During the midday break, the outer courtyard gradually quieted down. Disciples retreated to their rooms or found shaded corners to rest, and the usual clamor of practice faded into a low murmur. Chen Mo stood near a cluster of stone pillars, waiting calmly.

  It did not take long before a familiar figure appeared.

  “Chen Mo!” Jia Tao’s eyes widened the moment he saw him. He hurried over, barely able to hide the excitement on his face. “So it’s really you. Formal disciple… I still feel like I’m dreaming.”

  There was envy in his voice, but it was clean and untainted, mixed with genuine admiration. Jia Tao scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. “I won’t lie to you, I’m really envious. We entered around the same time, yet you already stepped into the inner path.”

  Chen Mo smiled faintly. “Your foundation isn’t bad. You just need to work harder and endure a bit longer. I’ll be waiting for you up there.”

  Those words made Jia Tao’s expression brighten. His chest straightened unconsciously, as if he had just been injected with fresh confidence. “Then it’s settled. I won’t let you look down on me.”

  Chen Mo nodded. He then told Jia Tao the location of his room in the living quarters for formal disciples, along with the room number. “If you have time, come find me.”

  Jia Tao repeated it twice, afraid he might forget.

  With that, Chen Mo cupped his hands lightly and excused himself, leaving Jia Tao standing there with a foolish grin on his face, his envy slowly transforming into motivation as the midday bell echoed through the courtyard.

  After parting with Jia Tao, Chen Mo did not return to his quarters.

  Instead, he turned his steps toward the trade center at the edge of the city.

  Today was the day the village convoy usually arrived. The timing was almost ritualistic, as if the world itself had memorized their schedule. Chen Mo had only realized it after entering the school, when the bustle near the trade district began to stir old memories.

  He hesitated for a brief moment, then continued forward.

  For a few months, he had lived with those people. Rough hands, simple meals, loud laughter around small fires. No grand ambitions, no lofty talk of realms or breakthroughs, just survival and tomorrow’s trade. In this vast and merciless world, that short stretch of time counted as warmth.

  “This might be the last time,” Chen Mo thought.

  Once he truly stepped onto the path of cultivation, distances would no longer be measured in roads or days, but in realms and status. Meetings like this would only grow rarer.

  The trade center gradually came into view. Stalls were being set up, carts aligned in familiar patterns, and the air filled with the mixed smells of grain, dried meat, and cheap spirits. Chen Mo slowed his pace, scanning the faces of the arriving convoy.

  Whether he met them or not, he had already made his choice.

  But before completely cutting ties with that past, he wanted to see them one last time.

  As Chen Mo neared the trade store, a familiar scene entered his sight.

  Zhou Heng was standing near one of the carts, speaking animatedly with Village Chief Chen Yong and Elder Chen Tie. The three of them looked unusually spirited, their faces lit with rare ease. When Zhou Heng noticed Chen Mo approaching, his eyes widened, and his smile stretched so wide it nearly split his face.

  “Lord Chen!” Zhou Heng called out, hurrying forward. “You came at the perfect time. Come, come, greet your elders.”

  Chen Mo slowed his steps and offered a faint smile.

  Village Chief Chen Yong was already beaming, his expression carrying undisguised pride, as if the young man before him were a banner raised high for the entire village.

  Chen Mo cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.

  “Chief Chen Yong. Elder Chen Tie.”

  “Good, good!” Chief Chen Yong laughed heartily. “Chen Mo, you really made it. I always knew you had ambition, but I never imagined you’d possess such talent for martial arts. You’ve made us all proud.”

  Elder Chen Tie stroked his beard, his smile deep and steady. “The road of martial arts is long,” he said. “You must keep working hard. In the future, the village may very well depend on you.”

  Chen Mo straightened and replied calmly, “Chief, Elder, you praise me too much. I was merely fortunate.”

  Yet as he spoke, his gaze lingered briefly on their weathered faces. Pride, hope, expectation. None of it felt light.

  This meeting truly might be the last time he stood among them as one of their own.

  Chen Mo listened in silence, his expression calm, yet his thoughts stirred quietly.

  The village folk are simple and good-hearted, he reflected. In another world, that alone might have been enough.

  A trace of regret surfaced and vanished just as quickly. But this world only rewards strength.

  Still, the image of the village lingered in his mind like a half-forgotten dream. If I have the ability in the future… I can offer them some help. His resolve was clear and measured. As long as it doesn’t affect my own safety, lending a hand wouldn’t hurt.

  With that, the group moved inside the trade store. Tea was poured, light chatter followed, and for a short while the harsh rhythm of the martial world seemed distant. They spoke of the village, of supplies, of trivial matters that carried no schemes or calculations. Only after the tea had cooled and the conversation naturally came to an end did Chen Mo rise to take his leave.

  Stepping back onto the street, his gaze sharpened.

  It’s time to focus on training.

  Now that Master Lian was providing qi-boosting pills daily, there was no reason to waste even a single moment. Until he broke through, he would not leave the school grounds.

  The gentle warmth of the tea faded, replaced by a colder, steadier determination.

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  After a month of relentless, monotonous training, Chen Mo’s life had shrunk to a narrow cycle: Master Lian’s guidance, the cafeteria’s meals, and his own room. Yet, the dull routine did nothing to weaken his focus. Every day, every pill, every circulation of qi was precise, disciplined, unwavering.

