The silence on the training ground lasted only an instant before it suddenly erupted. Everyone present was seventeen or eighteen, young and hot-blooded, least able to endure provocation. To them, Wang Yue's initiative challenge was naked contempt.
"This kid is way too arrogant! He just entered the Martial Academy and already dares talk like that?"
"Just wait and see. Someone will definitely teach him a lesson!"
Amid the discussions, a solidly built disciple stepped out from the crowd. He walked up to Wang Yue, cupped his hands in salute, and said steadily, "I am Wang Ling'an of the Third Branch. Please enlighten me."
Wang Ling'an was considered one of the outstanding disciples of the Martial Academy and had already condensed four strands of Blood Qi. From Wang Yue's posture and aura, he judged that his opponent was no weakling, but he had no intention of backing down. A martial artist ought to define his own martial path through sparring.
The moment he finished speaking, the four strands of Blood Qi within Wang Ling'an surged violently. The fist wind of the Harmonious Flow Fist tore through the air as it shot straight for Wang Yue's chest, fierce and merciless.
Yet Wang Yue remained standing where he was, as steady as Mount Tai. He deliberately restrained his strength, using only force equal to Wang Ling'an's. He raised a hand to block, then threw a punch. In an instant, the two exchanged several moves, the bang bang of fists and palms colliding echoing across the training ground.
The faces of everyone on the training ground changed in shock. They all knew Wang Ling'an's strength; he could rank among the top ten of his peers. Yet before Wang Yue, he was handled with ease and could not even shake Wang Yue's footing in the slightest!
"Defeated."
Just as everyone stood stunned, Wang Yue suddenly spoke softly. His fist technique changed abruptly, and a gentle yet irresistible force struck precisely against Wang Ling'an's shoulder.
Wang Ling'an only felt a subtle force travel in through his shoulder. The Blood Qi within him instantly fell into disorder, and his feet stumbled back several steps before he barely steadied himself.
His expression shifted again and again. He looked down at his fist, then at Wang Yue. In the end, he gave a bitter smile and said quietly, "Fine martial arts. I lost."
With that, he turned and left the field. The way he looked at Wang Yue was filled with admiration.
Wang Yue did not leave the field. Since he had decided to fight, he would fight to the end. This was also the perfect chance to test the fruits of his recent cultivation.
He swept his gaze around and smiled slightly. "Senior Brother Wang Ling'an let me win. Which senior brother would like to come up next for a spar?"
The entire venue fell silent again. Wang Ling'an's defeat had made many disciples put away their contempt, and no one dared step forward lightly.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out. "Brother Wang, I'll ask for your guidance!"
The crowd turned toward the voice and saw Xu Li step out. He knew his strength did not even compare to Wang Ling'an's, let alone allow him to defeat Wang Yue, but he still stepped onto the field without hesitation. He wanted to experience Wang Yue's fist technique once more.
A trace of warmth flashed through Wang Yue's eyes when he saw him. Smiling, he said, "Thank you for your help during this time. Come."
The match began. Wang Yue once again restrained his fist force and even deliberately slowed his punches, exchanging moves with Xu Li as though instructing him.
As he punched, he reminded him softly, "Sink your shoulders when you throw a punch, or your force will scatter.
"Steady your footwork a little more. Don't let my rhythm lead you by the nose."
Xu Li listened with exceptional focus and responded with all his strength. The two traded blows back and forth for dozens of moves. The disciples below became absorbed in the spectacle; they could clearly see Xu Li's stance becoming firmer and more solid under Wang Yue's guidance.
In the end, Wang Yue lightly tapped Xu Li's arm with a punch, forcing him back half a step. Smiling, he said, "You've improved quickly."
Xu Li wiped the sweat from his brow, his face full of smiles. "Brother Wang is the truly amazing one. I'm still far behind!"
The moment he stepped down, disciples surrounded him and asked curiously, "Xu Li, did you and Wang Yue really enter together from the rear courtyard? Was he already this impressive back there?"
Xu Li smiled and nodded, chatting with everyone nearby. Every word carried his admiration for Wang Yue.
Just then, a cool, aloof figure stepped onto the field: Jiang Peiling.
She looked at Wang Yue with a complicated expression, her heart filled with emotion. She possessed superior-grade talent and had received considerable resources, yet even so, she could not even touch Wang Yue's tail. In the Martial Academy now, there were likely only a handful of people who could truly exchange blows with him.
