[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-fantasy-i-become-stronger-by-adding-friends":3,"chapter-fantasy-i-become-stronger-by-adding-friends-fantasy-i-become-stronger-by-adding-friends-chapter-20":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Fantasy: I Become Stronger by Adding Friends",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2055118,3195,"Chapter 20: Iron-Copper Hand, Talent [Thick-Skinned]!","fantasy-i-become-stronger-by-adding-friends-chapter-20",20,"\u003Cp>After leaving the sect, Meng Zhangqing galloped toward the direction of his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for his mount, it was a spirit horse that had been trained by the sect for a full two and a half years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It possessed great stamina; while it couldn't travel a thousand miles a day, seven or eight hundred was easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come to think of it, it's been two years since I last went back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the vast horizon, a faint emotion stirred in Meng Zhangqing's heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no special reason for not returning; it was mainly because his cultivation progress had been too slow, and he felt he hadn't lived up to the family's resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now that he had broken through to the Qi Opening realm, that was no longer an issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be considered returning home in glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aunt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure appeared in Meng Zhangqing's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current head of the Meng Merchant Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She always wore a bamboo hat and a black dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strictly speaking, she wasn't his real aunt; according to the clan elders, she was his mother's junior sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was also a Qi Opening realm martial artist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for her, the Meng Merchant Guild would likely have been swallowed up by others over a decade ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, it was because of her support that he had been able to enjoy the family's resources without them being cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Giddyap!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Collecting his thoughts, Meng Zhangqing rode the spirit horse toward the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>――\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White Cloud Mountain Range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stretch of mountains spanning hundreds of miles, with towering ancient trees, perilous peaks, and roaming spirit beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a place of great danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless one was a martial artist, ordinary people dared not come here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Cloud Bandits were a group of bandits that had recently appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were powerful, and many passing merchant caravans had been looted and slaughtered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had caused widespread panic, and no one dared to pass through this area anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To prevent being tracked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Cloud Bandits were quite clever, hiding their stronghold very deeply and discreetly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, in front of the Profound Heaven Sect, this bit of cleverness was not enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once targeted, they could be found in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then they were put into a mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Used as training for the sect's disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The high gate of the mountain stronghold shattered violently, turning into countless splinters that scattered everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some bandits who couldn't dodge in time were swept up, ending up covered in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You hid quite well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An indifferent voice sounded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the broken gate, a youth in white stepped through the sunlight, walking in leisurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held his sword in one hand, his black hair dancing lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A formidable aura enveloped the entire scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enemy attack!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cries of alarm rang out incessantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a dense crowd of bandits gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were at least a hundred of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their strength varied, but they were mostly in the Pulse Forging realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And hovering around the second or third level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With only a dozen or so at the seventh or eighth level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Qi Opening realm, none had appeared yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone recognized Meng Zhangqing's attire, and fear surged in their voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Yunzhou, the Profound Heaven Sect could be considered a hegemonic power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stood alongside the Blazing Sun Valley, the Giant Spirit Gate, and Wind Cloud City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, no one dared to easily provoke disciples from these powers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you panicking about!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep voice suddenly rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three figures descended from the sky, standing before the crowd and facing Meng Zhangqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the leader of the White Cloud Bandits and his two deputies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew the leader's actual name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any case, the outside world called him Iron-Copper Hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because his fist techniques were exceptional; once unleashed, his fists were like molten copper poured into shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was his strength immense, but his defense was also terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when clashing with weapons, he was rarely injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cultivation was at the seventh level of the Qi Opening realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three levels higher than Meng Zhangqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why, when Meng Zhangqing chose this mission, the disciple at the Mission Hall had tried to dissuade him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he couldn't be talked out of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only urge him to act according to his ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A martial artist of this level could almost rival an inner sect disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such a large gap in realms, it was very difficult to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One might even die at his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Meng Zhangqing was no ordinary inner sect disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was the Wind-Thunder Sword Art or the Sword Step, both had been \"cultivated\" to the Perfection realm, not to mention he possessed Sword Intent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Going all out, let alone a seventh-level Qi Opening martial artist, even those at the eighth or ninth level would have to lose their heads!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless they also had many trump cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Profound Heaven Sect disciple, fourth level of the Qi Opening realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron-Copper Hand sized up Meng Zhangqing, his expression relaxing slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the martial artist who came had a higher realm than his, he wouldn't say a word and would just take his deputies and run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a mere fourth level of the Qi Opening realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even the same level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could still handle this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems the Profound Heaven Sect has already taken us, the White Cloud Bandits, as a training mission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Bronze Hand sneered, \"You dare to come here at only the fourth stage? You truly don't know how to write the word 'death'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think I'm like that trash outside?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That you can easily leapfrog stages to defeat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You talk so much—is it because you know you're about to die and won't have another chance?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Zhangqing spoke slowly, his expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he began to observe the character panels of these three men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basic Information:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Name: Bronze Hand (Lin Tie)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Race: Human】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Cultivation Base: Seventh Stage of Qi Opening Realm】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attribute Information:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Root Bone: Fourth Grade】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Comprehension: Average】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Talent: Thick-Skinned】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Martial Skill: \"Demon Blood Bronze Fist\" (Great Success)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh, he actually has a talent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Zhangqing was somewhat surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So-called talents refer to certain parts of the body that are different from ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are not the same as bloodline constitutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor can they compare to those two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, Bai Suxi’s nimble hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does this guy not know he has this talent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the name, 【Thick-Skinned】 seems to lean toward body tempering; if one were to practice body-tempering techniques, the results would be significantly better than average.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this Bronze Hand practiced fist techniques instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he was unaware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, this is normal; talents are not as obvious as bloodline constitutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people don't even know they have them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This talent is not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corners of Meng Zhangqing's mouth curled up slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The look he gave Bronze Hand became a bit 'gentler'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could obtain this talent, would it be enough to make the defensive power of his \"Bronze Armor Art\" comparable to a Profound-grade low-tier technique?\u003C\u002Fp>",1209,"2026-06-16T01:57:58.319Z","2026-06-16T01:58:13.594Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","d758c35fa925fe10fbcd22d2d125d7b6ea0d38df82ec590eeaee5d2b23b9f245","fantasy-i-become-stronger-by-adding-friends-chapter-21","fantasy-i-become-stronger-by-adding-friends-chapter-19",267,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffantasy-i-become-stronger-by-adding-friends-cover.jpg"]