The Medicinal Power Fully Refined, Saber Art Advanced

In the blink of an eye, four days had passed.

Compared to Azure Radiance Mountain, life at the camp was far more uneventful.

Over the past few days, Liu Yunche had honestly remained within the camp, practicing his saber arts and honing his physique. He left all other miscellaneous matters to Wei Cong.

After taking the Fire Ganoderma, part of its medicinal power had settled within his body. Ordinarily, this portion of the medicinal power would have required a long time before it could be completely absorbed.

Yet after Liu Yunche consumed the Blackwater Earth Fungus three days ago, it had unexpectedly stimulated that portion of medicinal power.

The two combined, not only tempering the channels around his kidneys and improving his innate talent beyond what it had once been, but also greatly shortening the time before he could advance to Silver Skin.

In the cloud mirror, the youth's delicate features appeared even more rosy and lustrous than before.

Staring at the youth in the cloud mirror, Liu Yunche muttered, "A rosy complexion and abundant blood and qi. No wonder everyone longs for such a tonic."

As he walked, sat, and lay down, the warm current produced by the Nurturing Origin Stance grew increasingly dense. Though its total amount had not increased, its quality had risen higher and higher.

"Perhaps when I return this time, I can learn the Dragon-Imprisoning Stance from Father."

At that thought, the corners of Liu Yunche's lips rose slightly, and anticipation flickered in his eyes.

Yesterday, his father had sent over a Tendon Forging martial artist named Qian Cheng, one of his former subordinates from the army.

Qian Cheng had arrived together with a letter from his father.

His father's concern and his mother's care were all contained within the letter. It also included an introduction to Qian Cheng.

"Qian Cheng is fierce and valiant. Whenever battle came, he always charged at the front, until an arrow struck his knee and forced him to 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 stepped out of the tent. From time to time, he could see martial artists leaping high and low, all rushing in a swarm toward the depths of Azure Radiance Mountain.

Ever since Elder Lu sent word back to Verdant Grain County three days ago, the Martial Academy, the city's three great Lineages, and various major forces had all dispatched people toward Azure Radiance Mountain.

No one yet knew what changes had occurred in the depths of Azure Radiance Mountain.

Two new Bone Tempering Realm elders had arrived at the Martial Academy, but they kept deeply secluded and rarely emerged, so Liu Yunche had never had the chance to see them.

He only knew that one was surnamed Ma and the other Sun.

Boom—

Outside the camp, a massive beast was hurled onto the ground, kicking up dust that filled the sky.

"They're people from the He Clan. Which Tendon Forging-level demonic beast is this already?"

"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 heavenly treasures had appeared there, their fragrance spreading out and covering several miles."

"No, that's not right. How come I heard an ancient tomb from several hundred years ago had been unearthed, with the peerless inheritance of a martial arts expert hidden inside?"

Listening to the surrounding youths chatter away, 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 a trap in Azure Radiance Mountain, luring people to rush in one after another to explore and slaughter one another.

One could not afford to be careless 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, returning home as early as possible should let me avoid unnecessary trouble."

Over the past few days, Liu Tianlin, He Chaoyang, and Tao Xiaoyun had successively invited him over 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 within his body had finally been completely absorbed. He strolled toward the edge of the camp, but his gaze fell upon a youth.

The youth was plainly dressed, with resolute eyes and a straight, upright bearing.

Perhaps sensing the stare, the youth turned to look over. Seeing that Liu Yunche possessed an outstanding temperament, he withdrew his gaze. He had no dealings with the children 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 wake first. He wondered whether the youth had made a move against the other youth.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Liu Yunche calmly withdrew his gaze. He turned and looked at the hunting points ranking posted by the Martial Academy.

After several breaths, 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 several others were all within the top hundred.

Among them, Shi Qingyue ranked twenty-sixth with 853 points.

Had he not emerged 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.

From what the surrounding youths said, Wen Zhong was a disciple of the Golden Fist Martial House in the city, while Ye Chen and Qin Yichuan were disciples of the Martial Academy.

All three had returned once before. Since they had hunted too many demonic beasts for their packs to hold, they had come back to tally their points first.

All three currently had scores above 1,200. After looking for a while and learning quite a bit about recent events, Liu Yunche turned and returned to his tent.

Inside the tent, Qian Cheng was sitting upright to one side, occasionally taking a small sip of tea with an expression of enjoyment.

When he saw Liu Yunche return, he merely nodded slightly.

Liu Yunche did not mind. He entered the inner chamber, drew the curtain shut, and carefully contemplated the key principles of the Thunderclap Saber Art in his heart.

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 his ability as a saber master, the Thunderclap Saber Art had already reached minor accomplishment.

At that moment, Liu Yunche concentrated fully and used his thoughts to rehearse every move and stance of the Thunderclap Saber Art in his mind.

