Chapter 75: Chapter 71: Goldman Sachs

Over the next few days, Chen Qing solidified his realm, familiarized himself with the power of Transmutation Force, and cultivated the Fishing Toad Force.

Zhou Liang would also explain his own experiences and insights from time to time.

Chen Qing’s control over the power of Transmutation Force grew increasingly skilled.

He even had new insights into the Long Arm Fist technique. Some moves that had previously seemed useless now felt like killing blows, and his strength increased considerably.

In the blink of an eye, several days passed, and the Cyan Scale Association meeting was held as scheduled.

The venue was the largest Martial Arts Arena in Gaolin County, the General Selection Platform, located in the northeast corner of the Inner City.

In front of the General Selection Platform’s massive, arched stone gate, a massive crowd surged, the din shaking the heavens.

The banners of the various martial arts halls and factions snapped in the cold wind.

When Zhou Liang arrived with the contingent from the Zhou Institute, two figures were already standing by the gate, waiting for them.

One man was dressed in ochre martial attire with a half-worn leather vest over it. He had a square face and eyes as sharp as an eagle’s. He was none other than the Chief of the Wangyuan Escort Agency, Wu Peng.

A Thick-Backed Saber hung at his waist. Its scabbard was unadorned, yet it faintly exuded an Evil Qi.

The other man was slightly stockier, dressed in a long robe of dark cyan silk. The joints of his fingers were thick and covered in calluses. This was Chief Shopkeeper Cao Tieshan from the Weapon Forging Shop.

He wore the amiable smile customary for a businessman.

These two were famous figures in Gaolin County and were the joint witnesses for this Cyan Scale Association meeting, holding esteemed positions.

“Master Zhou, we’ve been waiting,” Wu Peng said, clasping his fist. His voice was loud and clear.

“Brother Zhou, you’re looking more distinguished than ever.”

Cao Tieshan also smiled and cupped his hands, but his gaze couldn’t help but fall on Chen Qing, who stood behind Zhou Liang.

Zhou Liang quickly returned the courtesy. “I’m honored that Chief Wu and Shopkeeper Cao would personally greet us. I am unworthy.”

He took a step to the side, bringing Chen Qing forward. “This is my young disciple, Chen Qing. He had a fortunate breakthrough a few days ago, so I brought him here today to see the world.”

Wu Dapeng’s thick brows rose slightly, a perfectly measured look of surprise and praise on his face. “Excellent! A hero emerges from the young indeed! The Zhou Institute has a successor. This is truly worthy of celebration!”

They had already heard the news of a disciple from the Zhou Institute breaking through to Transmutation Force.

’He’s so young, I wonder what his true strength is like.’

To outsiders, a Transmutation Force master was a Transmutation Force master, but there were distinctions among them.

Cao Tieshan stroked his beard and chuckled. “For Chen Xiaoyou to have such an accomplishment at such a young age, his future is limitless! Master Zhou, you’ve accepted a good disciple, and taught him even better!

Neither servile nor overbearing, Chen Qing clasped his fist and bowed. “This junior, Chen Qing, greets Chief Wu and Shopkeeper Cao. The two seniors praise me too highly; this young one is unworthy. I hope to receive your guidance in the future.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhou Liang led his disciples through the tall stone gate and officially entered the core area of the Cyan Scale Association meeting, with Wu and Cao watching them go.

As soon as they entered, the cacophony grew even louder. Several gazes shot toward them, many filled with scrutiny, curiosity, and even hostility.

Zhou Liang’s steps were steady as he walked directly toward the main spectator stands to the north.

“Brother Zhou!”

Just then, a middle-aged man with a refined face and the demeanor of a scholar walked over with a smile. He sized up Chen Qing and said, “This must be the disciple who broke through to Transmutation Force, Chen Qing, yes?”

“That’s right.”

Zhou Liang said, “This is Master Zhang Shicheng.”

Chen Qing clasped his fist in greeting.

Zhang Shicheng smiled. “No need to be so formal. A young talent, indeed.”

The two exchanged pleasantries for a moment before Zhang Shicheng departed.

“That Martial Artist just now is from the west of the city. His mastery of his family’s Cotton Cloud Palm runs extremely deep,” Zhou Liang explained to Chen Qing in a low voice as they walked.

Soon, a few more people came forward to chat. Zhou Liang introduced them one by one before his gaze shifted toward the section reserved for the martial arts halls.

