Small Gathering

Li Chuan watched Hu Yuan's departing back and said nothing.

Cruelty was the underlying hue of this world.

If he could not forge ahead through raging currents and climb step by step toward the very top, then one day, he too would meet a dim and desolate end like Hu Yuan.

Li Chuan shut the door, blocking out the wind and snow beyond it.

There was no longer any familiar breathing within the room. Only North Wind's howls could be heard.

Li Chuan felt somewhat heavy-hearted. After simply changing clothes, he 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 companion to train with. Only he remained.

He consequently became quieter, and his life gradually narrowed into a line between two points.

When tired, he returned to the Common Dormitory to sleep. Upon waking, he went to the Martial Arts Arena.

The progress of his Mountain-Holding Stance and Through-Arm Fist was also steadily rising.

Inner Courtyard.

Liang Hangzhou summoned eight Inner Disciples and said gravely:

"There are roughly less than six months left until the Martial Exam. The masters of several other Martial Halls and I have discussed holding a small gathering, where disciples from each Martial Hall can exchange pointers and train with one another to deepen their understanding of martial arts."

"Each of you may bring one promising Bright Force disciple."

"The County Magistrate will also attend."

Everyone's expressions sharpened as they understood the implications behind those words.

The County Magistrate's attendance meant this would not be a simple martial exchange. It carried a deeper significance.

Whoever performed well would earn the County Magistrate's favor!

Liang Hangzhou looked at Qin Feng with anticipation in his eyes.

"Qin Feng, Li Danyi, Gan Yun Martial Hall's closed-door disciple, will also be there. You may exchange a few bouts with him."

Qin Feng wore a proud expression.

"He is no match for me!"

Tang Xiang looked at Qin Feng in surprise.

"Junior Brother Qin, has your Through-Arm Fist reached Major Mastery?"

Qin Feng smiled faintly.

"Of course."

"Excellent!" Liang Hangzhou stroked his beard in satisfaction and looked at the other eight. "Report to me whoever you wish to bring."

Tang Xiang spoke first.

"There is a Qiu Ming in the Outer Courtyard with fairly good potential. He completed one Gate-Knocking in three months and has a medium-grade bone constitution. I intend to bring him along to practice his fighting techniques."

Jiang Ting hurriedly said:

"I have also taken a liking to a junior brother in the Outer Courtyard. He has a medium-grade bone constitution."

She had initially intended to invest in Qin Feng, yet she had not expected his growth to be so swift—so swift that the Wang Family of the Inner City had directly promised their young lady to him.

Thus, she had no choice but to shift her sights to other Outer Courtyard disciples.

Jiang Ting secretly glanced at Qin Feng, her gaze seductive.

To her surprise, Qin Feng returned an equally blazing look.

Jiang Ting was delighted inwardly.

There is still hope!

Luo Zheng thought for a moment, then said hesitantly:

"I intend to bring Li Chuan from the Outer Courtyard. His temperament is resolute, and his diligence in practicing fists and stance far surpasses ordinary people. Though he has a Low-Grade Bone Constitution, his chances of a second Gate-Knocking are not low."

Tang Xiang frowned.

"Junior Brother Luo, did you not hear what Master said? Places at this small gathering are precious. How can you casually give one away based on personal friendship?"

Jiang Ting hurriedly echoed him.

"At the very least, it should be someone with a medium-grade bone constitution. A Low-Grade Bone Constitution may have hope of Gate-Knocking, but who does not know how low those odds are?"

Qin Feng's expression darkened.

Whenever he saw Li Chuan, he recalled how he had once groveled before him.

He had not cared so much in the past.

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

Those he associated with were all direct descendants of prominent families and closed-door disciples of Martial Halls. His status could no longer be mentioned in the same breath as before.

That period of humiliation had therefore always remained like a thorn in his heart.

Luo Zheng bringing it up again naturally displeased him.

At once, Qin Feng said coldly:

"Bringing such trash along would only lower the caliber of the gathering. Would that not let the other Martial Halls laugh at our Pine Wind Martial Hall for having no worthy people?"

"In my opinion, it will not do!"

This clique of three stated their position in unison, and the other Inner Disciples did not dare utter a word.

The atmosphere immediately turned ugly.

Luo Zheng's face alternated between red and pale.

"How does that lower the caliber? Other than his slightly inferior bone constitution, in what respect is Junior Brother Li weaker than anyone else?"

"Enough." Liang Hangzhou waved his hand. "He is only a Bright Force disciple. Why harm the harmony over this? You are the Martial Hall's future."

"Since A-Zheng wishes to bring him, let him."

Liang Hangzhou set the tone for the entire matter.

It was not that he supported Luo Zheng's decision; he merely wished to ease the conflict between them.

Qin Feng immediately gave a cold snort. Without showing Liang Hangzhou any respect, he turned and left.

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

"Junior Brother Luo is rather obsessed."

Qin Feng and Tang Xiang exchanged a smile.

Both understood what the other meant.

Luo Zheng was not someone worth befriending deeply.

Martial Arts Arena.

Li Chuan was practicing his stance.

Luo Zheng walked over with a smile.

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

Li Chuan stopped and asked:

"Senior Brother Luo, what opportunity?"

Luo Zheng lowered his voice.

"Master has joined forces with several Martial Halls to hold a small gathering in preparation for the Martial Exam six months from now. There, you can spar and exchange pointers with many people of the same realm, improving your skills."

"The County Magistrate will also be present. If you perform outstandingly, you may even gain some appreciation."

Unexpectedly, after thinking for a moment, Li Chuan declined.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother Luo, but I only need to devote myself to martial training."

He had carefully considered those words.

Since he possessed a divine artifact like the Primordial Jade Record, he only needed to grind proficiency to improve his skills.

Why should he go to that small gathering and show off?

Several Martial Halls joining hands to promote martial exchange sounded reasonable enough.

But where there were people, there were rivers and lakes.

Since it was a martial exchange, there would inevitably be contests for fame and profit, battles over rank and seating order.

Opportunities often meant danger.

There was absolutely no need for him to wade into dangerous waters.

If he truly wanted to improve his fighting techniques, sparring with Luo Zheng or with other disciples in the hall would yield the same result.

As for gaining the County Magistrate's appreciation, that would be even less useful to him.

Appreciation did not come for free!

He would certainly have to offer something in return and become involved in Anning County's turmoil.

He needed to keep a low profile!

After hearing him out, Luo Zheng sighed and shook his head.

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

Inner Courtyard.

Luo Zheng brought the news back.

"Master, Li Chuan refused. I will bring someone else instead."

"Pfft." Jiang Ting sneered. "If he does not even dare attend a small gathering, what martial arts is he practicing?"

In her view, Li Chuan had surely refused because he was weak and feared embarrassing himself at the gathering.

After all, from the perspective of improving one's strength, how could training alone in the Martial Hall compare to sparring with others?

Tang Xiang shook his head with a laugh.

"Junior Brother Luo, I fear you have misjudged him this time."

A trace of disappointment flashed through Qin Feng's eyes.

"If he had truly dared to go, I would have regarded him as someone of note..."

Liang Hangzhou, however, found it somewhat regrettable.

He had some slight impression of Li Chuan as well.

He had broken through right at the final deadline of the assessment, and he possessed a Low-Grade Bone Constitution.

Though his potential was limited, one could indeed see that he was a person of resolute character.

If he could be trained well, perhaps he could assist Qin Feng in the future.

What a pity.

Liang Hangzhou took a bite of a dried persimmon.

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

The others quickly turned the conversation elsewhere.

A mere Bright Force disciple truly was not worth spending much effort on.