Dinner, Hundred Zhang Cliff.
"My mother and I were standing halfway up the cliff, but we watched your match today. From the moment Junior Disciple Brother took the stage, Mother never stopped praising you."
When Qin Fengming arrived, Senior Disciple Sister Zhang Ruotong immediately leaped over to him, took his hand, and led him before her parents, her face beaming with delight as she spoke.
Hearing Senior Disciple Sister say this, Qin Fengming's face instantly flushed crimson. His body bent, and he dropped to his knees before his Master and Master's wife. "This disciple lost one match today and brought shame upon the sect. Master, Master's wife, please punish me."
"Hahaha, Fengming, where would there be any need for punishment? I already know about the match you lost. You must have done so deliberately; even I can discern some of the reason behind it. To possess such an understanding of when to advance and when to retreat at such a young age is exceedingly rare.
"Your cultivation at this age has given even me quite a shock. Those hall masters and elders were likewise astonished. Every one of them praised you highly. Had they not known that you were this old man's disciple, they certainly would have fought to take you for their own."
Hearing his Master's words, Qin Fengming was flattered and overwhelmed. He hurriedly kowtowed. "This is all thanks to Master and Master's wife teaching me with all their hearts. This disciple would never dare claim the credit."
After praising Qin Fengming, his Master's expression gradually turned solemn. After pondering for a moment, he said seriously:
"Fengming, after a year of practice, your understanding of the essence of the Thirteen Forms of the Willow sword technique has deepened considerably. With your current cultivation, you already possess the strength to enter the top ten of this Grand Competition."
"What? Master, are you saying that I have a great chance of entering the Elite Hall this time?" Qin Fengming was so startled by his Master's words that the young boy nearly jumped.
Seeing how excited Qin Fengming was, his Master smiled faintly and continued:
"Fengming, do not rejoice too soon. Among this batch of disciples, there are three or four whom you may be unable to defeat. If you encounter them, you will most likely lose in the end because your strength runs out. But as long as you do not meet them too early, entering the top ten is still highly likely. If you successfully enter the top ten, I will personally recommend you to Sect Master Sima and have you enter the Dark Night Hall."
Hearing this, a trace of confusion appeared on Qin Fengming's face. He knew nothing about the Dark Night Hall, but from his Master's tone, it seemed to be a place even better than the Elite Hall.
"The Dark Night Hall is the sect's secret hall. Only the sect's most core disciples can enter it. Yet very few people know the truth about this hall; even I do not know where it is located. Once inside the Dark Night Hall, all sorts of resources are provided without limit. It is a place every disciple of the sect yearns for."
After hearing his Master's explanation, Qin Fengming became intensely excited. It seemed that the Dark Night Hall was undoubtedly the ultimate goal of every disciple of Luoxia Valley.
Although his Master had said he could recommend him for entry, Qin Fengming knew that to obtain this opportunity, he would have to pass several trials. He could not afford the slightest carelessness in the matches to come.
On the second day, it was the same valley, but it was even livelier than the day before. However, only half as many disciples remained to participate in today's matches.
At the hour of the Snake, Elder Wang once again arrived before the central elevated platform and announced loudly:
"Only thirty-two people remain in today's matches. We will use an elimination format, and the winners will enter the Elite Hall directly. The losers will compete again separately to determine the top four, who will likewise be able to enter the Elite Hall for further cultivation. All right, go collect your Number Plates."
Qin Fengming followed the other disciples and collected his Number Plate as well. The Number Plates were still distributed randomly, and each one had its holder's name written on the back.
"Today's matches will be held only at the fifth elevated platform ahead. Disciple Number One and Disciple Number Thirty-Two, take the stage. Numbers Two and Thirty-One, prepare yourselves, and so on. Go." Elder Wang looked at the disciples below holding their Number Plates and spoke without the slightest change in expression.
Standing beneath the elevated platform, Qin Fengming lowered his head and looked at the Number Plate in his hand. It bore the character seven. It seemed he would be the seventh to take the stage.
Qin Fengming felt somewhat nervous. Regarding the three or four disciples his Master had mentioned the previous night who could defeat him, he very much hoped not to encounter them.
But that was not something he could decide. He could only place his hopes in Heaven and pray that he would not meet them too early.
The fifth elevated platform stood directly before the platform where his Master and the various hall masters and elders were seated. From their seats above, they could see every movement of the disciples competing with perfect clarity.
At this moment, Qin Fengming had no interest whatsoever in the matches on the platform. There was only one thing he needed to do: rest and regulate his breathing properly, adjusting himself to peak condition.
The Dark Night Hall held an immense allure for him. If things truly went as his Master had said, and he entered the top ten this time, then given his Master's word-as-good-as-gold character, he would certainly recommend him to Sect Master Sima of Luoxia Valley. Entering the Dark Night Hall at such a young age would save him ten years of struggle.
Two hours later, Qin Fengming rose amid the calls of Duan Meng and the other disciples who had come with him. With his treasured sword in hand, he walked steadily toward the fifth stone platform.
The first battle that would determine his future had arrived.
Facing a saber-wielding youth of seventeen or eighteen standing opposite him, Qin Fengming's young face was extraordinarily calm, revealing not the slightest unusual emotion.
When the youth saw Qin Fengming take the stage, he looked slightly surprised. He glanced below the platform, but no one else was coming up. Unable to restrain his confusion, he asked, "You... are you the person competing against me?"
"Senior Brother, please. Junior Disciple Brother is indeed the one competing in this match. I hope Senior Brother will show me mercy later."
"Junior Disciple Brother, you are so young. Even if you began practicing martial arts at the age of eight, you have only practiced for four years. How could you possibly be a match for disciples like us who have practiced for seven or eight years? It would be best to concede voluntarily."
Looking at the boy before him, who was only twelve or thirteen, the saber-wielding youth was surprised, but his heart relaxed greatly. Against such a weak disciple, victory would be beyond doubt, and entering the Elite Hall would be as certain as nails driven into a board.
"Hehe, exchanging a few moves with Senior Brother will be good training for Junior Disciple Brother. As long as Senior Brother shows me a little mercy later, I will be deeply grateful."
As the brown-robed youth presiding over the match waved his hand to signal, this crucial battle began.
Seeing that Qin Fengming remained composed and clear-eyed, the youth's heart stirred slightly. At the presiding youth's signal, he flicked the long saber in his hand. A flourish of saber light suddenly bloomed, and with the gleam flashing, he launched a fierce assault at Qin Fengming.
He actually intended to end the battle swiftly, leaving Qin Fengming not the slightest chance to retaliate.
Seeing this, Qin Fengming naturally understood what the other man was thinking. Otherwise, given the youth's status, he would never have taken the initiative to attack a boy of only twelve or thirteen.
Facing the saber shadows hurtling toward him, Qin Fengming naturally did not dare underestimate his opponent. His long sword danced, and exquisite sword moves poured forth. As the tip of the sword drifted unpredictably, like willow leaves floating in the wind, a mass of white light surrounded the youth, trapping him firmly within.
After only a moment of exchanging blows, the saber-wielding youth was utterly shocked. This boy, a head shorter than him, was no novice at all—he had clearly practiced martial arts for more than a decade. His swordsmanship was seasoned, his movements light, and exquisite sword techniques emerged one after another. To defeat this twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy before him was already as difficult as ascending the heavens.
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