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Chapter 60: The Arena (Congratulations to Alliance Master Satan under the Moonlight! )

Chapter 60: The Arena (Congratulations to Alliance Master Satan under the Moonlight! )

Three Yuan City, eighth day of the eighth month.

The Martial Alliance held a grand assembly, with numerous martial arts hall masters gathered in one place.

"Good to see you, Elder Brother Zhang!"

"Old Hu took another concubine a few days ago, his vigor is undiminished from back in the day!"

"Isn't that Old Master Ximen of the Gale Martial Arts Hall? He actually came too!"

...

Fang Xi stood to the side, mingling with the other struggling and disheartened martial arts hall masters, disinclined to engage in commercial flattery.

Those major martial arts halls controlled the Martial Alliance, establishing so-called rules that were, in reality, designed to raise the bar and make things difficult for newcomers like them.

Mu Cang Long was also among the crowd, a joyful expression on his face, conversing with another female hall master in her forties, not recognizing Fang Xi.

After all, Fang Xi was currently wearing Fang Leng's face.

With the muscle and bone transformation of a four-step Martial Master, coupled with the minor tricks of a cultivator, even a Grandmaster would be unable to discern his disguise.

The venue was the 'Return Wind Tower' in Three Yuan City.

This building was not only sumptuously constructed but also featured a 'return' shaped structure, with private rooms on all four sides encircling a massive central arena.

It could be used for song and dance performances, or for. . . martial arts contests!

After a round of modest greetings, the many martial arts hall masters took their seats.

With a flash of movement, an old man with white hair and beard, and a crimson fleshy growth on his forehead, leaped onto the arena stage. He clasped his fists to the four directions: "Everyone. . . Today's Martial Alliance gathering is to select the 'Eight Steeds'. . . Any martial arts hall apprentice below the age of twenty who is willing may register and compete to determine the victor!"

These 'Eight Steeds' not only had an appealing title but also represented the opportunity to receive the full support and cultivation of the Martial Alliance. Afterward, it would also raise the prestige of their own martial arts halls, bringing many benefits.

Because of this, the competition was extremely fierce.

Qingmu, representing 'A Certain Martial Arts Hall', had naturally registered early and was waiting to step onto the arena.

"First match, Yang Jian of Azure Profound Martial Arts Hall, versus Pan Miaomiao of Vase Martial Arts Hall!"

Fang Xi remained unmoving, seated in his Grand Tutor's Chair, sipping tea and watching as the martial arts contest began in the arena.

"Vase Martial Arts Hall actually sent a woman to compete?"

A white-haired martial arts hall master beside him couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Elder Brother Zhao wouldn't know, but this Pan Miaomiao is a martial apprentice who has achieved the third change of Blood-Qi Transformation!"

Another hall master beside him introduced to Hall Master Zhao: "This woman cultivates the Vase Martial Arts Hall's 'Vase Seal'. This martial art is profound and intricate; it's said to be significantly beyond ordinary third-rate martial arts, having reached the level of second-rate martial arts."

Indeed, in less than three moves, Pan Miaomiao knocked Yang Jian off the stage, cleanly winning the first match.

"Master, they all fight so fast!"

Qingsang watched groups of people ascend the arena stage and quickly decide their fates, unable to stop himself from exclaiming.

"Naturally so. . . In Blood-Qi Martial Arts, if one's martial skill is a line higher, their combat power is exponentially greater! After all, we martial artists emphasize defeating an enemy in a single move. . . If a fight on stage goes for more than thirty moves without a clear victor, it's generally a feigned match!"

Fang Xi set down his teacup, giving his student a lecture.

"This Hall Master Fang, you hit the nail on the head. " Hall Master Zhao beside him heard this and his eyes lit up: "May I ask where your esteemed martial arts hall teaches its disciples?"

"I am Fang Leng, and I've opened 'A Certain Martial Arts Hall'," Fang Xi smiled faintly.

