In the blink of an eye, four days had passed.
Compared to Azure Radiance Mountain, life at the encampment was far more peaceful.
Over the past few days, Liu Yunche had honestly remained within the encampment, practicing his saber art and honing his physique. Wei Cong handled all other miscellaneous matters.
After taking the Fire Ganoderma, part of its medicinal power had settled within his body. This portion of medicinal power would originally have required a long time to be fully absorbed by the body.
Yet after Liu Yunche took the Blackwater Earth Fungus three days ago, it unexpectedly stimulated that portion of medicinal power.
The two combined, not only tempering the meridians of his kidneys and making his innate talent even greater than before, but also greatly shortening the time before he reached Silver Skin.
Within the Cloud Mirror, the youth's features were refined. Compared to before, his complexion was rosier and more lustrous.
Looking at the youth in the Cloud Mirror, Liu Yunche murmured, "A rosy complexion and abundant blood and qi—no wonder everyone longs for such a tonic."
Whether walking, sitting, lying down, or standing, the warm current produced by the Nurturing Origin Stance had become increasingly dense. Though its total amount had not increased, its quality had risen further and further.
"Perhaps when I return this time, I can learn the Dragon-Imprisoning Stance from Father."
At the thought, the corners of Liu Yunche's lips lifted slightly, and anticipation flickered in his eyes.
Yesterday, his father had sent over a Tendon Forging martial artist named Qian Cheng, one of his father's former subordinates in the army.
Qian Cheng had also brought a letter from his father.
His father's concern and his mother's love were all contained in the letter. Beyond that, there was an introduction to Qian Cheng.
"Qian Cheng is fierce and valiant. Whenever there was fighting, he was always at the forefront. Only after taking an arrow to the knee did he leave the army."
At the time, Liu Yunche had covertly glanced at Qian Cheng's right leg before withdrawing his gaze.
A moment later, he put on his clothes and walked out of the tent. From time to time, he saw martial artists leaping high and rushing about, all heading deeper into Azure Radiance Mountain.
Ever since Elder Lu sent word back to Verdant Grain County three days ago, the Martial Academy, the Three Great Families within the city, and all the major forces had dispatched people toward Azure Radiance Mountain.
What exactly had changed in the depths of Azure Radiance Mountain was still unknown.
The Martial Academy had gained two new Bone Tempering Realm elders, but they kept to themselves, and Liu Yunche had never had the chance to meet them.
He only knew that one was surnamed Ma and the other Sun.
Boom—
Outside the encampment, a massive beast was thrown onto the ground, kicking up dust that filled the sky.
"They're people from the He Clan. Which Tendon Forging-level demon beast is this?"
"I heard the people they sent into Azure Radiance Mountain suffered heavy casualties. Maybe they're venting their anger."
"The depths of Azure Radiance Mountain haven't been peaceful these past few days. I heard mountain bandits have been appearing there too."
"I heard that some heavenly treasure has appeared there. Its fragrance spreads for miles."
"That's not right. Why did I hear that an ancient tomb from several centuries ago has been unearthed, with the peerless inheritance of a martial arts expert hidden inside?"
Listening to the youths around him chatter endlessly, Liu Yunche kept shaking his head.
Before any definite news had even arrived, rumors were already flying all over the sky.
He secretly guessed that perhaps someone had laid out a trap in Azure Radiance Mountain, drawing people one after another to explore and slaughter each other.
One could not be too cautious about such matters.
Gazing at the rising morning sun, Liu Yunche silently calculated.
"There is only one day left before the hunt ends. When the time comes, I should return home as early as possible and avoid unnecessary trouble."
Over the past few days, Liu Tianlin, He Chaoyang, and Tao Xiaoyun had each invited him for a talk, but Liu Yunche had politely declined them all on the grounds that he was refining the Blackwater Earth Fungus.
Today, the medicinal power in his body had finally been fully absorbed. He strolled toward the edge of the encampment, but his gaze fell upon a youth.
