Anyang Martial Arts Tournament

"Anyang Martial Arts Tournament? This is my first time hearing of it."

Chen Mo asked, "What are the rewards for this tournament?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt he had asked a foolish question.

For any tournament of this nature, the most important reward was the accumulation of fame and the expansion of one's network.

This was far more valuable than any material prize.

Ji Chang also shook his head, "I haven't heard of any specific rewards. County Magistrate Lin sent the letter personally, and Master didn't keep the contents hidden, instead announcing them to us disciples. But when it comes to County Magistrate Lin's face, who would dare to refuse?"

This was the truth; no one in the county dared to utter a single word of dissent against the County Magistrate.

To say nothing else, his strength at the late stage of Hua Jin was a notch above even the head of the Xie Family, making him the undisputed number one person in Anyang County!

As the two discussed, Yin Tianqing walked slowly out from the inner chamber and stopped in front of Chen Mo.

"Master."

Chen Mo bowed.

Yin Tianqing nodded slightly. He sensed that Chen Mo's aura had improved even further compared to twenty-some days ago, and he couldn't help but beam with joy.

"Haha, not bad, not bad. Your realm has advanced again; in a few more days, you should break through to the middle stage of Dark Jin."

Hearing this, the several senior brothers and sisters practicing nearby suddenly turned their heads, staring at Chen Mo as if he were a ghost.

They struggled to make even an inch of progress after months of training, so how could Chen Mo improve so rapidly?

Could it be that he possessed a natural aptitude that ordinary people could never hope to reach?

Yin Tianqing said, "Ji Chang has already told you; the Anyang Martial Arts Tournament is in three days, and I have decided to have you represent our martial arts hall."

Chen Mo nodded calmly.

He calculated internally.

Below the level of Hua Jin, as long as he didn't encounter Xie Jinyou, he now had the strength to fight anyone.

Taking this opportunity to hone his comprehension and temper his martial arts was a rare chance.

If he could further his relationship with the Xie Family, it would pave the way for his future, as the resources of the Xie Family were second to none in all of Anyang County.

"Then this disciple will go practice."

Chen Mo was about to step away when Yin Tianqing reached out to stop him, "How about you and I, master and disciple, have a real spar?"

Hearing this, Chen Mo's heart stirred.

Yin Tianqing's strength was extremely close to that of Xie Jinyou, and in terms of combat experience, he was even slightly superior.

"This disciple wouldn't dare."

But as a disciple, even if he wanted to, he couldn't say it out loud.

"It's fine." Yin Tianqing patted Chen Mo on the shoulder, "I haven't taught you much, so consider this my compensation. Furthermore, there will be many formidable opponents at this tournament, and you need to adapt in advance."

"Very well."

Chen Mo stopped being coy and immediately set his stance, the energy of his Dragon-Capturing Jin vibrating outward.

Yin Tianqing utilized the Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique and Fuhu Fist, revealing his full strength at the peak of Dark Jin.

The surrounding disciples watched with wide, unblinking eyes.

Third round.

Yin Tianqing's eyes were sharp as a hawk's as he barked, "The opening of the Sand-Raising Style of Fuhu Fist must be fierce, like a hawk soaring through the sky; the closing must be slow, like a fish swimming in shallow water."

Chen Mo was slightly startled, then immediately executed a Sand-Raising Style according to these instructions.

The two fists collided in mid-air, and the force of their energy suddenly surged outward.

Seventh round.

Yin Tianqing's figure suddenly leaped like a tiger, throwing a fierce punch, "The seventh form of Fuhu Fist, Tiger Roar Jin: gather the power at the waist, burst it at the fist, and retract it at the shoulder."

Bang! Bang!

Chen Mo was sent flying half a zhang away by this punch, the energy within his body vibrating incessantly.

Seventeenth round.

