Chapter 153: Martial Tournament

July the twenty-third.
Favorable for: offering prayers, sacrificial rites, forming marital alliances, opening markets, conducting business.
Unfavorable for: taking medicine, seeking medical treatment, relocation.

Inside the Four Extremities Hall, golden cauldrons and red gates radiated an ancient charm. The walls were adorned with exquisite murals, and the floor was paved with white jade, each detail exuding an atmosphere of wealth and luxury.

At the seat of honor sat Xi Yanzheng, his hair streaked with grey, clad in spotless white robes. His expression was gentle, and a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"Lin Haitao of the Azure Dragon lineage, leading the disciples of the Azure Dragon Courtyard, pays respects to the Sect Master."

At that moment, Lin Haitao walked in, flanked by the disciples of the Azure Dragon lineage.

Xi Yanzheng glanced over the Azure Dragon disciples, his gaze finally resting on Ding Jianyong. "Not bad," he remarked. "You have progressed significantly since I last saw you. It seems you have not slackened in your efforts during this period."

Ding Jianyong replied in a low voice, "The Sect Master flatters this humble disciple."

Who was Xi Yanzheng?
He was none other than the master of the Four Extremities Sect, one of the three great grandmasters of River Prefecture, and a renowned martial arts expert across the entire Wu Kingdom.
A single word of praise from him was enough to make the young man feel immensely honored and deeply stirred.

"Kong Sijia, leading the disciples of the Vermilion Bird Courtyard, pays respects to the Sect Master!"
"Wei Yilu, leading the disciples of the White Tiger Courtyard, pays respects to the Sect Master!"

Immediately following, Kong Sijia, head of the Vermilion Bird lineage, and Wei Yilu, head of the White Tiger lineage, arrived.
Disciples such as Gu Xuan and Jia Kui trailed closely behind them.

A bright flash appeared in Xi Yanzheng's eyes. "Gu Xuan's cultivation must be quite close to the Upper Dan-strength realm, is it not?"

As these words fell, all eyes instantly converged upon Gu Xuan.

"Is the senior disciple of the Vermilion Bird Courtyard about to reach the Upper Dan-strength realm?"
"If that is truly the case, the Vermilion Bird lineage will boast two experts at the Upper Dan-strength realm."
"The head of the Vermilion Bird lineage is indeed masterful in her instruction; it is truly astonishing."
......
Murmurs buzzed throughout the Four Extremities Hall.

Currently, no one among the younger generation in River Prefecture had yet attained the Upper Dan-strength realm. If she could reach it, she would undoubtedly secure her position as the undisputed foremost talent of the younger generation.

"Replying to the Sect Master," Kong Sijia cupped her fists and said, "Within two years, Xuan'er should be able to reach the Upper Dan-strength realm."

"Very good," Xi Yanzheng smiled. "Strive to make the breakthrough to the Upper Dan-strength realm as soon as possible to bolster the prestige of our Four Extremities Sect. Take your seats."

"Understood!"
Kong Sijia nodded and took her seat.
Wei Yilu, head of the White Tiger lineage, also sat down with his disciples.

Shortly after, several other experts entered the venue one after another.

Xi Yanzheng swept his gaze across the room and asked, "Who else has yet to arrive?"

Duan Ling cupped his fists. "Replying to the Sect Master, Uncle-Master Huang has not yet arrived."

"He has arrived."

Just at that moment, an elderly voice echoed from outside the door.
Following the sound, Huang Zhen was seen walking into the grand hall in high spirits, hands clasped behind his back, strolling leisurely as if taking a walk in a garden.
Behind him were Yang Xing and the disciples of the Black Tortoise lineage.

Xi Yanzheng hastily stood up. "Uncle-Master Huang, please take your seat."

The disciples of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird Courtyards all wore peculiar expressions upon seeing this; the Sect Master appeared unusually enthusiastic toward the head of the Black Tortoise lineage.

"Mm."
Huang Zhen gave a slight nod and took his designated seat.

Yang Xing followed behind Huang Zhen, casting a glance around the Four Extremities Hall.
Experts at the Dan-strength realm, who were rarely seen on ordinary days, were scattered everywhere throughout this hall. Among them, several radiated potent and profound internal energy, leaving onlookers secretly astonished.

Such was the deep foundation of a major sect!

Yang Xing observed Xi Yanzheng at the seat of honor. A single glance gave him an inscrutable, unfathomable feeling.

Xi Yanzheng asked, "Uncle-Master Huang, I heard that the Black Tortoise Courtyard has a newly appointed senior disciple?"

