Second Skin Tempering! Arrows Difficult to Harm!

The monks from the Martial Monk Courtyard had already dispersed after their morning training.

When Su Haoran found Zeng Qiu, he was alone in a corner, meticulously cleaning his monastic blade. His expression was focused, yet tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"Brother Zeng Qiu," Su Haoran called out.

"Brother Su!" Zeng Qiu's head shot up. Seeing Su Haoran, his face immediately lit up with a complex mix of surprise, joy, and a touch of guilt. "You... you're out of seclusion?"

He stood up, nervously rubbing his hands together. "That... about the Martial Monk Courtyard matter, I spoke to Martial Uncle Cao Yi. He did his best, but the elders in the courtyard... alas, they said the rules cannot be broken. A menial monk is just a menial monk, unless... unless there's a significant contribution, otherwise..."

Su Haoran smiled slightly, patting his shoulder and interrupting him. "I understand. This matter isn't urgent. Brother Zeng Qiu has already gone to great lengths for me, and I appreciate it."

He knew that such things couldn't be accomplished overnight.

Zeng Qiu's willingness to intercede for him was a kindness he would remember.

Seeing that Su Haoran bore no ill will, Zeng Qiu finally relaxed, his respect for his sworn brother growing even deeper.

He asked curiously, "Brother Su, why have you come to see me today?"

"I do have a question," Su Haoran said directly, without beating around the bush. "I'd like to know, regarding the Martial Arts Skin Tempering Realm, what exactly is the difference between First Skin Tempering and Second Skin Tempering?"

Zeng Qiu was taken aback, then looked at Su Haoran with some surprise.

Questions like these were typically only asked by those on the verge of a breakthrough or who had just achieved one.

Could it be...?

He suppressed his speculation and smiled as he explained, "Brother Su, you've hit upon a crucial point. Although both stages involve refining the skin and membranes, the difference between the first, second, and third stages of Skin Tempering is like the difference between heaven and earth."

"First Skin Tempering is like me," Zeng Qiu said, patting his arm, which made a dull thud. "My skin and membranes are tough; ordinary clubs can't easily injure me. Even swords, as long as they don't strike a vital spot, can be resisted to some extent. In rural militia drills, I'd be considered quite skilled."

"But against the strong bows and heavy crossbows of the army, I'd be no different from paper."

He paused, then his tone shifted, a hint of longing in his eyes.

"However, Second Skin Tempering is an entirely different level!"

"Upon reaching Second Skin Tempering, a martial artist's skin and membranes undergo a qualitative change. Their toughness is sufficient to resist arrows! Imagine, on a battlefield where arrows rain down like a storm, ordinary soldiers can only rely on shields for survival. But a martial artist who has achieved Second Skin Tempering can charge forward under a hail of arrows!"

"It can be said that stepping into Second Skin Tempering is when one truly gains the capital to fight and survive amidst a chaotic army! In the military, such individuals would be qualified to lead a squad of elite soldiers or serve as elite guards by a general's side!"

Zeng Qiu became increasingly animated as he spoke.

"As for Third Skin Tempering, it's even more extraordinary. It's said to grant immunity to the elements and make one impervious to fire and water. Apart from a few elder monks in the temple, I haven't personally witnessed it."

After hearing Zeng Qiu's explanation, Su Haoran's mind became clear.

Arrows Difficult to Harm!

These four words gave him a clear understanding of his current strength.

In this chaotic era, such an ability was undoubtedly a trump card for survival!

After speaking, Zeng Qiu sighed with a hint of envy, looking at Su Haoran. "It took me a full five years to achieve this First Skin Tempering. I don't know when, or if, I'll ever glimpse the threshold of Second Skin Tempering. For ordinary martial monks like us, it's practically an insurmountable chasm."

His words were filled with uncertainty about the future and a yearning for a higher realm.

However, Zeng Qiu was unaware that the young man before him had already, silently, crossed the chasm he spoke of.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the woodshed, Su Haoran stood bare-chested. His bronze skin reflected a tough, restrained sheen under the dim oil lamp.

