Liu Yunche

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Liu Yunche (刘云彻)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Liu Household; direct disciple of Qinglü, High Cultivator 1 124 125
Occupation/Role	Only son of Liu Wangzhou; saber martial artist, Qinglü's direct disciple, and novice alchemist 1 4 125 161
Status	Alive; has entered the Tiger Tendon level and continues cultivating under Qinglü's guidance while visiting Daoist Fire Crane's residence 153 154 161
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Saber Grandmaster	4	Acquired by embedding his grandfather's Goose-Feather Saber; vastly improves his comprehension and learning speed in saber arts.
Gale Swift Saber — Minor Accomplishment	6	Reached after rapidly refining his forms through Saber Grandmaster comprehension.
Nurturing Origin Stance — Minor Accomplishment	6	Achieved through repeated stance training and medicinal nourishment.
Nurturing Origin Stance — Major Accomplishment	7	His sustained cultivation significantly advances his Skin Tempering progress.
Copper Skin Realm	8	Breaks through after a Spirit Medicine Cauldron Bath; his skin gains a bronze hue and increased durability.
Divine Movement	10	Obtained from a pair of old shoes; greatly increases his speed and stamina.
Nurturing Origin Stance — Perfected / Instinct	14	Inner breath begins circulating naturally while he walks, sits, lies down, or stands.
Eight Steps Chasing Cicada — Entered the Gate	15	Develops the movement technique during his spar with Elder Lu.
Gale Swift Saber — Major Accomplishment	15	Displays the technique's major-mastery level during his exchange with Elder Lu.
Iron Skin Realm	20	Sheds his old skin to forge tougher defenses, stronger physical power, and sharper senses.
Gale Swift Saber — Perfected	20	Achieves a silent, nearly traceless saber style that follows thought and body as one.
Thunderclap Saber Art — Minor Mastery	38	Learns and advances the saber art after refining Fire Ganoderma and Blackwater Earth Fungus.
Manifestation of All Things	41	Acquires a proficiency panel from an old wooden board, allowing him to track cultivation and martial-art progress.
Silver Skin Realm	51	Reaches Silver Skin through mastery of the Dragon-Imprisoning Stance's Skin-Locking Method.
Child of the Great Sun	91	Obtained from a chipped crimson axe; sunlight enhances his strength, recovery, and defense, but gradually increases his arrogance.
Jade Skin Realm	92	The Warm Sun Jade refines his Silver Skin into Jade Skin; ordinary weapons can no longer injure him.
Flesh Tempering Realm	94 95	Completes Flesh Tempering through a medicinal-broth breakthrough and demonstrates enough force to deeply mark an Azure Essence Rock training stone.
Copper Muscle Realm	116	Following the county disaster, his Flesh Tempering cultivation reaches Copper Muscle progress of 45/100.
Thunderclap Saber Art — Major Accomplishment	130	His continued training advances the saber art to major accomplishment, with its proficiency rapidly approaching higher mastery.
Iron Muscle Realm	124	Refines the Crimson Sun Tree Root's spiritual energy under Qinglü's supervision, breaking through from Copper Muscle and reaching 50/100 progress in Iron Muscle.
Silver Muscle Realm	129	Advances from Copper Muscle through Iron Muscle to Silver Muscle in five days with Qinglü's spiritual-material support.
Blade Intent — Initial Comprehension	145 146	Comprehends that Blade Intent requires his will, emotions, and saber to merge; his blade aura strengthens from a faint spark to glowing charcoal.
Thunderclap Saber Art — Perfected	145	Breaks through after comprehending Blade Intent; thunder can manifest through his saber.
Dragon-Imprisoning Stance: Skin-Locking Method — Perfected	149	Lightning tempering and Thunder Spirit Dew elevate the method from minor accomplishment through great accomplishment to instinctive perfection.
Golden Muscle / Flesh Tempering Extreme Realm	149	Cultivates Golden Muscle through Qinglü's lightning-tempering formation, completing the Extreme Realm of Flesh Tempering.
Flesh Vajra / Water-Fire Immortal Garment	149	Jade Skin and Golden Muscle merge into a physique that resists ordinary fire, cold water, common Martial Treasures, and ordinary Tendon Forging attacks.
Tendon Forging Realm	151	Completes the final tempering of his meridians with pills, Child of the Great Sun, Flesh Lock, and Qinglü's exclusive meridian diagram.
King-Suppressing Fist — Perfected	152	The ancient fist-art scroll transmits an ancient marquis's complete inheritance, granting mastery of Conquering Territory, Subduing the Marquis, and Suppressing the King.
Tiger Tendon	153	Reaches the Tiger Tendon level after three months of cultivation and further advances the second level of the Dragon-Imprisoning Stance.
Eight Steps Chasing Cicada — Second Level: Startled Cicada	153 154	Can briefly step on air and cross a wide lake by sustaining himself through the technique's explosive footwork.
Fine Strength Pill Alchemy	161	Successfully refines standard-quality Fine Strength Pills after six furnaces, then repeats the result three more times.

