Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School Seeking Additions

Half a month later.

West of the East Market in Qingjiang County Town.

A grand courtyard rose up in March, complete with pavilions, towers, rockeries, and clear ponds.

There was also a large open space paved with bluestone.

In the southwest corner of the open space stood wooden dummy training posts of varying heights. The southeast corner was filled with all sorts of traditional weapons—spears, sabers, swords, halberds—each polished to a gleam, reflecting a cold light.

At the entrance, a pair of majestic stone lions stood proudly.

Not far away, a tall willow tree drooped its thousand strands, dipping into a green pond.

A plaque bore the four golden characters: Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School.

At this time.

Red firecracker flowers littered the ground, red silk hung from the plaque, and the main entrance was crowded with people, including wealthy merchants in fine clothing and ordinary Common Folk in simple attire.

"Esteemed guests, today my Xu Family opens the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School. We hope you will all support us!"

Xu Mingwei, the next head of the Xu Family and a promising Grandmaster, possessed unparalleled talent. His words carried the weight of the Xu Family and were highly significant.

"Please, come inside."

"The Wang Family presents three top-grade swords to celebrate the grand opening of the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School!"

"The Cao Family presents a pair of dragon-patterned jade pendants to celebrate the grand opening of the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School!"

"The Wu Family presents three top-grade sabers..."

When a martial arts school opened, guests naturally brought gifts.

However, not all guests were friendly, and not all gifts were sincere.

The various noble families were well aware that the Xu Family intended to encroach upon the territory of Qingjiang County's martial arts schools. Most of them had come merely to watch the spectacle.

After all, the three major martial arts schools were backed by the Wu, Fang, and Wang families.

These three families were arguably the strongest noble families in Qingjiang County, with nearly two hundred years of history and profound foundations.

Even the current Xu Family was far inferior to them.

With Yang Zhao transferred to the Prefecture City, their apprehension towards the Xu Family lessened. After all, a powerful dragon couldn't suppress a local snake.

Moreover, the Xu Family was now threatening their interests.

Trouble and suppression were inevitable.

Representing the Xu Family today were the three brothers: Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and Xu Mingxuan.

They led the guests on a tour, followed by introductions to the hired instructors and the Hall Master, Gu Yiping.

However, these noble families paid no mind to Gu Yiping, viewing him as merely a puppet for the Xu Family, with the real authority resting with the Xu Family.

"Young Master Xu, we have toured the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School. It is indeed built impressively, but the true core of a martial arts school lies in its instructors and Hall Master."

"Without good teachers, even coming to the school to learn would be a waste of time. What do you think?"

A burly middle-aged man, clad in a black gauze cloak embroidered with golden dragon patterns on the collar, suddenly stepped forward. He looked at Xu Mingwei, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"Black Wind Hall Master, your insight is truly remarkable and refreshing. Then, what do you consider a good teacher?"

"A martial arts school is primarily about martial arts. For martial artists, the strong are respected."

"I understand. Then, Black Wind Hall Master, who do you intend to send from your school?"

"There's no need to waste time. I will personally test them."

"Then please, everyone, let us move to the training grounds."

A group of people majestically proceeded to the training grounds. The Black Wind Hall Master walked to the center of the open space and scanned the individuals beside Xu Mingwei.

"Young Master Xu, who do you intend to send out? Rest assured, I, Wang, will not bully the young."

"I have admired the Hall Master for a long time and wish to seek some guidance."

Xu Mingwei smiled and walked to face the Black Wind Hall Master.

The Black Wind Hall Master's eyes lit up. The thought of severely injuring Xu Mingwei and crippling his martial arts path flashed through his mind.

Xu Mingwei posed too great a threat.

If he could be stifled now, it would at least delay the Xu Family's development by over twenty years.

"Make your move, Young Master Xu. Let this Hall Master see your current strength."

The Black Wind Hall Master was exceptionally confident. He had been an Innate Martial Artist for many years. Although still in the early stages, his foundation was very solid.

Suppressing seven or eight Houtian Peak martial artists was effortless for him.

Xu Mingwei wasted no words. With a burst of speed, he launched a surprise attack, closing in on the Black Wind Hall Master. His palms moved like a serpent's, winding and twisting, leaving afterimages in the air.

The palm wind whistled, and with a series of unpredictable changes, it struck towards his chest.

