Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall's Genius Takes the Stage, Copper Skin Realm Liu Yunche Accepts the Challenge!

Time flew by, and before they knew it, more than twenty days had passed.

The days spent sweating were especially fulfilling, and Liu Yunche was quite content with this peaceful life.

With no outside matters to disturb him, he could sense his own improvement every day.

On this day, within Cloud Perch Courtyard.

Liu Yunche was wrapped head to toe in fine black fibers tanned from Ironwire Grass. He assumed the posture of the Nurturing Origin Stance and stood silently.

The dense grass fibers clung tightly to every inch of his skin, lightly rubbing against him with each subtle movement. They brought an unending, fine prickling pain, keeping his flesh taut and leaving him with a sore, swollen heaviness.

The warm current produced by the perfected Nurturing Origin Stance circulated through his meridians, soothing his tense flesh and nourishing his body.

Tempering on the outside, nourishment within. Liu Yunche could clearly feel the bronze sheen of his skin growing increasingly deep and solid.

He clenched his fist and threw a punch, easily shattering the bluestone used for testing strength. With his fingers formed into a palm, he could leave marks on a stone table without any effort.

His body had long accumulated enough strength, and the shackles of the Iron Skin Realm had already loosened. By Liu Yunche's estimate, after another three or four days of conditioning, he would be able to break through to the Iron Skin Realm.

Just as he was concentrating on sensing the changes in his body, Shi Qingyue's hearty shout suddenly came from outside the courtyard:

"Yunche, Yunche."

Liu Yunche dispersed his inner breath and slowly finished his practice. Wiping the thin sweat from his brow, he stepped forward and pulled open the courtyard gate.

"Nothing to do, so I came to take you out for some fresh air." Shi Qingyue smiled. Seeing the black fibers covering Liu Yunche's body, he knew Liu Yunche had been training hard.

After tidying up for a moment and changing into a fresh set of clothes, Liu Yunche left the Liu residence with Shi Qingyue. They made their way to Small Yuan Tower.

Shi Qingyue picked a private room facing the street and ordered several small dishes. Without much small talk, he got straight to the point, holding a teacup as he said:

"In ten days, the martial academy's hunt outside the city begins. Have you broken through to the Iron Skin Realm yet?"

Liu Yunche lightly held his teacup, feeling its warmth, and slowly said, "At the earliest, three days. At the latest, four. I will definitely break through to the Iron Skin Realm."

"Good." Shi Qingyue's eyes lit up. "With the strength of the Iron Skin Realm to protect you, you'll be able to resist those sharp-fanged, clawed demon beasts to some extent. You'll have some ability to protect yourself."

The two continued chatting. Shi Qingyue spoke of how their peers at the martial academy were preparing, then went on about the dangers of the hunt outside the city. He repeatedly reminded Liu Yunche to prepare beast-repelling medicine and wound medicine, stay close to the elders' party, and never leave the group on his own.

They also discussed some everyday matters of the martial arts hall. Only when the sun had tilted westward did they rise and head back together.

They had just passed the street corner outside Small Yuan Tower. Many pedestrians still came and went along the roadside, vendors carrying goods and diners strolling after their meals moving about in twos and threes. The smoky aroma of street food drifted through the lanes.

A group of martial artists dressed in dark fitted uniforms strode across the street, their heavy steps ringing against the bluestone pavement.

Their naturally overbearing presence forced passersby to step aside. The formerly noisy street corner fell silent in an instant.

The man at their head was tall and burly, with an arrogant gaze. Standing across the road, he was like a black bear blocking the way.

The savage aura radiating from him made the surrounding pedestrians afraid to linger, and they instinctively retreated to the walls at the side of the street.

This man was Wang Yi, a disciple of Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall. Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall had long harbored a grudge against Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall.

Wang Yi caught sight of Shi Qingyue and immediately stopped. A trace of undisguised mockery curled across his lips as his arrogant gaze swept over the two of them. He raised his voice and said:

"Well, if it isn't the young hall master of Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall. Long time no see. Your Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall is still the same as ever—each generation worse than the last."

"None of your disciples can really fight. Why call it Rolling Stone Fist? In my opinion, you should call it Soft Cotton Fist."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall disciples behind him burst into arrogant laughter.

Someone cast Shi Qingyue a sidelong glance and chimed in:

"Anyone from our martial arts hall could crush them!"