The footwork of the Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique under Yin Tianqing's feet changed in an instant, using a counter-movement to catch Chen Mo off guard, causing the latter to stumble a few steps and sit down on the ground.

The outcome was decided.

"Hoo—"

"Hoo—"

Both of them were panting heavily.

Then they looked at each other and smiled, their hearty laughter echoing into every corner of the inner hall.

"It has been a long time since I had such a satisfying, fierce battle!"

Yin Tianqing sighed.

Chen Mo also offered sincere praise, "Master's fist techniques are ever-changing and the moves are fierce; this disciple is thoroughly convinced of his defeat."

He spoke the truth; in every round just now, he had used his full strength, yet his master had responded with ease, providing pointers with every single move.

Some of those pointers were things he had never realized during his Mountain and Water Cultivation.

After this battle, he felt faintly that he had almost broken through the threshold of the mid-stage of Dark Jin.

"Reflect on those few moves just now when you return, and digest them well; this is the only thing I can teach you."

Yin Tianqing said with a solemn expression.

Chen Mo bowed deeply and replied, "This disciple will remember it."

After Yin Tianqing left, Chen Mo immersed himself in his training, practicing everything his master had just taught him one by one.

With his understanding of the Fuhu Fist, he could easily grasp the essence of each move after practicing it ten times, reach proficiency after thirty times, and achieve mastery after eighty times.

The sky gradually darkened.

Chen Mo returned to the smithy to stoke the fire and forge, finishing the weapons required by customers that had piled up throughout the day.

Once done, he applied the bits of insight he had gained to his stance training, fist techniques, and Tiemang Technique, repeating the cycle over and over again.

Bang!

A sound like Refined Iron rang out.

A silver luster emerged on his arms, resembling cold iron, and their sturdiness had improved significantly.

At this moment, even if a sharp blade were to scrape against his arms several times, it would only leave shallow marks.

"What a truly excellent martial art; why didn't I encounter it sooner?"

As he lamented their late meeting, the night reached its peak.

Chen Mo fell asleep clutching the newly forged weapons.

The sky began to brighten.

Chen Mo woke up, stretched his arms, and felt a surging force of Jin flowing through his meridians, occasionally emitting muffled sounds.

"Broken through to the mid-stage of Dark Jin..."

He said to himself with delight.

The sparring session with his master yesterday had provided more benefits than half a month of regular training.

He knew deep down that his master was passing on everything he had learned in his life.

This was the only time.

If he wanted such an opportunity again, unless Yin Tianqing broke through to Hua Jin, there would be no difference in rank between him and Chen Mo.

Hua Jin...

In this small county, Hua Jin was a realm unreachable for ordinary martial artists.

In the last ten years in Anyang County, there had been no battles between those at the Hua Jin level.

"Three more days..."

Chen Mo muttered, then gathered his focus, preparing to dive into his martial arts training.

At this moment.

The door of the smithy creaked, and a figure in a moon-colored dress pushed it open and entered.

Wu Zhiai lifted her skirt and stepped into the room. Seeing that Chen Mo was indeed there, she said, "In two days at the Zuichun Pavilion, County Magistrate Lin is inviting the major families and factions for a sparring competition. You are already aware of this, right?"

Chen Mo nodded, "The Anyang Martial Arts Tournament; I heard my master mention it. I will go when the time comes."

"I am going too."

Wu Zhiai raised her eyebrows slightly, "Although the Wu Family has no martial artists qualified to participate, it would be good for me to go and support you. I am acquainted with some of the factions, so if you need someone to speak on your behalf, I can offer a little help."

Hearing this, Chen Mo paused slightly, "I am afraid the Zhao Family might act against you, and I worry I won't be able to spare the effort to protect you then."

Wu Zhiai's eyes shifted, "I am actually worried about you... I have a bad premonition that this Anyang Martial Arts Tournament might not be as simple as it seems. Having one more person means one more layer of support."

"Very well."

Chen Mo nodded, lost in thought.