Ox-Hide Realm Mid-Stage

Not long after swallowing the Qi-Replenishing Pill, Jiang Che felt a ball of fire in his lower abdomen, burning ever fiercer.

The skin all over his body began to redden, while steaming white vapor rose from his head.

A massive surge of Qi-Blood immediately filled his dantian and began rampaging wildly.

"This medicine is too overbearing! My Qi-Blood is getting a little out of control!"

Jiang Che hurriedly entered the Flow State, and only then did the Qi-Blood slowly stabilize.

Yet he still felt feverish all over.

Sweat continuously seeped from his body, only to be dried by the heat again and again.

Over and over, Jiang Che had no idea how long it had been.

Only when he could no longer maintain the Flow State did he open his eyes.

Seeing how sticky and grimy he was, Jiang Che frowned.

He brought over a basin of water and began washing himself.

As though he had not bathed in years, Jiang Che scrubbed away a great deal of black grime.

Jiang Che immediately felt refreshed all over, as though he had just enjoyed a thorough bath.

He carefully sensed his body and found that Qi-Blood now occupied sixty percent of his dantian.

Previously, his Qi-Blood had occupied only ten percent of his dantian.

"My Qi-Blood increased by fifty percent at once! I'm in the mid-stage Ox-Hide Realm too!"

Jiang Che was somewhat stunned.

Although it had not filled up all at once, an increase of fifty percent already left him more than satisfied.

Moreover, the pill was not a one-time boost. Its excess medicinal power had already been stored within his body.

Jiang Che calculated that, as long as he proceeded step by step, his dantian would be completely full in less than four months.

At his previous rate of progress, it might have taken one or two years to fill it.

His Layered Cloud Fist had already reached the Stone Skin Realm level.

Now, as long as his Qi-Blood filled his dantian, he could automatically enter the Stone Skin Realm!

After getting dressed, Jiang Che left the side room.

He looked around and found that the people who had been watching him earlier were gone.

"Did they give up, or are they lying in ambush somewhere?"

However, no matter what, Jiang Che was no longer afraid.

He was confident that as long as he did not encounter someone in the Iron Skin Realm, he could handle things calmly.

Whether he could win or not was another matter, but escaping would at least not be a problem.

Besides, Iron Skin Realm Martial Artists were not cabbages growing everywhere.

At most, those two would find a Stone Skin Realm helper.

They might not even have a helper and would simply make their move themselves.

After bidding Chief Constable Liu farewell, Jiang Che left the Yamen.

Sure enough, he spotted two people squatting in a corner across the street.

They were the same two men from before.

Besides them, there was another man in his thirties.

That man possessed even more vigorous Qi-Blood and appeared to be in the Stone Skin Realm.

But he was only at the initial stage, perhaps even weaker than that servant from the Li Estate.

Jiang Che ignored them and strode away.

At the same time, he remained secretly on guard.

With his Qi-Blood at sixty percent, Jiang Che was confident in both his lightness skill and hardened-body foundation.

Against these three, even if he could not win, he would not suffer too badly.

If things truly went wrong, he could simply flee back to the Yamen and find Chief Constable Liu.

After the two life-and-death battles with the Li Estate servant and the Flower-Plucking Thief,

Jiang Che now had a clear understanding of Stone Skin Realm Martial Artists.

Although he still could not defeat them head-on,

if he used every underhanded trick at his disposal, he still had a chance.

And if nothing else, he could run.

Moreover, his apparent strength was weak. These Stone Skin Realm Martial Artists would often underestimate him, which also gave him opportunities.

Yet after walking for a while, Jiang Che discovered that the three had not followed him.

When he looked back, he saw them mutter to one another for a few moments before leaving.

"Looks like they discovered I ate the Qi-Replenishing Pill," Jiang Che thought.

After all, there was no profit to be had. Even if the three killed Jiang Che, they would gain nothing.

Besides, there was no other grudge between them, so it was only natural for them to leave.

Still, Jiang Che did not head home immediately. He circled around several times and only returned after confirming that no one was following him.

When he arrived home,

Jiang Ling was fiddling with some sort of food.

Recently, she had become obsessed with experimenting with all kinds of strange dishes.

Some were passable, but most were hard to put into words.

Jiang Che paid her no mind. It was good for her to have something to do.

"I wonder how strong I am now..."

Jiang Che entered the courtyard and decided to test his current strength.

