Chapter 48: Limit Ape Arm Technique, Copper Arm's Might

Chapter 48: Limit Ape Arm Technique, Copper Arm's Might

Crack!

Just as Guo Zhong thought victory was assured, a sharp palm strike suddenly slashed through the air, lightly slapping against his head.

In an instant, a colossal force surged like tidal waves. His skull erupted in a buzzing cacophony.

The world flipped upside down—sun, moon, and stars blurred past. Finally, darkness swallowed his vision as if he’d crashed into the sea. His body trembled violently, eyes rolled back, and his mind reeled.

To the onlookers, the scene was surreal. One moment, Guo Zhong had been charging forward with ferocious momentum; the next, after a single “crack,” he flew backward like a severed kite, slamming heavily onto the ground.

It happened in the blink of an eye. By the time Guo Zhong hit the floor, Guo Hao and the others finally reacted.

“Father!”

“Master!”

Guo Hao and the others rushed to his side, anxiously asking, “Father, are you alright?”

“Don’t move… it’s… going to snap!” Guo Zhong groaned, dazed.

The group froze instantly.

“You lost,” the strongman’s voice boomed.

At these words, Guo Hao opened his mouth to protest but fell silent.

“Hmph, I’m fine! Help me up—I can fight again!”

But Guo Zhong refused to concede, struggling to rise with Guo Hao’s support. However, the moment he pushed their hands away, his body crumpled like a pile of mud.

“Enough. We surrender,” Guo Hao sighed, accepting defeat on his father’s behalf.

Guo Zhong said nothing, his face twisted with bitterness. If he’d known this brute possessed such monstrous strength, he’d have activated his Vital Energy from the start.

Though victory might still have been uncertain, at least he wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation!

The strongman nodded, pocketing the hundred taels Guo Hao offered. Then, pulling out ten silver notes from his own pouch, he tossed them aside and strode away.

Both Guo Zhong and Guo Hao exchanged baffled glances. Was the man sparing them mercy, leaving ninety taels as charity?

Speculation swirled in their minds, but optimism crept in—perhaps fortune had favored them after all.

“Check it,” Guo Zhong rasped, recovering slightly. If they’d lost a hundred but gained ninety, the net loss was manageable.

Guo Hao nodded, snatching up the pouch. His face paled instantly.

“What’s wrong?” Guo Zhong demanded, his heart sinking.

Without a word, Guo Hao placed the pouch before him. Guo Zhong peered inside and roared, “It’s all stones!”

“Despicable!” Realization hit like a thunderclap. His eyes burned crimson, nostrils flaring with rage. “How dare this brat humiliate me!”

The fury surged through his Vital Energy, flooding his brain. Dizziness overtook him, and he collapsed unconscious.

“Father!”

Outside the Guo Martial Hall, Su Chen pocketed his unexpected hundred taels, whistling cheerfully.

He’d come merely to challenge them for Hong Ming’s sake, never expecting them to raise stakes. Forced to bluff with silver notes and stones, he’d lucked out—their carelessness netted him a windfall.

“Time to upgrade Ape’s Might,” he mused.

Changing into his old clothes in a secluded alley, he headed home to refine his Copper Arm Technique.

Half an hour later, back from the Gold Exchange, he rushed to recharge his Progress Panel:

[Easy Mode Activated: Swing arms 500 times to reach Limit Ape’s Might.]

An hour later, the update flashed:

[Martial Arts: …Ape’s Might (Limit)]

Like Turtle Shell Art, Ape’s Might now hit its ceiling, unable to recharge further.

“Just Bone Shrinking Technique left,” Su Chen murmured, eyeing the panel.

Besides Iron Shirt, only Bone Shrinking Technique remained at 100 taels—a goal he wasn’t rushing. For now, it sufficed.

His gaze shifted to Raging Waves Blade Technique. As his power grew, he’d relied less on Crescent Blade Art, though he’d initially learned it for stealth attacks. If this trend continued, it might soon gather dust.

“Finding a complete Crescent Blade Art could let me fuse it, like Iron Thread Fist merging with Iron Sand Palm. But a full set… where to find one?”

He pondered fruitlessly. Even basic martial arts were guarded secrets—weapon techniques were even rarer.

“Later. Focus on Iron Shirt first,” he decided.

Ape’s Might’s Limit required ten Vital Energy Powders—a hurdle easily cleared once obtained. Compared to hunting Crescent Blade Art, this was faster.

“Hong Master might not supply powders soon, but I’ve got the unnamed formula. Just need to check if Red Bloodgrass is still scarce. I’ll ask tomorrow.”

Guo Zhong’s debt gnawed at him, so he’d seek herbs himself.

Finally, he examined his arms. Skin unchanged, yet hardness astounded him. A light tap sent a rebounding force through his palm.

“Amazing defense!”

Flesh felt like copper plating. Squeezing tightened it into steel-like plates, unyielding and interlocked.

A punch shattered stone with a deafening crack.

“Not just defense—attack and strength surged too!”

Activating Turtle Shell Art, his body armored in black. Though arms lacked the coating, their resilience matched the armor.

After testing, he grinned:

“Combined with Turtle Shell Art, my entire body—save head and feet—is nearly invincible. Next goal: fortify head and feet!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end