134: Chapter 134 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (Eighty-Two)

This day, Chu Shi slowly opened his eyes in the cultivation room. He had finally reached the peak of the Iron Skin Realm.

No, perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it the perfection of the Iron Skin Realm.

He looked within his dantian and saw three hundred and sixty strands of crimson-gold true qi, connected end-to-end, echoing the number of the celestial cycle, forming a perfect circle.

Everything was so harmonious, natural, and powerful.

Returning to his senses, Chu Shi unconsciously rubbed the faint, almost invisible scar on his left shoulder with his fingertips, a hint of complexity flashing in his eyes.

His thoughts drifted, as if it were only yesterday.

For over a year, he had been traveling and completing missions with Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan, Princess Xiao Xiao, and Wang Teng; their days had been incredibly fulfilling.

Although Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan was the Seventh Prince of the Canglan Princes Mansion, he was born to a concubine and was not favored.

His arrival at the Great Sun Holy Land was also because he had been squeezed out by his legitimate brothers.

Coupled with the need to support the dozen or so subordinates who had followed him out of the mansion, his days were stretched thin.

Wang Teng had many brothers, and resources had long been skewed toward his legitimate older brother.

As for himself, there was no need to mention it; he was also born to a concubine and had quite a few siblings.

Moreover, the Chu family's foundation was shallow, having only risen to prominence a few hundred years ago, and they couldn't even make a splash in a place like the Great Sun Holy Land.

Only Princess Xiao Xiao, as the only legitimate daughter of this generation in the Canglan Princes Mansion, had been pampered since childhood and had absolutely no pressure regarding resources.

Yet, she was willing to eat dry rations and sleep in mountain caves with them.

The four of them grew closer and closer through constant cultivation and trials.

However, the true bond where they could entrust their backs to one another appeared on a certain day half a year ago.

The secret technique to polish those three hundred and sixty strands of perfect true qi was also obtained on that day.

At that time, they were hunting a Copper Bone Realm Iron-Spined Bear.

Everything was normal at first, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be a pack of bears.

Two Iron Skin Realm peak Iron-Spined Bears, hiding in the shadows, launched a fatal sneak attack from behind Princess Xiao Xiao.

He had lunged forward instinctively to block that claw.

It was this block that caused their feelings to rapidly heat up, and they became partners who could truly entrust their lives to each other.

On the battlefield afterward, as he was bandaging his wounds, he mentioned offhandedly that his one hundred and eighty strands of true qi were about to reach perfection and he was preparing to break through to the Copper Bone Realm upon returning.

He was stopped by Princess Xiao Xiao with a serious face, who revealed the secret that overturned his understanding.

It turned out that the limit of one hundred and eighty strands of true qi, which the world held as the golden standard, was merely an incomplete standard of the secular world.

True perfection in the Iron Skin Realm was the circulation of three hundred and sixty strands of true qi in a celestial cycle, achieving a state of complete, seamless iron-ordering.

At that time, he had subconsciously turned his head and glared at Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan, thinking, "We are brothers, how could you not tell me about such an important matter?"

The latter could only smile bitterly and spread his hands. As an unfavored concubine-born son, how could he have access to such secrets?

Wang Teng also shook his head; although the Wang family was considered a large family in the Qingyan Province, they clearly couldn't touch such core secret techniques that could influence the upper limits of the martial path.

Finally, Princess Xiao Xiao bit her lip and made up her mind; under the condition that they all swore not to spread it, she passed on the secret technique of the Canglan Princes Mansion to them.

That was how Chu Shi achieved his perfection today.

In the days that followed, their bond grew stronger, and they were almost inseparable.

The only thing that hadn't changed was Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan's enthusiasm for playing matchmaker between him and Princess Xiao Xiao.

That expression of "My family's cabbage has finally been found by a good pig to root" always left Chu Shi feeling helpless.

"Big Brother, you are so enthusiastic, have you considered your sister, have you considered your father!"

"You creepy guy!"

Rubbing his temples, Chu Shi took a deep breath, suppressing the thoughts in his heart.

Next, it was time to go to the peak to pay respects to his master.

That old geezer had specifically instructed him after he came out of the Iron Melting Cave that when he reached the peak of the Iron Skin Realm, he should not rush to break through and must go find him.

Thinking about it now, it was probably to tell him about the state of perfection.

