Chapter 4

"Having advanced to the second level of Martial Arts, I am no longer among the worst of my peers in the Zhao Clan. I now have the qualifications to participate in the 'Clan Martial Assembly.'"

Zhao Feng was excited for a long time, gradually calming down.

Martial Arts is divided into nine levels, with each subsequent level being more difficult than the last, forming an ascending pyramid.

As is well known, Martial Arts levels 1 to 3 are called the "Strength Refinement Stage," with the title of Martial Disciple!

Martial Disciples focus on strengthening their bodies and enhancing their blood and qi, laying the foundation for higher realms.

The body is the root of all cultivation, so the consolidation of the Strength Refinement Stage will directly affect subsequent realms.

Although Martial Disciples are the lowest rank and only considered to have entered the realm of Martial Arts, those who reach the peak of the third level are not to be underestimated, possessing at least 700 to 800 pounds of strength; and those with better innate constitutions can have over 1,000 pounds of strength, capable of tearing apart tigers and leopards, and splitting mountain bears.

Now that Zhao Feng has broken through to the second level of Martial Arts, he has at least 400 to 500 pounds of strength, far exceeding the realm of ordinary people. If he combines this with powerful martial techniques, even a dozen ordinary people would not be able to get close to him.

"If I can advance to the third level of Martial Arts and possess 700 to 800 pounds of strength, my power will at least double."

Zhao Feng thought to himself.

Of course, what truly made him yearn and infinitely aspire to was the true Martial Artist, those above the fourth level of Martial Arts.

Martial Arts levels 4 to 6 are called the "Qi Accumulation Stage," with the title of Martial Artist, the true Martial Artist!

Entering this realm, Martial Artists not only see a significant increase in physical attributes, strength, and blood and qi, but they can also strengthen their internal organs and comprehend "Martial Arts Internal Energy," transcending the realm of mere physical attacks. Their power will undergo a qualitative leap, granting them various incredible abilities.

Once one becomes a true Martial Artist, they will truly transcend the mundane and become a person above others.

Even back in Qingye Town, Zhao Feng had set his goal to become a true Martial Artist. Entering the Zhao Clan made this dream more attainable.

...

After advancing to the second level of Martial Arts, Zhao Feng immediately informed his parents.

The second level of Martial Arts?

Father Zhao Tianyang and Mother Zhao were full of surprise, then both heaved a sigh of relief.

For Zhao Feng to break through to the second level of Martial Arts at this age, and without much external assistance, it was evident that his talent was better than average.

"Next, you need to focus on preparing for the 'Clan Martial Assembly' in two months. You don't need to achieve a high ranking; just don't embarrass yourself."

Zhao Tianyang smiled gently.

Zhao's mother also looked relieved, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

They were basically satisfied with Zhao Feng reaching this point and did not have excessively high expectations.

However, Zhao Feng's goal was not limited to this. He was determined to become a true Martial Artist and even reach the pinnacle of Martial Arts.

"Having advanced to the second level of Martial Arts, my status within the clan has improved, and I now have the qualifications to enter the first floor of the 'Xuanwu Pavilion.'"

Thinking of this, Zhao Feng immediately headed to the Xuanwu Pavilion.

"Brother Feng!"

Halfway there, a slightly surprised girl's voice called out.

The girl's voice was soft and carried a familiar sense of nostalgia.

Zhao Feng's body stiffened slightly.

From his side, a boy and a girl approached, both young.

One of them was a purple-clothed youth with a straight, tall figure and sharp eyes, his cultivation reaching the peak of the third level of Martial Arts, making the nearby clan members feel pressured.

"He is one of the top three disciples in the outer layer of the clan, 'Zhao Yijian'!"

Many people around them exclaimed, their faces showing fear and apprehension.

Standing beside Zhao Yijian was a girl in a snow-white robe, about the same age as Zhao Feng, around thirteen or fourteen, with a clear and beautiful appearance, a budding beauty.

"Sister Xue."

Zhao Feng looked at the girl in the snow-white robe, a hint of sarcasm involuntarily curling at the corners of his mouth.

The girl before him was none other than "Zhao Xue," who had entered the Zhao Clan with him half a year ago.

Back in Qingye Town, Zhao Xue had adored and admired him immensely, but after entering the Zhao Clan, she gradually distanced herself, and they became like strangers.

After entering the Zhao Clan, Zhao Xue, relying on her natural beauty, quickly climbed to the top three disciples in the outer layer of the clan, Zhao Yijian, and had already advanced to the second level of Martial Arts half a month ago.

At this moment, Zhao Xue whispered something to Zhao Yijian.

"Alright, but don't take too long."

Zhao Yijian nodded, stepping aside, not even bothering to look at Zhao Feng.

