Beginning with the Five Animals Fist to Become a Saint

On the school field.

Drops of pale golden blood dripped down the sword's edge and onto the ground, then spread out.

Dust settled down, as if a layer of gray flour had been spread on the ground.

"I have lost!" Mingxin admitted to Jiang Ning.

"Even Master Mingxin has lost to this person!" Zhang Ming looked at the scene in the center of the training ground, his expression filled with relief.

He felt somewhat resentful at being defeated by such a young Jiang Ning.

But now, compared to Mingxin, Mingxin has lost, and he immediately felt relieved.

How could it be unreasonable that they lost to the martial arts champion?
As various thoughts flashed through his mind, he looked at Wan Jianyi again, a hint of pity in his eyes.

Compared to him, Wan Jianyi was much more pitiful.

Before this martial arts competition, Wan Jianyi ranked first on the Heavenly Ranking, his reputation was unparalleled, and he was the strongest among the younger generation.

Now, having been defeated by Mingxin, his first place on the Heavenly Ranking is no longer worthy, and his reputation has plummeted.

Mingxin was defeated by Jiangning.

In comparison, Wan Jianyi's previous aura instantly dimmed.

He knew very well that after today, Wan Jianyi would fall from grace.

The higher one's reputation was previously held in high esteem, the more severe its subsequent decline will be.

Especially since there were already some frictions between the three of them, this will cause the public opinion to spread even wider.

at the same time.

Wan Jianyi sensed several faint, yet distinct, gazes from behind him.

He sensed the special meaning in her gaze, which instantly felt like needles pricking his back, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

His fists clenched involuntarily, his nails digging deep into his flesh, and drops of blood seeped between his fingers.

This kind of gaze had never been directed at him before.

Today was also the first time he had experienced such mixed feelings and complex emotions.

On the high platform to the north.

"I knew it, he's the best!" Ji Mingyue's tense body finally relaxed at this moment, as if she had been relieved. Her eyebrows and eyes curved slightly, like crescent moons.

"Little Seventeen, congratulations! Congratulations on choosing a good husband, the top scholar of our time!" The Second Princess's eyes revealed a hint of envy.

"Thank you, Second Sister!" Ji Mingyue looked at the Second Princess with a smile on her face.

at the same time.

"It was actually him who won the title of Martial Arts Champion!" the man on the dragon throne murmured, his voice barely audible.

At this moment, even he had to admit that the man in the training ground was extremely outstanding, and few in the world could compare with him.

"His achievements are indeed worthy of Little Seventeen!" he whispered again.

Then, he let out a long sigh inwardly.

No father would feel good about this situation.

Looking at Ji Mingyue's bright smile, he slowly withdrew his gaze and turned it back to the center of the training ground.

"Shen Xiao is unwilling to accept this marriage and is unwilling to marry Shen Mengyun to Ming Hao. After I leave, Ming Hao will be weak and powerless, and will most likely have no chance of getting the throne from me!"

"By then, Minghao probably won't be able to take care of Xiao Shiqi!"

"If Little Seventeen were to follow him, given her status as the top martial arts champion, it wouldn't be a disgrace to the princess's reputation!"

"Given his current achievements, protecting Little Seventeen shouldn't be difficult for him!"

"If you count it up, he became the martial arts champion at this age, making him the youngest martial arts champion in the more than 800 years since the Great Xia Dynasty established itself in the world."

At this moment, countless thoughts flashed through his mind, and he kept doing ideological work to convince himself.

Even though he was unwilling, he knew he couldn't take care of Xiao Shiqi for much longer.

The future can only be shaped by Little Seventeen on her own.

The training ground is square.

The noise grew even louder at this moment.

"He actually won?"

"You didn't expect that, did you? I didn't expect it either! He's so young, and he's only been practicing martial arts for a few years, yet he managed to overcome all obstacles and become this year's martial arts champion!"

"Who could have imagined this! A martial arts champion at less than twenty years old—we've never heard of such a thing in the last eight hundred years!"

"So, this Jiang Inspector has set a new record?"

"That's for sure! A martial arts champion of this age is unprecedented, and there may never be another like him in the future!"

"So, this is the true legend of martial arts, isn't it?!"

"Yes, this is the true legend of martial arts!"

"."

At this moment, praise resounded from all directions.

Every viewer who witnessed this scene was generous with their praise.

In the training ground.

"Please welcome Wan Jianyi and Zhang Ming to the stage!" Wang Hong's voice rang out once again.

"Duke of the Kingdom!" Zhang Ming shouted, suddenly drawing everyone's attention: "No need, I concede!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Hong nodded dismissively from afar.

Because Zhang Ming's strength was already inferior to Wan Jianyi's, and this difference was obvious at a glance.