The Black Wind Hall Master's pupils contracted sharply. He stomped his foot and retreated rapidly, but Xu Mingwei's speed was on par with his. The palm strike was like a green snake, refusing to let go.

He leaped into the air, somersaulted, and landed behind Xu Mingyuan.

Xu Mingwei changed his palm strike into a fist, shifting from gentle to powerful and domineant force, with the momentum of overturning mountains and seas. His fist wind pressured, aggressive and imposing.

The Black Wind Hall Master had already retreated once. If he retreated again, people would think he was afraid of Xu Mingwei.

And who was he?

One of the few Innate Martial Artists in Qingjiang County.

He also held a very high seniority in the Wang Family, being the uncle of the Wang Family head.

If he retreated, it would be the Wang Family retreating before the Xu Family.

"Black Wind Palm!"

The Black Wind Hall Master held nothing back. A black stream of qi condensed into a black palm print, directly meeting Xu Mingwei's fist.

"Innate True Qi?"

"Black Wind Hall Master, I happened to achieve that not long ago as well!"

Innate True Qi erupted, the fist wind turning golden. In an instant, it condensed into a golden fist, shining brilliantly, pushing the domineering and powerful force to its extreme.

Peng~

One fist and one palm collided in mid-air.

Black and gold occupied half of the space each.

After a few breaths.

With a boom, both men retreated several steps, appearing evenly matched.

"This eldest son of the Xu Family actually broke through to Innate?!"

"He's not even twenty yet, right?"

"In three months, after the Yearly Sacrifice, he'll be twenty."

"As expected of a future Grandmaster. He can already contend with an established Innate Martial Artist like the Black Wind Hall Master right after reaching Innate."

The surrounding aristocratic families marveled. Some families who had intended to watch the fun had their minds stirred by Xu Mingwei's breakthrough.

At this rate of breakthrough.

Give Xu Mingwei another decade or so, and wouldn't he have the potential to become a Grandmaster Martial Artist?

With such martial power deterrence, no aristocratic family in Qingjiang County would dare provoke him. Even the government would be wary.

After all, the strongest martial force in the county only reached the peak of Innate.

"The Black Wind Hall Master is indeed still vigorous! Let's go again!"

Xu Mingwei shouted, charging towards the Black Wind Hall Master once more.

The Black Wind Hall Master's face turned ashen, as if insulted. He began attacking Xu Mingwei's vital points with every move.

Bang bang bang~

One attacking, one defending, roles constantly shifting.

During this process, the Black Wind Hall Master noticed Xu Mingwei's strength growing fiercer, seemingly without limit.

However, the Innate True Qi of an Innate Martial Artist was finite.

If he attacked so fiercely with every move, his Innate True Qi would likely be depleted after dozens of exchanges.

In just a moment.

The Black Wind Hall Master began to be suppressed by Xu Mingwei.

His hands, in the constant exchanges, were so numbed that his tiger's mouth ached, almost losing the strength to even grip his weapon.

He was merely holding on now.

But if this continued, his hands might suffer bone damage, or even be directly crippled.

"Truly terrifying bones and sinews, worthy of being a martial arts prodigy!"

The Black Wind Hall Master, over sixty years old, had bones starting to become brittle.

Naturally, he couldn't compare to younger Martial Artists of the same realm.

Let alone Xu Mingwei, an Innate Martial Artist who had the blessing of Destiny Talent.

Just as he was unsure whether to push on or concede, Xu Mingwei suddenly stopped his attack. "You are indeed an elder, your experience is not something a junior like me can compare to. Shall we end today's spar here, how about it?"

The Black Wind Hall Master was surprised. Since the other party offered a way down, he felt relieved.

But then he suddenly remembered that the other party was not yet twenty and had only recently reached Innate.

He, on the other hand, had been immersed in the Innate realm for over a decade. Although he hadn't broken through to the middle Innate stage, his foundation was stable.

It was indeed true that a strong young man could defeat an experienced master with a wild flurry of punches!

The Black Wind Hall Master sighed softly, "Eldest Young Master Xu's talent is peerless. It probably won't be long before you surpass this old man."

"I'm getting old."

The Black Wind Hall Master sighed and withdrew from the arena, moving to the side of the Wang Family members.

"Are there any other seniors who wish to offer some pointers?"

Xu Mingwei's eyes suddenly turned sharp, his gaze sweeping around like a blade. Ordinary people dared not meet his eyes.

His expression was calm and composed, already possessing a bit of Grandmaster bearing.