Withered Wood Fist Battles Iron Mountain Fist, Every Blow Strikes Flesh

"Old Chen, I know it's a bit bullying to have Xiang Cang make a move against this kid."

"Still, the face of my Mountain-Calming Martial Hall must be won back today."

Tu Zhenyue looked at Chen Wang, his expression darkening.

"What do you want?"

Chen Wang snorted.

Tu Zhenyue paused, certain that Xiang Cang could not lose.

He laid out his terms. "Let's add a little extra."

"If your Withered Wood Fist Hall wins this third match, I, Tu Zhenyue, will pay for a month's worth of meat for your hall."

Chen Wang knew Tu Zhenyue was up to no good. "And what if I refuse?"

"Refuse?"

"Then, when martial halls challenge each other in the future—"

"My Mountain-Calming Martial Hall will challenge only your Withered Wood Fist Hall."

"Let's see how much energy you have to keep wasting on us."

Tu Zhenyue gave a cold snort.

The Mountain-Calming Martial Hall had always been wealthier than the Withered Wood Fist Hall.

On top of that, there was the energy spent slaying demons.

He did not believe the Withered Wood Fist Hall could last for long.

Covering a month's worth of meat?

That was an enormous expense of more than a hundred taels of silver.

For the Withered Wood Fist Hall, which was currently spending more than it earned and losing disciples by the day, it was absolutely a lifesaving fortune.

If they refused, the Mountain-Calming Martial Hall would come pestering them day after day. How could the Withered Wood Fist Hall keep operating?

"Tu Zhenyue, you're going too far!"

"Xiang Cang is the trump card of your Mountain-Calming Martial Hall, while my disciple only entered the grade not long ago."

"If you do this, aren't you afraid your sons will be born without assholes?"

"I'll personally have a round with you today."

Chen Wang usually looked like a mild-mannered old man.

But in truth, he had a fiery temper and was fiercely protective of his own.

Beside himself with rage, Chen Wang suddenly strode forward. A powerful aura erupted from him as he prepared to fight Tu Zhenyue personally.

"Master Chen, let me try."

At that moment, Lu Yuan's calm voice rang out.

"You little brat, try what? Have you gone mad?"

"You're a whole major realm below that copper-doll kid. What's more, his external hardening skills are nearly unmatched among his peers."

Lu Yuan merely shook his head.

He walked toward the center of the grounds.

A month's worth of meat for the Withered Wood Fist Hall was worth more than a hundred taels of silver.

The meat consumed by Grinding Force and the money needed to buy medicinal materials had already emptied his pockets.

Besides, he had provoked the Profound Wind Gang and the Five Great Demon Houses.

Perhaps he would bring trouble upon the fist hall in the future.

So he had to secure this meat.

"This guy..."

Su Yu, standing nearby, looked at Lu Yuan and shook his head.

He could not stand seeing Lu Yuan steal the spotlight. He felt that the kid was far too arrogant, utterly unaware of the height of heaven and depth of earth.

Yet reason told him that the Withered Wood Fist Hall was short on people, and the Demon-Slaying Team's death rate was so high.

One more powerful teammate could reduce the casualties among his fellow brothers.

But now, Lu Yuan would probably be crippled in a single exchange.

"Don't be rash."

Lin Ruoxue also tried to dissuade him softly, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

"Junior Brother, you're confused!"

You Tai offered a bitter smile as he tried to stop him.

Even now, the pain in his arm was still unbearable.

"I accept the challenge."

His voice was not loud, yet it landed with the weight of a falling boulder in the empty training ground.

Lu Yuan said nothing more.

Instead, he looked toward Xiang Cang.

At the same time, he brought up the panel.

"Ding!"

"50 experience points consumed."

"Ironhide Body-Tempering Art has reached the entry level. (100 experience points required to upgrade to minor mastery, 0/100)."

"Ding!"

"100 experience points consumed."

"Withered Wood Fist has been raised to minor mastery. (300 experience points required to upgrade to major mastery, 0/300)."

"Ding!"

"100 experience points consumed."

"Wild Bull Force has been raised to major mastery. (500 experience points required to reach perfected major mastery, 0/500)."

