On September 9th of the 394th year of the True Martial Era, the sun rose, bathing the land in its radiant light.
At the Chen Clan's Martial Training Ground, nearly everyone who could still move—from the Clan Head to the lowliest sweeper—had gathered. This was the family's grand annual event: the Martial Apprentice Battle.
In the center of the training ground stood the arena, a sturdy wooden platform one meter high and five meters square. Constructed from thick planks as wide as three fingers, it was exceptionally durable.
"Everyone..." Clan Head Chen Wuxiong leaped onto the arena, his booming voice silencing the crowd. All eyes turned to him as he surveyed the assembly. "This is the Chen Clan's most important event of the year..."
Though his words were familiar, almost unchanged from previous years, Chen Wuxiong's commanding presence and resonant voice infused them with fervor, stirring the hearts of all present. The young Martial Apprentices, poised to compete, felt their blood boiling, eager to test their skills.
"As tradition dictates, let's first invite the three pre-selected finalists to the arena." Before Chen Wuxiong could finish, a delicate shout rang out. A graceful figure soared onto the platform, her movements as light as a crimson butterfly in flight. Landing behind the Clan Head, her slender legs were further accentuated by her deerskin boots.
"Miss Yuyao is so beautiful."
"She's breathtaking. If only she would smile at me," one family disciple murmured.
Below the arena, clan members gasped in awe. Beautiful, skilled, and of noble standing, she was undoubtedly a goddess in their eyes.
A faint whoosh cut through the air as a figure darted forward like a wolf, leaping onto the arena floor with a light thud. Lean and wiry, with an icy gaze and a scar on his cheek, he radiated a fierce, predatory aura.
"It's Chen Yidao!"
"I knew it! He's definitely one of the top three."
Chen Yidao seemed oblivious to the crowd's excitement, his frigid gaze fixed ahead, radiating the solitary aura of a lone wolf.
"Make way! Make way!" Chen Zhongjie and Chen Dalei shouted, shoving through the crowd to the accompaniment of angry retorts. Chen Zhigang strolled leisurely through the commotion, hopped onto the arena floor with a casual leap, and strode to the center. He surveyed the crowd with a faint, self-satisfied smile, exuding an air of unchallenged dominance: "I'm second to none—who dares claim first?"
"Chen Zhigang!"
"Brother Gang!"
"Young Master Gang!"
Excitement rippled through the spectators.
Chen Zhigang was hailed as the Chen Clan's foremost Martial Apprentice under fifteen. His exceptional strength and the fact that his father was the clan's top martial artist had made him a figure of intense scrutiny and admiration, particularly among the clan's young women. Every move he made drew rapt attention.
"Chen Zhigang, Chen Yidao, and Chen Yuyao have been pre-selected. Does anyone object?" Chen Wuxiong announced loudly, his eyes sweeping across the crowd.
"No objections."
"They're the strongest and most skilled cultivators under fifteen. It's only natural."
Many voices chimed in with agreement.
"This pre-selection doesn't mean others have no chance," Chen Wuxiong said with a satisfied nod. "Any family members under fifteen who wish to compete for the top three spots can participate in the Martial Apprentice Battle. The winner will earn the right to challenge one of the pre-selected three. If they prevail, they'll earn the opportunity to cultivate in the Clan Hall."
As Chen Wuxiong finished speaking, the young martial apprentices eager to participate in the battle began breathing heavily.
"I propose an additional rule," a figure rose from his elevated seat. His sleeveless martial robe revealed arms bulging with steel-like muscles, radiating overwhelming power. His eyes crackled with electric intensity, piercing through the crowd. It was Chen Huzhan, Chen Zhigang's father and the Clan's foremost martial expert. "Only those who have reached at least the third layer of the Qi Blood Realm shall be eligible for the Martial Apprentice Battle."
"What?!"
"How can you do this?!"
"This is unfair!"
The moment Chen Huzhan uttered his words, a wave of agitation rippled through the crowd.
The original rules allowed any disciple under fifteen to participate in the Martial Apprentice Battle. Now, Chen Huzhan's sudden decree threatened to disqualify the majority, a prospect many found unacceptable.
"Do you honestly believe a second-layer Qi Blood Realm cultivator can stand against a third-layer one?" Chen Huzhan sneered, his piercing gaze sweeping across the assembly. "If any of you below the third layer think you can defeat someone at that level, step forward and show me."
Silence fell over the group.
