The Martial Saint rose to power starting as a substitute bridegroom.

Today is the day of the Mingjin Small Gathering, and as the spectators arrive one after another, the Qingniu Martial Arts Society becomes exceptionally lively.

Lin Chong looked radiant and full of energy, as if he had suddenly become ten years younger.

He stood under the eaves, watching the bustling crowd, and nodded in satisfaction.

Those present were all well-known figures in the martial arts world of Linjiang City.

Everyone is really giving us face.

Most of them are friendly forces of the Qingniu Martial Arts Society, such as the Iron Fist Manor and the Xiaoxiang Martial Arts Academy, with whom they have a long-standing relationship.

Some came uninvited, like Qingfeng Martial Arts School and Huwei Martial Arts School, who in previous years never set foot on Qingniu Martial Arts Society's door. But today they all brought gifts, saying they wanted to catch a glimpse of the genius disciple's talent.

Lin Zhong knew in his heart that these people might not really be here to see Lu Qing.

They came to see if the rumor of "mastering the power of martial arts in three days" was true or false.

If the rumors are true, they will not hesitate to make friends with them; if the rumors are false, the reputation of the Green Ox Martial Society will be utterly ruined today.

"Congratulations to Master Lin on the arrival of his talented disciple!"

"Master Lin is truly enviable! Such talent is a once-in-a-century find!"

"When Junior Nephew Lu passes the martial arts exam with flying colors and the Green Ox Martial Arts Society rises to fame, Martial Master Lin, don't forget our old friendship."

He was showered with compliments.

Lin Chong stroked his beard, saying modestly, "Not at all," but inwardly he was increasingly pleased.

He looked up at the sun, then glanced around at the crowd, and then frowned slightly.

It's almost time.

Why isn't Lu Qing here yet?

All of this has little to do with Li Yuan.

He found a comfortable spot under the shade of the old locust tree and began to study the "White Tiger Bone Forging Technique".

Most of the young disciples who came to show their support were core disciples of their respective sects. Since it was rare for these people to sit together, they naturally had a lot to talk about.

"Senior Brother He, I heard your Iron Wire Fist has improved quite a bit. How about we have a spar?"

In the Qingfeng Martial Arts School camp, one of the men pointed at a bearded young man from the Iron Fist Manor, his tone laced with provocation.

The bearded young man glanced at him and said irritably, "So it's Senior Brother Chen He. I'm not fighting you. My Iron Wire Fist has improved, but your Tongbei Fist is almost at a minor mastery level. What advantage can I possibly gain?"

Upon hearing this, Chen He became even more smug and immediately said arrogantly, "Iron Fist Manor seems to be nothing special, not much better than Xiaoxiang Martial Academy."

The positioning of a martial arts school is already half a level higher than that of a martial arts academy or martial arts club.

Just like undergraduate universities in the previous life, their admission scores are mostly much higher than those of vocational colleges.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for martial arts school disciples to look down on martial arts academy disciples.

At this moment, a lean man from Xiaoxiang Martial Arts Academy curled his lip and said, "Chen He, what's so great about beating us? If you're so capable, why don't you have a match with Senior Brother Gu Yunzhou from Tianlong Martial Arts Academy?"

Chen He's expression changed slightly, and he immediately fell silent, daring not to utter another word.

Who doesn't know that Gu Yunzhou is the most outstanding young person in Linjiang City?

With his hidden strength, he had never encountered an opponent.

Moreover, this person's moves are ruthless; at least a dozen disciples have had their cultivation crippled by him.

Chen He glanced around discreetly and couldn't help but feel secretly fortunate.

Thankfully, that guy from Tianlong Martial Arts School didn't come today.

The sun was nearing noon, and pot after pot of tea was being refilled under the eaves.

The guests' patience gradually wore thin, and gossip began to spread.

"Shouldn't the person in charge of the ceremony have arrived earlier? We guests have been sitting here for an hour."

"Who knows? Maybe the disciples of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society have high standards and look down on us mediocre people."

"Maybe it's all a charade, and they're too scared to show their faces? Three days to master the Ming Jin skill? Pshaw, do you think everyone is Gu Yunzhou?"

"So, it seems the Green Ox Martial Arts Society is quite adept at boasting..."

There were all sorts of opinions, and Lin Zhong's expression grew increasingly grim.

"Where's Lu Qing? Where did he go?" he asked Chen Ting beside him in a low voice.

Chen Ting looked blank: "I...I don't know. I haven't seen him all morning."

Lin Zhong's brows furrowed into a knot.

