A Month to Copper Skin, Astonishing Everyone! A Chance Encounter with a Mysterious Old Acquaintance at the Banquet

In the next instant, a thread of warm, gentle heat quietly arose between Liu Yunche's calf muscles.

Neither hurried nor slow, the heat flowed gradually down along the textures of his flesh, passing through his ankle joints and winding through the hidden meridians in the soles of his feet.

A faint sensation of soreness and numbness spread layer by layer. Neither harsh nor violent, it slowly seeped into his tendons, bones, and meridians, polishing his body bit by bit, nourishing his lower body, and carrying out subtle cleansing and tempering.

A piece of information appeared deep within his sea of consciousness, and Liu Yunche instantly understood what these shoes had brought him.

Gift: Divine Movement!

[A warlord had been slaughtered into fleeing in disarray on the battlefield. He cast off his red robe, cut away his beard, and discarded his armor. In the end, only these precious shoes carried him out of the encirclement.]

After being embedded continuously for one month, it could be devoured and permanently fixed, becoming a lasting gift.

"Divine Movement... what a fine gift." Liu Yunche sighed inwardly, his fingers resting on his knee twitching slightly. He had spent merely two or three taels of silver to obtain such a gift.

Divine Movement could greatly increase one's traveling speed. It truly was an unrivaled skill for wandering the martial world, protecting oneself, and preserving one's life.

Liu Yunche had yet to test exactly how much it could increase his speed, but he was full of anticipation.

Wei Cong drove the carriage toward the Liu Household, and nothing happened along the way.

After returning to the Liu Household, Liu Yunche stepped down from the carriage and turned to thank Wei Cong. "Thank you for today."

A sliver of a smile was squeezed onto Wei Cong's troubled face. "Young Master is too courteous. It is my duty."

After parting ways, Liu Yunche's steps unconsciously quickened by several degrees.

At last, he arrived at Cloud Perch Courtyard.

After closing the courtyard gate, Liu Yunche's thoughts stirred, and he began running through the courtyard.

Only a white shadow flashed through the courtyard, with no person in sight. For a time, his figure appeared in the pavilion, beside the ancient tree, and by the stone table.

Only after quite some time did Liu Yunche stop. Calm and unruffled, he slowly sat down.

"Divine Movement not only increased my speed, it also improved my stamina considerably. This speed is far beyond what a Skin Tempering martial artist can match."

"If I cultivate another movement technique and pair it with my Gale Swift Saber at the perfected level..."

"With that, I can be said to possess at least a little ability to protect myself."

Within Cloud Perch Courtyard, Liu Yunche's entire body gave off a thick, bitter medicinal scent. He was covered in a layer of fine black fuzz and was forcefully holding the posture of the Nurturing Origin Stance.

This fine black fuzz was not clothing. It was woven from a plant known as Ironwire Grass.

Ironwire Grass grew in the mountains and forests. It could wear away skin, and if ordinary people accidentally touched it, their skin would split open and bleed without end.

Yet the forces within Verdant Grain County consumed large quantities of Ironwire Grass every year, so gathering Ironwire Grass had become the livelihood upon which many commoners depended.

That was because Ironwire Grass could wear down the skin of Copper Skin Realm martial artists without harming their foundations. When paired with certain medicinal fluids, it could allow Copper Skin martial artists to reach the Iron Skin level sooner.

A few days ago, when Liu Yunche had asked Liu Wangzhou whether there was a way to improve the effects of Skin Tempering, Liu Wangzhou had told him about Ironwire Grass.

His father's gentle voice echoed beside his ears. "Though Ironwire Grass is good, you will have to endure its pain and itchiness yourself."

Liu Yunche had now truly experienced the meaning behind the trace of amusement in his father's eyes when he said those words.

At this moment, the Ironwire Grass wrapped around his body seemed to writhe like a living creature.

Liu Yunche felt as though they were fine, black insects, densely packed together as they crawled over every inch of his skin.

It was like ten thousand ants gnawing at his body. Though he knew it would not greatly harm him, the psychological shadow it cast was not something ordinary people could endure.

Fortunately, Liu Yunche possessed a strong heart. All he wanted was to grow stronger. Ever since he had felt that elevation of life itself, he had been immersed in it.

