Start slaying demons from the proficiency panel.

However, it is still a rare sight, one in a hundred, and it still deserves people's praise.

In the blink of an eye, Ning Xiu had already flown nearly a third of the way across the copper chain, looking quite relaxed.

The martial artists walking on the crowded covered bridge looked on with envy at Ning Xiu leaping across the copper chains, their eyes filled with longing and admiration.

Twenty breaths later, Ning Xiu successfully landed safely and arrived at the other side of the rift.

"Although these seven steps to catch cicadas can't be used to escape or travel, they are surprisingly useful in environments like this where you need to leap and bound." Ning Xiu thought to himself as he glanced back at the copper chain swaying slightly in mid-air.

There are many types of light-footed skills and different uses; some allow one to run in a straight line at great speed.

Some are adept at maneuvering and dodging, leaving no trace on the ground with their feet.

Some can climb walls and trees, remain unfallen when touching leaves, and not sink when walking on water; the "Seven Steps to Catch a Cicada" is an example of this type.

The ability to combine all of the above advantages is a divine skill among light-body techniques.

Ning Xiu withdrew his gaze and continued up the mountain, his goal being the summit of Cangshan Mountain.

That was the headquarters of the Azure Dragon Society, the place where the martial arts tournament was actually held.

[067] The Three Leaders of the Azure Dragon Society

The Azure Dragon Society is a martial arts force whose origins are unclear; it seems to have appeared overnight.

The roads to Cangshan are rugged, and few people were willing to establish a sect here before. The Azure Dragon Society was the first in many years.

However, after establishing their sect, they remained relatively unknown and ignored until the recent martial arts tournament, which finally brought the Azure Dragon Society's fame throughout Yunze Prefecture.

Walking up the stone steps and looking towards the mountaintop, one can see the outlines of numerous pavilions and towers on the summit of Cangshan Mountain, as well as the silhouettes of tall pagodas and grand halls. Even before getting close, one can feel its grandeur.

To be able to create something of this scale atop Cangshan Mountain requires considerable financial resources and ambition.

As they approached the gate of the Azure Dragon Society, Ning Xiu saw a large number of young martial artists dressed in the uniform of the Azure Dragon Society standing on both sides of the stone steps.

They are responsible for greeting people, and they will call out to anyone who approaches.

Behind each young martial artist was a large flag with various colors, but they all shared the same name: Azure Dragon Society.

"What a magnificent sight!" Ning Xiu thought to himself.

He didn't know much about the Green Dragon Society, but the pomp and circumstance of their welcoming party was certainly impressive.

"Please come in, distinguished guest." All the young martial artists called out in unison as Ning Xiu approached.

Passing through the mountain gate of the Azure Dragon Society, there is a huge circular area, the ground of which is paved with white bricks and the edges are lined with stone railings, all in the shape of dragons.

In the very center of the venue, a white stone dragon turtle stands in a pool, spouting water. Lotus leaves and koi fish surround the pool, creating an elegant and serene atmosphere.

At this moment, many martial artists were wandering around the field. They seemed to be newcomers to the Azure Dragon Society's headquarters for the first time, which is why they were acting so strangely, as if they were tourists.

Ning Xiu did not linger there and immediately walked along the stone bridge at the end of the site to the next area.

Since a martial arts tournament is to be held, a large arena where martial artists can fully display their skills and a venue that can accommodate many spectators are naturally indispensable.

After passing through several connecting courtyards, Ning Xiu finally came into view of the arena area where the Azure Dragon Society was holding this martial arts tournament.

This is a huge arena, which looks to be about ten zhang by ten zhang in size. The arena is made of stone and is about one zhang high. It looks very sturdy.

The arena was surrounded by a grassy area eight feet wide, and beyond that was the viewing area for martial artists who were not participating.

By this time, quite a few people had already gathered here, including Li Yi'an, the divine constable of Nanjiang City who had earlier taken a step back and used the Crane Crossing Gorge technique.

The old man, who had been so dashing before, sat motionless on a stone bench in the spectator area with a hunched back and bowed head. If one hadn't just witnessed it with their own eyes, no one would have imagined that the old man's lightness skill was so amazing.

"I am He Kang, the 'Golden Three Axes' of Shaoshan. Greetings, everyone. I will not hold back at tomorrow's martial arts tournament. I hope you will all show your best skills and help us make a good start for the first martial arts tournament in Yunze Prefecture." A short, stocky man with a big beard walked around the arena and shouted with a smile.

Martial Arts Level 5.

Looking at the four golden axes tied to the man's back, Ning Xiu recognized the man's strength. Basically, any expert of the third rank in the common people had either been recruited by the Demon Subduing Division.

