Fighting in the Ring

Bai Changlin raised his brows slightly. This disciple's Stance Training had not merely just reached major mastery. Even his casual movements carried an imposing presence, putting him a cut above the others.

"Who is he?"

Bai Changlin asked, and Li Jinshan motioned Gao Zheng forward.

Gao Zheng bowed and answered quietly, "Su Yan, a mountain trekker from Yunqian Village. He has considerable skill in mountain trekking and is on good terms with Song Qi of the Hundred Herbs Hall."

"No wonder."

Li Jinshan said, "He's only fifteen or sixteen. He must have considerable talent. I'll call him over."

To reach major mastery in Stance Training at fifteen or sixteen—there were few such people even in Cloudcang Town. Perhaps there were none at all.

Stance Training required practice, combat, and insight. At fifteen or sixteen, even someone exceptionally suited to the art would still need time.

Bai Changlin's gaze shifted slightly, but he said slowly, "No rush. Let's watch a little longer."

As he spoke, the aura around Bai Changlin suddenly stirred. His True Essence circulated, his spirit concentrated, and the phantom of an enormous white ape, twenty to thirty feet tall, rose from his body.

Though the white ape was only a phantom, its long fur hung down, its entire body white as jade. Its face was striking, its eyes fierce—a savage and uncanny Savage Beast indeed.

The moment the white ape true intent appeared, its powerful aura immediately broke the concentration of most of the disciples. Unable to maintain their stances, they trembled and stared at the white ape true intent in alarm, dread seeping into their hearts.

Only Dian Jing, Li Shun, Ma Xiaodong, Li Ying, Liu Yinglong, and Su Yan could still hold on.

Yet even Dian Jing and the others lasted only a few breaths before their hearts pounded with fear. Gasping for air, they broke their stances, unable to endure any longer.

Stance Training demanded unity of form and intent. Without maintaining that state, control over the finer details would slip, leaving one no more than a wooden post.

Only Su Yan held on.

Su Yan's face flushed red, his veins bulging. He felt as though a mountain pressed down on him, the Savage Beast's brutal aura threatening to crush him.

So this is the power of true intent? Beast Spirit True Intent, power augmentation—is this martial arts or supernatural sorcery?!

Su Yan had imagined splitting the heavens with a punch, but a manifestation of Beast Spirit True Intent like this, a means of giving martial arts tangible form, still astonished him.

But he had a stubborn streak. He could endure Poison-Skin Powder; why should he fear this phantom?

The sharp light in his eyes deepened, and his veins bulged even more. His blood and qi surged like a great river flowing backward, faint white mist spreading around him.

"Hahahaha! Interesting. But Stance Training alone isn't enough."

Bai Changlin finally laughed aloud, a gleam seeming to flash through his eyes.

The white ape true intent merely widened its bronze-bell eyes and fixed them on Su Yan.

In an instant, Su Yan's imposing presence collapsed. His body faltered, and he retreated two steps, unable to maintain his Stance Training any longer.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master Bai."

Su Yan cupped his fist, gasping for breath, yet stood straight.

[Golden Ape Stance Art: 89/400 (major mastery)]

Though his Stance Training could not withstand the white ape true intent, Su Yan had gained a glimmer of insight from that brief encounter.

Stance Training at the Transformation Realm seemed to share something with this true intent.

Bai Changlin withdrew his white ape true intent and said, "Stance Training may be a foundation, but if you attain unity of form and intent, continually unravel its essence, and manifest its spirit and form, it will also help you condense true intent."

The thought had struck him, so he offered a few extra words. Although reaching the Transformation Realm in Stance Training was not a prerequisite for manifesting white ape true intent, the stronger one's Stance Training, the fewer detours one would take when visualizing true intent in the future.

"How long have you been a disciple of the Martial Arts Hall?"

With Bai Changlin questioning him personally, Li Shun and the others stared wide-eyed, their gazes already filled with jealous resentment. They desperately wished they were the ones standing there with their fists cupped.

"I joined a month ago."

Bai Changlin's expression remained calm, but his pupils contracted.

Such progress in a single month. Even with help from the Hundred Herbs Hall, this comprehension...

"Not bad."

Bai Changlin nodded, then said, "Fight in the ring. Let me see your progress in Fist Technique."

