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

Lin Chong's heart skipped a beat, and he felt a wave of dizziness.

Wu Youde sat down in the armchair under the eaves, crossed his legs, and looked arrogant.

Li Yuan closed the book.

They focused intently on the situation on the field; a clash of masters was not to be missed.

Gu Yunzhou made the first move, his figure approaching like a ghost, his white robes leaving a trail of afterimages in the air. Before Lu Qing could even blink, a slender, fair hand was already in front of him.

His five fingers were slightly bent, the fingertips gleaming with a cold light, piercing straight into his eyes.

Lu Qing was terrified and desperately dodged to the side.

The wind brushed past his temple, bringing a burning pain.

He stomped his foot hard on the ground, using the momentum to retreat, while simultaneously unleashing a powerful punch from his waist, the force of the blow aimed straight at Gu Yunzhou's heart.

Gu Yunzhou didn't even look at the punch.

His body seemed boneless; with a twist of his waist, his entire upper body bent backward at an incredible angle, and Lu Qing's fist grazed past his clothes, missing him by only an inch.

At the same time, Gu Yunzhou's right foot had already kicked out silently, the toe pointing towards the side of Lu Qing's knee.

This kick is both fast and vicious; if it lands, the kneecap will shatter on the spot.

Lu Qing didn't have time to retract his fist, so he could only twist his waist and swung his left leg outward to barely dodge the attack.

But Gu Yunzhou's feet seemed to have eyes, changing direction in mid-air and slamming the sole of his shoe hard against Lu Qing's outside thigh.

"Snapped!"

A sharp crack, like a whip striking flesh.

Lu Qing groaned, his left leg buckled, and his body sank down.

He gritted his teeth, raised his right knee and thrust it towards Gu Yunzhou's lower abdomen, while simultaneously unleashing a barrage of punches from both sides, creating a multitude of fist shadows.

Gu Yunzhou advanced instead of retreating.

He pressed down with his left hand and slapped Lu Qing's raised knee, forcibly pushing it back down.

At the same time, his right hand darted out like a snake, passing through the gap between Lu Qing's fists, his five fingers spread, and slapped Lu Qing across the face.

"Snapped!"

The slap was crisp and loud, causing Lu Qing's head to snap to one side, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

He staggered backward, seeing stars before his eyes and hearing a ringing in his ears.

The audience erupted in uproar.

Lin Zhong's hands clenched so tightly they cracked, his nails almost digging into his flesh.

Qi Xiuyuan snapped his folding fan shut, and Chen Ting covered her mouth.

Gu Yunzhou flicked his right hand as if swatting a fly, and said casually, "So this is what you call a genius?"

Lu Qing steadied himself and spat out a mouthful of blood, but the light in his eyes did not go out; instead, it burned even brighter.

He took a deep breath, arched his back like a tiger's, and brought his fists to his waist, channeling all the blood and energy in his body into his fists.

Tiger-style boxing, the roar of a tiger in the mountains and forests.

Lu Qing slammed his foot into the ground, his entire body shooting towards Gu Yunzhou like a cannonball. His right fist twisted from his waist, pushing his spine segment by segment, and the air whistled sharply where his fist passed.

Gu Yunzhou's eyes lit up.

Faced with this earth-shattering punch, Gu Yunzhou neither retreated nor dodged. His right arm suddenly tensed up, and his originally slender and fair arm instantly bulged with veins and muscles, making his entire arm a whole size thicker.

Heavenly Dragon Fist, Dragon Raises Its Head!

"Bang!"

The dull thud sounded like a hammer hitting a cowhide drum, making the eardrums of the audience ache.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment when the two forces collided.

Lu Qing's expression changed instantly.

Click!

Lu Qing's right arm bent at an unnatural angle.

The instant Lu Qing bent over, Gu Yunzhou flipped his hand and unleashed another "Flying Dragon in the Sky" move.

Bang!

Lu Qing was punched in the chest and abdomen, his feet were lifted three feet off the ground, and then his ankles were grabbed by the opponent, and he was slammed to the ground with a thud, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The audience was completely silent.

