The First Martial Disciple

Feng Jun barely managed to climb to his feet, swaying as he tried to say something, but the moment he opened his mouth, he spat out a large mouthful of blood with a "wah," and with a "bang," he fell straight back to the ground.

"Jun'er! Quick, quickly take him to the back courtyard quiet room."

A figure flickered and appeared before Feng Jun, hastily stuffing a pill into his mouth before barking orders in a flustered tone.

It was Feng Lengchan.

Only then did the other Tianlu Martial Hall disciples snap out of it, hurriedly stepping forward to help Feng Jun up.

But the rest remained in shock.

Compared to the Wind-Galloping Blade Technique's seven slashes in one breath, the impact of Shi Mu's Crushing Stone Fist reaching Great Completion was almost several times stronger!

After all, the Wind-Galloping Blade Technique's seven slashes in one breath was merely between Minor Completion and Great Completion. Under normal circumstances, learning a Martial Disciple-level technique to the point of being able to use it only took two to three months. But reaching the proficient stage of Minor Completion required at least one to two years. As for reaching the masterful Great Completion stage, it took three to four times longer; for some particularly difficult Martial Disciple-level techniques, spending over ten years to achieve Great Completion was not unusual at all.

As for reaching the final Perfection stage of a Martial Disciple-level technique, those with poor talent might train their entire lives and still never see hope.

As for Houtian-level techniques, their difficulty far exceeded that of Martial Disciple-level ones, requiring even more time. This often resulted in a large number of Houtian Martial Artists who possessed true qi but could only use Houtian techniques at the Minor Completion stage in combat.

Li Canghai had completely given up on cultivating Houtian techniques, focusing solely on the Martial Disciple-level Wind-Galloping Blade Technique and Crushing Stone Fist for over a decade, only managing to bring both techniques to Great Completion. Yet even so, it was enough to rank him among the top instructors of the four major martial halls.

Now, Shi Mu, without even having true qi, had already cultivated the Crushing Stone Fist to Great Completion—how could this not leave everyone stunned?

Didn't this mean Shi Mu was a true genius of cultivation, one seen only once in a century?

Li Canghai's face shifted through several expressions before he suddenly cleared his throat and spoke.

"Ahem, I think there's some misunderstanding here. Actually, this child Shi Mu's Crushing Stone Fist hasn't reached Great Completion; it's just that his natural divine strength allows him to produce power similar to the Great Completion stage of the Crushing Stone Fist."

"That's right, if the Crushing Stone Fist had reached Great Completion, his hands should be exceptionally white and translucent, and every punch hitting a solid object would carry a faint metallic clang." The red-faced man suddenly realized upon hearing this.

"I thought so. If there really was a freak who could cultivate the Crushing Stone Fist to Great Completion at just over ten years old, how could he have remained unknown? He would have been famous throughout Quanzhou long ago."

"But even so, this kid's divine strength can't be underestimated. As long as he continues cultivating the Crushing Stone Fist, he can easily crush fellow Martial Disciples of the same rank. And at his age, if he can grasp the sense of qi, entering the Kaiyuan Martial Academy would be a simple matter, and he might even become a strong Houtian Martial Artist."

Li Canghai and the red-faced man's words made the other martial hall instructors suddenly understand, and they began discussing among themselves. Many still looked at Shi Mu with covetous eyes.

"Shi Mu wins again. Is there anyone else willing to challenge? If not, Flowing Wind Martial Hall takes first place in this competition." The official referee stepped onto the arena again and announced loudly, though his gaze toward Shi Mu grew even more amiable.

As these words were spoken, silence fell below the arena.

From the direction of Feihong Martial Hall, a fierce glint flashed in Tie Dong's eyes. He was about to push through the crowd forward, but with a "slap," the long-bearded elder pressed down on his shoulder with one hand, making his body as heavy as Mount Tai, unable to move half a step. At the same time, the elder's voice, barely audible, reached his ears.

"Even if you go up, you might not be able to withstand his fist, which rivals Great Completion. Besides, just for a single competition, offending someone with boundless potential is not in this hall's interest."

Upon hearing this, the dark, thin youth's face was full of unwillingness.

Half a day later, news spread throughout Feng City that Flowing Wind Martial Hall had won first place in the competition and that the title of Feng City's top Martial Disciple had changed hands.

The major families of Feng City and some small and medium forces all obtained the detailed records of the competition and information about Shi Mu.

"Shi Mu became the top Martial Disciple?"

In the courtyard where Aunt Zhen lived in the city, Shi Yuhuan stared wide-eyed at the note in her hand, her face full of disbelief.

Beside her, Aunt Zhen wore a thoughtful expression.

The Jin Estate.

A middle-aged man, his face grim, spoke to a horse-faced youth who resembled him:

"Tian'er, I know you're planning to gather a few cousins to go find trouble with Shi Mu. Stop it right now. This is an order from your grandfather himself; you must obey whether you like it or not! After all, the title of Feng City's top Martial Disciple carries some weight."

The youth named Jin Tian, despite his face full of resentment, could only nod in agreement.

At the Wu Family, the three Wu brothers gathered together again, once more discussing Shi Mu.

In the Feng City Magistrate's Mansion, the military officer who had served as the competition referee respectfully reported something to an old man in brocade robes.

Inside a secret chamber of the Jingang Martial Hall.

"Tianhao, tell me the truth. Have you already awakened your bloodline power?" Uncle Xu asked Wang Tianhao nervously, pressing for an answer.

"Uncle Xu, you've asked me this many times. I'll answer once more: I don't know if I've awakened my bloodline power. That day, while practicing the Fang Fire Spear Technique, I suddenly felt hot all over, and the fang fire flame naturally burst forth." Wang Tianhao, looking down at a blue-covered spear manual, rolled his eyes in reply.

"Ha, ha, then that's it. Your father originally sent you to me to learn the Fang Fire Spear Technique precisely because this spear art has a stimulating effect on your Wang family's Violent Flame Bloodline, accelerating its manifestation to some extent." Uncle Xu said joyfully.

"So that means it's not because I, the young master Wang, am exceptionally talented, able to unleash Houtian-level techniques at the Martial Disciple stage, but because of our ancestors' bloodline power at work." Hearing Uncle Xu's explanation, Wang Tianhao felt somewhat frustrated.

"Silly boy. The fact that you can awaken your bloodline power already proves your talent is extraordinary. Remember, although the Wang family is a famous bloodline clan, out of hundreds of members, only three or four have managed to awaken your ancestor's bloodline. You are the first of your generation. Isn't that enough to say it all? Starting tomorrow, I will personally teach you the second half of the Fang Fire Spear Technique, so you can dominate all the Martial Disciples of the prefecture in the Kaiyuan Martial Academy competition." Uncle Xu said with a smile.

"Uncle Xu, do you think if I learn the second half of the spear technique, I can defeat that guy Shi Mu?" Wang Tianhao looked skeptical.

"Haha, unless that kid is also a bloodline martial artist, there's absolutely no problem." Uncle Xu laughed in reply.

"With his divine strength, how do you know he really isn't a bloodline martial artist?" Wang Tianhao blinked and suddenly asked.

"This..." Uncle Xu's laughter abruptly stopped, and he couldn't help but feel a bit suspicious.

"Heh heh, I'm also very interested in that question."

Just then, a third person's voice suddenly appeared in the secret chamber.

(When I flew to Xuzhou Airport today, it was already pitch dark. After another hour-plus car ride home, it was eight or nine o'clock. But Wang Yu has finally returned home and can get a solid night's sleep. Tomorrow, updates should be back to normal.)