13 Decision

100 ren. Strength that was equivalent to 100 people.

Though it sounded simple like that, that kind of strength isn't so simple like just adding strength together. For someone who had the strength of 100 people, they would be able to single-handedly fight against thousands of normal people without any rest!

This was why Shi Li was dumbfounded at his future strength. He would have the capability to do just that in the future.

'If I want to reach that goal, then I must earnestly cultivate every technique I have to its peak!'

Shi Li then recalled the book he read earlier and the [Iron Vessel Tempering Manual] that was placed nearby.

He thought up of various methods of cultivating everything to its peak before settling on a single method.

"I'll first cultivate the [Steel Body Manual] to the peak of the first level then cultivate the [Iron Vessel Tempering Manual] to the same level as well. Afterwards, I'll cultivate the book Senior gave me to the same level. Then the cycle continues until I cultivate them all to the peak."

He had a feeling that cultivating it this way would be for the best since it would allow him to gain multiple small increments in strength instead of one big increment. Though one big increment is great, it isn't entirely helpful since it would take him a long time to that newfound strength.

"And now, that leaves me to the first challenge... cultivating the [Iron Vessel Tempering Manual]."

Shi Li wanted to delay cultivating this technique since it would probably make him grimace in pain, but because of the technique his Senior gave him, he had no choice but to do so.

"Before I do that though, I should consult my Father on the strengths of each stage. Even though he told all of the realms I have to know, I'm sure there's thresholds in strength between realms."

Being adamant in his decision, Shi Li stood up and headed towards his father's room.

...

Shi clan, Shi Xingwan's room.

Knock knock.

Shi Xingwan's ears perked up after hearing a few knocking sounds on the door. He scanned the person behind the door with his qi before letting out a smile and saying, "Come in."

Hearing those two words, the man behind the door opened it and revealed himself to Shi Xingwan. It was none other than Shi Li.

Shi Li closed the door behind him and grabbed a chair to sit on as he faced his father.

"Father, I have a question."

"Oh?" Shi Xingwan raised his eyebrow. He stopped what he was doing and looked at his son with a light smile. "Go ahead."

"Father, how strong is a Martial Novice? How about a Martial Adept? I want to know the strength of each individual stage and realm, Father."

"Oh, so that's what it was," Shi Xingwan heaved a sigh of relief. He thought his son regretted his decision of cultivating those techniques and wanted to change.

'But it seems that he's cultivating it quite well.'

Shi Xingwan scanned Shi Li with his qi a while ago and noticed that his son's soul was stronger compared to before, seeing that his son has started with the internal cultivation technique first like he told him to.

"Hmm...let me see..." Shi Xingwan rubbed his chin as he recalled all of his thoughts on the subject. After a bit, he started to speak.

"Martial Novices have 50 ren of strength at their peak. As for Martial Adepts and Martial Elites, they have 150 ren and 250 ren of strength at their peaks respectively. For a Martial Master, at the early stage, it would be at 500 ren while at the peak stage, it would be at 1250 ren."

"I think that's all you need to know for now," Shi Xingwan smiled. "Anyways, the strengths I've told you are those that have only cultivated internally. For someone like you who cultivates internally and externally, they would usually have double the strength which allows them to transcend realms and fight cultivators that are stronger than them. Is that all?"

Shi Li pondered for a bit before replying, "I would also like to ask if I could borrow a hammer."

"What for?" Shi Xingwan thought that it was too early for Shi Li to practice wielding weapons.

"It is for my cultivation. The [Iron Vessel Tempering Manual] needs my body to be tempered so I need a hammer Father."

"I see," Shi Xingwan forgot the cultivation technique's method of improvement so he didn't know that his son needed the hammer for that reason. After a while, he nodded. "You can get a hammer from the Logistics Hall, just tell the man behind the counter that I sent you."

"I will, Father. Thank you for helping me out," Shi Li smiled and bowed respectfully before leaving the room to head towards the Logistics Hall.

After Shi Li left, Shi Xingwan rubbed his chin and couldn't help but say, "I don't know why but... doesn't he seem more mature than before?"

...

"Huff...huff..."

After going in circles multiple times thanks to his reliance on the old Shi Li's memories, Shi Li was able to reach the Logistics Hall after an hour.

At this time, the sun was hanging high up in the sky, making Shi Li sweat. He didn't want to wait outside any further and entered the Logistics Hall.

The Logistics Hall's exterior looked somewhat simple. If one were to describe it as short as possible, the words used would be a 'white cube'. As for its interior, it was worlds apart compared to its exterior.

The floor was made out of polished wood while a large chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating everything on the inside. At one end of the room was an L-shaped counter made out of finely chiseled wood. On it was a simple bell that would alert the person in-charge of the hall.

Ding!

Seeing that there was a bell, Shi Li didn't hesitate to ring it and waited.

"I'm coming~" A melodious voice came from behind the counter, specifically from the room a few meters away from the counter.

After a few more seconds, a young man could be seen standing behind the counter. Though the man looked young, he exuded an aura of maturity and wisdom. Shi Li could also feel a terrifying strength hidden underneath the man's body.

"How may I help you?"

"Oh...uh..." Shi Li wasn't prepared to be asked all of a sudden. "I would like to borrow a hammer please. I asked my fathe—the patriarch's permission for this."

"I see. What are you going to use it for, Young Master Shi Li?" The man suddenly leaned forward with a devilish smile plastered on his face.

Most of the time, the hammers borrowed by the Logistics Hall came back with their shafts sopping wet so the man thought that Shi Li would do something along those lines.

"I need to use the hammer for my cultivation," Shi Li composed himself and acted professional in front of the man. Though he was caught off guard being called as a young master, he still maintained his sense of calmness.

"I see, I see," the man nodded and smiled. Not long after, the man released a wisp of qi that headed towards the room behind the counter and after a while, it brought a slightly large wooden hammer.

"Here you go," the man lightly smiled as he retracted his wisp of qi, letting the hammer fall on Shi Li's hands.

Shi Li received the hammer with both hands and couldn't help but bend down from its weight. He then exerted all of his current strength, allowing him to stand straight albeit barely.

"Is that all?" the man asked.

"Yes, that will be all. Thank you," Shi Li squeezed out a smile before heading back to his courtyard.