Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

Chapter 62 Martial Arts Demonstration (Please subscribe!! Striving for 10,000 words a day!!!)

Another half month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Since the day he crippled two Zhao family members with hidden strength in three breaths and forced Chen Fu to kneel and kowtow, no one has dared to spy on Chen Jianghe's courtyard.

Chen Jianghe was also happy to have some peace and quiet.

He secluded himself every day to practice diligently, repeatedly refining the Five Elements Fist and the Phantom Step.

Occasionally, I would go to the backyard of the martial arts school and listen to Master Li Chengyue lean back in his recliner, squinting as he gave me a few pointers.

Chen Jianghe memorized them all and practiced them repeatedly after returning to the hospital.

After half a month of arduous training, he reaped considerable rewards, and his Shadow Step technique reached a minor level of mastery.

[Destiny: Diligence is rewarded by Heaven; success is inevitable]

[Current Skill: Three-Body Stance (Perfect)]

Progress: 25%

Current skill: Five Elements Fist (Perfect)

Progress: 18%

[Current Skill: Shadow Step (Minor Mastery)]

Progress: 1%

[Effect: Power is smooth and penetrating, penetrating ten steps through the body]

The day of the martial arts tournament has finally arrived.

Early that morning, Chen Jianghe and Su Derong arrived at the backyard of the martial arts school.

Li Chengyue had already gotten up and was being dressed by He Shouzhuo.

The old man had changed into a brand new dark blue cloth jacket, his hair was neatly tied up with a wooden hairpin, and even his "Hidden Dragon Spear" was wrapped in coarse cloth again. He leaned against the door.

"Master," Chen Jianghe stepped forward, "your injuries have not yet healed. Today's martial arts competition will be attended by your third senior brother and me."

Su Derong also came over and nodded upon hearing this: "Master, Jiang He is right. You can stay here and oversee the martial arts school."

Li Chengyue smirked, his gaze sweeping over the two of them: "I'm not going. With your level of cultivation, can you really handle the situation?"

His voice was low and deep: "Since the Zhao family has set up this scheme, they won't just target you younger generation. If I'm not here, those old fogies will inevitably have some ideas. Today, even if I'm just sitting here, I'll be sitting there."

He paused, then glanced to the side: "By the way, I heard you told Shouzhuo not to go, so it's just the two of you stealing the spotlight, right?"

Chen Jianghe and Su Derong exchanged a glance and nodded.

Li Chengyue chuckled, "Shouzhuo will go too. Also, call the people from the escort agency. Yilin County hasn't been this lively in a long time; let's go take a look. This old man can still protect them!"

The two men didn't try to persuade them further. They knew that once their master made a decision, no one could change it.

The Yilin Martial Arts Arena was located on the west side of the inner city.

Originally a training ground for the garrison, it has now been renovated with funds from the Zhao family. The ground is paved with bluestone slabs, surrounded by a wooden fence about ten feet high, and a high platform has been built to the north for the main guests' seats.

Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the area outside the martial arts arena was already packed with people.

People from the outer city, disciples of various martial arts schools, wandering martial artists, and even some wealthy young men from the inner city all gathered here.

In these chaotic times, such a lively martial arts competition has been a rare sight for a long time.

When the group from Xingyi Martial Arts School arrived, the room fell silent.

Countless gazes converged upon them.

Li Chengyue walked slowly with a gun on his back, flanked by Chen Jianghe and Su Derong on his left and right, followed by Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, Zhao Tieshan, He Shouzhuo and other disciples from the escort agency and martial arts school.

Wherever it passed, the crowd automatically parted to make way for it.

Within the light, there was awe, curiosity, apprehension, and an unconcealable hostility.

Upon reaching the platform, several people were already waiting.

Qian Shouyi, the patriarch of the Qian family, was still all smiles as he stepped forward first, clasping his hands in greeting and saying, "Master Li, it's been a long time."

I'm delighted to hear that your esteemed disciple, Young Master Chen, has broken through to the Transformation Realm!

He spoke very politely and adopted an extremely humble attitude.