"A Certain Martial Arts Hall? " Hall Master Zhao's old face flushed. Even though he prided himself on his extensive knowledge, he had never heard of this martial arts hall's name. He could only give a vague chuckle to smooth things over.

At this moment, the fleshy-growth-headed old man above shouted: "Next match. . . Qingmu of A Certain Martial Arts Hall, versus Song Sifei of Great Peng Martial Arts Hall!"

"Go!"

Fang Xi said to the dazed and simple-minded Qingmu beside him.

"Oh!"

Qingmu, his eyes vacant, responded and walked to the side of the arena, then clambered up. . .

"Uh, this. . ."

Hall Master Zhao looked at Qingmu with a hint of pity: "Is this child simple? The steps are right there. . ."

In truth, most of these young martial artists, seeking to appear cool, would usually use their movement techniques to leap onto the stage.

Someone like Qingmu was truly rare. . .

Qingsang, however, knew that Adai's wisdom was hidden within; he simply didn't care what others thought of him. If Master told him to go on stage, he went on stage; if Master told him to fight, he fought!

"Please!"

Song Sifei wore blue short training attire, revealing his bulging, muscular arms. Seeing Qingmu step onto the stage, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes.

As soon as the referee announced the start of the match, his arms moved like the wind. He unleashed the Great Peng Iron-Wing Fist, smashing towards Qingmu!

In his view, encountering such an opponent—one who couldn't even leap onto the arena stage—in the first match was sheer luck!

"Ah!"

The next moment, before Song Sifei could even react, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, and his entire body was sent flying off the arena stage.

"How. . . did I lose?"

A look of confusion appeared on his face. He simply couldn't fathom how he had lost to that little simpleton?

"Hm?"

"True Force?"

"A Martial Artist?"

Apart from a few well-informed major martial arts halls and high-level figures, the other smaller martial arts halls were somewhat stunned.

"Who is this person? So young, yet he has actually advanced to the Martial Artist realm!"

Mu Cang Long was incredulous. He turned to Zhang Minting beside him and said, "This person is your formidable enemy. If you encounter him, you can concede!"

He profoundly understood the difference between a Martial Artist and a martial apprentice.

Zhang Minting had also won a match and was somewhat unconvinced.

"Not only strong, but his innate talent. . . probably only your Eldest Senior Brother Fang Xi can compare. " Mu Cang Long sighed, wondering where that supremely talented eldest disciple had gone?

...

"Old Master Ximen, please observe!"

In the largest private room of the Return Wind Tower, an old man with large, gnarled hands and a fierce countenance, who was quietly smoking a golden dry pipe, watched Qingmu descend from the stage.

Beside him, a middle-aged martial artist bowed and said, "That is Qingmu. Like Zhang Minting, he also comes from a small martial arts hall. . ."

"Hmph, the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall is one thing, but this 'A Certain Martial Arts Hall' dares to open for business without even acknowledging us as their superior, clearly not showing us any respect!"

Another portly martial artist stroked his two small mustaches with a smile. He was Ximen He, the master of the Gale Martial Arts Hall, and also Old Master Ximen's son: "It's just good luck, they picked up a genius. Yet, there are still people in the Alliance who want to recruit and train him. . . Father, rest assured, I already rigged the draw today, and I've also made arrangements over there. I guarantee that kid will be carried off the stage in his next match!"

"A-He!"

Old Master Ximen suddenly glared, his eyes wide.

When at ease, he resembled an old farmer from the countryside, but when he displayed his might, he was like an enraged Vajra, making Ximen He not dare to even breathe: "Father. . ."

"I've told you before, use fewer of these underhanded tricks. They damage our Ximen family's prestige. A mere small martial arts hall, we can shut them down with a wave of our hand. Why resort to such insidious methods? " Old Master Ximen shook his head: "What's more. . . you don't understand the greater trend!"

"The greater trend? " Ximen He was somewhat surprised.