Just then, the bearded young man from Iron Fist Manor suddenly stood up, strode to the center of the arena, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and looked around.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am but a humble person, and I would like to show you a short piece to warm up the atmosphere and add to the fun."

He Chaoran's voice was neither humble nor arrogant, clearly an attempt to divert everyone's attention and buy time for the Green Ox Martial Arts Society.

Lin Chong nodded secretly.

Xiaoxiang Martial Arts Academy and Qingniu Martial Arts Society have always been on good terms, and it is truly worthy of their friendship that someone stepped forward at this time.

"snort!"

With a cold snort, a figure from the Qingfeng Martial Arts School camp leaped onto the stage.

Chen He entered the arena, patted his clothes, and looked at He Chaoran with a half-smile.

"Fighting alone is no fun. I am Chen He, and I would like to ask Senior Brother He for a few pointers."

Iron Wire Fist is the counterpart to Tongbei Fist.

The atmosphere in the arena immediately became lively.

The guests perked up, sat up straight, and stopped whispering.

He Chaoran frowned slightly, his expression changing. "Senior Brother Chen, you're too kind. It was just a friendly spar; we'll stop here when we've reached our goal."

With so many eyes watching, he had no choice but to agree.

"That's natural."

As Chen He spoke, a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

The two stood in the middle of the field, three steps apart.

The surrounding crowd automatically parted, making way for an open space several meters in diameter.

Li Yuan raised his head, his gaze falling on the arena.

They began to observe each other's moves.

Boom!

Chen He stomped his left foot on the ground and shot out like an arrow.

Tongbei Quan emphasizes "connecting the shoulders and back, with power originating from the spine." This punch appears to originate from the shoulder, but in reality, it involves twisting the waist and back, with the spine resembling a dragon, and all the power of the body is concentrated in this one punch.

The fist whistled as it aimed straight for He Chaoran's face.

He Chaoran was no ordinary person after all. Instead of retreating, he advanced, dodging to the side while his right arm swept out like an iron whip.

Iron Wire Fist is a powerful and aggressive style.

This sweep, accompanied by a whooshing sound, went straight for Chen He's ribs.

Chen He suddenly tightened his waist and abdomen, forcefully stopping his forward momentum, and lowered his arms to block.

boom!

Their fists clashed, producing a dull thud.

Both of them compromised.

Chen He shook his numb arm, his eyes showing a hint of seriousness. "Senior Brother He, you're quite strong."

He Chaoran didn't answer, but leaned in and moved closer.

This time, he no longer played defensively. He unleashed his Iron Wire Fist, his arms as strong as iron, each punch powerful and fierce.

Each punch was accompanied by a whooshing sound, forcing Chen He to retreat repeatedly.

Dust billowed across the ground, and the two figures appeared and disappeared amidst the dust.

Chen He took three steps back and then suddenly stopped.

His breathing changed.

It becomes deep and long, dense, with the chest rising and falling and the back slightly arching, like a taut bow.

"Tongbei Quan, Mountain-Crushing Stance!"

He roared, twisting his right fist from his waist to generate force, pushing his spine segment by segment. His entire arm was like a chain being flung out, and his fist, carrying an overwhelming force, slammed straight into He Chaoran's chest.

The punch was fast and powerful, and He Chaoran had no way to avoid it, so he could only cross his arms to block it.

boom!

With a dull thud, He Chaoran groaned as his feet slid more than three feet across the ground.

His arms were numb from the shock, his hands throbbed with pain, and he felt a sweet taste in his throat, but he swallowed it back.

"good!"

The Qingfeng Martial Arts School disciples cheered.

He Chaoran gritted his teeth and charged forward again before he could even regain his footing. He unleashed the full power of his Iron Wire Fist, each punch carrying a fierce edge, aimed directly at Chen He's vital points.

He knew that his physical strength was inferior to his opponent's, so he couldn't drag things out and had to finish the fight quickly.

He fought faster and faster, his fists flying like mountains, forcing Chen He to defend himself.

"Well done, Senior Brother He!"

The Iron Fist Manor disciples watching from the sidelines began to get excited, their voices rising in waves.

But Li Yuan saw it clearly.

Although He Chaoran's punches were dense, they had begun to falter.

His breathing became erratic, and his steps were not as steady as before.

In contrast, Chen He, though constantly retreating, maintained a steady pace and a calm gaze, as if waiting for something.

really.

The moment He Chaoran's punch missed and his body leaned slightly forward, Chen He moved.

His right fist twisted and generated power from his waist, pushing his spine segment by segment, making his entire arm look like a swinging iron chain.

It's another mountain-crushing attack.

But this time, the force was more than twice as great as before.

boom!