"Since none of you dare, there's no need to waste time," Chen Huzhan scoffed, turning to Chen Wuxiong. "Patriarch, you agree with my proposal, don't you? Let's make it official."
"I object."
Before Chen Wuxiong could respond, a voice, neither loud nor clear, but rather hoarse and rasping with authority, rang out, drawing all eyes.
"Ah, if it isn't Chen Zhengtang," Chen Huzhan said, his initial surprise quickly morphing into mockery. "The former top martial artist of the clan. What a pity that's all in the past. Now you're just a cripple. What right do you have to object?"
"As a member of the Chen Clan, I have every right to voice my objection," Chen Zhengtang declared, his expression unwavering and his voice ringing with conviction. "The original purpose of the Martial Apprentice Battle was to provide our young disciples with a collective opportunity for exchange and sparring—a chance for growth and sharpening their skills. For most, victory or defeat is secondary. Your actions undermine the clan's interests."
"And your actions benefit the clan?" Chen Huzhan sneered coldly. "Because of your son, who became a cripple after his Qi Blood withered and his cultivation base was destroyed, the Chen Clan nearly fell prey to the other clans in town. If I hadn't broken through in time, who knows how far we would have fallen? What right do you have to lecture me?"
Chen Zhengtang's face darkened.
"Of course, I'll give you a chance. Step up here—if you can defeat me, you can set the rules," Chen Huzhan taunted, beckoning mockingly with a curled finger. "But if you're too scared, crawl back to whatever hole you came from."
Chen Zhengtang's expression grew even more grim.
"Enough!" Chen Wuxiong roared, turning to the overseer seated on the elevated platform. "Overseer, what are your thoughts?"
The overseer appeared to be in his forties, clad in blue martial attire, his bearing haughty and aloof. The Chen Clan members regarded him with a hint of awe, for he was a martial artist sent by the Clan's main branch to oversee the competition.
"Handle it yourselves," the overseer said calmly, his voice measured. "My only task is to bring the three strongest contenders to the Clan Hall."
"Does anyone else object?" Chen Huzhan demanded, his voice sharp and challenging. "If you disagree, step forward and defeat me!"
"My father is right," Chen Zhigang declared, striding to Chen Huzhan's side. "Anyone below the third layer of the Qi Blood Realm shouldn't participate—it's a waste of time. Frankly, I think we should skip the Martial Apprentice Battle entirely. No one here is my match."
"That father-son duo is insufferable," Chen Yiming muttered through clenched teeth.
Chen Zhengtang retreated into the crowd, his face etched with anxiety. He still hadn't spotted Chen Zong anywhere.
"Alright, enough talk. Let the Martial Apprentice Battle begin!" Chen Huzhan declared, overriding Chen Wuxiong's authority. With a single bound, he leaped back onto his seat.
Left with no choice, Chen Wuxiong reluctantly left the arena, followed by Chen Zhigang and the other two contestants.
After excluding Chen Zhigang, Chen Yidao, and Chen Yuyao, as well as those whose cultivation base was below the third layer of the Qi Blood Realm, only eight Martial Apprentices remained eligible for the battle.
"I'll go first. Who wants to fight me?" Chen Zhongjie announced, leaping onto the arena platform. He had recently broken through to the third layer of the Qi Blood Realm.
"I do, Chen Yang," a slender figure replied, leaping lightly onto the platform. He immediately adopted the starting stance of the Wolf Fang Fist Technique, facing Chen Zhongjie directly.
"Wolf Strike Stance!" Chen Zhongjie had already assumed his stance. With swift footwork, he lunged forward, his fist thrusting out like a savage tusk.
"Wolf Flash!" Chen Yang lowered his posture, rapidly tapping the ground with his feet as he darted aside. Just as Chen Zhongjie's fist landed, Chen Yang executed the Wolf Flash Stance, dodging the attack and reappearing at his opponent's side. His left fist shot out like a wolf's jaws—
"Wolf Bite Stance!"
Caught off guard, Chen Zhongjie was struck and tumbled sideways. Chen Yang immediately pressed his advantage, his fist aimed like a tusk at Chen Zhongjie's face.
"I yield!" Chen Zhongjie shouted hastily, Chen Yang's Wolf Strike Stance halting inches from his face, the force of the stop ruffling the strands of hair across his forehead.
"This youth possesses swift reflexes and considerable combat experience," the Battle Overseer nodded in appraisal.