His entire body burned with pain, accompanied by itching. Liu Yunche gritted his teeth and endured, maintaining the posture of the Nurturing Origin Stance.

The heat generated by the Nurturing Origin Stance stimulated and tempered him from within, while the Ironwire Grass honed him from without. Under this internal and external assault, Liu Yunche advanced steadily and swiftly.

Two days later.

Within Cloud Perch Courtyard, Liu Yunche drank down three large bowls of Nourishing Origin Soup in succession. Feeling his body growing stronger by the day, he laughed brightly.

"In this world, every living thing has a thread of opportunity—to rise against the current and climb higher."

"Days like these are far more satisfying than staying at the factory in my previous life, starting at seven in the morning and ending at midnight every day."

After a while, Liu Yunche heard footsteps outside the courtyard. A servant's voice came from beyond the gate. "Young Master, Young Master Shi invites you to a banquet."

When he pushed open the courtyard gate, he saw that behind his household servant stood a middle-aged martial artist with a mountain pattern embroidered on his chest.

This mountain pattern was the symbol of the Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall, which had been founded by Shi Xiuyan.

The middle-aged martial artist cupped his hands in salute. "Young Master Liu, my young master invites you."

Liu Yunche returned the salute and nodded for him to wait a moment, then instructed the servant to summon Wei Cong as well.

By the time Wei Cong arrived at Cloud Perch Courtyard, Liu Yunche had just changed into a black robe.

Jingyuan Tower had five floors and was the finest establishment in Verdant Grain County.

Today, Shi Qingyue had broken through to Flesh Tempering. He had therefore arranged a banquet in Azure Cloud Chamber, a private room on the second floor of Jingyuan Tower, and invited several close friends.

Outside Jingyuan Tower, Liu Yunche gazed at the five-story building, a trace of amazement flashing through his eyes.

The roof was thickly covered in vermilion-red and dark-gray tiles, each one layered atop another like interwoven scales.

The stairways curled upward level by level, lined with evenly spaced columns painted yellow.

Yellow pillars and red tiles made for a particularly striking sight.

Upon entering Jingyuan Tower, one found a wholly different scene.

Its carved windows and lattices were arranged with neat precision, while artificial hills and flowing water complemented them. It was grand yet carried a touch of elegant tranquility.

Inside Azure Cloud Chamber on the second floor, Shi Qingyue was chatting idly with several people.

Hearing the door open, he looked up. When he saw Liu Yunche, he laughed heartily and strode over with his arms spread wide, high-spirited and vigorous.

"Yunche, you're here."

Seeing Shi Qingyue so happy, Liu Yunche smiled as well and raised a hand in congratulations. "Congratulations."

Shi Qingyue grabbed Liu Yunche by the arm and led him into the room. "Come, let me introduce everyone."

"Everyone, this is my brother, Liu Yunche."

As soon as those words fell, everyone inside Azure Cloud Chamber turned to look, silently sizing Liu Yunche up.

Liu Yunche did not shrink from the attention. He generously cupped his hands and smiled.

"Yunche, this is He Wu. His family runs the He Family Rice Shop in the south of the city."

Shi Qingyue pointed to a tall, thin youth in blue as he introduced him.

He Wu smiled faintly. "Brother Yunche, I heard of you some time ago."

He paused before continuing, "A few days ago, an old servant in my household mentioned that Old Master Liu's family in the eastern part of the city had produced a genius who broke through to Copper Skin after practicing martial arts for only one month."

"I presume that was you, Brother?"

The moment those words were spoken, Shi Qingyue turned toward Liu Yunche and could not help asking.

"Yunche, you've reached Copper Skin?" As he spoke, he placed his right hand on Liu Yunche's shoulder and squeezed hard.

"Sure enough, hard enough. It really is Copper Skin."

Without changing expression, Liu Yunche brushed his hand away and casually explained.

"You all flatter me. I cannot be called a genius. My father merely gave me great support and had me take several precious medicinal herbs."

Everyone came to an understanding. Perhaps this was the reason Liu Yunche had been able to reach Copper Skin in one month.

However, Shi Qingyue was somewhat doubtful of Liu Yunche's explanation. He did not say so aloud and instead continued introducing the remaining people.

