Perfect Bronze Skin

In the Chen Clan's martial arts practice field.

Regardless of how profound and multivariate Chen Ying'er's martial arts was, she couldn't deal with Chen Yu in the slightest.

It could be said that Chen Yu's original physical constitution was like a vicious beast in human form. After he utilized the [Bronze Statue Technique], his strength and defensive abilities were amplified once more.

His defensive abilities, in particular, had been amplified to great extremes.

One could imagine what the situation was like for a vicious beast in human form, who was further equipped in a layer of bronze skin battle armor.

Bang! Bang!

Every time she firmly touched Chen Yu, Chen Ying'er seemed to be beating a wall as her delicate hands were faintly in pain.

"Just what kind of monster is this fellow exactly?!"

Chen Ying'er secretly gritted his teeth.

Chen Yu would be slightly better off if he could easily overwhelm her in terms of his defensive abilities and strength, but the problem was that the other party had an impressive level of mastery in the speed at which she successively changed her martial arts form.

Nonetheless, he was practically… invulnerable!

Of course, Chen Yu wasn't holding back that much at this moment.

Apart from not utilizing the "Fiendish Cloud Boxing Technique", he unleashed his Fiendish Cloud Inner Breath and [Bronze Statue Technique] to their ultimate state.

He had even exhibited close to one hundred percent of the tyrannical power this body possessed.

The reason why he didn't use the Fiendish Cloud Boxing Technique was because one, this Fiendish Qi Boxing Technique was too heavy, and wasn't suited to be used against friends and relatives in the clan. Second, the maturity and state of this boxing technique wasn't high enough and its formidable power was limited to how powerful the "Metal Plow Fist" was.

After all, the maturity of Chen Yu's current [Metal Plow Fist] was faintly approaching an even higher pinnacle.

However, this boxing technique was about to reach its peak soon and its potential for upgrading was limited from now onwards.

"It seems like I'll have to increase the realm of maturity for the 'Fiendish Cloud Boxing Technique' when I get the chance to…"

Chen Yu was searching for areas in which he was lacking while in battle.

However, he needed to go through slaughter and truly kill in a vicious manner to upgrade the 'Fiendish Cloud Boxing Technique' so that he could cultivate and upgrade it in an easier manner.

It was difficult to comprehend the true meaning of this technique merely through cultivation.

Soon, the duo on the martial arts practice field had already exchanged more than a hundred blows.

Chen Yu's style was playing it safe, striking neither slowly nor swiftly.

Chen Ying'er went all out as she exhibited the formidable power of her martial arts skill without restraint.

However, a hint of sweat traces faintly appeared between her forehead. Not to mention, she wasn't as steady and relaxed as Chen Yu.

"How can this be?"

To his surprise, Clan Head Chen Tianwei discovered that Chen Ying'er at the late Connective Meridian stage probably couldn't drag on longer than Chen Yu in a war of attrition.

This was a conclusion that overturned common sense.

In an ordinary course of events, the Inner Breath of those at the late Connective Meridian stage was deeper and resounding. If they were fighting in a war of attrition, Chen Ying'er should be the one with the greater advantage.

How could he even know that Chen Yu, who had fused with the mysterious heart, had a tremendous advantage in his physical constitution? To be more specific, his recovery abilities?

In addition to that, Chen Yu relied on his strength and defensive abilities the most in battle. He didn't consume as much Inner Breath as Chen Tianwei imagined.

So, what Chen Tianwei had placed his last hopes on was subsequently annihilated.

"Haha! Let this match end in a draw. Two geniuses like this can actually be born in my Xiangyang Chen Clan in a single period. This really is worthy of celebration!"

Chen Tianwei laughed heartily. He raised his hand and stopped this match of swapping pointers.

Thump! Thump!

The two figures on the martial arts practice field rapidly broke apart.

"Elder Brother Yu, I never would've thought that you have so much power hidden in you. If you really think about it, Ying'er lost this battle."

Chen Ying'er gritted her teeth and candidly admitted defeat. There was a hint of shame on her charming face.

To think that she was so egotistic before and shamelessly boasted about how she was going to "give advice" to Chen Yu, this older cousin who "couldn't make anything of himself".

"This damned girl! How can you admit defeat…"

Chen Tianwei almost fainted out of anger.

He first changed the rules of them swapping pointers before eventually putting a stop to it. He had thought of every way possible to build the outcome of them ending in a "draw" to the best of his abilities.

But how could he have anticipated that… this Chen Ying'er actually admitted defeat without making something of herself!

Where was he going to put his face aside?

