Sparring

The rough skin Cheng Heng had developed through years of grueling cultivation had vanished, replaced by smooth, lustrous flesh.

His frame had grown several inches taller than before. He now stood a full 1.9 meters tall, his bones and muscles proportioned and taut.

His eyes were clear and bright; when he lifted his gaze, his spiritual radiance was contained within, lucid and steady.

It was as though he had undergone a cleansing that remade him from the marrow out, his entire bearing utterly renewed.

No wonder Li Qingwan had cried out in surprise. The man before her was a living, breathing handsome hunk!

Cheng Heng smiled faintly. "Qingwan, while I was in seclusion these past few days, did anything important happen?"

Hearing this, Li Qingwan hurriedly said:

"Master Wu has already sent people twice. Today is the day of the Gaoyang Martial Gathering, so you absolutely must not miss it!"

Cheng Heng looked up at the time. Luckily, he had emerged from seclusion not too late. There was still time to get there!

He hurriedly bid Li Qingwan farewell and raced toward the gathering grounds.

By then, the martial gathering had already begun.

Disciples from countless martial halls took the stage to spar, fists and feet colliding in fierce exchanges!

The many disciples of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall watched without blinking, carefully observing the techniques of the various martial artists and secretly pondering them.

Just then, a burly figure leaped onto the arena like a sharp blade, drawing the attention of countless martial artists!

Prosperity Martial Academy—Shen Liang!

After Shen Liang came to a stop in the arena, his gaze swept across the crowd before finally settling on the disciples of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall.

"Prosperity Martial Academy, Shen Liang!"

"I have long heard that Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall has produced two talented disciples. Today, I wish to seek your guidance!"

"Which senior brother of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall dares to come up and exchange moves with me?"

Boom!

The arena erupted at once. The main event had arrived—the grand show between Prosperity Martial Academy and Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall had begun!

Wu Zhong's expression darkened. After pondering for a moment, he said in a deep voice:

"Zhou Qing, you go first!"

"Master, I... I..."

Zhou Qing, standing behind him, immediately rose to his feet, his face deathly pale. He was actually intimidated by Shen Liang's aura, losing his nerve before the battle had even begun!

Wu Zhong frowned deeply as he stared at Zhou Qing. Only then did Zhou Qing stammer:

"Yes, Master."

As the martial hall's chief disciple, Zhou Qing naturally could not fear battle. Though he was unwilling in his heart, he had no choice.

With unease in his heart, he walked onto the arena.

"Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall, Zhou Qing!"

"Please enlighten me!"

Shen Liang's lips curled into a faint sneer.

"So it is Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall's Senior Brother Zhou. Today, let me properly experience Senior Brother Zhou's brilliant techniques!"

The moment he finished speaking, Shen Liang's body turned into an afterimage and lunged straight at Zhou Qing.

Just as rumored, Shen Liang had already broken through into the Skill-Transforming Force realm. Power gathered in his Air-Splitting Palm as he chopped toward Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing's face changed drastically, and he immediately focused all his attention on dealing with Shen Liang's attacks.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In the blink of an eye, the two exchanged three moves!

Shen Liang's speed and strength surpassed Zhou Qing's in every way. After only three moves, Zhou Qing already felt unable to hold on. His blood and qi churned, while both arms throbbed with pain from the chops.

A cold gleam flashed in Shen Liang's eyes. Power gathered in his right palm, accompanied by shrieking gusts as it slashed toward Zhou Qing's neck like lightning!

Zhou Qing felt his soul flee in terror. If that blow landed, even if he did not die, he would be gravely injured!

His eyes shifted, and his body abruptly retreated. From the look of it, he actually intended to leave the arena!

"I concede!"

Zhou Qing retreated from the arena in a sorry state, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and shouted loudly with lingering fear.

At once, a wave of derisive laughter rang out across the arena!

Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall's chief disciple was actually such a coward. After merely three moves, he had stepped off the arena and conceded on his own!

"Are all the people of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall turtles?"

Shen Liang withdrew his right palm and sneered.

Wu Zhong's face had turned livid. He stared deeply at the cowardly Zhou Qing, so furious that he could not speak!

Just as he was about to erupt, a voice sounded from behind him:

"Master, let me take the stage!"

It was Chen An!

Chen An's expression was calm as he cupped his hands toward Wu Zhong.

Wu Zhong's brows were tightly furrowed. In the end, he let out a long sigh.

"Go. Be careful."

"Rest assured, Master!"

Chen An remained composed. Then, with a light leap, he landed in the center of the arena!

"Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall's Chen An, here to seek your guidance!"

Shen Liang sneered. "Heh, at last, one who is at least worth looking at has come. I thought you were all turtles hiding their heads in your shells!"

Chen An frowned.

"Enough nonsense. Let our hands reveal the truth!"

The two instantly clashed. One had just broken through to Skill-Transforming Force, while the other had reached Hidden Force Great Completion and was only separated from Skill-Transforming Force by a final thin membrane.

Like starving tigers, they entered a white-hot battle the instant they exchanged blows!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

The two traded blows back and forth. After a full forty or fifty exchanges, Chen An gradually began to fall into a disadvantage.

After all, Shen Liang was now a Skill-Transforming Force expert. Both his strength and speed far exceeded Chen An's.

Bang!

Following another vicious collision, a cold gleam flashed through Shen Liang's eyes. Seizing an opening in Chen An's defense, he used Mountain-Splitting Strike with his right hand, aiming directly for Chen An's chest.

Chen An could not block it in time and was struck hard in the chest!

Bang!

With a dull impact, Chen An let out a muffled groan. His chest caved deeply inward, and he was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily beneath the arena!

"Chen An!"

Wu Zhong roared and sprang to his feet, rushing over to help Chen An up.

The crowd instantly erupted into an uproar!

Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall had already lost two matches in a row. Were they really going to make Prosperity Martial Academy's name today?

If they kept losing, it would be a devastating blow to Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall!

Even in the Outer City, they likely would not be able to recruit a single apprentice from then on!

Shen Liang stood quietly in the center of the arena, his aura astonishing.

He swept a cold gaze across the people of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall, then said icily:

"Who else does Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall have?"

His voice was not loud, yet it echoed throughout the entire arena!

Wu Zhong's face was livid. The many disciples of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall lowered their heads and did not dare speak. Their two strongest members had already been defeated by Shen Liang. If they went up, they would only add to the ridicule!

The many disciples of Prosperity Martial Academy immediately cheered with joy, standing in sharp contrast to the deathly silence on Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall's side!

Wu Yong's previously gloomy expression had completely changed, and he burst into laughter.

"Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall appears to be nothing more than this! Hahaha!"

Just then, a calm voice suddenly rang out from the arena:

"Who says Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall has no one?"

The clamorous arena fell silent at once, and everyone turned toward the source of the voice.

A straight, upright figure stood there—it was Cheng Heng, who had just emerged from seclusion!

Everyone's gaze gathered on Cheng Heng.

The many disciples of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall let out long breaths of relief. Seeing Cheng Heng, they felt as though they had found a pillar to rely on!

Wu Zhong's expression gradually eased. Cheng Heng had finally arrived.

The smile on Wu Yong's face gradually faded, replaced by deep wariness!

Cheng Heng had broken through to Skill-Transforming Force as well!