Flesh like a mountain, Qi entering the sea

Half a month later, outside the city of Tai'an, on the official road, a horse-drawn carriage moved slowly. On the carriage, a flag with the name 'Xiao' fluttered in the wind, its red characters outlined in gold, resembling a blazing firework.

'Who dares to stop the Marquis's carriage!' With a thunderous shout from Iron Peak, the carriage came to a halt.

'Young Master, what's happening?' The delicate girl named Biyuan, exhausted from the boat and carriage journey of the past half month, was half-asleep and seemed bewildered by the unexpected interruption.

Xiao Yi gently stroked Biyuan's hair and said soothingly, 'It's nothing. You're tired; you can take a nap. We should arrive today.'

'Okay,' Biyuan replied drowsily, closing her eyes.

Once Biyuan had fallen asleep, a warm expression crossed Xiao Yi's face. Then, his expression turned serious as he got up and stepped out of the carriage.

Iron Peak, now visibly angry, noticed Xiao Yi's exit and respectfully said, 'Young Master, who dares to stop your carriage? I'll handle this.'

Xiao Yi waved his hand, gazing at the man standing in the middle of the road on a large rock.

The man appeared to be in his early thirties, holding a long, curved knife. His arms were long and well-muscled, with calloused hands revealing years of training. He seemed ready for a fight.

Xiao Yi, without showing any recognition of the man, asked, 'Why are you stopping my carriage, sir?'

The man spat out the grass stalk in his mouth, gripping his knife, and declared loudly, 'I am Yue Shan. I've long heard of the Marquis of Zhenyuan's reputation, and today, I've come to seek knowledge.'

The current Marquis of Zhenyuan, Xiao Yunzhong, was Xiao Yi's second uncle. With only one daughter, Xiao Yi was the designated heir and could rightfully be called the Young Master.

Iron Peak introduced, 'Young Master, it's said that Yue Shan is a master of the blade, often wandering alone. His swordsmanship is as swift as the wind, earning him the nickname "Quick Blade."'

'Quick Blade Yue Shan?' Xiao Yi thought.

Although he had never concealed his whereabouts, it was unusual for someone to track his movements so closely. It seemed someone had a keen interest in him.

Nevertheless, this was not the time to ponder that. Xiao Yi calmly responded, 'I'm not skilled in martial arts, so there's nothing for you to learn from me. If you're interested, you can seek out the talented youths of our generation.'

Yue Shan remained undeterred by Xiao Yi's dismissal and taunted, 'Does His Highness the Crown Prince look down on me? As a descendant of the esteemed Marquis of Zhenyuan, how could he not be versed in martial arts?'

Observing that his attempt to leave had failed, Yue Shan grew cold and prepared to fight. He tightened his grip on his knife, which showed signs of battle-wear.

'Your Highness, do you think I am unworthy?' Yue Shan asked in a hoarse voice. Martial practitioners toughened their bodies, making them resilient to weapons. However, Yue Shan's blade barely left a mark on Iron Peak's skin, instilling fear in him.

'You... What kind of monster are you?' Yue Shan's voice trembled slightly. Although martial artists could withstand blows, they couldn't remain impassive when faced with an opponent like Iron Peak.

Iron Peak didn't respond to Yue Shan's question but said, 'Warriors possess the strength of dragons and tigers, their bodies as resilient as mountains. To be considered a Mountain and Sea Realm practitioner, one must surpass my level. You and I are both in the Mountain and Sea Realm, but you can't even break my skin. How can you be my match?'

Yue Shan paused, then tightened his grip on the knife handle. His knuckles turned white, and his determination flared.

Xiao Yi watched as the two clashed, their energies colliding. He was intrigued, as it had been over a decade since he had witnessed two martial experts in close combat. As he planned to follow the path of martial arts, this was an excellent opportunity for him to learn.

Swish!

A silver bottle shattered, and a white light appeared in the otherwise silent world, moving faster than the eye could follow, like a lightning bolt.

It was Yue Shan's preemptive strike.