Chen Yu found it a little unexpected. He never thought that this proud daughter of the heavens could calmly admit defeat.

"However…"

There was a hint of self-confidence on Chen Ying'er's rosy face. "Ying'er's loss is only momentary. I believe that the next time we fight hand-to-hand, I will definitely be the winner!"

Chen Yu was stunned. This Chen Ying'er actually had complete confidence in herself.

"You should believe me. My Master once said that the Body Tempering, Connective Meridian and Organ Tempering stages are only introductory stages in the true avenue of cultivation. They are known as the 'Three Introductory Ranks'."

Chen Ying'er put on an air that she was proud of her age and experience.

Three introductory ranks?

Chen Yu's expression froze as he had faintly heard of such a saying in his sect.

Naturally, irrespective of the demarcation of the sect world, martial artists above the Connective Meridian stage were considered to be experts in the secular world and could rush headlong against a single party.

"One is only considered to have an initial peek into the avenue of cultivation only when they step into the 'Qi Transformation Realm', which is of an even higher level. For those with normal Temporal and Half Soul Physiques, to aim for the 'Qi Transformation Realm' is practically a kind of extravagant hope."

The corner of Chen Ying'er's lips turned upwards as her bright eyes swept a glance over Chen Yu with a slight sense of superiority. It was as if she was confident of his destiny in the future.

That gaze made Chen Yu feel an inexplicable kind of rejection and dissatisfaction.

"Good, good, good! Ying'er actually has such broad aspirations. That's right! As her father, I have also heard of very capable people at the Qi Transformation Realm. Placing such an individual in the secular world, they can be considered to be Great Scholars of their generation."

Clan Head Chen Tianwei laughed brightly.

Not too long ago, Chen Yu's powerful performance almost made him blame himself and nearly gave rise to a guilty conscience.

At this moment, Chen Tianwei's faith was restored when he heard what Chen Ying'er said.

Chen Yu's current strength was certainly formidable, but this kind of power was only momentary and was difficult to persist for a long time.

"What a pity… his Half Soul Physique aptitude has limited his future prospects."

"The Clan Head's choice is right. If the Chen Clan can do their utmost to nurture a Great Scholar at the 'Qi Transformation Realm', our clan might become an influential clan whose name alone can shake a region!"

The few Clan Elders discussed with one another and repeatedly nodded.

There was a red glow across Chen Tianwei's face as he excitedly said, "Ying'er, you must strive to become a Great Scholar at the Qi Transformation Realm. My Chen Clan will even give you all the resources it has."

On the field, only Chen Yu, as well as Father and Mother Chen, remained silent.

"Qi Transformation Realm, huh?" Chen Yu murmured. When placed at Yunyue Sect, the powerhouses at this realm were all high leveled individuals.

To the majority of disciples at the bottom, this was an existence that they could long for, but was out of their reach. Normally, only those with Soul Physiques could have hope to breakthrough to this level.

...

Deep in the extreme night.

Chen Yu circulated the Fiendish Cloud Inner Breath a few times as usual.

After that, he retrieved the Body Tempering Medicinal Powder his father had delivered to him in the morning.

This Body Tempering Medicinal Powder was only the lowest ranking "commoner prescription", and its medicinal efficacy was of the relatively lower kind.

But no matter how bad it was, it was still better than nothing.

"After all, I still have a hundred and a few dozen Defective Metastones from the previous mission. I'll collect another prescription when I return to the sect."

Chen Yu made a decision in his mind.

He planned to test out the effects of this "commoner prescription" first.

Gu, gu~

Soon, the medicinal powder dissolved in a large bucket of boiling hot water as a concentrated black ink immediately boiled in this water.

Chen Yu promptly sat in the medicinal bucket and circulated the [Bronze Statue Technique].

Chi!

In a split second, a layer of green smoke and heat flow appeared on the surface of his bronze skin.

After a few moments, there were slight numbing stings of pain flaring up on the surface of Chen Yu's body. However, he didn't treat such slight pain seriously.

He merely felt very strange.

Based on the theory in [Bronze Statue Technique], it was only right for one to be in extreme pain when employing the technique while using any kind of Body Tempering Medicinal Fluid.

Bzzt, bzzt~

An odd sound came from the surface of Chen Yu's body, as though there was a minute electric current.

"Hmm?"

There was a delightfully comfortable feeling that assaulted his whole body. Chen Yu was in so much pleasure that he almost let out a moan.

Four hours later, the bucket of medicinal fluid turned from the color of ink to a faint black as the remnants of a few black slags were left behind inside.

"Bronze Skin Physique."