They are either elders or leaders of powerful forces, who are unlikely to be willing to lose face and attend a martial arts conference that Yunze Prefecture has never held before, to compete with a group of small and medium-sized forces for the title of martial arts alliance leader.

Therefore, the strongest martial arts masters who can attend this grand martial arts event hosted by the Azure Dragon Society are basically only at the third rank of martial arts; it is unlikely that they will be higher.

It's understandable that He Kang, the "Golden Three Axes," dared to utter such arrogant words, after all, a fifth-rank martial artist is not considered weak among the middle three ranks.

Faced with He Kang's loud shouts, some people present looked annoyed, while others looked indifferent, as if they were watching a clown.

Ning Xiu casually found an empty stone bench in the spectator area and sat down, then quietly began to observe his surroundings.

There were quite a few martial artists at the fifth or sixth rank present, but only Li Yi'an was at the fourth rank, which made him stand out from the crowd. Many martial artists were secretly observing him.

If no other fourth-rank martial artist appears before tomorrow's start, the position of leader of this martial arts tournament might very well be taken by this old man with the cane.

Besides Li Yi'an, there were several other martial artists present who were noteworthy.

A mysterious white-haired man wearing a mask and a loose robe carried two iron whips with spiked iron balls at the tips. Getting hit by one of these whips would definitely be a nasty experience.

A pale, chubby man with slit-like eyes and a very honest and kind smile had a long iron staff at his feet.

A beautiful woman dressed in a revealing purple dress, with a veil covering her face, possessed captivating and mesmerizing phoenix eyes. Her weapon was a pair of sharp rings, a rather rare sight.

These individuals were all at the fifth rank of martial arts, possessing profound auras. They were just one step away from breaking through to the fourth rank, making them the strongest among those below Li Yi'an.

Similarly, Ning Xiu, being a fifth-rank martial artist, naturally attracted the secret attention of many third-rank martial artists.

Although he wasn't wearing the black silver chainmail at the moment, his young and handsome appearance, along with the way he wielded the Thunder Hammer and the Corpse-Slaying Blade, was still quite peculiar.

Among young martial artists in the world, swords, spears, and staffs are the mainstream, while those who wield hammers are one in a hundred.

"I am Zhang Debao, the 'Wuji Hand'. May I ask your name?"

Just after Ning Xiu sat down, a middle-aged martial artist with a thick head of hair suddenly walked over to his side, sat down familiarly, and greeted him on his own.

This person possesses the strength of a sixth-rank martial artist. His hands are large and thick, covered with hard calluses, clearly indicating that he is a veteran who has been immersed in palm techniques for many years.

The martial arts nickname "Wuji Hand" clearly indicates that this person is skilled in palm techniques.

Although he didn't know the other party's purpose in approaching him, Ning Xiu still politely replied, "My name is Ning Xiu, and I do not yet have a nickname."

“Brother Ning, you are so young yet you have already reached the fifth rank of martial arts. You are truly a promising young man. I came to Cangshan this time to observe the martial arts masters of Yunze Prefecture. You have come to the right place.” Zhang Debao said with a hearty laugh.

Hearing him say that, it seemed that he was also a spectator like himself, only watching the battle and not participating in the arena. Ning Xiu nodded indifferently.

"Does Brother Ning have any powerful backing?" Zhang Debao asked again.

Ning Xiu replied, "No, I am all alone."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Debao chuckled softly, "What a coincidence! I've heard that the Azure Dragon Society is currently recruiting extensively. Any promising young person can hold a high position within the Azure Dragon Society. I presume Brother Ning knows that this martial arts tournament is being organized entirely by the Azure Dragon Society. Regardless of who ultimately becomes the leader of the martial arts alliance in Yunze Prefecture, the Azure Dragon Society's reputation will spread throughout the entire prefecture. Serving in the Azure Dragon Society at that time will undoubtedly be a prestigious position. I see that Brother Ning possesses considerable strength; why not take advantage of this martial arts tournament and proactively join to give it a try?"

Ning Xiu looked at the other person with a strange expression and asked inexplicably, "Are you a member of the Azure Dragon Society?"

"No, no, no, I am also a lone wolf, currently without any power. I just heard that the Azure Dragon Society offers good benefits, so I sincerely recommended it to you, Brother Ning," Zhang Debao quickly waved his hand and denied.

Although this person explained it this way, Ning Xiu didn't quite believe it. How could a lone wolf like you speak so highly of the Azure Dragon Society? He must have said something beneficial behind the scenes.

Ning Xiu nodded and then ignored the man. As the saying goes, if someone strikes up a conversation for no reason, they are either a crook or a thief.

These days, if you strike up a conversation with a young girl, it's either because you're after her money or because you're lusting after her body.

Not to mention that someone would take the initiative to strike up a conversation with a man; there's definitely an ulterior motive behind it.