The youth was plainly dressed, with determined eyes and an upright bearing.
Perhaps sensing the gaze upon him, the youth turned to look over. Seeing Liu Yunche's outstanding bearing, he withdrew his gaze. He had no dealings with disciples of these great Lineages.
The reason Liu Yunche remembered him was because the Fire Ganoderma had come from his hands.
That day, Liu Yunche had deliberately held back and allowed him to awaken first. He wondered whether he would have made a move against the other youth.
The thought flashed through his mind, and Liu Yunche calmly withdrew his gaze before turning to look at the hunting points ranking published by the Martial Academy.
A few breaths later, his gaze settled on one entry.
Liu Yunche: Iron Skin martial artist.
Rank: 100. Points: 361.
Further up, he could see that Shi Qingyue and the others were all ranked within the top hundred.
Among them, Shi Qingyue ranked twenty-sixth, with 853 points.
If he had not come out several days early, Shi Qingyue's ranking would likely have been even higher. Liu Yunche's gaze continued upward, and the top three were occupied by three unfamiliar names.
Wen Zhong, Ye Chen, Qin Yichuan.
According to the youths around him, Wen Zhong was a disciple of the Golden Fist Martial House, while Ye Chen and Qin Yichuan were disciples of the Martial Academy.
All three had returned once before. Because they had hunted too many demon beasts to fit into their packs, they had returned to have their points counted first.
All three currently had more than 1,200 points. After watching for a while and learning quite a bit about recent events, Liu Yunche turned and returned to his tent.
Inside the tent, Qian Cheng sat upright to one side, occasionally taking a shallow sip of tea with an expression of enjoyment.
Seeing Liu Yunche return, he merely nodded slightly.
Liu Yunche did not mind. He entered the inner section, drew the curtain, and carefully contemplated the essentials of the Thunderclap Saber Art.
His Gale Swift Saber had long since reached perfection. Ever since obtaining the Thunderclap Saber Art, he had studied and practiced it day and night. With the ability of a Saber Grandmaster, the Thunderclap Saber Art had already reached minor mastery.
At that moment, Liu Yunche focused intently, using his mind to rehearse every stance and move of the Thunderclap Saber Art within his mind.
His consciousness became completely immersed in it, and he did not notice time flying by. By the time he awoke again, it was already deep into the night.
Within the tent, he could still hear the ceaseless chirping of cicadas in the mountain forest. The cries of all kinds of insects mingled together, yet they did not feel noisy.
Liu Yunche fully awakened amid that chorus and murmured, "As expected of the advanced art of the Gale Swift Saber. The difficulty has suddenly increased enormously."
Looking at the dense night outside the window, he slept in his clothes and quietly awaited tomorrow's return to the city.
Early the next morning, the morning breeze swept through the wilderness as the young martial artists participating in the hunt emerged in a bustling stream.
Though their faces were still somewhat immature, their auras were not weak. Those who had persisted until the end were at least Silver Skin martial artists, and quite a few had reached Flesh Tempering.
"Not bad, not bad. After this round of tempering, they finally look somewhat like martial artists."
Looking at these youths carrying Killing Intent, their gazes far sharper than before, Elder Lu's old face beamed with satisfaction, and his brows relaxed.
Li Qinwu stood beside Elder Lu and nodded approvingly.
Time slowly passed. As the last person emerged, the ten-day hunt also came to an end.
Elder Lu stood tall at the center of the encampment, looking vigorous and energetic. His voice was not loud, yet it clearly carried throughout the entire encampment.
"In the hunting competition, third place goes to Qin Yichuan. The reward is one thousand taels of silver, one Tendon Guard Pill, one Low-grade Martial Treasure, and one Superior Martial Art."
"Qin Yichuan thanks the Martial Academy for its guidance." Qin Yichuan stepped out from the crowd, dressed in brown robes and appearing calm and composed.
