After returning to his small villa, Li Changsheng began to practice the Chest Strengthening Technique. At first, the process required him to sense the qi and blood within his chest. Using the high-quality Bai Ling secret medicine as an aid, he succeeded in just one day.
Once he felt the flow of qi and blood in his chest, he diligently practiced the technique. One by one, the high-quality Bai Ling secret medicines were consumed, and the progress of his Chest Strengthening Technique was astonishing. Within a few days, he reached the level of skin resurfacing.
This remarkable advancement was not only a result of his physical strength but primarily due to the superior quality of the Bai Ling secret medicine. When his stock of high-quality medicine ran out, he quickly refined more, ensuring an uninterrupted supply.
Five more days passed, and Li Changsheng's chest stone skin reached the Basic Accomplishment level. However, the martial art itself remained at the introductory stage. His comprehension ability was average, and his martial arts attainments were not particularly high. Yet, the abundance of high-quality secret medicine allowed him to progress rapidly.
"If my martial arts skills were at a higher level," Li Changsheng mused, "this combination with high-quality Bai Ling secret medicine would make my progress truly terrifying. But for now, I must rely on what I have."
After a month of focused practice, Li Changsheng brought the Chest Strengthening Technique to the peak level of Basic Accomplishment. His chest had achieved the perfect realm of Stone Skin. This transformation resulted in a significant increase in his energy, blood, physical fitness, and overall combat strength. With his hands, legs, and chest all perfected to Stone Skin, he needed a new martial art to further his cultivation.
"Master probably won't provide me with another skin-grinding martial art," Li Changsheng thought. "If I request another technique, he'll definitely refuse. My rapid progress will raise too many suspicions—even with the explanation of an alchemist's help."
He decided to seek other avenues. "The black market might hold the answers I need."
Returning to the black market, Li Changsheng scoured the stalls for skin-grinding martial arts. Most of the offerings were incomplete or dubious in quality—far too risky to practice. Suddenly, he recognized the stall owner who had previously sold him the Cang Yuan Medicine Manual. The man had changed his inventory for the day.
"Little brother, back again?" the stall owner greeted with a sly smile. "What are you looking for this time? I've got genuine goods."
"I'll decide whether they're genuine or not," Li Changsheng replied. "Do you have reliable skin-grinding martial arts—anything other than techniques for the hands, legs, or chest?"
The stall owner's eyes widened in surprise. "You've already mastered those? That means... full-body skin resurfacing?"
Realizing Li Changsheng's ambition, the stall owner grew cautious. Full-body skin resurfacing was a rare path, pursued only by the most determined or those with exceptional resources. Offending someone on such a path was unwise.
"Little brother," the stall owner said carefully, "I don't have the type of martial arts you're looking for. Techniques for the hands and legs are common, but for other areas, they're extremely rare. Even if someone sold them here, would you dare to trust them?"
"Do you know where I can find reliable techniques?" Li Changsheng pressed.
The stall owner grinned. "One hundred taels of silver, and I'll tell you."
Li Changsheng frowned. "Don't suggest joining a gang or a family. I won't be tied down by any organization. I have my own power and elders, but I don't want them to know about this."
"Fair enough," the stall owner replied. "For one hundred taels, I'll give you a method that guarantees results."
After a brief hesitation, Li Changsheng handed over the silver. The stall owner leaned in and whispered, "Consider becoming an external employee of the Demon Suppression Division. You won't officially join, so you'll keep your freedom. You can take missions for money and earn merit points to exchange for rare skin-grinding martial arts."
The Demon Suppression Division was a royal organization tasked with eliminating demonic threats. In Baiye City, a major hub of the Daqi Dynasty, the division's influence was limited to the outer towns. The inner city was beyond their jurisdiction, leaving them in an awkward position. Despite this, their operations were respected, and their duties remained focused on combating monsters, avoiding political entanglements.
Li Changsheng weighed the pros and cons. Becoming an external member offered freedom, resources, and access to rare techniques. Though the missions carried risks, the path of martial cultivation was inherently dangerous. The opportunity to strengthen himself outweighed the potential dangers.
After verifying the information, Li Changsheng left the black market and headed to the Demon Suppression Division in Baiye Town. Upon arrival, he stated his purpose directly.
The division, always in need of manpower, welcomed him without hesitation. After verifying that he wasn't a demon, they tested his cultivation and formally registered him as an external employee.
As an external member, Li Changsheng could choose his assignments, earning merit points at his own pace. These points could be exchanged for resources, techniques, or even specialized training. The flexibility of this arrangement suited his goals perfectly.
Over the next few days, Li Changsheng familiarized himself with the operations of the Demon Suppression Division. He observed the types of missions available, ranging from reconnaissance to direct combat with monsters. Each mission was ranked by difficulty, with corresponding merit point rewards.
His first mission was a reconnaissance task in the outskirts of Baiye Town, where sightings of a low-level demon had been reported. Though the mission seemed simple, Li Changsheng treated it with utmost seriousness. He prepared meticulously, gathering information and ensuring he had sufficient supplies.
The mission proved to be a valuable learning experience. While the demon was ultimately no match for his perfected Stone Skin techniques, the encounter taught him the importance of strategy and adaptability in battle. With the successful completion of his task, he earned his first batch of merit points.
Li Changsheng's path was set. With the resources of the Demon Suppression Division at his disposal, he could continue his journey toward full-body Stone Skin perfection. Yet, the challenges ahead promised to test not just his strength, but his determination and resilience as well.