Conflict

The sky was like lead, pressing down heavily, shrouding the Zhanhong Martial Arts Academy in a breathless, windless silence.

The air still seemed to carry the lingering scent of gunpowder, and a deeper fear of unknown disaster.

Disciples, seated or standing, were scattered across the courtyard, no one speaking loudly.

Even the occasional whispers were quickly swallowed by silence, everyone's faces still bearing the shock and bewilderment brought back from the docks.

Xu Ren and Liu Yan stood under the eaves, exchanging fragmented pieces of news, their brows tightly furrowed.

Xiao Li stood alone, his back to the crowd, by the row of cold stone locks.

Xu Dian stood by the moon gate leading to the backyard, his figure almost blending into the shadow of the archway.

His hands were clasped behind his back, knuckles white with tension, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

"Father," Xu Liqing's voice pulled Xu Dian from his chaotic thoughts. "Besides the two junior brothers who are out on escort duty and haven't returned, everyone else is here."

Xu Dian slowly exhaled, as if to expel the pent-up pressure and chill from his chest.

He nodded and walked to the bluestone ground in the center of the front courtyard.

Without a word, the disciples gathered quickly as if pulled by invisible strings, forming ranks.

Xu Dian's gaze slowly swept over each young and mature face, pausing on Xiao Li's straight back, then sweeping over the front row disciples like Gao Feng, Halan Sheng, and Sun Cheng of the Clear Force.

Finally, whether intentionally or not, his deep gaze lingered for a moment on Cui Hao, who stood in the last row, his head slightly bowed.

"What happened today, you all saw with your own eyes and heard with your own ears," Xu Dian began. His voice wasn't loud, but it was like cold iron striking bluestone, each word clear, carrying the pressure of an approaching storm. "Commander Pang, in plain sight of everyone, was blown to death."

Despite being mentally prepared, a collective gasp of cold air couldn't be suppressed when the words were confirmed by their master.

The faces of several younger disciples turned instantly pale.

"What kind of person was Lord Pang? Even if you haven't met him, you should have heard of him," Xu Dian continued, his pace steady but carrying astonishing power. "He was the pillar of our Qingyuan City."

"Whoever planned and successfully executed such an assassination is no ordinary person, nor was it a momentary impulse. Behind this matter, the water is as deep as the sea, and danger lurks everywhere."

Suddenly, Xu Dian's gaze sharpened like a knife, locking onto the core disciples in the front row again. His tone intensified, almost sternly, "From today onwards, you must all remember—keep your doors closed, restrain your words and actions! Do not listen, do not ask, do not discuss, do not spread! Even more so, do not get involved with unknown people or matters due to any temptation!"

"Report any unusual activity immediately! Right now, Qingyuan City is a bottomless abyss with one wrong step. Death and destruction of your families can happen in the blink of an eye! Do you understand?!"

"Yes! We will obey our master's command!" The disciples' hearts trembled, and they responded in unison, their voices carrying suppressed tremors.

"However, fortune and misfortune are intertwined; within danger, there is also opportunity," Xu Dian changed his tone, forcefully pulling everyone's attention back from the external crisis to themselves. "No matter how great the storm outside, the foundation of a martial artist's life ultimately lies in their own cultivation!"

"The 'preliminary examination' is approaching. This is your proper path to obtain cultivation resources and knock on the door of higher martial arts! It is also your confidence in protecting yourselves and even your families amidst the chaos!"

The words "preliminary examination" were like a shot of adrenaline, reigniting the light in many disciples' eyes. This was the only way to obtain resources from the government.

"Gao Feng," Xu Dian sounded somewhat weary. "You explain."

"Yes!" Gao Feng stepped forward, his expression solemn, and began to explain in detail the rules of the preliminary examination, which would be presided over by people from the prefectural office, the entry requirements, the combat formats, and the rewards.

Only those who had reached the Great Accomplishment of Mortal Martial were qualified to participate in the preliminary examination, but they might face opponents at the Perfection stage of Mortal Martial during the competition.