Background & History

Liu Yunche is the only son of Liu Wangzhou and Madam Liu. After being poisoned, he awakens following three days of unconsciousness with the memories of his previous life intact. The merging of those memories replaces the body's former gentleness and frailty with a colder, calmer, more calculating disposition. 1

While recovering in Cloud Perch Courtyard, he discovers a mysterious equipment panel capable of embedding compatible items and granting their talents, abilities, or martial arts. He begins pursuing martial cultivation soon afterward, despite his recent illness and his father's initial concern. 2 3

His path as a saber martial artist begins when he touches his grandfather's enshrined Goose-Feather Saber. The weapon shows him visions of his grandfather's battles and grants him the Saber Grandmaster ability. Liu Wangzhou then gives him the Gale Swift Saber manual and personally teaches him the Liu Household's inherited saber arts. 3 4

Liu Yunche's poisoning remains a defining concern early in his life. Wei Cong's investigation points toward Zheng Shen, while Liu Wangzhou later identifies the Zheng Clan as responsible. Zheng Shen's death ultimately severs the most immediate lead, leaving Liu Yunche to regard the Zheng Clan with continued suspicion. 12 40 41

Later revelations show that Doctor Yun covertly aided the Zheng Clan's corpse-poison plot and manipulated events in Verdant Grain County to further the restoration of the Medicine-Poison Sect. This complicates Liu Yunche's earlier trust in the physician who had treated his poisoning. 114 116

After surviving the Verdant Grain County disaster, Liu Yunche is recognized by Qinglü, High Cultivator, as possessing what she believes to be a rare Spirit Physique. Although he knows that the visible golden radiance actually originates from his hidden Equipment Slot and Great Sun-related talent, he conceals this truth and accepts her as his master. 123 124 125

Under Qinglü's direction, Liu Yunche completes the Flesh Tempering Extreme Realm, enters Tendon Forging with a custom meridian diagram, and develops into a prominent young martial artist. His cultivation later broadens beyond martial arts when Daoist Fire Crane identifies his aptitude for alchemy and begins considering him a successor to his alchemical legacy. 149 151 161

Appearance

Liu Yunche is initially described as a fair, refined, handsome youth with brows “like distant mountains.” He is often composed in manner and dress, including white clothing during later events. 20 61

• His body was originally slender and weakened by illness before martial cultivation reshaped it. 3
• Copper Skin gives his body a faint bronze sheen, while Iron Skin leaves him outwardly appearing like an ordinary fair youth despite his enhanced physique. 9 20
• After attaining Jade Skin, his reflected appearance changes into the pale, exhausted-looking face he recognizes from his previous life. 92
• The Child of the Great Sun produces a faint golden radiance around his body, which Qinglü initially mistakes for the manifestation of a Spirit Physique. 123 124
• After lightning tempering, Liu Yunche sheds his charred outer skin. His rebuilt body possesses jade-like skin, streamlined golden muscles, and an increasingly otherworldly bearing. 149
• The combination of Jade Skin and Golden Muscle is named the Water-Fire Immortal Garment by Qinglü. 149

