6kv Chapter 13 Stone Armor Tempering
Chapter 13 Stone Armor Tempering
A notification sound from the Mountain Cauldron rang in Yang Jin's mind:
[The remains of a strange beast, rich in life essence and earth elemental energy, have been detected.]
[Extractable components: Earth Vein Essence, Stone Badger Essence.]
[The Cauldron Master has killed a non-insectoid beast for the first time; the Mountain's Favorability has slightly increased.]
[The mountain beast 'Atu' participates in the kill, gaining combat experience and reducing the evolution requirement.]
He didn't have time to read the instructions carefully before he eagerly began to dismember the stone badger.
Next to the badger's den, a temporary slaughterhouse and kitchen were set up.
The intense stench of blood was almost tangible, mixed with the earthy and sulfurous smell unique to the earth, making people feel uncomfortable yet secretly excited.
Yang Jin's nose had long been accustomed to these mixed smells; his eyes were only on the flesh and blood of this strange beast, which contained boundless life energy.
Skinning is a skilled task, especially for such exotic beasts with overlapping scales and tightly connected skin and flesh.
Yang Jin had no suitable tools, so he could only rely on the sharpness of his short axe and his patience to peel the tough, dark red leather armor away from his flesh bit by bit.
The process was slow and laborious, but he was meticulous because this skin was the most practically valuable trophy he could currently obtain.
Once completely peeled off, it was nearly ten feet long when unfolded, thick and tough, with hard, cold scales that faintly revealed blood-red patterns, and it was quite heavy.
He carefully rolled up the precious badger skin and placed it on a dry rock.
It wasn't tanned because he didn't know how.
But we can try to take it out. Master Shi must have connections to handle it, or we can sell it directly to a knowledgeable merchant. Its value would definitely be considerable.
Next comes processing the flesh and blood.
He removed the fattest, most muscular pieces of meat from the hind leg and back, and then separately removed organs rich in blood and qi, such as the heart and liver.
The remaining portion was to be eaten by Atu, who, as a fighting partner and hero, had the right to share the spoils.
A-Tu wriggled excitedly, beginning to devour the remaining flesh and bones, especially the hard bones, which made a crisp cracking sound under its gritting teeth, clearly of great benefit to it as well.
Yang Jin then set up a campfire, skewered large chunks of badger meat onto sharpened, thick wooden sticks, and roasted them over the flames.
Unlike earthworm meat from the rock-cutting furnace, the meat of the stone badger sizzles under the flames, emitting a domineering aroma that is a mixture of the pungent smell of wild animals and the unique aroma of burnt minerals. It is more intense and more... tempting, as if the flames can transform the ferocious life force within it into a purer form of energy.
The meat chunks were roasted until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with oil dripping down, and under the firelight, they took on a dark red agate-like color.
Yang Jin tore off a piece and stuffed it into his mouth.
It has a rough and tough texture, like chewing dried beef, but with each tear, hot meat juice and a burst of hot, fiery energy explode in your mouth!
This energy was far more intense and "domineering" than the flesh and blood of the stone-carving earthworm. Like a red-hot iron hammer, it smashed into his stomach and then turned into a violent torrent that rushed to his limbs and bones!
"Hmm!"
Yang Jin grunted, his face instantly turning red, and veins bulging on his forehead.
He could feel his blood about to ignite, rushing and roaring through his veins!
The already surging blood and qi under the skin are like boiling water with hot oil thrown in, instantly boiling, expanding and surging!
[Absorb the essence of the Stone Badger's flesh and blood: Earth essence +1.5, abundant absorption of vigorous blood and vital energy!]
[Mountain Blessing Slightly Increased.]
[The essence of the Stone-Armored Badger (in trace amounts) has been integrated into the mountain cauldron; analysis in progress...]
The information about the mountain cauldron flashed by quickly, but Yang Jin had no time to look at it carefully. He was chewing the badger meat with gusto and soon finished eating it all.
Immediately, ignoring the grease on his hands, he fully activated the Demonic Ape "Rooting" posture, visualizing the towering phantom of the Demonic Ape, guiding this extremely violent energy to impact and pound every inch of his skin!
"Boom boom boom..."
This time, the muffled sounds under his skin were no longer sporadic, but rather like continuous rumbles of thunder before a summer downpour, constantly exploding within his body!
On the surface of the skin, the flush from the exercise deepened rapidly, as if it were about to bleed. Countless fine beads of sweat mixed with a little bit of grayish-black, fishy-smelling impurities were forcibly expelled from the body!
