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

Chapter 69 Challenge

Iron Fist Manor was shrouded in a somber atmosphere, with icicles hanging from the eaves like inverted swords, reflecting the gloomy sky.

Inside the martial arts hall, Shi Wanquan stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his fingertips unconsciously stroking an empty jade bottle.

The bottom of the bottle still held a faint fragrance of elixir, the very same Peiyuan Pill that the entire clan had painstakingly acquired from Qingzhou Prefecture.

Peiyuan Dan (a traditional Chinese medicine formula).

But now, everything has vanished.

"Father." A cautious voice came from behind.

Shi Wanquan slowly turned around, his gaze falling on his son Shi Dazhuang, who was standing in the hall.

At twenty-four years old, he was as burly as a bear, but at this moment he hung his head, his face full of dejection.

"This is the third time."

Shi Wanquan's voice was as cold as ice, "How precious is the Peiyuan Pill? It was personally refined by Master Mo Chen of the Guicang Alliance. Do you know how much effort your father went through to obtain this one?"

Shi Dazhuang suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot: "Dad, it was just a little bit short."

Shi Wan shuddered and slumped back into his chair.

Seeing his father's distraught expression, Shi Dazhuang felt bad too.

Shi Dazhuang gritted his teeth, veins throbbing on his forehead: "Father, although I failed to break through the barrier, I wasn't injured, and my qi and blood even strengthened, increasing my strength by at least ten percent. Isn't that a stroke of luck amidst misfortune?"

That's enough.

Shi Wanquan glanced at his simple-minded son, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

This child has been dull and simple-minded since childhood.

When I was a teenager, I used to run around naked in the streets.

People may not say it openly, but rumors about the "stupid son" have been circulating behind his back for a long time.

Shi Wanquan's thoughts drifted back to his visit a few days ago, to Lin Chong's smooth, smiling face.

"My dear nephew Shi Dazhuang has excellent aptitude; mastering the fundamentals and transforming one's internal energy is a piece of cake," Lin Chong said at the time.

Now I realize that it wasn't a compliment, but a blatant mockery!

Your Green Ox Martial Arts Society lost Lu Qing, so you must have been resentful of the Iron Fist Manor's booming growth, right?

Now that his son has failed to gain entry, that old bastard Lin Chong must be waiting to see him make a fool of himself!

Shi Wanquan opened his eyes, a cold glint in them.

Although Iron Fist Manor cannot be considered a first-rate power, it is still a well-known sect in Linjiang City.

Why must you swallow your anger like this?!

Shi Wanquan's mind was in turmoil. He had thought it was a done deal, but now... his emotions had made him irrational.

"Father?" Shi Dazhuang asked tentatively, seeing his father's uncertain expression.

Shi Wanquan suddenly turned around, strode towards the weapon rack, and took down his sword—a long sword that was entirely black with an unadorned scabbard.

"Prepare the horses, let's go to the Green Ox Martial Arts Society."

"Now?" Shi Dazhuang was taken aback.

"Now!!" Shi Wanquan swiftly slung his longsword at his waist. "Let them see your skills. None of the Qingniu Martial Arts Society disciples are your match!"

Shi Dazhuang was instantly dumbfounded: "Dad, what are you going to do—"

"Let them know their limits," Shi Wanquan said coldly. "Today, settle this matter with your fists! If you lose, we'll move on and never talk about it again; if you win, I'll make the Green Ox Martial Arts Society pay!"

Shi Dazhuang frowned for a moment, seemingly having grasped the whole story, then clenched his fist: "I understand!"

The sound of horses' hooves echoed through the sandstorm, growing increasingly urgent, just like the pounding of Shi Wanquan's heart at that moment.

I, Shi Wanquan, have arrived at the Qingniu Martial Arts Society.

All that disdain and mockery will be settled today.

"Lin Chong! Come out here!"

Shi Wanquan's rough, hoarse voice rang out like a broken gong as he stepped into the Qingniu Martial Arts Society's training ground.

He was dressed in a dark red outfit, with a long sword at his waist, and was followed by more than ten disciples from the manor, all of whom had unfriendly expressions.

The most eye-catching was Shi Dazhuang.

He stood beside his father, his physique seemingly even more robust, his eyes bloodshot.

A faint white mist was exhaled with each breath, indicating that his skill had improved again.

His gaze swept across the disciples of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society, finally settling on Li Yuan, a smile playing on his lips.

"Are you the strongest member of the Green Ox Martial Arts Club?"