Personality

Before his awakening, Liu Yunche's body had belonged to a gentle and frail youth who avoided making enemies. After his past-life memories return, he becomes composed, guarded, strategic, and unwilling to let others dictate his fate. 1

He habitually conceals his true ability to avoid drawing attention. He deliberately performs poorly when first learning the saber, restrains his combat power around companions, and later understates the strength of the bandits he killed when reporting to Elder Lu. 4 23 37

In battle, Liu Yunche is calm and decisive. He does not waste movements or words, and once he judges an opponent to be a genuine threat, he shows little mercy. His handling of Ma San and Fourth—including extracting intelligence, disposing of the bodies, and laying a false trail—demonstrates his practical and methodical mindset. 26 27

The Child of the Great Sun talent gradually affects his temperament, causing flashes of unusual confidence and arrogance that he recognizes as unlike his usual restrained self. 91 95

His growing strength makes this pride more visible. He publicly rebukes Peng Yue's empty boasts, chooses painful thunder tempering rather than a safer path, and increasingly embraces the domineering conception behind the King-Suppressing Fist. 130 137 152

Despite this confidence, Liu Yunche retains considerable restraint. He refuses Wei Tianhui's offer to publicly establish his new status without Qinglü's approval, limits his power while sparring with Le Qingrou, and conceals the truth of his Equipment Slot even from his master. 123 146 157

Abilities & Skills

Equipment Panel

Liu Yunche possesses a mysterious equipment panel that can embed compatible objects with significant histories.

• Compatible items may grant talents, abilities, or martial arts. 2
• Not every weapon or old object can be embedded; ordinary weapons, Concealed Edge, and several antiques fail to activate the slot. 3 9 41
• Some equipped items require extended absorption before their effects become permanently fixed. 10
• The Goose-Feather Saber is eventually consumed by the panel after three months, leaving behind its saber-related inheritance. 60
• The panel can draw Liu Yunche into inheritance visions and transmit the will, techniques, or insights contained in ancient objects, as demonstrated by the King-Suppressing Fist scroll. 151 152
• Liu Yunche conceals the panel from Qinglü, who mistakes its Great Sun-related effects for evidence of a Spirit Physique. 123 124

Saber Grandmaster

Acquired from the Goose-Feather Saber, Saber Grandmaster gives Liu Yunche extraordinary insight into saber arts rather than simply granting completed techniques. 4

• Allows him to absorb manuals and refine forms at an exceptional rate. 4 6
• Lets him perceive a saber's balance, edge, force transmission, and other minute details while wielding it. 6
• Enables him to read through the exertion and attack paths of opponents, including Ma San's Mad Demon Blade Technique. 26
• Following his comprehension of Blade Intent and perfected Thunderclap Saber Art, it allows him to condense the art's thunderous destructive essence into ordinary saber slashes. 145 146

Saber Arts

Liu Yunche primarily fights with saber techniques taught or developed through his inheritance.

• Gale Swift Saber — His foundational saber art, focused on speed, precision, and eventually silent, traceless strikes. 4 20
• Thunderclap Saber Art — A heavier saber art whose strikes carry thunderous force and leave visible marks on surrounding objects. He eventually perfects it, enabling thunder to manifest through his saber. 38 41 145
• Blade Intent — Liu Yunche realizes that true Blade Intent is formed when a martial artist's will and deepest emotions merge with the weapon. His saber intent reflects absolute tyranny, decisiveness, and killing power. 145 146
• His saber technique becomes so ingrained that the cracks left by his punches resemble clean saber cuts. 95

Fist Arts

Liu Yunche develops fist techniques to complement his increasingly powerful physique.

• King-Suppressing Fist — An ultimate art created by an ancient marquis and bestowed on him by Qinglü. Its domineering conception suits Liu Yunche's developing pride and royal bearing. 151 152
• Conquering Territory — A broad, forceful opening form that overwhelms opponents with expanding fist force. 152
• Subduing the Marquis — A suppression-focused technique that imposes crushing pressure before its force fully lands. 152
• Suppressing the King — The fist art's final killing move, whose conception is to silence all arts and suppress even a king. 152
• Having perfected the art, he can adapt its force into palm techniques without being bound to its formal movements. 153

Stance Arts and Body Tempering

His stance training forms the foundation of his physical cultivation.

