Within the camp, a piece of news suddenly spread.
A group of youths huddled in a corner, whispering among themselves.
"Have you heard? That little beast Deacon Jiang brought back is a mutant!"
"A mutant?!"
"Keep your voice down."
A brocade-robed youth passing by gave a disdainful smile and casually said, "Your news is already outdated."
"That little beast is called a Red Dog Zheng."
"Red Dog Zheng..." Most of the youths were utterly bewildered.
The brocade-robed youth did not keep them guessing and explained directly, "That Red Dog Zheng has three tails. Legend says it carries a trace of the bloodline of the ancient strange beast, the Zheng."
"If properly raised, it may one day reach the Blood Exchange Realm. It is also born with the ability to command flames, making it extraordinarily formidable."
As soon as the words fell, the youths all crowded around him, wanting him to tell them more about the ancient strange beast, the Zheng.
The brocade-robed youth was immensely pleased with himself. After putting on a slight show of reserve, he began speaking.
Liu Yunche had just finished tidying up and changed out of his tiger hide when a deacon came looking for him, telling him to immediately go to Elder Lu.
Liu Yunche stepped into the tent. Elder Lu and Li Qinwu had been chatting, and when Elder Lu saw him arrive, he said with a genial smile:
"Since you are here, come sit."
A trace of surprise flashed through the eyes of the deacon who had accompanied him. He had not expected Liu Yunche to have such a good relationship with Elder Lu.
At Elder Lu's wave, the deacon hurriedly bowed and took his leave.
Liu Yunche was not at all intimidated. After bowing in greeting, he sat down openly and naturally.
Elder Lu smiled warmly and said, "Boy Yunche, tell us everything in detail."
Seeing the inquisitive expressions on the two elders' faces, Liu Yunche began with how he had accidentally stumbled upon Ma San and the other man burying Demon-Luring Incense.
Likewise, Liu Yunche repeated what he had previously told Shi Qingyue.
An Iron Skin martial artist killing two Flesh Tempering martial artists in succession was simply too shocking. He only said that he had killed two Skin Tempering bandits in a row.
"Boy Yunche, you have improved quite a bit this time. Having seen blood, you have become much steadier."
Elder Lu looked Liu Yunche up and down, secretly nodding.
"You flatter me, Elder." Liu Yunche cupped his hands in reply, then continued.
As for how he had "shattered his clothes to confuse the enemy," he did not mention it at all.
He went on to speak of meeting Shi Qingyue, how the two had headed for Gourd Gorge together, and how the Tendon Forging bandit had attacked them before Senior Brother Jiang Xu and the other two saved them.
After Liu Yunche finished, the tent fell silent.
After a long while, Elder Lu smiled calmly and said in a gentle voice, "Boy Yunche, you may leave for now."
Once Liu Yunche had gone, only the two of them remained in the tent.
Li Qinwu pondered for a moment before slowly speaking:
"The people of Blackwind Stronghold used Demon-Luring Incense. Something must have changed deep within Azure Radiance Mountain."
"Either some heavenly treasure has appeared, or another opportunity has arisen."
Elder Lu shook his head. "Such matters are often difficult to pin down."
After a brief pause, he continued, "But we cannot fail to guard against the Demon-Luring Incense. If a Tendon Forging demonic beast runs out from the depths..."
"I will issue orders at once for all deacons to strengthen their vigilance and not let down their guard," Li Qinwu said.
"Strengthening our vigilance alone is not enough. Until we discover what exactly has happened, this old man cannot rest easy."
Elder Lu's finger paused as it tapped the table, and a glint of sharp light flashed in his eyes.
Seeing Elder Lu's look of having everything under control, Li Qinwu smiled faintly. "Elder Lu must already have a way to deal with this."
"Request reinforcements."
"Not only from the academy. The Three Great Families of Verdant Grain County should also contribute their share. After all, their own descendants are all within Azure Radiance Mountain."
"Something in the depths of Azure Radiance Mountain that could make the Blackwind Stronghold's chief personally issue orders would surely interest those at the Blood Exchange level as well."
Li Qinwu smiled. "In that case, Azure Radiance Mountain will only grow more chaotic."
"But that is not necessarily a bad thing. The bandits have run rampant for too long. It is time to set things right."
Elder Lu nodded approvingly, then rose to make preparations.
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, a gray-blue bird flew from the camp toward Verdant Grain County.
Shi Qingyue wore a clean azure robe as he softly asked, "Yunche, what did the Martial Academy elders say?"
"The elders merely asked about what happened, then told me to leave."
"Qingyue, how are your injuries?" Liu Yunche asked with concern.
