Challenge Letter

Morning light slanted across the ancient gates of Tiger Might Martial Arts School.

The vermilion lacquer gleamed with the sheen of passing years beneath the light. Two stone lions stood on either side, their eyes bright and piercing, as though guarding the martial hall's dignity and glory.

Above the gate hung a plaque bearing the words "Tiger Might Martial Arts School" in flowing script. Its strokes were vigorous, exuding an aura not to be taken lightly.

The heavy gates slowly opened.

Miao Ping led a group of disciples standing inside. His expression was stern as his gaze swept across the onlookers before settling on the group standing in the center of the entrance.

There were five of them, dressed in fitted black uniforms. A golden eagle with spread wings was emblazoned on each of their chests, especially eye-catching.

The leader was in his twenties, powerfully built, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His arms were long and strong, and his unusual eyes were as sharp as a hunting eagle's.

The four behind him were all robust men, their temples bulging and their skin gleaming with oil. They were clearly martial artists brimming with vitality and blood.

Miao Ping stepped over the threshold, and the others followed him out, confronting the five men.

"Who are you?"

He demanded in a deep voice. In truth, he had known their origins the moment he saw their clothes.

They were from the recently ascendant Xiongying Martial Arts School, which had been challenging martial halls all across Yunyang.

The eagle-eyed young man took a step forward, holding up a Challenge Letter with both hands as he announced loudly:

"Tie Ying of Xiongying Martial Arts School has come by my master's order to deliver this Challenge Letter!"

"Three days from now, before the City God Temple, Xiongying Martial Arts School will set up an arena and issue a challenge. Does Tiger Might Martial Arts School dare accept?"

He raised the Challenge Letter high above his head. The bright-red character for "battle" upon it seemed to burn like a flame.

The crowd instantly erupted, and everyone was shocked.

"Xiongying Martial Arts School is so arrogant! They actually want to set up an arena before the City God Temple and challenge them openly?"

"I wonder if Tiger Might Martial Arts School dares accept?"

"How could they not? Hall Master Guan of Tiger Might Martial Arts School once swept through thirty-eight martial halls in Yunyang. How could he possibly fear them?"

"Xiongying Martial Arts School is too arrogant. It's time someone knocked the wind out of their sails!"

Though Miao Ping had already guessed it, his heart still jolted. They were actually issuing a public challenge—such a thing was rare indeed!

"Go notify Master!"

After giving the order, he turned to Tie Ying, steadied himself, and said flatly, "Wait there!"

One disciple sprinted toward the rear courtyard.

"No matter. There's no rush!"

Tie Ying smiled faintly and withdrew the Challenge Letter. "With Tiger Might Martial Arts School's illustrious reputation, I trust you won't be too frightened to accept a Challenge Letter, will you?"

"How presumptuous!"

Miao Ping's eyes widened as he shouted in a deep voice, "The reputation of Tiger Might Martial Arts School was fought for! Would we be afraid to accept your Challenge Letter? Just stand there and wait obediently!"

A teasing smile curled at Tie Ying's lips as he replied disdainfully, "If you dare accept, why hesitate so much over a mere letter of challenge? Is your strength lacking, or is your confidence lacking?" As he spoke, he deliberately drew out the final words.

Miao Ping's gaze instantly turned cold as frost, as if it could freeze the air around them.

Fang Mo stood among the students as well, frowning. A challenge was one thing, but those words were unpleasant. Tie Ying was clearly trying to stir up trouble.

I hope Senior Brother Miao doesn't fall for it. They must have come prepared!

"Arrogant!" Miao Ping's voice turned icy. "Let me see what strength you have, to dare spout such wild nonsense!"

Fang Mo's heart sank at those words. Miao Ping had still taken the bait!

Tie Ying threw back his head and laughed. "That is exactly what I want. I'd also like to see whether Tiger Might Martial Arts School deserves its reputation!"

"You'll find out soon enough!"

