Chapter 60: Chapter 59: Arena (Congratulations to the Satan Lord under the Moonlight!)_1 Chapter 60: Chapter 59: Arena (Congratulations to the Satan Lord under the Moonlight!)_1 Tri-element City, August 8th.
The Military Alliance was holding a grand assembly, and many principals of martial arts schools had gathered together.
“Brother Zhang, good to see you!”
“Sir Hu has taken another young concubine a few days ago, as imposing as ever!”
“Isn’t that Old Master Ximen from Gale Martial Arts School? He’s come too!”
…
Fang Xi stood to one side, mingling with other school principals who were dissatisfied but unwilling to join in the mutual flattery.
The big schools monopolized the Military Alliance, establishing so-called rules which were actually just ways to raise entry barriers and trouble those who came after them.
The poor business of Youjian Martial Arts School was greatly related to this.
Mu Canglong was also among the crowd, his face lit with joy as he chatted with another female principal in her forties, not recognizing Fang Xi.
After all, Fang Xi was currently wearing the face of Fang Leng.
With the body-modifying techniques of a Fourth-Step Martial Teacher and small tricks of an Immortal Cultivator, even a grandmaster wouldn’t be able to see through his disguise.
The place they were in was the ‘Backwind Building’ of Tri-element City.
This building was not only constructed with grandeur but also had a ‘returning’ structure, with private rooms surrounding a huge central stage.
The stage could be used for singing and dancing performances or for… martial arts competition!
After a round of modesty, the school principals took their seats.
With a flash of movement, an old man with white hair and a beard, with a red fleshy lump on his forehead, jumped onto the stage and saluted in all directions, “Ladies and gentlemen… our meeting today at the Military Alliance is to select the ‘Eight Steeds’… Any apprentice from a martial arts school under the age of twenty with the desire to compete may sign up and fight to determine the victor!”
These ‘Eight Steeds’ were not only prestigious in name but also represented the chance to receive dedicated support and training from the Military Alliance, as well as the opportunity to increase their own school’s fame. The benefits were numerous.
Because of this, the competition was extremely fierce.
Qing Mu, representing Youjian Martial Arts School, had naturally signed up early and was waiting for his turn on the stage.
“The first match, Yang Jian from Qing Xuanwu Martial Arts School, against Pan Miaomiao from Treasure Vase Martial Arts School!”
Fang Xi sat unmovingly on his armchair, sipping tea while watching the commencement of the matches on stage.
“Treasure Vase Martial Arts School has actually sent a woman to fight?”
A principal with white hair next to him couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
“Brother Zhao might not know, but this Pan Miaomiao is a martial trainee of the Three Transformations of Qi and Blood!”
Another principal next to Master Zhao introduced, “This lady is practicing the ‘Treasure Vase Seal’ from Treasure Vase Martial Arts School. This martial skill is mysterious and profound, reputed to surpass ordinary third-rate skills by a large margin, and has reached the level of second-rate martial arts.”
Indeed, without three moves, Pan Miaomiao had knocked Yang Jian off the stage and won the first match swiftly and decisively.
“Master, they all fight so quickly!”
Qing Sang watched as one pair after another took the stage and quickly decided the victor, he could not help but comment.
“Naturally… in Qi and Blood Martial Arts, just a slight edge in skill can make a huge difference in combat. After all, we practitioners of martial arts aim to subdue our opponents with one move… If more than thirty moves are exchanged in the ring and there is still no winner, it’s basically just for show!”
Fang Xi put down his teacup and began teaching his student.
“Principal Fang speaks the truth,” said Master Zhao beside him, his eyes brightening after hearing Fang Xi’s words, “May I ask where your school is located, and how students are taught?”
“I am merely Fang Leng, who opened Youjian Martial Arts School,” Fang Xi replied with a slight smile.
“Youjian Martial Arts School?” Master Zhao’s face turned red with embarrassment, and even though he prided himself on being well-informed, he had never heard of this school’s name. He could only laugh it off awkwardly.
At that moment, the old man with a fleshy lump on his forehead on the stage shouted, “Next match… Qing Mu from Youjian Martial Arts School, against Song Sifei from Dapeng Martial Arts School!”
“Go!”
Fang Xi said to Qing Mu beside him, who seemed foolish and foolish.
“Oh!”
With a blank look in his eyes, Qing Mu uttered a response, walked to the edge of the stage, and climbed up…
“Uh, this…”
Master Zhao looked at Qing Mu with a bit of pity, “Is this kid dull? The steps are right there…”
Most of these young martial artists sought to look impressive, often leaping onto the platform using their agility.
Seeing someone like Qing Mu, who did not, was indeed rare…
Qing Sang, however, knew that Dai’s profoundness lay within his heart. He didn’t care about how the outside world viewed him—if his master told him to ascend the platform, he would; if his master told him to compete, he would fight!
“Please!”
Song Sifei, wearing blue shorts that revealed his muscular arms, saw Qing Mu come up onto the stage, and a hint of pleasure flashed in his eyes.
When the judge announced the beginning of the match, he immediately swung his arms like the wind, executing the Dapeng Iron Wing Fist, aiming it directly at Qing Mu!
In his view, facing such an opponent who struggled to even jump onto the stage in his first match was lucky indeed!
“Ah!”
The next moment, before Song Sifei could comprehend what had happened, he felt a pain in his chest and found himself flying off the stage.
“How did I lose?”
A trace of confusion appeared on his face; he couldn’t understand how he had been defeated by that foolish child.
“Hmm?”
“True Power?”
“Martial Artist?”
Apart from the few well-informed large schools and higher-ups, the rest of the small-school crowd were somewhat stunned.
“Who is this person? So young and yet already promoted to martial artist!”