The punch landed squarely on He Chaoran's chest.

He Chaoran was hit by a carriage as if his feet were off the ground. He flew backward, crashed heavily to the ground, slid several feet, and kicked up a cloud of dust.

"Cough cough cough—"

He clutched his chest, coughing violently, his face deathly pale. He struggled a few times but couldn't stand up.

"Senior Brother He!"

The disciples of Iron Fist Manor paled and rushed forward to help the man.

"You flatter me." Chen He stood up, his lips slightly upturned, clasped his hands in a salute, and calmly scanned his surroundings.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

In front of so many powerful forces, he cleanly and decisively defeated the core disciple of Iron Fist Manor. Once this achievement spread, his ranking among the young disciples of Linjiang City would rise another place.

"good!"

"Senior Brother Chen is awesome!"

Cheers erupted continuously from the Qingfeng Martial Arts School.

Chen He's smile deepened.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the disciples of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society, and said, "Which genius is that who has reached the Ming Jin level in three days? I, Chen, am unworthy, but I would like to learn a few moves from him."

There was a moment of silence in the room.

"Didn't they come?" Chen He sneered. "The Green Ox Martial Arts Society—is there not a single one of the others who dared to step forward?"

All eyes were on the disciples of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society.

Chen He waited for a while, and seeing that no one answered, he shook his head with a smile: "It seems that the so-called Green Ox Martial Arts Society is nothing but a bunch of cowards."

His eyes were filled with contempt.

Lin Zhong's face turned ashen.

"you?!"

A disciple of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society blushed and was about to step forward, but Lin Chong held him back tightly.

"Don't be impulsive, you're no match for him."

Lin Chong looked towards his disciples' camp.

Qi Xiuyuan and Chen Ting avoided eye contact, took two steps back, and shielded everyone in front of them.

They had no desire to participate in such an occasion.

Moreover, they are also self-aware.

Even He Chaoran, the senior brother from Iron Fist Manor, couldn't do it, let alone the two of them.

Lin Chong's gaze swept over everyone, then he glanced at Li Yuan, who was leaning to one side reading a book under the shade of the old locust tree at the very back, and couldn't help but sigh.

Seeing this, Chen He laughed even harder. He shrugged and turned to walk off the stage.

In the corner, Li Yuan watched him silently, his expression unchanged.

Today is Lu Qing's home turf, and he doesn't want to steal the spotlight from the protagonist just to compete for the so-called "ranking".

There's no need for it.

Moreover, he had a vague feeling that the real person was about to appear.

Lu Qing came from a poor background.

The impoverished children's unwavering pursuit of changing their fate means they never easily let go of any opportunity.

He didn't believe Lu Qing wouldn't show up.

"Wait a moment."

A voice rang out from the courtyard gate, not loud, but clear to everyone present.

Chen He paused and turned around.

The crowd automatically parted to make way for them.

The newcomer was a handsome young man with a tall and upright posture and a composed demeanor.

Indeed, it is Lu Qing of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society.

Without saying a word, Lu Qing stood directly on the stage.

Lin Zhong's expression was somewhat complicated when he saw Lu Qing appear.

On the one hand, he felt relieved. Just as they said, the absence of the main person in charge of the ceremony was a sign of disrespect to all the forces present. Not only would Lin Chong be accused of bluffing, but the Green Ox Martial Society would also find it difficult to hold its head high among its peers.

On the other hand, his palms were sweaty. Lu Qing, why did you have to come out now of all times? Chen He on the other side is clearly no pushover, and he came prepared. And you've only recently broken through to the Ming Jin realm; your cultivation isn't even stable yet. How could you possibly be his match?

"Lu Qing, be careful, if you can't keep up, just admit defeat and leave the game," Lin Zhong warned.

Flowing water does not compete for the first place, the contention is endless.

The future of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society rests on Lu Qing's shoulders, and Lin Chong doesn't want anything to happen to him.

"Don't worry, Master Lin," Lu Qing said with a calm smile.

His expression was calm, showing no sign of backing down.

After all, even geniuses need a stage to prove their talent.

They also need to use such occasions to gain fame and enhance their status and worth.

Moreover, his lateness today was not due to any unforeseen circumstances.

Instead, they deliberately arrived a little late.

The more you make everyone anxious while they wait, the more memorable it will be.

The real big shots always appear at the last moment to turn the tide.

However, it's a little bit of a pity.

I was too impatient.

We arrived a little early; they'd only just finished one match.

"Tiger Form Fist, Lu Qing, I'd like to learn from Senior Brother Chen!"

There was a moment of silence in the room.

