One Hour

After a round of matches, five disciples had been decided: Golden Arhat, Dong Tianbao, Li Changfeng, Qu Qingsheng, and Chen Feng. The remaining five disciples would determine the rankings for the bottom five among themselves.

After resting for one hour, you will compete again to determine the final rankings.

At this moment, Li Changfeng casually walked over to a chair and sat down, slowly resting as he waited for the final battle. Suddenly, a hand landed on Li Changfeng's shoulder, and someone laughed. "Junior Brother Li, you're sitting here so calmly. Looks like you're quite confident about this match!"

Li Changfeng slowly turned his head toward the person patting his shoulder. As expected, it was Golden Arhat. He then smiled faintly. "Since we're here, we might as well settle in. A steady mindset is the key to victory. Nervousness will only affect one's combat strength!"

"Hehe! Junior Brother Li, you're right. A person's mindset truly affects combat ability. Hearing your words is better than reading ten years' worth of books! Junior Brother Li, this senior brother truly admires you!"

"Hehe! You flatter me, Senior Brother! I imagine you must be equally confident! Getting into the top three should be as easy as taking something from your pocket!"

"Hehe! The top three are indeed easy enough, but the exact rankings within the top three are another matter. Dong Tianbao and you are both difficult opponents to defeat, and that Qu Qingsheng probably isn't a simple character either!"

"Like I said, since we're here, we might as well settle in. There's no point overthinking it. Just be prepared to face every problem!"

"Hahaha! That's true. This senior brother was overthinking it!"

Seeing Elder Hongchen so carefully treating Huang Hongzhe's injuries, the Prajna Hall Chief smiled faintly. "Senior Brother Hongchen! You're taking such attentive care of this boy. Don't tell me you've taken a liking to him as a disciple!"

"Hehe! Yes. This boy suits my tastes quite well. I just don't know whether he is fated with me, or whether he would be willing to become my disciple."

"Hahaha! Is that even a question? Becoming your disciple would be a blessing cultivated over three lifetimes. How could he possibly refuse? Senior Brother, you worry too much!"

"When fate arrives, I will naturally accept him as my disciple. We'll talk after he wakes up. Everything in this world has its own reason; nothing can be forced!"

"Fine, fine, fine! You have the final say! I'd wager he'll agree immediately!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Hongzhe slowly woke up. He immediately found himself in an unfamiliar place, lying on an unfamiliar bed, and was utterly confused. "Where is this? How did I get here?"

The Prajna Hall Chief's eyes flashed with a sharp gleam. In a single step, he arrived beside Huang Hongzhe and chuckled. "Kid! This is Abbot Hongchen's training room. During your final struggle, you were struck unconscious. Abbot Hongchen was the one who saved you!"

Huang Hongzhe struggled to sit up upon hearing this and said to Abbot Hongchen, "Thank you, Abbot Hongchen, for saving my life. This disciple is endlessly grateful!"

Abbot Hongchen slowly helped him up and smiled. "When a Shaolin disciple is injured, as the Shaolin Abbot, it is only natural for me to save him. Why thank me?"

"It can't be said that way. A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring, much less when you, Abbot Hongchen, saved my life. Of course I must repay your kindness wholeheartedly!"

Abbot Hongchen's face filled with approval at his words, and he smiled. "Knowing kindness and repaying it is a fine quality. I only wonder whether you would be willing to become my disciple. Follow your heart: if you are willing, then be willing; if not, then not. This monk will not force you!"

Huang Hongzhe was instantly overjoyed. He hurriedly knelt on the ground and knocked his head three times. "Master! This disciple is willing to become your disciple!"

Abbot Hongchen smiled faintly. "Good, good, good! Rise!"

"This disciple obeys!"

At this moment, Li Changfeng slowly opened the system panel.

A screen of light instantly flashed before his eyes.

Host: Li Changfeng (Li Dazhuang).

Inner Force: 60 years (3,000 jin)

Strength: 750 jin

Experience Points: 70

Fame: Jianghu Newbie (0/360) (For every 10 points of Fame, 1 Cultivation Point can be obtained.)

Cultivation Points: 21 (For every 20 Cultivation Points, one Lucky Pack can be opened, or one may enter System Training Time at a 1:3 conversion rate. Each session allows one month of training.)

Current Lucky Packs: 0.

"Fame increased by twenty points, advancing me one rank. I've become a Jianghu Newbie!"

"It only increased my Cultivation Points by two. They're not much use right now, so I'll save them for later!"

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out. "Sixth Brother! What are you doing!!!"

Li Changfeng jumped in fright. "Eldest Brother! What are you doing?! You shouted so loudly that you nearly deafened me!"

"Heh! You brat, I called you several times just now, but you didn't react at all. That's why I shouted so loudly. I nearly yelled myself hoarse!"

Li Changfeng rubbed his gleaming bald head and chuckled. "Sorry! I was thinking about something and got lost in thought."

"You brat! I thought you'd fallen asleep with your eyes open! You space out at the drop of a hat every day, looking completely dazed. What were you thinking about? The final matches?"

"Yes! I was thinking about which martial skills to use to defeat them!"

Eldest Brother patted Li Changfeng on the shoulder. "Just do your best! Don't overtax your mind. There's no need to think too much. Just give it your all during the matches. Whether you win or lose depends on fate!"

"Hahaha! I understand, Eldest Brother! Since we're here, we might as well settle in!"

"Heh! That's a fine saying! I never thought Sixth Brother could come up with such cultured words. You're starting to sound like a scholar!"

Li Changfeng gave a bitter smile. "Yeah! When I was young, I secretly learned a few phrases!"

"Hahaha! Sixth Brother is still Sixth Brother! Whether in strength or learning, you're a cut above us. We admire you! Sixth Brother, give it your best! All seventeen of us brothers, along with the brothers from Arhat Hall, will come support you!"

A warm current immediately welled up in Li Changfeng's heart. It was like when he had been an armed police officer on Earth, when a squad of comrades had cared for and encouraged one another. He felt that brotherhood once more in Arhat Hall. "Thank you! Thank you, senior brothers, for your support!"

Suddenly, a deep, powerful voice rang out. "One hour has passed. The final matches officially begin!"