Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

The disciples of Weiyuan Hall were all shocked. Sun Tao had reached Qi Gathering Great Success two months ago—long before Kong Yu—yet he was the one being suppressed.

"Your Physique conditioning is a bit lacking."

Kong Yu smiled at Sun Tao, not pressing his advantage. His confidence was plain to see.

"Brother Kong, your Physique is astounding. Let’s test our Inner Cultivation now."

A sharp glint flashed in Sun Tao’s eyes. He pulled his legs from the dirt, his body surging with True Qi.

"Fine!"

Kong Yu let out a long cry, True Qi also surging from his body as he rushed forward to trade blows with Sun Tao.

After several dozen exchanges, Sun Tao’s face was pale and his arms trembled, unable to continue.

Kong Yu cupped his fist and retreated to the side, not continuing the attack. He clearly remembered their agreement.

"It seems my disciple is still a cut above." A smile returned to Ji Yun’s face.

Lin Cheng remained expressionless. "A Lower A-class Root Bone. With talent like that, you could teach a dog to reach his level."

Ji Yun’s face instantly darkened.

The sparring continued. The fights looked intense, but everyone was holding back; no one wanted to jeopardize their chances in the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon.

In the next four matches, Lu Ren and Yang Lin were defeated, while Jiang Ping and Zhao Zhifei were victorious. Weiyuan Hall had lost three of the five bouts.

Lin Cheng showed little emotion. He had expected this outcome.

"Today’s fights weren’t satisfying enough," Kong Yu said with a laugh. "I’ll come for another lesson after the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon."

Everyone had held back today, not daring to strike a lethal blow. He could defeat Sun Tao, but he was also wary of others using ruthless moves against the people from Gale Hall.

"We might get the chance to fight in the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon," Lu Ren countered sharply.

He had actually wanted to take on Kong Yu, who had always overshadowed him, but he couldn’t very well refuse Sun Tao after he’d stepped forward.

He had also held back today. Since this was a spar between Martial Arts Halls, everyone used the techniques taught by Weiyuan Hall. But the art he truly practiced most was a Martial Art passed down to him from the Gu Family.

During the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon, any and all techniques could be used freely. Only then would a person’s true skill be revealed.

"Then let’s clash in the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon," a Gale Hall disciple named Zhu Yang spoke up.

He was the one who had defeated Yang Lin of Weiyuan Hall in the earlier spar. His strength ranked in the top three of Gale Hall, and he was an expert who had cultivated Qi Gathering Great Success to its absolute peak.

With any luck, he might even achieve Marrow Cleansing by the time of the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Xu Yang. "By then, I hope your Cultivation will be stable."

The person the Gale Hall disciples most wanted to teach a lesson to was Xu Yang, because he had mocked their master, Ji Yun.

"I will be waiting!"

Xu Yang said nothing, but looked toward Yang Jun.

There hadn’t been a major issue between them before, but now the relationship between the two Martial Arts Halls was even more strained. If serious consequences were to arise during the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon, then their conflict would be no small matter.

Yang Jun’s face was pale; he had clearly realized the same thing.

"Brother Lin, we’ll take our leave!"

Ji Yun cupped his fist, then led the group of Gale Hall disciples away.

"Everyone is dismissed. Xu Yang, come with me!"

Lin Cheng walked toward the Inner Courtyard, his hands clasped behind his back. Xu Yang could only follow, and they soon arrived at Lin Cheng’s private courtyard.

’He’s certainly keeping his composure. I’m afraid he still doesn’t realize that disaster is looming.’

Lin Cheng sat down and gazed at this disciple who had astonishing Comprehension but lacked a fiery spirit, feeling a wave of helplessness.

’If only Sun Tao had this kind of Comprehension.’

"Do you realize you made Ji Yun lose face today? If you run into a disciple from Gale Hall during the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon, they will surely cripple you," Lin Cheng said.

Xu Yang was too timid. He planned to intimidate him, using the threat of a life-or-death crisis to ignite Xu Yang’s fighting spirit. Perhaps then he could deal a heavy blow to the Gale Hall disciples during the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon.

"I know," Xu Yang said with a respectful bow.

Lin Cheng’s eyes widened. "You knew, and you still dared to speak to Ji Yun like that? Weren’t you afraid he’d tear you to pieces on the spot?"

Xu Yang replied, "But Master was there, wasn’t he? I couldn’t possibly shame you by just swallowing my anger and staying silent while being targeted."

Hearing this, Lin Cheng’s expression softened considerably. So this disciple had been thinking about his master’s honor. It must have been hard for someone so timid to stand up to Ji Yun, the master of Gale Hall.

"You have two choices now. First, you can withdraw from the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon. Second, you can bury yourself in bitter training to raise your Cultivation. If you do that, even if you run into Kong Yu, you’ll be able to protect yourself with your mastery of the Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist."

"However, skipping the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon is just a temporary solution. Knowing Ji Yun’s petty nature, if he can’t teach you a lesson during the competition, he’ll come looking for you after."

’So a fight is unavoidable!’

Feeling a bit helpless, Xu Yang said, "Master, you must have called me here because you’ve already thought of a solution for me. I ask for your guidance."

Lin Cheng rolled his eyes. "What solution could I have? I’m just reminding you, so you don’t naively think this is all over. Whenever Weiyuan Hall and Gale Hall cross paths in the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon, it’s a fight to the death—and this time you’ve shamed Ji Yun on top of it all."

"Catch!"

As he spoke, a porcelain vial flew in an arc and landed in Xu Yang’s hand.

"There are three Qi Replenishing Pills in there. Use them to work hard on your Cultivation. If you run into any Gale Hall disciples during the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon, don’t be a coward. Strike to kill."

"Thank you, Master!" Xu Yang was overjoyed.

He had thought Lin Cheng called him here to scold him for mocking Ji Yun and deepening the conflict between the two Martial Arts Halls. He never expected to be rewarded instead.

’Okay, this master is a good one.’

Not only had Lin Cheng waived his tuition fees before, but now he was giving him Qi Replenishing Pills.

Each one was said to cost ten taels of silver, and they were the kind of thing you couldn’t buy even if you had the money. Their effects were far more potent than a common Qi Replenishing Powder.

Although Lin Cheng had given him the pills hoping he would use his Wind and Thunder Strength to kill a few Gale Hall disciples in the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon, it was, at the end of the day, a substantial benefit for Xu Yang.