Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

Chapter 63 Grudges (Please subscribe!!! Striving for 10,000 words a day!!!)

Zhao Wuji stepped off the stage. Instead of returning to the main seating area, he headed straight for the pavilion where the Xingyi Martial Arts School members were gathered.

All eyes in the room immediately focused on it.

As the drumbeats subsided, whispers spread like a tide.

"Old Ancestor Zhao is going to—"

"This is going to be good!"

Li Chengyue remained leaning back in the bamboo recliner, his eyelids half-closed, as if he hadn't seen Zhao Wuji approaching.

Chen Jianghe and Su Derong stood on either side of him, while He Shouzhou, Zhou Yong, and others stood behind him with solemn expressions.

Zhao Wuji stopped three steps in front of the pavilion.

He first glanced at Li Chengyue's long spear wrapped in coarse cloth, his gaze lingering on the "Hidden Dragon Spear" for a moment, and a faint sneer appeared on his lips.

Then, he looked at Li Chengyue's pale yet calm face.

A gentle smile graced his face, and his voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was just loud enough for anyone within a few feet to hear clearly: "Master Li, how are your injuries?"

Li Chengyue lifted his eyelids, looked at Zhao Wuji, and smirked: "Thanks to Patriarch Zhao, I won't die."

""

"That's good, that's good." Zhao Wuji's smile widened, his tone concerned. "Master Li is the grandmaster of martial arts in Yilin County. If a misunderstanding were to cause serious damage, it would be a loss for the entire city. Looking back on what happened in the inner city a few days ago, I realize that I was indeed inappropriate. I hope Master Li will forgive me."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Li Chengyue, then looking at Chen Jianghe standing to the side, and said meaningfully, "The Xingyi Martial Arts School is truly fortunate to have a master like Master Li and a genius disciple like Young Hero Chen, who has reached the Transformation Realm at the age of eighteen. However—"

He changed the subject, lowering his voice slightly but making it even clearer: "The path of martial arts is fraught with peril. Talent is easily broken, as has been the case since ancient times. In today's martial arts demonstration, fists and feet have no eyes. I only hope that Master Li's two esteemed disciples can leave the stage safely and not follow in the footsteps of Ancestor Zhou Kun."

On the surface, it was concern, but in reality, it was a threat—a reminder that Li Chengyue was still seriously injured, a reminder that even a genius like Chen Jianghe could fall, and an allusion to Li Chengyue's own predicament through Zhou Kun's serious injury.

Su Derong's face darkened, and he was about to speak when Li Chengyue raised his hand.

The old man leaned back in his chair, looked up at Zhao Wuji, and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, tinged with three parts mockery and seven parts indifference: "Zhao Wuji, you've lived to such an old age, how come you're still like this? Is it really meaningful to speak in such roundabout ways?"

He slowly sat up straighter, his usually hazy, drunken eyes now sharp as knives: "My disciples, Li Chengyue, are none of your concern. If they are truly beaten to death or maimed in the arena, it's their fate due to their lack of skill. As for me—"

He paused, his voice suddenly turning cold: "Even if I only have one arm left and half a life, I can still take a few people down with me. If Patriarch Zhao doesn't believe me, you're welcome to try."

As soon as he finished speaking, a faint but powerful aura emanated from Li Chengyue.

Although it was not as powerful as when it was at its peak as a half-step Gang Jin, it still carried a chilling and murderous aura.

Zhao Wuji's expression changed slightly, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes, but he quickly returned to normal.

He gave Li Chengyue a deep look, then cupped his hands and smiled, "Master Li is too kind. I was just offering a friendly reminder. Since Master Li is so confident, I will wait and see."

Having said that, he turned and left in a huff.

This exchange, though without any physical confrontation, had already held the entire audience's breath.

After Zhao Wuji had walked away, Su Derong whispered, "Master, that old bastard—"

"Just a clown jumping around." Li Chengyue waved his hand, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, and said, "Focus on watching the martial arts competition. This show has only just begun."

On the arena, the martial arts demonstration has officially begun.

The rules are simple and straightforward—a challenge system.

Any martial artist may step onto the stage, announce their name, and accept challenges from others. Those who win three consecutive matches may temporarily step down to rest, and will compete again after the final eight are determined.

Initially, most of those who took the stage were martial artists with the Ming Jin (明劲) skill.

Punches and kicks flew, shouts rang out, and the fight was quite a spectacle. But in the eyes of Chen Jianghe, a master of internal energy cultivation, it was nothing more than children playing, full of openings and weaknesses.

He watched quietly, his mind as calm as still water.

observe.

.

Observe each person's method of exertion, breathing rhythm, and footwork characteristics.

Observe the changes in the expressions of those martial arts masters—who is watching attentively, who is just going through the motions, and whose eyes are filled with calculation.

An hour later, most of the Ming Jin martial artists had been eliminated.

Those who remained on the arena were gradually all masters of internal strength.

"Han Meng from the Gale Martial Arts Academy! Please give me your guidance!"

The man who leaped onto the stage was a burly man in his late twenties, a disciple of the Liefeng Martial Arts School.

His voice was booming, and before he finished speaking, his right leg swept across like a steel whip, bringing with it a whistling sound!

"Gale Kick!"

Someone in the audience gasped.

Han Meng's leg techniques were indeed fierce; in just five moves, he sent his opponent flying backward, coughing up blood.

Having defeated two opponents in a row, he was riding high on his success. Standing on the stage, he clasped his hands in a fist salute, looked around, and said in a booming voice, "Is there anyone else who can offer some advice?"

Below the stage, Master Han nodded slightly, his face showing approval.

But soon, a thin figure leaped onto the stage like a monkey.

"Guangde Martial Arts School, Hou San."