First, he performed a set of Layered Cloud Fist.

When he reached the fifth move, Mountain Crushing, one punch smashed a bluestone brick into powder.

"My strength has at least doubled!"

Jiang Che's heart tightened.

If he encountered that Flower-Plucking Thief now after entering the Flow State, he probably would not be so helpless.

Of course, he still definitely could not win. He simply would not flee quite so miserably.

He then performed the Flying Swallow Steps.

In an instant, an afterimage darted swiftly through the courtyard.

"Whew—"

Jiang Che stopped and let out a long breath.

"My speed has increased too, though not by a full factor of two. It's probably around thirty percent."

Jiang Che made a rough estimate.

Feeling the inexhaustible Qi-Blood throughout his body, Jiang Che's heart finally settled somewhat.

The next day.

White Cloud Martial Hall, Disciple Courtyard.

Gong Yulei, Zhang Xiong, and Lin Xue'er were gathered together, discussing something.

"My cousin's Martial Arts Hall is holding an exchange gathering soon. It's for disciples from various Martial Arts Halls who have hope of breaking through to the Stone Skin Realm.

"What do you think? Are you going? If you are, I'll speak to my cousin."

Lin Xue'er said with a smile.

She had fought hard to secure this opportunity, and it was just right for strengthening their relationship.

"Sure, count me in! I can take the chance to see disciples from other Martial Arts Halls."

Zhang Xiong's eyes lit up. He had been eager to spar with more different people.

"I'll break through to the Stone Skin Realm before long. Going to this sort of exchange gathering would just waste time." Gong Yulei shook his head.

"My cousin said that senior brothers in the Stone Skin Realm will also be participating to offer guidance. Such an opportunity is hard to come by.

"Senior Brother Gong always trains alone. It is ultimately a little too lonely. Why not come along and exchange pointers with everyone?" Lin Xue'er persuaded him.

Gong Yulei frowned and considered it for a moment before nodding.

"Fine. I've never fought anyone in the Stone Skin Realm before, so I can take this chance to broaden my horizons."

"Then it's settled. The three of us will sign up together!" Lin Xue'er said with a smile.

Zhang Xiong hesitated before saying, "What about Jiang Che? Should we ask him later too?"

Lin Xue'er frowned. "Someone like Jiang Che, who has no hope of breaking through to the Stone Skin Realm, should just forget it, shouldn't he?"

"But his fist techniques are actually very good. Couldn't he perhaps give us some inspiration as well..." Zhang Xiong still wanted to argue for him.

"If Jiang Che can go too, then wouldn't this exchange gathering be full of trash? Then I might as well not go! I have no time to fool around with weaklings!" Gong Yulei said coldly.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother Gong! Of course I won't agree to let Jiang Che go. This exchange gathering has a threshold as well!" Lin Xue'er soothed him.

Zhang Xiong opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing more.

He knew that these two had always looked down on Jiang Che.

No matter how he explained it, they would not listen.

In truth, if he had not exchanged fists with Jiang Che back then, he might have looked down on Jiang Che as well.

He might not have been as blunt as Gong Yulei and Lin Xue'er, but he certainly would not have deliberately sought to befriend him.

But ever since he had experienced Jiang Che's fist techniques, he had understood just how terrifying Jiang Che truly was!

Those watching him practice could only feel that his movements were beautiful.

But only when facing him directly could one feel that suffocating pressure!

Jiang Che's fist techniques were not only flawless; they even felt as though they had merged with heaven and earth.

Even though Zhang Xiong's Qi-Blood was stronger than Jiang Che's, he simply could not land a blow on him!

The longer they fought, the more exhausted he became.

Yet the person opposite him remained as relaxed as ever.

It did not feel like they were exchanging fists at all. Instead, it felt as though Jiang Che were guiding him!

Not long afterward, Jiang Che arrived at the Martial Arts Hall as well.

Upon seeing him, Zhang Xiong stepped forward to greet him.

But when Jiang Che drew near, he faintly felt that Jiang Che seemed like a completely different person.

Jiang Che's Qi-Blood was now vigorous, entirely unlike before.

"You..." Zhang Xiong was somewhat puzzled.

"I was fortunate enough to obtain a Qi-Replenishing Pill." Jiang Che smiled.

He did not hide it. Everyone would learn of it sooner or later anyway.

"A Qi-Replenishing Pill?!" Zhang Xiong clearly knew what it was, and his face filled with shock.