Sun Hanshan, the patriarch of the Sun family, followed closely behind, his voice booming like thunder: "Li Chengyue! What a fine disciple you've trained! Reaching the level of Mastery at eighteen, I'm truly impressed! Consider what happened that day something I, Old Sun, owe you!"

Li Changfeng, the patriarch of the Li family, simply nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Chen Jianghe for a moment before turning to Li Chengyue: "Master Li, has your injury improved? If needed, the Li family storehouse still has some healing herbs that you can take at any time."

Li Chengyue looked at the three of them and gave a slight smile: "You three are very kind."

Qian Shouyi sighed, "The events in the inner city the other day were truly a matter of necessity due to the circumstances. My Qian family has absolutely no hostility towards Master Li or the Xingyi Martial Arts School, and we hope Master Li will forgive us."

Sun Hanshan and Li Changfeng nodded in agreement.

Li Chengyue waved his hand, his voice calm: "It's alright. Things in the martial world are hard to explain. I will remember that the three of you came to offer your congratulations today."

This statement was neither warm nor cold; it neither fully accepted the apology nor rejected the person outright, leaving room for maneuver.

Qian Shouyi and the other two were all shrewd people. Upon hearing this, they immediately understood Li Chengyue's attitude. They said no more, exchanged a few more polite words, and then returned to their respective seats.

Their actions naturally caught the attention of everyone present.

For a moment, whispers rippled through the disciples of each martial arts school.

"Did you see that? The Qian family, the Sun family, and the Li family have all gone to congratulate the Xingyi Martial Arts School!"

"Nonsense! Who wouldn't want to befriend an eighteen-year-old at the Transformation Realm? Especially since Li Chengyue is only at the Half-Step Gang Realm!"

"The Zhao family's faces turned pale—"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Are you out of your mind?"

Taking advantage of the break, Su Derong quietly introduced several noteworthy martial arts schools in the arena to Chen Jianghe.

He first pointed to a group of men dressed in khaki short-sleeved shirts under the west-facing awning: "That's Yufeng Martial Arts School. The headmaster's surname is Liu; he's at the peak of the Transformation Realm and is skilled in Tongbei Fist. His style is characterized by long-range strikes, combining softness with strength; his arms are like whips, producing crackling sounds and penetrating power."

Chen Jianghe looked in the direction he was pointing. The head of Yufeng Martial Arts School was a lean man in his fifties with dark skin. He was resting with his eyes closed, his arms hanging naturally at his sides, almost past his knees.

"Over there," Su Derong pointed to a group of martial artists dressed in ochre-red outfits on the east side, "that's the Gale Martial Arts School. The school master's surname is Han, he's at the mid-stage of the Transformation Realm, specializing in leg techniques, known as the 'Gale Legs.' His leg techniques are swift as the wind, powerful and fierce, excelling in mid-to-long-range attacks."

The owner of the Fierce Wind Martial Arts School was a middle-aged man in his late thirties. He had a leopard-like head and round eyes, and his legs were unusually thick. He stood under the shade of the canopy with his arms crossed, his eyes scanning the entire area from time to time.

"That group in the north corner, dressed in black with silver trim," Su Derong said in a low voice, "is the Zhenlei Martial Arts School. The headmaster's surname is Lei, a peak-level expert in internal energy cultivation, specializing in palm techniques. The Zhenlei Palm is fierce and violent; it's said that at its highest level, it produces the sound of wind and thunder when unleashed. Chen Wanglong is a disciple of this school. However, today—Headmaster Lei's expression isn't very pleasant."

Master Lei of Zhenlei Martial Arts School was an old man in his sixties with a gloomy face. He sat alone under the shade of a pavilion, while his disciples behind him held their breath and dared not make a sound.

The crippling of Chen Wanglong dealt a severe blow to the reputation of Zhenlei Martial Arts School, which explains his bad mood.

"There are two more," Su Derong's gaze swept over the other two places, "Guangde Martial Arts School, the master's surname is Wu, he is at the mid-stage of the Transformation Realm, and he uses the Mantis Fist. His boxing style is tricky and ruthless, he is good at grappling and locking, and his close-range fighting is superb."

