Martial Treasure Appears, Shocking Everyone; Xue Changli Flies into a Rage

Han Xu had always been highly sought after at Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall. As the Martial Arts Prodigy admired by all, he had never possessed much patience.

After facing off with Liu Yunche for a moment, he searched all around yet could not find the slightest opening in his opponent.

But he did not care in the least. Since his opponent had no opening, he would use brute force to forcibly create one.

He suddenly sprang into the air, like a savage bear crushing the earth. When his feet landed, the bluestone trembled, rubble flew in every direction, and the sheer momentum was utterly terrifying.

His fierce and powerful fist intent rolled forth, using overwhelming pressure to shake the mind and seize the enemy's courage before battle even began.

He threw a punch, iron-colored light gleaming across his fist as it shot straight for Liu Yunche's face without the slightest hesitation.

Liu Yunche possessed the Divine Movement Gift, and his speed had long surpassed that of ordinary martial artists. Though Han Xu moved quickly, in Liu Yunche's eyes, it was like watching a slow-motion replay.

Calm and composed, he stepped back and twisted aside to evade the punch. Liu Yunche gripped the scabbard in his left hand and thrust it forward, driving straight at Han Xu's abdomen.

"Bang!"

The scabbard met Han Xu's palm print, their strength colliding. Han Xu felt a force not much weaker than his own surge toward him, forcing him to take a step back and steady himself.

Copper-colored light gleamed over the five fingers of Liu Yunche's left hand, blocking the transmitted force. He retreated three steps.

He was not surprised. After all, the gap in their realms was right there.

Han Xu had not expected a Copper Skin martial artist to force him back. With an angry roar, he charged forward again, unleashing a chain of punches. Fierce fist shadows came one after another without end, each one a savage, brutal killing move from Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall.

Yet Liu Yunche bore the Divine Movement Gift. His figure flickered unpredictably as he dodged and weaved from side to side, never directly contesting his opponent's brute force.

Holding the scabbard, he blocked and deflected, dispersing force and redirecting momentum. No matter how violent and sharp Han Xu's fists were, the scabbard dissolved them with effortless ease.

At times, he jabbed forward to force his opponent back. At times, he slipped to the side and circled around him. No matter how fiercely Han Xu attacked, he could not touch Liu Yunche in the slightest.

After attacking for so long without results, Han Xu grew increasingly agitated. His moves gradually became disordered, and openings continually emerged.

In another fierce exchange, Han Xu carelessly allowed himself to be driven back several steps.

Liu Yunche seized the opportunity. His footwork shifted, and in an instant, he closed in. His right hand settled on the scabbard as he drew his blade.

Only then had Han Xu just managed to steady himself. Looking up, he saw a dark blade-light cleave down at him. It was swift, carrying a wave of air with it like a gale sweeping through.

Han Xu did not retreat. He circulated the strength through his entire body and shouted, "Good timing!"

He drew his right arm back to gather strength. His body bent like a bow, his fist like a sharp arrow. Black light gleamed over his knuckles, radiating a chilling coldness.

His fist shot out like a roaring savage bear, crashing violently against the blade-light.

The two figures crossed paths and stood still in the middle of the street. For a moment, the scene fell silent as everyone held their breath and watched the two combatants.

"Drip."

The sound of blood falling was especially loud upon the deathly silent street.

Han Xu's face twisted savagely, his eyes wide as he stared fixedly at the bone-deep wound on his arm. His voice was dry and trembling, filled with disbelief.

"Is this what you meant when you said your blade was very sharp?"

One had to know that Copper Skin martial artists were already immune to the slashing of ordinary weapons, much less him, who had already reached the Iron Skin Realm.

Yet the dark blade had effortlessly cut through the Iron Skin he took such pride in before slicing open his flesh. His heart shuddered, and terror filled him.

The corner of Liu Yunche's mouth rose in an almost imperceptible smile. His gaze remained clear and tranquil. "I warned you."

Wang Yi stared at Han Xu's wounded arm, and his face instantly darkened, both shocked and furious.

"You're not from Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall."

Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall did not have the wealth to equip a Copper Skin Realm disciple with a Martial Treasure.

Liu Yunche smiled. "I never said I was from Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall."

"A mere Copper Skin martial artist, yet he holds a low-grade Martial Treasure." Wang Yi stared at Concealed Edge in Liu Yunche's hand and muttered to himself.

The moment the words "Martial Treasure" were spoken, the people behind him from Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall erupted like a pot had exploded.

Someone shouted, "Unfair! You're holding a Martial Treasure. Isn't that plainly bullying honest people?"

"Despicable and shameless!"

"How precious is a low-grade Martial Treasure? Even ordinary Tendon Forging martial artists can hardly obtain one, yet it ended up in the hands of a Copper Skin boy."

The passersby watching from the roadside immediately began whispering among themselves. Their eyes shone as they stared at the long blade in Liu Yunche's hand, discussing it in low voices and marveling that he possessed such a rare treasure.

Wang Yi waited no longer. He strode forward and came to Han Xu's side to inspect his injuries.

Seeing that the wound had only cut through flesh and had not reached the tendons or bones, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief. If the tendons and bones had been injured, his master would certainly fly into a rage, and he would not have a pleasant time of it.

He took out a bottle of wound medicine and carefully sprinkled it around Han Xu's injury.

Then he glared viciously at Liu Yunche, seeming ready to make trouble. Yet an incomparably sharp gaze remained fixed on his vital points, and a chill instantly spread through his body.

He knew it was Shi Qingyue.

Shi Qingyue had already stepped forward to stand beside Liu Yunche. The aura around him surged as he glared fiercely at Wang Yi.

Seeing that nothing could be done, Wang Yi could only leave behind a dark threat. "Just you wait!"

He then led the people from Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall away in disgrace.

As he left, Han Xu turned back to glance at Liu Yunche. A trace of ruthlessness lay in his eyes, like a savage bear that had failed to catch its prey and nursed a grudge in unwillingness.

"That boy has a vicious look in his eyes. He doesn't seem like a good sort. Yunche, be careful," Shi Qingyue warned.

Liu Yunche was not frightened by Han Xu's gaze. To him, that brief exchange had merely been a warm-up.

After their short clash just now, he had gained a certain understanding of his own strength. Taking Han Xu as an example, if he fully activated the Divine Movement Gift, he was confident he could cut Han Xu down with a single stroke.

Liu Yunche withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Qingyue. I know my limits."

Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall, rear courtyard. An ancient tree spread its branches and leaves, casting patches of shade. This was the private ground of the hall master, Xue Changli.

Beneath the ancient tree, Xue Changli reclined in an old nanmu wood lounge chair. One hand turned a piece of antique craftsmanship, while the other held a martial arts manual for him to study.

Behind him, two pretty maidservants worked hard to fan him with palm-leaf fans. On a redwood table nearby sat exquisite pastries and tea.

Xue Changli was now fifty-six years old. In his early years, he had fought bravely and fiercely, building Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall into what it was today. Yet this had also caused serious hidden injuries to accumulate within his body.

Now, he relied on training to recuperate and potent medicines to nourish himself, barely maintaining his Perfected Bone Tempering Realm cultivation.

During this period, Xue Changli had been in excellent spirits. He had originally worried about the future survival of Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall, until he encountered Han Xu.

A sturdy youth born with Bear Bone had quietly appeared before him.

For a time, he had believed this to be a conspiracy and trap laid by an enemy. Yet he could not resist the temptation of that body of Bear Bone. After secretly investigating for many days, he finally confirmed that it was merely a coincidence.

That day, the aches and pains in his body seemed to vanish. He gathered his disciples and drank heartily for once.

Looking back over his life, he had taken in many disciples.

Only three still remained by his side. Unfortunately, those three had limited talent and had stopped at the Early Bone Tempering Realm. They could not protect the foundation he had built.

Fortunately, there was Han Xu. After his death, he would have no worries left behind.

At this thought, Xue Changli spoke in a low voice. "Where is Han Xu?"

