Martial Arts Competition (1)

Subduing Tiger Hall.

Li Changfeng arrived at Shaolin's Subduing Tiger Hall, and was immediately met with a sea of people. He hadn't expected a Subduing Tiger Hall martial arts competition to attract such a crowd.

Shaolin truly lived up to its reputation as one of the leading forces in the martial world. Representatives from the five major sects—the Kongtong Sect, Emei Sect, Diancang Sect, Kunlun Sect, and Huashan Sect—had even come to observe.

They were all seated around the Subduing Tiger martial arts arena, seemingly there to assess the strength of Shaolin's disciples. Shaolin, however, allowed their scrutiny, confident in its position as a leader in the martial world and unafraid of being examined.

"Sixth! Are you here for the Subduing Tiger Hall competition too?"

"Yes, Eldest Brother! Abbot Hongchen recommended me to participate!"

"Not bad, Sixth! Abbot Hongchen himself recommended you! It seems you're guaranteed a spot among the Subduing Tiger Hall disciples. Second Brother, Third Brother, and I have been training at Shaolin for ten years since we were kids, and only just reached the level of third-rate experts to even qualify for the competition!"

"Only those above the level of third-rate experts can participate in the competition. If you can participate, doesn't that mean you've also reached the level of a third-rate expert?"

"Eldest Brother is right! I just barely reached the level of a third-rate expert!"

"Sixth... Sixth... Sixth Brother, you... you're really something! It... it seems our Shaolin Eighteen Bronze Men are... are going to have a disciple enter... enter the Subduing Tiger Hall!"

Li Changfeng said humbly, "Second Brother! It's just participation! There are so many senior brothers, I can't be sure I'll get in!"

At this moment, an Arhat Hall disciple walked over and interjected, "Hehe! What this junior brother says is true! Aside from developing a tough exterior, you Eighteen Bronze Men don't have much time to practice offensive techniques. You're just a bunch of iron turtles who can take a beating but can't dish it out!"

"Unlike us Arhat Hall disciples who cultivate Luohan Fist and Great Stele Shattering Hand, offensive martial arts! Letting you belong to our Arhat Hall only means you're good at taking hits, but basically useless otherwise!"

"Hehe! This senior brother can't say that! I remember when Shaolin was besieged by the imperial court, we Eighteen Bronze Men blocked most of the attacks from second and third-rate experts."

"But you guys didn't seem to be of much use, did you? Weren't the ones who repelled the invaders mostly the senior brothers from the Subduing Tiger Hall and Subduing Dragon Hall!"

Eldest Brother also chimed in, "That's right! Aside from our Eighteen Bronze Men, the Arhat Hall doesn't seem to have much use!"

"Hmph! You're just relying on the power of the Eighteen Bronze Men Formation, nothing special!"

Eldest Brother smiled slightly, "Hehe! Not convinced? Let's go to the arena for a one-on-one fight?"

The first disciple of the Arhat Hall conceded, "Hmph! I admit I'm not your opponent! If you have the guts, fight our senior brother one-on-one!"

Suddenly, an Arhat Hall elder walked over and shouted angrily, "What's all the noise! If you have the ability, go to the Prajna Hall and fight them. What's the point of fighting people from your own hall?"

At this moment, a Prajna Hall elder also walked over and said with a faint smile, "Elder Fang! Why so angry! It's normal for young people to be hot-blooded!"

"Hehe! Elder Xu! Your words are nicer than your singing! Every year at the Subduing Tiger Hall competition, your Prajna Hall disciples win the most, and all the good disciple resources are allocated to you."

"Our Arhat Hall disciples are far behind yours. How about we switch disciples next year? Dare to?"

"Hehe! This is the Abbot's decision, even if I wanted to, I couldn't make that call, Elder Fang!"

"Hmph! Saying that is as good as saying nothing!"

"Hehe! This monk has some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first, you guys chat slowly!"