Zhao Xue walked up to Zhao Feng, her expression slightly complex, sighing softly, "Brother Feng, you have finally broken through to the second level of Martial Arts. But Xue still advises you not to be too stubborn. In the clan, we start low and are destined to find it hard to catch up with those favored by heaven—"

"What do you really want to say?"

Zhao Feng interrupted her, his face slightly cold.

Zhao Xue's face showed a hint of anger, her teeth gritting, "Brother Feng, Xue gives you one last piece of advice: go and show your loyalty to Brother Jian. With his help, you can successfully integrate into the Zhao Clan and avoid unnecessary conflicts—"

Show loyalty to him?

Zhao Feng immediately sneered, remaining silent. He had never bowed down to anyone in his life.

Zhao Yijian was cold and arrogant, always looking down on Zhao Feng with a condescending attitude.

Seeing Zhao Feng's expression, Zhao Xue immediately understood. After all, they had grown up together like childhood sweethearts, and she knew Zhao Feng very well.

Zhao Xue walked back to Zhao Yijian and whispered something to him.

"Hmph! A useless waste."

Zhao Yijian's cold voice echoed.

"Waste?"

Zhao Feng's eyebrows twitched.

Perhaps sensing Zhao Feng's defiance, Zhao Yijian paused, saying coldly and proudly, "I heard you were a genius in Qingye Town? But in the Zhao Clan, you are just a clown! At the Clan Martial Assembly, I will defeat you with one move."

"Exactly what I want. See you at the Clan Martial Assembly."

Zhao Feng sneered, turning to walk towards the Xuanwu Pavilion.

He didn't want to engage in verbal sparring.

In any case, the Clan Martial Assembly would begin in two months, and he would speak with his strength then.

Watching Zhao Feng leave with a composed demeanor, Zhao Xue's beautiful eyes flickered.

At this moment, she felt a sense of unfamiliarity from Zhao Feng, a feeling she couldn't quite describe.

"He really thinks highly of himself."

Zhao Yijian sneered.

He didn't consider Zhao Feng a worthy opponent!

In the outer layer of the clan, there were no fewer than fifty to sixty disciples who had advanced to the third level of Martial Arts. To be ranked third among them was not something that could be measured by cultivation alone.

Zhao Xue sighed inwardly; Zhao Feng was inviting trouble!

She knew Zhao Yijian's strength well. Some of the excellent disciples at the third level of Martial Arts could not even last a single strike against him.

...

In no time, Zhao Feng arrived at the clan's important place—the Xuanwu Pavilion.

The Xuanwu Pavilion was a crucial area of the clan, guarded by clan elders year-round.

"Clan branch disciple?"

Inside the Xuanwu Pavilion, the white-robed elder looked at Zhao Feng's identity token, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Salutations, Elder."

Zhao Feng was polite, well aware of the elder's strength.

Through his left eye, he sensed a mysterious and powerful force emanating from the elder, a fiery red aura that originated from his flesh and blood but floated between his body's meridians, capable of leaving his body to attack and injure from a distance, shattering metal and breaking bones.

Zhao Feng knew that the white-robed elder had cultivated "Martial Arts Internal Energy" to a profound level, capable of unleashing thunderous power, and even a hundred of him could be instantly slain.

Generally, only "Martial Artists" above the fourth level of Martial Arts possessed Martial Arts Internal Energy.

Zhao Feng, Zhao Kun, and other Martial Disciples were unlikely to possess Martial Arts Internal Energy.

Zhao Feng bowed and said, "Elder, I wish to enter the second floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion."

"Advancing to the second level of Martial Arts at less than fourteen years old is average. However, before becoming an inner disciple, the treatment for branch disciples and main clan disciples when entering the Xuanwu Pavilion differs."

The white-robed elder said calmly.

Hearing this, Zhao Feng was slightly taken aback but immediately understood when he recalled the new clan rules.

"Please, Elder."

Zhao Feng knew that without absolute strength, he had no right to bargain.

The white-robed elder, expressionless, said, "Disciples at the second level of Martial Arts can only enter the first floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion. The first floor contains many low-level martial arts and a few intermediate-level martial arts. Main clan disciples can choose up to two intermediate-level martial arts or four low-level martial arts to take out for cultivation, for a period of two months; branch disciples can choose up to one intermediate-level martial art or two low-level martial arts, for a period of one month."

Hearing the rules, Zhao Feng took a deep breath, "I understand, Elder."

The rules of the Xuanwu Pavilion had a significant difference in treatment between main clan disciples and branch disciples.

Whether in the number of choices or the cultivation period, branch disciples were far inferior to main clan disciples, with a basic difference of two times.

"Good! You can enter, for a period of half an hour."

With the elder's permission, Zhao Feng slowly ascended the Xuanwu Pavilion, a place he had longed for...