He was, after all, a True Intent Realm martial artist. The more interested he became in Su Yan, the more he naturally wanted to see.

Su Yan's eyes flickered slightly, and the corners of his mouth lifted.

Personally selected to fight in the ring? Then I'll be the first to take the stage.

Standing at the end of the line beside his master, Gao Zheng looked at Su Yan with delighted surprise.

This junior brother actually has such ability. Why not let him take a share in that business in the Wild Mountains and do him a favor?

With his master's approval, Li Jinshan strode forward and announced, "In that case, Junior Brother Su will defend the ring. The rest of you may each show your abilities. Stance Training is Stance Training; fighting is fighting. If you have something outstanding to show, you may still have a chance."

A martial artist's path revolved around a single word: struggle. Struggle against oneself, against others, against heaven.

Even if one's Stance Training fell short, should one refuse to struggle for an opportunity?

His words were like an overturned lamp, igniting the sparks in the hearts of the thirty-odd remaining outer disciples.

Su Yan's gaze was calm. Having recovered his breath, he walked to the open space in the middle of the courtyard and swept his eyes over everyone.

"Senior brothers, I look forward to learning from you."

His words fell, but for a moment, no one dared step forward.

Even Ma Xiaodong, Li Ying, and Liu Yinglong wore uncertain expressions, unsure of the depths of his ability.

Jealous resentment filled Li Shun's heart. Though he, too, was startled and uncertain, he cast a vicious glance at four or five companions from the lake region in the crowd and immediately signaled them with his eyes.

Those men all followed his lead. They had already been assigned to take the stage and wear others down, and now they saw his signal.

One could only steel himself and say, "Junior Brother Su, please instruct me."

A man stepped forward, tall and powerfully built.

The moment he came up, he charged with Monkey Leap Step, lunging straight at Su Yan. The tendons and bones in both arms crackled, his strength flowing freely through them.

Su Yan merely swept out a hand, caught the fist, and sent a jolt through his grip, throwing the man away.

"Next."

As Su Yan said, "Next," his gaze turned toward Li Shun.

"Interesting."

On the viewing platform, Bai Changlin, Li Jinshan, and the two elders, Zhao Tianwen and Li Chuan, all showed amusement in their eyes.

Outer disciples had their own conflicts. They could naturally see through this little maneuver.

But none of them took it to heart.

Where there were people, there were rivalries. It was just a pity that this apprentice at minor mastery in skin refining could not test Su Yan's ability.

He had lost seven-tenths of his courage before the fight even began, and his fists and feet had only rudimentary skill. How could he possibly win?

Su Yan's gaze remained calm, yet it fell upon Li Shun like a blade.

Li Shun felt thorns digging into his back, but he still did not take a single step forward.

Gritting his teeth, he signaled again, and the followers he had arranged beforehand went up one after another.

"Second."

"Third."

"Fourth..."

Three more men stepped forward in succession. All had reached minor mastery in skin refining, each possessing hundreds of pounds of strength, yet none could last a single exchange against Su Yan.

He knocked every one of them down with a single strike. Bruised faces were the lightest injuries; two who fought dirty were knocked unconscious outright.

"Fine skills. His fist technique has reached minor mastery, at least."

"Minor mastery? His arms are like iron, and he moves like an ape. That is major mastery in his fist technique."

Zhao Tianwen had barely spoken when Li Chuan narrowed his eyes beside him and corrected him.

"This..."

Zhao Tianwen's eyes widened. Major mastery in stance training, major mastery in fist technique, and judging by this ability, major mastery in skin refining as well. Was his talent truly that remarkable?

Su Yan had beaten all the men from the lake region. Even if Li Shun wanted to send someone else up now, he had no one left to send.

Damn that lowborn bastard! How is he so powerful? I refuse to believe you still have strength left.

A vicious light flashed in Li Shun's eyes. Gritting his teeth, he cupped his fist and stepped forward.

"Junior Brother Su, please instruct me."

He strode into the middle, truly riding a tiger he could no longer dismount. If he did not step forward, not only would the men from the lake region despise him, but Bai Changlin and the others would never let him enter the Inner Gate.

The reason was simple. Having already made his move, how could he shrink back and retreat halfway through? With such a disposition, he could not enter the Inner Gate.

Su Yan smiled. "At last. Make your move."