Moreover, Zhang Ming's injuries from the battle with Jiang Ning were even more severe.

The injuries were far more severe than those sustained in the battle between Wan Jianyi and Mingxin.

A broken finger bone and a ruptured tendon are injuries that even a grandmaster with powerful self-healing abilities cannot fully recover in a short time.

There was already a gap in skill, and his injuries were far more severe than Wan Jianyi's. How could he possibly fight back?
"Gentlemen, please wait a moment!" Wang Hong's voice rang out once again in the training ground.

Then, Wang Hong turned around and walked towards the direction where the dragon throne was located.

at the same time.

Jiang Ning and Ming Xin also walked in the direction where Wan Jianyi and the others were.

"Congratulations, Inspector Jiang!" Zhang Ming bowed to Jiang Ning.

"You're too kind, Scholar Zhang!" Jiang Ning said.

"Congratulations!" Wang Jiadi also offered his congratulations with a cupped hand.

"Congratulations!" Xu Sansheng also cupped his hands in greeting.

now.

Wan Jianyi glanced at Jiang Ning, then slowly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Congratulations!"

"Congratulations to you too!" Jiang Ning returned the greeting.

Upon hearing these two words, a bitter expression appeared on Wan Jianyi's face.

Being ranked among the top three and becoming the third-ranked martial arts champion would naturally be a cause for celebration for anyone else.

But when applied to him, it seems particularly ironic.

Before this, he believed he would be the undisputed champion of martial arts.

His top ranking on the Heavenly Ranking indicates that he is the number one among the younger generation in the thirty-six prefectures of the Nine Provinces.

But the reality before us is utterly ironic.

At this moment, he recalled how dissatisfied he was with his third-place ranking when the first round of evaluations ended.

They want to prove themselves in the second round of competition, defeating Jiang Ning and Ming Xin.

In the second round, however, he didn't even have the right to stand in front of Jiang Ning.

He cannot overcome the mountain of enlightenment.

He originally thought that Mingxin was hiding his strength too well, and that the only way for him to prove that he was better than Jiangning was at a good opportunity in the future.

Now it's discovered that such a good opportunity will never come again.

He cannot overcome the mountain of enlightenment.

However, Mingxin could not overcome the great mountain that was Jiangning.

Compared to Jiang Ning, he had no right to stand before him.

……

at this time.

Wang Hong's voice rang out once again.

"His Majesty has decreed that the martial arts champion Jiang Ning, the martial arts second-place winner Ming Xin, and the martial arts third-place winner Wan Jianyi be invited to the stage."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning immediately looked towards the high platform to the north.

That's the direction of the dragon throne, and also the direction of the royal princesses, princes, and ministers.

He had noticed it even before entering the venue. He also felt a bit curious about that emperor.

This was a dynasty that enjoyed peace and prosperity for over eight hundred years, and that person was the supreme ruler of this dynasty.

It can be said that the man on the dragon throne can decide the life and death of millions of people with his every word and action.

With a thought in mind, the three set off.

North platform.

Jiang Ning and the other two climbed up the wooden steps.

Wan Jianyi stared at the two figures ahead, his fists clenched.

He felt countless gazes converging from behind him, a feeling he had never experienced before.

My inner desires have never been as strong as they have been at this moment.

He came in third place, but was awarded the honor of being the third-ranked martial arts champion.

For others, this is a great honor.

In the thirty-six prefectures of the Nine Provinces, martial arts prodigies are as numerous as the stars, and he is now the third among these vast stars.

This honor is truly immense.

But for him, it was completely unacceptable.

He found it even more unbearable to feel the various gazes coming from behind him.

In the past, he was always looked up to by others, who regarded him as a god.

But now, their gaze is filled with pity, compassion, and other emotions.

Thoughts drifted by.

The three of them had already climbed onto the high platform.

Jiang Ning's gaze was immediately drawn to Ji Mingyue.

Because Ji Mingyue's smile was exceptionally bright, and her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, curved like a crescent moon.

Among all the princesses, she stood out as elegant and refined.

now.

When Ji Mingyue saw Jiang Ning looking over, she couldn't help but show a playful expression and winked at him.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ning smiled slightly.

"Please come forward, you three!" Wang Hong said, standing beside the three.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning finally noticed the man with the indistinct face on the dragon throne in front of him.

The dark veil, shrouded in starlight, weighed a ton.

Covered by a dark veil, vision was blurred, and the true face of the man on the dragon throne could not be seen, only his majesty was felt.

"The three of you, step forward. Let me take a good look at what the pride of Great Xia looks like, and also let me see what makes the new top scholar able to capture the heart of Little Seventeen."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone on the platform focused their attention on Jiang Ning.

Everyone present had heard of the incident involving the seventeenth princess, Ji Mingyue.