Those few were all old students who had spent more than two years in the Martial Academy. This year was also their final year there. If they could not break through to the Energy Refining Realm, they would have to take posts in the Lineage's businesses.
"Please." Jiang Peiling spoke softly. Her voice held a trace of unwillingness, but even more respect for the strong.
Wang Yue smiled faintly. "Please."
As soon as the words fell, Jiang Peiling attacked first. Her Harmonious Flow Fist was already close to minor accomplishment. Her fist wind was fierce and her footwork nimble, making her several times stronger than Wang Ling'an.
Feeling the force behind her punches, Wang Yue quietly adjusted his own strength and began exchanging attacks with her.
As fist shadows intertwined, the air above the training ground seemed to churn into a faint whirlwind. Their figures darted through it continuously as they traded blows.
Wang Yue thought to himself, Jiang Peiling's Harmonious Flow Fist is nearly at minor accomplishment. She's far better than the few who came before, but unfortunately, she is still nowhere near enough for me.
He did not increase his strength. Instead, he deliberately displayed the skill of his fist technique. His moves were like butterflies weaving through flowers, nimble and ever-changing. Several times, he precisely interrupted the flow of Jiang Peiling's punches, repeatedly frustrating her offensive.
The more Jiang Peiling fought, the more alarmed she became. She could clearly feel that Wang Yue's fist technique was not only more refined than hers, but also carried an all-encompassing harmony. No matter how she altered her moves, he could dissolve them with ease.
At last, she voluntarily took a step back and said softly, "I lost."
With that, she turned and stepped off the field. When she looked at Wang Yue again, only pure admiration remained in her eyes.
After Jiang Peiling, another disciple in his twenties stepped onto the field. He was tall and lean, with sharp eyes. At a glance, one could tell he had spent a long time in the Martial Academy.
"I am Wang Huo of the Second Branch. This is my final year at the Martial Academy. Please enlighten me." Wang Huo's tone was calm.
The moment he finished speaking, he threw a punch at Wang Yue. The Blood Qi fluctuations around his fist were even richer than Jiang Peiling's, showing that he had already condensed six strands of Blood Qi.
Wang Yue raised his hand and received the punch, feeling an enormous force surge into him. He secretly marveled, What tremendous strength! His fist technique is tricky, and he has woven in his own understanding. He has clearly formed his own path. He is far stronger than the previous opponents.
This time, Wang Yue no longer held back. The seven strands of Blood Qi within him surged explosively, and the essence of the major accomplishment Harmonious Flow Fist unfolded completely. His fist moves were agile and varied, combining hardness and softness; each punch was faster and stronger than the last.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After three punches, Wang Huo was sent staggering backward. He clutched his chest, his face full of horror, and cried out, "Incredible! I am completely convinced by my defeat!"
The disciples below instantly erupted. They all knew Wang Huo's strength. He could rank among the top three old students of the Martial Academy, yet Wang Yue had still defeated him in three punches!
Looking at the burning gazes of the disciples below and hearing their waves of astonished exclamations, Wang Yue felt a surge of exhilaration. The seven strands of Blood Qi within him seemed to be affected as well, becoming more lively, their circulation speeding up by several degrees.
So one's state of mind can affect Blood Qi? Wang Yue was somewhat surprised. This was an unexpected discovery.
He stood in the middle of the field and waited for a while. Seeing that no one else came forward, he prepared to step down.
But just then, someone suddenly shouted, "Senior Brother! Why aren't you stepping up? Teach this kid a lesson!"
"That's right! Senior Brother, get up there! Show him who the number one of the Martial Academy really is!"
Everyone's eyes instantly focused on Wang Daoling. He was the publicly recognized number one disciple of the Martial Academy. If even he did not act, this round of matches would likely end with Wang Yue undefeated.
Wang Daoling had originally been standing to the side without expression. Hearing everyone's shouts, he took a deep breath, as though laying down an endless burden in his heart. He stepped onto the field and softly uttered two words to Wang Yue. "Please."
Wang Yue's gaze sharpened when he saw him step up. Wang Daoling was the true powerhouse among the Martial Academy disciples. This match would be the real test of his strength!
"Please!" Wang Yue answered in a deep voice. The Blood Qi in his body instantly boiled, and his fighting spirit soared to its peak.
