Starting from the pharmacy, he grew into a martial saint among men.

"Junior Brother Chu, are you alright? What happened to you today?"

Song Yue caught up with Chu Hong, full of confusion.

Chu Hong's unusual behavior today made her feel like a stranger.

In particular, Chu Hong's sudden challenge to Pang Hai was a huge shock to her.

In her memory, the two of them didn't have any deep-seated hatred.

Chu Hong waved his hand, not wanting to say more:

"Don't worry, senior sister, I know what I'm doing and won't delay our trip to see the eccentric senior."

His feud with Pang Hai was not something he could tell others.

Like Pang Hai, Chu Hong also kept his purpose very well hidden.

Therefore, on the surface, the feud between the two stemmed only from the mockery and suppression that occurred after the bandit suppression.

It was a battle of egos.

But in reality, it was caused by Pang Hai's schemes through the Worry-Free Sect and the Iron Fist Gang.

It's an irreconcilable feud.

"Alright." Seeing this, Song Yue didn't ask any more questions.

-----------------

The news that Chu Hong had defeated Yu Wei and his sixth senior brother in succession, and even exchanged blows with Pang Hai, once again spread throughout Chengfeng Martial Arts School.

For a moment, all the apprentices from the outer academy fell silent, not daring to speak.

Previously, they could have made lighthearted jokes and mocked Chu Hong for overestimating himself, acting like a big shot, and putting on airs.

But now, even if they have ideas, they can only keep them to themselves and would never dare to bring them up in public.

The dignity of the strong must not be trampled upon.

Chu Hong's strength and achievements speak for themselves.

You call him a pretty face, but he defeated two people and even made Senior Brother Pang suffer a loss.

You say he's arrogant and domineering? He's a master of internal energy, so what if he's a little arrogant?

Even Pang Hai left the martial arts school in a low-key manner after this incident, seemingly afraid to face the crowd.

Of course, none of this mattered to Chu Hong, who was currently opening the control panel and analyzing the path ahead.

Heaven rewards diligence.

[Effect: Reflecting on all methods, diligent study and practice will surely yield results!]

【Hun Yuan Zhuang (Da Cheng) 125/4000】

【Nine-Forged Fist (Mastery) 26/4000】

【Swift Step (Minor Mastery) 593/2000】

【Glazy Legs (Beginner) 271/500】

"This leg technique is quite useful; we need to master it as soon as possible."

"It seems my previous plans were correct."

As early as when he was practicing martial arts, Chu Hong had already set a preliminary strategy for himself.

It has fist techniques, including fists, palms, fingers, and claws, which are mainly used for attack.

You need to have leg techniques and body techniques, so you can fight and run.

Always carry a weapon for emergencies.

Finally, one also needs a martial art that trains one's body to enhance one's defense and eliminate the weakness of being physically weak.

Now, the only thing missing from his established system is a martial art that involves external physical training.

However, martial arts with external strength training are hard to find; at least in Yunxi County, no family has any with such skills.

He even asked the Song family to inquire, but to no avail.

"It seems that I'll have to wait until I get to the Azure Dragon Mansion to find the right opportunity to practice external martial arts."

Song Yue had told Chu Hong about the Azure Dragon Mansion. It was said that there were many sects there, many geniuses, and a wealth of unique skills.

Even if Pang Hai, with his superior talent, went there, he might not necessarily be able to truly rise to prominence.

When she first started practicing martial arts, her father took her to the Azure Dragon Mansion for a period of time.

He was almost driven to the brink of collapse by the blow.

Thinking about the scene described by Song Yue, and recalling everything inside the martial arts school.

Chu Hong looked up at the sky, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Perhaps, it's time for him to leave.

-----------------

"Junior Brother Chu, it's time for us to set off!"

Three days later, at dawn, Song Yue was already waiting outside the door.

Today is the day to meet the strange man, and also the day to decide the fate of the Song family.

Outside the martial arts school, the Song family's carriage was already prepared, and a group of Song family members were waiting at the door.

"They're here!"

Chu Hong greeted everyone, got into the carriage, and the group headed straight out of the city.

The carriage rolled over the thick snow, making a crunching sound.

There are more refugees outside the city than before.

It seems that something else happened in Huang'an County in the past two months, forcing the people to flee here.

But in the dead of winter, even though the county government provides porridge, without shelter from the wind and rain, it is difficult to survive.