Miao Ping's expression was frighteningly grim. He stepped forward, and with every step, the muscles throughout his body shifted subtly between tension and relaxation, like a cheetah poised to pounce.

"They're going to fight!"

"Move back! They're Dark Force martial artists. You'll be injured if you get caught in it!"

The crowd stirred as people rapidly retreated, clearing the area.

"I'd like to find out too!"

Tie Ying gave a cold smile, casually handed the Challenge Letter to someone beside him, and walked into the open space. With one hand behind his back, he said lightly:

"Come!"

"You're courting death!"

Miao Ping was thoroughly enraged. With a low roar, his body shot forward as though propelled by some invisible force.

His fist brought forth a howling gust. The air itself seemed torn apart by that force, forming visible whirlpools of airflow.

"Good!"

Tie Ying suddenly let out a sharp cry. His muscles seemed to cinch tight, veins bulging like soaring flood dragons as terrifying power erupted from him. He leaped into the air, swooping like a hunting eagle upon its prey.

Bang!

Their attacks collided, and the air around them seemed to compress, producing a faint explosive crack.

An almost imperceptible ripple of air spread outward in waves, sweeping up the dust and sand on the ground.

The onlookers cried out and retreated again, stunned by the might of Dark Force martial artists.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Both men staggered several steps back at the same time.

Alarm flashed through Miao Ping's eyes. His opponent's strength had exceeded his expectations. His bones felt as though they were about to crack, and Tie Ying was no weaker than him in the slightest.

Unease rose within him!

He had struck in anger just now. With so many people watching, it was impossible to stop now. But if he lost, it would not only disgrace himself—it would disgrace the martial hall as well.

"You're nothing special either!"

Tie Ying chuckled, rolling his wrist with a contemptuous smile on his face.

"Again!"

Miao Ping had always been proud. Though he hesitated inwardly, Tie Ying's words enraged him once more. He shot forward, both hands forming tiger claws as they lunged straight for Tie Ying's face.

"Then come!"

Tie Ying shouted deeply, let out an eagle's cry, and pounced forward as well.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The two exchanged blows at tremendous speed. Dark Force martial artists possessed extraordinary combat power, and with every collision, forceful energy burst forth, driving the surrounding people back again and again.

"Tiger Subduing Fist truly is extraordinary. What a powerful presence!"

"This Tie Ying is impressive too. Look, he's not weaker than Miao Ping at all!"

"Who do you think will win?"

The surrounding crowd began discussing it heatedly.

"Look at Miao Ping's Tiger Subduing Fist. His moves are fierce, but his footwork is becoming a little rushed. It seems he's being led along by his opponent's rhythm!" A middle-aged man in a martial instructor's uniform frowned gravely among the crowd.

At that moment, another martial artist chimed in. "Tie Ying's Eagle Claw Technique is indeed formidable. I heard they often train by fighting exotic beasts. That ferocity and tenacity aren't something ordinary people can match!"

"Senior Brother Miao, go! Defeat him!"

"Brother Miao, what a Dark Fierce Heart Rake! Knock his teeth all over the ground and teach them a lesson for their arrogance!"

The people from the martial hall all cheered Miao Ping on.

Yet as Miao Ping listened to the shouts, he became more alarmed the longer he fought. His opponent's techniques were fierce and his power heavy. Those eagle claws grabbed, seized, struck, and raked, making him extremely uncomfortable.

At this rate, forget victory—even avoiding defeat would be difficult.

How would he ever be able to hold his head high before the martial hall's junior disciples and the people from the other martial halls?

"No, I can't lose!"

A fierce light burst from Miao Ping's eyes as he intensified his attacks once again.

"This is bad!"

Fang Mo watched from the crowd, his brow furrowing slightly. Tiger Subduing Fist relied on swift, fierce, and powerful strikes. Once it became hesitant, its power would inevitably decline.

His eyes shifted, and he turned to leave, intending to find Feng Qingyuan and bring them over.

But he saw that Feng Qingyuan, Guan Lu, Chi Jing, and the others were already standing behind him, watching the fight.