Tsk tsk tsk, now that he was going to see him directly in the state of perfection, it would surely give him a big surprise.

Moreover, since there was an unknown perfection in the Iron Skin Realm, could it be that one hundred percent iron-ordering was also not the most perfect?

Most importantly, he was currently penniless, so he had to squeeze some gold coins out of the old geezer.

By the way, he should properly condemn him for hiding the state of perfection and not telling him in advance.

What if he had accidentally broken through while out on a mission!

With the plan set, Chu Shi tidied his robes slightly and pushed open the door to leave Tingyang Courtyard.

Looking around, the mountain scenery remained the same, as if it were yesterday.

He did not linger and soon followed the winding mountain path to the peak.

At the peak of Lieyang Peak, the heat that never dissipated all year round rushed toward him.

Chu Shi stood before the Peak Master's main hall and said loudly, "Disciple Chu Shi, greets Master."

"Come in."

The interior of the main hall remained as empty and solemn as ever, with only a copper furnace, a desk, and a few chairs.

Peak Master Lieyang was sitting in the chair at the head of the room, playing with a fiery red jade pendant while savoring tea.

Seeing Chu Shi enter, he raised his eyelids and asked in a flat tone, "Reached the peak of the Iron Skin Realm?"

"Replying to Master, this disciple was lucky, and has reached the peak of the Iron Skin Realm."

Chu Shi bowed and replied respectfully.

Then, he continued, with a hidden edge in his tone. "Moreover, it is the perfect peak with three hundred and sixty strands of true qi."

"Pfft..."

Peak Master Lieyang sprayed out the tea he had just taken a sip of.

He stood up abruptly, flashed in front of Chu Shi in an instant, and ignoring any masterly airs, pressed his hand onto Chu Shi's shoulder.

In an instant, a massive amount of true qi surged into Chu Shi's body, sweeping through his limbs and bones like a tidal wave.

A moment later, Peak Master Lieyang withdrew his hand, the shock on his face impossible to hide.

It really was the perfect state of three hundred and sixty strands of true qi, circulating in a celestial cycle.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the stormy waves in his heart, and sat back down at the head of the room.

Then, he picked up his teacup and took a sip, trying to hide his loss of composure:

"Hmm, not bad."

"I had intended to talk to you about the perfect state when you came as promised."

"But I didn't expect you to have such an opportunity. Sigh, what a pity for such a good seedling for forging."

"Ah?" Chu Shi looked up at Peak Master Lieyang abruptly.

No, you old geezer, you're not even pretending anymore, are you?

"Cough, cough."

Peak Master Lieyang coughed again under Chu Shi's gaze, his old face turning slightly red.

Seeing this, Chu Shi rolled his eyes secretly.

Yet he still bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Master."

Then, he continued to ask curiously, "I wonder what secret technique is passed down by our Lieyang Peak?"

"Did Master also use the Lieyang Peak secret technique to break through back then? I heard that Master is a famous Great Cultivator of Law."

"Is there a Great Perfection beyond the state of perfection? Can this disciple break through now?"

Hearing these questions, Peak Master Lieyang tidied his appearance, looked at Chu Shi, and his expression became solemn.

"In the Iron Skin Realm, perfection is naturally the limit."

"There is no such thing as Great Perfection; the celestial cycle is seamless, and there is no further room for advancement."

"However, if you are prepared to break through, you are still lacking some things."

"And these things must be addressed through the secret technique of our Lieyang Peak. My method is not suitable for you."

Chu Shi was happy at first upon hearing this, but then his face darkened.

Pfft! You old geezer, you haven't even tried, how do you know I'm not suitable?

In fact, he had already inquired clearly with Princess Xiao Xiao and the others.

After reaching the perfection of the Iron Skin Realm, one can just break through directly; there is no more outrageous Great Perfection in this realm.

The reason he came to ask for advice was, firstly, because Peak Master Lieyang had indeed given him instructions before.

Secondly, he always felt that there should be a better method for breaking through to the Copper Bone Realm.

Now it seemed that the old geezer really had the 'Burning Technique' hidden in his hands.

Unfortunately, with no other choice, he could only continue to ask indignantly, "I wonder what this disciple is still lacking, and what I should do. Please, Master, enlighten me."

Looking at Chu Shi's indignant appearance, Peak Master Lieyang smiled slightly, and his eyes lit up instantly.