Wang Yuan successfully brought the Vajra Skill to the Entry Stage, and the atmosphere in the inner courtyard became quite lively for a time.
After Wang Yuan took a moment to regulate his breathing and familiarize himself with that thread of newly born qi and blood.
Zheng Shan waved away the two staff-wielding disciples. His expression returned to its usual severity as he called Wang Yuan, Shi Long, and Zheng Ying before him.
"Yuan'er has just entered the Second Blood Change and gained a Body Refinement Technique. His strength has advanced greatly—truly cause for congratulations."
Zheng Shan first affirmed Wang Yuan's progress, then changed the subject.
"However, on the path of martial arts, shutting oneself away to build a cart is not advisable. Only real combat and sparring can test one's true mettle and reveal one's shortcomings."
His gaze swept across the three disciples as he said in a deep voice:
"Seven days from now, the various Fist Academies of the Outer City will jointly hold a Martial Arts Gathering."
"At that time, every Fist Academy in the Outer City with even a little standing will send their True Disciples to participate."
"The matches will be divided into three levels: Third Blood Change, Second Blood Change, and First Blood Change."
"Of course, the gathering will also have rewards."
"This time, all the academies are bleeding heavily. First place in each level will receive ten thousand taels of silver and a great medicinal herb. Second place will receive five thousand taels of silver, and third place three thousand."
"A Martial Arts Gathering?"
"First place gets ten thousand taels of silver and a great medicinal herb?"
Wang Yuan's heart stirred. This was the first time he had heard of it.
Shi Long grinned and rubbed his fists together.
"Heh heh, finally, there's work again!"
"I didn't get my fill of fighting at the last gathering."
Zheng Ying was comparatively calm, but a trace of anticipation flashed through her eyes as well.
Zheng Shan continued:
"This gathering is, first, for disciples from the various academies to verify one another's learning and broaden their horizons."
"Second, it is an opportunity for the academies to display their strength and compete for resources and reputation."
"After all, in literature there is no first, while in martial arts there is no second. The proceedings will not be too gentle, so all of you must prepare yourselves."
He looked at Shi Long and Zheng Ying.
"Long'er, Ying'er, both of you have reached the Third Blood Change. You are the face of Panshi Fist Academy. When the time comes, give it everything you have and do not tarnish the academy's reputation."
He still had confidence in the strength of his son and daughter.
Shi Long possessed overwhelming strength, while Zheng Ying was nimble in movement and superb with the sword. Neither was an ordinary fighter.
"Rest assured, Father! Master!" the two answered in unison.
Then Zheng Shan's gaze fell upon Wang Yuan, and his tone softened somewhat.
"Yuan'er, you have only just entered the Second Blood Change. Though your foundation is steady, your time in this realm has been short."
"The main purpose of bringing you this time is to let you see the world and experience the methods and styles of True Disciples from other Fist Academies. It will greatly benefit your future cultivation."
He paused, seemingly afraid of placing too much pressure on Wang Yuan, then added:
"As for victory or defeat, do not take it too much to heart."
"Among the Second Blood Change True Disciples of the various academies, there are many who have immersed themselves in this realm for years and have already reached Major Accomplishment or even Perfection in the Second Blood Change."
"Their qi and blood are vigorous, their martial skills polished, and their combat experience abundant."
"If your strength falls short and you lose, that is only normal. Just learn from the experience."
Zheng Shan's tone was very calm. He truly did not hold unrealistic expectations for Wang Yuan.
In his view, although Wang Yuan was gifted, he had trained for too short a time.
If he could exchange a few moves with those veteran Second Blood Change True Disciples and accumulate some experience, that would already achieve the purpose.
Wang Yuan's expression remained calm as he answered respectfully, "This disciple understands. I will certainly cherish this opportunity, observe more, and learn more."
Yet deep within his lowered eyes, a faint glint flashed by.
This Martial Arts Gathering might be the perfect opportunity to test his true current strength.
And first place came with ten thousand taels of silver.
He would be able to achieve Qi and Blood Pill freedom outright.
If he saved tael by tael himself, he would probably have to wipe out at least five or six small gangs like the Black Tiger Gang before he could save enough.
Seeing Wang Yuan's proper attitude, Zheng Shan nodded in satisfaction.
But then, as though he had remembered something, his brows furrowed slightly. He let out a soft sigh, looking somewhat troubled.
"Ah, speaking of which, although Panshi Fist Academy is considered the leader among the Outer City's Fist Academies and has many disciples."
"There are quite a few promising talents at the First Blood Change, and Long'er and Ying'er hold up the Third Blood Change level."
"Only at the Second Blood Change level are we truly caught between the old and the new..."