However, some people are unaware of the specific details.

Now that the old story has been brought up again, and upon hearing the words spoken by the man on the dragon throne, they realized that the newly appointed martial arts champion before them was none other than the seventeenth princess's beloved husband.

All eyes fell on Jiang Ning, who remained calm as he slowly moved forward.

Until they were less than two zhang away from the man on the dragon throne.

Just then, as if a gentle breeze had blown by, the draped black veil suddenly fluttered slightly.

Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed slightly as he sensed a terrifying aura erupting from ahead.

Boom——

A sudden roar came from overhead.

The roar was like a bolt from the blue.

With a roar from above, the black veil in front of them was lifted, creating a gap about an inch wide.

Through a glimpse of the gap, Jiang Ning saw the man on the dragon throne.

Purple lips, a sallow and emaciated face, dark brown eye sockets, and sparse hair.

All of this indicates that Emperor Ning, who controlled the Great Xia Dynasty, had entered his final years.

How could this be!

Jiang Ning was startled, and the black veil that had been lifted slowly fell back down.

In that fleeting glance, he could see that the Changning Emperor, who had ruled the Great Xia for eighty-three years, was now terminally ill and could close his eyes at any moment, falling into a deep sleep.

He was immediately struck by disbelief.

Emperor Changning, what kind of status did he have, controlling the resources of the thirty-six prefectures of the Nine Provinces?

Moreover, judging from Ji Minghao's previous performance, the Great Xia royal family also possesses blessed lands and rare treasures from ancient times.

Such a person could acquire any treasure, yet his body is terminally ill; he shouldn't even exist.

Moreover, this year marks the 83rd year of the Changning Emperor's reign, meaning that the Changning Emperor has only been on the throne for 83 years.

For an emperor, living to be over a hundred years old is far from the end of his life.

Moreover, while it may be difficult for ordinary people to prolong their lives, it is not a difficult matter for the Great Xia royal family.

Resources from all thirty-six prefectures of the Nine Provinces and countless tributes flowed into the imperial treasury.

In addition, they possess blessed lands and rare treasures that are beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

Various thoughts flashed through Jiang Ning's mind in a flash.

Boom——

Another roar echoed high in the sky.

"Humph--"

A cold snort rang out, and the sky instantly cleared, the clouds dispersed, and the vast expanse returned to emptiness.

"You've already come all this way, do you think you can leave without showing your identity?"

The sound rang out again the next moment.

"It's you cowardly cowards again!"

At this moment, Jiang Ning could feel two bursts of spiritual energy erupting in the sky.

After several breaths, everything fell silent.

If it weren't for the whispers and murmurs from all sides, it would seem as if all of that had just happened, merely an illusion.

A figure flashed and appeared in front of Jiang Ning.

"A technique for traversing the depths of space!!" Jiang Ning realized the meaning upon sensing the fluctuations in the surrounding void.

After mastering the Taixu Yin-Yang Sword, his understanding and knowledge of space deepened, and his sensitivity to this aspect became more acute.

At that moment, he also realized where the person next to him had just been hiding.

"Mr. Jiu!"

"Greetings, Mr. Jiu!"

"."

When the princes and princesses saw the white-robed man appear beside Jiang Ning, they all stood up and bowed.

"Have you also discovered the identity of the person hiding in the shadows?" The man on the dragon throne spoke calmly, his peaceful voice ringing out in everyone's ears through the black veil.

“It’s the same group of people!” the man in white said.

"As expected, it's the same group of people! Still hiding their true intentions, not daring to truly test my strength." The man on the dragon throne said calmly, his peaceful voice giving people a strange sense of reassurance.

"Your Majesty, what should we do next?" the man in white asked.

"Ignore it, continue the process. Please have the newly appointed martial arts champion, Lei Dong, play the Kui Niu drum and announce it to the world!" the man on the dragon throne said through the black veil.

Kui Niu Drum?
Jiang Ning's heart stirred.

According to his knowledge.

Each year, the newly crowned martial arts champion must strike the Kui Niu Drum, the sound of which will resound throughout the capital, announcing to the world that the new champion has been crowned.

According to legend, the Kui Niu Drum was made from the hide of the ancient mythical beast Kui Niu and had the effect of drawing heavenly lightning to temper the body.

However, according to records, it only appeared once, five hundred years ago.

As for whether it's true or not, he has no way of confirming it.

Because he only saw a related mention in the book.

However, the Kui Niu drum is a procedure that every newly crowned martial arts champion must go through.

The louder the drumbeats and the greater the commotion, the higher the public's recognition of the newly crowned martial arts champion.

Correspondingly, the greater the benefits in all aspects, the more official titles and ranks would be bestowed.

This is the final step for the newly crowned martial arts champion to prove himself. (End of Chapter)