In the center of the martial arts ground, Wang Yue and Wang Qishan had just taken their positions when an elderly martial artist suddenly emerged from behind the crowd.
The man looked to be around fifty or sixty, with hair half gone gray. He wore a coarse martial outfit washed nearly white. Though he was not especially burly, he carried a steady, composed air. He was Wang Shuo, a senior figure of extremely high standing within the clan. Most of the rear courtyard disciples had only heard his name and never seen him in person. The moment they saw him step forward, they instinctively held their breath.
"I am Wang Shuo. I will preside over today's assessment." The old man's voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority. "You will come forward one by one and exchange fists with me. Remember to give it your all. I will make the final rankings."
As his words fell, the martial arts ground became silent as a graveyard. No one stepped forward first. Everyone wanted to first gauge the others' strength and probe Wang Shuo's depths, lest they be the first to go up and make fools of themselves.
Wang Yue stood at the front of the line. After a brief moment of thought, he stepped out. The assessment was meant to display one's strength; rather than stand around watching, he might as well take the initiative.
Seeing him come forward first, a hint of amusement flashed through Wang Shuo's cloudy eyes. "The boy has some courage. I'll remember that and add an extra point to your final score."
Not a single person on the platform objected. Wang Shuo was Wang Hezheng's younger uncle, held an extremely high seniority within the clan, and had once served as an instructor at the Martial Academy. No one dared easily challenge his decision.
Wang Yue cupped his fists in salute, his tone respectful. "Wang Yue greets you, Senior."
The moment he finished speaking, he assumed the opening stance of the Harmonious Flow Fist. His feet shifted slightly before he suddenly surged forward, first displaying the beginner-level Harmonious Flow Fist. His movements were orderly, but he held back thirty percent of his strength, intending to test Wang Shuo's abilities first.
Wang Shuo remained where he was without moving his feet. Relying only on his arms to block, he easily cut off Wang Yue's fist paths. His movements flowed like drifting clouds and running water, as though Wang Yue's techniques held no secrets in his eyes.
"Hmph, that's all he can do?" Wang Qishan sneered disdainfully beneath the platform, the contempt in his eyes deepening. He had thought Wang Yue was formidable, but he was only at the beginner level after all.
Yet Wang Yue remained unhurried. His fist momentum suddenly changed as he unleashed the proficient-level Harmonious Flow Fist. His punches grew faster and more concentrated, every strike carrying the sound of wind being torn apart as they shot straight for Wang Shuo's vital points.
"Oh? Interesting." Wang Shuo's interest was piqued. He no longer merely defended without attacking, instead using the proficient-level Harmonious Flow Fist as well and exchanging blows with Wang Yue.
The bang bang of fists and palms colliding echoed across the martial arts ground. While throwing punches, Wang Shuo did not forget to offer guidance. "The key to the Harmonious Flow Fist lies in the words 'harmonious flow.' The strength in your body must gather like flowing water, and your punches cannot have any sluggish breaks between them. Boy, do you understand?"
Wang Yue's heart trembled. Those words had struck directly at the weakness in his Harmonious Flow Fist. So he had never fully grasped the essence of "harmonious flow." Wang Shuo was pointing him toward the direction of his next stage of cultivation!
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior!" Wang Yue answered in a deep voice, his fist momentum growing increasingly fluid. "This junior still has a few moves and wishes to seek your instruction!"
Wang Shuo was briefly stunned, then burst into laughter. "Go ahead and use them. Don't be afraid of hurting this old man. I'm not that fragile yet!"
As soon as he spoke, Wang Yue's fist momentum changed once more. The minor accomplishment-level Harmonious Flow Fist erupted suddenly. His fist shadows wove together like a great spear charging in concert, swift and fierce, carrying an unstoppable force as they bore down on Wang Shuo's face!
"Minor accomplishment?!"
The faces of everyone on the platform grew solemn. Many immediately stood and moved toward the highest part of the platform, where Wang Hezheng sat. Even Wang Shanhai could not help leaning forward, wanting to see the battle in the arena clearly.
Wang Hezheng rose sharply to his feet. Qi Aura unconsciously circulated around his body, even jolting Wang Shanhai beside him half a step back. He stared at Wang Yue in the arena, his eyes filled with astonishment!