Wang Daoling had been carefully nurtured by the Lineage since childhood. Precious medicinal baths had never ceased, while body-nourishing pills were eaten as casually as candy. His physique was exceptionally strong. Because of that special upbringing from a young age, even his natural talent had been subtly nourished. Though he had not entered the ranks of the very finest talents, he was still better than ordinary superior-grade talent!
Without any hesitation, he threw a punch. It was heavy and fierce, carrying a howling sound as it tore through the air straight toward Wang Yue's face. This punch contained all his strength and was several times stronger than Wang Huo's fist force!
Wang Yue's eyes lit up. Sensing that familiar fist intent, he could not help shouting, "Good! Major accomplishment Harmonious Flow Fist!"
He no longer held anything back. Activating all seven strands of Blood Qi throughout his body and making them circulate around him, he likewise unleashed the major accomplishment Harmonious Flow Fist and charged head-on into Wang Daoling's punch!
Bang!
Their fists collided, and a wave of air spread outward from the two of them. The disciples below watched in horror. They had not expected Wang Yue to truly exchange blows with their senior brother, and in terms of fist force, he even seemed faintly capable of suppressing Wang Daoling!
During the match, the perfected Harmonious Flow Fist Martial Soul Wang Yue had extracted from the Harmonious Flow Fist secret manual began to emerge quietly within him. One black fist shadow after another continuously merged into his consciousness. As he punched, he rapidly absorbed the martial essence within the Martial Soul, and his fist technique became more harmonious and more fierce at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Wang Daoling, meanwhile, grew more alarmed the longer they fought. He could clearly feel Wang Yue's fist technique constantly improving, while the pressure on him grew ever greater. At first, he could barely hold on, but as time passed, he gradually fell into a disadvantage.
"Ah!" Wang Daoling roared. The Blood Qi within him erupted without restraint as he attempted to rely on his advantage in total Blood Qi to forcefully trade attacks with Wang Yue and shatter the deadlock before him.
But something no one had expected happened. No matter how Wang Daoling accelerated his punches or added greater force, Wang Yue remained rooted in place, as though his feet had grown roots.
At that moment, a strange image suddenly flashed through Wang Yue's mind: towering mountains stood unshaken, while rushing waters flowed with endless transformations. Mountains and waters reflected one another, forming an artistic realm where hardness and softness complemented each other.
The next second, his bearing changed drastically. The nimble aura around him vanished, replaced by a heavy, majestic presence, like a colossal mountain that had just entered the world, one that no one dared look upon directly.
"This punch—thank you for yielding." Wang Yue spoke softly and threw a punch. It carried no earth-shaking roar of splitting air, yet it possessed an unmatched momentum as it struck precisely against Wang Daoling's chest.
Wang Daoling only felt an irresistible enormous force crash into him. The Blood Qi within him instantly fell into chaos, and he staggered backward. In the end, he could not keep his footing and fell seated on the ground.
Feeling that strange force within his body, he suddenly began to laugh. This punch had not only defeated him; it had also shattered the invisible shackles upon him!
"I lost." Wang Daoling spoke frankly. There was not the slightest unwillingness in his tone, only admiration for the strong.
The disciples below were completely stunned. For a time, they stood gaping in speechless disbelief. Wang Daoling, the number one of the Martial Academy, had actually been defeated by Wang Yue!
Xu Li was the first to recover. He excitedly waved his fists and shouted, "Number one! Brother Wang Yue is number one!"
Following his shout, the disciples below also came back to their senses. Cries of "Number one!" rose one after another, ringing throughout the Martial Academy training ground. Even the stewards in the distance could not help applauding in praise.
In a corner, Wang Hu wore a delighted expression, both hands trembling slightly. He had never imagined that a collateral-line disciple he had casually befriended back then would grow to such a level, even defeat Wang Daoling, and become the number one among the Martial Academy disciples!
By the window of the four-story building, Wang Hezheng watched the young man in the center of the field. A smile appeared at the corner of his lips as he lifted his teacup and took a light sip.
A flash of amazement passed through the eyes of the man in black beside him. Smiling, he said, "Your Wang Clan has produced quite a fine seedling."
Wang Hezheng did not deny it. He merely said faintly, "He earned it himself.
"I recall that your sect has precedents of accepting disciples on a master's behalf. What do you think of him?"
The man in black considered it carefully before replying.
"It is not that simple. My senior brother can do it, but I cannot. For your sake, I will mention it to my senior brother."
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