[Host: Lu Yuan]

[Realm: First-Rank Lower Martial Adept (Skin Tempering)]

[Lifespan: 1 year and 5 days]

[Arts: Blood-Baleful Demon-Slaying Saber ???, Wild Bull Force (perfected 0/500), Carefree Steps (minor mastery 0/100), Ironhide Body-Tempering Art (minor mastery 0/100), Withered Wood Fist (major mastery 0/300)]

[Experience Points: 410]

[Draw Attempts: 1 (free)]

Lu Yuan had spent a total of 250 experience points.

He had raised the Ironhide Body-Tempering Art to entry level, Withered Wood Fist to minor mastery, and Wild Bull Force to major mastery.]

A string of system notifications rang out in his mind. Immediately afterward, three immense and profound streams of cultivation memories and vital blood surged into every corner of Lu Yuan's body.

His muscles writhed faintly beneath his clothes, and a power far greater than before lay dormant within him.

"Begin."

Lu Yuan slowly raised his head.

Xiang Cang gave Lu Yuan a deep look.

Though he appeared rough and rugged, his mind was not crude.

For Lu Yuan to defeat He He in one move despite only being at the First-Rank Lower realm, he clearly possessed something extraordinary.

Thus, Xiang Cang did not use his full strength from the start. He sank his waist, planted his stance, and threw a punch.

This punch was merely a probe, but it carried the same immense force he had used to defeat You Tai moments ago.

If an ordinary First-Rank Lower martial artist were struck by this punch, he would likely be gravely wounded and left at death's door.

Bang!

The fist wind howled as it smashed toward Lu Yuan's chest like a cannonball.

Lu Yuan neither dodged nor retreated, crossing his arms to block.

With the combined support of perfected Wild Bull Force and major mastery Ironhide Body-Tempering Art—

His skin and muscles instantly tightened.

A dull impact rang out. Lu Yuan's feet plowed two deep trenches into the ground as he retreated three or four steps.

Yet he had forcibly withstood the punch.

His vital blood churned somewhat.

"Hm!"

A thick flash of surprise crossed Xiang Cang's eyes.

He could clearly feel the rebounding force traveling back through his fist.

This strength was actually no weaker than his own.

"Interesting. Take this move too."

Xiang Cang's fighting spirit surged, and he stomped down hard.

He charged forward like a war chariot, his fists striking out in rapid succession.

Force sprang from his waist and spine, flowed through his shoulders, elbows, and fists. Each punch was heavier than the last.

First level of Iron Mountain Fist: Hill-Mountain Brace.

This punch made Lu Yuan feel as though—

Rolling hills were crashing toward him head-on, vast and heavy.

"Good!"

Lu Yuan shouted.

He threw a punch.

The movement appeared slow, yet it carried a strange rhythm, his arms as resilient as withered wood.

First level of Withered Wood Fist, Withered Wood Perches on Branch.

Boom!!!

Lu Yuan's single punch held back Xiang Cang's two fists.

Iron Mountain Fist emphasized stacking force, each punch heavier than the last.

Withered Wood Fist, however, emphasized borrowing force to strike back.

Bang! Bang! Bang!!!

The dull sounds of fists striking flesh echoed across the training ground.

Spiderweb-like cracks spread across the ground beneath Lu Yuan's feet.

He redirected Xiang Cang's violent fist force into the earth one blow at a time.

"What a fine use of borrowing force to strike back. Your Withered Wood Fist carries Master Chen's flavor."

Xiang Cang, who was not good with words, had eyes that lit up.

A worthy opponent had met a worthy rival; a fine general had encountered a fine talent.

"Take another move from me."

Xiang Cang knew that the first level of Iron Mountain Fist could no longer break through his opponent's technique.

He immediately let out a thunderous roar.

His vital blood boiled throughout his body, and his muscles bulged high.

His skin also took on an iron-like bluish-gray color.

He suddenly drew his right fist back to his waist, took a deep breath, and gathered his aura to its peak before throwing a punch.

It was the second level of Iron Mountain Fist: Cliff-Charging Fist.