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"A true master must be able to endure loneliness!"
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Soaking in the bath, Su Changkong washed away the day's fatigue. Such daily life was indeed exhausting and made him feel out of place among the others at Black Iron Manor. Yet, feeling his continuous growth in strength, he relished it.
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Su Changkong's life was peaceful and fulfilling. Practicing the Five Animal Frolics morning and evening, forging during the day, using the hammer in place of the sword to practice the Iron Cutting Blade Technique—Su Changkong was making steady progress in all aspects!
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His appetite grew, as did his age. Su Changkong's body was like a block of iron constantly being hammered into steel, becoming more refined. Compared to the others at Black Iron Manor, he emanated an aura of sharpness that was hidden and not easily revealed.
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Having reached the Mastering Stage of the Five Animal Frolics, Su Changkong practiced diligently. Coupled with the daily consumption of Body Strengthening Soup, his progress in the Five Animal Frolics was accelerating, and he could clearly feel his physical condition continuing to strengthen.
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What surprised Su Changkong even more was that as his body grew stronger and his Five Animal Frolics improved continuously, his internal organs felt a warm and toasty sensation and became more robust. Although this did not cause his strength and speed to skyrocket, it did allow his stamina and endurance to keep improving!
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With greater lung capacity and stronger heart blood supply, Su Changkong could even maintain a steady running speed of nearly ten meters per second for the duration of one or two sticks of incense!
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Su Changkong had tried it: running dozens of miles in half an hour, going from Black Iron Manor to Clearwater City. His endurance was gradually approaching that of stamina-excellent animals like horses and deer.
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"Before long, I should be able to run sixty to seventy miles in one hour without stopping, back and forth between Black Iron Manor and Clearwater City!"
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Su Changkong was exhilarated. To run sixty to seventy miles in one hour was undeniably a speed and stamina not possessed by ordinary people!
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As for the Iron Cutting Blade Technique, he also made stable progress, moving beyond the threshold and stepping into the Beginner's Path, continuously climbing towards higher peaks!
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As spring turned to autumn and winter came again, the weather grew extremely cold. In the early mornings, a layer of frost covered the leaves, and the chilly air one breathed in could sting the throat and lungs.
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In a small grove outside Black Iron Manor, Su Changkong practiced the Five Animal Frolics, radiating warmth from his body. The air he exhaled also carried a scorching breath, dispelling the biting cold, like a fierce tiger.
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"My Five Animal Frolics have finally broken through again!"
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Feeling the burning sensation coming from his organs, Su Changkong couldn't help but show a hint of a smile.
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Even though Su Changkong had a potential value of 7 points, drank Body Strengthening Soup every day, and practiced diligently, it still took him a full year for the Five Animal Frolics to achieve another breakthrough!
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Name: Su Changkong (15 years old)
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Lifespan: 60 years
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Potential Points: 8 points
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Mastered Martial Arts: Five Animal Frolics (5th realm Stand Out 1%), Iron Cutting Blade Technique (4th realm Mastering Stage 7%)
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Mastered Skills: Forging (4th realm Mastering Stage 16%)
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Opening his attribute panel, Su Changkong saw that his lifespan had increased by another 5 years and his potential points had increased by 1 point, which was within his expectations—the growth of lifespan and potential points was becoming increasingly difficult!
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As for his Five Animal Frolics, it had advanced from the 4th realm Mastering Stage to the 5th realm Stand Out, and his Iron Cutting Blade Technique and forging had both reached the Mastering Stage!
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With a flick of his toes, Su Changkong sent a stone the size of a bowl flying into the air. His sword hung at his waist, and suddenly, he drew it. A cold blade light chopped down from above.
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"Ssst!"
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In the crisp sound of splitting, the hard stone fell to the ground, cleanly cut in two—the break so smooth it was like a mirror.
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Having reached the Mastering Stage of the Iron Cutting Blade Technique, its sharpness was now evident. With Su Changkong's strength and skill added, a single strike could easily split the hard rock, and even sever an enemy's weapon!
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Breaking through to the 5th realm Stand Out of the Five Animal Frolics not only further improved Su Changkong's physical fitness but, most importantly, his internal organs underwent a degree of tempering, becoming more robust, leading to a significant boost in both stamina and endurance.
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Su Changkong was now capable of running at a speed of ten meters per second, continuously covering a distance of nearly a hundred miles. It was quite astonishing!
"Let's go back."
With a breath, Su Changkong sheathed his sword and returned to Black Iron Manor.
As usual, after breakfast, Su Changkong would enter the workshop to forge swords and blades.
With his enhanced physical strength and improved forging skills, Su Changkong could now craft 6 to 7 qualified weapons a month, making him the most efficient among all the Forging Masters in Black Iron Manor!
The workshop was ablaze with fire, and the sound of metal striking metal was incessant; Su Changkong had thought that today would pass calmly like any other day, but it did not turn out to be so!
"Dang dang dang dang!"
The urgent ringing of bells resounded throughout the entire Black Iron Manor, the sound clear and unending.
"What happened? This is a warning!"
Inside the workshop, all the blacksmiths ceased their work, faces subtly changing.
Only in the morning were there chimes for timekeeping. Now, nearing noon, the continuous, urgent chimes clearly indicated a warning—something unexpected had occurred!
Everyone stopped their tasks and made their way outside.
At this moment, fine snowflakes fluttered in the sky, accompanied by a cold wind that chilled to the bone.
"Bandits are coming! Everyone, grab your weapons! Grab your weapons!"
Shouts came from atop the high walls, the gates of Black Iron Manor tightly shut.
"Bandits?" Su Changkong was somewhat surprised as well.
Black Iron Manor made its living from crafting weapons, housed a hundred or so people, with many young and strong men, and was amply supplied with weapons. It had the strength to protect itself, and ordinary bandits did not dare to gnaw at this tough bone!
And now, in this freezing cold, bandits had attacked!
Su Changkong immediately returned to his room to fetch his Iron-Cutting Sword, while the rest of the Black Iron Manor members also held swords and blades in their hands, some even carrying hammers, each with a stern look on their face.
In these troubled times, Black Iron Manor was not only their means of livelihood but also their sanctuary for safety. Facing an external enemy, they needed to stand together!
Su Changkong also climbed atop the high walls of the manor and looked into the distance.
Through the snowstorm, there were several riders on tall horses, each dressed differently, with fierce demeanors, armed with swords and other weapons, numbering in the dozens.
What caught Su Changkong's attention the most was the burly man leading them.
The burly man had a beard around his jaw, a scarf made of animal skin around his neck, and eyes as large as copper bells that emitted a captivating glow, making it difficult for one to look directly at him. He rode on the back of a fine horse, carrying a hammer-like weapon over a meter long with a head the size of a face.
Judging by their attire and quality equipment, these people were clearly not ordinary rabble!
"Villa Owner Mo of Black Iron Manor, why not show yourself?"
The dozens of riders stopped outside the gates of Black Iron Manor, the bearded burly man calling out with a loud voice.
These bandits had clearly done their research on Black Iron Manor beforehand, knowing that Mo Tie was the Manor Lord!