"Lu Qing!" Lin Zhong roared, his figure shooting towards the arena like lightning.

But Gu Yunzhou was closer.

Suddenly, he stomped on Lu Qing's lower back.

click!

The sound of a spine breaking rang out.

"Stop!" Lin Zhong's voice was almost tearing his throat as he moved within three zhang of the target.

But it was too late.

Some of the more timid people in the crowd had already covered their eyes.

"Snap!"

Lu Qing's body suddenly arched up, then slumped down like a lump of mud.

His eyes widened suddenly, his pupils dilated, and his mouth opened, but he couldn't make a sound.

Fresh blood seeped from the corners of his mouth and nostrils, mixing together and flowing down his swollen cheeks, dripping onto the ground.

The arena was deathly silent.

Lin Chong rushed to Lu Qing's side, his hand trembling as he reached out to check her pulse.

The moment his fingers touched her, his face turned pale.

The hopes of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society have been shattered.

"You!" Lin Chong suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, and his aura erupted like a volcano.

The overwhelming pressure from the martial arts master was so intense that it made everyone below the stage feel suffocated.

A figure leaped into the air and stood in front of Gu Yunzhou.

It was Wu Youde.

"In martial arts sparring, there are bound to be winners and losers. Fists and feet have no eyes, and injuries and deaths are inevitable. What, is Master Lin going to attack a junior?" Wu Youde crossed his arms and sneered.

Lin Zhong was startled.

If he takes action, the charge of bullying the weak will be confirmed.

There was a lot of discussion among the crowd.

"The feud between Tianlong Martial Arts School and Qingniu Martial Arts Club is also an old one..."

"Years ago, a disciple of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society accidentally killed the youngest son of Xiao Changfeng, the master of the Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts School. From that moment on, this feud began..."

"Now, this feud is only getting deeper and deeper..."

"What a pity. The Green Ox Martial Arts Society has been biding its time for so many years, and it was just starting to show signs of gaining momentum... Now, it's probably doomed..."

Lin Zhong's eyes reddened.

He slowly loosened his fist.

Qi Xiuyuan and Chen Ting were stunned, unable to believe what they were seeing.

The situation changed so rapidly that it was hard to accept at first.

"Take him away, next!" Gu Yunzhou said smugly. "Is the Green Ox Martial Arts Society out of people?"

"Luo Shan, master of Tiger-Style Fist, would like to learn from your superior skills!"

A petite woman, her eyes slightly red, but her gaze resolute, leaped onto the stage without a word.

It was Rosanne.

Li Yuan frowned.

Gu Yunzhou looked at the petite Luo Shan, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth, "You're no match for her."

"Enough with the nonsense!" Rosanne's expression was ashen.

"Since that's the case, let me make it clear beforehand: I won't go easy on you just because you're a woman. So, good luck!" Gu Yunzhou's eyes gradually turned cold and sharp.

Luo Shan only exchanged a few blows with him before realizing that the two were not on the same level. Gu Yunzhou completely overwhelmed her in both strength and attack.

She felt a sharp pain in both arms and could no longer bear it.

Gu Yunzhou suddenly changed his move, dodging Luo Shan's blocking arm and landing a punch squarely on her shoulder blade.

Rosanne fell heavily to the ground and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Why don't all of you Qingniu Martial Arts Society disciples come at me together!" Gu Yunzhou said loudly, his emotions growing increasingly agitated.

"I'm going to take on ten!"

Lin Chong felt a wave of dizziness, his body swayed, and he almost fell.

Yang Cheng stepped forward and quickly helped him up, "Master Lin..."

It's because I'm getting old that I can't withstand this kind of torment of qi and blood attacking my heart.

"Qingniu Martial Arts Society, a filthy rural place, all its disciples are cowards and bastards! Hahaha—" Gu Yunzhou's arrogant laughter echoed in the training ground.

"I'll fight!" Yang Cheng moved and charged upwards.

