The riverbank was deserted. Wu Liangchen took off his outer clothes, placed them on a tree by the bank, and with a single leap, plunged into the water.

The river water was bone-chilling, but for Wu Liangchen, it was just right.

He swam to the middle of the river, held his breath, and dove toward the bottom.

Instantly, the sound of the rain vanished, replaced by the muffled drone of the water.

Wu Liangchen sank a good seventeen or eighteen meters before reaching the bottom. The water pressure at this depth was already at the limit of what an ordinary person could withstand.

Yet Wu Liangchen merely felt a slight strain.

Once he had settled, Wu Liangchen looked around. The riverbed was shrouded in darkness, with schools of fish occasionally swimming past.

Forget the water pressure; the oppressive, dark environment alone was enough to make one’s blood run cold.

At that moment, Wu Liangchen felt an indescribable loneliness, as if he were the only person left in the world.

But he quickly readjusted his mindset and began his training routine, following the same rhythm as the day before.

Whenever he ran out of air, he would quickly surface, catch his breath, and then return to the bottom.

By repeating this cycle over and over, Wu Liangchen soon entered a sublime state.

[Five Animals Fist Proficiency +9]

[Hunyuan Stance Proficiency +7]

Lines of notifications appeared one after another, but Wu Liangchen paid them no mind, focusing instead on practicing his Golden Body Cross Training Skill.

His visualization and his actions gradually merged, becoming indistinguishable.

Wu Liangchen felt the Qi and Blood throughout his body surge as his fascia and skin trembled unceasingly.

With each tremor, they grew a fraction tougher.

If anyone had witnessed this underwater scene, they would have been utterly astonished.

For at that moment, Wu Liangchen’s skin was faintly shimmering with a brassy luster. Though faint and scattered at first, it was growing more and more distinct.

Finally.

Upon completing a full set of the technique, Wu Liangchen burst from the surface of the water, gasping for air.

But it was all worth it. Just then, a notification appeared before his eyes.

[Golden Body Cross Training Skill has ranked up. Current Rank: Proficient]

Wu Liangchen swam to the bank and gave his body a powerful shake, using sheer muscle strength to fling off every drop of water. He then changed his clothes and hurried home.

Dawn was already breaking, but despite having not slept all night, Wu Liangchen felt no fatigue. On the contrary, he felt completely invigorated.

He decided against sleeping and instead sat in a chair, sipping hot tea while examining the changes in his body.

After his Golden Body Cross Training Skill broke through to the Proficient rank, there were few visible changes. In fact, his skin had even become smoother.

But Wu Liangchen knew his body’s defenses were now more than double what they had been.

For instance, when he took out a small knife and forcefully slashed at his arm, it only left a faint white line that quickly vanished.

In other words, ordinary weapons could now scarcely harm him.

This finally put Wu Liangchen’s mind at ease, giving him a sliver of security.

By now, the sky had brightened. Despite a steady drizzle, the main streets were teeming with people.

For today was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month—the Lantern Festival. The celebrations in Huangpu Guard would last from daybreak until deep into the night.

And it was at this very moment, inside a stronghold belonging to the Beheading Gang, that a cold voice commanded, "Have you all remembered your instructions?"

"Reporting to the Strategist, we have all remembered!"

"Go. Once it is done, leave Huangpu Guard immediately. Someone will be waiting for you outside the city."

"Yes!"