Chapter 103: Chapter 101: Mid-Battle Breakthrough, Qi-Fortified Lungs Perfected

The monk’s expression finally changed, twisting with excitement and madness.

"Now *this* is more like it."

As he spoke, his two massive, fan-like hands clapped together in the air, batting two arrows aside. A few others, however, still reached him.

A few metallic pings rang out. The three arrows aimed at the monk’s throat, abdomen, and groin all found their mark, but they failed to even scratch his skin and were simply deflected, falling to the ground.

The monk grinned, but just as a laugh was about to escape his lips, an arrow shot through the air, aimed straight for his open mouth.

The monk had no time to dodge, but what he did next was utterly astounding.

He suddenly snapped his mouth open and caught the arrowhead between his teeth.

With a dull THUD, the monk staggered back a step before spitting out the arrow.

The mangled arrowhead was streaked with blood.

Clearly, the monk was injured.

After all, no matter how powerful his body-hardening technique was, it couldn’t possibly extend to his mouth and teeth. The impact of the arrow had injured his gums.

Blood now streamed from the monk’s mouth. His playful, mocking demeanor vanished, replaced by pure rage and killing intent.

It had been years since he had last been injured, not since he had perfected his body-hardening technique.

To be injured now, in this godforsaken place, by some no-name brat—to actually have his blood drawn—enraged him beyond measure.

With a single bound, he plunged into the darkness.

Aunt Fan’s heart pounded. She tried to get up and follow but couldn’t, forced to lean weakly against a tree trunk. All she could do was pray for Wu Liangchen and the others to escape safely.

Meanwhile, having fired the last few arrows from his quiver, Wu Liangchen leaped off the roof, grabbed his sister Wu Mengchan, and barked,

"Go!"

With that, Wu Liangchen took off into the mountains, with Yang Lian’Er following close behind.

Wu Mengchan was still completely dazed, with no idea what was going on.

In fact, she wasn’t the only one. Yang Lian’Er had also been confused when Wu Liangchen had first grabbed her.

She only understood when she heard Aunt Fan’s shout echoing from the distant hillside.

’We’re being pursued!’

’And it’s an incredibly powerful expert!’

Yang Lian’Er grew frantic. Aunt Fan was on that hillside, undoubtedly in grave danger.

After so many years together, she and Aunt Fan were as close as mother and daughter. Seeing her life hang in the balance, her anxiety was palpable.

Yet even so, she didn’t say a word.

She knew that with her current level of strength, the only way to help was to obey without question and do nothing foolish.

So she simply watched as Wu Liangchen vaulted onto the roof, drew his bow, and fired a volley of arrows toward the hillside.

Then she ran, sticking close behind him.

As for Wu Liangchen, every muscle in his body was coiled tight, as if facing a formidable foe.

Even from such a great distance, he had felt the murderous aura emanating from the monk.

’This is an expert, no doubt about it!’ 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

The subsequent arrows proved it. The shots aimed at the monk’s vital points hadn’t even pierced his defense.

Now, only a single arrow remained in his quiver. Without hesitation, Wu Liangchen nocked it and aimed straight for the monk’s mouth.

Despite the vast distance, thanks to his inhuman eyesight and the boost from his Master Level Sun-Chasing Archery Skill, Wu Liangchen’s arrow had indeed found its mark.

But it had only a minor effect, not even causing a superficial wound. And then the monk had charged straight for them.

Now, Wu Liangchen was on high alert, pushing his Qinggong and Leg Skill to their absolute limits.

Even so, he could hear the sound of someone slicing through the air behind him, growing steadily closer.

The monk was upon them in an instant. Spotting Wu Liangchen and Yang Lian’Er right behind him, he let out a grotesque laugh.

"Truly a fine Meat Lotus Treasure. It’s destined to be mine."

With that, he ignored Wu Liangchen and lunged straight for Yang Lian’Er.

Yang Lian’Er cried out in alarm. At that exact moment, Wu Liangchen spun around and threw a handful of powder.

It had a pungent smell that stung the eyes and brought tears.

It was the same Fire Alkali Powder Wu Liangchen had used to great effect before.

But the monk paid it no mind, even laughing boisterously as he lunged for Yang Lian’Er.