As the Song family set off, many forces within the city began to take action, with carriages following far behind in a grand procession.

Such a scene is a rare sight, but each faction has its own agenda.

If Chu Hong succeeds, they will offer their congratulations and celebrate lavishly.

If they fail, they take the opportunity to let the senior judge whether their child is qualified.

At the same time, they acted swiftly and completely wiped out the Song family.

Today, no matter what, will surely be a grand feast for the whole city.

The Dawei Escort Agency and the Sanhe Gang were not idle either. Following the plan they had discussed with Chu Hong the day before, they prepared to set off.

-----------------

Before long, the carriage stopped in front of a dilapidated mountain temple.

Chu Hong knew that this must be the place where Song Qingshan shattered the Dragon Transformation Staff.

Song Qingshan got off the car first, followed closely by Song Yue.

The two stood on either side, waiting for Chu Hong.

They clearly showed him an unusually high level of respect.

"Clatter!"

Chu Hong jumped off the carriage and, led by the two men, entered the dilapidated temple.

The dilapidated temple was dark, and a cold, decaying aura wafted over.

Just smelling this odor makes one frown.

This is no ordinary dilapidated temple.

Looking up again, I saw a disheveled figure sitting cross-legged beneath the clay statue of a god.

His face was thin, covered in black grime and oil stains; his beard and hair were gray and white, twisted into strands, and also shiny with oil.

Their clothes were tattered, filthy, and reeked of a nauseating odor;

Only the yellowed bamboo cane resting on his lap was relatively clean, but it was also stained with some unknown black stains.

At first glance, he looks like an elderly, enhanced version of the beggar from the movie "Kung Fu Hustle".

Sensing the arrival of someone from the dilapidated temple, the strange man's closed eyes twitched, but he did not open them.

Song Qingshan spoke respectfully and softly:

"Senior, I have found another person for you. Please examine him/her."

Chu Hong and Song Yue also bowed, saying, "Greetings, seniors."

Upon hearing this, the strange man slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze fell directly on Chu Hong, his eyes piercing as if they could see through everything.

Chu Hong immediately realized that everything about him was exposed in front of the strange man.

This feeling of being seen through made Chu Hong extremely uneasy.

Fortunately, the strange man withdrew his gaze after only a short while.

He shook his head almost imperceptibly.

The expectant looks in Song Qingshan and Song Yue's eyes instantly dimmed.

Five chances, this is the last.

Unexpectedly, it also failed.

Song Yue, somewhat unwilling to accept this, asked for confirmation in a trembling voice:

"Senior...he...is he not suitable either? Or...why don't you take another look?"

The strange man made an inscrutable hand gesture with his right hand, as if he were calculating something.

After a short while, he shook his head again and said:

"Although he carries that aura, he is not the person I am looking for."

"Go."

This statement not only indicates that Chu Hong will not obtain this opportunity, but also condemns Song Qingshan to death.

Chu Hong sighed inwardly and stepped forward:

"Uncle Song, Senior Sister, I'm so sorry I couldn't help you."

"But rest assured, I will remember the Song family's kindness after using their resources. Please feel free to ask if you need anything in the future."

He clasped his hands in greeting to the strange man, then turned to leave the dilapidated temple.

"Wait a minute! Something's not right."

But then, the strange man's voice suddenly rang out.

Chu Hong stopped and turned to look.

The strange man frantically tapped between his knuckles with his right thumb, his brows gradually furrowing.

Song Qingshan and Song Yue once again showed expectant expressions.

But in an instant, the strange man shook his head and said:

No, no, it's definitely not.

Chu Hong, with mixed feelings, turned around again.

But after taking only two steps, he felt an invisible force sweep over him, and the scene before him receded rapidly.

"Snapped!"

A cold, withered hand pressed on Chu Hong's shoulder, followed by a warm current flowing into his body and circulating along his meridians.

Chu Hong instinctively mobilized his internal energy to resist the invasion.

But he discovered that the warm current was invisible, and his internal force had no effect whatsoever.

"Don't resist!"

The strange man spoke in a low voice, with an unquestionable tone of command.

A moment later, the strange man withdrew his arm, a smile appearing on his face.

"Born from Nirvana, with a life as stubborn as a rock, he's quite a promising talent."

"What is your name? Would you like to become my disciple?"