"Who's next?" Chen Yang asked, having swiftly defeated Chen Zhongjie with minimal effort.
"Chen Chongxing will test your skills!" A figure leaped onto the arena and charged toward Chen Yang the moment his feet touched down. His leg flashed out like a drawn blade, delivering a swift kick that carried a sharp gust of wind.
Chen Yang crouched low and executed the Wolf Flash Stance once more.
The Wolf Fang Fist Technique clashed against the Blade Wind Leg Technique.
Dodging, striking, and colliding, both fighters poured every ounce of their strength into securing victory.
Finally, Chen Yang seized an opening. His Wolf Strike Stance slammed into Chen Chongxing's ribs. The devastating force drained the color from Chen Chongxing's face, forcing him to stagger backward. Capitalizing on the moment, Chen Yang surged forward again, knocking Chen Chongxing off the platform and claiming his second triumph.
"I request a break before the third match," Chen Yang said, raising his hand. The battle against Chen Chongxing had taken a considerable toll on his energy.
"Granted. Chen Yang, leave the arena to rest," Chen Wuxiong agreed. "The others may continue fighting."
This arrangement ensured that no single fighter exhausted themselves completely, preventing weaker opponents from capitalizing on their fatigue.
"I'll go first," Chen Dalei announced, leaping into the arena. Fueled by tiger bone tonic and broth, his Qi Blood had surged, pushing his cultivation base to the peak of the third layer of the Qi Blood Realm. His strength had visibly increased.
His opponent, also a practitioner of the Tiger Force Fist Technique, charged forward for a head-on collision. Chen Dalei's superior power drove him back, followed by a swift stride and another full-force punch that echoed with a sound like a tiger's roar.
The blow landed squarely, sending his opponent flying off the arena.
"A complete domination. His strength is commendable," the Battle Overseer nodded in approval.
"Who dares challenge me next?" Chen Dalei roared.
"Don't get cocky. I'll show you what I've got," another challenger stormed into the arena, unleashing a barrage of Blade Wind Leg Technique strikes.
After several exchanges, Chen Dalei once again sent his opponent crashing off the platform.
"Dalei's doing well," Chen Zhigang remarked with satisfaction.
Having defeated three opponents in succession, Chen Dalei finally requested a break.
Now, only Chen Yang, Chen Dalei, and the final contestant remained.
With Chen Dalei resting, Chen Yang stepped forward to face the last challenger.
"Chen Yang, you're no match for me," Chen Li declared, a woman who also practiced the Blade Wind Leg Technique.
"We'll see about that," Chen Yang retorted, unleashing the Wolf Fang Fist Technique with unreserved force—Wolf Pounce Stance, Wolf Flash Stance, and Wolf Strike Stance—each blow delivered with unreserved ferocity.
With a fierce cry, Chen Li swept her long leg horizontally like a blade, creating a swirling gust of wind.
Blade Whirl Stance. Blade Strike Stance.
The two stances flowed seamlessly together, striking Chen Yang directly and forcing him back. Chen Li's legs, like razor-sharp swords, unleashed a flurry of slashes, driving him off the platform.
"Chen Dalei, come up and fight me!" Chen Li declared imperiously.
"I'll crush you!" Chen Dalei leaped onto the arena, his muscles coiling before he unleashed a thunderous stomp. He surged forward like a Ferocious Tiger, his fist a devastating blur of raw strength.
Ferocious Tiger Burst!
"Blade Cleave Stance!" Chen Li countered with her most devastating technique.
The impact shook both fighters. Chen Dalei staggered, while Chen Li stumbled backward, her right leg trembling uncontrollably.
"I concede," Chen Li said reluctantly, her right leg now numb and unresponsive.
"Congratulations to Chen Dalei for winning the Martial Apprentice Battle! You may now challenge one of the remaining three. Who will you face?" Chen Wuxiong announced.
"Dalei, step down," Chen Zhigang suddenly interjected.
"I forfeit," Chen Dalei replied instantly, leaping off the arena platform and relinquishing his challenge privilege, leaving the crowd astonished.
"Chen Dalei has forfeited his challenge. Chen Zhigang, Chen Yidao, and Chen Yuyao have earned the right to train at the Clan Hall," Chen Wuxiong declared, then added rhetorically, "Does anyone object?"
"I object!" A clear, resonant voice sliced through the silence like a sword, instantly altering the expressions of Chen Zhengtang and Chen Yiming.