• Nurturing Origin Stance — Nourishes the body and circulates inner breath; at perfection, it operates instinctively without a fixed posture. 5 14
• Dragon-Imprisoning Stance: Skin-Locking Method — A harsh superior-grade stance used to strengthen and lock his skin, ultimately leading to Silver Skin. 43 51
• During the Golden Muscle breakthrough, the Skin-Locking Method reaches perfection and becomes continuously active through his breathing and ordinary movements. 149
• His Body Realm cultivation progresses through Copper Skin, Iron Skin, Silver Skin, Jade Skin, Copper Muscle, Iron Muscle, Silver Muscle, Golden Muscle, and Tendon Forging. 5 8 20 51 92 95 124 129 149 151
• Flesh Vajra grants him the Water-Fire Immortal Garment, extraordinary explosive power, and resistance to ordinary fire, cold water, common Martial Treasures, and ordinary Tendon Forging attacks. 149 150

Movement Techniques

Liu Yunche combines natural speed, footwork, and saber technique to avoid stronger opponents.

• Divine Movement greatly enhances his speed and stamina, allowing him to move as a near-unseen streak through Cloud Perch Courtyard. 10
• Eight Steps Chasing Cicada becomes increasingly fluid during his spar with Elder Lu, making his movement difficult to predict. 15
• By combining Divine Movement with perfected Gale Swift Saber, he can evade attacks and strike too quickly for the naked eye to follow. 18 20
• His use of Divine Movement and Eight Steps Chasing Cicada becomes fast enough to produce indistinguishable afterimages and wear down a Tendon Forging assassin through repeated high-speed slashes. 143
• At its second-level Startled Cicada stage, the technique allows him to step briefly through empty air and cross a hundred-zhang lake. 153 154

Manifestation of All Things

The old wooden board grants Liu Yunche a proficiency panel that records measurable progress in his cultivation and martial arts. 41

• Records his current cultivation realm and numerical progress. 41 89
• Tracks the proficiency of techniques such as Thunderclap Saber Art, Eight Steps Chasing Cicada, and the Dragon-Imprisoning Stance. 41 89
• Reflects the principle that sustained diligence can produce permanent improvement. 41
• Continues documenting his rapid progression after the county disaster and his subsequent advancement through Flesh Tempering and Tendon Forging. 116 124 130 151

Child of the Great Sun

This talent is acquired by embedding a chipped crimson axe. 91

• At sunrise, it steadily improves his strength, self-healing, and physical defense. 91
• Its enhancements peak beneath the midday sun and weaken toward sunset, becoming almost negligible at night. 91
• Its side effect gradually makes Liu Yunche more arrogant. 91 95
• The talent's golden radiance can absorb and draw in sun-aspected spiritual energy, leading Qinglü and Liu Wangzhou to mistake it for a Spirit Physique manifestation. 123 124
• The crimson axe continues to crack as Liu Yunche's pride and cultivation grow, releasing more Great Sun energy into his body. 124 130 151
• By the time he reaches Tiger Tendon, Liu Yunche identifies the accumulated Great Sun-related inheritance among his growing foundations. 153

Alchemy

Liu Yunche develops an interest in alchemy after receiving instruction and a Strength Pill formula from Daoist Fire Crane. 161

• His first six furnaces progress from charred dregs and impure pills to three standard-quality Fine Strength Pills. 161
• He identifies and corrects errors in ingredient processing, fire control, proportions, and pill condensation with exceptional speed. 161
• After mastering Fine Strength Pill refinement, he successfully produces further batches throughout the same day. 161
• Daoist Fire Crane concludes that Liu Yunche is the only person worthy of inheriting his alchemy legacy. 161