Li Yuan's gaze swept over Shi Dazhuang. Shi Dazhuang's blood and qi were even stronger than when he last came. Although he had not truly stepped into the Transformation Realm, he was already very close.

But it's okay, if you continue to provoke me, I don't mind teaching you a lesson.

"Brother Shi, it is an honor to have you here. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly. But with such a grand welcome, what brings you here?" Lin Chong bowed and greeted him calmly.

"You old scoundrel," Shi Wanquan said coldly, offering no reply, "I've come today only to demand an explanation."

Lin Chong's heart sank, but his smile remained: "Oh? Brother Shi, please speak."

"A few days ago, my son and I came to visit. What did you say then?" Shi Wanquan stepped forward, his imposing manner intimidating. "You used the excuse of mocking my son to slap the face of my Iron Fist Manor!"

On the training ground, the disciples of the Qingniu Martial Arts Society had stopped their movements and quietly gathered around.

Lin Chong was startled and began to ponder.

After a while, he realized that he hadn't said anything too outrageous.

He sighed, "Brother Shi, is there some misunderstanding...?"

"A misunderstanding?" Shi Wanquan interrupted him. "Now that my son has failed to gain entry, isn't this exactly what you wanted? I'm afraid you've been waiting to see Iron Fist Manor make a fool of itself, haven't you?!"

"What? Nephew... you failed to break through to the Transformation Realm?" Lin Chong stared wide-eyed at the towering man.

"Don't give me that!" Shi Wanquan shouted.

Hearing Lin Chong's words only fueled his anger.

"Brother Shi, the path of martial arts is not smooth. Failure to break through the barriers is inevitable, let alone breaking through to the Transformation Realm. We've both been through it; don't we know how difficult it is? Nephew, your talent is exceptional. Given time, you will surely succeed in breaking through on your next attempt!"

"Shut up!" he roared.

Lin Chong pursed his lips, unsure of what to say.

What an undeserved disaster!

"It's true that my son failed to reach the Transformation Realm, but he has turned misfortune into blessing. Now his qi and blood are even stronger, and his strength has increased by more than ten percent. May I ask you, among these scoundrels of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society, which one of you can last fifty moves against him? You're all trash, a bunch of useless trash!"

Shi Wanquan sneered, having completely lost his mind.

Upon hearing this, the disciples of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society all changed color.

Several hot-blooded young men had already clenched their fists, but Li Yuan stopped them with a look.

Lin Zhong's face finally darkened: "Brother Shi, are you trying to throw the mask on?"

Shi Dazhuang couldn't understand the intricacies of the conversation, and at this moment he hung his head, silent, with an innocent look on his face.

"You, Lin Chong, are also a martial artist. Do you dare to resolve this by using your fists against each other?" Shi Wanquan said.

The moment the words "fist fight" were uttered, everyone was shocked.

This is the traditional way of resolving disputes in the martial arts world.

Each side sends one person to fight in the martial arts arena, without using weapons or any underhanded tactics, relying solely on their fist and foot skills to determine the winner.

If one side does not dare to fight, it is tantamount to admitting defeat.

Lin Chong's hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched slightly.

His gaze swept over his disciples one by one, finally settling on Li Yuan.

However, Li Yuanwu's ranking in the exam was still lower than Shi Dazhuang's, and now Shi Dazhuang has made further progress.

At this moment, Shi Dazhuang's qi and blood were so vigorous that he was almost at the level of a true master. Even if Li Yuan went all out, he probably wouldn't be able to last more than thirty moves.

"What? You don't dare to accept the challenge?" Shi Wanquan sneered.

Lin Zhong's face turned ashen.

He knew all too well what "fist fight" meant. Once he accepted, it would be a public duel, and the outcome would be known throughout the entire Linjiang City.

If the Green Ox Martial Arts Club loses, the road ahead will be even more difficult.

But if you don't answer—

"Master Lin..." Li Yuan suddenly spoke, his voice calm.

Lin Chong suddenly turned to look at Li Yuan, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"Li Yuan, step back," Lin Chong said in a deep voice. "This is none of your business."

"Master!" Li Yuan wanted to say more, but Lin Chong stopped him by raising his hand.

Seeing this, Shi Wanquan's smile grew even colder: "What, your Green Ox Martial Arts Society doesn't even dare to exchange punches? Very well, from today onwards, everyone will know that the Green Ox Martial Arts Society..."

"Then let's exchange punches."

Lin Chong suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but it silenced everyone.