Juniors' Challenge! In the Martial Practice Arena!

Finally, as everything calmed down, Su Hao panted heavily, his body slick with a layer of hot sweat, yet he could not hide the look of satisfaction on his face: "Crane Form Fist... it has finally reached the Force-entering stage!"

"Having mastered the Crane Form Fist, I have tempered my internal organs from the inside out and transformed my sinews and bones. My strength has increased by about twenty or thirty percent, and I have also mastered the brand-new 'Crane Cry Force'!"

Su Hao quietly sensed the changes within himself. A twenty to thirty percent increase in physical fitness was a massive leap. One must know that the closer a physique reaches its limit, the harder it is to gain even a little; a ten percent gap is actually already vast, so a twenty or thirty percent increase could be called a breakthrough.

Furthermore, there was the force generated after the Crane Form Fist reached perfection. This force was different from the "Tiger Gallant Force" of the Tiger Form Fist; it was lighter, swifter, and acted as a short-range explosive force capable of unleashing astonishing lethality within a tiny space!

Su Hao approached a large tree, his five fingertips hovering just an inch or two away from the trunk.

"Crack!"

Suddenly, a burst of explosive, highly penetrating force gathered at his fingertips, erupting within that tiny space to strike the trunk. The hard bark instantly split, wood chips flew, and Su Hao's fingers, like arrows, sank halfway into the wood.

It was hard to imagine what kind of terrifying damage such an attack would cause if it landed on a human body.

Su Hao's realm had long since been reached; what he had been doing was using the practice of boxing to transform his sinews and bones and clear his meridians, thereby allowing this body to "enter the Force."

"Next step, I shall delve into the Ape Form Fist."

Su Hao composed his mood. Of the Five Animals Fist, two styles were already perfected, leaving three more. What Su Hao needed to do was push them one by one to the realm of perfection!

Another half a month passed, and the end of the year was approaching.

That afternoon, Su Hao returned home after finishing his martial arts practice as usual, but his brows furrowed slightly as he saw a large crowd gathered outside his courtyard gate.

At the head of the group was a youth with a tiger's back and a bear's waist. His skin was dark and his features rugged; looking at his appearance, one would never believe he was only seventeen.

"Here again."

Seeing this person, Su Hao secretly frowned.

But when the sturdy youth saw Su Hao returning, his eyes lit up, and he immediately blocked his path, shouting loudly: "Su Hao, you've finally returned! Fight me!"

This sturdy youth was named Su Hu, a standout among the younger generation of Su Family Fort disciples. During this period, he had come to the door time and again, clamoring to spar with Su Hao.

However, everyone in their hearts knew that Su Hu's desire to spar was a lie; in reality, he had his eyes set on that Martial Academy spot.

Now that it was the end of the year, the day to report to the Martial Academy would come after the New Year. The only chance for Su Hu to get that spot was to defeat Su Hao before the year ended and then take the opportunity to incite others to pressure the family, arguing that the Martial Academy spot should naturally belong to the strong!

"Not interested."

Su Hao's expression was calm, and he refused without hesitation.

Having lived two lives, he naturally wouldn't agree to a duel just because of Su Hu's provocation. There was no benefit in winning, and besides, he had already given the Martial Academy spot to Su Yue; even if Su Hu defeated him, Su Hu would not get the spot.

Su Hu's gaze fell upon Su Xiaoqing, who was cowering in fear at the doorway. His heart softened, but he immediately remembered his own background. He also had a younger sister, but when she fell ill in her youth, they had no money for treatment, eventually leaving her with a lung condition. Even now, she coughed frequently, and no medicine could cure her. He did not want to experience that sense of helplessness again!

Only by entering the Martial Academy and making a name for himself could he change his fate!

"Are you afraid? If you're afraid of losing to me, it doesn't matter; I can let you use one hand!"

Su Hu immediately chuckled at Su Hao, making no effort to hide his provocation.

"Su Hao, just have a match with Su Hu and let everyone be convinced!"

The other Su family disciples stood around, enjoying the spectacle and hoping for chaos. Many were already jealous that Su Hao had obtained a spot, and some took the opportunity to fan the flames, but Su Hao remained unperturbed, ignoring their agitation.

"What are you all shouting about! If you keep making noise, all of you go to the Law Enforcement Hall for punishment!"

At this moment, a dignified voice rang out. A sturdy, imposing middle-aged man strode over—it was the clan elder, Su Lie!

"Clan Elder Su Lie!"

Everyone bowed respectfully in unison. Su Lie held a seat as a clan elder in the Su family and wielded great power.

Su Lie looked at Su Hu with a stern expression and said coldly: "Su Hu, you have already caused trouble several times. The family has already promised that if there is a Martial Academy spot next year, one will be given to you. You only need to wait another year, yet you still insist on causing trouble. If you dare to stir up trouble again, you will be punished according to family law!"

Su Lie stepped forward to speak, partly out of duty, and partly because the Martial Academy spot had actually been given to his son. Since this was ultimately a matter that could not be brought into the light, Su Lie naturally had to quell the disturbance.

Su Hu felt unwilling. He was already seventeen; in martial arts cultivation, the years before twenty were the golden age. Every year delayed was a waste of life. If he entered the Martial Academy next year, he would be eighteen, and standing out in the academy would undoubtedly be much harder.

Moreover, Martial Academy spots were precious, and whether Su Family Fort could obtain a new one next year was an unknown!

But facing Su Lie's authority, Su Hu had no choice but to lower his head; otherwise, not only would he be punished, but he might not even get a spot next year if one became available!

"Yes..."

Even though Su Hu was unconvinced, he had to grit his teeth and bow his head.

Su Hao watched all of this and sighed inwardly. Su Hu's own birth within the Su family was not prominent, and thus his path in martial arts would be even harder to walk.

"Brother!"

At this moment, Su Xiaoqing rushed out from the courtyard gate and hugged Su Hao tightly. Her body was trembling; she was afraid.

This caused Su Hao's heart to soften. Su Xiaoqing was terrified. During this period, Su Hu had brought people to their door repeatedly to spar with Su Hao. Of course, he dared not do anything to Su Hao's mother or sister.

But having this group of people blocking the door with such an aggressive air was frightening enough. Su Xiaoqing was only seven or eight years old; even though her mother told her not to pay attention and not to be afraid, she still felt fear in her heart.

This stirred a different kind of emotion in Su Hao. The best way to face fear was, of course, to overcome it. He had only considered the most logical choice, failing to account for the pressure his family was under.

Su Hao immediately lowered his voice and said to Su Xiaoqing: "Xiaoqing, don't be afraid. Brother will teach him a lesson so he won't dare to come again."

After speaking, Su Hao addressed Su Hu, who was about to turn and leave: "Su Hu, if you want to have a match with me, then I will grant your wish!"

Su Hu, who was preparing to leave with his head down, was stunned. He had not expected Su Hao to suddenly change his mind and accept his challenge.

Su Hu's eyes lit up. Fearing that Su Hao might go back on his word, he immediately shouted in response, "Fine! Since you dare to accept my challenge, I admit I underestimated you before! Let's head to the Martial Practice Arena immediately! I'll be waiting for you!"

Having said that, Su Hu ignored Su Lie's unsightly expression and strode toward the Su family's Martial Practice Arena, with a large number of Su family disciples hurriedly following behind.

Su Lie was startled. If Su Hao were to lose to Su Hu, even if they held the family's authority, the quota would still belong to Su Hao, but it would inevitably breed resentment among the many Su family disciples. Why invite unnecessary trouble?

"If you lose... how do you plan to clean up this mess?"

Su Lie asked Su Hao with a grim expression. He had already paid Su Hao for this quota; if Su Hao were to lose to Su Hu, causing complications or making the acquisition of this quota seem illegitimate, it would be something Su Lie did not want to see.

"Rest assured, he is no match for me."

Facing Su Lie's questioning, Su Hao replied very calmly.

"I hope so!"

Su Lie sighed, filled with worry, but since things had reached this point, he could not step in to stop it!