Chen Family Martial Arts Arena.
Chen Ying'er's martial arts were mysterious and varied, but they could not affect Chen Yu in the slightest.
Chen Yu's original physique was already akin to a human-shaped beast, and after displaying the Copper Statue Technique, his power and defense increased once more.
Especially in terms of defense, the increase was remarkable.
One could imagine, what it would be like for a human-shaped beast to be armed with an additional layer of copper skin armor.
With every collision, Chen Ying'er seemed to be hitting a wall, and her slender hands felt faintly sore.
"What kind of monster is this guy!"
Chen Ying'er gritted her teeth in secret.
He was simply... invincible!
Of course, at this moment, Chen Yu was not holding back much.
Apart from not using the Cloud Evil Fist Technique, he pushed his Cloud Evil Inner Qi to the extreme. The Copper Statue Technique was also pushed to its limit.
Even the formidable strength of this body was nearly fully unleashed.
The reason he didn't use the Cloud Evil Fist Technique was that its Evil Qi was too intense, not suitable for dealing with family and friends. Additionally, his mastery of this technique wasn't high, with a power limitedly stronger than the Iron Plow Fist.
After all, Chen Yu's Iron Plow Fist was reaching a higher peak in mastery.
It's just that this technique was nearing its limit, with limited potential for improvement in the future.
"It seems I need to improve the mastery of the Cloud Evil Fist Technique when there's an opportunity..."
In battle, Chen Yu was searching for his shortcomings.
However, to improve the Cloud Evil Fist Technique, it needed genuine ruthless combat and killing to be practiced and improved more easily.
Mere training made it difficult to grasp its true essence.
Quickly, the two people on the arena exchanged over a hundred moves.
Chen Yu's style was steady and solid, neither hurried nor slow.
Chen Ying'er gave it her all, exerting her martial arts power to the fullest.
However, a thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead, unlike Chen Yu, who was calm and leisurely.
Family Head Chen Tianwei was surprised to find that, in a war of attrition, Chen Ying'er, in the late-stage Meridian Passage, might not even outlast Chen Yu.
This was a conclusion that defied common sense.
Supposedly, the inner Qi of the late-stage Meridian Passage should be denser, giving Chen Ying'er a significant advantage in a long battle.
Little did he know, the mysterious heart that Chen Yu had merged with gave him a significant advantage in recovery.
Moreover, in battle, Chen Yu relied mostly on his strength and defense, consuming less inner Qi than expected.
In this way, the last hope Chen Tianwei pinned on vanished.
"Haha! Let this battle end in a draw. It's truly delightful that the Chen Family in Xiangyang can produce two such geniuses at the same time."
Chen Tianwei laughed, raising his hand to stop the match.
The two figures on the martial arts arena quickly separated.
"Brother Yu, I didn't expect you to hide so deeply. In this battle, in truth, Ying'er lost."
Chen Ying'er bit her lip, candidly admitting her defeat, with a trace of embarrassment on her pretty face.
To think she had been so arrogant before, shamelessly claiming she would "coach" Chen Yu, this "incompetent" cousin.
"You silly girl! How could you admit defeat..."
Chen Tianwei nearly fainted from anger.
He had gone to great lengths to maintain appearances, first by changing the rules of the sparring, then stopping the match to barely create a "draw."
But who would have thought... Chen Ying'er admitted defeat so incompetently!
Where did that leave his face?
Chen Yu was somewhat surprised, not expecting this Heavenly Pride Girl to admit defeat so candidly.
A trace of confidence appeared on Chen Ying'er's flushed face, "Ying'er only lost this time. I believe that next time we fight, I will certainly win!"
Chen Yu was taken aback at Chen Ying'er's confidence.
"Don't you doubt me. My master said that the realms of Body Refining, Meridian Passage, and Organ Refining, are just the initial steps on the true path of cultivation, called the 'Three Introductory Stages.'"
Chen Ying'er assumed a wise and experienced demeanor.
Three Introductory Stages?
Chen Yu's expression stiffened, he had vaguely heard of this term when he was in the sect.
Of course, regardless of how the sect world defined it, martial artists above the Meridian Passage Stage were considered experts in the secular world, capable of dominating an area.
"Only when stepping into the higher realm of Qi Transformation Realm can one be said to glimpse the great way. However, for those with normal and half-spirit body qualifications, aiming for the Qi Transformation Realm is almost a luxury."
The corners of Chen Ying'er's lips curled up, her bright eyes swept over Chen Yu with a hint of superiority, seeming certain of his future fate.
That gaze made Chen Yu feel a vague sense of rejection and dissatisfaction.
"Very well! It's commendable that Ying'er has such an open mind. Indeed! I've heard of experts in the Qi Transformation Realm, considered grandmasters in the secular world."
Family Head Chen Tianwei laughed heartily.
Not long ago, Chen Yu's strong performance made him feel almost guilty and self-doubting.
Now, hearing Chen Ying'er's words, Chen Tianwei regained his confidence.
Chen Yu's current strength was indeed formidable; however, such strength was temporary and couldn't last.
"Alas...the half-spirit body qualification limits his future prospects."
"The Family Head's decision isn't wrong. If the Chen Family can cultivate a 'Qi Transformation Realm' grandmaster, our clan might become renowned!"
Several clan elders exchanged glances, nodding frequently.