"Indeed," Huang Zhen nodded slightly. "Yang Xing, introduce yourself to the seniors present."

"Understood!"
Yang Xing nodded, cupped his fists, and said, "Yang Xing, senior disciple of the Black Tortoise lineage, pays respects to the Sect Master and all senior elders."

At this moment, he circulated his Qi-Sealing Technique to its full extent, wondering if any of the experts present could discern the clues.

"Yang Xing!?"
Hearing these two words, Lin Haitao felt a jolt in his heart.
Could it be him?!

Lin Haitao had been extremely busy of late and knew nothing about the new senior disciple of the Black Tortoise Courtyard. He turned his head to look at Ding Jianyong, a trace of inquiry in his gaze.
Seeing his master's look, Ding Jianyong nodded immediately.

Lin Haitao's brow furrowed deeply, and he fell silent.
The very disciple he had once cast aside had now actually become the senior disciple of the Black Tortoise Courtyard?!
This was truly...

Wei Yilu cast a glance at Yang Xing, then lost interest entirely.
The Black Tortoise lineage was the weakest of the four branches, and with Huang Zhen rarely managing its affairs, it was practically the most invisible lineage in the sect.
Yang Xing possessed merely the strength of the Lower Dan-strength realm; had he been placed in any of the other three courtyards, he would never have qualified for the position of senior disciple.
From this, the weakness of the Black Tortoise Courtyard was evident.

Not only Wei Yilu, but the expressions of the other experts remained largely unchanged.
After all, before Yang Xing became the senior disciple, he had been just like any other inner courtyard disciple—obscure and unremarkable.

As for Kong Sijia, head of the Vermilion Bird lineage, her expression had remained completely unchanged from beginning to end. Clearly, she had long since forgotten the favor of that "bottle of Four Extremities Pills."

Xi Yanzheng nodded, a trace of majesty in his voice. "Since everyone has arrived, let the sect assembly officially commence."

"Our Four Extremities Sect has not held a sect assembly for eleven years. Many of the younger generation are attending for the first time, so as the master of the Four Extremities Sect, I shall say a few more words..."

"Over these eleven years, the strength of our Four Extremities Sect has grown, and our reputation has spread far and wide. None of this would have been possible without everyone's hard work and dedication."

"However, we must not become arrogant or complacent because of this. Competition in the pugilistic world never ceases; we must remain constantly vigilant and continuously enhance our own strength if we are to establish a firm footing in the martial world."

Hearing these words, Yang Xing deeply agreed.
Only by continuously strengthening oneself could one survive in this cruel martial world.

Xi Yanzheng swept his gaze over those assembled and said in a deep voice, "In this recent campaign to encircle and suppress the Heavenly River Sect, we seized a considerable amount of medicinal pills, martial arts manuals, and weapons. The disciples of all four lineages contributed greatly, and the sect will not forget your contributions. Therefore, a portion of these spoils will be specially distributed to all disciples. Furthermore, those who emerge victorious in today's sparring matches will receive additional rewards."

As the Sect Master's words fell, a bright gleam appeared in the eyes of every disciple.
Winning a sparring match could also secure additional rewards?!
Since it was a sect assembly, the rewards would certainly be extraordinary.

"Without further ado, let us begin."

With that, Xi Yanzheng stepped down, leaving behind a spacious combat platform for the disciples present.

Instantly, the atmosphere within the Four Extremities Hall became lively.

A disciple of the Azure Dragon Courtyard leaped forward with a bound. "Allow me to cast the opening stone, then."

This person was named Chen Qi. Having opened three primary meridians, he was considered a moderately famous expert within the inner courtyard.

"I will go!"
Shao Qiuju took a deep breath and stepped forward impatiently.

"Senior Sister Shao, do your best!"
"Senior Sister Shao, you can do it!"
The disciples of the Black Tortoise Courtyard shouted in unison to cheer her on.

The Black Tortoise lineage had always been looked down upon, but they remained exceptionally united.

Chen Qi smiled. "Senior Sister, please!"
With that, he extended one arm forward, pointing vaguely toward Shao Qiuju, while planting his other foot firmly as if plowing a furrow straight down the centerline.
His overall movement was natural and flawless.

"This Chen Qi is no ordinary opponent," Yang Xing thought to himself, narrowing his eyes.
A single starting stance was enough to reveal a glimpse of his mastery.
After all, without some genuine strength, how could one dare to be the first to take the stage?