Chapter 64

Three days later, Xiao Ran's family arrived at the Jin Yang Martial Arts Hall.

During these three days, Xiao Ran did not leave the house. At first, it seemed like someone was lingering around the door, but after two days, he no longer noticed any suspicious people!

It seemed that the person from the demon race, seeing that Xiao Ran had no intention of getting involved in unnecessary matters, decided to ignore him!

Today was the preliminary round of the Golden Sword Martial Arts Competition. Originally, Xiao Ran wanted to come alone, but Xiao Da Bao and Wang Xiao Feng insisted on coming to cheer for him!

As the family of three arrived at the entrance of the martial arts hall, they found many people there, including Xiao Ran's former fellow disciples and others who had come to participate in the competition.

Xiao Ran stood out, and immediately some of his former fellow disciples recognized him.

For most people, it takes about seventeen to eighteen years to reach the Body Tempering stage. The first level of Body Tempering is the easiest to break through, with the fastest taking three to four years and the slowest taking five to six years to break through the first level of Body Tempering!

Xiao Ran spent over ten years at the first level of Body Tempering, which made him a well-known figure in the martial arts hall!

When introducing Xiao Ran to new disciples, the older disciples would often say, "This is your senior, who has been at the first level of Body Tempering for ten years, but his foundation is quite solid!"

Or, more harshly, some would say in front of Xiao Ran, "This is your senior, a waste of ten years without breaking through the first level of Body Tempering. Don't follow his example!"

He was a typical negative example!

Seeing Xiao Ran arrive, some people began to whisper.

"It's Senior Xiao! Wasn't he expelled from the martial arts hall? What is he here for?"

"I saw his name on the list for this competition. I thought it was just a coincidence with the same name!"

"He actually has the nerve to return to the martial arts hall and even has the guts to sign up for the competition. I underestimated him..."

"That's not right. Isn't only the Qi Condensation stage allowed to participate in the competition? Has he reached the Qi Condensation stage?"

"He must have given up on martial arts. I knew he would end up like this..."

"But it doesn't seem so. His blood flows like mercury, and his qi and blood are vigorous, clearly indicating he has completed Body Tempering..."

"Really? How is that possible? It's only been this long. Did he consume some heavenly treasure?"

"But what's the point? A waste of ten years without breaking through the first level of Body Tempering. Even if he luckily completes Body Tempering and successfully reaches the Qi Condensation stage, I can only laugh..."

Hearing these comments, Xiao Ran smiled and said, "Hello, everyone! It's been a long time since we last met!

Seeing you all, I suddenly remembered the last time I met Master Liao from the Chan Sect!

I asked Master Liao, and he told me that the eldest disciple of the Golden Light Sect, Lu Hanqiu, took ten years to break through the first level of Body Tempering, five years to break through the second level, and three years to break through the third level. After reaching the Qi Condensation stage, he advanced one level per year!

Doesn't this suggest that a slow advancement in the Qi Condensation stage is actually a good thing?"

The crowd was puzzled by why Xiao Ran would say such a thing!

The old Xiao Ran was quite insecure and never dared to speak in front of a crowd!

So everyone was curious about what Xiao Ran was going to say!

Xiao Ran continued, "Master Liao pointed to a wooden hammer in front of me and said, 'Look at it, and you will understand!'

I looked at it for a long time and finally realized, 'Master, do you mean that martial arts cultivation is like this wooden hammer, which, though not as strong as an iron hammer, can still accomplish what an iron hammer can if used properly?'"

At this point, Xiao Ran glanced at his fellow disciples and then said, "I thought I had grasped the true meaning of martial arts, but Master Liao closed his eyes and said, 'No!'

My point is, what does it matter to you how fast others advance in their martial arts cultivation?"

Many people laughed at this, but Xiao Ran's former fellow disciples looked displeased.

Xiao Ran actually dared to insult them in front of everyone!

This kid actually had the nerve to do this. Did he want to die?

A small, short man hesitated for a moment, then jumped out and pointed at Xiao Ran, "Xiao Ran, you actually dare to insult your fellow disciples in public..."

