Spirit Medicine Cauldron Bath Tempered the Body! Breaking Through to the Copper Skin Realm in a Month

That morning, Liu Yunche did not practice his stance in Cloud Perch Courtyard as usual.

Half-naked, he sat cross-legged inside a huge bronze cauldron.

Liu Wangzhou and his wife watched from the side while several Flesh Tempering martial artists poured aged medicinal herbs into the bronze cauldron.

"Yunche, your foundation is already sufficient. You only lack external stimulation. Endure today's boiling, and you'll break through to the Copper Skin Realm."

"Rest assured, Father. Your son understands," Liu Yunche called out brightly from within the cauldron.

Liu Wangzhou nodded, then said to the martial artists, "Light the fire. Boil it!"

"Yes!" The martial artists clasped their fists in acknowledgment.

One went to light the fire, while the others added medicinal ingredients.

Inside the cauldron, Liu Yunche felt the clear water gradually heating up. Several herbs whose details he could not make out floated on the surface, releasing a faint fragrance of vegetation.

He could not help recalling the scene from two days ago, when he had told his father that he wished to break through to the Copper Skin Realm.

That day, Liu Wangzhou had said that his foundation was sufficient and that he could break through with external stimulation. He had also mentioned two methods.

The first was to use external force, such as repeatedly striking the skin and flesh all over the body with sticks.

This method was crude and direct, with serious drawbacks. Ordinary martial artists lacked control over their strikes and could easily split the surface skin and damage the tendons, bones, and meridians.

Even if Golden Wound Ointment was applied afterward, it could only heal external injuries. Hidden damage accumulated within the tendons and bones would be difficult to eradicate. Over time, it would hinder future breakthroughs and cut off one's long-term path in martial arts.

Only experts with profound cultivation who had stepped into the Tendon Tempering level could precisely control their force, balancing hardness and softness, avoiding vital areas, tempering only the flesh without damaging the foundation.

Still, although this method had a low threshold and cost little, it worked extremely quickly. It was the most common shortcut used by poor martial artists and those at the bottom of the martial world.

Aristocratic Clans also often used it to train household servants and guards, seeking only immediate combat strength without regard for long-term hidden dangers.

The second method was to temper the body in a cauldron boiled with spiritual medicine, a gentle and superior method universally acknowledged in the world.

The medicinal liquid was boiled over fierce flames, allowing the medicine's power to seep through the pores and muscle fibers, washing over the flesh and meridians from the outside in. It tempered the body without harming the source of one's tendons and bones.

The remaining medicinal power would settle within the flesh and blood, constantly strengthening the body's foundation and making its reserves ever deeper and more solid.

Its only drawback was the enormous expense.

It required many rare medicinal herbs that had aged for years. Such herbs were often priceless and unavailable, impossible to find even with a thousand gold. Only children of wealthy Aristocratic Clans had the means to use this method for breakthroughs.

The temperature in the cauldron gradually rose. Scalding medicinal liquid flooded over his chest, and a rich, bitter medicinal scent filled the air. Threads of medicinal power forced their way through the gaps in Liu Yunche's pores and into his flesh.

At first, it was only a gentle warmth flowing through his limbs and bones, circulating throughout his body.

But as the flames beneath the cauldron burned hotter and hotter, the medicinal power abruptly became a piercing heat, as though countless fine fire needles were stabbing into his skin.

Liu Yunche's brows furrowed slightly. Following his father's instructions, he adjusted his body and assumed the Nurturing Origin Stance within the cauldron. He immersed his mind and slowly guided the medicinal power, gathering as much of it as possible on the surface of his skin.

With his efforts, the surging medicinal power no longer crashed about wildly. Instead, it pounded, washed, and polished him over and over, forcing all the accumulated impurities and stagnation from his flesh out of his body.

Faint black filth seeped from his pores and dissolved into the brown medicinal liquid. His once somewhat lean body gradually became firmer and heavier under the soaking and tempering of the medicine.