Seeing that Ning Xiu seemed indifferent and not particularly concerned about joining the Azure Dragon Society, Zhang Debao shook his head, turned around, and left to continue searching for his next target.

As time quietly passed, more and more martial artists arrived at the Azure Dragon Society. Soon, all the spectator areas around the arena were occupied, and those who arrived late could only stand and watch.

The many martial artists who came to Cangshan today naturally got to know each other, and soon the area around the arena was filled with greetings and laughter, making it extremely lively.

Looking at it this way, this place finally has the air of a martial arts tournament.

"S-lord?"

Just as Ning Xiu was sitting among the crowd as an observer, a faint voice suddenly came from behind him, as if someone was calling him.

Ning Xiu immediately turned around and saw a familiar figure behind him. The person's expression was somewhat incredulous, not understanding why Ning Xiu would appear there.

This person was none other than Jin Rou, who had been rescued by the Demon Buddha Ning Xiu earlier and then traveled to Nanjiang City with Ning Xiu and his group.

"It's you." Ning Xiu realized what was happening and made a shushing gesture: "Just call me Ning Xiu, don't mention any other names."

"Ning, Ning Xiu." Jin Rou hesitated for a moment, but still addressed him as Ning Xiu wished.

Ning Xiu hadn't paid much attention to the woman when he rescued her on the road, assuming they were just passing acquaintances. He never expected to meet her again at the Azure Dragon Gathering in Cangshan today.

"Are you here to watch the martial arts tournament too?" Ning Xiu asked as Jin Rou walked up to him.

"Not entirely, Ning Xiu. There's something I don't know if I should tell you, but I really have no other choice," Jin Rou said helplessly, squatting down next to Ning Xiu's stone bench.

Seeing that she must have encountered some difficulties, Ning Xiu nodded: "Tell me, if it's convenient, I can help you."

Upon hearing Ning Xiu's words, Jin Rou immediately leaned close to Ning Xiu's ear and recounted everything that had happened to her, including many details.

"You mean the Azure Dragon Society first invited some of the more famous martial arts forces in Yunze Prefecture to a banquet in Cangshan, and then proposed to work together to build up the martial arts world of Yunze Prefecture. As a result, many martial arts forces, including your family's Golden Gate, chose not to cooperate with the Azure Dragon Society and were ambushed by a group of masked bandits on their way back that day?" Ning Xiu stroked his chin, his expression thoughtful.

I never expected that something like this would happen before the Azure Dragon Society held its martial arts tournament.

“Yes, after I returned to Nanjiang City, I secretly investigated. Not only the Golden Gate, but also many other martial arts forces were wiped out and burned. In order to avenge my father, I came to Cangshan again. However, the leader of the Azure Dragon Society is said to be extremely powerful. I can't get any advantage from him, let alone avenge my father.” Jin Rou sighed.

Judging from Jin Rou's words, the Azure Dragon Society's plan to hold a martial arts tournament clearly has an unknown purpose behind it, and this purpose is definitely not righteous. Otherwise, those martial arts forces that were unwilling to associate with them would not have all encountered a unified bandit attack after leaving Cangshan.

"Okay, I understand," Ning Xiu said in a low voice.

Soon, night fell, and Cangshan Mountain began to be shrouded in darkness.

People who had secured good spots in the spectator area planned to spend the night there, but then the Qinglong Society disciples arrived and invited everyone to gather in the Juyi Hall.

However, the Azure Dragon Society, as the organizer of the martial arts tournament, prepared food for everyone.

Upon hearing this, many martial artists present were overjoyed; it felt so good not to have to eat their own rations.

But upon arriving at the Hall of Righteousness, and seeing the courtyard outside filled with hundreds of large tables, everyone instantly realized that things were not as simple as they had imagined.

According to the Azure Dragon Society's arrangement, martial artists of the lower three ranks of martial arts had to make do and squeeze into a round table in the open courtyard to eat braised beef and ordinary drinks.

Only martial artists at the third rank in martial arts are qualified to enter the Hall of Righteousness and take a seat to enjoy the true delicacies of the evening.

This differential treatment immediately aroused dissatisfaction among many martial artists who were unable to enter the Hall of Righteousness.

After all, everyone was a member of the martial arts world, and no one could tolerate such humiliation. However, after Zhao Bao, the third leader of the Azure Dragon Society, personally appeared and spoke, easing the chaos, everyone calmed down and chose to accept the Azure Dragon Society's arrangements.

Zhao Bao mentioned that the Qinglong Society's gathering hall was too small to accommodate so many people at the same time, so setting up tables in the courtyard was the only option to ensure that every martial artist had a place to eat.

Although most people were still somewhat dissatisfied after hearing the reasons, they still compromised and accepted the arrangement to sit outside the Hall of Righteousness for dinner.