The newcomer was short in stature, but his arms were unusually long and his ten fingers were like hooks. He was a disciple of Guangde Martial Arts School.

Seeing this, Han Meng sneered, "Mantis Fist? All show and no substance!"

Without another word, he raised his right leg again and launched a fierce attack like a storm!

But Hou San's movements were strange; he didn't fight him head-on, but instead followed him like a shadow, moving close to the ground and focusing on attacking his lower body.

His ten fingers were like hooks, poking and grabbing, his moves were cunning and ruthless, attacking Han Meng's knees and ankles from unbelievable angles.

Within ten moves, Han Meng was forced into a state of disarray, his movements becoming increasingly erratic.

"Go!"

Hou San suddenly shouted, lowered his body to avoid a sweeping kick, and his right hand moved like lightning, accurately striking Han Meng's left knee!

"ah--!"

Han Meng screamed in pain, his left leg buckled, and he knelt on one knee.

Hou San, seizing the advantage, pressed his advantage, grabbing his ankle with his left hand and twisting it!

"Snap!"

A crisp bone fracture.

Han Meng screamed and fell to the ground, clutching his left leg and rolling around, his clothes instantly soaked with cold sweat.

Hou San finished his stance and stood on the stage, his slender frame exuding a powerful and capable air. He clasped his hands in a fist salute towards the Liefeng Martial Arts Hall's pavilion, his tone calm: "Thank you for your concession."

Below the stage, Master Wu chuckled, quite pleased with himself.

Master Han's face turned ashen, and he let out a heavy snort.

Next, disciples from various martial arts schools took turns to perform, resulting in a back-and-forth battle.

After several matches at the Dark Force level, a familiar figure slowly walked towards the arena amidst the slightly expectant gazes of the Xingyi Martial Arts School members.

"Xingyi Martial Arts School, Su Derong." He clasped his hands in greeting, looked around, and said clearly, "Please give me your guidance, fellow practitioners."

A slight commotion arose from the audience.

The Su family's misfortunes, the crisis at the escort agency, and Li Chengyue's serious injury—many are watching to see what is happening to Su Derong, the former "Young Master Su."

Soon, a martial arts disciple from the outer city, wielding a single sword, leaped onto the arena.

"Swiftwind Martial Arts School, Wang Chong! Senior Brother Su, please!"

The blade flashed, its force heavy and powerful.

Su Derong stood motionless until the blade was half a foot away, then suddenly turned to the side, his left fist striking the opponent's wrist with lightning speed.

Wang Chong suddenly felt numbness in his right arm, and his single-edged sword almost slipped from his hand.

Su Derong pressed closer and punched him in the chest with his right fist, releasing a subtle burst of internal force.

"Ta-da!"

Wang Chong staggered back several steps, his face flushed, and bowed, saying, "Thank you for showing mercy, Senior Brother Su!"

He knew that if his opponent used all his strength, he would at least suffer a minor injury.

"You flatter me," Su Derong replied.

The initial victory was decisive and swift, causing some who had initially underestimated the opponent to back down.

Under the shade of the Xingyi Martial Arts School, He Shouzhuo, Zhou Yong, and others were invigorated.

The second challenger came from a martial arts school specializing in hard skills. His name was Tieshan. He was burly and had a bronze complexion, clearly indicating that he was quite skilled in external martial arts.

As soon as he stepped onto the stage, he adopted a stance, let out a low roar, and slammed his fists down like hammers, accompanied by a whooshing sound, taking a pure power-suppressive approach.

Su Derong did not engage in a direct confrontation.

His body moved like a swimming fish, weaving in and out amidst the fierce punches.

Tieshan is strong, but his movement techniques are somewhat clumsy.

Su Derong spotted an opening and his left fist cut in from a tricky angle, grazing Tieshan's ribs.

"Sizzle—"

The fabric ripped, and Tieshan felt a burning, stinging pain in his ribs; his protective energy had been broken.

His attack faltered, and Su Derong had already moved in, his "Crushing Fist" of the Five Elements Fist striking him squarely in the chest and abdomen like an arrow leaving a bow.

Tieshan grunted, his massive body swayed, his face turned pale, and he clasped his hands in surrender.

Having won two consecutive matches, Su Derong was in good spirits, and his indigo outfit accentuated his upright posture.

Discussions began to rise among the audience, with many nodding in agreement.

Having experienced many changes, this young gang leader, Su, has actually improved his martial arts skills. His fighting style is now steady and experienced, and he is no longer the frivolous person he once was.

However, just as Su Derong was riding high and about to face the third challenger, a cold voice rang out from the direction of Zhenlei Martial Arts School: "Xingyi Quan is indeed worthy of its reputation, truly impressive skills. I am Lei Xiao from Zhenlei Martial Arts School."

This man was twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a thin face and sharp eyes. His aura was deep and heavy, with a hidden thunderous intent surging within him. He was clearly at the peak of the Dark Force realm, only a hair's breadth away from the Transformation Force realm.

Su Derong clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Xingyi Martial Arts School, Su Derong."

Lei Xiao returned the greeting with clasped hands, but his tone was extremely flippant: "It's an honor for Senior Brother Su to grace me with his presence. I heard that Senior Brother Su was begging and pleading everywhere for the sake of the escort agency the other day, and couldn't even get into the Drunken Spring Pavilion? Tsk tsk, how pitiful. How about this, I'll go easy on you later, to save Senior Brother Su some face, so you can continue begging for food in the inner city?"

These words were so malicious that a low chuckle immediately rose from the audience.

Su Derong's face turned ashen, but he smiled instead.

"Junior Brother Lei is so considerate," Su Derong said with a smile. "But there's no need. No matter how down on my luck I am, I don't deserve pity from a dog that the Zhao family has released to bite people."

Lei Xiao's expression changed drastically, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "You're courting death!"

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