Third Breakthrough, Bone Forging Hua Jin

The town remained peaceful as usual, maintaining a superficial calm. The Jinsha Gang, prioritizing wealth accumulation, had not yet revealed their fangs.

Zhou Qiming worked at the restaurant during the day. Now that he had improved his skills as a Chef, he earned ten taels of silver a month. However, in the world of martial arts, wealth was essential, and his current earnings were barely enough to cover daily expenses.

In the evening, he went to the blacksmith shop and bought another ten jin of fine iron, spending twenty taels of silver. Zhang Tie was as usual, but there were fewer people in the shop; it seemed they had been taken by the Jinsha Gang to work as forced labor.

"Is this the Hundred-Year Mushroom of Immortality?"

Zhou Qiming sat cross-legged to practice, looking at the Spiritual Medicine in his wrap.

This was the precious medicine he had received from Cheng Yan earlier when he met her outside of town. With his current skills, few people could detect his presence, except for Sha Heihu, whose internal energy was already perfected.

"Let's see how it works." Zhou Qiming's eyes were filled with anticipation.

It was said that a Thousand-Year Quality mushroom could even become sentient and walk in human form, a great medicine coveted by Grandmaster Experts.

Although this hundred-year-old one was not as potent, it was still extremely valuable. He had spent a full 800 taels of silver at the Treasure Pavilion, which made Zhou Qiming's heart ache. Fortunately, the Cheng Family had also helped by covering three hundred taels.

He practiced the Earth Fiend Legs all night. This leg technique had finally reached Great Accomplishment, bringing a slight increase in his Root Bone Value.

With 15 points of Root Bone and the Great Accomplishment Earth Fiend Legs, Zhou Qiming felt his speed had increased significantly. As his leg muscles exerted force, he instantly vanished from his original spot, leaving behind an afterimage.

The transformation brought by the increase in Root Bone was immense. His speed was comparable to a fully accelerated Leopard.

With his strength increased again, Zhou Qiming finally felt a sense of security. After consuming a few Ginseng and the mushroom, he fell into a deep sleep.

As soon as dawn broke, he eagerly checked his Martial arts panel.

[Root Bone: 7/15]

[Iron Cloth Skill Second Breakthrough]

[Earth Fiend Legs Great Accomplishment]

"Hiss, I recovered nearly three points of Root Bone Value overnight. It's fast."

Zhou Qiming hadn't expected the Hundred-Year Mushroom of Immortality to be so effective, comparable to two Treasure Fish.

Unfortunately, there was still no plus sign for the Iron Cloth Skill. It seemed that 7 points of Root Bone were not enough to cover the cost of the breakthrough.

He wasn't in a hurry. Consuming a few more Treasure Fish to recover some Root Bone should be enough.

After washing up and changing his clothes in the morning, Zhou Qiming quickly found Cheng Yan. This time, he directly gave her 2000 taels of silver to buy two more Hundred-Year Mushrooms of Immortality.

The distance from the county town to Jinshui Town was not far. Zhou Qiming escorted her out of the small town and arranged to meet her again the next evening.

"Qiming has become stronger again. Perhaps he can become a Gold-Rank Blade Catcher."

As she left, Cheng Yan sighed repeatedly. Under Qingfeng Hall's blockade, Zhou Qiming had brought her in and out as if no one was there. His movement technique and strength were incredible.

With Zhou Qiming's rapid improvement, he might truly be able to contend with Sha Heihu of the Tendon Transformation Realm. Cheng Yan looked forward to it.

Time flew by, and ten days passed.

"My Root Bone Value has recovered three points. If only I had a continuous supply of precious medicines!"

Looking at the recovered root bone points, Zhou Qiming couldn't wait to allocate them.

He had completely consumed the ginseng these past few days, used up the Treasure Fish, and eaten the two newly acquired Mushrooms of Immortality. His root bone had been renewed and restored to its peak.

[Root Bone: 15/15]

[Iron Cloth Skill Second Breakthrough+]

[Earth Fiend Legs Completion 68%!]

"Full health revival. Will this third breakthrough consume 15 points of root bone?"

Zhou Qiming felt a pang of heartache, but the moment he thought of the threats he would face, and the possibility of encountering the Hantian Army, he hesitated no longer and directly clicked the plus sign.

