Chapter 76: Chapter 72: Gratitude and Grievances

“Shi Wenshan, cut the sanctimonious act.”

Zhou Liang snorted coldly. Thinking of Qin Lie, he made no attempt to hide the fury in his eyes.

Liu Ze and Shen Zhenzhong both glanced at Gao Sheng, their brows furrowing slightly.

A disciple meant to care for his master into old age had been crippled before he could even mature. Such a vicious method was no different from destroying a person’s foundation and severing all their future prospects.

The master of the Guangchang Martial Arts Hall, Liu Suifeng, slowly rose to his feet. “Enough. This is the Cyan Scale Association meeting. Settle any grievances you have on the platform.”

Although he was old and his vitality was fading, his seniority commanded great respect.

“Let’s just hope Master Zhou’s disciples aren’t made of paper, ready to crumble at the slightest touch.”

After saying his piece, Shi Wenshan beamed and began exchanging pleasantries with those nearby, then led the disciples of the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall to their seats.

Liu Suifeng turned his gaze to Zhou Liang. “Please, be seated.”

Zhou Liang offered a respectful salute with clasped hands before leading the members of the Zhou Institute to their seats.

Seeing that the experts from the major martial arts halls and institutes had all arrived, Wu Peng and Cao Tieshan stepped forward together to announce the official start of the Cyan Scale Association meeting.

Sun Shun lowered his voice. “So many masters are gathered here today. Not even the grounds of the Martial Arts Examination were this packed with talent.”

The Martial Arts Examination had more people, but many of them were just Government Office officials and sons of wealthy families.

Zhou Yu said softly, “It’s not hard for a disciple with real potential to ace the Martial Arts Examination, but today is different…”

Zhou Liang said in a deep voice, “Both of you, be quiet. Watch carefully and learn. True understanding comes from witnessing.”

Chen Qing nodded, his eyes fixed on the fighting platform.

When it came to practicing martial arts, aside from constant training and live sparring, the next best thing was to observe others fight.

It was an opportunity to broaden one’s knowledge and enhance one’s strength.

“Hongyun Martial Arts Hall! Jiangbei!”

“Zhang Institute! Wang Zhiyuan!”

In no time, two men were on the platform, ready to spar.

A murmur of discussion immediately rippled through the crowd.

Sun Shun explained in a low voice, “Jiangbei used to be a disciple of Master Zhang. He reached the Manifest Force realm in just over a month—a true prodigy. Later, for some reason… he defected to the Hongyun Martial Arts Hall…”

“Defected?!”

Chen Qing raised an eyebrow.

This was a major taboo in the Jianghu. It touched upon the ethics between master and disciple, the rules of a sect, and conflicts of interest. It was the kind of act that easily created deep-seated enmity.

’No wonder the two schools are already at daggers drawn right from the start.’

The two men on the platform were already engaged in combat.

Fists and feet flew, creating whistling gusts of wind. The air filled with the ceaseless, dull thud of impacts.

Jiangbei’s leg techniques were fierce, his assault like a relentless tide. He pressed Wang Zhiyuan back step by step, forcing him to the edge of the platform before finally knocking him off with a sweeping whip kick.

Immediately after, two more disciples from the Zhang Institute took the platform to challenge Jiangbei, but both were defeated just as cleanly.

With three of his disciples defeated in a row, he had lost all face.

Even the deeply composed Zhang Shicheng now wore an expression as dark as a stormy sea.

Lin Hongyu, however, remained impassive, as if she hadn’t witnessed any of it.

After the high point of Jiangbei defeating three opponents in a row, the atmosphere at the Cyan Scale Association meeting relaxed somewhat. Disciples from the various halls took turns on the platform, and though the sounds of colliding fists and feet continued to ring out, the matches failed to recapture the initial excitement.

The disciples of the Zhou Institute watched with rapt attention. Sun Shun, Zhou Yu, and the others were particularly focused, trying to analyze the methods of the different martial arts on display.

Just then, a figure standing straight as a spear at the edge of the platform drew everyone’s attention.

Gao Sheng of the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall!

He didn’t announce his name loudly like the others. Instead, he strode to the center of the platform in a single motion. His gaze, like a bolt of cold lightning, swept over the Zhou Institute’s seating area before locking onto Zhou Liang.