"Indeed. . . The Martial Alliance is too chaotic, it needs to be integrated. This is the will of those above. " Old Master Ximen slowly added tobacco to his pipe: "Although the Huang family is gone, there's still the Qian family. . . Once we've paved their way, what do these trifling matters below account for? That one named Qingmu, he will be your dog in the future. When dealing with your own dog, do you need to kill it directly? What a waste!"

"The Qian family, one of the Four Great Clans, is supporting us? " Ximen He's eyes lit up: "Then what is there to fear. . . Haha, Father, you are truly far-sighted!"

He was now somewhat eager to see the faces of his opponents, as if they'd lost their parents.

...

"Adai, well done."

Adai descended from the arena, still looking as if his mind wandered afar.

But Hall Master Zhao, beside Fang Xi, could no longer sit still: "Brother Fang. . . I have a granddaughter, sixteen years old, she's absolutely charming. Would you consider forming a marriage alliance?"

Fang Xi chuckled vaguely in response, deflecting the proposal.

Qingsang patted Adai's shoulder: "Qingmu, well done. . . Here, have a meat bun, you'll have more strength for your match!"

As he spoke, he pulled out a paper packet, the buns inside still steaming hot.

"Big Brother. . ."

Qingmu glanced at Qingsang, then ate the meat bun in large bites, a childlike smile appearing on his face.

"Next match. . . Qingmu of A Certain Martial Arts Hall, versus Ximen Zhong of Gale Martial Arts Hall!"

At this moment, the fleshy-growth-headed old man on the arena called out again.

"It's his turn again, Brother Fang, although your disciple's martial arts are strong, his luck with the draws isn't so good. . ."

Hall Master Zhao shook his head: "Ximen Zhong is the biological son of Gale Martial Arts Hall Master Ximen He, personally tutored by him. His martial arts also entered the True Force realm early on. . ."

"Go!"

Fang Xi's expression was calm as he spoke to Adai.

Adai nodded, ascended the arena. Opposite him was a young man in crimson clothes, his face filled with arrogance: "You're Qingmu, right? If I don't knock you off this stage within twenty moves, I'll take your surname!"

...

Below the arena.

"Master! Earlier, a man in black tried to find me and told me to secretly put this powder in Adai's food!"

Qingsang's face showed a struggle, then he suddenly came to Fang Xi's side, handing over a yellow paper packet: "I didn't use it. . ."

"Mm, Adai knows, after all, you used to call him Adai, not Qingmu."

Fang Xi nodded, taking the paper packet and casually discerning its contents: "Tendons-Burning Powder? Impressive. . . Do they want my disciple dead on the arena stage?"

"What? Adai? " Qingsang was as if struck by lightning, retreating several steps.

"Don't worry, Adai always trusts you. Otherwise, why would he eat your bun?"

Fang Xi chuckled, looking towards the arena.

On the arena, figures flew and danced, and in a blink of an eye, more than ten moves had passed.

"Damn it, you forced my hand."

Ximen Zhong was pushed to the edge of the arena, his face twisted in a ferocious expression, his hands moving like the wind:

"Secret Art: Fierce Mountain Palm!"

His hands instantly turned crimson, striking out in a series of spectral, rapid blows, filling the air with red palm shadows.

"Not good!"

Below the stage, Mu Cang Long's face was filled with alarm: "This is a secret killing move of the Gale Martial Arts Hall! Once unleashed, it means either death or grave injury!"

Many of the elders had already closed their eyes, unable to watch.

The next instant, Adai's feet seemed rooted to the ground, and he slowly extended a palm.

This palm strike was neither remarkably dazzling nor particularly intricate, yet it was precisely. . . perfect!

Thwack!

This palm strike dodged all the palm shadows and landed directly on Ximen Zhong's chest, sending him flying off the arena stage.

Ximen Zhong stood there, his expression frozen in a daze.

Suddenly!

Thump!

A bloody hole burst open on his back, and countless internal organs, mixed with bone fragments, splattered out as if an explosion had occurred!

Secret Art: Primordial Limitless!