Xiao Ran replied calmly, "I was long expelled from the martial arts hall and dare not claim to be your fellow disciple!

Today, I am here to participate in the competition. Is this how the Jin Yang Martial Arts Hall treats its guests?"

The short man's face changed several times, but he did not dare to act in public, fearing it would tarnish the martial arts hall's reputation. Finally, he said resentfully, "Don't think that reaching the Qi Condensation stage gives you the right to be arrogant. You'd better pray you don't meet me in the competition!"

Xiao Ran looked at the short man and said, "Brother Huang Hai, the martial arts hall has a quota for recommending disciples to the Golden Light Sect every year. Why do you still compete with us who have no connections?

Is it because it's not your turn this year?

I'm not saying this to be mean, but if you are not selected by the martial arts hall this year, you will have no chance to join the Golden Light Sect!

So, you should try your best this time!"

Huang Hai had been at the second level of Qi Condensation for several years. Seeing the deadline for the martial arts hall's recommendation approaching without breaking through, it was a source of frustration for him!

There is a saying that one should not hit a person in the face or reveal their weaknesses. Xiao Ran's public exposure of his weakness made him feel a sharp pain in his heart!

But he could not argue with Xiao Ran and turned to leave in anger!

The disciples of the Jin Yang Martial Arts Hall were surprised by Xiao Ran's response, but they also felt it was inappropriate to cause trouble for him in public, as it would only make them look foolish to quarrel with an expelled disciple!

Xiao Da Bao knew that Xiao Ran had suffered a lot in the martial arts hall in the past. Seeing Huang Hai almost spitting blood from anger, he felt secretly pleased but still warned Xiao Ran, "You made him so angry. Be careful if you meet him in the competition!"

Xiao Ran replied, "The one who should be careful is not me!"

...

Many people came to participate in the preliminary round of the Golden Sword Martial Arts Competition, including those from other martial arts halls and independent martial artists, totaling over a hundred!

Breaking through to the Qi Condensation stage before the age of twenty was considered quite good, so these participants were all considered talented individuals!

When the time came, the hall master, Jin Zhengyang, stepped onto the stage!

Jin Zhengyang was in his prime, standing a head taller than Xiao Ran, extremely robust, with thick eyebrows and large, piercing eyes. Everyone who met his gaze felt a tingling sensation.

Just his gaze was so sharp that everyone was secretly amazed by his strength, worthy of a fifth-level Qi Condensation expert!

Jin Zhengyang said, "This is the preliminary round, and the rules are the same as before!

But I will repeat them: falling to the ground and unable to get up is a loss, stepping out of the ring is a loss, and surrendering is a loss.

You may be fellow disciples or friends off the stage, but on the stage, weapons have no eyes, and life and death are not to be taken lightly!

However, after falling to the ground, you cannot attack; after surrendering, you cannot attack; and after stepping out of the ring, you cannot attack!

Weapons will be provided by the martial arts hall, and you cannot bring your own weapons!

That's all. Young men, if you want to be recommended to the Golden Light Sect or the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, show your full strength and fight with all your might!"

The human race has a strong martial spirit, believing that martial arts competitions are not just for show. To win, you must be willing to risk your life!

It is this fearless martial spirit that has enabled the human race to progress to where it is today!

After speaking, Jin Zhengyang reached into the number box in front of him and pulled out two numbers, then said, "The first match, number 13 versus number 71!"

Hearing this, Xiao Ran was a bit surprised, not expecting to be the first to step onto the stage!

He gave a reassuring look to Xiao Da Bao and his wife, picked up a long sword, and walked step by step onto the stage!

Then a slender figure, like a leaf, floated onto the stage, earning applause for his agile movement!

This person was Huang Hai, who had bullied Xiao Ran a lot when they were in the martial arts hall together!

Huang Hai's face twisted into a sinister smile, "I never thought I would meet you in the first match!

I said what I wanted to say earlier. If you kneel and beg for mercy now, I might spare your life. Otherwise, I will tear you apart!"

Xiao Ran smiled, extended his right hand, and wiggled his little finger, "Come and tear me!"

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