Master Wu of Guangde Martial Arts School was a thin, elderly man with a goatee, squinting eyes, and his fingers unconsciously twitching slightly, exuding a sharp and capable air.

Finally, Su Derong looked at a shed in the southwest corner, a strange glint in his eyes: "Over there—the one in the silver-white, tight-fitting martial arts uniform with a snake-patterned belt is Liu Yinshuang, the owner of the 'Silver Snake Martial Arts School.'"

Chen Jianghe looked out.

She was a woman around thirty years old.

Her silver-white, form-fitting martial arts outfit accentuated her curves, highlighting her full, high breasts, slender waist, rounded hips, and long, straight legs. The slight rise and fall of her breath added to her allure.

At this moment, she was leaning back in her chair, one hand supporting her chin, the other hand playing with a silver, hair-thin soft whip. Her gaze casually swept across the room, finally settling on Chen Jianghe.

Eyes facing each other.

Liu Yinshuang's lips curled slightly, revealing a smile that was hard to decipher, and a hint of curiosity and amusement flashed in her silver-gray pupils.

Chen Jianghe's expression remained unchanged as he looked away.

Su Derong coughed lightly and lowered his voice: "This woman—is not simple. Her Silver Snake Fist is cunning and insidious, and combined with her Silver Snake Whip," it's impossible to defend against. It's said that she reached the Transformation Realm three years ago, and—she seems to have some unclear relationship with the Zhao family."

Chen Jianghe nodded.

At three quarters past Chen hour, the gong sounded.

A middle-aged master of ceremonies, dressed in a brocade robe and with a fair complexion and no beard, stepped onto the stage and announced loudly, "The auspicious hour has arrived! The Yilin Martial Arts Competition shall now begin!"

The entire venue gradually quieted down.

A middle-aged man with a fair complexion and no beard, dressed in a blue official robe, stepped onto the arena. He was the county magistrate of Yilin County.

He cleared his throat, channeled his inner strength, and his voice resounded throughout the venue: "The Yilin Martial Arts Competition begins today! I have been recommended by the five major families and all martial arts practitioners in the county to serve as the witness."

The purpose of this martial arts exercise is to exchange skills, select talented individuals, promote the martial spirit of Yilin, and jointly resist foreign aggression!

Zhao Wuji got up and walked to the center of the arena.

Today he was dressed in a purple and gold python robe and wore a jade crown. Although his face was still slightly pale, his aura remained majestic.

"Gentlemen."

Zhao Wuji spoke, his voice booming and filled with internal energy, echoing throughout the entire area.

"I am deeply honored by the presence of fellow martial arts practitioners from various schools at today's Yilin Martial Arts Gathering. In these chaotic times, with rampant banditry, the martial artists of Yilin should unite as one, hone their skills, select talented individuals, and jointly resist external enemies!"

He paused, then continued, "For this martial arts competition, the Zhao family has prepared three prizes: a thousand taels of gold, a three-hundred-year-old blood ginseng king, and—"

His gaze swept across the entire room, and he spoke slowly and deliberately: "My Zhao family possesses a secret Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Ointment! This ointment has miraculous effects on martial artists in strengthening their muscles and bones and solidifying their foundation!"

The audience erupted in uproar.

A thousand taels of gold is already a huge sum of money, and the Blood Ginseng King is an extremely rare and precious treasure. But the Zhao family is actually willing to give up the "Dragon and Tiger Bone Strengthening Paste".

It seems the Zhao family has really gone all out this time!

Zhao Wuji raised his hand to suppress the commotion, his voice turning cold: "However, in martial arts sparring, fists and feet have no eyes. Once you step onto the stage, you must be prepared to be injured or even killed! There is only one rule: no hidden weapons or poisons are allowed. Apart from that, everyone must rely on their own abilities; life and death are irrelevant!"

"Now, the martial arts demonstration begins!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a large cowhide drum on the sidelines was struck loudly.

"Thump—!!!"

The drums thundered, shaking the entire arena, and a chilling atmosphere suddenly filled the air.

......