Iron Peak had been focused on Yue Shan's knife and didn't flinch. He met Yue Shan's lightning-fast strike head-on with a punch, creating a visible shockwave. Yue Shan's strike barely caused any disturbance in Iron Peak's aura.

Then, Iron Peak countered with a punch, and Yue Shan was sent flying several yards.

Coughing up blood, Yue Shan staggered to his feet but seemed unbroken.

'Second strike!' Yue Shan announced, his voice slightly hoarse. He launched another attack despite his injuries.

Boom!

However, this time, his strike had no impact on Iron Peak's protective energy. It was as if Yue Shan's attack couldn't even cause a ripple.

Watching Yue Shan, who now appeared lifeless, Xiao Yi remained calm. He recognized that this was a martial artist worth respecting.

Iron Peak put away his fighting stance, feeling a heavy weight on his heart. Regardless of the circumstances, such an opponent deserved great respect.

Iron Peak spoke in a solemn tone, 'Since that's the case, let me see if your thousand and ten thousand strikes can break through my invincible body.'

He unleashed his full power.

Roar!

A true dragon surrounded Iron Peak, while a white tiger appeared out of thin air, both exuding terrifying presence.

'Ha-ha-ha!' Yue Shan, undeterred, broke into laughter, and the sand and stones hitting his knife rang out like applause. 'Today, I, Yue Shan, will defeat all challengers outside Tai'an City—conquer dragons and subdue tigers! The first strike!'

With the wind at his back and the clouds overhead, Yue Shan moved against the wind. His blade work was challenging, with each move deliberate and arduous. Each action appeared sluggish to Iron Peak's eyes, as slow as a tortoise's crawl.

When Yue Shan's strike met Iron Peak's protective energy, it lost most of its power, leaving only a faint ripple. Following that, Iron Peak landed a punch, sending Yue Shan flying dozens of feet.

'Cough, cough. The second strike!' Yue Shan struggled to his feet, coughing up blood, but he persevered.

Boom!

This time, his strike had no impact on Iron Peak's protective energy.

Watching Yue Shan, who seemed lifeless, Xiao Yi's smile turned serious. This was a martial artist worthy of respect.

Iron Peak relaxed his stance, feeling a deep sense of reverence. Regardless of the situation, such an opponent deserved utmost respect.

'You... What kind of monster are you?' Yue Shan's voice quivered slightly. While martial practitioners toughened their bodies, they couldn't remain impassive when faced with an opponent like Iron Peak.

Iron Peak didn't respond to Yue Shan's question but said, 'Warriors possess the strength of dragons and tigers, their bodies as resilient

as mountains. To be considered a Mountain and Sea Realm practitioner, one must surpass my level. You and I are both in the Mountain and Sea Realm, but you can't even break my skin. How can you be my match?'

Yue Shan paused, then tightened his grip on the knife handle. His knuckles turned white, and his determination flared.

Xiao Yi watched as the two clashed, their energies colliding. He was intrigued, as it had been over a decade since he had witnessed two martial experts in close combat. As he planned to follow the path of martial arts, this was an excellent opportunity for him to learn.

Swish!

A silver bottle shattered, and a white light appeared in the otherwise silent world, moving faster than the eye could follow, like a lightning bolt.

It was Yue Shan's preemptive strike.

Iron Peak had been focused on Yue Shan's knife and didn't flinch. He met Yue Shan's lightning-fast strike head-on with a punch, creating a visible shockwave. Yue Shan's strike barely caused any disturbance in Iron Peak's aura.

Then, Iron Peak countered with a punch, and Yue Shan was sent flying several yards.

Coughing up blood, Yue Shan staggered to his feet but seemed unbroken.

'Second strike!' Yue Shan announced, his voice slightly hoarse. He launched another attack despite his injuries.

Boom!

However, this time, his strike had no impact on Iron Peak's protective energy. It was as if Yue Shan's attack couldn't even cause a ripple.

Watching Yue Shan, who now appeared lifeless, Xiao Yi remained calm. He recognized that this was a martial artist worth respecting.

Iron Peak put away his fighting stance, feeling a heavy weight on his heart. Regardless of the circumstances, such an opponent deserved great respect.