The End

Another draw.

The bamboo slip felt cool in his hand. Cui Hao looked at the number on it, already formulating a plan.

This match, I can't keep winning.

If he continued to win, the next round would very likely pit him against elite disciples from the powerful aristocratic families in the city. They not only had solid cultivation but also brought family-inherited secret techniques and elixirs, making them incredibly difficult to deal with.

Especially that young master from the Shao family, rumored to possess innate divine strength, capable of drawing a four-stone bow three times in a row. His temper was as fiery as his strength, and he had already crippled several people on the stage.

But... I can't lose either. Faking it or cheating has severe penalties. I need to find a balanced solution.

"Yan family, Yan Fang!"

A clear voice rang out. The woman opposite bowed, dressed in a gray training uniform. Her skin was the tanned hue common among martial artists, and her features were bright.

Especially her eyes, clear and luminous, carrying a focused sharpness.

"Zhanhong Martial Arts Academy, Cui Hao." Cui Hao returned the bow, calmly assessing her. Her footwork was light, her stance incredibly stable, clearly indicating she practiced agility and speed.

"Please!"

Yan Fang initiated the attack. She didn't go for a direct assault. Her right arm whipped out like a lash, feinting towards his face. Her footwork, however, was as nimble as treading on water, and in an instant, she had cut into Cui Hao's flank. Her left hand formed a crane's beak with her fingers, swiftly jabbing at an opening near his ribs—this was the Flying Crane Martial Arts Academy's signature move, "Crane's Claw"!

Cui Hao dodged by turning his body. He retracted and released his right arm, his fist striking towards her waist with fierce power. Yan Fang's waist was exceptionally supple, bending backward like a willow in the wind, narrowly avoiding the fist. Her toes tapped the ground, widening the distance once more.

After a few probing exchanges, Cui Hao had made up his mind. This opponent's footwork is agile and she excels at finding openings. Perfect...

His expression remained unchanged. His punches were still powerful, full of force, but in the subtle transitions between moves, he deliberately introduced a slight, almost imperceptible hesitation after fully extending his power to the tip of his limb.

Sharp-eyed spectators below the stage had already begun to whisper, "Cui Hao's punches have power, but lack variation. He's relying too much on brute strength."

"He's young. Relying solely on brute force will put him at a disadvantage against someone with good footwork."

Yan Fang, unable to land a decisive blow, grew increasingly anxious. Her gaze was locked onto Cui Hao's movements. She noticed that after he threw a powerful punch, his shoulder and arm seemed to momentarily stiffen as he retracted, revealing a slight opening in his center defense!

"Opportunity!"

Her heart leaped. She quickened her footwork, her figure like a wisp of gray smoke, cutting in again. Her palms became a blur of motion, a mix of real and feigned attacks, aimed directly at the opening in Cui Hao's center.

Just as her palm strike was about to land, Cui Hao's foot suddenly slipped—he had stepped on a small, still-wet patch of water from a previous match!

His body lost balance, tilting backward sharply, his arms instinctively flailing outwards!

His center was wide open!

Yan Fang didn't suspect a thing, her body lunging forward like a shadow. Her right palm, imbued with the unique penetrating force of the Crane's Palm, struck towards Cui Hao's vulnerable spot!

Cui Hao seemed to only just realize, crossing his arms defensively in a hasty block.

"Bang!"

Palm met arm with a dull thud. However, Cui Hao did not retreat as expected. Instead, he used the force to spin, his left hand shooting out like lightning, aiming for Yan Fang's right shoulder!

Yan Fang's heart leaped in surprise. Reacting swiftly, she sliced her left palm towards Cui Hao's wrist while her right leg silently swept towards his lower body!

Cui Hao seemed to have anticipated this. The arm he used to block naturally lowered, intercepting the sweeping kick. His other hand changed from a grab to a push, sending out a soft, yielding force.

Their energies met in this push and pull, subtly canceling each other out. Neither could completely overpower the other.

In a flash, Yan Fang noticed Cui Hao's fingertips press lightly on her wrist pulse—not an attack, but more like a silent signal.

Her mind raced. Instead of retracting her force, she tightened it, letting out a low cry as she threw her entire body into Cui Hao's embrace!