At that moment, the resilience of his skin was strengthened without limit.

After an unknown amount of time, the medicinal liquid in the cauldron boiled ever more violently, and a subtle wave of energy suddenly rose around Liu Yunche's body.

The barrier to Copper Skin shattered with a bang. His inner breath suddenly swelled by a full measure, and his flesh, muscle fibers, and skin underwent a complete transformation.

A strand of inner breath quietly formed in Liu Yunche's lower dantian. At first, it was as faint as a flame, but nourished by the medicinal power, it began to grow until it reached the size of a fist before finally settling.

This was the inner breath that only emerged after stepping into the Copper Skin Realm. It could be directed with one's mind to circulate throughout the body and temper the physique.

It could also be channeled into one's hands when striking, increasing the power of one's attacks.

At the cauldron's side, Liu Wangzhou's gaze sharpened. A gleam flashed in his eyes as he stared fixedly at his son inside.

Looking at Liu Yunche now, the changes were immediately obvious:

His formerly pale skin had shed its thin, frail appearance, taking on a faint matte bronze hue across his entire body.

It was neither dull nor rough. His muscle fibers were taut, his flesh tightly fitted over his tendons and bones, forming a seamless whole.

A faint, solid glow seemed to linger around his body.

That was the mark of a Copper Skin martial artist. Ordinary blades, swords, fists, and kicks could all be forcibly blocked by that hardened skin. The outer body became bronze, and the flesh became as tough as forged iron.

The medicinal liquid was still boiling hot, but after his breakthrough, Liu Yunche no longer found the burning pain unbearable.

With Copper Skin protecting his body, the medicinal power gently seeped in and began slowly settling deep within his flesh and blood, constantly consolidating his newly attained realm and preventing his foundation from becoming unstable.

Liu Yunche slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and gradually opened his eyes. His gaze was calm, and his aura was heavy and steady. He was completely different from moments ago.

As Liu Wangzhou looked at his fully transformed son in the cauldron, an irrepressible smile of gratification slowly rose to his lips.

Liu Yunche pushed off with both feet and easily leaped out of the bronze cauldron.

"Father, Mother. Your son has broken through to Copper Skin." Liu Yunche felt the abundant strength within his body, and joy filled his voice.

Mother Liu hurried forward and draped the prepared clothes over Liu Yunche. Her eyes were full of concern, afraid that he might catch a chill because of this.

"Good. Breaking through to Copper Skin in a month. As expected of my, Liu Wangzhou's, son. Our Liu Household has produced a genius."

Liu Wangzhou patted Liu Yunche on the shoulder. His eyes were smiling as he spoke, without the slightest trace of anything unusual.

A strange glint flashed through Liu Yunche's eyes as he looked at his father, but he quickly concealed it and humbly said, "Father overpraises me."

Only then did the martial artists step forward together and respectfully clasp their fists toward Liu Wangzhou.

"Congratulations, Master. Congratulations, Madam. Young Master is exceptionally gifted. Given time, he will surely become a Blood Exchange Realm martial artist."

Clearly, in their eyes, the Blood Exchange Realm was already a supreme realm they could never hope to reach in their lifetimes.

The martial artists continued offering congratulations, and Mother Liu was delighted to hear them. Liu Wangzhou also nodded with a smile.

"Well said. You have all worked hard today. Go to the accounts room and collect five taels of silver each."

Hearing that there was an extra reward, the martial artists were overjoyed. Five taels of silver was half a month's wages for them. They repeatedly gave thanks.

"Thank you, Master."

After that, Liu Wangzhou waved his hand, signaling for them to withdraw.

"Yunche, do you know why I said you broke through to Copper Skin in a month?"

After everyone had left and only Liu Yunche's family remained in the courtyard, Liu Wangzhou suddenly spoke.

"Father extended the time of my breakthrough naturally to protect me. The tree that rises above the forest will be battered by the wind. Your son understands this principle."

After thinking for a moment, Liu Yunche replied.