Wang Hu stood nearby, already frozen in place. He only knew that Wang Yue's Harmonious Flow Fist had improved quickly, but he had never imagined it had already reached the realm of minor accomplishment. This speed was simply beyond belief!
In the arena, Wang Yue threw punch after punch. The six currents of Qi and Blood within his body leaped wildly beyond his control, and the force behind each punch surged explosively. His fist wind was so sharp that the surrounding disciples instinctively retreated.
But Wang Shuo did not panic in the slightest. Instead, he laughed heartily. "Good boy! So it's minor accomplishment! Circulate your Blood Qi and use your full strength. Let this old man see what the new generation of Wang Clan disciples can do!"
Remembering Wang Hu's reminder not to hide his skill, Wang Yue stopped suppressing his strength. Six strands of Qi and Blood whirled rapidly through his body, and his fist force surged again. Every punch carried a dull boom that seemed to shake the air.
Yet what puzzled him was that no matter how fierce his fist force became, Wang Shuo always dissolved it with casual ease. He could even use the force of their collisions to guide Wang Yue into adjusting his fist paths.
Wang Shuo grew increasingly satisfied with Wang Yue. Without any resources deliberately nurturing him since childhood, his physique was remarkably strong.
His fist techniques were fierce, his footwork solid; even his breathing shifted in rhythm with his punches. He clearly had also mastered a Breathing Method. Such talent was a once-in-a-century rarity within the Wang Clan!
"Good, good, good! Truly unexpected!" Wang Shuo said "good" three times in a row. Then his fist momentum abruptly changed. The originally orderly Harmonious Flow Fist became nimble as a crane spreading its wings. His fist techniques were no longer bound by form, and every strike carried an inexplicable, immense force.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In only three punches, Wang Shuo shattered Wang Yue's stance and sent him stumbling back three steps.
Wang Yue steadied himself, his face filled with shock. "Senior, your martial arts are formidable!"
"Boy, what is your name?" Wang Shuo withdrew his fists and stood straight, his eyes brimming with appreciation.
"This disciple is Wang Yue. My father is Wang He." Wang Yue drew a deep breath and answered truthfully.
The satisfaction in Wang Shuo's eyes grew even stronger. "A direct-blooded Wang Clan descendant, yet no one specially guided you. Your fist techniques have still advanced at a rapid pace, and you have even condensed six currents of Qi and Blood. Who taught you your Breathing Method?"
Wang Yue's voice caught, and he answered quietly, "Martial Uncle Wang Hu."
"That brat?" Wang Shuo was stunned for a moment, then chuckled. "I didn't expect him to actually do something worthwhile. What I taught him back then wasn't wasted after all."
Wang Yue was thoroughly confused, but he did not dare ask further. From the look of things, Wang Shuo and Wang Hu seemed to have some old connection.
On the platform, seeing Wang Yue's stunning performance, Wang Hu hurriedly stepped forward and said to Wang Hezheng, "Clan Leader, Wang Yue's fist techniques are outstanding, and his strength far exceeds that of his peers. He should be ranked first in this martial demonstration!"
"Impudence!" Wang Shanhai's expression darkened as he shouted sternly, "The martial demonstration has only just begun, yet you already dare make such a rash conclusion. Has your brain gone bad?"
The moment his words fell, Wang Shuo, far away in the center of the martial arts ground, suddenly declared in a ringing voice, "In this old man's view, the first place in today's martial demonstration should belong to Wang Yue!"
As he spoke, he grabbed Wang Yue by the arm and led him swiftly to beneath the platform, where they happened to meet Wang Shanhai's gloomy gaze.
Wang Shuo snorted coldly, his eyes sharp as blades. "Shanhai, do you have an objection to this old man's decision?"
Wang Shanhai's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly withdrew his imposing manner and smiled awkwardly. "Brother Shuo has a keen eye for talent. How could I possibly object? I merely feel... should we not observe the performances of the others as well?"
Wang Shuo snorted and pushed Wang Yue to the edge of the platform. "Wait here first. This old man will go assess that bunch of good-for-nothings, so they do not waste everyone's time."
Wang Yue stood beneath the platform, with Wang Hezheng directly above him. His previous experiences made his heart pound like a drum.
At such a close distance, Wang Hezheng could hardly fail to see his nervousness, and for a moment, he could not help laughing in silence.
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