The Martial Competition

For the next few days, Chen Qinglin practiced martial arts peacefully in the courtyard, while Chen Qingshi occasionally went out with Jiang Zhong.

On the day of the martial arts competition, when the Iron Sword Martial Arts School arrived at the Martial Arts Arena.

What greeted their eyes was a wide square with five arenas set up and spectator seats around.

The referees were already in position on the high platform, but the rows of seats behind them were still empty. It was likely that the important figures had not yet arrived.

The sky was overcast and gloomy that day. A cold wind blew, making it somewhat chilly, but it couldn't dampen everyone's enthusiasm.

The square was crowded and bustling with activity.

Martial arts schools from all over Dingyuan County had gathered, some holding sharp weapons with solemn expressions.

Others wore ornate clothing and were engaged in conversation.

They stood or sat, some meditating with their eyes closed, others praying silently, awaiting the start of the competition.

Chen Qinglin and the others arrived at their designated spot and saw a wooden plaque in this area that read "Iron Sword Martial Arts School." Everyone took their seats, waiting for the competition to begin.

Before long, a group of people escorted several individuals onto the high platform.

After these people were seated, one of them announced the start of the competition.

"Brother Han, have any prodigies emerged this year?"

"Hahaha, Brother Shen, you jest. What prodigy can compare to the disciples of Qingfeng Mountain?"

"However, I heard that the Blood Saber Martial Arts School in the county has a disciple named Qi Hanfei. He's only fifteen years old and has already reached the Body Tempering Seventh Level. Other martial arts schools also have some good disciples. Brother Shen will see for himself."

County Magistrate Han Lang pointed towards the arena and said.

"Oh, that's not bad! At least I won't be returning empty-handed."

After a draw determined the participants, the first match was for the new disciples, with an age limit of sixteen years old.

"Chen Qinglin of the Iron Sword Martial Arts School versus Zhao Shiguan of the Rock Martial Arts School."

"Master, Qingshi, I'm going up."

"Qinglin, defeat him!" Chen Qingshi encouraged.

"Don't worry."

"Zhao Shiguan of the Rock Martial Arts School."

"Chen Qinglin of the Iron Sword Martial Arts School."

Zhao Shiguan held a long staff and saw that Chen Qinglin hadn't even drawn his sword.

Filled with anger, he came up with a direct blow. Chen Qinglin dodged to the side, counterattacked with a punch, and sent the opponent flying to the ground, unable to get up.

"Iron Sword Martial Arts School, Chen Qinglin wins!" The referee on the side announced after checking.

As Chen Qinglin stepped off the stage, he saw that the match on the adjacent stage had just ended. A young man with a cold expression glanced at him and then walked away indifferently.

A total of twenty-three martial arts schools participated in this competition, with one hundred and thirty-six people.

Except for the eight major martial arts schools in the county town, most of the disciples from the town's martial arts schools were at the Body Tempering Second Level, a small portion at the Body Tempering Third Layer, and a few at the Body Tempering Fourth Level.

As for the disciples of the eight major martial arts schools, only a small portion were at the Body Tempering Third Layer, most were at the Body Tempering Fourth Level, and some were at the Body Tempering Fifth Level, and even the Sixth Level.

Soon, there was a wail from many martial arts schools. After only two rounds, most of the disciples from these martial arts schools were eliminated.

Chen Qingshi also participated in two matches. In one, he fought against a disciple from a town martial arts school for dozens of rounds, barely winning.

In the other, he directly encountered an opponent at the Body Tempering Fourth Level and was defeated in two moves.

Four rounds of matches were held that day. Chen Qinglin swept through them all, defeating his opponents in one move.

He entered the top seventeen and would begin the final showdown of this martial arts competition tomorrow.

Now, the remaining participants were basically all disciples from the eight major martial arts schools in the county.

Changhe Martial Arts School, Rock Martial Arts School, Blood Saber Martial Arts School, Chasing Wind Martial Arts School, Divine Fist Martial Arts School, Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School, Heavy Rain Martial Arts School, Flying Dragon Martial Arts School, and Iron Sword Martial Arts School, where Chen Qinglin belonged.

Only Qi Hanwen from Blood Saber Martial Arts School, Xin Shuming from Changhe Martial Arts School, and Zhong Qing from Heavy Rain Martial Arts School could make him slightly serious. They were all at the Body Tempering Seventh Level.

On the way back at night, Xie Feng appeared very happy. The heads of several town martial arts schools congratulated him one after another.

"Lin'er, do you have confidence for tomorrow?"

"Master, tomorrow only Xin Shuming from Changhe Martial Arts School, Qi Hanwen from Blood Saber Martial Arts School, and Zhong Qing from Heavy Rain Martial Arts School are at the Body Tempering Seventh Level like me."

"I can't guarantee first place, but at least it will be in the top four."

"You are already at the Body Tempering Seventh Level!!" Xie Feng was extremely shocked.

"Good, good! My Iron Sword Martial Arts School finally has a genius. Hahaha..." At this moment, Xie Feng felt as if he saw a young dragon about to soar, and it was his disciple.

He happily returned to his room and had a few drinks.

The next day, as the sky was slightly white and the sunlight shone down, Xie Feng greeted everyone he met early in the morning, showing no restraint, as if to say he was in a great mood today.

The head of Changfeng Martial Arts School, who had some friction with Xie Feng, saw this and muttered, "What's he showing off for? If people didn't know, they'd think his disciple won first place."

"Ye Hao, Lin Long, Qi Hanwen, Zhou Fang, Gan Yu, Chu Wen, Chen Qinglin... Seventeen of you, come up and draw lots."

Chen Qinglin reached into the box, pulled out a slip of paper, and opened it. "Number seven."

Ye Hao, who came up later, opened his slip and saw it was blank. He happily showed the paper to the organizers.

"Ye Hao, you have a bye."

"First round, number one, Gan Yu of Chasing Wind Martial Arts School versus number sixteen, Chang Jian of Heavy Rain Martial Arts School."

Both martial arts schools were known for their sword techniques. The two stood facing each other, swords in hand. As soon as the match officially began, they each brandished their sharp weapons and charged at each other.

As their dual swords clashed, sword light flashed. The two weaved back and forth across the stage, unleashing their ultimate sword techniques. The scene was incredibly intense.

Both were at the Body Tempering Sixth Level, and their sword techniques were not far apart. The Chasing Wind Sword Art was fast and elegant, while the Heavy Rain Sword Technique was swift and fierce.

Chang Jian's attacks grew more ferocious with each strike, and Gan Yu found it increasingly difficult to resist.

Chang Jian seized an opportunity, knocking Gan Yu's long sword from his grasp and winning the match.

On other stages, the clash of sabers and swords was a dazzling spectacle, igniting the passion of the surrounding audience.

"Number seven, Chen Qinglin of Iron Sword Martial Arts School, versus number eight, Xin Shuming of Changhe Martial Arts School."

"You are no match for me. You might as well surrender early," Xin Shuming said arrogantly to Chen Qinglin as he stepped onto the stage.

"Unfortunately, if you hadn't met me, you could have contended for the top five. Now, you can only fight for tenth place."

"The outcome is not yet decided. Nothing is certain," Chen Qinglin replied calmly.

"If you're not willing to give up, then let me grant you defeat so you'll know the gap between us."

Chen Qinglin stopped talking. As the match began, he revealed his Great Accomplishment sword technique and launched an attack on Xin Shuming.

In a flash of lightning, he unleashed two powerful sword moves, Chasing Wind and Pursuing Lightning, and Linked Flower Slash, knocking Xin Shuming's saber away and placing his sword at his throat.

"How is this possible!" Xin Shuming exclaimed, disbelief etched on his face.

"Now, it seems you'll be fighting for tenth place." Chen Qinglin sheathed his sword and stepped off the stage. Xin Shuming, pale-faced and staggering, returned to the Changhe Martial Arts School.

"Good lad, a promising talent. Body Tempering Eighth Level, and he's mastered his sword technique to Great Accomplishment," Shen Shi said, stroking his beard with excitement.

"Congratulations, Brother Shen. It seems the first place in this competition is already decided," Han Lang congratulated him, but in his heart, he was plotting to bypass Shen Shi and trick Chen Qinglin into joining the Great Profound Academy.

"Old man, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. I'm telling you, this is Cangzhou. You'd better behave yourself. I'm taking this kid for Qingfeng Mountain."

Shen Shi looked at Han Lang with disdain.

"Ahem, Brother Shen, I didn't say anything!" Han Lang hadn't expected Shen Shi to see through his plan before he even made a move. His scheme had failed...

"That would be best!"

After defeating Lin Long and Zhou Fang, I reached the semifinals. Only Qi Hanwen and Zhong Qing remained.

"Brother Chen, although I know I'm no match for you, I still want to try. Please go easy on me and don't let me lose too badly. Otherwise, I'll be in trouble when I get back ╥﹏╥"

Zhong Qing stood opposite Chen Qinglin, pleading with him.

"Brother Zhong is too kind."

"This is the truth. Who knows, we might even become fellow disciples in the future."

"Begin the match!"

Zhong Qing, who had been all smiles moments ago, transformed into a completely different person. With a serious expression, he brandished his sharp sword and attacked Chen Qinglin. His swordsmanship was swift and fierce, continuous and relentless.

Rainy Wind Sudden, Heavy Rain Gale, Lightning Flash Thunder Roar, Heavy Rain Sword Technique came crashing down.

Chen Qinglin's eyes lit up. He finally felt he had encountered a decent opponent, someone who had cultivated their swordsmanship to the Minor Accomplishment realm.

Indeed, one cannot underestimate the people of this world.

Chen Qinglin drew his sword and counterattacked.

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