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

Time flew by, and more than twenty days passed before anyone realized it.

The days spent pouring out sweat were especially fulfilling. Liu Yunche was quite content with his current peaceful life.

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

On this day, within Cloud Perch Courtyard.

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

The dense grass fibers clung tightly to every inch of his skin, lightly chafing against him with every slight movement. They brought an unceasing, fine stinging pain, keeping his flesh taut and filling him with a sore, swollen heaviness.

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

There was tempering without and nourishment within. Liu Yunche could clearly feel the copper-colored sheen of his skin growing increasingly deep and heavy.

When he clenched his fist and threw a punch, he could easily shatter the bluestone used for strength testing. When he spread his five fingers into a palm, leaving a mark on the stone table took no effort at all.

His body had long since accumulated enough power, and the shackles of the Iron Skin Realm had already loosened. By Liu Yunche's estimation, after another three or four days of nurturing, 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 beyond the courtyard.

"Yunche, Yunche."

Liu Yunche dispersed the inner breath around him and slowly finished his practice. Raising a hand to wipe the thin sweat from his forehead, he stepped forward and pulled open the courtyard gate.

"Nothing much to do, so I came to take you out for some fresh air," Shi Qingyue said with a smile. Seeing the black fuzz covering Liu Yunche's body, he knew Liu Yunche had been training diligently.

After tidying up for a moment and changing clothes, Liu Yunche left the Liu Household with Shi Qingyue. Together, they made their way to Small Yuan Tower.

Shi Qingyue chose a private room facing the street and ordered several small dishes. After barely exchanging pleasantries, he went straight to the point, holding a teacup as he said,

"In ten days, the Martial Academy will organize a hunt beyond the city. Have you broken through to the Iron Skin Realm yet?"

Liu Yunche lightly held his teacup, feeling its warmth seep into his fingers. He slowly said, "Three days at the earliest, four days at the latest. 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 protecting you, you'll be able to withstand those sharp-fanged, clawed demonic beasts to some extent. You'll have a few means of protecting yourself."

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

They chatted some more about the martial arts halls' everyday trivialities. Only when the sun tilted westward did they rise and set off together for home.

Just after they rounded the street corner outside Small Yuan Tower, quite a few pedestrians still came and went along the roadside. Merchants carrying goods and diners taking post-meal strolls moved about in twos and threes, while the smoky warmth of street snacks drifted through the lanes.

A group of martial artists dressed in dark fitted outfits strode across the street, their heavy steps striking the bluestone road with resounding thuds.

The formidable aura they carried forced passersby to step aside. The once bustling street corner instantly fell cold and silent.

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

The brutal aura radiating from him made the surrounding pedestrians afraid to linger. Instinctively, they retreated to the walls at the edge of the street.

This man was named Wang Yi, and he studied at Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall. Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall and Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall had long borne a deep grudge against one another.

When Wang Yi spotted Shi Qingyue, he immediately stopped. A naked sneer curved his lips as his haughty gaze swept over the two of them, and he raised his voice.

"Isn't this the young hall master of Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall? Long time no see. Your Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall is still the same—each generation is worse than the last."

"There aren't many disciples under you who can fight. Don't call it Rolling Stone Fist anymore. In my opinion, you should call it Soft Cotton Fist instead."

The moment he finished speaking, the disciples of Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall behind him burst into arrogant laughter.

Someone cast Shi Qingyue a sidelong glance and chimed in,

"Any random person from our martial arts hall could crush them!"

"You don't even have a single attendant disciple with you, yet you still have the nerve to walk the streets!"

The laughter crashed against the street-side walls. Not another idle sound remained nearby. A tense sense of confrontation instantly shrouded both sides; even the wind along the street seemed to stop, and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe.

Shi Qingyue's face darkened at once. Raising his hand to point at Wang Yi, he shouted angrily,

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

At those words, Wang Yi's eyes narrowed, and anger surged 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 been enemies for a long time, and Shi Qingyue had long wanted to teach the people of Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall a lesson.

Just then, a young man's voice came from behind Wang Yi.

"Senior Brother, let me do it."

Shi Qingyue followed the voice and saw a tall, sturdy youth with arrogance written all over his face.

Wang Yi frowned and lowered his voice. "Shi Qingyue has already broken through to Flesh Tempering. You are no match for him."

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

At those words, Wang Yi turned his gaze toward Liu Yunche. After considering him for a moment, he realized he did not know this person.

His eyes shifted slightly 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 Bone, making him exceptionally suited to their sect's martial arts. His future prospects were boundless, and so on.

"Blind bear, what are you whispering about over there? Are we fighting or not? If you're scared, just leave. From now on, when you see me, keep three paces away, and I'll spare your life."

Shi Qingyue crossed his arms and laughed heartily.

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

He paused, then laughed harshly. "When I say your Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall gets worse with every generation, that is simply the truth."

As his words fell, he patted the tall youth's shoulder, his tone brimming with pride.

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

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

At those words, 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 live long enough to grow," Shi Qingyue snorted, his meaning pointed.

Wang Yi folded his arms. "Shi Qingyue, are you only good at wagging your tongue? If you have the guts, let my junior brother compare notes with the man beside you."

Shi Qingyue was about to refuse when Liu Yunche saw his dilemma. Since there were no disciples from the martial arts hall by his side, Liu Yunche stepped forward and casually accepted.

"Fine. My hands have been itching today anyway. This is the perfect time for a fight."

"Yunche, you haven't broken through to Iron Skin yet..." Shi Qingyue frowned, grabbing his arm.

"It's fine."

Liu Yunche lightly patted Shi Qingyue's arm. Since taking up martial arts, he had yet to spar with anyone of his generation. Today was the perfect chance to test what level his strength had reached.

Han Xu laughed loudly. "Good, straightforward. We martial artists should be like this—let our fists do the talking."

"Since you agreed so readily, I'll go a little lighter on you later," Han Xu said, as though he had already won.

Liu Yunche deliberately put on a troubled expression and hesitated.

"You're already in the Iron Skin Realm, while I'm still in the Copper Skin Realm. That seems rather unfair."

"Fine. I wouldn't want anyone saying I, Han Xu, bullied the weak. I see you use a saber, so I'll give you the advantage of a weapon."

"Fine, but you'd better be careful. My saber is very sharp." Liu Yunche agreed, kindly reminding him while placing special emphasis on the word "sharp."

Han Xu's face was full of disdain. Ever since the master of Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall had accepted him as a disciple, the ointments he used for Skin Tempering had all been the finest.

The Iron Skin forged through such tempering was far sturdier than that of ordinary martial artists. Did a mere sharp blade think it could hurt him?

The surrounding vendors had long since retreated far away, afraid of being caught in the aftermath.

The two stood facing one another, their gazes fixed on their opponent as they searched for openings.

Han Xu clenched and flexed his fists, his eyes fierce, looking like a savage bear pouncing on prey.

Liu Yunche gripped the hilt of his saber. His body was relaxed, but his gaze remained locked tightly on Han Xu.