Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill-Chapter 76 - 69: Mighty Eagle Claw

"Go head-to-head with Divine Weapons and Sharp Blades? That’s impossible, isn’t it?" Mu Xiaowan’s eyes widened. She couldn’t fathom how a body of flesh and blood could withstand the sharp edges of sabers and swords without injury, let alone Divine Weapons and Sharp Blades. The thought was simply inconceivable.

Chen Cheng smiled. "I’ve only heard rumors myself. I don’t know the specifics."

"Brother Cheng, with your current strength, can you crush solid rock like they can?" Mu Xiaowan asked, a little curious.

Chen Cheng looked down at his palm, then shook his head and answered honestly, "I could probably crush a piece of rock, but I couldn’t reduce it to dust just by gripping it like they did."

At this point, the toughness of Chen Cheng’s skin was only slightly greater than that of cowhide. Even if he had enough strength, he couldn’t grip a solid piece of rock and reduce it to dust.

"Who are you?"

Just then, a beautiful middle-aged woman in her thirties, dressed in black martial arts attire, emerged from the inner courtyard.

A pair of black short swords hung at the woman’s waist. She moved like the wind. Her feet shifted lightly, and with no discernible effort, she was in front of Chen Cheng and Mu Xiaowan in the blink of an eye.

Chen Cheng’s brow furrowed. The woman’s expression was placid and her eyes were gentle, yet he could faintly sense a sharp, killing aura emanating from her. It was like being targeted by a fierce tiger, instinctively inspiring fear.

This was a Martial Dao expert. Her power likely surpassed that of even a Perfect Martial Artist of the Muscle Strengthening Realm, like Shen Qingshuang, by several times over.

’Could she be a Bone Forging Realm expert?’

At this thought, Chen Cheng quickly cupped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute. "I am Chen Cheng, and this is Mu Xiaowan. We have come to see the Sixth Madam and are waiting for her here."

A flicker of surprise showed in the woman’s eyes. Though she had appeared motionless just now, she had in fact been subtly releasing her imposing aura.

Even a Martial Artist of the Muscle Strengthening Realm would have found it difficult to avoid becoming flustered.

For the young man before her, whose vitality indicated he was only in the Skin Grinding Realm, to remain so composed was rare indeed.

"If you’re looking for Luo Yunzhi, then just wait."

The woman spoke flatly and was about to leave when her gaze swept over to Mu Xiaowan. She noticed the wooden saber hanging from the girl’s waist and paused.

Mu Xiaowan was dressed in a simple cotton dress, her face smudged with soot, giving her a dark and sallow complexion. She looked entirely unremarkable.

"You’re Mu Xiaowan?"

Since Mu Xiaowan was not a Martial Artist, she couldn’t sense the powerful aura the woman was subtly concealing. However, she was sharp-witted and could tell from Brother Cheng’s posture that this woman was no ordinary person. She immediately gave a graceful curtsy and replied, "Yes, I am."

The woman looked into Mu Xiaowan’s clear, pure eyes, a hint of curiosity in her own. She then asked, "Why are you carrying a wooden saber?"

The question was so sudden that Mu Xiaowan was momentarily at a loss for words.

She had come to the Inner City to join a Martial Arts Hall, which meant she would be separated from Chen Cheng and unable to see him every day. She carried the wooden saber he had carved for her so that when she missed him, she could look at it to ease her longing.

Mu Xiaowan glanced at Chen Cheng before answering in a low voice, "I’ve practiced some Saber Technique with Brother Cheng. He carved this wooden saber for me, so I always keep it with me."

Observing their interaction, the woman could tell they were a couple.

"Sigh..." She let out a soft sigh, turning to look toward the inner courtyard in silence.

Chen Cheng and Mu Xiaowan didn’t know what to make of her behavior, so they could only wait quietly by her side.

After a long moment, the woman turned back around, looked at Chen Cheng, and asked, "Are you two a married couple?"

Chen Cheng answered truthfully, "Xiaowan and I are not married yet, but she is my family’s future daughter-in-law. We will definitely get married one day."

The woman suddenly asked, "You are both of marriageable age. Why haven’t you married?"

Chen Cheng never imagined that a trip to the Zheng Martial Arts Hall would lead to a strange woman interrogating him about the Chens’ family business. He was at a loss for how to respond.

Mu Xiaowan quickly came to his rescue. "Brother Cheng is dedicated to cultivating the Martial Dao, so we can’t get married just yet."

"You haven’t even married into the family, and you’re already taking your future husband’s side," the woman chuckled. She then studied Mu Xiaowan seriously. "You’re looking for Luo Yunzhi. Is it because this Brother Cheng of yours wants to join the Luo Martial Arts Hall?"

Luo Yunzhi was known for recruiting young Martial Artists into the Luo Martial Arts Hall, which was why the woman asked.

