From a chaotic world of folk customs to becoming a god through extreme methods.

"Who's this kid?"

Sun Lie, the owner of the Vajra Fist Gym, looked at Wang Gou Dan in the arena and suddenly asked a question.

Shen Jianhe picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and spoke in a calm tone.

"The newly accepted disciple has only been with the academy for a little over a month."

"A month?"

Sun Lie paused slightly, then sighed, his tone tinged with bitterness.

"You have good talent."

Shen Jianhe didn't answer, but took a sip of tea, though he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

Sitting to the side, Zhao Chengfeng, the owner of Chengfeng Martial Arts School, also looked over, his eyes filled with a hint of envy, and exclaimed in admiration.

"A promising talent, with long arms and a slender waist, he is a natural swordsman, agile and with a keen sense of swordsmanship."

"Tsk, Master Shen, you've struck gold."

"More than that." Iron Palm Sect Master Han Tieshan shook his head, his tone filled with emotion. "Look at how he crushes disciples of the same level. Perhaps he has a chance to pursue the opportunity of becoming invincible in his own realm."

Meanwhile, the owner of the Luomei Martial Arts School in the neighboring Qingxi Town, looking at Wang Gou Dan, suddenly spoke up.

"That's not all."

Everyone was slightly taken aback.

Following Liu Zhiyuan's gaze, they listened as he continued, "Look at his sword."

At this moment, Wang Gou Dan was fighting against an opponent.

As the sword flashed, his swordplay grew faster and faster, the blade became heavier and the movements smoother.

The internal energy seemed to be ignited, surging continuously from the abdomen, rushing up the spine to the shoulders, flowing into the arms, and then to the tip of the sword, bringing out even stronger explosive power and attack power.

Each sword strike was a fraction faster than the last.

Each move was a step stronger than the last.

"Is he still improving in battle?"

"That's right, constantly learning techniques from battle." Liu Zhiyuan couldn't help but exclaim, "This child not only has excellent physical attributes, but also a rare innate talent for combat."

"Skills that ordinary people need to repeatedly ponder can be gradually mastered by him with just one battle."

The envy in everyone's eyes was hard to hide as they looked at Shen Jianhe.

"Not only is his physique excellent, but his combat talent is also outstanding. Master Shen, your disciple's future achievements may not be inferior to yours or mine."

Shen Jianhe put down his teacup and said calmly.

"You flatter me."

Although his expression was calm, the joy in his heart was stronger than anyone else's.

It was only now that he discovered Wang Gou Dan's fighting talent; he had truly found a treasure.

Moreover, in previous years' competitions, his own martial arts school was always a notch below that of his.

This year, they've finally managed to redeem themselves a bit.

Wang Gou Dan really made him look good.

On the field...

Wang Gou Dan won two more matches in a row, making him virtually invincible among players of the same skill level.

He sheathed his sword and stood there, his chest rising and falling slightly, reflecting on the gains from the battle. He bowed to his enemy and then switched sides.

The other disciples in the academy looked at him with a hint of amazement, and were impressed by his strength.

At the same time, some people also seemed to harbor a sense of apprehension.

At the age of fourteen, after more than a month in the academy, he reached the first level of body tempering.

He was already unmatched at the same level.

Such a person, if he grows up in the future, will definitely have a great reputation in this Jianghuai region.

Wang Gou Dan stood in the middle of the arena, holding his sword, and glanced towards a corner of the spectator stands.

Lin Yuan was standing there.

He leaned against the wooden door by the courtyard, his face expressionless. When he saw Wang Gou Dan looking over, he simply nodded slightly in affirmation.

He didn't say anything, but Wang Gou Dan understood, so he grinned.

Just then.

"Oh, isn't this Young Master Lin?"

A voice suddenly came from the side.

Lin Yuan turned his head and saw Zhao Ping leading several fellow disciples from the sword school towards him.

Zhao Ping held his sword, his face still bearing a mocking smile.

"Did the sun rise in the west today? Has Young Master Lin finally decided to step out of the house?"

"Didn't you say you weren't feeling well and were resting at home?"

His sarcastic tone made several disciples laugh along with him.

Lin Yuan glanced at him briefly before turning his gaze back to the arena.

But this disregard inexplicably irritated Zhao Ping.

He knew about Lin Yuan's recent family situation, and the thought that this once high and mighty young master had now fallen on hard times made him want to poke at his sore spot.

"Young Master Lin is really arrogant and looks down on us former fellow disciples."

"By the way, when was your first time undergoing body tempering? Show us what you've got to see."

"Wang Gou Dan is practically invincible in his realm, and you, you haven't even entered the gate yet, and you still have the nerve to come to the competition?"

Lin Yuan still didn't look at him.

He simply turned around and walked directly out of the courtyard gate.

Ignoring the taunts from Zhao Ping and the others behind him, he realized he had only come to the martial arts school to watch Wang Gou Dan's match. Having achieved his goal, it was time for him to leave.

Zhao Ping saw him leave without even turning his head.

It felt like punching cotton, which made me even angrier, and my face turned pale and then red.

……

Lin Yuan walked out of the Cold River Sword Hall and walked back along the long street.

The commotion and mockery in the courtyard just now were none of his concern, and he couldn't be bothered to pay attention to such things.

He was thinking about something else entirely.

Why would the five masters of the Meridian Opening Realm suddenly break the rules of previous years?

This year's sparring event was supposed to be hosted by Luomei Martial Arts School, but the venue was set at Hanjiang Sword School instead.

Why is this?

This unusual change alerted Lin Yuan.

Adding to the matter of the giant turtle, he couldn't help but have many speculations in his mind.

The giant turtle's strength is at the initial stage of the first tier, which corresponds to the Condensation Realm in the martial arts system. This is a whole realm higher than the Masters of the Meridian Opening Realm.

Each major realm is like a chasm, and coupled with the various supernatural powers of the giant turtle in the water, its strength is extremely strong even among the first-level beginners.

Even disregarding the demonic creatures that lurked within its waters, the giant turtle alone could easily annihilate all five of the pavilion masters.

The news of erecting the statue has already spread.

These museum owners must have known this, so why didn't they avoid the danger and instead gathered here?

What are their motives?

Lin Yuan couldn't figure it out, so he could only suppress his thoughts and quicken his pace.

Regardless of what those people are up to, all he can do now is become stronger.

……

By the time they returned to the Lin family mansion, it was already dark.

Lin Yuan had just stepped through the back door when he suddenly stopped, his expression hardening.

There was some noise in the yard.

There were several hurried footsteps, interspersed with a few sobs, which sounded extremely strange.

Lin Yuan gripped the sword hilt and quickly moved toward the direction of the sound.

He walked through the corridor and around the artificial hill.

Soon, two men in black were seen dragging a small figure away from the corner of the west wing.

The tiny figure, with a wad of cloth stuffed in its mouth, struggled desperately, making whimpering sounds.

It's Lin Wan'er!

Lin Yuan's pupils suddenly contracted.

Then, the body reacted faster than the brain, taking the first step.

"Clang!"

The sword is drawn.

Moonlight frost fell, and sword light flashed.

With lightning speed, he suddenly closed in, his cold glint already aimed at the nearest man in black.