Chen Tianwei, his face glowing, encouraged, "Ying'er, you must strive to become a grandmaster in the Qi Transformation Realm. Even if the Chen Family must exhaust every resource."
Only Chen Yu and Father Chen and Mother Chen remained silent.
"Qi Transformation Realm, huh?"
Chen Yu murmured, the strong ones in this realm were considered high-level in the Yunyue Sect.
For most disciples at the bottom, this was an unreachable existence. Generally, only those with spiritual body qualifications had the hope of breaking through to this level.
As usual, Chen Yu first ran through the Cloud Evil Inner Qi a few times.
Then, he took out the Body Tempering Medicine Powder his father had sent during the day.
This Body Tempering Medicine Powder was merely the lowest-grade "commoner's formula," one of the least effective types.
Still, it was better than nothing.
"Anyway, I still have over a hundred defective Grade Essence Stones from the last mission. After returning to the sect, I'll collect another formula."
Chen Yu made up his mind.
He intended to first try out the effects of this "commoner's formula."
Soon, the medicine powder dissolved in a large tub of boiling hot water, the water immediately turning into a thick black ink.
Chen Yu quickly sat in the medicinal tub and began operating the Copper Statue Technique.
In an instant, a layer of green smoke and heat flowed over his copper skin.
A slight tingling sensation spread across Chen Yu's skin, but this mild pain didn't bother him.
Still, it puzzled him.
According to the Copper Statue Technique, any body tempering liquid should be extremely painful to use.
Strange sounds like faint electrical currents emanated from Chen Yu's skin.
A wave of refreshing comfort surged through his entire body, and Chen Yu almost let out a moan of pleasure.
The medicinal liquid in the tub, originally pitch-black, turned light black, leaving some black residue.
Chen Yu ran the Copper Statue Technique, his skin glowing with a dark copper luster, his skin appearing tougher and finer.
Vaguely, he felt an improvement in the Copper Statue Technique.
"Haha! The effect of this commoner's formula isn't as bad as I thought,"
Originally, after reaching Small Copper Skin, his progress with the Copper Statue Technique had slowed significantly—although still rapid compared to ordinary people.
But tonight, using the commoner's body tempering liquid, he returned to the previous rapid progress.
Regarding these mysteries, Chen Yu could only attribute it to the mysterious transformation of his body by the crystal heart, not to be judged by conventional logic.
In the following three days.
Chen Yu focused on diligently practicing the Copper Statue Technique, using the commoner's body tempering liquid three times daily: morning, noon, and evening.
After all, this formula only required materials from the ordinary world, and with the Chen Family's strength, the expenditure of some gold and silver wasn't a concern.
Once again, Chen Yu ran the Copper Statue Technique, feeling that the skin and muscles of his entire body were like a solid iron plate.
At the moment of exertion, it was as if his entire body was coated with a layer of dark copper metal, reaching a brand-new level of sensation and strength.
"Copper Skin Great Success!"
Chen Yu was overjoyed. He hadn't expected that with the help of the commoner's body tempering liquid, he would advance swiftly and reach the Copper Skin Great Success level.
[Copper Skin Great Success]: The skin and flesh of the whole body could disregard cuts from knives and swords below the Meridian Passage Stage.
From now on, ordinary knives and swords of the mundane world held no significance to Chen Yu!
It was a leap in martial prowess!
"My body, modified by the mysterious heart, was already as strong as a beast. Once I execute the Copper Skin Great Success of the Copper Statue Technique, I probably wouldn't need inner Qi to crush those with average Meridian Passage Stage power."
Chen Yu felt deeply how strong he had become.
Currently, even if he were to have a head-on fight with the Iron Brown Bear King, he wouldn't feel the slightest fear.
In the subsequent days.
After the Copper Statue Technique improved to Copper Skin Great Success, the pace of his cultivation slowed considerably.
The commoner's formula almost lost its effect.
In this respect, he'd have to wait to return to the sect to use Primordial Stones to purchase better formula materials.
"Now, besides the Copper Statue Technique, my Cloud Evil Fist Technique also needs improvement. If my level of cultivation could advance another step, then the Outer Sect Competition would hold some hope."
Chen Yu didn't forget his goal.
The Outer Sect Competition, to become an Inner Sect Disciple!
The following morning.
The Chen Family's upper echelon suddenly convened an emergency meeting.
Most of those present were the same as at the recent banquet.
Chen Yu and Chen Ying'er were also in attendance.
"According to news from the City Lord Mansion, the court fugitives 'Honghu Three Killers' have entered Xiangyang City."
The Family Head began.
"Honghu Three Killers? The three notorious criminals heavily bountied by the court?"
"These three killers supposedly have quite a background, many experts have fallen at their hands."
Everyone started murmuring.
The "Ten thousand gold" bounty offered by the court was a great fortune even for the Chen Family.
Chen Yu was startled, having little interest in mundane gold.
However, the word "killer" aroused a vague thought in him, stirring the blood in his veins.
"Currently, the City Lord Mansion is also offering a reward for the 'Honghu Three Killers,' adding a 'half-precious artifact' and a fertile piece of land in the southern wilderness of the city for killing the eldest 'Life-taking Hand.'"
The Family Head suddenly smiled.
Half-precious artifact? A fertile piece of land?
The people present were abuzz. These two items held no small allure even for Meridian Passage and Organ Refining Stage masters in the mundane world.