At that moment, Wu Liangchen’s blade struck.

The blade wasn’t aimed at the monk’s vital points, but straight for his mouth.

Wu Liangchen knew that against a man who had mastered a body-hardening technique, conventional attacks couldn’t possibly breach his defenses.

Seeing the blade aimed for his mouth again, the monk grew even more furious. He abandoned his pursuit of Yang Lian’Er and sneered.

"In such a hurry to die? Fine, I’ll deal with you first."

He slapped the blade aside with his palm and charged Wu Liangchen.

Wu Liangchen retreated hastily, but as fast as he was, the monk was faster. Closing the distance in an instant, the monk grinned maliciously and struck with his palm.

Even then, the monk had no intention of killing Wu Liangchen with a single blow. He planned to cripple him, to utterly destroy his ability to fight.

Then, right in front of him, he would have his fun with that Meat Lotus Treasure.

’And not just her. That girl with him... she looks a bit like him. Must be his sister.’

’I’ll have my fun with her, too.’

’I bet the look on his face will be absolutely priceless.’

At the thought, the monk grew so excited that the lotus tattoo on his face seemed to bloom, becoming even more vibrant.

Just then, Wu Liangchen took a deep breath that seemed to fill his very core. Every muscle in his body pulled taut as a wire. He exhaled sharply and threw a punch, meeting the monk’s descending palm head-on.

THUD!

After the dull impact, Wu Liangchen stumbled back several steps, a flush of crimson rising to his face.

But other than that, he seemed remarkably unharmed.

The monk, on the other hand, swayed slightly.

"Hm?" The monk’s eyes flared with a sharp light as he stared at Wu Liangchen in disbelief.

He could see it clearly. This kid was just a Minor Third Realm Martial Artist, one who had finished tempering his tendons and bones but had yet to fully develop his qi and vital organs.

Compared to himself—who had already completed the blood exchange phase and was just one final step, Bone Marrow Cleansing, away from attaining near-deific status—the boy was a full major realm weaker.

So even though he hadn’t used his full strength, the boy should never have been able to block that palm strike.

Yet not only had he blocked it, but the impact had also sent a numbing shock up the monk’s own arm.

’Just who the hell is this kid?’

While the monk reeled in shock, Wu Liangchen finally got a clear look at his face. His gaze then fell upon the large rock strapped to the monk’s back—and the man tied to it. His pupils contracted when he recognized Wang Tianying.

The monk noticed Wu Liangchen’s change in expression and chuckled darkly. He reached back and dragged Wang Tianying into view.

"Well? Does he look familiar?"

Wang Tianying was barely breathing. He couldn’t even speak, but his eyes, fixed on Wu Liangchen, were pleading.

The meaning was clear.

’Kill me!’

Seeing Wang Tianying tortured into something resembling a broken ragdoll, Wu Liangchen’s expression grew colder, his killing intent surging.

Although he and Wang Tianying were mortal enemies, seeing the monk’s depravity still filled him with a burning rage.

"You’ve got some skill, kid. How about this: after I attain the state of an Arhat, I’ll need a Protector. Kneel before me now, and I just might spare your life," the monk said, his tone dripping with condescension, as if bestowing a great charity.

At these words, Wu Liangchen laughed—a cold, mocking sound.

"You bald-headed filth!"

"Why don’t *you* kneel, and see if I don’t kill *you*!"

"You’re courting death!" The monk, rejected, flew into a rage.

In his mind, his offer was an act of divine mercy. After all, countless people had begged for their lives on their deathbeds, only to be denied.

And yet this brat had refused him.

’The sheer nerve of him!’

Without further hesitation, he cast Wang Tianying aside and lunged.

WHOOSH!

The monk put his full power into this palm strike. Such was its overwhelming nature that the very instant he moved, his aura locked firmly onto Wu Liangchen.

Escape was impossible.

Wu Liangchen didn’t try to dodge. Instead, he snapped his head up, a brilliant light exploding in his eyes. His entire presence began to surge, climbing higher and higher until, in an instant, it shattered its former limits, ascending to a brand-new realm.

That’s right.

In that critical moment, facing his enemy, Wu Liangchen had finally taken the next step. He had achieved the great completion of strengthening his qi and vital organs!