists widens. It's because their foundations are different. True prodigies only break through the Ninth Rank and enter the Eighth Rank Bone Tempering stage after their physical strength reaches the ten thousand jin limit.

Ordinary martial artists, on the other hand, have physical strength of only two to three thousand jin in the Skin Refining stage. Some talented individuals might reach five to six thousand jin. Then, in this state, they break through the Ninth Rank Skin Refining stage and enter the Eighth Rank Bone Tempering.

In this way, the gap naturally emerges.

"With the system, I can also increase my physical strength to ten thousand jin, or even break the ten thousand jin limit."

Lin Baichuan muttered to himself, placing his right hand on the bed board. With a push, he instantly leaped up and then, like a falling leaf, landed softly on the ground.

"Merit... it's all about Merit. I must find a way to kill more demons to obtain Merit."

Lin Baichuan thought to himself.

30 points of Merit had increased his physical strength by nearly five thousand jin overnight. This was simply a myth. Having tasted the benefits of Merit, Lin Baichuan's desire for more Merit grew even stronger.

"Baichuan..."

Suddenly, as various thoughts flashed through Lin Baichuan's mind, Yang Zhan's voice called out from outside the courtyard. This guy had actually come to find him proactively. Lin Baichuan raised his eyebrows and had already walked out of his room.

"What's wrong?"

Casually pulling open the courtyard gate and letting Yang Zhan in, he asked in a deep voice, "Judging by your expression, has something happened?"

"Lu Changkong was taken away."

Yang Zhan nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Early this morning, the higher-ups suddenly ordered Lu Changkong to be released without charge, and the Lu family's crimes would no longer be pursued..."

"Released without charge!"

Lin Baichuan's eyes narrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "Does the Lu family have such great influence?"

Yesterday at Tianyin Workshop, after they had worked together to kill that demon, they had captured Lu Changkong. The guy was scared out of his wits and had lost all his spirit. Otherwise, with his Eighth Rank Bone Tempering Peak cultivation and the assistance of a Spirit Artifact Short Sword, if he had wanted to leave, Lin Baichuan and the others might not have been able to stop him.

As a result, Lu Changkong, having lost all his spirit, didn't resist at all and was captured by Lin Baichuan and the others.

They then took him directly to the Demon Suppression Division Prison.

Following that, Yang Zhan reported the matter to his superiors. Originally, the higher-ups intended to take the opportunity to deal with the Lu family. Unfortunately, they did not get their wish, and the higher-ups did not order action against the Lu family. At that time, Lin Baichuan already felt something was wrong.

As expected, Yang Zhan brought this news early this morning: Lu Changkong was released without charge.

"The Lu family naturally doesn't have such means."

Yang Zhan sneered, "But the people behind the Lu family do. However, these are not the main points, as the level involved is too high for us to meddle in. The current problem is that we have completely offended the Lu family. I don't mind; the Lu family wouldn't dare do anything to me.

But it's different for you. When Lu Changkong left the Demon Suppression Division Prison, he made it clear that he would make you pay..."

"Make me pay, hmph... then let him come!"

Lin Baichuan snorted dismissively, a cold smile on his face. "A piece of trash, let's see what kind of storm he can stir up."

"Don't be careless. Although the Lu family is nothing in the face of the Demon Suppression Division, they are a prominent aristocratic family in Cangwu County, and their strength is no less than my Yang Family's," Yang Zhan said gravely. "Moreover, Lu Changkong does have some strength. Last night, he was purely stunned and was suppressed by us. Now that he's recovered, if he's determined to seek revenge on you, it will be quite troublesome.

However, you are now a formal Demon Slayer Guard of the Demon Suppression Division."

He wouldn't dare do anything to you openly, he's just worried he'll resort to dirty tricks. From what I know, the Lu Family has connections within the Demon Suppression Division..."

"You mean the rookie mission?"

Lin Baichuan, with his sharp mind, immediately understood Yang Zhan's meaning.

"Exactly!"

Yang Zhan nodded and said, "The Lu Family wouldn't dare attack you openly because they can't withstand the wrath of the Demon Suppression Division. Harming a Demon Slayer Guard of the Demon Suppression Division is an act of provocation. Even the people behind the Lu Family couldn't protect them.

So, they can only resort to dirty tricks. The rookie mission is their best opportunity. If you die during this rookie mission, no one will say anything..."