A middle-aged man outside the door replied respectfully.

"Reporting to Master, Junior Brother Han went out with Senior Brother Wang Yi."

Xue Changli nodded, placed the martial arts book to one side, and closed his eyes to rest.

After quite some time, bursts of commotion suddenly arose from the front courtyard. Xue Changli frowned tightly, opened his eyes, and abruptly stood. "What is all this noise about?"

The moment he stepped out of the rear courtyard, he saw Wang Yi rushing toward him. Xue Changli said calmly, "Wang Yi, when trouble comes, remain calm. Keep your heart tranquil and your mind at peace."

Seeing his master's brow slightly furrowed, Wang Yi hurriedly lowered his head and adjusted his breathing. A moment later, though fear filled his heart, he still gathered his courage and said,

"Master, Junior Brother Han is injured."

"What!" Xue Changli's right hand suddenly seized Wang Yi's arm, his fingers unconsciously tightening.

Wang Yi's face flushed red. He felt as though his arm were about to be crushed, and his body began trembling involuntarily.

"Hmph!" Xue Changli tossed Wang Yi aside and headed straight for the front courtyard.

Wang Yi shook his numb arm and looked at his master's retreating back, muttering quietly,

"Master, you didn't do what you said about staying calm either..."

He then dared not delay and ran after him as well.

In the front courtyard of Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall, a crowd surrounded Han Xu, all talking over one another.

Han Xu remained silent, his eyes fixed tightly on his injured arm as several female disciples treated his wound.

The disciples who had returned with him explained the details to everyone else.

"That kid was despicable and shameless. He relied on having a Martial Treasure to bully our Junior Brother Han."

"That's right. If he hadn't held a Martial Treasure, Junior Brother Han could have suppressed a mere Copper Skin martial artist with one punch."

Once those words were spoken, the scene grew much quieter. Most people qualified to practice martial arts came from middle-class families, for martial training consumed gold and silver like water. Without money at home, one could not practice martial arts.

No one was stupid. A Copper Skin martial artist holding a Martial Treasure—when these two matters were linked together, he was likely the young master of some great family.

They could follow the crowd in shouting support, naturally, but if they were asked to charge ahead... heh, heh. They could not afford to provoke such a person.

Suddenly, someone sharp-eyed noticed Xue Changli's arrival and quietly reminded the others, "Master is here."

Hearing this, everyone hurriedly bowed their heads, moved to stand on either side, and fell silent.

When Han Xu saw his master arrive, he rose to pay his respects. "Master..."

"Enough. Sit down first." Xue Changli carefully inspected Han Xu's injuries, then sighed in relief. "Fortunately, it is only a flesh wound. It has not injured the tendons or bones."

He composed himself, his expression returning to calm. A quiet steadiness colored his words. "What exactly happened?"

Han Xu slowly recounted the matter. "Today, I went out with Senior Brother Wang Yi and encountered Shi Qingyue of Rolling Stone Martial Arts Hall at Small Yuan Tower."

"He injured you?" Xue Changli asked, his voice low with a trace of anger. "Wang Yi, come here!"

At his master's words, Wang Yi's heart trembled. He dared not delay and hurried over.

Just as he thought his master was about to punish him severely, Han Xu spoke up. "It wasn't him. It was someone beside him."

"At the time, Senior Brother Wang was preparing to fight Shi Qingyue. I remembered Master saying a few days ago that we should keep a low profile lately, so I thought I would fight the person beside Shi Qingyue instead."

"I never expected that person to be holding a Martial Treasure. He even warned me beforehand, saying that his blade was very sharp."

He snorted coldly. "Now that I think of it, that man was clearly plotting against me."

As he spoke, waves of pain came from his arm, and Han Xu's heart filled with resentment.

Hearing Han Xu speak up for him, Wang Yi looked at him with gratitude. This junior brother is someone worth keeping around.

His words were impassioned as he angrily berated Liu Yunche.

"Master, that kid is a scheming villain. He did it deliberately, intending to severely injure Junior Brother Han. Perhaps some force that bears a grudge against us is behind this."