Lin Chong stopped him and shook his head. "You're not a Ming Jin disciple. Your appearance means that the Qingniu Martial Arts Society has conceded defeat."

"That's right, this is a sparring match between Mingjin disciples, so let us Mingjin disciples settle it ourselves!" A clear voice echoed from behind the training ground.

As soon as the words were spoken, a composed figure appeared on the field.

"Nonsense, you're no match for him, get down... cough cough..." Lin Chong was so angry that he started coughing loudly, his face turning red.

"That's right, a gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years. Junior Brother Li, you go down first!" Yang Cheng also frowned.

"Get down here right now! This is no joke, someone could really die!"

Qi Xiuyuan, Chen Ting, and other disciples also kept trying to persuade him.

Even Junior Brother Lu Qing is no match for you. You, a disciple who just barely broke through to the Ming Jin realm, are standing on the stage with nothing but enthusiasm. It's truly laughable.

"Li Yuan of the Tiger Form Fist from the Green Ox Martial Arts Society, please enlighten me!"

The martial arts students in the audience all showed disdain.

"There really are people who aren't afraid of death!"

"Is there no one left in the Green Ox Martial Arts Society? Why is this guy coming up here?"

"I heard he's a martial artist who just broke through to the Ming Jin level. I'm sure Senior Brother Gu could take him down with one hand."

"It seems the Green Ox Martial Arts Society is going to lose two Ming Jin disciples today!"

"What a pity, why can't they have any self-awareness? Isn't it better to just live a good life...?"

......

Gu Yunzhou looked Li Yuan up and down, his gaze becoming increasingly fervent.

"Hmm? You want to die? I'll grant your wish!"

Something was wrong with him; his eyes were bloodshot, and at this moment, only fanaticism remained deep within his pupils.

"Haha! Ahahaha—I'm about to explode!" Gu Yunzhou became increasingly frenzied.

His handsome face also became crooked.

Most people in the arena paled. "Senior Brother Gu has won two matches in a row! He's too excited, he's gone mad?!"

However, some discerning individuals saw something amiss: "That kid Gu Yunzhou has probably found the key to unlocking the hidden power!"

"ah--"

With a roar, Gu Yunzhou's blood and qi surged and exploded instantly.

With a powerful stomp, terrifying force surged through his veins and muscles like an explosion, wave after wave, like ocean waves, reaching his right fist.

"The dragon soars in the sky!"

With a crack, the bluestone of the arena beneath his feet split open, and he emerged from the waves like a deep-sea dragon that had been gathering its strength for a long time.

In a flash, his right fist transformed into a streak of light, with massive tendons bulging out from under his skin like red-hot iron chains, and his bones crackling like bamboo joints burning.

Gu Yunzhou felt his blood and qi were sublimating, and in this punch, it seemed that he was about to sublimate to a certain critical state.

He felt as if some kind of qualitative change was taking place in his body.

In his mind, all his understanding of the final, deadly move of the Heavenly Dragon Fist became frames of colorful patterns, forming a bizarre picture scroll, which at this moment seemed to have special meaning.

With that one punch, something in his mind suddenly became clear.

He looked like he was about to catch it!

We must seize that last glimmer of light in the process of breaking through the barrier!

Ha ha ha ha--

He was finally about to...

He's about to...

Bang!

Amidst the startled cry, Gu Yunzhou clearly felt a sharp pain coursing through his body.

His somewhat frenzied attention was instantly pulled back to reality and refocused on what was in front of him.

"This..." He stared wide-eyed at the unbelievable scene before him.

He felt waves of sharp pain in his chest.

An opponent's heavy punch, as if by magic, struck his chest.

A tremendous explosive force emanated from his chest, sending his body flying backward involuntarily.

bang——

With a loud bang, he felt himself crash heavily into the dragon-shaped screen wall on the side of the arena, and heard the sound of the granite screen wall shattering behind him.

He felt as if his body had been hit head-on by a charging bison, and his internal organs had instantly shifted.

Just a little bit more, just the very last bit.

