Gaoyang Martial Arts Meet

For the next several days, Cheng Heng remained in the courtyard, familiarizing himself with the Skill-Transforming Force realm. He did not rush to take the Marrow-Cleansing Pill.

He had learned from ancient texts that after taking the Marrow-Cleansing Pill, the transformation of one's bones and innate constitution required quite some time to adapt.

Only on this day, after thoroughly consolidating his realm, did Cheng Heng begin his seclusion and focus wholeheartedly on refining the pill.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Gaoyang County's largest arena in the Inner City stood at its southwestern corner.

At this moment, the area around the arena was already packed with people, the clamor shaking the heavens!

Disciples from the many martial halls and prominent families of the Outer City and Inner City had all taken their seats. Today was the opening day of the Gaoyang Martial Gathering.

Unlike the previous Martial Examination, although there were fewer participants this time, nearly everyone taking part was a martial artist!

Wu Zhong led the members of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall into the venue, immediately drawing the attention of most of those present.

Cheng Heng and Chen An of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall had previously claimed places in the top ten of the Martial Examination, their reputations now resounding throughout Gaoyang County.

Although the martial hall had been established in the Outer City, quite a few Inner City youths had already come in admiration, hoping to become disciples and learn martial arts.

Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall was truly enjoying unparalleled prominence in Gaoyang County!

The moment they took their seats, people came over one after another to greet them.

"Old Wu, you've finally arrived late!"

The speaker wore a black fitted outfit, and a sharp gleam occasionally flashed through his eyes. He was Li Zepei, who had been on good terms with Wu Zhong during the previous Martial Examination.

"Haha, the gathering hasn't even begun yet. How can this count as late?"

Wu Zhong also smiled and clasped his hands in greeting as he stepped forward.

After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, Li Zepei's expression turned solemn, and he changed the subject.

"Old Wu, you must be careful at this gathering. There have been rumors these past few days that Shen Liang, Prosperity Martial Academy's chief disciple, has broken through into the Skill-Transforming Force realm. Today, they will certainly try to recover the face they lost in the Martial Examination!"

Wu Zhong's brows drew together slightly as he said gravely,

"My disciple Cheng Heng has also been in seclusion these past few days. I sent someone to find him today, but he has yet to emerge."

"If Prosperity Martial Academy comes looking for trouble, let Chen An take the stage!"

Li Zepei smiled lightly. "I nearly forgot. This disciple of yours is gifted as well. He should be able to handle a situation like this today!"

Chen An stood to the side, neither humble nor overbearing, and clasped his hands. "Leave today's spar with Prosperity Martial Academy to this disciple."

After cultivating bitterly for three months, Chen An could already feel that barrier to the Skill-Transforming Force realm within reach. Yet the timing was not right, and in the end, he had failed to cross that threshold!

After chatting for a few more moments, the group made their way into the venue and took their seats.

Looking around the gathering grounds, nearly every top expert in Gaoyang County had assembled here!

Wu Yong of Prosperity Martial Academy, Li Zhandong of Tiger Crane Martial Academy, Xiao Duanhong of Penetrating Arm Martial Academy, Xie Yu of Rushing Thunder Martial Academy, Yue Liang of Startling Wind Martial Academy, and many other experts.

They were all veteran Skill-Transforming Force martial artists of Gaoyang County, rarely gathered together like this thanks to the Martial Gathering!

There was no need to say much about Wu Yong. He had already cultivated the Air-Splitting Palm to the point of consummate mastery, and his strength among Skill-Transforming Force martial artists was considered first-rate.

Li Zhandong of Tiger Crane Martial Academy wore a long green robe. He was thin, around fifty years old, and appeared utterly ordinary at first glance, yet no one dared underestimate him.

Xiao Duanhong of Penetrating Arm Martial Academy was the youngest among this group of Skill-Transforming Force martial artists, only forty years old. At present, he sat with his eyes closed, resting his mind as he awaited the opening of the gathering.