"He doesn't even have a disciple accompanying him, and he still has the nerve to walk down the street!"

The laughter struck the walls along the street, and all other sounds in the area vanished. A taut sense of confrontation instantly enveloped both sides. Even the wind at the roadside seemed to stop, and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe.

Shi Qingyue's expression darkened at once. Pointing at Wang Yi, he shouted furiously:

"You blind bear, you're courting death."

At those words, Wang Yi's eyes narrowed and anger flared within him. What he hated most was being called a blind bear.

He glared, pointing directly at Shi Qingyue as he shouted, "Shi Qingyue, do you dare fight me?"

"Why would I fear you?"

The two martial arts halls had long been at odds, and Shi Qingyue had wanted to teach the people of Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall a lesson for quite some time.

At that moment, a young man's voice came from behind Wang Yi:

"Senior Brother, let me do it."

Following the voice, Shi Qingyue saw a tall, sturdy youth with pride written all over his face.

Wang Yi frowned and lowered his voice. "Shi Qingyue has already broken through the Flesh Tempering Realm. You're no match for him."

"Senior Brother is right, but isn't there another person beside him?"

At that, Wang Yi turned his gaze to Liu Yunche. After thinking for a moment, he realized he did not recognize him.

His eyes shifted as he recalled his master's instructions: he was to make a name for his junior brother. His junior brother had been born with bear bones and was exceptionally suited to their martial arts hall's techniques, with a future beyond measure, and so on.

"You blind bear, what are you muttering about over there? Are we fighting or not? If you're afraid, just leave. From now on, avoid me whenever you see me, and I'll let you go."

Shi Qingyue folded his arms and laughed loudly.

Wang Yi snorted coldly. "You think I'd be afraid of you?"

He paused, then said with a vicious smile, "When I said your Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall gets worse with each generation, that was simply the truth."

As his words fell, he patted the tall youth on the shoulder, his tone brimming with pride:

"Take a look at Han Xu, the genius newly recruited by Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall. He has trained at our hall for only three months, yet he has already steadily broken through to the Iron Skin Realm."

"With such talent, does your Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall have anyone who can stand beside him?"

Liu Yunche's gaze fell on Han Xu. Seeing the faint iron-colored sheen radiating from Han Xu's skin, he knew Wang Yi was not lying.

"A genius? There are plenty of geniuses who never get the chance to grow up." Shi Qingyue snorted, his words pointed.

Wang Yi crossed his arms. "Shi Qingyue, are you only capable of talking? If you've got the guts, let my junior brother spar with the person beside you."

Shi Qingyue was about to refuse, but seeing his difficulty and the lack of any martial arts hall disciples at his side, Liu Yunche stepped forward and casually accepted:

"Sure. I've been itching for a fight today. This is perfect."

"Yunche, you haven't broken through to the Iron Skin Realm yet..." Shi Qingyue grabbed his arm, frowning.

"It doesn't matter."

Liu Yunche lightly patted Shi Qingyue's arm. Since he had begun training in martial arts, he had never sparred with anyone of his generation. Today was the perfect chance to test what level his strength had reached.

Han Xu laughed loudly. "Good, straightforward. This is how martial artists should be—let our fists do the talking."

"You agreed so readily. I'll go easy on you later."

Han Xu looked as though he had already decided he would win.

Liu Yunche deliberately put on a troubled expression and hesitated.

"You are already in the Iron Skin Realm, while I am still in the Copper Skin Realm. That hardly seems fair."

"Fine. I wouldn't want people saying that I, Han Xu, bully the weak. I see you're a blade user, so I'll let you use a weapon."

"Alright, then you'd better be careful. My blade is very sharp." Liu Yunche agreed and kindly reminded him, placing particular emphasis on the word "sharp."

Han Xu looked utterly disdainful. Ever since the master of Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall had accepted him as a disciple, the skin-tempering ointment he used had been the finest available.

The Iron Skin he had forged through such tempering was sturdier than that of ordinary martial artists. How could a mere sharp blade possibly injure him?

The surrounding vendors had already retreated far away, afraid of getting caught up in the fight.

The two stood facing one another, their eyes fixed on each other as they searched for openings.

Han Xu clenched and flexed his fists, his gaze fierce, like a violent bear pouncing on prey.

Liu Yunche gripped the hilt of his blade, his body relaxed, but his eyes remained locked tightly on Han Xu.