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Goose-Feather Saber — His grandfather's bloodstained saber; grants Saber Grandmaster and is eventually consumed by the equipment panel. 4 60
• Concealed Edge — A dark-bladed, low-grade Martial Treasure saber forged from black-patterned steel and other minerals; gifted by Liu Wangzhou after Liu Yunche reaches Copper Skin. 8
• Old shoes — Embedded to gain Divine Movement. 10
• Old wooden board — Embedded to gain Manifestation of All Things and the proficiency panel. 41
• Chipped crimson axe — Embedded to gain Child of the Great Sun; its ongoing absorption releases further golden radiance as it cracks. 91 124 151
• Warm Sun Jade — Refines his Silver Skin into Jade Skin before melting away. 92
• Crimson Sun Tree Root — A yang-aspected spiritual material Qinglü uses to guide Liu Yunche's early spiritual-energy refinement and Flesh Tempering advancements. 123 124 129
• Three life-preserving talismans — Qinglü places these within Liu Yunche; they activate automatically in lethal crises and can protect him from opponents below the Spirit Cultivator realm. 125
• Exclusive meridian diagram — A personal meridian map Qinglü creates for him, allowing him to cultivate Tendon Forging more safely and efficiently than practitioners using general diagrams. 150
• King-Suppressing Fist ancient scroll — An ultimate-art inheritance bestowed by Qinglü and embedded through the Equipment Slot, granting Liu Yunche its perfected martial understanding. 151 152

Relationships

• Liu Wangzhou — Father, martial instructor, and primary protector. He teaches Liu Yunche the Liu Household's saber arts, provides cultivation resources, and supports his increasingly unusual talents. 1 4 40 91 He later approves Qinglü's guidance, witnesses Liu Yunche's extraordinary breakthroughs, and remains a trusted source of martial instruction. 124 125 149
• Madam Liu — Mother. She is deeply protective of Liu Yunche and vows revenge after his poisoning. 1
• Chunyan — Personal attendant who assists him during his recovery, safeguards his manuals, and continues attending him during his cultivation. 1 2 61
• Shi Qingyue — Childhood companion and close friend. They train, hunt, spar, and repeatedly look out for one another. 6 23 57 Their friendship develops into a healthy rivalry as Liu Yunche repeatedly surpasses Shi Qingyue in Silver Muscle and Tendon Forging cultivation. 131 153
• Wan Shan — Liu Household instructor who introduces Liu Yunche to Kestrel Fist and guides him through the weapon racks; later offers to help him practice. 2 3 57
• Elder Lu — Friend of Liu Wangzhou and a senior mentor figure. He spars with Liu Yunche, assesses his potential, and hears his report on the bandit plot. 14 15 37
• Wei Cong — A loyal subordinate who follows Zheng Shen and reports evidence potentially connected to Liu Yunche's poisoning. 10 12 He later assists in defending the Liu Household during the corpse-poison disaster. 107 114
• Qian Cheng — A Tendon Forging martial artist associated with Liu Wangzhou who accompanies Liu Yunche during training outside Verdant Grain County. 38 89 He later stands with Liu Yunche and Wei Cong in the Liu Household's defense. 107 114
• Zheng Shen — A suspicious figure linked to the poisoning investigation; his death cuts off Liu Yunche's most direct lead. 12 41
• Han Xu — A Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall prodigy and hostile rival whom Liu Yunche defeats in their first confrontation despite being a realm lower. 17 18
• Doctor Yun / Yun Zexuan — The Prefecture City physician who treats Liu Yunche after his poisoning. He is later revealed to have covertly assisted the Zheng Clan's corpse-poison scheme and to pursue the restoration of the Medicine-Poison Sect through ruthless manipulation. 1 3 114 116
• Qinglü, High Cultivator — Liu Yunche's master and a powerful Spirit Cultivator. She mistakes his Great Sun radiance for a rare Spirit Physique, accepts him as her first disciple, supplies him with spiritual resources, protects him from enemies, and guides him through the Flesh Tempering Extreme Realm and Tendon Forging. 123 124 125 149 151
• Wei Tianhui — A Martial Academy true disciple who becomes Liu Yunche's senior-brother-like contact after Qinglü accepts him. He is cordial and politically helpful, though privately envious of Qinglü's exceptional investment in Liu Yunche. 127 128 146 147
• Qin Anming — Green Grain Martial Academy's Grand Elder. He escorts Liu Yunche to Qinglü, is initially puzzled by Qinglü's interest in him, and later witnesses his ability to cross the lake with Eight Steps Chasing Cicada. 125 126 154
• Daoist Fire Crane — Qinglü's senior brother and Liu Yunche's Martial Uncle. He recognizes the unusual nature of Liu Yunche's Great Sun talent, gives him alchemical instruction, and considers him the proper inheritor of his alchemy legacy. 154 155 161
• Le Qingrou — Daoist Fire Crane's disciple and Liu Yunche's martial junior sister. Their first spar ends with Liu Yunche suppressing her while deliberately limiting his strength, establishing a playful but competitive rivalry. 157
• Peng Yue — An arrogant martial artist whom Liu Yunche publicly defeats at the Heavenly Prodigy Banquet after Peng Yue attempts to use Ye Chen as a stepping stone to fame. 137
• Ye Chen — A Tendon Forging prodigy whom Liu Yunche indirectly assists by intervening in Peng Yue's provocation; Ye Chen becomes impressed by Liu Yunche's combat ability. 137
• Liu Wanyu — A saber user whose Half-Step Blade Intent helps Liu Yunche understand the connection between martial conception, emotion, and weapon. 145
• Nie Nanfu — A gifted swordsman whose Sword Intent likewise contributes to Liu Yunche's understanding of Blade Intent. Qinglü considers him comparable to Liu Yunche in foundation, though their strengths differ in an unrestricted battle. 145 150