Mu Xiaowan, being quick-witted, suspected the woman was an important figure at the Zheng Martial Arts Hall and replied, "I am the one who wishes to join the Luo Martial Arts Hall. Brother Cheng wants to join the Zheng Martial Arts Hall."

"I see. So you’re quite the ambitious one, little girl."

The woman suddenly stepped forward and ran her hands over Mu Xiaowan’s frame, feeling her bone structure. A smile then spread across her face.

"Little girl, are you willing to take me as your master?"

Mu Xiaowan froze, unsure how to respond, and quickly turned her head to look at Chen Cheng.

The woman said flatly, "You don’t need to look at him. For him to have only reached the Skin Grinding Realm at his age, his Martial Arts Talent must be average at best. It’s nothing compared to yours.

His potential for Martial Arts Achievement is limited. In the future, you’ll be the one who has to protect him."

"Huh...?" Mu Xiaowan was even more bewildered. ’In her heart, who could possibly have better Martial Arts Talent than Brother Cheng?’

The woman continued, "Little girl, your innate bone structure is even a bit better than mine was when I was young. On top of that, you have a sharp mind. You are destined for extraordinary things.

Now, kneel and accept me as your master."

Chen Cheng and Mu Xiaowan were both stunned. They stared at each other, speechless.

’Who just forces someone to become their disciple upon their very first meeting?’

The situation was utterly bizarre.

Seeing their reluctance, the woman let out a long sigh. "To think that I, Gongsun Rou, would wish to take on a disciple, only to be met with such unwillingness! Sigh... Fine. It can’t be helped that I’ve taken a liking to you, little girl! Both of you, come with me."

With that, Gongsun Rou led the way toward the small training square.

Chen Cheng and Mu Xiaowan had no choice but to follow.

"Greetings, First Madam."

When the disciples practicing the Eagle Claw Skill in the square saw Gongsun Rou approach, they stopped their training and greeted her with fist-and-palm salutes, their faces full of excitement.

Gongsun Rou didn’t even glance at them. She stopped, turned her head to Mu Xiaowan, and said, "Little girl, watch carefully."

As soon as she spoke, her figure blurred into motion. In the blink of an eye, she was before a giant boulder not far away. Her body flickered, weaving up and down as the short swords in her hands became a continuous blur...

In less than half a breath, she was back in her original spot, her short swords sheathed. It was as if she had never moved at all.

Instantly, the square fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

The faces of the disciples were flushed with excitement, as if they had all gained some faint insight.

As for Chen Cheng, a brilliant light flashed in his eyes. He was utterly shocked.

Gongsun Rou’s Body Technique had been too fast—so fast that no matter how hard he tried to follow her movements, he couldn’t clearly make out her techniques.

Not only was Gongsun Rou’s Body Technique incredibly fast, but her techniques were also exquisite. In Chen Cheng’s estimation, this level of Sword Technique was far more than simple Perfection.

It seemed to carry a kind of Sword Momentum—a momentum that could slip through the tightest gaps, incomparably sharp and capable of cleaving through anything.

It was the first time Chen Cheng had ever realized that a Sword Technique could be used in such a way, that it could be so devastatingly sharp. It was simply inconceivable!

In that moment, a flood of insights rushed into his mind...

After a long while, a notification appeared on his panel.

[Your Wind Chasing Saber Technique Cultivation Progress has increased.]

[Skills: Wind Chasing Saber Technique (Great Success 985/10,000)]

His Cultivation Progress for the Wind Chasing Saber Technique had jumped by several hundred points just from the insights he’d gained watching Gongsun Rou perform her Sword Technique once.

Chen Cheng was ecstatic!

’Could it be... the swordsmanship the First Madam just demonstrated is the legendary Momentum?’

Seeing that the disciples had all fallen into a state of contemplation, Gongsun Rou was in no hurry and waited patiently.

When all the disciples finally came to their senses, Chen Cheng was still lost in thought and took much longer to recover. She was inwardly shocked. ’This boy’s comprehension far surpasses the others. He must be a genius, too.’

"Well, little girl? What did you think?"

Gongsun Rou asked, looking casually at Mu Xiaowan.

After all, Mu Xiaowan had only reached the Beginner Level in her Saber Technique practice, so her perception was limited. Even so, she could tell that the First Madam’s Body Technique was incredibly fast—several times faster than even Brother Cheng when he wasn’t wearing his Iron Armor. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Your Body Technique is so fast, First Madam! I could barely even see you move!" Mu Xiaowan said in awe.

"Sigh... Your perception is really... Never mind. Go on, walk up to that boulder and poke it with your finger."

"Yes, Madam." Though she didn’t understand, Mu Xiaowan obediently complied. She walked forward and gently touched the giant boulder.

POOF!

At her light touch, the perfectly intact boulder instantly disintegrated into fine dust.

Mu Xiaowan was dumbfounded. She clearly remembered seeing one of the disciples strike and claw at this very boulder with all his might, only managing to break off a few small chunks of stone.