“Gao Sheng of the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall.”

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it cut cleanly through the surrounding din. “I have long heard that the Zhou Institute’s Long Arm Fist is a perfect blend of hard and soft. I came here today specifically to seek some pointers. I wonder which senior brother from the Zhou Institute would be willing to indulge me?”

The crowd erupted.

The audience instantly erupted. The Songfeng Martial Arts Hall was issuing a public challenge! This was going to be a good show.

Zhou Liang’s expression instantly became deathly still. Liu Ze and Shen Zhenzhong exchanged a look, their eyes filled with grave concern.

Shi Wenshan remained seated among the Songfeng contingent, a “genial” smile still gracing his lips.

“Master, let me go!”

Sun Shun shot to his feet, his face flushed. The memory of Qin Lie’s tragic condition was still vivid in his mind. For Gao Sheng to take the stage now was not just rubbing salt in the Zhou Institute’s wounds; it was a direct humiliation of his master, Zhou Liang.

It was an unspoken rule at the Cyan Scale Association competition for opponents to be of the same realm, unless one party specifically issued a challenge to someone outside of it.

Chen Qing said nothing.

Zhou Liang looked at Gao Sheng, knowing this was unavoidable.

He nodded slowly, his voice grave. “Be careful. His methods are vicious. Give it your all, and protect your vital spots!”

“I understand, Master!”

Sun Shun took a deep breath and strode purposefully onto the platform.

“Sun Shun of the Zhou Institute. I await your instruction!”

Sun Shun cupped his fist and assumed the opening stance of the Long Arm Fist, his gaze as sharp as a hawk’s.

“Oh? Brother Sun?”

The contempt at the corner of Gao Sheng’s mouth deepened into a sneer. “Very well. Let’s see just what this ’Brother Sun’ from the Zhou Institute is made of!”

Before the words had even left his mouth, Gao Sheng exploded into motion, moving so fast he left only a blurred afterimage.

He also practiced a hard and ferocious style, but unlike Long Arm Fist, it focused more on penetration and explosive bursts of power. This was the famous Mountain-Breaking Hand that had made the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall renowned.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The two exchanged several blows in an instant, their movements stirring up fierce gusts of wind! Sun Shun was an experienced fighter. He executed his Long Arm Fist, transitioning between hard and soft techniques in an attempt to deflect the force and tie Gao Sheng up in a close-quarters struggle.

However, Gao Sheng’s speed and power were far beyond his expectations! The Mountain-Breaking Hand was Cunning, Ruthless, and Fierce, its Power focused like a drill. Each impact sent a jolt through Sun Shun that roiled his insides, and a sharp, stabbing pain radiated from his chest.

In less than ten moves!

Gao Sheng seized a minuscule opening as Sun Shun paused to breathe. A vicious light flashed in his eyes. He formed a knife-hand with his right palm, erupting with Dark Force. Accompanied by a shriek that tore through the air, his hand shot out like lightning, aiming straight for the Jianjing acupoint on Sun Shun’s left shoulder.

RRRIP!

Though Sun Shun desperately tried to dodge and block, the Penetrating Force contained in that strike was too overwhelming. It ripped right through his sleeve, leaving a bloody gash on his shoulder so deep that bone was visible. The immense power sent him flying. He crashed heavily onto the edge of the platform with a loud THUD, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. He struggled but was unable to rise.

A collective gasp of cold air rippled through the audience.

Everyone could see that Sun Shun was already at the level of Great Success in Dark Force, yet he hadn’t even lasted ten moves against Gao Sheng!

“Such an overwhelming Mountain-Breaking Hand!”

On the main viewing platform, a sharp glint flashed in the cloudy eyes of Liu Suifeng, the master of the Guangchang Martial Arts Hall. He stroked his beard and murmured, “This boy… is no simple character. The circulation of his vitality is smooth and unhindered, and he can retract and release his Power at will. It’s clear he once failed to break through the barrier to the Transmutation Force realm, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. His foundation is now honed far beyond that of an ordinary martial artist at Great Success in Dark Force. The next time he attempts to break through, his chances of success… are likely quite high!”

Liu Suifeng’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried clearly to the ears of everyone present.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kaishan, Lin Hongyu, and the other masters couldn’t help but cast another glance at Gao Sheng.

