Chapter 7

Lu Xiu's face broke into a smile, more satisfied with the effect of his second punch.

A Sixth Stage Body Tempering martial disciple could leave a faint mark on the black stone stele, but to achieve such an effect, at least Seventh Stage Body Tempering was required.

This indicated that his strength was already comparable to that of a Seventh Stage Body Tempering martial disciple.

"Kid, what’s the point of showing off your martial technique here? If you have the ability, try it without using your martial technique," Zhao Liang frowned and shouted, feeling that Lu Xiu was undoubtedly stealing his thunder.

"Why should I listen to you?" Lu Xiu gave the other party a faint glance.

"Hmph, you dare not try, proving you don’t have the ability. Since you don’t have the ability, don’t embarrass yourself here," Zhao Liang said forcefully.

"Exactly, exactly, who knows where you learned a powerful martial technique, what’s there to show off?"

"Martial techniques don’t represent strength. Some people, with a bit of ability, become arrogant and show off everywhere, truly disgusting."

Many others nearby also chimed in, looking at Lu Xiu with disdain.

Lu Xiu laughed wryly, finding the logic of these Martial Hall students utterly speechless.

"Kid, what are you laughing at?" Zhao Liang coldly snorted.

"I’m laughing at you guys, thinking you’re so high and mighty, mocking others when you have no ability yourself," Lu Xiu said with disdain.

"Ridiculous! Who do you say has no ability?" Zhao Liang’s face turned cold, especially when he saw the disdain in Lu Xiu’s eyes, which made his anger rise. The aura of Sixth Stage Body Tempering made some nearby people feel oppressed.

"Who I’m talking about, they know it themselves." Lu Xiu was not afraid of the other party’s aura and also emitted a wave of inner qi from his body.

"Sixth Stage Body Tempering? This Lu Xiu was only Fourth Stage Body Tempering a month ago, right?"

"Not just that, I heard he went from Second Stage Body Tempering to Fourth Stage Body Tempering in just a few days. Now, after a month, he’s already at Fifth Stage Body Tempering."

"I think this guy is just here to show off. He beat two Intermediate Class students in front of the Library, clearly not taking us Intermediate Class students seriously."

Lu Xiu didn’t bother with these guys who couldn’t stand seeing someone succeed. He had planned to come here to practice the Dragon Tiger Fist, but these guys had ruined his mood.

"Kid, you’re pretty arrogant. I heard that last time Zhang Hai wanted to teach you a lesson, but Teacher Lu intervened. Otherwise, you would have been crippled long ago," Zhao Liang sneered as he walked towards Lu Xiu. "You just said I have no ability. Do you dare to bet with me?"

"What are we betting on?" Lu Xiu frowned.

"Of course, we’ll see who can leave a deeper mark on the black stone stele. You were so arrogant just now, do you dare to bet?" Zhao Liang said arrogantly and confidently.

"That’s right, you trash from the初级班, if you have the ability, dare to compete with Zhao Liang."

"Such a guy who shows off everywhere with a bit of ability, if he can beat Zhao Liang, I’ll eat the black stone stele!"

The crowd around them joined in, their words filled with undisguised mockery and belittlement of Lu Xiu.

Lu Xiu had no interest in this pointless competition, but he also knew that if he refused to compete with Zhao Liang, these guys would spread all sorts of rumors about him.

A hint of a cold smile appeared on his lips. "How do you want to bet?"

Seeing that Lu Xiu actually agreed, Zhao Liang was momentarily stunned, then a cold smile appeared on his face, thinking this kid was truly asking for it.

"Hehe, since we’re betting, there should be a stake. I guess a poor kid like you can’t afford much, so how about this: the loser kowtows and admits defeat!" Zhao Liang said, confident that Lu Xiu would definitely lose.

After all, he was at Sixth Stage Body Tempering and had cultivated a Third Rank martial technique. If he used his full strength, he could definitely leave a clear mark.

Lu Xiu, on the other hand, was just a low-born poor kid, at most cultivating a Second Rank martial technique, and his cultivation was lower than Zhao Liang’s. There was no way he could win.

The commotion attracted many people to gather around, and the news spread quickly. More and more people came to watch the competition.