Several figures with profound auras were already seated there, all of them top-tier masters of Gaolin County.

These included Master Zhao Kaishan of Tianju Martial Arts Hall, Master Liu Suifeng of Guangchang Martial Arts Hall, Master Lin Hongyu of Hongyun Martial Arts Hall, and Master Deng Feihu of Jinghong Martial Arts Hall.

The master of Tianju Martial Arts Hall was a tall, burly middle-aged man. He cultivated the Mountain Opening Fist, which was fierce and domineering.

The master of Guangchang Martial Arts Hall, Liu Suifeng, had white hair and a white beard. He was thin and wore a faded gray cloth robe, looking like an ordinary old man at first glance.

He was a veteran Transmutation Force master in Gaolin County, famous for his “Cloud-Piercing Finger,” known for its precision, speed, and strong penetration power. He was once hailed as the number one Transmutation Force expert in Gaolin County.

But now, his qi and blood were in decline, and his strength was no longer at its peak, though his formidable reputation remained.

As for the master of Hongyun Martial Arts Hall, Lin Hongyu, she was the only female hall master present. She looked to be in her forties, still graceful and charming, and her fiery red martial attire was extremely eye-catching.

Her posture was ramrod straight, and her legs were especially long and powerful.

The master of Jinghong Martial Arts Hall, Deng Feihu, was currently resting with his eyes closed. His aura was as calm as still water, as if the clamor of the outside world had nothing to do with him.

Besides Zhang Shicheng, there were a few other Martial Artists from the Martial Arts Institute, but they were either very low-key or old, with their qi and blood depleted.

“These are the true top-tier masters of Gaolin County.”

Zhou Liang said to Chen Qing in a low voice, “It’s rare for them all to gather. Today, at the Cyan Scale Association meeting, you have a good opportunity to get to know them.”

Chen Qing knew that Zhou Liang was giving him these detailed introductions because he was afraid Chen Qing would suffer a great loss in the future due to his ignorance.

Chen Qing’s gaze swept over these masters, committing each of their faces to memory.

“Old Zhou!”

Just then, Liu Ze and Shen Zhenzhong arrived with their disciples.

Zhou Liang greeted them with a smile. “I’m a bit late.”

Chen Qing mused to himself, ’It seems the strength of Master and his two friends ’huddling together for warmth’ isn’t too shabby. After all, with three Transmutation Force masters, any ordinary faction would have to think twice.’

Just then, an even greater commotion erupted from the entrance.

The crowd automatically parted to form a path.

The people from Songfeng Martial Arts Hall had arrived.

Their master, Shi Wenshan, led the way, his face beaming with a cheerful and amiable smile, constantly cupping his hands in greeting to the people around him.

The disciples following him were all full of vigor, their spirits high.

Shi Wenshan’s gaze swept across the main stands. When he saw Zhou Liang and his group, his smile didn’t diminish in the slightest; instead, it grew even more enthusiastic.

He strode over like a shooting star, laughing heartily from a distance. “Hahaha! Brother Zhou! Brother Liu! Brother Shen! It’s been too long! And to all my fellow practitioners, I have arrived late. Please forgive me, forgive me!”

His voice was resonant, and his posture was very humble, as if he and Zhou Liang were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years.

When he got closer, he gave Zhou Liang a heavy fist clasp. “Brother Zhou, I heard your esteemed institute has produced a young talent! This is truly wonderful news! A cause for celebration! Everyone at my Songfeng Martial Arts Hall shares in your glory!”

His eyes were sincere and his tone earnest, as if he were genuinely happy for Zhou Liang and Chen Qing.

However, standing behind Zhou Liang, Chen Qing clearly caught the fleeting coldness deep within Shi Wenshan’s smile.

’The more enthusiastic the smile, the more fake it is. A dog that bites doesn’t bark, indeed.’

Alarm bells went off in Chen Qing’s mind, but his face remained impassive.

Meanwhile, the disciples from the Zhou Institute following Zhou Liang, like Sun Shun and Zhou Yu, let their gazes flicker over Shi Wenshan’s hypocritical smile before finally settling on the black-clad figure behind him: Gao Sheng.

When they saw Gao Sheng’s unconcerned face, a chill shot up from the soles of their feet straight to the tops of their skulls.

The once high-spirited and exceptionally talented Qin Lie had been on the stage of the Martial Arts Examination when this very person before them had used the most insidious and vicious methods to shatter his spine and cripple his major tendons, ultimately driving him to madness.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep