First Display of Sharpness

"For the opening of the Xu family business, as fellow villagers of Dongxi Village, my Xu Family naturally had to show some gesture."

"Here are ten Qi and Blood Pills. Consider them my congratulatory gift."

"Second Master Xu, this gift is rather valuable." Xu Chuan smiled faintly.

Xu Zhen said, "Naturally, this gift is not so easily accepted. I hear quite a few disciples of your Xu family practice martial arts. Why not have them spar with the young men of my Xu Family?"

"It can also add some liveliness to your opening. What do you say?"

Xu Chuan lowered his head in thought. Xu Mingxuan said, "Father, ten Qi and Blood Pills—there's no reason not to take them. Let me lead the first bout."

Seeing how eager he was, Xu Chuan smiled, then looked at Xu Zhen. "Second Master Xu, then let us have a few matches, stopping at the proper point."

"When martial artists spar, bruises and broken bones are unavoidable. If you are afraid, you may refuse."

"Cut the nonsense. I'll take the first match. Who are you sending?"

Xu Zhen chuckled. "The Xu family does have men of spirit. You're no more than ten or so—Xu Feng, go spar with him."

"Yes, Second Grandfather."

The boy who stepped out was half a head taller than Xu Mingxuan, around eleven or twelve years old.

Everyone was delighted to watch the excitement and quickly moved aside, giving them ample space to spar.

Although Xu Mingxuan's Destiny Talent did not grant him any powerful boost in the Martial Dao, his comprehension was quite good, and he learned forms and martial skills extremely quickly.

That was why he and Li Zhi had caught the eye of a Houtian Peak expert from Tianlong Martial Arts School and been accepted as disciples.

Though only nine years old, with the Xu family's full support, he had already opened more than twenty Acupoints. As for Li Zhi, his talent for martial arts was far greater than Xu Mingxuan's.

He was only one step away from becoming a Third-rate Martial Artist.

Xu Feng had opened only sixteen or seventeen Acupoints. His inner strength was already inferior to Xu Mingxuan's, and his martial skills were weaker as well. He was defeated in barely a dozen exchanges.

Xu Mingxuan showed mercy, only injuring Xu Feng's arm.

Such bearing drew a chorus of praise from those around them.

"What an outstanding young lad!"

"The Xu family truly knows how to raise its children!"

"One day, they will surely rise and dominate a region."

Xu Mingxuan looked at Xu Zhen and the others. "Who's next?"

"What an arrogant brat. Xu Wei, you go."

"Yes, Second Grandfather."

Xu Wei was fifteen or sixteen years old. His attacks were vicious; without a word, he clawed at Xu Mingxuan's chest.

Xu Mingxuan dealt with him steadily.

Though his inner strength was lacking, a contest between martial artists was not merely a comparison of whose inner strength was greater.

The application of martial arts forms could likewise determine victory or defeat.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After several dozen exchanges, Xu Mingxuan knew that if he continued, he would surely lose. So he deliberately revealed an opening, luring Xu Wei in deep.

Then, using a method of mutual destruction, he broke one of Xu Wei's arms.

However, he himself suffered internal injuries as well.

Bai Jing's face was full of worry. Xu Chuan also said, "Mingxuan, you've won two matches in a row. You've had enough fun—come back."

"Let your Big Brother take over afterward."

"Yes, Father."

Xu Zhen's expression darkened as he glared at Xu Wei.

Xu Wei was ashamed as well, not daring to meet anyone's eyes.

Xu Zhen sighed inwardly. The ones he had brought today were already the most outstanding disciples of the Xu Family.

Yet two in a row had failed to defeat even a nine-year-old boy.

In another ten years or so, the Xu Family would likely no longer be able to withstand the Xu family's rise.

Xu Mao was furious too, cursing, "Second Uncle, let Xu Gan go. He will certainly win back some pride for my Xu Family."

"It can only be so."

"Father, Second Grandfather, rest assured. Xu Gan will not disgrace the Xu Family name."

Xu Gan walked to the center of the open space and shouted at Xu Chuan and the others, "I am Xu Gan. Who from your Xu family will fight?"

"Xu Gan? I've heard of him—the genius of Black Wind Martial Arts Hall. Barely past twenty, and he is already a Second-rate Martial Artist, one of Black Wind Martial Arts Hall's geniuses with hopes of reaching Houtian Peak."

"I think the Xu family is in trouble this time. Even their eldest son is five or six years younger than him."

"And I heard only three sons of the Xu family entered martial arts schools."

Hearing those words, Yang Zhao looked at Xu Chuan. "Brother Xu, do you need me to step in?"

"Brother Yang, I invited you here today only to observe. For such a minor matter, there is no need for you to act."

Yang Zhao grew Thoughtful.

Across the street, on the second floor of the Restaurant.

"Young Master, I think the Xu Family is about to lose. That man from the Xu Family looks formidable. Xiao Mei vaguely overheard that he has the strength of a Second-rate Martial Artist."

"A Second-rate Martial Artist barely over twenty is indeed not bad. He has hope of reaching Houtian Peak, but the Xiantian realm remains distant and uncertain."

"Let us see how the Xu Family responds."

Chang Haowen paid it no mind, continuing to drink as he watched the show.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "Shitou, you go. Do not tarnish the Xu Family's name."

"Yes, Father."

Xu Mingwei had practiced Martial Arts since the age of six, never stopping day or night, never once showing off.

From what Xu Chuan had said today, he understood that there was no longer any need to lie low.

He, too, was stirred with excitement. With a Dragon Walk Tiger Step, he entered the arena, his gaze blazing as he stared straight at Xu Gan.

The bearing he inadvertently revealed made even Yang Zhao turn his head. He could not help but sigh. "I thought your third son was already outstanding among his peers, but upon seeing Dalang's bearing, I finally understand what it means to be a dragon among men!"

Bai Jing was delighted to hear this. "Brother Yang, you flatter him. Shitou has never properly practiced martial arts. He merely trained casually with his father in their spare time."

"Young sister-in-law is truly too modest," Yang Zhao replied with a smile.

Xu Mingwei looked at Xu Gan, turned his right palm upward in a gesture of inviting an opponent, and said Loudly, "Brother Xu, please!"

Xu Gan said nothing further. His figure flashed like a ghostly Mei, darting left and right as layer upon layer of Afterimages appeared, too swift for the eye to follow.

In the blink of an eye, he shot forward like an arrow loosed from the bow, closing in on Xu Mingwei.

Seeing that Xu Mingwei did not move, he gave a cold laugh, raised his hand into a fist, and viciously smashed it toward his face.

Xu Mingwei's left hand flickered.

With a bang, Xu Gan's fist was effortlessly blocked by Xu Mingwei's palm.

Then, like a Flood Dragon's claw, his hand turned and clamped tightly around Xu Gan's wrist.

One step back, one pull.

Unable to resist, Xu Gan was forced straight into a full split.

He felt a wrenching pull between his legs.

His balls hurt!

He could not help sucking in a cold breath.

Seeing this, everyone understood what had happened and could not suppress their laughter.

Xu Mingwei had not expected this either. He lifted Xu Gan with one arm, intending to fling him away.

Xu Gan took the chance to kick at his chest.

But Xu Mingwei blocked it with his other hand, then flung him directly away with an irresistible force.

"Brother Xu, you are no match for me. You should send someone else."

Chang Haowen's pupils contracted slightly. "I never expected Xu Mingwei to possess such strength. I truly failed to see it the last time we met."

"At fifteen, he rivals a First-class Martial Artist. If he can reach Houtian Peak before twenty—or go even further and break through to Xiantian—then he has the Potential of a Grandmaster.

"A Grandmaster can live to one hundred and twenty, enough to establish a Family in the Prefecture City."

"That blockhead is actually that amazing!" Xiao Mei cried out, gazing at Xu Mingwei outside the window with sparkling eyes.

"What, has your heart moved?"

"No. I am merely curious that such an extraordinary person could emerge from a rural household. Even in the Prefecture City, such people are rarely seen, aren't they?"

"Do not underestimate these Common Folk at the bottom. Who knows how many Families climbed up step by step in this very way?"

"Understood, Young Master."

Xu Mingwei's effortless handling of the Black Wind Martial Arts Hall's genius left everyone amazed.

Yet he cupped his hands toward Xu Zhen. "I have long heard of Second Master Xu's great reputation. Today, this junior wishes to seek instruction from Second Master. Would that be possible?"