Shi Qingyue's complexion had become much rosier. Medicine had already been applied to his arms, and the two claw wounds had begun to scab over.
Just as the two were about to chat a little longer, a sound suddenly came from outside the tent.
"Brother Yunche, we came to see you and Qingyue!" He Wu called loudly.
When He Wu, Li Xuantong, and Li Xuansheng entered, Liu Yunche saw that each of them held a little tiger cub in their arms.
Shi Qingyue glanced at them and feigned anger. "Well, well, you thick-browed, big-eyed fellows. You abandoned Yunche and me and left ahead of us, without even leaving word."
He Wu hurriedly cupped his hands with an apologetic smile, his tone full of remorse:
"Brother Qingyue, do not be angry, do not be angry. Matters were urgent that day, and we left in a hurry, causing you both concern. We truly wronged you."
"Today, the three of us have come bearing thorns on our backs to plead guilty. We ask that you two be magnanimous..."
As his words fell, He Wu shamelessly grinned.
Li Xuansheng wore a solemn expression as he cupped his hands.
"Leaving without saying goodbye that day was truly not the act of gentlemen. Today, I offer my apologies to Brother Liu and Brother Shi."
His earnest manner made Shi Qingyue's face flush hot. He turned red with embarrassment and instead felt somewhat awkward.
Just as Shi Qingyue was about to speak, the silent Li Xuantong suddenly opened her mouth.
"Brother Shi, not only did we obtain these tiger cubs, we also found two Blackwater Earth Fungus plants. They happen to be gifts for you two."
The moment the words "Blackwater Earth Fungus" were spoken, the scene abruptly fell quiet, carrying a trace of strange awkwardness.
After quite some time, He Wu was the first to fail to hold it in. He burst into laughter and waggled his brows at Liu Yunche and Shi Qingyue.
"This Blackwater Earth Fungus is a top-grade remedy for strengthening the kidneys. Qingyue... you two must seize the opportunity."
After saying that, he did not forget to laugh again.
Hearing this, Li Xuansheng and Li Xuantong could not help but smile as well.
"Go on, get lost! I am strong and robust, so why would I need such a thing?"
Shi Qingyue waved his hand, his brows faintly furrowed as he feigned impatience.
"Brother Qingyue~ Do you truly not want it?" He Wu teased with a smiling face.
He took the two Blackwater Earth Fungus plants from Li Xuantong's hands and stiffly held them out to Shi Qingyue.
Shi Qingyue gave a light cough, turned to Liu Yunche, and said with a perfectly serious expression, "Ahem... Yunche, since it is Brother He and the others' kind intention, it would be improper for us to refuse."
As soon as he spoke, Shi Qingyue refused to look at He Wu, but his hands moved swiftly. He snatched the two Blackwater Earth Fungus plants away in one motion and casually stuffed one into Liu Yunche's hands.
The speed of his hands left everyone dumbfounded.
Liu Yunche looked at the Blackwater Earth Fungus in his hand and accepted it with a smile. "Many thanks to the three of you."
With the matter settled, the five sat around the table.
Li Xuansheng looked toward Liu Yunche, curiosity flickering in his eyes as he spoke first. "I just heard that Brother Liu exchanged two moves with a Tendon Forging martial artist without suffering the slightest injury. As expected of a genius who reached Copper Skin in one month."
Liu Yunche smiled calmly. "That Tendon Forging bandit underestimated me and did not take me seriously. That was why I was fortunate enough to endure two moves."
Looking at the youth's composed smile, Li Xuansheng did not think so. Fortunate... once may be fortune, but the second time may not be.
He did not say those words aloud. Some things only needed to be known to oneself.
Li Xuantong, however, had gained a new respect for Liu Yunche. Her initial faint disdain had now become a trace of curiosity.
"Brother Yunche, I heard from those who returned that Tao Xiaoyun even extended an olive branch to you. You should seize the opportunity properly," He Wu teased with a smile.
Ever since they had gone through the hunt together, He Wu had cast aside his deliberate manner. He spoke more like a friend, which made Liu Yunche feel quite at ease.
Liu Yunche waved his hand. "Tao Xiaoyun was likely only acting on a passing whim. Besides, I do not lack cultivation resources or martial arts manuals when practicing alone."
"That is true. With your father being a Bone Tempering martial artist, he can ensure that you cultivate all the way to Tendon Forging without having to worry over resources," He Wu said with a nod.
As Liu Yunche listened, he stroked the Blackwater Earth Fungus in his arms.
Strengthening the kidneys was merely this thing's incidental effect. It could temper the kidney meridians, fundamentally strengthening the kidneys and replenishing essence. It was a top-grade treasure coveted by many middle-aged martial artists.
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