Chen Yu circulated the [Bronze Statue Physique] as a deep bronze luster surfaced on his skin and flesh all over his body. The surface of his skin appeared to be more solid and exquisite than before.

Faintly, he felt that the [Bronze Statue Technique] was somewhat vigorously forging ahead.

"Haha! The effect of this commoner prescription isn't as bad as I imagined."

Chen Yu was overjoyed at the unexpected good news.

Initially, the progress of his [Bronze Statue Technique] tended towards a certain leveled rate, even though it was still considered incredulous compared to ordinary people after his Bronze Skin had reached its initial form.

After he used the commoner prescription version of the Body Tempering Fluid tonight, he regained his previous incredible speed of progress.

Chen Yu could only give credit to that crystal heart for all the misgivings he had. He couldn't use common sense to examine everything regarding the mysterious transformations of his physique.

Three days later, Chen Yu focused on cultivating the [Bronze Statue Technique] painstakingly. He also used the commoner prescription version of the Body Tempering Fluid three times a day respectively in the morning, afternoon and night.

After all, the materials needed for this prescription were only precious materials from the secular world. With the Chen Clan's strength, they didn't take spending a little gold and silver to their hearts.

On this night, Chen Yu circulated the [Bronze Statue Technique] again as he felt that the skin and muscle throughout his entire body resembled a whole iron panel.

Buzz!

In the instant he circulated the technique, it was as though his entire body was plated with a dark bronze. That kind of realism and feeling of expansion in strength had reached a whole new level.

"Perfect Bronze Skin!"

Chen Yu had a look of ecstasy on his face. He never thought that he could progress at lightning speed with the help of the commoner prescription version of the Body Tempering Fluid, reaching the level of perfection in his Bronze Skin.

[Perfect Bronze Skin], where one's skin and flesh across their entire body can disregard the bladed attacks from those beneath the Connective Meridian stage.

Henceforth, the common swords of the secular world fundamentally lost all their significance to Chen Yu!

This definitely was a leap in his martial arts ability!

"After going through the transformation of the mysterious heart, my body was originally tyrannical like that of a vicious beast. But once I utilize the Bronze Statue Technique's 'Perfect Bronze Skin', I might be able to violently trample those at the Connective Meridian stage, whose strengths are just so-so without using Inner Breath."

Chen Yu deeply felt how powerful he was now.

At present, Chen Yu wasn't the slightest bit afraid if he were to fight the "Metal Brown Bear King" face-to-face.

Soon after, after the [Bronze Statue Technique] was promoted to the level of Perfect Bronze Skin, the degree of progress achieved through cultivation was abruptly much slower.

The commoner prescription practically lost all its effects.

In this aspect, he could only wait until he returned to the sect before he could use Metastones to purchase even better medicinal materials.

"Now, other than my [Bronze Statue Technique], my 'Fiendish Cloud Boxing Technique' is pending improvement as well. If I can cultivate them both to an even higher level, then there is some hope for me in that 'Great Outer Sect Convention'."

Chen Yu didn't forget his objective.

To become an inner sect disciple in the Great Outer Sect Convention!

...

Early the next morning.

The higher-ups of the Chen Clan suddenly convened a small emergency meeting.

The majority of the ones present on the scene were that batch of people who attended the banquet last time.

Chen Yu and Chen Ying'er were present as well.

'Based on the information given by the Castellan, 'Honghu's Three Fiends', the dynasty's wanted criminals, have entered Xiangyang City," said the Clan Head.

"Honghu's Three Fiends? Those three demonic villains who have a bounty of ten thousand gold offered by the dynasty?"

"It is said that those Three Fiends have some background to their origins. Many experts have fallen headfirst under their hands."

Everyone started whispering amongst themselves.

To the Chen Clan, the bounty offered by the dynasty of "ten thousand pieces of gold" was a massive fortune.

"Three Fiends?"

Chen Yu was baffled. He wasn't that interested in the gold of the secular world.

However, an indescribable thought arose in his mind when he heard the word "fiend" as the qi and blood in his body resonated as well.

"Now, the Castellan is also issuing a bounty for 'Honghu's Three Demons' as well. As long as the leader of the Three Fiends, 'Reaper's Hand' is killed, a 'half treasured weapon', as well as a piece of fertile territory in the wilderness to the south of the city will be added on to the bounty."

The Clan Head suddenly smiled.

Half treasure weapon? A fertile territory?

Everyone on the scene was immediately in an uproar. These two things were rather tempting, even to experts at the Connective Meridian and Organ Tempering stages in the secular world.