Story Role / Major Arcs

Azure Radiance Mountain Hunt

Liu Yunche joins the Martial Academy's hunt in Azure Radiance Mountain after breaking through to Iron Skin. He fights alongside Shi Qingyue, He Wu, Li Xuantong, and Li Xuansheng against demon beasts before choosing to train alone in order to face danger independently. 21 22 23

During his solo training, he discovers Ma San and Fourth burying Demon-Luring Incense intended to attract demon beasts toward the academy's disciples. Though the two are Flesh Tempering bandits, Liu Yunche uses his movement and saber mastery to defeat them, learns their plan, disposes of the bodies, and conceals his trail. 26 27

He later shares the intelligence with Shi Qingyue and reports a deliberately weakened version of the encounter to Elder Lu, concealing the fact that he killed stronger opponents. 30 37

Fire Ganoderma and Hunting Aftermath

Liu Yunche obtains Fire Ganoderma by incapacitating two competing youths and leaving before either can identify him. The treasure improves his innate physique and is later refined together with Blackwater Earth Fungus. 29 31 38

He finishes the hunt ranked 100th with 361 points, having intentionally avoided fully revealing his strength. 23 38

Later Cultivation and County Defense

After returning home, Liu Yunche acquires Manifestation of All Things, advances through Silver Skin and Jade Skin, and eventually enters Flesh Tempering. 41 51 92 95

During the Beast Tide threatening Verdant Grain County, he tempers himself by slaughtering an Ironclaw Wolf pack with Qian Cheng. 89

When violence reaches the Zheng Clan, Liu Wangzhou orders Liu Yunche to guard the Liu Household. Liu Yunche takes command of Wei Cong and Qian Cheng, draws Concealed Edge, and prepares to stop the chaos from crossing the household walls. 107

During the ensuing corpse-poison catastrophe, Liu Yunche defends the Liu Household against Corpse Bandits. His silent, thunderous saber strikes kill attackers before the household servants can react, while the sustained battle rapidly improves his practical combat experience and martial proficiency. 114 116

Qinglü's Disciple and the Flesh Tempering Extreme Realm

Qinglü observes Liu Yunche's training for more than ten days before revealing herself and identifying his golden radiance as the sign of a supposed Spirit Physique. She offers to guide him toward Spirit Cultivation, and Liu Wangzhou approves the arrangement. 123