His eyes were closed, and his entire being was like a steadfast rock, unmoving. Yet, if a master were present, they would sense the surging, powerful blood essence within him, perfectly contained beneath his skin and membranes, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

[Cultivation Technique: Iron Cloth Shirt (Major Accomplishment 45%)] [Cultivation Technique: Arhat Fist (Major Accomplishment 71%)] [Cultivation Technique: Meditation Scripture (Major Accomplishment 22%)] [Comprehension: 15 (Remarkable Physique)]

In one month, his progress with the Iron Cloth Shirt had surged by 44%.

This was the terrifying improvement brought about by his "Remarkable Physique"!

With fifteen points of comprehension, Su Haoran's cultivation path had transformed from a rugged, muddy trail into a wide, smooth highway.

In the past, when practicing the Arhat Fist, he only knew the movements, copying them mechanically.

Now, with every punch, he could clearly perceive how the force originated from the soles of his feet, traveled through the rotation of his waist and hips, and finally converged at the tip of his fist.

It was no longer rigid stances, but a living, flowing power.

His practice of the Meditation Scripture had also benefited him immensely.

A clear and empty mind allowed him to control his body with unprecedented precision. Every surge of blood essence, every flex of his muscles, was under his mental command.

More importantly, he no longer felt completely lost regarding the "Perfection" stage of the Iron Cloth Shirt.

"Major Accomplishment is about refining the skin and membranes until they are as tough as oxhide and airtight. Perfection, however, should be a deeper level of tempering..."

Su Haoran's mind was exceptionally clear.

"Blood essence and skin/membranes must blend perfectly, like water entering a sponge, indistinguishable. When force erupts, the skin and membranes become a layer of flowing steel; when the force is contained, it is no different from an ordinary person. This is true control over release and retraction, this is Perfection!"

A vague but definite path had unfolded in his mind.

He was confident that with sufficient resources, he could push the Iron Cloth Shirt, a technique that ordinary people struggle to master in a lifetime, to true perfection within three months!

Just as he was immersed in his contemplation of martial arts principles, the wooden door of the woodshed was gently knocked.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Brother, are you there?" It was Zeng Qiu's voice, tinged with barely suppressed excitement.

Su Haoran collected his thoughts, the surging Blood Essence within his body instantly calming. He opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them before vanishing.

"I am."

He rose, donned his monk's robe, and unlatched the door.

Outside, Zeng Qiu's face was flushed red, fine beads of sweat on his forehead, clearly having run all the way.

"Brother! It's done!" Zeng Qiu grabbed Su Haoran's arm, speaking excitedly and somewhat incoherently. "I... I pleaded with Martial Uncle, and Martial Uncle went to see Elder Hui Jue, who is in charge..."

Su Haoran's heart stirred, but his expression remained calm. "What did he say?"

Seeing Su Haoran's composed demeanor, Zeng Qiu also calmed down a bit. He took a breath and spoke rapidly, "Elder Hui Jue said the rules of Prajna Temple cannot be broken. However, considering your dedication to martial arts, your past contributions to the temple, and the recent unrest in the surrounding areas affecting many temple industries, they will reopen the Martial Monk assessment."

"Tomorrow at Chen Shi, in the central training ground of the Martial Monk Courtyard, a Martial Monk assessment will be held for you alone. If you pass, you will be formally admitted to the Martial Monk Courtyard and become a true Martial Monk!"

"However, the official Martial Monks will also participate in this assessment! Those who pass will receive cultivation resources as a reward, issued by the temple!"

After speaking, he added with some worry, "Brother, this is a big deal. Tomorrow, the martial brothers in the Martial Monk Courtyard will likely all come to watch. Do you... do you have confidence? The assessment includes strength, movement techniques, and fist techniques. The standards are not low."

Su Haoran's gaze swept past Zeng Qiu's shoulder, looking towards the brightly lit Martial Monk Courtyard in the distance. His eyes were calm and profound.

"Don't worry, tomorrow, I won't disappoint you."