"Junior Brother Miao is becoming impatient!"

Feng Qingyuan had spotted the problem as well, his expression grave.

Chi Jing stretched her neck and said:

"Is he? I think Senior Brother Miao has been attacking the whole time!"

Guan Lu frowned. "Senior Brother Miao is getting a little impatient. He keeps trying to force the attack. Senior Brother, I think we should stop them!"

Fang Mo glanced at Guan Lu. It seemed Guan Lu had a good eye after all; she had noticed the problem too. Tie Ying had clearly been controlling Miao Ping's rhythm all along. The first burst of effort fades, the second wanes, and by the third it is exhausted—he was waiting for Miao Ping to reveal an opening.

On the battlefield, Miao Ping's repeated high-frequency attacks had clearly begun to tire him. His breathing had become disordered, and his offensive momentum was weakening.

Eagle Soaring Over Sea of Clouds!

Tie Ying had been waiting for this chance. Suddenly, he roared, his body spinning like a whirlwind as countless claw shadows filled the air in a savage assault, every strike aimed at Miao Ping's vital points.

Miao Ping's face changed, and he hurriedly forced himself to raise his strength and defend.

The two moved at incredible speed. Claw shadows and fist shadows intertwined, while the sounds of violent collisions rang without end.

Under the barrage, however, Miao Ping retreated step by step, panic creeping into his eyes.

Nine Seizes of the Divine Eagle!

Seeing victory within reach, Tie Ying erupted again, his attacks becoming even more fierce and swift.

Tiger Roaring in the Forest!

Seeing his opponent's attack, Miao Ping gritted his teeth and forcibly summoned up his strength.

"Are these two going all out?"

"The winner is about to be decided!"

Quite a few martial artists stood among the spectators. Seeing this, they were all roused, their eyes fixed tightly on the battle.

"Stop!"

Just then, an explosive shout rang out. A figure swept over the crowd like a great bird and landed between the two men.

At the same time, he swung out both palms, blocking both attacks.

Bang! Bang!

Two muffled thunderclaps exploded, and both men were sent staggering backward.

Miao Ping retreated more than ten steps before steadying himself. He was breathing hard, but when he saw Feng Qingyuan, joy appeared on his face.

"Senior Brother!"

Feng Qingyuan raised a hand to stop him and turned his gaze toward Tie Ying.

Tie Ying had also retreated more than ten steps before coming to a stop. His four companions rushed forward and stood protectively at his side, glaring angrily. The students of Tiger Might Martial Arts School also stepped forward together. The two sides faced off, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Unwillingness flickered in Tie Ying's eyes. He had nearly defeated Miao Ping, but Feng Qingyuan had stepped in.

He shook his slightly numb hand and said with a mocking smile:

"Senior Disciple Brother Feng, you truly are formidable. After the junior brother fought, is the senior brother preparing to take the field?"

"There's no need to win with your tongue!"

Feng Qingyuan cast Tie Ying an indifferent glance and said coldly:

"Tiger Might Martial Arts School accepts your Challenge Letter. You may leave now. Three days from now, we'll settle who is superior on the arena before the City God Temple!"

Tie Ying was helpless. He knew the opportunity had slipped away. He suddenly flung out the Challenge Letter and said in a deep voice:

"Fine. We'll meet on the arena in three days!"

Feng Qingyuan reached out and caught the Challenge Letter.

"Let's go!"

Tie Ying waved his hand and led his people away. Today, he had nearly achieved his goal of defeating Miao Ping and breaking their spirit first, only to be stopped by Feng Qingyuan.

"Senior Brother... I..."

Miao Ping walked to Feng Qingyuan's side, shame on his face.

"We'll talk inside! Master is waiting for us!"

Feng Qingyuan raised his hand to stop him, his gaze grave as he watched Tie Ying and his group depart.

From that exchange just now, he had felt the immense depth of Tie Ying's power. Miao Ping was indeed no match for him.

This challenge did not look promising!