  Then, one night, in the quiet of his room, Chen Mo sat cross-legged. His body radiated heat, as if a furnace had ignited within him. His skin glowed faintly bronze, shimmering in the dim light of the room.

  Suddenly, his consciousness was pulled into a strange, special space—time itself seemed to freeze. He saw himself again, training relentlessly, month after month, without pause. Every swing, every stance, every drop of sweat, every pang of fatigue—everything compressed, merged, and integrated into his body at once.

  Chen Mo’s body shook violently as the sensation hit him. When he opened his eyes, he felt an unprecedented surge of power coursing through every limb. His skin gleamed like polished bronze, unyielding, yet vibrant with energy.

  He stood, fists clenched, and swung forward. The air in front of him exploded with a sharp, thunderous crack. The sound reverberated in the room, leaving a faint aftershock. Chen Mo exhaled sharply, a grin spreading across his face.

  This… this is the Skin Refining Realm.

  For the first time, he fully understood the fruits of his labor—and how far he had come.

  Chen Mo opened his panel again, and this time the changes were unmistakable.

  Name: Chen Mo

  Age: 14

  Realm: Skin Refining 1/300

  Martial Art: Silver Crane Body Refining (Skin Refining Chapter)

  Skills: Archery (Perfect)

  A broad smile spread across his face. The panel even recognized the completeness of his cultivation method—Skin Refining Chapter. That could prove extremely useful in the future, he mused.

  He flexed his fists, feeling the dense bronze of his skin. The punch he had thrown moments ago wasn’t just a test—it was a demonstration of his newfound strength. If an ordinary person had taken that blow, they would have been utterly decimated.

  Chen Mo’s senses felt heightened, sharper than ever before. His perception, speed, and agility had all improved noticeably. Every movement now carried a sense of controlled precision, every step radiating power. He could feel the difference in his own body, a tangible edge over any ordinary disciple.

  He let out a low breath, excitement and anticipation simmering within him. This is just the beginning.

  Chen Mo leaned back, eyes tracing the patterns of light on his ceiling, weighing his options carefully.

  If I keep this to myself… he thought. I can continue taking the qi boosting pills quietly, maybe even sell a few to get extra silver. Low profile, slow and steady…

  But then the other side of the coin appeared. Without medicinal baths and recovery pills, my progress will stagnate. I’ll hit a bottleneck I can’t overcome alone…

  He chewed on the dilemma for a few moments, then nodded to himself. No, I can’t waste time. Master Lian brought me into this faction for a reason, and I need to show value. Staying hidden won’t help me—it might even backfire.

  Chen Mo’s thoughts sharpened, resolute. I’m almost fifteen. In just a month, I can go from formal disciple to breaking into the Skin Refining realm. That will show my potential. At least then, those higher-ups will either take notice or think twice before sending me as cannon fodder.

  With that, he made up his mind. He would inform Master Lian—carefully, strategically—but he wouldn’t hide his breakthrough any longer. This was the moment to secure both his growth and his leverage.

  Tomorrow morning, Master Lian was already seated in his office, sitting respectfully opposite Elder Ah Gu, who was reviewing a stack of documents. When he finished, he looked up with a stern gaze.

  “In a month, our man at the transportation hub, steward Zhu, will retire,” Ah Gu said. “We need a replacement immediately, or else the law enforcement faction will plant one of their own there. I don’t need to tell you the repercussions.”

  Master Lian remained composed, replying respectfully, “We are already doing our best to support the new recruits under our care. It’s a pity none are ready yet.”

  Ah Gu tapped the table lightly with his fingers, his voice firm. “We are stretched too thin. We can’t spare any available skin refining expert now. What about those talents you said you were optimistic about? We can’t just invest blindly. If things go wrong, both you and I will lose dearly. Elder Fang won’t tolerate mistakes that cost him money.”

  Master Lian’s face remained calm, but inwardly he felt wronged. “Rest assured, my lord. Everything will be fine. The recruits under my care are being trained meticulously. When the time comes, they will be ready to step in.”

  Ah Gu’s expression didn’t soften. “It better be, Lian. We cannot afford a misstep here. One wrong placement and the law enforcement faction will seize control of the hub. You understand the stakes?”

  Lian bowed slightly, eyes steady. “Yes, my lord. I have considered every angle. The new recruit—he shows exceptional progress. If nurtured carefully, he could surpass expectations within a month.”

  Ah Gu leaned back, crossing his arms, and added sharply, “I hope your optimism isn’t misplaced. Elder Fang’s patience is limited, and so is mine. Every investment must bear fruit, or we will pay dearly.”

  Lian lowered his head in acknowledgment. “It will not fail, my lord. I will personally oversee it.”

  Ah Gu returned to his documents, the room filled with quiet tension. “Remember, Lian… this is not just about training. It’s about timing, discretion, and loyalty. Fail in any of those, and no skill can save you.”

  Master Lian kept silent, every word etched into his mind. His thoughts shifted to the recruit he had in mind—Chen Mo—and the plan forming in his head. This was the opportunity to mold someone exceptional, someone who could serve the faction faithfully… if only the boy proved himself ready.