Hearing this answer, Liu Wangzhou nodded in great satisfaction, wearing an expression that said his son was teachable.

"It is good that you understand. The Liu Household may produce a genius, but it cannot keep a monster."

After pausing for a moment, Liu Wangzhou sighed.

"That is how this world is. The great families of the county cannot tolerate the birth of a monster capable of threatening them."

"This is the way to conduct oneself in the world. Yunche, you must remember it well. Do not force yourself into the spotlight when trouble comes unless there is truly no other choice. Otherwise, always keep something in reserve."

Mother Liu watched the father and son talking, her heart filled with joy. They were both people she loved.

"Yunche, wait here." With that, Liu Wangzhou turned and entered the house.

A moment later, he emerged with a long saber in his hand.

"Today, you broke through to Copper Skin. Consider this saber a congratulatory gift from your father. I hope you will continue striving forward and advance bravely on the path of martial arts."

Liu Yunche accepted the saber with both hands. Its scabbard was entirely black and bore fish-scale patterns formed through forging and hammering.

Liu Yunche's fingertips touched the saber hilt. A trace of disappointment flashed deep in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, unnoticed by anyone.

He was disappointed because this saber had not triggered his golden finger.

Then he gripped the hilt. With the ability of a saber master, he instantly grasped the weapon's center of balance.

Liu Yunche slowly drew the blade. A dark hue entered his vision, and the blade carried a cold, sharp sheen. It was the first time Liu Yunche had ever seen a saber blade of such color.

He looked up at his father with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Liu Wangzhou explained at the right moment, "The main body of this saber was forged from black-patterned steel, supplemented by yellow-flow stone, blue steel, and other mineral materials."

"I invited the master craftsman of the Zhou Family Smithy in the city to make it. This saber has entered the ranks and can be considered a low-grade Martial Treasure."

Weapons were a martial artist's second life. A good weapon could greatly increase a martial artist's strength.

Martial Treasures were extremely rare. Ordinary martial artists had never even heard of them, much less owned one.

Liu Yunche had only just entered the Copper Skin Realm, yet he had already received a Martial Treasure. This showed how highly Liu Wangzhou regarded him.

"This saber has yet to be named. Since it is the first weapon of your life, you may name it yourself."

Liu Yunche pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Today, Father taught me the way of concealing one's strengths in the world and bestowed this treasured saber upon me."

"This saber shall be called Concealed Edge."

Liu Wangzhou laughed heartily. "Good! Only by not flaunting one's edge can one endure."

Liu Yunche gently stroked the fish-scale patterns on the scabbard, making no attempt to hide his fondness for it. He clasped his fists toward his parents. "Father, Mother, your son will take his leave first."

Mother Liu stepped forward and carefully smoothed the wrinkles in his collar, gently reminding him, "You have only just broken through. Do not train too hard after returning. You must understand the importance of progressing step by step."

"Rest assured, Mother. Your son knows his limits."

Liu Wangzhou first patted his wife's shoulder. "All right, the child has grown up. He knows his limits."

Then he waved to Liu Yunche.

"Go on."

As Liu Yunche walked out of the small courtyard, he felt clear-minded and refreshed. The faint cracks beneath the distant wall and the voices of servants chatting beyond the wall were all incomparably clear.

A gentle breeze blew beneath the bright sunlight.

Liu Yunche had never felt so invigorated. He strode forward, his mood better than ever before.

Pushing open the gates of Cloud Perch Courtyard, Liu Yunche went alone to the pavilion and sat down.

He focused his mind on the newly born inner breath within his body. With a thought, the inner breath flowed to the fingertips of his left hand.

A bronze gleam appeared on his fingertips. He lightly touched the stone table before him, and his finger pressed downward without any obstruction.

In the next instant, a finger mark an inch deep appeared before Liu Yunche.

"Now that I've entered the Copper Skin Realm and gained the strength to protect myself, it is time to slowly investigate the person who poisoned me back then."

He stared at the finger mark and murmured to himself.