Cui Hao simultaneously pushed forward!

"Crash!"

Their shoulders collided, energy erupting outwards. Both lost their balance and tumbled backward together!

"Whoosh—"

Amidst the gasps from the crowd below, the two figures fell off the stage almost simultaneously, landing heavily on the ground!

Dust kicked up.

The minor official blinked in surprise, then rushed forward to check. Cui Hao and Yan Fang had both flipped to their feet and retreated a couple of steps. Though their clothes were dusty and they looked a bit disheveled, they were clearly not seriously injured.

The two exchanged a look.

Yan Fang pursed her lips and was the first to bow, her voice clear, "Brother Cui's skill is formidable. Yan Fang is impressed. Since we both fell off the stage simultaneously, it should be a draw."

"Miss Yan's footwork is exquisite; I have benefited greatly," Cui Hao also bowed in return. "Since we landed at the same time, it is indeed a draw."

The minor official looked at the two, then at the stage, scratching his head. Finally, he announced loudly, "Cui Hao, Yan Fang, falling off the stage simultaneously, the match is declared a draw! Both are eliminated!"

A moment of silence fell over the crowd, followed by murmurs.

"What a shame, both of them had good skills..."

"Falling off at the same time is rare. It's fair, I suppose."

"So both of them are stopped at this round."

The team leader of the Flying Crane Martial Arts Academy breathed a sigh of relief and nodded slightly.

On the Hongzhan Martial School side, a few junior disciples looked regretful but felt the outcome wasn't too bad.

Yan Fang vaguely sensed something was off and couldn't help but glance at Cui Hao again.

That touch on her wrist just now, that tacit, coordinated collision... was it really just a coincidence?

Cui Hao's expression was calm. Meeting her gaze, he nodded gently before turning and melting back into the crowd.

Some things are best left unspoken, understood between those involved.

The sun dipped westward, and the second round of preliminary exams finally concluded.

Candidates dispersed from the plaza in front of the City God Temple like a receding tide.

Sun Cheng, Liu Yan, Cui Hao, and others walked with the flow of people towards the martial arts school.

As they stepped onto the street leading to Hongzhan Martial School, they sensed an unusual atmosphere.

Normally, at this hour, the courtyard would be filled with the sounds of training and shouts. Now, it was deathly silent.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, a heavy sense of oppression washed over them.

In the center of the courtyard, Xu Dian stood with his back to the entrance, hands clasped behind him, his figure casting a long shadow in the setting sun.

Xiao Li knelt before him, his head bowed low.

Gao Feng and other core disciples stood to the sides, hands at their sides, their faces solemn, not daring to breathe loudly.

The air was thick with the mingled scent of Wound Healing Medicine and blood, and a tension that felt like the calm before a storm.

All eyes, involuntarily, turned towards the master and disciple in the middle of the courtyard.

Xu Dian slowly turned around. His face was expressionless, but his gaze was terrifyingly calm. He first swept over Sun Cheng, Cui Hao, and the others who had just entered, before finally settling on the kneeling Xiao Li.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but each word landed clearly in everyone's heart, "Speak."

"On the stage today, you broke a man's arms and crippled his martial foundation."

"Was that your own idea..."

Xu Dian's gaze suddenly sharpened, as if trying to pierce Xiao Li's soul:

"...or did someone teach you to do this?"

"No one taught me," Xiao Li said, his voice hoarse as he knelt on the ground. "I just got really angry and... lost control for a moment."

"Master, Junior Brother Xiao didn't mean to," Tu Yan interjected softly, trying to mediate. "In spar matches, fists and feet have no eyes; it's inevitable to slip up sometimes..."

"Master, Junior Brother Xiao already knows he was wrong," Gao Feng added. "There won't be a next time."

Xu Dian remained silent for a long time, his gaze lingering on Xiao Li's face.

After a while, he finally said, "You are confined to quarters for ten days. You are not to leave the martial arts school by half a step. During this time, you will go to the quiet room in the back courtyard every morning and evening to reflect on your mistakes."

Xiao Li bowed his head even lower. "This disciple obeys."

Cui Hao stood by the door, watching the scene. He felt that Xiao Li wasn't as docile as he appeared on the surface, and gave him a dangerous impression.