The direct distance between Liding County and Yangshuo County is only forty to fifty li, but due to the crisscrossing water network and the lack of bridges, many miles of detours are required. Large groups find it difficult to move, and scattered refugees also end up traveling many unnecessary paths.
Coming out from Centipede Mountain.
On the third day.
Chen Jichuan followed Bao Zhongliang's group of over a hundred people, and before noon, they finally arrived at the checkpoint set up by the Lishui Gang.
Routine inspections and roadside questioning.
Though intimidating at first glance, in practice, it was not too strict. As long as one didn't carry weapons, most were allowed to pass.
Liding County had been lost.
Jianling County appeared to be on the verge of being lost as well.
The Lishui Gang was currently in need of manpower, accepting anyone who came.
Chen Jichuan and Chen Shaohu had long since discarded those two Goose Wing Blades, and they passed through easily.
When they were nearing Yangshuo County, the two brothers quietly walked aside and regrouped.
...
"Fourth Brother."
"Where to now?"
Chen Shaohu looked around at the desolate surroundings, devoid of human traces, and spoke up.
They were already on the borders of Yangshuo County.
Having just escaped from the Black Prison, they were utterly destitute, not even a single copper coin on them. Now that they had arrived in Yangshuo County, the unavoidable issue they faced was—
Money!
As the saying goes: "With money, you can travel the world; without it, you can't take a single step!"
Being penniless.
There was absolutely nothing they could do.
However, the immediate priority wasn't earning money—it was familiarizing themselves with Yangshuo County, essential for their own safety.
Earning money?
Chen Jichuan's medical skills could earn him the title of Divine Doctor in the Great Yann World. Combined with his ability to scale walls and roofs, he could use his medical expertise as a cover while sneaking into the mansions of the greedy and wicked during the night.
Openly earning money.
Secretly stealing funds.
He wouldn't lack for gold and silver.
The only concern would be safety.
For the former, he had to mind his boundaries.
The words "Regret killing that Huaa Tuo" echoed like a warning bell, proving that not everyone reveres physicians, no matter how renowned.
For the latter, even greater caution was needed.
While Abnormal People were rare, who could guarantee there weren't any hidden within those high walls? Moreover, Martial Artists were rampant nowadays, and many were highly skilled.
If he made a mistake.
Escaping would be ideal.
But if he couldn't escape?
He'd end up "dancing in shackles."
"Even with the skills, earning money isn't easy."
Chen Jichuan shook his head and said to Chen Shaohu: "For now, let's find a place outside the city to settle down. Yangshuo County has a lot of rivers, lakes, hills, and peaks. Fishing and hunting can sustain us. Once we've familiarized ourselves with Yangshuo County, we'll plan further steps."
Just as well.
They could use this period of time to rigorously train in martial arts, striving to catch up to the level they'd attained in the Great Yann World.
Moreover.
Neither Wusheng Sect nor the Lishui Gang would be easy to confront given their influence.
To overthrow them.
It required careful planning.
But they couldn't take too long—
"The Wusheng Sect has the Black Prison, and the Black Prison contains Spirit Stones."
"Once they discover the purpose of Spirit Stones, whether they nurture numerous Abnormal People or train elite experts, they'll be far more difficult to deal with."
...
Thus.
Chen Jichuan and Chen Shaohu settled down on Haitang Mountain, located about ten li outside Yangshuo County.
Haitang Mountain was adjacent to Yi River, with a lake nearby and about a hundred families scattered along the riverbanks and lake shores, collectively called 'Haitang Village.'
The brothers lived in a secluded valley in the sparsely inhabited Haitang Mountain, drawing little attention.
On most days.
Fishing.
Hunting.
Trading their catch at the market seven or eight li away for essentials like white rice, oil, salt, and vinegar.
Occasionally, they went into the county to walk around and observe, gaining much insight into Yangshuo County and the Lishui Gang.
Meanwhile, their martial arts practice never ceased.
Lack of funds meant they couldn't buy medicinal herbs.
And many training tools, like iron sand, iron boards, iron stakes, and sharp blades, required money as well.
They had to make do with wood, stone stakes, millstones, and sand for equipment.
Without herbs, they had to endure the pain, using Source Power as a substitute.
Fortunately, they never lacked for meat, white rice, or salt each day. Compared to their harsh conditions in the Black Prison, this was worlds better.
Thus.
By day, they practiced martial arts, hunted, and fished. At night, they entered the Great Yann World, refining their understanding of Ming Strength and dark strength.
Time flowed by in reality.
Years passed in the Great Yann World.
Source Power was consumed bit by bit, never replenished.