That rapidly evolving Qi and blood, about to undergo a qualitative change, was thus shattered by a single punch.

They can never get together again.

It seems there's no chance of that happening again.

The entire room fell silent!

A collective gasp filled the air.

That's Gu Yunzhou! He's an amazing genius hailed as the number one young talent!

They were so easily defeated by an unknown nobody.

"Perfect!" Lin Chong's previously ashen face regained a glimmer of life, and a light of surprise appeared in his eyes. "That's right! This is the perfected level Tiger Form Fist!"

He couldn't believe that Li Yuan had mastered this martial art to perfection in such a short time.

You should know that even if an ordinary martial artist spends thirty years, they may not be able to reach perfection in this martial art!

What's more, for Li Yuan, who has mediocre talent?

That's truly unbelievable!

"Go to hell!"

Just then, Gu Yunzhou, who had gotten up from the ground, launched a sneak attack with a sinister grin.

He darted out like lightning, channeling all his strength into his fist, and thrust it straight at Li Yuan's back.

There's no need to go on and on.

This strike will shatter life and death, and solidify its reputation!

"Watch out!" A chorus of exclamations erupted from the crowd.

The strong wind was as cold as a biting wind, but Li Yuan didn't even flinch.

He didn't even take a step back, but simply turned around, his right arm outstretched like a tiger's claw reaching for a branch, his five fingers slightly clenched as if grasping the moonlight, and casually met the attack with the basic stance of Tiger Form Fist, "Sick Tiger Gazing at the Moon".

His posture was so relaxed that it didn't seem like a life-or-death struggle, but rather like brushing fallen flowers off his shoulder.

"Arrogant!"

Gu Yunzhou's eyes burned with fierce light, his blood and qi erupted like a volcano, and his arm bones sturdied like a fully drawn bow.

With this punch, he was going to shatter Li Yuan's entire arm bone into pieces!

Let's regain the face we just lost!

Li Yuan's seemingly soft arm suddenly stiffened like iron the moment it was touched!

A series of dull, thunderous sounds erupted from his body, from his heels to his spine, from his shoulder blades to the edges of his palms, the buzzing and vibrating sounds of his tendons snapping and cracking resounding throughout his body.

A terrifying force, as powerful as raging waves crashing against the shore and as fierce as Mount Tai collapsing, instantly flowed through his entire arm and exploded with a roar!

boom--!!!

It didn't sound like the dull thud of flesh colliding, but rather like the explosive roar of two heavy hammers clashing together!

A shockwave exploded outwards from the two people, creating a ring of dust that caused the robes of nearby onlookers to flutter wildly.

A slight smile curved Li Yuan's lips. "This punch, imbued with thirty years of skill, can you withstand it?"

The sinister smile on Gu Yunzhou's face froze instantly.

He felt as if he had hit not a fist, but a steel hammer!

The fist, which had gathered all its power, was like an egg hitting a rock, and was crushed by a more refined, concentrated, and vast force!

The force of the recoil was devastating. The bones of his entire right arm emitted a tooth-grinding "crunch," his tiger's mouth split open, and before blood could even splatter, he was blasted off the ground by an irresistible force and shot backward like a cannonball!

puff--

Blood gushed from his mouth, leaving a blinding streak of crimson in the air.

Li Yuan's movements did not falter in the slightest.

Just as Gu Yunzhou lost control and fell backward, his chest exposed, a cold glint flashed in Li Yuan's eyes, like a bolt of lightning flashing across a deep pool!

He suddenly stomped down with his left heel, and the bluestone slab shattered with a "crack" like a spider web.

Its right claw gripped Gu Yunzhou's ankle like an iron clamp, pulling him back forcefully, while its left knee rose up and slammed into Gu Yunzhou's lower back.

This is the Tiger Fist's deadly move, the Tiger Lifts the Tripod!

The people in the room couldn't help but cover their eyes.

Even if he survives this blow, he will likely spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, bidding farewell to martial arts.

"I give up!"

A terrified shout suddenly rang out.

Li Yuan pulled his knees back.