While refining the Crimson Sun Tree Root under Qinglü's direction, Liu Yunche advances from Copper Muscle to Iron Muscle. The crimson axe within his Equipment Slot reacts to the spiritual energy, producing an overwhelming Great Sun aura that convinces Qinglü to accept him immediately as her direct disciple. 124

Qinglü gives him protective talismans, explains the Body Realm's deeper structure and its Extreme Realms, and personally provides the spiritual resources needed to advance through Iron Muscle and Silver Muscle. 125 126 127 129

Liu Yunche chooses Qinglü's most painful proposed route toward Golden Muscle: thunder body-forging. He endures a night of lightning, destruction, and restoration through Thunder Spirit Dew, attaining Golden Muscle, perfected Skin-Locking Method, Flesh Vajra, and the Water-Fire Immortal Garment. 130 147 149

Heavenly Prodigy Banquet and Assassination Attempt

At the Heavenly Prodigy Banquet, Liu Yunche intervenes when Peng Yue attempts to provoke Tendon Forging prodigy Ye Chen for fame. Using perfected Gale Swift Saber, he defeats Peng Yue in a single exchange and publicly exposes the emptiness of Peng Yue's claims to invincibility. 137

Liu Yunche later reveals that he did not even use Divine Movement in this confrontation, having relied on only a portion of his strength together with the Child of the Great Sun and Eight Steps Chasing Cicada. 139

After the gathering, three black-clad assassins follow him. Liu Yunche leads them into a dead-end alley, instantly kills the two weaker attackers, and uses Divine Movement and Eight Steps Chasing Cicada to grind down their Tendon Forging leader through relentless high-speed strikes. 143

Qinglü subsequently traces and executes the remaining criminals who had planned to abduct and extort Liu Yunche after learning of his talent and supposedly weak background. 145

Perfected Saber, Tendon Forging, and King-Suppressing Fist

Following the assassination attempt, Liu Yunche comprehends the essence of Blade Intent and perfects the Thunderclap Saber Art. His Saber Grandmaster ability then enables every slash to carry condensed thunderous force. 145 146

After Qinglü supplies him with an exclusive meridian diagram, Liu Yunche enters Tendon Forging. Seeking a fist art capable of matching his formidable physique, he receives the King-Suppressing Fist ancient scroll from Qinglü. 150 151

The Equipment Slot absorbs the scroll's ancient inheritance, allowing Liu Yunche to master the complete King-Suppressing Fist instantly. Its three forms transform his combat style by giving him overwhelming close-range suppression alongside his saber and movement techniques. 152

Three months later, he reaches Tiger Tendon, advances the Dragon-Imprisoning Stance and Eight Steps Chasing Cicada to their second levels, and effortlessly deflects Shi Qingyue's Returning Horse Spear with a palm-form King-Suppressing Fist. 153

Journey to Daoist Fire Crane

Qinglü brings Liu Yunche beyond Verdant Grain County to meet her senior brother, Daoist Fire Crane. Before leaving, Liu demonstrates the second level of Eight Steps Chasing Cicada by stepping through the air across Heart-of-the-Lake Pavilion's hundred-zhang lake. 154

At Daoist Fire Crane's residence, Liu Yunche spars with Le Qingrou. Though she possesses Jade Skin, Golden Muscle, and the peerless Profound Astral Mountain-Breaking Hand, Liu Yunche suppresses her while restricting himself to Ox Tendon-level force and softens his final strike to avoid severely injuring her. 157

Daoist Fire Crane later tests Liu Yunche's alchemical potential with the Strength Pill formula. Liu progresses from failed furnaces to repeatedly refining Fine Strength Pills in a single day, leading Fire Crane to regard him as his ideal alchemical successor. 161

Notable Quotes

“In a martial artist's path of cultivation, one must sooner or later face the perils of life and death alone.” 23

“The peace of this household should not be disturbed. We will kill our way out.” 107

“Though thunder's suffering is fierce, trials are the whetstone upon which martial artists sharpen their progress.” 130

“Who dares claim invincibility? Who dares speak of never being defeated?” 137