The martial arts panel blurred for an instant, and then various memories and powers surged out, condensing into new golden text.

[Name: Zhou Qiming]

[Level: Bone Forging Completion]

[Root Bone: 0.1/15]

[Iron Cloth Skill Third Breakthrough (Traits: Iron Gall, Rebound, Control Strength)]

"I've actually reached Bone Forging Completion, only the Brain Bone is left."

Zhou Qiming's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected the third breakthrough to bring such a significant improvement. Moreover, his Iron Gall and Rebound attributes had also risen, with stronger amplification and less Qi and Blood consumption.

However, the root bone value he had painstakingly accumulated was once again depleted, like a pool running dry. Fortunately, the next breakthrough would be some time away, and he would definitely have time to recover and adjust.

"I should have reached the Hua Jin level by now."

Zhou Qiming lightly clenched his palm, feeling his strength become refined. He could sense the flow of his tendons and blood, even the material transport within his cells.

Furthermore, the Control Strength trait made his defense even more monstrous. The strength in his body seemed to form a protective membrane, a shield that even a full-power swing of the Mountain-Weight Saber couldn't break.

"It's enough. With my current strength, even if I can't suppress Sha Heihu, I can definitely protect myself."

Zhou Qiming was full of confidence, a smile on his face. Even if Sha Heihu had hidden strength, he also had his trump cards. He could stack up various breakthrough attributes to defeat the opponent!

Moreover, now that he had mastered the Hua Jin technique, he could finally begin refining the King's Blood, which would further enhance his strength.

As for the subsequent Tendon Transformation Realm, Zhou Qiming planned to thoroughly temper his Brain Bone. He had pushed his skinning and muscle cultivation to the extreme, like building a foundation for a towering skyscraper. Therefore, he would persevere in the Bone Forging Realm as well.

Normally, he could integrate his meridians and break through to the Tendon Transformation Realm right now, but that would also mean limited Potential. Only by tempering and developing his Brain Bone could he achieve unity with heaven and earth in the future and wield the power of nature!

"It's time to head to the county town."

After buying the Mushroom of Immortality, his wallet was almost empty, and it was time for him to head to the county town to make a living. With the Third Breakthrough Iron Cloth Skill and the completion of Bone Forging, he could still make a name for himself in Luoshan County.

Zhou Qiming went to work as usual, but as soon as he arrived at the restaurant, he noticed that Head Chef Liu, Chef Li, and several other waiters were absent.

"What's going on? Did they flee?"

At this moment, Xu Hailai appeared, looking worried: "It must be the Jinsha Gang. Damn it, I paid them protection money, but they still won't leave us alone."

"This is outrageous! I will rescue them," Zhou Qiming could no longer stand it.

Head Chef Liu had treated him well. Now that he had been kidnapped by the Jinsha Gang, it would surely not end well. He might be sent to the Sky Shaker Bandits army as a common soldier.

"Qiming, don't be impulsive. I heard that Sha Heihu has already broken through. Even Hall Master Yuan is no match for him," Xu Hailai advised him with concern.

At this moment, Li Qian also entered, crying tearfully: "Uncle Xu, my father..."

Zhou Qiming remained silent, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. He went home to get his Mountain-Weight Saber.

"Are you going to your death? If Brother Xiao Tian were still alive, he would definitely protect us," Li Qian glanced at Zhou Qiming, but held no hope.

Even the mighty Xiao Tian had his entire clan wiped out by the Jinsha Gang. How could a mere restaurant chef possibly rescue Head Chef Liu and the others?

"Uncle Xu, you and the others go meet up with Yuan Tieyi. We'll act tonight. Once I rescue them, I'll escort you all away."

Zhou Qiming couldn't be bothered to explain to Li Qian. He merely instructed Xu Hailai, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"Alright, I'll go pack my things now." Xu Hailai didn't know where Zhou Qiming got his confidence from, but it was indeed safest to follow the martial arts hall right now.

If Yuan Tieyi made a desperate move, perhaps they could truly fight their way out.

"Hmph, still showing off. Does he think he's Xiao Tian? How can he escort us?" Li Qian shook her head, unconvinced.