All eyes were on the boy.

He wore coarse cloth clothes, was thin, and had a somewhat childish face.

Is this the young man who mastered the Ming Jin skill in just three days?

Those in the arena couldn't help but secretly sweat for him. Chen He was a veteran of the Ming Jin realm, having immersed himself in martial arts for many years. His moves were sophisticated and his attacks were ruthless.

Deep down, everyone had a feeling that they were about to witness the fall of a genius.

Chen He looked him up and down, a half-smile on his face.

"Qingfeng Martial Arts School, Chen He of Tongbei Quan!"

Before he finished speaking, Chen He stomped his left foot on the ground and shot out like an arrow.

Tongbei Fist breaks the mountain.

He attacked with a deadly move from the very first move, without any intention of testing the waters.

He wanted to finish this quickly and, in front of everyone, expose this so-called "genius" to his true colors.

The fist whistled through the air, carrying an overwhelming force, and struck Lu Qing's chest directly.

Lu Qing did not back down.

He sidestepped the punch, and at the same time, his right hand reached out like a tiger's claw, grabbing Chen He's wrist.

The movements were small, but incredibly precise.

Chen He's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly withdrew his fist and changed his move, sweeping his left elbow horizontally.

Lu Qing took a half step back, his tiger claw turning into a palm, and gently flicked his elbow.

That seemingly weak and feeble attack caused Chen He to feel his entire arm being pulled off course, the force missing its mark, and his body involuntarily stumbled forward half a step.

Someone on the sidelines let out a soft "Eh."

Chen He steadied himself, his expression changing. "Kid, you've got some skills!"

His boxing skills were seasoned and his reactions were swift; this was not the level a novice should have.

"good!"

Lin Chong was overjoyed and couldn't help but let out a low shout from under the corridor.

Lu Qing's Tiger Form Fist was even more solid than he had imagined.

It's not the kind of technique you learn by rote practice, but rather one that truly understands the principles of boxing, making every move just right.

Chen He dared not be presumptuous any longer.

He took a deep breath, his spine rising like a dragon, his fists crossed in front of his chest, making a cracking sound from his joints.

Tongbei Quan emphasizes "relaxed shoulders and flexible arms, extending the reach and striking far." At this moment, his whole body is like a fully drawn bow, ready to be released.

Come again!

Chen He suddenly moved.

This time it's not the straightforward "Breaking the Mountain," but the Tongbei Quan's entanglement and killing move, "Rock Climbing"!

He threw out punches in alternating motions, creating a barrage of punches that enveloped Lu Qing within a three-foot radius, like a torrential downpour.

The air was filled with a series of crackling and popping sounds.

Lu Qing's eyes narrowed slightly.

He took a tiger-like step, crouching low like a tiger crouching on a mountain. Facing the barrage of punches, he neither blocked nor parried, but instead pushed off with his feet.

Tiger Style Fist: A fierce tiger crashes into a mountain!

Seizing the moment when Chen He threw a punch, he suddenly lunged forward.

"What?!"

Chen He's pupils contracted sharply. Before he could react, Lu Qing's shoulder had already bumped into his chest.

"Bang!"

The muffled sound was like the beating of a drum.

Chen He staggered back three steps, his chest heaving with blood and qi, and a metallic taste rising in his throat.

Chen He licked the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled.

"Truly a genius!"

His tone shifted abruptly, his eyes turning icy cold: "But today, even geniuses must kneel before me!"

Chen He took a deep breath, his back suddenly arched, and the veins on his right arm bulged.

Tongbei Fist, Breaking Mountains!

He twisted his right fist from his waist, pushing his spine segment by segment, and the air whistled sharply where the fist passed.

The punch was aimed straight at Lu Qing's chest, with astonishing speed and terrifying force.

Lu Qing neither dodged nor avoided.

He planted his feet firmly on the ground, his knees slightly bent, his whole body like a tiger crouching on a mountain, his breath sinking into his dantian.

Tiger Style Fist: Tiger Crouchs and Crashes Mountains!

His right fist slammed out from his waist, colliding head-on with Chen He's fist!

boom!

The two forces collided in mid-air, producing a dull, loud bang.

Chen He's expression changed drastically.

He felt as if his fist had struck a red-hot iron; excruciating pain exploded from the point of contact, and his entire right arm went numb instantly.

"impossible!"

Chen He gritted his teeth and punched Lu Qing in the ribs with his left fist.

Lu Qing's left palm slid down, precisely gripping Chen He's left wrist. With a crack, the wrist bone dislocated. At the same time, his right fist retracted and then slammed out again.

