Patrol Uniform and an Advanced Skin Tempering Method in Hand!

The next day, Dongfang Yueming woke from a deep sleep as the first pale light appeared on the horizon. A good night's rest had swept away all the fatigue from yesterday's fierce battle (though it had been a one-sided crushing) and cultivation, leaving him refreshed and full of energy.

As usual, he immediately focused his mind and checked his panel.

[Character: Dongfang Yueming]

[Realm: Body Tempering - Skin Tempering Realm (Cowhide) (gains 2 points daily)]

[Cultivation method: Basic Skin Tempering Method (perfected)]

[Martial art: Basic Thirteen Fast Saber Forms (perfected)]

[Points: 947]

Sure enough, another 2 points! Dongfang Yueming's heart stirred. From 943 points after adding points to the saber technique yesterday to 947 now, it's exactly two days, at 2 points a day!

The discovery put him in an even better mood. A steady increase in points meant his strength could keep growing without end!

When he thought about how Qian Jingming would deliver that more advanced skin tempering method this afternoon, Dongfang Yueming felt even more delighted. It was as though he could already see himself breaking through to the Stone Skin Realm, or even the Jade Skin Realm, and his strength soaring once again!

With that wonderful prospect in mind, he hummed a tune on his way to the cafeteria. He was in a great mood today, and his appetite was even better. He deliberately ordered an extra serving of high-energy ordinary beast steak and nutritious soup compared to yesterday. After all, the body was the foundation of revolution. He still had to add points and cultivate that afternoon, so his energy intake had to keep up!

After eating and drinking his fill, Dongfang Yueming headed for the east city gate patrol station, full of vigor.

He pushed open the door to find Captain Wang Zhen, Zhao Tieniu, Zhang Meng, and Li Yue already there.

"Morning, Captain! Morning, everyone!" Dongfang Yueming greeted them with a smile.

"Morning!" Captain Wang Zhen and Zhao Tieniu both responded with smiles.

Only Zhang Meng forced a smile uglier than a crying face and mumbled a response, his eyes darting away. Clearly, he still hadn't recovered from yesterday's blow and losses.

"Dongfang, you're here!" Li Yue's eyes lit up the instant she saw Dongfang Yueming, and she hurried over to meet him. In her arms were a brand-new dark blue patrol uniform and a metal token engraved with the words "East Three."

After yesterday's awe-inspiring scene, Li Yue's favorable impression of Dongfang Yueming had shot straight up! This newcomer was not only handsome, but his strength was also unfathomable! He was practically the perfect template for a prince charming! The way she looked at him now, her gaze was practically spinning threads!

"Your uniform and patrol token. The captain specifically ordered the latest style for you!" Li Yue handed the items to Dongfang Yueming, her voice three parts gentler than usual.

"Thank you, Sister Li Yue." Dongfang Yueming smiled and took them, offering his thanks before carrying the clothes to the changing room nearby.

A moment later, when Dongfang Yueming emerged in his uniform, everyone present (except Zhang Meng, who deliberately turned his head away) couldn't help but feel their eyes light up!

The dark blue uniform was tailored to fit, showing off Dongfang Yueming's tall, well-proportioned figure to perfection. Paired with his handsome features and composed bearing, it made him look less youthful and more valiant and capable! He was practically walking uniform temptation!

Li Yue's heart pounded as she watched him, her cheeks slightly flushed and her eyes dreamy. She was almost ready to turn into a lovestruck fangirl.

Even Captain Wang Zhen couldn't help nodding and praising him inwardly. Mm, not bad! He really is a fine seedling! In that uniform, he looks even more the part!

Only Zhang Meng glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. The flames of jealousy roared to life in his heart again, and his teeth ground together, yet there was nothing he could do.

After a brief morning meeting, Dongfang Yueming was once again paired with Li Yue, and they headed to their assigned area to begin their patrol.