The many other martial masters were either resting with their eyes closed or speaking with others, all waiting calmly.

"These martial masters are the foremost martial artists in Gaoyang County at present."

Wu Zhong solemnly instructed the many disciples behind him, "Today's Martial Gathering is a fine opportunity for you to understand the many factions among the Inner City martial halls and broaden your horizons!"

Chen An, Gao Huan, Zhou Qing, and the others behind him all answered in agreement.

Just then, Wu Yong of Prosperity Martial Academy cast his gaze in their direction. A dark smile appeared on his face, and he strode toward Wu Zhong.

While still some distance away, he shouted loudly, "So Master Wu of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall has arrived! I have failed to welcome you from afar, forgive me! Forgive me!"

His voice was thunderous, as though he feared others might not hear him.

Upon drawing close, Wu Yong swept his gaze over the many disciples behind Wu Zhong one by one, but did not find Cheng Heng among them.

"Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall is quite famous nowadays. Yet I see that Cheng Heng is absent among your disciples today?"

"Could it be that he is afraid of this Martial Gathering and deliberately found an excuse not to come?"

The moment those words fell, Wu Zhong's gaze turned cold, and he said in a low voice,

"Master Wu certainly has an abundance of idle concern. Whether my disciple comes or not, what does it have to do with you!"

Wu Zhong's fourth disciple Zhao Wei had been severely injured by Huang Hua, while Huang Hua had in turn been crippled by Cheng Heng. Everyone present knew that the two martial halls had become mortal enemies!

Today, the two sides were bound to have a fierce battle!

Seeing the swords-drawn, bows-bent atmosphere between them, Li Zepei slowly rose to his feet.

"The Martial Gathering has not yet begun. Whatever grievances you have, settle them on the arena later through martial skill!"

"Hmph! Cheng Heng has made himself a turtle shrinking into its shell. I only hope your other disciples have some real ability. Otherwise, today will be the day Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall suffers a broken halberd!"

Wu Yong no longer concealed his emotions. His face turned cold, and he immediately flicked his sleeve before leaving!

After Wu Yong departed, Wu Zhong said in a low voice,

"You need not panic. Watch the many exchanges of skill at today's Martial Gathering carefully, and pay no heed to those stray noises!"

The disciples behind him answered in unison, though a weight still coiled around their hearts.

Inner City, Cheng Heng's residence.

A full nine days had passed since Cheng Heng took that pill.

Throughout those nine days, Cheng Heng had steadfastly guarded his mind, not daring to show the slightest panic.

He had originally planned to enter the Martial Dao Space after taking the pill to speed things up, but to his surprise, the accelerated flow of time in the Martial Dao Space only worked on cultivating martial arts and had no effect on digesting pills!

What shocked him even more was the excruciating pain that followed the consumption of the Marrow-Cleansing Pill. His flesh and bones were repeatedly tempered and reshaped by the medicinal power.

Several times, the agony had nearly caused all his previous efforts to go to waste. After nine full days of torment, Cheng Heng had only one thought in his heart now: endure it.

Only after completely digesting the medicinal power could he transform his own aptitude!

The power of the Marrow-Cleansing Pill washed over the narrow, clogged meridians within him again and again, repairing the innate flaws in his bones and constitution.

With every round of cleansing, another portion of impurities was expelled from his body, and his flesh became a little lighter!

Until today, Cheng Heng's heart jolted. The agonizing pain throughout his body gradually receded, replaced by an indescribable sensation of lightness!

Cheng Heng let out a long breath of foul air and slowly opened his eyes. He then stretched his limbs, and his joints immediately erupted in a string of crisp cracks like bursting firecrackers!

As he assumed a stance, his body felt light and agile. The bottlenecks that had once hindered his cultivation were no longer obstacles.

After leaving the courtyard, carefully washing away the grime covering his body, and changing into clean clothes, he was just about to head out.

Li Qingwan approached him head-on, her eyes full of disbelief as she cried out,

"Brother Heng! Your changes after this seclusion are far too great!"