In boxing matches, the principle has always been "exchange blows but do not kill."

Continuing to attack after the opponent has conceded defeat will be considered a violation of the rules in full view of others.

It's not good to leave behind a point of criticism that you can carry for the rest of your life.

Gu Yunzhou was thrown heavily to the ground, his face covered in tears, saliva, blood, and dirt, completely devoid of his usual elegant demeanor.

"I give up, I give up... Waaah..."

At that moment, his psychological defenses collapsed completely, and the last bit of dignity and self-confidence he had left vanished.

Li Yuan has become a shadow that he can never shake off for the rest of his life.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to be so weak, otherwise I would have held back!" Li Yuan said innocently.

He really didn't mean it.

True kung fu is a killing technique.

Those moves were like mechanical memory in his muscles; they came out naturally without him even having to react.

The force is poured in, like streams converging into a river.

When you exert your full strength, it's like rain hitting a banana leaf.

Just like a conditioned reflex, in a critical moment, without thinking, the strength is naturally exerted.

But to Wu Youde, these words sounded like the most vicious insult.

He looked utterly defeated and let out a long sigh.

I've really messed up today.

"Well done, young man!" He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Yuan.

"Let's go!" he shouted, then ordered his attendants to lift Gu Yunzhou and walked outside without looking back.

What he didn't know was that Gu Yunzhou, interrupted by Li Yuan, had missed a golden opportunity, a perfect chance to gain access.

This failure will make the next attempt even more difficult.

As the so-called one-shot, and then decline, three and exhausted.

Moreover, every time Gu Yunzhou tries to enter the gate in the future, he will inevitably recall that shadow in his heart.

"Junior Brother Li is amazing!"

"Li Yuan is so amazing, how come I never noticed before!"

The disciples of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society erupted in cheers.

Li Yuan knew that some of these compliments were sincere, while others were just flattery.

There is nothing to boast about.

Continuously improving one's own abilities is of paramount importance.

Lin Chong, who was on the high platform, had calmed down considerably and nodded to Li Yuan.

"I am Li Yuan from the Qingniu Martial Arts Society. Thank you all for coming to support me. There was a small misunderstanding earlier, but it has been cleared up. If anyone would like to spar, please come up on stage and fight."

Combat experience isn't something you learn through practice, it's something you gain through fighting.

His voice wasn't loud, but it silenced the entire room.

No one dared to respond.

At this moment, Li Yuan was no longer the seemingly humble and docile nobody he had just been; he was now a true tiger descending from the mountain.

Lin Chong patted Li Yuan on the shoulder, "How are you? No injuries, right?"

Li Yuan shook his head. "Teacher Lin, I'm fine!"

"You have some talent in martial arts. Even if I were to personally perform that move, 'Tiger Splits the Mountain,' I wouldn't dare say that I could be more skillful than you."

"Master Lin, you flatter me. I simply feel a special affinity for this set of boxing techniques."

Of course, Li Yuan wouldn't let his master know about the system cheat.

Lin nodded. "I have seen a similar situation before. Fifty years ago, one of my senior brothers was like you, with a special affinity for a martial art, allowing him to progress faster in his training than others. I suppose you are similar to him."

"However, martial arts skills are ultimately secondary. What truly determines how far a martial artist can go is their realm of cultivation and their cultivation method."

"Disciple obeys!" Li Yuan bowed respectfully.

"The upcoming martial arts examination is the main event. There's still some time left, so prepare well and don't slack off. Even if you don't get a ranking, it will still be an excellent opportunity for training." Lin Chong's eyes were deep as he gazed into the distance.

Passing the martial arts exam is not only an honor, but also a real opportunity to change one's destiny.

But from Lin Shi’s words, Li Yuan seemed to sense a sense of “disapproval.”

Is it merely a "training opportunity"?

Li Yuan sighed.

Lin Chong hurriedly went to the backyard to check on the seriously injured Lu Qing.

"Yuan-ge'er," a short while later, the Second Madam came out with a radiant smile and a voice like heavenly music, "Come here for a moment."