His skin is changing at a speed visible to the naked eye!
The color changes from ordinary yellowish-white to a darker yellowish-brown that is closer to earthy rocks. The texture is no longer just tight, but begins to show a strange texture that is similar to rough, polished leather, mixed with rock particles.
Pores shrink, and skin texture appears deeper and finer.
At this moment, the power of the Earth-Walking Marmoset Cauldron Spirit resonated and merged strongly with the rich "earth and stone" attribute energy in the flesh and blood of the Stone Armor Badger!
In the sea of consciousness, the phantom of the Earth-Walking Tamarin roared to the sky, its gray fur seemingly coated with a layer of dark red stone armor, becoming even more solid.
[Refining the Cauldron Spirit: Earth-Walking Marmoset (Gray)]
[Integration rate: 10.1% → 18.7%!]
[The Spirit Talent 'Weak Rock Skin' is upgraded to 'Stone Skin (Beginner)'!]
[Effects: Significantly increases skin toughness and defense; enhances resistance to blunt weapons and sharp blade cuts; improves adaptability to rocky environments; and provides minor elemental resistance (earth and fire).]
boom!
The last membrane was punctured, and the river, which had accumulated to its limit, finally broke through the dam!
Yang Jin's whole body trembled violently. All the surging blood and qi, all the surging energy, and all the accumulated foundation in his body found a unified outlet at this moment and were completely connected!
"roar--!"
He couldn't help but let out a low, beast-like roar, which, though far inferior to the Demon Ape Battle Sky, already carried a hint of unassailable weight and ferocity!
Yang Jin took a deep breath, and his blood and qi suddenly subsided, no longer displaying their violent outward manifestation, but rather, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, settling beneath his skin and circulating smoothly.
The abnormalities on the skin surface subsided, leaving only a layer of dark yellowish-brown with a strange texture and color. It no longer felt soft to the touch, but rather like a thin, tough layer of specially tanned rhinoceros hide, with the roughness and stability of rock.
Skin Refinement Realm, achieved!
Moreover, thanks to the increased fusion with the Earth-Walking Marmoset Cauldron Spirit, his "skin" is far superior to the "rough leather" skin that ordinary Skin Refining Realm martial artists can achieve by refining their blood and qi.
This is a stone skin forged from the combined power of mountain spirits and the essence of exotic beasts and rocks!
Yang Jin suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze gleaming brightly, like two cold stars in the darkness.
He got up, stretched his body, and his bones cracked with a crisp sound, full of power.
He walked to the rock wall to the side, and instead of using the axe, he stretched out his right fist, channeled a wisp of condensed blood and qi into the skin of his fist, and then slammed his fist into the hard rock wall!
boom!
With a muffled thud, the rock wall trembled slightly, and some stone dust fell.
Yang Jin withdrew his fist, and there was only a slight redness on the surface of his fist. The skin was not even broken, and he felt no pain.
On the other hand, a clear, shallow fist mark appeared where the rock wall had been hit!
He picked up the short axe again, hesitated for a moment, and then gently tapped his forearm with the back of the axe.
"Clang!"
It made a sound similar to striking hardwood, and the skin vibrated slightly, but it was still intact.
"This defense... it's too strong!"
He couldn't help but think... if only we had such high defense before... we would never have been afraid of that money-making steel wool ball again.
While Yang Jin was shocked, he also knew that ordinary skin-refining martial artists had tough skin that could withstand ordinary blows without serious injury, but if they used their flesh and blood to hit rocks or were struck with blunt weapons, they would still experience pain or even fractures.
And the defensive power of his newly formed "stone skin" has obviously exceeded that range!
He practiced the "Mountain Splitting Style" again.
This time, the axe wind howled, and even faintly brought with it a sharp whistling sound that cut through the air!
His steps became more steady and swift, and the power from his waist and hips was incredibly smooth. With a single swing of his axe, it seemed as if he could truly split the mountain rocks in front of him!
Strength, speed, coordination, and explosiveness all increase!
He felt that if he used the Mountain Splitting Strike again, its power would be at least 50% stronger than before!
"Sun Yaozu..."
Yang Jin stopped what he was doing, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
With his current strength, if he were to face Sun Yaozu again, he was confident that he wouldn't need three blows; one would be enough!
Even if Sun Yaozu's two or three ordinary bodyguards and thugs didn't have sophisticated weapons, he was confident that he could kill them all after paying a small price!