To fail an attempt at breaking through to the Transmutation Force realm without damaging one’s foundation, and even to grow stronger from it… only those with unshakeable willpower and exceptional talent could achieve such a feat.

This Gao Sheng, it seemed, truly had the capital to back up his arrogance.

If he managed to break through to the Transmutation Force realm in the future, the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall would then have three masters at that level. Their power would be enough to rank them as the foremost of the Five Great Martial Arts Halls.

“Zhou Institute, is this all the skill you have?”

Gao Sheng didn’t spare a single glance for the fallen Sun Shun. His eyes once again fell upon the Zhou Institute’s seating area, his voice dripping with provocation. “Is there no one competent left?”

His gaze swept brazenly across the Zhou Institute’s disciples, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Zhou Yu was so furious her face went pale. Her body trembled slightly as she clenched her fists, her nails digging so deeply into her palms they nearly drew blood.

She was about to rise when a firm hand pressed down on her shoulder.

“Junior Sister Zhou, allow me,” a steady voice said.

It was Liu Nianbo!

’This is my chance to prove myself,’ he thought, ’and regain the face I lost in front of Zhou Yu after Chen Qing’s breakthrough.’

“Brother Liu…”

Zhou Yu’s eyes filled with worry. Sun Shun’s brutal defeat was fresh in her mind.

“Don’t worry.”

Liu Nianbo gave her a reassuring look before striding toward the platform.

He had already assumed the opening stance of the Mantis Fist, his gaze as sharp as a knife.

“Liu Nianbo of the Liu Institute! I’ve come to experience Senior Brother Gao’s brilliant techniques!”

“So the Zhou Institute has no one left? You’re going to fight in their place?”

Gao Sheng scoffed. “Fine. At least this way, no one can say I’m bullying a bunch of invalids. I’ll just deal with you all together!”

Liu Nianbo snorted. “Enough trash talk. Let’s see what you can do!”

The two clashed instantly. Mantis Fist was known for its speed, precision, and ferocity. As a master at the Great Success of Dark Force, Liu Nianbo’s arms moved like scythes, a flurry of afterimages. His assault was relentless, aimed specifically at Gao Sheng’s joints and vital points.

However, Gao Sheng’s Body Technique was faster and his Power was greater. The Mountain-Breaking Hand he wielded was both expansive and devastatingly precise, intercepting Liu Nianbo’s attacks at the very last second, time and again.

His Dark Force was more condensed and overwhelming. Each collision sent a numbing shock up Liu Nianbo’s arms, making his blood roil.

After twenty moves, Liu Nianbo was mostly defending, with beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

A vicious glint flashed in Gao Sheng’s eyes as he deliberately revealed an opening. Liu Nianbo took the bait, executing the Mantis Catching Cicada technique to strike at the exposed torso.

“You’re asking for it!”

Gao Sheng laughed savagely. Instead of retreating, he surged forward. His left hand shot out like an iron pincer and clamped onto Liu Nianbo’s attacking wrist. At the same time, his right palm, imbued with tremendous force, slammed violently against Liu Nianbo’s hastily raised forearm.

CRACK!

The sharp crack of bone breaking was sickeningly clear. Liu Nianbo cried out in agony as his right arm went limp, hanging uselessly at his side. He was thrown backward like a broken kite, landing in a heap not far from Sun Shun. His face was ghastly pale, and beads of sweat poured down his temples. His right arm was obviously broken.

“Nianbo!” Liu Ze shot to his feet, his face a mask of shock and fury.

The entire arena was in an uproar!

Gao Sheng’s ruthlessness went far beyond the scope of a spar. This was a clear attempt to cripple his opponent!

Gao Sheng stood in the center of the platform, gazing down on everyone with utter contempt.

His gaze swept past Zhou Liang’s ashen face and finally settled on Chen Qing, who had remained silent behind his master the entire time. Gao Sheng’s arrogance was now at its zenith.

“Zhou Institute, is there anyone else?!”

His voice echoed across the venue. He continued coldly, “Oh, that’s right. I heard you recently produced a new Transmutation Force master? What was his name… Chen Qing?”

He stretched out a finger, pointing directly at Chen Qing from across the distance, his eyes blazing with excitement.

“None of them are any good. You! Get up here!”

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep