Four Great Powerhouses

The top spot in the Azure Sprout Division's Ranking Placement belonged to a young man named Wang Daorong. At just seventeen, he had already reached Elephant-Hurling Peak. He had also mastered the profound Hard Qigong art Dragon-Roaring Iron Cloth Shirt, which he paired with the fierce, overwhelming fists of the Iron Wire Style. His opponents had no answer to him.

Second was Little Blazing Monk of the Buddha Salute Style. At sixteen, he too had reached Elephant-Hurling Peak and practiced a profound Hard Qigong art: his father Lion-Head Buddha's ancestral secret, Vajra Lion Body.

Third was Wang Hezi of the White Crane Style. Eighteen years old and at Elephant-Hurling Peak, he had spent two years in Azure Hall. Barring any surprises, he would pass the Golden Network Initiation this year and leave Azure Hall. Rumor had it he was Elder Wonderful Crane's grandson.

From what Li Xiuwen had seen, a hazy golden bell enveloped Wang Hezi during battle, with faint tiger roars sounding from it. He practiced Hard Qigong too—the famed Tiger-Howling Golden Bell Shield.

Fourth was Sun Dazhou of the White Ape School. Seventeen and at Elephant-Hurling Peak, he practiced Evening Drum Skill, the most mysterious of the Three Great Body-Tempering Arts.

These four were the Four Great Powerhouses of the Azure Rankings.

Their strength put them in a league apart from the other Azure Hall disciples.

Li Xiuwen read on.

Gradually, he noticed a pattern.

Half the disciples in the Top Twenty of the Azure Rankings practiced Hard Qigong.

Among those ranked thirtieth to fortieth, there were far fewer.

"So the very best talents in Azure Hall really do train both inside and out. And their talent for body-tempering is no small thing, either."

Li Xiuwen sighed in admiration.

Outside The Enclave, he had always relied on Hard