However, he immediately calmed down.
The real threat to the Sun family has never been Sun Yaozu, that good-for-nothing, but Sun Mancang and the martial artists they employ, as well as Zhao Kun, the instructor of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School, who should have already arrived.
"Skin Refining Realm... Flesh Refining Realm..."
Yang Jin pondered silently.
According to Shi Gong's vague description and the rumors the original owner had heard, the first three realms of a martial artist are skin refining, flesh refining, and bone refining.
Skin refinement is primarily for defense, flesh refinement is primarily for strength, and bone refinement is primarily for the root.
He is currently at the Skin Refining Realm, but thanks to the "Stone Skin" characteristic, his defensive power may be comparable to or even slightly surpass that of an ordinary Skin Refining Master.
In terms of attack power, with the Demonic Ape Visualization as a foundation, his strength is not weak. Coupled with the Mountain Splitting Strike, it should be comparable to the fists and feet that an ordinary skin-refining martial artist has painstakingly trained.
But what about the Flesh Refining Realm?
It is said that as one's Qi and blood further strengthen, they deeply temper the muscles, resulting in a surge in strength. Their explosive power, endurance, and recovery ability far surpass those of skin tempering, and they can freely apply their Qi and blood to their moves, generating even greater power.
That instructor Zhao Kun is at the Body Refinement Realm, and as a martial arts school instructor, he must be proficient in practical combat techniques...
"There is still a gap, but... it is no longer an insurmountable barrier."
Yang Jin gripped the axe handle tightly, his mind now clearer and his confidence stronger.
At least, it's no longer like before, where facing a martial artist almost certainly meant certain death.
He looked at Atu.
After consuming the remaining parts of the Stone Badger, Atu's evolutionary needs were greatly reduced again.
【Commander of Mountain Beasts: Rock-Carving Earthworm (A-Tu)】
[Evolution requirement: 78/100 → 65/100!]
[Status: Well-fed, active, continuously strengthening. The stratum corneum on the body surface has thickened, and the sharpness of the mouthparts' file-like teeth has increased.]
Atu is evolving too!
Finally, Yang Jin turned his attention to the [Stone Badger Essence] that had been absorbed by the mountain cauldron in his sea of consciousness.
A faint but clear message emanated from the cauldron:
[Stone-armored Badger Essence: A condensation of the stone-armored badger's life essence and the essence of the earth's veins and rocks.]
[Current Use (Analysis Results):]
1. Enhance equipment: You can try smelting (requires special flames or high temperatures) into leather armor and weapons to greatly enhance their sturdiness, toughness, and affinity for earth elemental forces.
2. Assisted cultivation: Persistently practicing earth-attribute or defensive techniques can slightly improve efficiency and enhance the defense of the skin, muscles, and bones.
3. Core material for upgrading the spirit cauldron: The essence of exotic beasts contains their life essence and attribute characteristics, and is one of the key materials for upgrading the spirit cauldron.
It can be accumulated or combined with other specific materials to promote the evolution of the ground-walking marmoset from its current gray rank to a higher level.
Yang Jin had a vague understanding of the cauldron's spirit grade before, but now, as the cauldron absorbed the essence, clearer information flowed into his mind:
[Spirit Cauldron Rank Sequence (from lowest to highest):]
[Common Items]: Gray → White → Blue
[Spiritual Grade]: Blue → Purple → Gold
[Honorary Item]: ? ? ?
Each advancement in rank signifies a qualitative change in the power of the cauldron's spirit, greatly enhancing the innate abilities granted to the cauldron master, and even unlocking entirely new abilities.
The gray-grade Earth-type Marmoset has already shown its extraordinary potential, but still has great potential.
Upgrading a rank is not simply about accumulating earth vein essence; it requires consuming a key material: the essence of a beast of the same or higher rank!
The earth and rock attributes of the stone badger perfectly match those of the earth-dwelling marmoset.
"I see... The primary use of the essence isn't to convert that bit of earth vein essence, but rather to 'upgrade' the earth-walking marmoset!"
Yang Jin suddenly understood, and a look of enlightenment flashed in his eyes.
Although he had not experienced the benefits of the Earth-Walking Marmoset's rank improvement, the effect of his talent evolving directly from "Weak Rock Skin" to "Stone Skin (Primary)" was already worlds apart!
The benefits of upgrading your rank are definitely greater!
Moreover, ordinary items are divided into three grades: gray, white, and blue. Above these are three grades: spirit items: blue, purple, and gold, and even higher-grade holy items!
