Small Meeting

Li Chuan watched Hu Yuan's departing back in silence.

Cruelty was the underlying color of this world.

If he could not forge ahead against the current and climb step by step to the very top, one day he would end up just as bleakly as Hu Yuan.

Li Chuan closed the door, shutting out the wind and snow from outside.

There was no longer the familiar sound of breathing in the room, only the howling of the north wind.

With a heavy heart, Li Chuan changed his clothes and went to bed.

The next day, Li Chuan rose early and headed to the martial arts arena.

With Hu Yuan gone, Li Chuan no longer had a training partner; he was left all alone.

He became more reticent, and his life gradually narrowed down to a simple routine between two points.

When tired, he returned to the communal dormitory to sleep; when awake, he went to the martial arts arena.

His progress in the Mountain-Holding Stance and the Through-Arm Fist was also slowly increasing.

Inner courtyard.

Liang Hangzhou summoned his eight indoor disciples and said in a deep voice:

"There is only about half a year left until the Martial Exam. I have discussed with the masters of several other martial halls, and we plan to hold a small gathering where disciples from each hall can exchange pointers and spar to improve their understanding of the martial path."

"Each of you may bring one disciple with potential who has reached the Bright Force stage."

"The County Magistrate will also be in attendance."

The gazes of those present sharpened, for they clearly understood the implications behind those words.

The Magistrate's presence meant this was no simple martial exchange; it carried a much deeper significance.

Whoever performed well would gain the Magistrate's favor!

Liang Hangzhou looked at Qin Feng, his eyes filled with expectation:

"Qin Feng, Li Danyi, the closing disciple of Gan Yun Martial Hall, will also be there. You may spar with him a few times."

Qin Feng's face showed pride:

"He is no match for me!"

Tang Xiang looked at Qin Feng in surprise:

"Junior Brother Qin, has your Through-Arm Fist reached Great Completion?"

Qin Feng smiled faintly:

"Naturally."

"Excellent!" Liang Hangzhou stroked his beard with satisfaction and looked at the other eight: "Tell me who you intend to bring."

Tang Xiang spoke first:

"There is a disciple in the outer courtyard named Qiu Ming who has decent potential. He completed his first breakthrough in three months and has medium-grade aptitude. I intend to take him to practice his combat style."

Jiang Ting hurriedly added:

"I have also taken a fancy to a junior brother in the outer courtyard with medium-grade aptitude."

She had originally wanted to invest in Qin Feng, but she hadn't expected his growth rate to be so rapid—so fast that the Wang Family of the inner city had promised their daughter to him.

Therefore, she had no choice but to shift her target to other outer courtyard disciples.

Jiang Ting cast a quiet glance at Qin Feng, her eyes alluring.

To her surprise, Qin Feng returned her gaze with an equally scorching look.

Jiang Ting felt a surge of joy.

There was still a chance!

Luo Zheng thought for a moment and hesitated:

"I intend to take Li Chuan from the outer courtyard. He is steadfast in character and works far harder at his fist techniques and stances than the average person. Although he has low-grade aptitude, his chances of a second breakthrough are not small."

Tang Xiang frowned:

"Junior Brother Luo, did you not hear Master? The spots for this gathering are very precious. How can you just give one away based on personal friendship?"

Jiang Ting quickly chimed in:

"At the very least, it should be someone with medium-grade aptitude. While low-grade aptitude may have hope for a breakthrough, who doesn't know how slim those odds are?"

Qin Feng's expression darkened.

Every time he saw Li Chuan, he was reminded of how he had once groveled before him.

He hadn't cared much about it before.

But now that he was famous throughout Anning County, he was treated as an honored guest wherever he went.

Those he associated with were all legitimate sons of prominent families; since the martial arts hall had closed its doors, his status was no longer what it once was.

Therefore, that period of humble beginnings had always been a thorn in his side.

Luo Zheng bringing it up again undoubtedly displeased him.

At once, Qin Feng said coldly:

"Dragging such trash into this will inevitably lower the class of the small gathering. Wouldn't that make the other martial arts halls laugh at us, Songfeng, for having no one of talent?"

"In my opinion, absolutely not!"

With this small trio expressing a unified stance, the other inner-hall disciples dared not make a sound.

The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward.

Luo Zheng's face flushed with a mix of red and green:

"How would it lower the class? Aside from his slightly inferior bone structure, in what way is Junior Brother Li weaker than the others?"

"Enough," Liang Hangzhou waved his hand, "it is only a matter of Bright Force; why damage our harmony? You are the future of the martial arts hall."

"Since Ah Zheng wants to bring him, then let him come."

Liang Hangzhou set the tone for the entire matter.

It was not that he supported Luo Zheng's actions, but rather that he simply wanted to ease the conflict among the group.

Qin Feng immediately snorted coldly, not even giving Liang Hangzhou face, and turned to leave.

Tang Xiang followed him, shaking his head as he said:

"Junior Brother Luo is becoming too obsessed."

Qin Feng and he exchanged a smile.

Both of them understood what the other meant.

Luo Zheng was not worth deep friendship.

The martial arts practice field.

Li Chuan was standing in a horse stance.

Luo Zheng walked over with a smile:

"Junior Brother Li, I have secured an opportunity for you."

Li Chuan stopped his movements and asked:

"Senior Brother Luo, what kind of opportunity?"

Luo Zheng lowered his voice:

"The Master has joined forces with several other martial arts halls to hold a small gathering in preparation for the Martial Exam half a year from now. Once inside, you can spar and exchange pointers with many others at the same level to improve your skills."

"The County Magistrate will also be in attendance. If you perform well, you might even gain some appreciation."

Unexpectedly, after thinking it over, Li Chuan refused:

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother Luo, but I would rather focus on my own training."

He had thought this through carefully.

Since he possessed a divine object like the Primordial Jade Record, he could improve his skills simply by grinding proficiency.

Why bother going to a small gathering to show off?

Several martial arts halls holding a joint event to promote martial exchange sounded reasonable enough.

But wherever there are people, there is a world of conflict.

Since it was a martial arts exchange, it was inevitable that there would be competition for fame, profit, and status.

Opportunity often meant danger.

There was absolutely no need for him to wade into such risks.

If he truly wanted to improve his combat techniques, sparring with Luo Zheng or other disciples in the hall would achieve the same effect.

As for the Magistrate's appreciation, that was of no help to him at all.

Appreciation was not given for free!

It would certainly require paying a corresponding price and getting involved in the turmoil of Anning County.

He had to lay low!

After hearing this, Luo Zheng also sighed and shook his head:

"Junior Brother Li, this is a good opportunity, but I believe you have your own judgment. Not going may not necessarily be a bad thing."

The inner courtyard.

Luo Zheng brought the news back:

"Master, Li Chuan refused. Should I find someone else to go instead?"

"Pfft." Jiang Ting let out a scoff. "If he doesn't even dare to attend a small gathering, why bother practicing martial arts at all?"

In her view, Li Chuan must have refused because his strength was too weak and he was afraid of embarrassing himself at the gathering.

After all, from the perspective of improving one's strength, how could training at a martial arts gym compare to sparring with others?

Tang Xiang shook his head and chuckled:

"Junior Brother Luo, I'm afraid you misjudged the person this time."

A flash of disappointment crossed Qin Feng's eyes:

"If he had actually dared to go, I might have considered him a man of character..."

Liang Hangzhou felt a hint of regret.

He had a slight impression of Li Chuan.

The boy had broken through right at the final deadline for the assessment and possessed only inferior root bones.

Although his potential was limited, he was indeed a person of determined character.

If he could be trained well, perhaps he could serve as an assistant to Qin Feng in the future.

What a pity.

Liang Hangzhou took a bite of a dried persimmon:

"If he is unwilling to go, then so be it. Find someone else."

The group quickly shifted the topic elsewhere.

A mere Bright Force practitioner was truly not worth them wasting any more energy on.