"This is Miss Li Xuantong, daughter of Constable Li from the county office."

Liu Yunche knew that under the laws of Great Qian, a constable already held official status. Though merely ranked ninth grade, it was still official status.

At a glance, Liu Yunche saw that Li Xuantong appeared to be fifteen or sixteen years old. Her features were delicate and unadorned, while her complexion held the light, plain hue of someone who practiced martial arts year-round.

Li Xuantong cupped her fists in salute, a trace of doubt in her eyes, before speaking. "Did you truly reach Copper Skin in just one month, Brother?"

Behind Li Xuantong stood a refined young gentleman. He gently tugged at her sleeve, signaling for her to watch her tone, while showing Liu Yunche an apologetic expression.

Liu Yunche was not angered. He returned the salute, his voice gentle, humble but not self-deprecating. "Reaching Copper Skin in one month is indeed true."

He then asked the youth behind Li Xuantong, "And who might this brother be?"

The youth was modest and courteous. "I am Li Xuansheng, Xuantong's cousin."

Shi Qingyue took over from the side. "Yunche, let me introduce this final person to you—Senior Brother Jiang Xu."

Shi Qingyue smiled and naturally filled in the reason, explaining their background to Liu Yunche as well.

"The few of us here all studied and trained at Green Grain Martial Academy in our earlier years. Senior Brother Jiang is an older senior at the Martial Academy, so we all address him as Senior Brother Jiang."

"Even before you began practicing martial arts, Yunche, you spent some time at the Literary Academy."

"Senior Brother Jiang is a disciple of Green Grain Martial Academy. He is only eighteen this year, yet he is already a Tendon Forging martial artist."

In the corner, a young man was reclining in his chair as he read a yellowed old book.

Hearing someone call his name, Jiang Xu set the book down and looked over.

Upon seeing that face, Liu Yunche's expression froze slightly, while a trace of surprise also flashed through Jiang Xu's eyes.

Jiang Xu smiled, his voice clear and mellow. "We meet again."

This time, Shi Qingyue was the one left stunned. "You know each other?"

Liu Yunche explained, "I met Senior Brother Jiang once at a bookstore on Changqing Old Street. I never expected that you knew one another as well."

Shi Qingyue nodded. So that was how it was.

Li Xuantong's voice came from the side.

"Senior Brother Jiang is one of the most outstanding disciples of this generation at Green Grain Martial Academy."

He Wu looked at Jiang Xu and muttered to himself, "Jiang Xu? No wonder that name sounded so familiar. So Bookworm himself is standing before me."

He solemnly cupped his hands toward Jiang Xu. "I have long admired your name."

For a time, the gazes resting on Jiang Xu carried a little more respect and admiration.

"You all are too courteous. Jiang is merely a few years older than you." Jiang Xu said humbly.

The proud bearing of a genius Liu Yunche had imagined did not show itself in Jiang Xu. This eighteen-year-old Tendon Forging martial artist was unexpectedly gentle in his treatment of others.

Seeing that they did not believe him, Jiang Xu pointed at Shi Qingyue. "Qingyue is only sixteen, yet he has already reached Flesh Tempering. In two years, he will naturally be able to reach Tendon Forging. In fact, it may not even take two years."

"Senior Brother Jiang praises me too highly. Flesh Tempering does not advance as swiftly as Skin Tempering. Flesh Tempering involves many muscles, and the slightest carelessness can leave hidden injuries." Shi Qingyue shook his head.

He knew his own situation best. Flesh Tempering could not be rushed; one had to proceed step by step and advance with every footfall firmly planted.

"I have no confidence that I can even reach perfection within two years, much less Tendon Forging."

Shi Qingyue raised his wine cup, changing the subject. "Let us not speak of this today. Come, let us drink this cup together and wish every one of us martial fortune like a soaring rainbow."

"Good! Martial fortune like a soaring rainbow!"

The young men and women drained their cups in one go, and for a time, both host and guests were thoroughly delighted.

"Today, Qingyue has made a breakthrough. I wish Qingyue rapid progress and an early entry into Tendon Forging." Jiang Xu raised his cup in congratulations.

The others also raised their cups in turn, joining together to wish Shi Qingyue an early breakthrough into Tendon Forging.