Tiger Style Fist, the roar of a tiger in the mountains and forests!

The punch landed squarely on Chen He's chest.

"puff--"

Blood gushed out.

Chen He was lifted three feet off the ground, flew backward, and crashed to the ground with a loud thud, unable to get up again.

The arena was deathly silent.

Lu Qing slowly withdrew his fist and stood up straight.

"Thank you for your concession."

The voice was calm, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

On the sidelines, Qi Xiuyuan's folding fan remained suspended in mid-air, forgotten to be waved.

Chen Ting's beautiful eyes widened, and her red lips parted slightly.

Those onlookers who had been waiting to see a genius fall from grace were now speechless with astonishment.

A cheer erupted from the Qingniu Martial Arts Society's camp.

Lin Chong was overjoyed. He let out a long breath and then realized that his back was covered in cold sweat.

"Senior Brother Chen! Senior Brother Chen!..."

The disciples of Qingfeng Martial Arts School were shocked and rushed into the arena in a swarm.

Li Yuan's heart stirred as he pondered the battle between the two of them just now.

"Chen He's entire set of movements was fluid and graceful, fully demonstrating the essence of Tongbei Quan's 'long-range strikes and penetrating power,' and his strength was indeed remarkable. If I were to fight him, our strength would be roughly equal, but I would be slightly inferior in terms of cultivation level. After all, I have only just broken through to the mid-stage of Ming Jin. However, if I put a little more thought into the variations of Tiger Form Fist, I should be able to secure victory more quickly."

"On the other hand, Lu Qing was much more composed. He cleverly made tactical adjustments, not engaging in a head-on clash with Chen He's domineering punches, but skillfully deflecting the force before seizing an opportunity for a precise counterattack. It seemed effortless, but in reality, his grasp of timing and control of power had reached a certain level of proficiency, indicating that he had already achieved mastery. To be able to master boxing techniques in such a short time, so-called geniuses are indeed different from ordinary people."

Such a thought flashed through my mind.

"The bones are the pillars of a person, and the White Tiger is the spirit of Geng Metal..."

Li Yuan sat calmly in his corner, once again flipping through the "White Tiger Bone Forging Manual".

"Anyone else want to take on the challenge?" On the field, Lu Qing stood tall and proud, full of vigor.

"certainly!"

A sinister voice rang out from the entrance of the martial arts club.

Immediately afterwards, five or six burly men strode in.

Lin Chong's expression tightened.

The man in the lead was a familiar face; he was none other than Wu Youde, the head instructor of Tianlong Martial Arts School.

He was dressed in a short shirt, and his muscles bulged like iron. Those who knew him well knew that he was a master of internal strength with solid foundations. Even against a martial artist like Lin Chong, who had mastered internal strength, he might not be at a disadvantage.

Lin Chong frowned deeply and said in a deep voice, "Today's sparring ends here. Thank you all for your support."

The Tianlong Martial Arts School has a great reputation, and their uninvited visit today clearly indicates they have no good intentions.

The one who shouted just now was Gu Yunzhou, a genius disciple of Tianlong Martial Arts School.

He is hailed as the number one martial artist below the level of internal strength.

Unlike his fellow disciples who trained their muscles and bones, he wore a white brocade robe, had a delicate face, and upon closer inspection, even possessed a somewhat effeminate quality.

But those who know him well know that despite his harmless appearance, he is a truly ruthless character.

When this person appeared, all the disciples in the arena gasped in shock.

"What, is the Green Ox Martial Arts Society scared?"

At that moment, Gu Yunzhou pulled out a snow-white handkerchief, wiped his hands, and casually tossed it on the ground. He looked around with slight disgust: "Can a golden phoenix really fly out of this filthy rural place?"

Before he finished speaking, he had already leaped onto the stage.

"Lu Qing, you're no match for him, get down here!" Lin Chong shouted urgently.

This is no joke.

"What, is the Green Ox Martial Arts Society showing weakness?" Wu Youde sneered.

Lu Qing stood on the stage, frowned slightly, and hesitated for a moment.

He quickly raised his head, his eyes bright and his gaze resolute.

"Defeating Gu Yunzhou is my chance to make a name for myself!"

"Lu Qing of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society, a Tiger-Style Fist practitioner, requests instruction from Senior Brother Gu!" He spoke each word clearly, his gaze resolute.

Gu Yunzhou flicked the barely visible dust off his sleeves without even raising his head.

"Tianlong Martial Arts School, Tianlong Fist Gu Yunzhou, let me make this clear beforehand: fists and feet have no eyes, so don't blame me for being ruthless!"