His mind became completely immersed in it, and he did not notice time flying by. When he awakened again, it was already deep into the night.

Within the tent, the endless chirping of cicadas from the forest could still be heard, mixed together with the calls of insects of every kind, yet it did not feel noisy.

Liu Yunche fully awakened amid that chorus and muttered, "As expected of an advanced art derived from the Gale Swift Saber. The difficulty has suddenly increased tremendously."

Looking at the thick night beyond 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 mountains and wilderness as the young martial artists participating in the hunt emerged in a bustling stream.

Though their faces still carried traces of youth, their auras were not weak. Those who had persisted to the end were at least Silver Skin martial artists, and quite a few had reached Flesh Tempering.

"Not bad, not bad. After one round of tempering, they finally look somewhat like martial artists."

Looking at these youths filled with Sha Qi, whose eyes were far sharper than before, Elder Lu's aged face was filled with delight, and his brows relaxed.

Li Qinwu stood beside Elder Lu and nodded in approval.

Time slowly passed. As the last person emerged, the ten-day hunt also came to its end.

Elder Lu stood tall in the center of the camp, looking vigorous and full of spirit. His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached the entire camp.

"Third place in the hunting competition: Qin Yichuan. Reward: 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 cultivation." Qin Yichuan stepped out from the crowd, dressed in brown robes and carrying himself with calm composure.

Qin Yichuan first respectfully cupped his fists toward the Martial Academy, then turned toward Elder Lu.

"Thank you, Elder Lu."

Elder Lu nodded slightly, signaling for him to step back before continuing.

"Second place: Wen Zhong. Reward: two thousand taels of silver, two Tendon Guard Pills, one low-grade Martial Treasure, and one superior martial art."

Hearing his name, Wen Zhong hurriedly squeezed out of the crowd. He was tall and powerfully built, the muscles on his folded arms bulging thickly.

"So that's 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 realm. Martial artists of the same level cannot do anything to him at all."

"In that case, he will be a powerful 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 particularly solid muscles.

Qian Cheng beside him remarked with feeling, "What a fine seedling for body-tempering cultivation."

Seemingly sensing Liu Yunche's gaze, Qian Cheng unhurriedly explained.

"This Wen Zhong has broad shoulders and a thick back. His muscles are taut and condensed all over, without the slightest trace of flabbiness. His lower body is steady and solid, standing firm like a hill."

Liu Yunche understood.

Wen Zhong cupped his fists, the corners of his mouth splitting 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: Ye Chen. Reward: three thousand taels of silver, three Tendon Guard Pills, one custom-made low-grade Martial Treasure, and one supreme martial arts manual."

Though everyone had long known that the first-place reward would far exceed those for second and third place, the custom Martial Treasure and supreme martial arts manual still made many people's eyes nearly pop out.

Ye Chen wore white robes, with handsome features. Under everyone's gaze, he appeared all the more high-spirited and extraordinary.

"So that is Ye Chen."

"I heard he cultivates sword arts. That Martial Treasure will surely be a treasured sword."

"A supreme martial arts manual... Green Grain Martial Academy only has three such manuals in total. I wonder which one he will choose."

"Is there even a need to say it? One of those three supreme manuals is a sword art. Ye Chen will definitely choose the sword art."

As everyone discussed, Ye Chen had already strode before Elder Lu and respectfully bowed. "Thank you to the Martial Academy for its cultivation, and thank you, Elder Lu."

Elder Lu smiled kindly and encouraged him.

"Ye Chen, you took first place in today's hunt, and your foundation is solid, which is gratifying. But do not become complacent. You must continue striving and break through to Tendon Forging as soon as possible."

Ye Chen smiled calmly, bowed, and cupped his fists. "Thank you, Elder Lu. This junior will certainly not disappoint Elder Lu's expectations."

"Everyone! As of today, this hunting event can be considered a complete success." Elder Lu smiled faintly.

He swept his hand through the air. "Return to the city!"

Everyone had long since packed their belongings and had only been waiting to set off together.

Boom—

A sudden loud crash rang out, followed by an unceasing whistle through the air, as though someone was racing toward them at high speed.

Elder Lu leaped onto the high platform and gazed toward Azure Radiance Mountain. A moment later, two tiny black dots appeared in his field of vision. They were two human figures.

The two figures were desperately leaping between the treetops, while four others pursued them in a deadly chase from behind.

Elder Lu's expression changed. His figure flashed as he shot forward. Li Qinwu noticed it as well, following close behind Elder Lu as he rushed out.

The people from the three great Lineages exchanged glances and followed too. However, they merely trailed behind at an unhurried pace, clearly having no intention of intervening.

The crowd had no idea what was happening and did not know why so many Bone Tempering Realm martial artists had rushed out.

For a time, the entire camp was filled with clamor.