"Yes, no matter what kind of martial arts, they are divided into Low-Grade martial arts, Intermediate martial arts, Upper martial arts, and Ultimate martial arts," Du Hai explained, his tone steady as he imparted his knowledge.
"For example, the Qinggang Hand martial art we practice in the Qinggang Martial Arts School belongs to the category of Low-Grade martial arts among skin-grinding techniques. At most, it can help you cultivate to the Stone Skin Realm. However, it cannot aid your cultivation to the Iron Skin Realm or beyond. Intermediate martial arts can help a Stone Skin Martial Artist break through to the Iron Skin and Copper Skin Realms. Advanced martial arts, on the other hand, are capable of guiding a practitioner to the Silver Skin Realm. However, such advanced martial arts are considered core treasures by major forces and are rarely accessible."
Ye Chen listened intently. He knew his journey had only just begun. After all, his recent breakthrough to the Stone Skin Realm had been achieved primarily through the Qinggang Hand—a basic technique in the Qinggang Martial Arts School. He was aware that there was a long road ahead.
"Senior Brother, what is your current cultivation realm?" Ye Chen asked curiously.
Du Hai chuckled before answering. "I am currently in the Great Accomplishment stage of the Iron Skin Realm."
Hearing this, Ye Chen felt both admiration and a deep sense of urgency. He had only just touched upon the foundation of the Stone Skin Realm, while Du Hai was leagues ahead, steadily progressing toward greater heights.
Through their conversation, Ye Chen learned about the broader structure of the Qinggang Martial Arts School. Several of its senior disciples had successfully reached the Iron Skin Realm, but none had managed to break through to the Copper Skin Realm. It seemed that the Bone Refining Realm was the ultimate goal for most disciples, as it provided the foundation for true strength. The few true disciples of the school who had reached the Bone Refining Realm were considered the backbone of the organization.
As for Xu He, the master of the Qinggang Martial Arts School, his cultivation level remained a mystery. Du Hai mentioned in a hushed tone that even he didn't dare to speculate about their master's true strength.
After their discussion ended, Du Hai left, leaving Ye Chen to reflect on what he had learned.
"The Qinggang Hand can only help me reach the perfection of the Stone Skin Realm. But if I want to push beyond that, I'll need Intermediate martial arts," Ye Chen muttered to himself.
For now, however, Ye Chen decided to focus on the basics. The simplified version of Qinggang Hand he had practiced earlier was already leagues behind the full version he had recently acquired. Mastering it would be a monumental task.
---
The following days were marked by intense training. Ye Chen purchased the Qingyuan Secret Medicine from the martial arts school to aid his practice. The full version of Qinggang Hand was far more potent than the simplified one, but the path of cultivation was steep. Progressing from the Basic Accomplishment stage to the Great Accomplishment stage of the Stone Skin Realm required immense effort and time.
"Cultivation in the Stone Skin Realm is painfully slow. Let alone reaching the Iron Skin Realm or beyond," Ye Chen murmured one night, frustration evident in his voice.
His aptitude was average at best, and he knew that without some external advantage, his journey would stagnate. The thought of his second Dao Fruit brought him a glimmer of hope. In just a few months, he hoped it would significantly boost his cultivation speed.
---
Realizing the limitations of his current efforts, Ye Chen turned his attention to forging. He believed that by advancing his forging skill and reaching Dao Fruit Level 2, he might uncover new possibilities.
Time flew by as Ye Chen devoted himself to both his martial arts and forging practice. He immersed himself in the relentless hammering of metal, his mastery of the Diamond Hammer Technique slowly improving. A month later, Ye Chen finally stood on the cusp of a breakthrough.
---
On this particular day, Ye Chen was forging a Ninth-Grade armor weapon as usual. By now, his skill had surpassed the other blacksmiths in Li Ji's blacksmith shop, earning him a place of respect and authority.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The rhythmic sound of his hammer filled the air as Ye Chen struck the armor embryo. Suddenly, something clicked within him. His mastery of the Diamond Hammer Technique surged, reaching the realm of perfection.
"Perfected… The Diamond Hammer Technique has been perfected!" Ye Chen's excitement was palpable.
He resumed forging the armor with renewed vigor. Moments later, as the final strike landed, a wave of energy surged within him. His Dao Fruit of Forging had finally broken through to Level 2.
Boom!
A torrent of forging knowledge flooded his mind. Techniques, principles, and methods he had never dreamed of mastering suddenly became clear.
At that moment, Ye Chen realized he had the capability to forge Eighth-Grade weapons.
---
Ninth-Grade weapons were standard for Stone Skin, Iron Skin, and Copper Skin Martial Artists. However, Eighth-Grade weapons were far more formidable and were typically wielded only by Bone Refining Realm experts. Forging such weapons required rare materials like hundred-refined iron and immense skill.
Determined to test his newfound ability, Ye Chen began hammering away at a piece of refined iron, aiming to forge it into hundred-refined iron.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal being tempered filled the workshop. With every strike, the refined iron grew tougher and denser.
Twenty refinements… Thirty refinements… Fifty refinements…
An hour later, drenched in sweat, Ye Chen finally completed his task.
"A piece of hundred-refined iron… It's done!" He held the metal in his hands, marveling at its weight and resilience.
---
Ye Chen's achievement did not go unnoticed. Li Han, the head blacksmith, approached him with a mixture of awe and excitement.
"Ye Chen, you've forged hundred-refined iron?!" Li Han exclaimed.
"Yes," Ye Chen replied humbly.
"With this level of skill, you could participate in the Blacksmiths' Conference in White Night City! If you succeed, you could earn the right to reside in the inner city!"
"The Blacksmiths' Conference?" Ye Chen asked, intrigued.
Li Han explained, "It's an annual event organized by the Blacksmith Guild. Hundreds of blacksmiths compete, and the rewards include secret medicines, martial arts, and most importantly, the right to live in the inner city. For someone like you, this is an incredible opportunity!"
Ye Chen's eyes gleamed with determination. "Master Li Han, when can I sign up?"
"Registration opens next month. I'll take you there," Li Han promised.
"Thank you, Master Li Han," Ye Chen said, bowing respectfully.
As he looked at the hundred-refined iron in his hands, Ye Chen felt a surge of confidence. His path was set. The Blacksmiths' Conference would be his first step toward greater heights.