Qin Yichuan first respectfully clasped his hands toward the Martial Academy, then turned to face Elder Lu.
"Thank you, Elder Lu."
Elder Lu nodded slightly, signaling for him to step back before continuing.
"Second place goes to Wen Zhong. The reward is two thousand taels of silver, two Tendon Guard Pills, one Low-grade Martial Treasure, and one Superior Martial Art."
Upon hearing his name, Wen Zhong hurriedly squeezed out of the crowd. He was tall and burly, with bulging muscles on his folded arms.
"So that is Wen Zhong? I heard he has cultivated the Golden Light Body, the body-tempering martial art of the Golden Fist Martial House, to an extremely profound level. Martial artists of the same level simply cannot do anything to him."
"If that is the case, he will be a strong contender at the next Hidden Dragon Gathering."
The youths in the crowd discussed animatedly. Standing among them, Liu Yunche looked again and again at Wen Zhong's exceptionally solid muscles.
Qian Cheng, standing beside him, sighed. "What a fine seedling for body-tempering arts."
Seemingly noticing Liu Yunche's gaze, Qian Cheng explained unhurriedly.
"This Wen Zhong has broad shoulders and a thick back. The muscles across his entire body are taut and condensed, without the slightest hint of flabbiness. His lower body is solid and steady, like a hill standing firm."
Liu Yunche understood.
Wen Zhong clasped his fists, the corners of his mouth spreading slightly as he said in a deep, muffled voice.
"Thank you, Martial Academy. Thank you, Elder Lu."
After a brief pause, Elder Lu continued.
"First place goes to Ye Chen. The reward is three thousand taels of silver, three Tendon Guard Pills, one custom-made Low-grade Martial Treasure, and one ultimate martial art."
Although everyone had long known that the reward for first place would far exceed those for second and third, the custom-made Martial Treasure and ultimate martial art still made many people's eyes nearly pop out.
Ye Chen wore white robes and had handsome features. Under everyone's gaze, he appeared even more spirited and exceptional.
"So that is Ye Chen."
"I heard he practices swordsmanship. That Martial Treasure will surely be a treasured sword."
"An ultimate martial art... Verdant Grain Martial Academy has only three ultimate arts in total. I wonder which one he will choose."
"Is there even a need to say it? One of those three ultimate arts is a sword art. Ye Chen will definitely choose the sword art."
As the crowd discussed, Ye Chen had already strode before Elder Lu and respectfully bowed. "Thank you to the Martial Academy for its guidance, and thank you, Elder Lu."
Elder Lu smiled warmly and encouraged him.
"Young Ye Chen, you took first place in today's hunt, and your foundation is gratifyingly solid. But do not become complacent. You must press on with even greater effort and break through to Tendon Forging as soon as possible."
Ye Chen smiled calmly, bowed, and clasped his hands. "Thank you, Elder Lu. This junior will certainly not disappoint Elder Lu's expectations."
"Everyone! As of today, this hunt may be considered a complete success." Elder Lu smiled faintly.
He swept out a hand. "Return to the city!"
Everyone had already packed their belongings and had only been waiting to set out together.
Boom—
A sudden thunderous sound rang out, followed by an unending series of piercing air-splitting noises. It seemed someone was racing toward them at great speed.
Elder Lu leaped onto the high platform and stared toward Azure Radiance Mountain. A moment later, two tiny black dots appeared in his field of vision—they were two figures.
The two figures were desperately leaping between the treetops, while four others pursued them from behind, intent on killing them.
Elder Lu's expression changed. His figure flashed as he raced away. Li Qinwu noticed as well, following close behind Elder Lu as he charged out.
The people of the Three Great Families exchanged glances and followed. However, they only trailed behind at an unhurried pace, clearly having no intention of intervening.
The crowd had no idea what was happening and did not understand why so many Bone Tempering Realm martial artists had rushed out.
For a time, the entire area was filled with uproar.
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