Days blurred into weeks.
Another month passed.
...
One day.
The sun shone brightly.
In the deep forest east of Haitang Mountain.
Chen Jichuan set his clothes aside, utterly bare, holding a brick forged of bronze and iron—a foot long, six inches wide, and one and a half inches thick. He gripped the center of the brick with one hand, using its edges to strike various parts of his body—
Bam!
Bam!
Starting with his upper and lower arms, alternating between sides, from light strikes to heavy blows, each arm receiving a hundred hits. Then his legs: holding the brick with his right hand to strike his left leg, and vice versa. Next were his chest and abdomen, switching sides like before while holding the brick. Lastly came his back.
Throughout the strikes, Chen Jichuan mustered his qi to its fullest.
He struck once every breath, exhaling after each hit and then gathering qi for the next strike.
Exhale!
Inhale!
Exhale!
Inhale!
Once his limbs and torso were thoroughly struck, Chen Jichuan moved on to his knees, elbows, crown, forehead, and the back of his head.
The constant sound of strikes was relentless.
If an ordinary person witnessed this, they'd surely assume Chen Jichuan's body was forged of solid iron, unbelievably tough.
Chen Jichuan remained unfazed.
The skill he practiced, 'Impact Training,' was designed to harden muscles through repeated blows.
Beginning with wooden bricks, progressing to fired bricks, and finally to iron bricks.
Striking every part required coordination with 'Sealing Mouth and Firming Qi Skill,' or damage to internal organs would shorten one's lifespan.
The hardest areas to train were the head as well as the knees and elbows.
But Chen Jichuan had already mastered Iron Head Skill, Overlord Elbow, and Iron Knee Skill, reinforcing these areas.
When paired with Impact Training, his progress was rapid.
The iron brick struck his crown, emitting faint metallic sounds.
Chen Jichuan's smooth and gleaming bald head had been trained to rival iron and stone.
Exhale!
Exhale!
By mid-morning.
Practicing Impact Training left his entire body aching.
Chen Jichuan mobilized his Source Power to heal each part.
"Again!"
"Continue!"
He then shifted to the deserted woods, practicing Iron Bull Skill, Jade Belt Skill, Water Dividing Skill, Golden Shovel Finger, Iron Broom Technique, Golden Blade Changing Palm Technique, Eagle Claw Skill, Iron Head Skill, Iron Arm Skill, Iron Knee Skill, Door Groin Skill, Overlord Elbow, Cupping Skill, Mountain Pulling Skill, foot shooting skill, leg kick skill, Lute Skill, and other martial arts techniques.
When proficient enough.
He donned sand clothes, tied on sandbags, and trained in Land Flying Skill, Flying Skill, Flying Eave Wall Walking Skill, Running Board Skill, Light Body Skill, Window Penetration Skill, Gecko Wall-Climbing Skill, Flipping Technique, Jumping Skill, One-Line Pass, transversal technique, and other movement techniques.
The scorching sun shone overhead.
He sweated profusely, as if under heavy rain.
Decades of grueling practice in the Great Yann World had embedded its nuances deeply in his mind.
In reality.
Chen Jichuan's task was to guide his physical body through this routine.
With Source Power as aid.
His progress was swift.
Chen Jichuan sprinted through the forest, jumping and leaping, alternating between high and low terrain. From south to north, then west to east.
Training persistently without pause.
During this month living at Haitang Mountain, Chen Jichuan practiced rigorously.
Source Power continued to deplete visibly, which was disheartening. But compared to his rapid advancements in strength, the heartache was trivial.
Power.
Speed.
Reflexes.
All facets improved, with clear signs of enhancement, leaving Chen Jichuan enamored with the results.
Despite the hardship, he found joy amidst the struggle.
Running through the woods.
Running under the blazing sun.
The mountainous terrain was tough to navigate, especially with Chen Jichuan wearing sand clothes and carrying sandbags totaling eighty to ninety jin.
He ran nonstop for seventy to eighty li.
Even for him, the exertion left him struggling for breath, panting heavily, feeling like his chest was ablaze, with the air he inhaled seemingly burning hot.
The sensation was far from pleasant.
Chen Jichuan persevered, continuing his run.
He pressed on for another two to three li.
Suddenly.
Noises came from up ahead.
"Someone?"
Chen Jichuan's flushed face and sweat-soaked appearance made him decide to hide as usual.
So he paused.
He concealed himself behind a tree, waiting for the people ahead to pass.
While resting.
While peeking forward to see who might be venturing into this deep forest.
"Hmm?"
Upon seeing.
His spirits immediately lifted.