Immortal Refiner

At the gate of Origin Spring City, a massive, mottled tiger strode forward with an aura of intimidation that ordinary people could scarcely imagine. It walked straight into the city.

Bystanders on the street scattered in terror, not daring to meet the tiger’s gaze for fear of being targeted.

Seated upright on the tiger’s back was a young man with a straight posture. His features were unremarkable, his appearance quite ordinary, yet his eyes were as deep and mysterious as a dark pool.

The Fierce Tiger has entered the city!

The news spread like wildfire throughout Origin Spring City. Many bold and curious individuals rushed to catch a glimpse of the young Inner Strength expert who had recently become famous in the Jianghu.

Contrary to most people’s expectations, the Fierce Tiger, with such a fierce and domineering nickname, was not a hulking brute. Instead, he appeared to be a young man of upright stature, powerfully built but not coarse.

”So that’s the Fierce Tiger? He looks so young.”

”He must be here to challenge Wu Yang, the First Fist of Qing Province.”

”But he already holds the title of First Hammer of Qing Province. Why would he challenge Wu Yang?”

”Who knows? But I heard Fierce Tiger only uses his hammer against opponents wielding weapons. If they’re unarmed, he fights with his fists.”

”...”

The numerous gazes from onlookers along the roadside made Fan Tong feel slightly uncomfortable. It let out a furious roar, its voice echoing through the sky:

”ROOOAR!”

The roar was awe-inspiring, its power piercing the heavens.

The mighty tiger’s roar spread outward, forcing many to cover their ears, overwhelmed by the aura emanating from the tiger beneath Li Qing.

Just this one ferocious tiger alone could probably rival many External Strength Experts.

The fierce tiger entered the city, its gaze fixed on the Wei Family’s manor gates.

”Li Qing, here to challenge the First Fist of Qing Province!”

The sound waves, amplified by Inner Strength, rolled forward, their echoes reverberating throughout the entire street. Those within the manor would undoubtedly have heard every word clearly.

After a brief wait, a figure appeared at the Wei Manor’s main gate.

Wu Yang had emerged.

”Fierce Tiger Li Qing, since you already hold the title of First Hammer of Qing Province, why do you covet my title of First Fist?”

In truth, there were hardly any hammer-wielding experts in Qingzhou. Li Qing had earned the title of First Hammer simply by using the Peerless Hammer in a few battles against other experts.

As a result, the title of ”First Hammer of Qingzhou” naturally fell to Li Qing.

In Qingzhou, such titles held considerable value. Major powers like the Wei Family would pay handsomely to recruit such Martial Path experts to serve as Martial Path retainers.

In addition to financial compensation, these major powers often offered various other benefits to attract Martial Path experts to join their ranks.

Wu Yang had served as the Wei Family’s retainer for several years, never expecting to face a challenge like this today.

In response to Wu Yang’s question, Li Qing simply chuckled heartily. ”Senior Wu Yang, don’t pretend you have no interest in the Grandmaster Realm. You should know why someone like me challenges the world’s top experts.”

Standing before the mansion gates, Wu Yang sneered. At thirty-something, he had naturally pursued the Grandmaster Realm in his youth.

Unfortunately, the path to becoming a Martial Path Grandmaster was incredibly difficult. Countless martial arts prodigies had been blocked at this threshold, never able to break through.

”The Divine Intent Realm is too ethereal and illusory. I’m long past the age of dreaming,” Wu Yang said dismissively.

Another Martial Artist who had lost his ambition. From the Imperial Capital to Qingzhou Origin Spring City, Li Qing had encountered countless Inner Strength experts like this.

Once they had achieved sufficient status and strength, they had grown complacent, abandoning their Martial Path and settling for the status quo.

Li Qing had never wanted to become such a person. Stopping might bring temporary pleasure, but only true strength could allow him to seize control of his own destiny.

In his previous victories over Inner Strength Martial Artists, he had actually had opportunities to take their lives. However, these individuals usually had extensive social connections, and Li Qing didn’t want to make too many enemies. He would simply spar with them and then leave.

This approach not only fostered goodwill but also made it easier to challenge his next opponent, as others would be less wary of him.

After listening to Wu Yang’s words, Li Qing remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. ”Since I’ve chosen this path, I want to give it my best shot, regardless of whether I succeed in the end.”

With that, Li Qing leaped off the tiger’s back, placing the Peerless Hammer he carried on his back beside Fan Tong. He then walked alone toward the Wei Manor’s main gate.

”Please, show me your skill!”

Li Qing had a high level of awareness and an unwavering determination to pursue martial arts. He had to keep moving forward, constantly improving.

Whenever he felt tempted to relax and indulge in pleasure, he would remind himself that if he were ruthless and uninhibited, those veteran Inner Strength experts he had defeated earlier would likely already be dead at his hands.

He refused to become a stepping stone for others in his old age, a mere corpse beneath someone else’s blade.

”Ah, youth,” Wu Yang said, his voice trailing off as his body shot forward with incredible speed, leaving afterimages in his wake.

Li Qing’s eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled some of Wu Yang’s martial arts techniques.

Wu Yang specialized in fist techniques, but his style wasn’t External Martial Arts. Instead, he followed the path of Internal Energy Skills.

He channeled his vast Inner Strength to unleash Inch Force, exploding with maximum power over the shortest distance. In the Jianghu, this technique was known as the Inch Fist!

Li Qing dared not underestimate his opponent. He immediately concentrated his Vital Energy, activating his Golden Body Technique.

In an instant, his physique became incredibly tough and resilient. Then, adopting the stance of the Fierce Tiger True Intent Diagram, he unleashed a thunderous punch.

Wu Yang’s expression remained unchanged, his face as cold as ice. He lunged forward, throwing out a single palm to block Li Qing’s punch.

The moment their fist and palm collided, both men’s expressions shifted.

Bang!

A muffled explosion erupted. Li Qing’s punch was even more powerful than Wu Yang had anticipated, sending his heart racing.

Li Qing was equally surprised. His opponent’s Inner Strength felt strangely unique. When Wu Yang’s palm struck, it felt as if his fist had been pricked by needles.

He had reached the second layer of the Golden Body Technique. Ordinary punches and kicks barely registered on his body.

Thoughts flashed through their minds in a split second, but there was no time for prolonged astonishment. They were already close, and the next phase was a whirlwind of attacks.

Boom!

At point-blank range, Wu Yang unleashed a sudden burst of power.

Inch Fist!

The punch was incredibly fast, its trajectory almost impossible to track with the naked eye.

A gust of wind swept past, and the fist landed squarely on Li Qing’s body.

Bang!

Caught off guard, Li Qing barely managed to block the punch with his forearm.

Wu Yang pressed his advantage, closing in again and unleashing two more rapid punches.

”Roar!” Li Qing roared, his eyes instantly bloodshot. The Vital Energy in his body surged like a raging river, its roaring currents even audible—his Vital Energy was simply too abundant.

Wu Yang’s punches were too fast for him to defend against.

If that was the case, he wouldn’t bother defending at all.

Li Qing steeled his resolve, making a decisive choice: he would trade blows with Wu Yang. Relying on his Golden Body Technique and even more vigorous Vital Energy, he was confident he could outlast his opponent.

Sensing Li Qing’s intent, Wu Yang’s heart skipped a beat, momentarily stunned by his opponent’s decisiveness.

But it was too late to retreat now.

Wu Yang’s Inch Fists landed on Li Qing’s body with two resounding thuds.

At the same time, Li Qing’s Tiger Fist, which he had been gathering power for, erupted in full force, striking Wu Yang squarely.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

(End of the Chapter)

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