The two walked side by side down the street, the atmosphere much more harmonious than yesterday. After they had "shared hardship" yesterday (mostly in Li Yue's own opinion), and after Dongfang Yueming had displayed his formidable strength, Li Yue treated him with greater warmth and curiosity.

Keeping an eye on their surroundings, Dongfang Yueming appeared to ask Li Yue casually, "Sister Li Yue, I heard the captain and the others mention perfected skin tempering yesterday. It seems there are stages called Cowhide, Stone Skin, and Jade Skin? What's the distinction?" He wanted to learn more about the limits of the Skin Tempering Realm indirectly.

At the mention of cultivation, Li Yue's expression grew much more serious. "Mm, there is indeed such a distinction. But it's more of a theoretical classification of the limits of the Skin Tempering Realm."

She explained, "The further you progress in skin tempering, the longer cultivation takes, and the consumption of qi and blood and demand for resources increase geometrically! Progress becomes extremely slow!"

"So, apart from the children of great families with deep foundations, or peerless geniuses with extraordinary talent who receive special cultivation, most people begin cultivating a flesh refining method once they've perfected the Basic Skin Tempering Method (what we usually call the Cowhide Realm). After all, time and resources are limited. Forcing yourself to pursue a higher skin tempering realm isn't very cost-effective."

"And..." Li Yue paused, then added, "I've heard that not every advanced skin tempering method can reach the legendary Jade Skin Realm. For some methods, the Stone Skin Realm may be the limit. Jade Skin is more of an ideal state of perfect skin tempering. Whether you can reach it depends first on the method, second on resources, and third on... heaven-defying luck and comprehension!"

Dongfang Yueming nodded thoughtfully at her words.

So that was how it was. Under normal circumstances, reaching a higher skin tempering realm was actually so difficult. It required a vast amount of time and resources, and success still wasn't guaranteed.

But...

His heart burned!

Other people need time? Resources? Luck?

All I need is points!

The Jade Skin Realm! Now that I know it's a goal, I have to reach it!

As for the limitations of the methods...

A confident smile curved Dongfang Yueming's lips. If one method won't do, I'll cultivate several! If I stack the effects of different skin tempering methods, I can pile them up until I reach the Jade Skin Realm, right?!

His point-adding cheat gave him infinite possibilities!

As the sun set in the west, the day's patrol ended smoothly. Although Dongfang Yueming hadn't encountered any more blind ferocious beasts to earn some extra income from, he had still safely secured the 6 base contribution points.

Back at the dormitory, a familiar "ding" sounded, and his personal terminal showed that his contribution point balance had risen to 42.

Seeing another 6 contribution points in his account, Dongfang Yueming was delighted once again. Watching his wealth (though there wasn't much of it) grow steadily felt wonderful!

Just as he was about to look into what he could exchange those 42 contribution points for, someone knocked on the dormitory door.

"Who is it?"

"Boss! It's me, Qian Jingming!" The familiar voice came from outside, carrying a trace of deliberate ingratiation.

"Oh? He's here!" Dongfang Yueming's heart leaped with joy, and he hurried to his feet to open the door. The advanced skin tempering method was finally about to be his!

The door opened, revealing Qian Jingming's shrewd face, with a trace of guilt showing through. He was carefully holding a palm-sized brocade box.

"Boss! I've fulfilled my mission! I got you what you wanted!" Qian Jingming's face was wreathed in smiles as he handed over the brocade box.

Dongfang Yueming took the brocade box. It felt slightly heavy in his hand, and when he opened it, he found not the secret manual he had imagined, but a piece of jade, luminous white all over and giving off a faint glow!

The jade was about the size of a baby's fist, with a smooth, warm texture. Its surface seemed to be carved with ancient, mysterious patterns, and energy faintly flowed through it.

"This is...?" Dongfang Yueming picked up the jade curiously. It felt cool and warm at once in his hand. However he looked at it, the thing didn't seem like something that held a cultivation method.