The immense potential of Dingling is evident.
"nice one!"
Yang Jin was secretly delighted.
Although the Stone Badger's essence couldn't elevate the Earth-Walking Marmoset's rank, it did point it in the right direction.
He began to ponder.
"I don't have the resources to strengthen equipment right now, converting it into essence would be too wasteful, and upgrading its rank can't directly translate into combat power... so using it to aid cultivation is perfect for me!"
Yang Jin's gaze hardened, without the slightest hesitation.
He had just broken through to the Skin Refining Realm, and his Stone Skin was initially formed, but his realm was not yet completely stable. He needed to gain a deeper understanding and mastery of the characteristics of this "Stone Skin," which combined the essence of the Stone Badger and the power of the Earth-Walking Marmoset.
This Stone Badger Essence contains the core essence of the Stone Badger's earth and stone defense. Using it to assist in cultivation can not only accelerate the consolidation of one's realm, but also specifically strengthen the skin's defense, making the "stone skin" more robust and taking a small step towards a higher level.
We did it right away.
Yang Jin focused his mind into his sea of consciousness and communicated with the mountain cauldron.
"The Mountain Cauldron guides the essence of the Stone Badger, assisting me in cultivating the first move of the Demonic Ape's Mountain View, 'Rooting,' with a focus on strengthening the skin's defense."
The mountain cauldron trembled slightly, and the dark red, stone-like essence stored inside was immediately activated.
It did not dissipate directly, but under the influence of some mysterious power within the cauldron, it transformed into an extremely pure and thick dark red stream of energy. Within this stream of energy, there seemed to be fine, illusory scales floating and sinking, carrying the stability of the earth and the solidity of mountain rocks.
This wisp of pure energy flowed slowly out along the connection between the mountain cauldron and Yang Jin's soul, merging into his body.
Yang Jin immediately activated the Demon Ape "Rooting" technique.
This time, the visualization was clearer, and the towering phantom of the demonic ape seemed to be covered with a faint layer of dark red stone armor, and the connection with the ground beneath its feet was stronger than ever before.
The essence and energy that flowed into his body did not transform into blood and qi, but rather, like the finest forging powder, evenly penetrated every inch of his newly transformed skin.
A tingling, slightly itchy sensation followed by a heavy, solid, and strange feeling that was being reinforced and strengthened.
Beneath the skin, the flow of Qi and blood seems to be influenced by this steady force, becoming more solid and substantial.
The dark yellow-brown hue of the skin had deepened, and its texture was more like that of ancient mountain rocks weathered by years of wind and rain, rough yet exuding a restrained strength.
He could clearly feel that his skin's defenses were being strengthened at a deeper level, more fundamentally, under the influence of this spiritual energy.
This is different from the increased toughness brought about by the flow of qi and blood; it's more like injecting more of the hardness characteristic of "stone armor" into this "stone skin".
Cultivation knows no time.
When that wisp of pure spiritual energy was completely absorbed, Yang Jin slowly opened his eyes.
His eyes gleamed with a sharp inner light, and his every move exuded a composure that surpassed even his previous composure.
He clenched his fist gently, and when his skin tightened, the texture, as if he were holding rough rock, became even more pronounced.
He tapped his arm lightly with the back of the axe again.
"Clang!"
The sound was crisper and shorter than before, the vibration was weaker, and the skin was barely even slightly red.
"The effect is truly... remarkable!"
Yang Jin was very satisfied with the result.
Although the essence was scarce, it was used effectively, allowing him to solidify his newly broken-through realm and enhance the defensive properties of the stone skin, making his foundation more solid.
Compared to simply storing it, its value is immediately apparent.
He stood up and exhaled a long breath, this time a more long and steady one, less bloody and agitated than before, and more calm and composed like a mountain rock.
Outside the cellar, the Sun family is searching for him all over the mountains, while Ma Liu and other scoundrels are taking advantage of the situation to bully the villagers.
Deep within the mine tunnels of the cellar, he not only completed his first transformation, but also thoroughly digested the power of the spoils, transforming it into real combat power rooted in himself.
Advanced skin refining, stabilizing stone skin, improving axe skills, and making Atu stronger.
It's time to consider the next step.
He looked at the heavy, valuable badger skin, then at the deep, winding mine tunnels that led nowhere, and finally, his gaze fell back on his own powerful hands covered in strange stone skin.
Judging by the time, the martial artists from Iron Bone Martial Arts School should have arrived by now!