Lu Xiu didn’t expect Zhao Liang to be so devious, with the stake being kowtowing and admitting defeat. If he really lost and had to kowtow in front of everyone, he would never be able to hold his head up again.

"Whoever loses will kowtow and admit defeat. This kid was just saying others have no ability, let’s see what he can do this time!"

"Right, everyone here is a witness. He won’t dare to deny it!"

Many people were eager to see the show, as such incidents among Martial Hall students were quite common.

"Fine, I agree!" Lu Xiu immediately accepted, not planning to be polite. He wanted to make Zhao Liang taste the consequences of provoking him!

At the same time, Lu Xiu also planned to establish his authority. This way, some people would be less likely to cause trouble for him, and the better he performed, the more likely he would attract the attention of the Martial Hall teachers and elders.

Lu Xiu was very clear about his family background. In the Martial Hall, it didn’t matter much if he got along with some noble disciples, but once he left the Martial Hall, certain people would definitely take revenge on him. However, if he received the attention of the Martial Hall, his status would be completely different.

"Haha, kid, you’re dead!" Zhao Liang laughed wildly, inner qi circulating, and he suddenly shouted, "Open your eyes and watch carefully!"

"Lu Light Fist!"

A faint light emitted from Zhao Liang’s fist. Generally, only Seventh Stage Body Tempering could make inner qi glow, indicating that the martial technique he used was a high-level one, and his cultivation method was at least Third Rank.

"Boom!"

The black stone stele shook, and a dull sound echoed. Zhao Liang used his full strength, leaving a clear fist mark on the stele.

"Amazing!"

The crowd around him exclaimed in surprise.

"I just saw Zhao Liang’s fist emit inner qi light, indicating his attack is comparable to Seventh Stage Body Tempering."

"Yes, although it’s not quite the same as true Seventh Stage Body Tempering, it’s very close. It seems Zhao Liang’s cultivation is about to break through."

People were amazed and also envious of Zhao Liang’s martial talent.

Martial cultivation, talent is very important. In the same amount of time and resources, some people might cultivate for ten years and still not match what a genius can achieve in one year.

Moreover, the same martial technique is easier for someone with high talent to understand and execute with greater power.

Zhao Liang, at thirteen, entered the Intermediate Class and was almost predestined to become a member of the Advanced Class. His martial talent was widely recognized.

"Kid, it’s your turn. Get ready to kowtow and admit defeat!" Zhao Liang looked at Lu Xiu arrogantly.

On the black stone stele, two fist marks were clearly visible. One was the mark Lu Xiu left earlier, and the other was the mark Zhao Liang left with his full strength. Zhao Liang’s mark was clearer and deeper.

Lu Xiu didn’t speak. At this moment, words wouldn’t be as convincing as showing his strength.

"Roaring Tiger Stance!"

He lightly shouted, his body suddenly moving with the momentum of a tiger descending from a mountain, and he punched the black stone stele.

"This is... Dragon Tiger Fist?"

"I heard that although the Dragon Tiger Fist is a Second Rank martial technique, many people only have the form without the essence. From the way Lu Xiu is executing it, it seems he has grasped the essence."

"Really? This kid has such high martial talent?"

Lu Xiu’s performance also caused many to exclaim in surprise.

"Bang!"

The Roaring Tiger Stance hit the black stone stele, the powerful punch creating a gust of wind and a cloud of dust, with great force.

Everyone focused their attention, wanting to see how powerful Lu Xiu’s punch was.

The next moment, the surroundings were silent.

"How... How is this possible?"

When Zhao Liang saw the fist mark on the black stone stele, he was stunned, his mood plummeting.

"Look, the fist mark Lu Xiu left is in the shape of a tiger’s head!" someone exclaimed.

"Really?"

"Damn, it’s really the shape of a tiger’s mouth roaring!"

"Heaven, I must be seeing things!"

"I heard that only by grasping the essence of the Roaring Tiger Stance in the Dragon Tiger Fist can one achieve this effect!"

"The Dragon Tiger Fist has two stances, the other being the Soaring Dragon Stance. I wonder if he has mastered it."