Mu Canglong couldn’t believe it, and turned to Zhang Mingding beside him, “This person is your formidable foe; if you encounter him, you may concede!”
He was well aware of the difference between a martial artist and a martial trainee.
“Is he… really that strong?”
Zhang Mingding had also won a match and was rather unconvinced.
“Not only is he strong, but his talent… probably only your senior brother Fang Xi can compare,” Mu Canglong sighed, wondering where that remarkably talented junior disciple was now.
…
“Please look, Old Master Ximen!”
Inside the largest private room of Backwind Building, a burly old man with thick knuckles was silently watching Qing Mu leave the arena while smoking a golden tobacco pipe.
Next to him, a middle-aged martial artist bowed and said, “This is the Qing Mu, just like Zhang Mingding, both are from lesser martial arts schools…”
“Hmph, White Cloud Martial Arts School is one thing, but for Youjian Martial Arts School to dare to open without even paying respects to the mountain, it’s clear they don’t take us seriously!”
Another portly martial artist, with a smile creasing his small moustache, touched his beard. He was Ximen He, the principal of Gale Martial Arts School, and also the son of Old Master Ximen: “It’s just luck that they found a genius, and yet there are some within the alliance who want to recruit and cultivate him… Rest assured, father, I’ve already fixed the lot drawing for today’s match, and I’ve made arrangements on the side, guaranteed to have that boy carried off the stage in the next match!”
“Ah He!”
Old Master Ximen’s eyes suddenly widened sharply.
He seemed as amiable as a country farmer when pleased, but now he struck an imposing figure like an angry King Kong, causing Ximen He not to dare breathe too loudly: “Dad…”
“I’ve already said, refrain from using such despicable tricks; it tarnishes the style of our Ximen family. For a mere little martial arts school, we could have them close their doors with just a wave of our hand; why use such underhanded tactics?” Old Master Ximen shook his head: “Besides… you don’t understand the bigger picture!”
“The bigger picture?” Ximen He was somewhat surprised.
“Yes… The Military Alliance is too chaotic, it needs to be consolidated. That’s the will of those above,” Sir Ximen slowly added more tobacco to his pipe: “Even though the Huang Family is gone, there’s still the Qian Family… Having cleared the way with them, what does this small matter count for? That Qing Mu, in the future, will be your own dog. When dealing with your own dog, is there any need to kill him directly? Waste!”
“One of the four major noble families, the Qian Family, supports us?” Ximen He’s eyes lit up: “Then there’s nothing to fear… Haha, dad, your strategic acumen is exceptional!”
He was now looking forward to witnessing the crestfallen expressions of those opposition faces.
…
“Dai, well done.”
Dai had left the arena but still had the look of someone lost in thought.
However, Master Zhao next to Fang Xi was already unable to sit still: “Brother Fang… I have a granddaughter, just eighteen, and very charming. How about we become family by marriage?”
Fang Xi chuckled and gave a noncommittal response.
Qing Sang slapped Dai on the back: “Qing Mu, nicely done… Here, have a pork bun to get more energy for the fight!”
While speaking, he took out a paper-wrapped bun that was still steaming hot.
“Big brother…”
Qing Mu gave Qing Sang a look, and began to eat the pork bun with a childlike grin on his face.
“Next match… Youjian Martial Arts School’s Qing Mu versus Gale Martial Arts School’s Ximen Zhong!”
At that moment, the announcer on stage called out again.
“It’s our turn again, Brother Fang. Although your disciple is highly skilled, his lot drawing luck isn’t very good…”
Master Zhao shook his head: “Ximen Zhong is Ximen He’s son, personally trained and already entered the realm of True Power…”
“Go on!”
Fang Xi said calmly to Dai.
Dai nodded and stepped onto the arena, facing a young man in red clothes who exuded arrogance: “Qing Mu, right? If I don’t beat you off the stage within twenty moves, I’ll take your surname!”
…
Below the arena.
“Master! Earlier, a man in black came to me, asking me to secretly put this kind of poison powder in Dai’s food!”
Qing Sang’s face struggled with emotion, then suddenly went to Fang Xi’s side and handed over a yellow paper packet: “I didn’t use it…”
“Mm, Dai also knows, after all, you used to call him Dai, not Qing Mu.”
Fang Xi nodded, took the packet and casually identified it: “Bone-burning Powder? Impressive… So they want my disciple dead on the stage, do they?”
“What? Dai, he?” Qing Sang stepped back as if struck by lightning.
“Don’t worry, Dai has always trusted you, otherwise why would he eat the bun?”
Fang Xi laughed out loud and looked towards the stage.
On the arena, figures whirled, and in the blink of an eye more than a dozen moves had passed.
“Damn it, you’ve forced my hand.”
Ximen Zhong was pushed to the edge of the stage, his face contorted vilely, hands moving like the wind:
“Secret Skill·Mountain Blast Palm!”
His palms turned bright red in an instant, striking out continuously, his many palm strikes casting a red hue all over.
“This is bad!”
Below the stage, Mu Canglong’s face was filled with dismay: “This is a secret killing move of Gale Martial Arts School, once unleashed it’s either death or injury!”
Many in the crowd, unable to bear the sight, closed their eyes.
In the next instant, they saw Dai grounding himself as he slowly extended a palm.
This palm strike was not particularly astonishing or complex, it was just perfectly timed!
Crack!
The strike evaded the flurry of palm strikes, landing squarely on Ximen Zhong’s chest, and sent him tumbling off the arena.
Ximen Zhong stood stupefied on the spot.
Suddenly!
Bang!
A gaping hole burst open in his back, blood and gore intermixed with bones, as if exploding, scattered all around!
Secret Skill·Mixed Origin Without Limit!