He gave Wang Yuan a helpless glance, as though he were looking through him at some troublesome fellow.
"Other than you, Yuan'er, there is only your Third Senior Brother, Shang Yong."
"But his martial attainments..."
"Ah, they are an utter mess. All day long, he only knows how to fuss over his business schemes. He neglects training, and his actual combat ability is even more loose and ordinary."
"It will be difficult to count on him for any performance at the gathering."
Zheng Shan rubbed his brow.
"Forget it, forget it. The capable must bear more burdens. Yuan'er, simply do your best. Do not carry too much pressure."
"Long'er, Ying'er, win a few more prizes in your respective levels and ease some of your junior brother's burden."
"Don't worry, Master! Father!" Shi Long thumped his chest until it rang.
Zheng Ying nodded seriously as well.
They were both considered strong among those at the Third Blood Change. Winning a few prizes would be easy enough.
Wang Yuan took his master's words to heart and understood.
Panshi Fist Academy truly had a weakness at the Second Blood Change level.
As for himself, although his master did not expect much of him, he had ultimately placed a measure of hope in him.
"Major Accomplishment and Perfection in the Second Blood Change..."
Wang Yuan silently repeated the words, and a concealed fighting spirit quietly rose within him.
In literature there was no first; in martial arts, no second.
Now that he had broken through to the Second Blood Change, his qi and blood had surged greatly, and he possessed all kinds of martial arts. He no longer knew just how far his strength had reached.
Seven days from now—the Martial Arts Gathering.
He wanted to see just how much substance the True Disciples of the Outer City's various Fist Academies truly possessed!
There were still seven days left. In those seven days, he would first break Chasing Wind Leg through to the second level and reach the Second Blood Change level.
After leaving the inner courtyard, Wang Yuan was still savoring the mysterious sensation of bringing the Vajra Skill to the Entry Stage.
He was just preparing to return home and ponder it carefully.
But as he passed through the central courtyard, the conversation of two young disciples drifted into his ears on the wind.
"Hey, have you heard?"
"Something huge happened in the Inner City today!"
"What happened? Hurry and tell me!"
"Back around noon, I saw it with my own eyes. Good heavens, a huge troop of armored soldiers, brimming with killing intent, marched straight for the Zhang Family in the Inner City."
"They surrounded Zhang Manor as tightly as an iron barrel!"
"The Zhang Family? What crime did they commit?"
"Shh, keep your voice down!"
"I heard the soldiers and people by the roadside talking. They said..."
"They said Zhang Song, the Zhang Family's patriarch, somehow colluded with the Incense God Cult in order to break through to Transformation Force."
"He wanted to borrow the Incense God Cult's power and work from within and without to overthrow the rule of the Three Great Families of the Inner City!"
"Colluding with the Incense God Cult? Overthrowing their rule?"
"Has Zhang Song gone mad? He's only a Force Martial Master—where did he get the nerve?" A disciple beside him drew in a sharp breath.
The other disciple nodded fiercely. "Exactly!"
"The rumors say it was because he had been stuck at Force Entry for more than ten years. Seeing his Lineage decline and knowing he had no hope of breaking through himself, he took the risk and somehow got in contact with the Incense God Cult..."
"But the matter was exposed, and the Huang Family found out!"
"Now the Gao, Ye, and Huang Families have joined forces, directly mobilized the City Guard, and are suppressing the Zhang Family with thunderous methods. They're ransacking the house right now."
Buzz!
The idle chatter of those two disciples was no less than a thunderclap on level ground in Wang Yuan's ears.
His steps abruptly halted, and his entire body froze in place.
The Zhang Family of the Inner City?
Wasn't that Zhang Mingyuan's Lineage?
His sister was still with the Zhang Family!
She was still working at the Zhang Family as the stewardess in charge of laundry.
The Zhang Family had been branded as rebels for colluding with the Incense God Cult. That was a grave crime that implicated nine generations.
Those City Guard soldiers, as fierce as wolves and tigers—while ransacking the house, how could they distinguish the chief culprit from the servants?
They had always preferred to kill wrongly rather than let one slip through!
His sister, Wang Yu, a weak woman, was trapped in that dragon's pool and tiger's den...
Wang Yuan abruptly turned his head to glance toward the inner courtyard, his teeth clenched tight.
There was no time to explain.
For every moment he delayed, Wang Yu would be in that much greater danger.
Whoosh!
The moment he left the Fist Academy's grounds, Wang Yuan pushed Chasing Wind Leg to its utmost limit.
His entire body became an arrow loosed from the bowstring as he raced madly toward the Inner City.
Pedestrians on the street only felt a wild gust sweep past them; they could not even make out his silhouette.
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