The crowd exclaimed in amazement, their admiration evident. At this moment, everyone looked at Lu Xiu with deep shock, no longer with disdain and mockery.

Zhao Liang was also completely stunned. On the black stone stele, the mark he left was incomparable to the tiger’s head mark left by Lu Xiu using the Roaring Tiger Stance.

"This is impossible! Even a Seventh Stage Body Tempering martial disciple can’t leave such a deep mark!" Zhao Liang was incredulous, his lips trembling.

At this moment, the many Martial Hall students who were originally on Zhao Liang’s side looked at him with a hint of pity.

The outcome of this competition was clear.

"Brother Zhao Liang, according to our bet, shouldn’t you kowtow and admit defeat now?" Lu Xiu said with a cold smile.

From the beginning, he didn’t provoke Zhao Liang, but the other party felt he was stealing his thunder and was aggressive, even proposing a bet with the condition of kowtowing and admitting defeat, determined to make him never be able to hold his head up again.

Zhao Liang was also very clear that if he really kowtowed and admitted defeat today, even if he had the chance to become an elite in the Advanced Class, he would inevitably become a laughingstock in the Martial Hall.

"Lu kid, don’t go too far!" Zhao Liang’s face turned dark.

"The bet was your idea. Are you going to back out? Everyone is watching!" Lu Xiu said with a cold smile.

Those who humiliate others will be humiliated. Lu Xiu knew that even if he let Zhao Liang off today, the other party would not be grateful but would hold a grudge against him.

"Being good at martial techniques doesn’t mean you’re strong. Don’t get too cocky!" Zhao Liang’s eyes showed a fierce look.

"Yes, Lu Xiu, since you’ve already won, why push it?"

"We are all students of the Martial Hall. We will see each other often. Making Zhao Liang kowtow and admit defeat is too much."

Some of the people in the crowd who had a good relationship with Zhao Liang spoke up.

Lu Xiu’s eyes were cold as he scanned the few who spoke, and he said with a cold smile, "If I lost, would you let me off?"

These few people, under Lu Xiu’s gaze, all took a step back. In fact, no one in the crowd was a fool, but no one stood up to speak for Lu Xiu, not wanting to offend Zhao Liang.

"I’ll cripple you!"

While Lu Xiu was intimidating the few people, Zhao Liang suddenly attacked, his face twisted. His arms moved like two pythons, intertwining and coiling, inner qi circulating, combining strength and agility.

This was another Third Rank martial technique, the Twin Python Fist. Although its power was not as great as the Lu Light Fist, it was very fast and hard to defend against.

He was determined not to kowtow and admit defeat. If he crippled Lu Xiu, even if he would be despised, it would be better than never being able to hold his head up again.

Lu Xiu didn’t expect Zhao Liang to be so devious. The other party’s attack aimed directly at his vital points. If he was hit, he would be crippled or even die.

"Soaring Dragon Stance!"

With a roar, Lu Xiu pushed his inner qi to the limit, leaped up, avoided the vital points, and extended his arms, moving like a dragon. His fists left afterimages as he fiercely punched Zhao Liang.

Zhao Liang’s face changed, completely not expecting Lu Xiu to dodge his attack in a crisis and counterattack.

He quickly changed his move, a faint light appearing between his hands, and he used his strongest martial technique, the Lu Light Fist.

"Bang!"

The two fists collided, and the onlookers could feel the wind from the impact, stinging their cheeks.

Zhao Liang’s body trembled, his fist in pain, his internal qi and blood surging, almost making him vomit blood.

"Kneel down!"

At this moment, Lu Xiu reached out, and Zhao Liang’s first reaction was to block, but his arms felt numb and unresponsive.

Lu Xiu’s hand grew larger in his vision, and with a bang, it pressed against his forehead.

A powerful force pressed down, and his knees felt intense pain, hit by Lu Xiu’s toes. With a thud, he fell to his knees.

"A man must be honest and willing to admit defeat."

Lu Xiu’s face was expressionless as he pressed Zhao Liang’s head to the ground with a bang.

The pain in his body was nothing compared to the humiliation in his heart. Zhao Liang, overwhelmed with anger, spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted on the spot.