Chapter Thirty-Six: A Dramatic Surge in Strength

Hiss!

Chen Xuan gasped.

What was going on? Did his interface change along with his Iron Shirt transformation? Was this a unique panel exclusive to his transformed state?

Staring at the figure of 1,600 catties of force, he secretly clicked his tongue. What terrifying strength. It no longer distinguished between internal energy and physical stamina, measuring power directly. If calculated by his pre-transformation stats, 11 years of internal energy plus 920 points of stamina would equate to 1,360 catties of force. But now, in his transformed state, it stood at 1,600 catties. This meant the transformation interface had fused his previous internal energy and physical stamina into one, while simultaneously providing a massive boost.

Suddenly, his eyes fell upon the "Functions" column.

[Attacks less than twice your own strength will be unable to penetrate your defense.]

This was also incredibly perverse. It meant that any force below 3,200 catties could not harm him—at least, not while he was in his transformed state.

And his speed! It had reached 100 meters in four seconds! Even the legendary athletes of his past life could only manage nine seconds. The transformed Iron Shirt was no longer solely focused on defense; it was a comprehensive improvement in speed, strength, and durability.

Chen Xuan felt a surge of joy. Although the transformation was somewhat unsightly, the data was undeniable.

"Wait, why am I feeling a little happy? Have I succumbed to the 'True Fragrance' law?" Chen Xuan felt a jolt of alarm. No! This absolutely would not do! Such a hideous transformation was not something he wanted. He was the white-clad, iron-blooded gentleman! How could such a brutish, hulking form have anything to do with him?

Whoosh!

His body began to shrink, like a leaking balloon, and he quickly returned to his original form. He was left in tattered clothes, looking like a beggar, and the interface before him reverted to its previous state.

Suddenly, Chen Xuan’s vision blurred, and his stomach let out a thunderous growl of hunger. "Darn it, the upgrade to Iron Shirt consumes too much energy."

He barely managed to steady himself, quickly changing into a new set of robes and wrapping his right arm tightly to ensure no one would notice the indigo hue on his skin. Only then did he open the door and head toward the kitchen.

***

After devouring a vast amount of food, the gnawing hunger in his belly finally began to subside. He had left the entire kitchen in a state of chaos.

Chen Xuan gently rubbed his full stomach and looked at the interface again. He had 160 points of experience remaining. The three remaining arts were: Five Poisons Heart Sutra (Superficial, 110/140), Dissolving Palm Technique (Entry Level, 0/60), and Eight-Step Cicada Chase (Entry Level, 0/30). He could easily level them all up.

He immediately began allocating points.

Swish, swish, swish!

Lights flickered repeatedly. The Five Poisons Heart Sutra rose from Superficial (110/140) to Proficient (0/280). The Dissolving Palm Technique went from Entry Level (0/60) to Superficial (0/120), and the Eight-Step Cicada Chase went from Entry Level (0/30) to Superficial (0/60).

Experience points dropped by 120, leaving him with 40 points—not enough for further upgrades.

Chen Xuan felt his internal energy surge, becoming several times more robust than before. The jump from Superficial to Proficient in the Five Poisons Heart Sutra had added 16 years of internal energy. His total now stood at 27 years.

According to the common methods of calculation on the continent, with just this level of internal energy, he was already equivalent to a master at the ninth level of the Qi Accumulation stage. The ninth level required a minimum of 23 years of internal energy; once achieved, one would then need to open the Governing and Conception vessels and circulate the grand and minor heavenly cycles to reach the next realm: the Pulse Opening stage.

However, this process was often excruciatingly long. Trying to open these vessels on one's own usually required vast amounts of time and effort. If one relied on elders from a family or sect to assist, it would severely limit one's future potential. Therefore, true practitioners from major sects would never help their disciples or descendants open their vessels, forcing them to train diligently and do it themselves. Some would accumulate over thirty years of energy before attempting it, while others, more terrifyingly, waited until they had fifty years of energy.

The Qi Accumulation stage was the foundation of all realms, the bedrock of a skyscraper. The deeper the foundation, the greater the future achievements. Consequently, some geniuses would not easily attempt to open their vessels upon reaching the ninth level, choosing instead to continue accumulating energy. History recorded a madman three hundred years ago who had accumulated a full 72 years of internal energy before opening his vessels; his subsequent rise was unimaginable, shaking the entire world within a few short years.

Chen Xuan didn't know if his interface would automatically help him open his vessels, but he felt no sensation of them being opened yet. Even at the ninth level of Qi Accumulation, the disparity in strength could be despair-inducing. The Feng Tian he defeated yesterday was a ninth-level expert, yet his power was mediocre—he had been sent reeling by a single punch, probably possessing only about 23 years of internal energy. Compared to that legendary madman, he was nothing.

Chen Xuan exhaled slowly. "My internal energy has increased by another 16 years. I wonder if my transformed strength will increase as well?"

If his guess was correct, the transformation fused his internal energy and physical stamina; therefore, increases in either should boost his transformed stats. He looked at the Dissolving Palm Technique, scanned his surroundings to ensure he was alone, and lightly activated the skill.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

A trace of eerie, toxic substance flickered in his palm, causing the air around it to faintly sizzle.

He felt a surge of joy and deactivated the technique. The difference between Entry Level and Superficial was primarily in the efficiency of internal energy application. Think of it like water flowing through a pipe; if a technique wasn't mastered, the "pipe" was narrow, making it difficult to channel energy to the palms. If you fought an opponent in that state, you were at a disadvantage. But once mastered, the "pipe" widened, allowing energy to flow swiftly and fiercely.

Cultivating internal energy was important, but techniques were the conduits that allowed that energy to be used. The Dissolving Palm was no exception. Before, his conduits were narrow, and he couldn't unleash much power. Now, the conduits had widened several times over. If he struck someone, he could easily inject his toxic energy into them and dissolve their internal strength.

Chen Xuan understood the logic. Just as he was about to leave, his expression shifted. He noticed a bamboo steamer near his palm had turned dark, pitted, and was corroding.

"Damn, I almost forgot my energy is toxic!"

He was startled. He had been so focused on testing the technique that he had accidentally leaked energy, causing the steamer to rot. He couldn't let anyone see this; it would be a huge problem. He shattered the steamer and shoved it into the bottom of the stove to burn.

Suddenly, his mood turned sour. "I sparred with Feng Tian yesterday, and I accidentally used my internal energy then, too. Could he have realized my energy was poisonous?"

Surely he wasn't that unlucky. His energy hadn't been that strong yesterday, and he had only struck the surface of the opponent’s blade without direct contact. He shouldn't have noticed. But what if he had?

Chen Xuan's mind was restless. He left the kitchen quickly. Whether Feng Tian had noticed or not, it seemed this place was no longer safe. Should he leave now? But if he fled, wouldn't that give Feng Tian the very evidence he needed? Maybe the man was already looking for a way to trap him.

"Calm down! Stay calm!"

"If something were going to happen, it would have happened by now. The fact that I'm still here means he hasn't found anything, or at least hasn't told the elders yet. Maybe he lacks proof. I shouldn't scare myself."

"Besides, Qian Dacai used toxic poisons not long ago, and many people were exposed. Even if Feng Tian suspects something, I can claim he was affected by Qian Dacai's toxins, not my palm."

"Don't panic. If I panic, I'll fall right into his trap... Stay calm..."

Chen Xuan comforted himself. If there was going to be trouble, it would have come by now. Since no elder had come to arrest him, everything was safe for the moment. He finally settled his nerves and turned his attention to his tasks.