Clear Force disciples would compete within the same realm.

The rewards included not only money but also precious Qi and Blood Powder and Qi and Blood Pills.

Gao Feng's explanation was clear and organized, but it also made many disciples with insufficient cultivation feel a heavy pressure.

Xu Dian listened quietly from the side, his gaze sweeping over his disciples.

Xiao Li was naturally the one with the most expectations.

Several Clear Force disciples might also have a chance to fight.

As for the other Mortal Martial disciples... his gaze swept over Cui Hao again, his heart undisturbed. The path of martial arts was ultimately cruel; resources would only flow to the most talented geniuses and martial artists who had already proven their worth.

After Gao Feng finished speaking, Xu Dian surveyed the entire group one last time and said gravely, "Everything that needs to be said has been said. The situation is unpredictable, and the city may undergo drastic changes in the coming days."

"The martial arts hall is temporarily closed today. You will all return home and must not go out unless necessary. Cultivate diligently and prepare for the unexpected. Disperse."

"Yes!" Everyone acknowledged, and dispersed with complex emotions, heading towards the storage room to change clothes.

"Brother Hao," Lin Da comforted him. "Don't be discouraged. You're only one step away from Great Accomplishment. You'll definitely make it in time for the preliminary examination."

"I'm not discouraged," Cui Hao looked at Lin Da and smiled slightly. "I've already reached Great Accomplishment in Mortal Martial."

"Oh... what!?"

Sun Cheng, who was passing by, looked surprised. "Junior Brother Cui, you've reached Great Accomplishment in Mortal Martial?"

"By chance," Cui Hao cupped his fist. "I just reached it last night."

Hearing Cui Hao confirm it himself, everyone started discussing.

"He... wasn't it just a short while ago that he reached Minor Accomplishment?"

"This progress... is a bit too fast."

"..."

In the oppressive atmosphere of today, any good news that was personal and unrelated to the crisis seemed particularly abrupt and eye-catching.

Even Xu Dian, who had already walked to the corridor, stopped again and looked back.

He remembered Cui Hao: diligent, silent, from an ordinary family, with mediocre talent.

Hearing that he had quietly broken through to Great Accomplishment, he gave him an extra glance.

But it was only one glance. He nodded slightly, acknowledging it, then turned and left.

Xu Liqing's face bloomed into a sincere, gentle smile as she walked over. "Junior Brother Cui, congratulations. This is the result of your own hard training, and you have every reason to be happy."

As she spoke, she took out two packets of Qi and Blood Powder from her sleeve. "Take these. Consider it a congratulatory gift from your Senior Sister. I hope you reach Perfection soon and can also perform well in the preliminary examination."

Cui Hao quickly accepted them with both hands, thanking her solemnly, "Thank you, Senior Sister, for your generous gift!"

Zhou Hua, who was walking beside Xu Liqing, had a complex emotion flash in her eyes. She had joined the sect earlier and had access to better resources, yet she had been stuck at Mortal Martial Perfection for two years.

Seeing Cui Hao about to catch up, and receiving medicine personally from the Senior Sister, she found it hard to describe her feelings.

Liu Yan also came over with a cheerful smile to offer her congratulations.

Tu Yan merely glanced over from a distance, her expression indifferent, as if she had only noticed a trivial matter that had nothing to do with her. She then disappeared through the martial arts hall entrance with her maid, her steps unhurried.

To her, the breakthrough of a Mortal Martial disciple stirred not even the slightest ripple.

Xiao Li, who had changed into his casual clothes at some point, stood not far away.

Cui Hao's breakthrough caused a faint hint of surprise to flicker in his eyes, but it quickly subsided into calmness, even with a hint of disdain.

He was merely an ordinary disciple who had barely kept up with the pace; he was still not within his line of sight.

Cui Hao could feel those gazes – surprised, envious, curious, indifferent.

Without saying another word to anyone, he cupped his fists again towards Sun Cheng, Xu Liqing, and the others, then turned and quickly walked out of the martial arts hall.