“Chen Xiaoge, is this enough? If not, I have more, old man,” Zhang Dabo asked.
“Hmm…” Chen Ping'an surveyed the sand and gravel piled in the corner of the yard.
The second stage of Iron Cloth training required him to remove his clothes and continuously roll in the sand and gravel. This would allow his shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, arms, and other body parts to constantly make contact and rub against the sand and gravel, allowing them to adapt and change.
In addition, he also needed to fall forward or backward, plunging into the sand and gravel, gradually strengthening his muscles and bones.
This meant a considerable amount of sand and gravel would be needed.
“I’ll need a bit more sand and gravel. Perhaps another four or five bamboo baskets like this,” Chen Ping'an added, glancing at Zhang Dabo.
“Zhang Dabo, I’ll pay you for all the sand and gravel at once.”
“We’re neighbors, so why talk about money? It’s just some sand and gravel; I have plenty!” Zhang Dabo said with great generosity.
Chen Ping'an's temporary Yamen Runner status might not have been impressive to people like Young Master Hu, but among the neighbors in this alley, he was quite respected.
Zhang Dabo was happy to do these small favors and build goodwill with Chen Ping'an.
“I can’t let Zhang Dabo suffer a loss,” Chen Ping'an said, not arguing with Zhang Dabo.
“Zhang Dabo, do you have any extra baskets? If so, I’ll go with you to get them, so you don’t have to make an extra trip back and forth.”
“I have some at home. That works out well,” Zhang Dabo said with a smile.
“Nannan, Zhang Dabo and I are going out for a bit.” Chen Ping'an left this message and walked off with Zhang Dabo.
Behind Zhang Dabo’s house, there was a sizable empty plot of land where a lot of sand and gravel was piled. Although sand and gravel might seem insignificant, they had many uses. Therefore, Zhang Dabo had stockpiled quite a bit.
“Chen Xiaoge, the baskets at my house are a bit large. You can use this basket of mine; it’ll be less effort,” Zhang Dabo said, taking out two noticeably larger wicker baskets, with coarse cloth layered around the edges to prevent the sand and gravel from spilling.
“It’s fine. Zhang Dabo, don’t let my lean appearance fool you; I have quite a bit of strength,” Chen Ping'an said, patting his chest.
At Qi Blood Level One Perfection, let alone carrying these two baskets, even carrying four at once would be a piece of cake for him.
Zhang Dabo’s face clearly showed disbelief. The baskets he normally used were already larger than standard ones, and the two he had just brought out from his house were extra-large. The bamboo used for weaving the baskets was specially reinforced with ropes. If these large baskets were filled, even a strong adult man would find them extremely strenuous, let alone the thin and weak Chen Xiaoge in front of him.
He himself, having moved sand for many years, found it quite difficult to use these two baskets. Having worked all day today, using these extra-large baskets would be even more strenuous. That's why he hadn't used these two baskets to bring the sand to the door earlier.
However, Zhang Dabo didn't argue, thinking it was a young man trying to save face, and he handed the baskets to Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an then took the shovel and filled both wicker baskets to the brim.
“Chen Xiaoge, this sand and gravel may look light to you, but it’s actually not,” Zhang Dabo reminded him.
“It’s nothing,” Chen Ping'an replied.
Once Zhang Dabo’s basket was filled with sand and gravel, the two of them lifted them together and started walking out.
“He really lifted it,” Zhang Dabo glanced at Chen Ping'an.
He had initially thought Chen Ping'an would quickly give up, but to his surprise, Chen Ping'an walked all the way to his house without even breathing heavily, appearing completely effortless.
“This…” Zhang Dabo was utterly stunned, having witnessed something truly impressive.
“He truly lives up to being someone who works at the Zhenfu Division; he’s indeed extraordinary.”
…
With the sand and gravel sorted, Chen Ping'an eagerly began to try the new training method for Iron Cloth.
The sand and gravel were spread evenly on the ground, and Chen Ping'an removed his clothes, lying naked on them. If an ordinary person were to do this, they would likely feel uncomfortable all over. After all, sand and gravel are not the same as sand; many of the small stones within them have sharp edges. One careless move, and the skin could easily be cut.
However, for Chen Ping'an, who had achieved Minor Achievement in Iron Cloth, it was nothing out of the ordinary; he even found it somewhat comfortable.
Achieving success in skin refinement, making it like thin oxhide, was no joke.
Chen Ping'an lay naked in the sand and gravel and began to roll. To effectively practice Iron Cloth, he needed to ensure the sand and gravel made full contact with his shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, and arms.
Each roll allowed him to effectively train every part of his body. Compared to rubbing his body with his hands, this method was undoubtedly much more efficient.
Iron Cloth primarily focused on tempering the upper body; while there was some tempering of the lower body, the effect was relatively ordinary.
Chen Ping'an rolled in the sand and gravel, using them to continuously rub his body. Chen Er'ya, standing by, was completely dumbfounded.
This was sand and gravel!
What would her brother's skin look like after rolling in this?
Xiao Yatou couldn't help but feel a little worried.
However, after observing for a while, she found that the scene she had imagined did not occur. Chen Ping'an's skin, which looked delicate, displayed an indescribable toughness at this moment.
How long had her brother been practicing martial arts?! First, his strength allowed him to lift water vats, and now his skin had become so tough. Her brother…
He was truly a Martial Dao Genius!
The new training method for Iron Cloth indeed provided immense assistance. In just a little over half an hour, a “+1” experience symbol flashed across Chen Ping'an’s vision.
Feeling his own condition, Chen Ping'an did not stop but continued.
After another little over half an hour, the “+1” experience symbol appeared again.
“Again!” Feeling his skin starting to ache, but still within a tolerable range, Chen Ping'an gritted his teeth, hardened his resolve, and decided to continue.
Thus, after another little over half an hour, a “+1” experience symbol appeared. When Chen Ping'an stood up from the sand and gravel, his skin was completely red, looking extremely terrifying.
“Brother~” Chen Er'ya rushed forward with a pained heart. However, seeing her brother's skin red and faintly streaked with blood, she ultimately stopped halfway.
“Are you alright? Does it hurt?!” Xiao Yatou was heartbroken.
“I’m fine,” Chen Ping'an said with a smile, revealing his perfectly white teeth.
He looked disheveled on the outside, but his gains were extremely gratifying.
Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Qi Blood Level One Perfection
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Minor Achievement (8/40)
...
“Three points of experience in one go!” Chen Ping'an was thrilled.
This meant that the new training method for Iron Cloth had once again increased the efficiency of his Martial Dao cultivation and experience accumulation.
“However…” Chen Ping'an looked at his own red, blood-streaked skin.
“I can only practice like this at night. In the morning, two practice sessions will be enough!”
He had to go to work in the morning, and if he looked like this, it would be too terrifying. His body could be hidden by clothes, but his arms could not.