Chapter 76

"Brother, where is Big Brother Bai Chen?" Alán blinked her big eyes, her cheeks flushed. After more than half a month of recuperation, Alán's complexion had improved significantly. She no longer looked as emaciated as before, unable to eat enough to fill her face with color.

This was largely thanks to Adai's constant care. In these days, Yuanlong had single-handedly defeated three bands of bandits and horse thieves, making a name for himself in Qing Shui Town.

However, the people of Qing Shui Town showed little interest in joining the Wu Liang Sect. Perhaps his reputation was not yet well-known, or perhaps they were still observing. Of course, at the end of the day, the Wu Liang Sect was still too small.

Yuanlong was anxious, mainly because before Bai Chen left, he had boasted that when Bai Chen returned, the town would be empty as everyone would line the streets to welcome him.

But almost a month had passed, and he had not received a single disciple. Yuanlong was worried and, in desperation, picked up a nameless little beggar and named him Yuanhe.

Yuanlong hoped that Bai Chen would return a bit later to avoid being mocked.

The pills Bai Chen left before he left had been sold out. Several friendly sects had placed multiple orders, but the pills in his possession were running low. Urged by Adai, Yuanlong had no choice but to bring Alán to Qingzhou City.

In response to Alán's question, Yuanlong smiled bitterly. Qingzhou City was so large, and finding someone was not easy.

Moreover, with the intention of stalling for time, Yuanlong said, "No rush, no rush. Your Big Brother Bai Chen is probably holed up in some cozy place, unwilling to come out."

Yuanlong had been to Qingzhou City twice, so he was not unfamiliar with its prosperity.

With the silver they brought, they could comfortably tour Qingzhou City, unlike the last time when they had to find an empty alley to spend the night.

"Hmph... Big Brother Bai Chen is not like that. I'm going to find him." Alán was not satisfied, pulling on Yuanlong's arm and dragging him along.

Yuanlong smiled bitterly; this girl had forgotten her own brother once she had Bai Chen.

With the crowd so dense and no information at all, where could they look?

"Hey... it seems very lively up ahead." Alán suddenly noticed a large crowd gathered in the distance, with occasional shouts. Her curiosity piqued, she immediately forgot her main task.

Although the siblings were of different ages, they shared the same trait: they loved to join in the fun.

Yuanlong pushed through the crowd, and Alán rode on his shoulders, excitedly shouting, "Move, move!"

The two squeezed to the front of the crowd and found two makeshift platforms in the middle. The situation on both platforms was similar: one person stood on each platform, and a long queue formed below. Unlike the outer crowd, those in the queue were very orderly, and some even moved back in line when they were almost next.

Yuanlong was confused and casually pulled a bystander, "Brother, what are they doing?"

The man was enthusiastic and, after looking at Yuanlong and Alán, explained, "Brother, you're not from Qingzhou City, are you? These are the two major sects in Qingzhou City, the Dragon Tiger Gate and the Iron Scroll Sect, recruiting disciples. The people standing on the platforms are elite disciples of these two sects. If you can withstand three moves, you can be accepted as an outer disciple of either sect."

"Oh, if that's the case, why do those who are almost next in line requeue?"

"Those are elite disciples of the two sects. How can ordinary people withstand three moves? Look at the people standing behind the platforms. Dozens of people have tried, but only a few have been accepted. Those in the queue think that if they wait until the current contestant is tired, their chances will be greater."

"I see, thank you, brother." Yuanlong gratefully bowed.

"You're welcome. I see you have a strong build. Why don't you try on the platform? You might be accepted by one of the sects."

"Hehe... I already have a sect." Yuanlong laughed, "But you seem very interested. Why don't you try?"

Yuanlong noticed that this man was dressed as a martial artist and was likely a skilled practitioner. His words were filled with envy, indicating he was eager to try.

"Hehe... Brother, you're joking. I would only embarrass myself. I'll just watch."

"I think the disciples on the platforms are not very skilled. They might not be much stronger than you."

"Hehe... Brother, you flatter me. Why don't we sit at a nearby stall, drink some wine, and watch the competition?"

"Good idea, I'm thirsty. Let's go."

Both were straightforward and hearty, and they quickly became friendly. Yuanlong learned that the man's name was Chen Youcai, and he was a hunter, just like Yuanlong's former profession. However, Chen Youcai's skills were better than Yuanlong's, and he was quite famous in Qingzhou City.

"Yuanlong, what brings you to Qingzhou City this time?"

"Looking for a brother. By the way, Brother Chen, have you heard of Bai Chen?"

Chen Youcai thought for a moment and shook his head, "Bai Chen? Never heard of him. I'll keep an eye out for you. If I hear anything, I'll let you know. Where are you staying? How can I find you if I get any news?"

"At the Yue Lai Inn, room number Tian San."

"Hehe... I didn't know you were so wealthy. This round of drinks is on you." Chen Youcai joked.

"Haha... If I don't finish three large jars of wine, I won't pay." Yuanlong laughed heartily, "Waiter, bring the strongest liquor."

Alán sat at the table, gnawing on a bone, completely ignoring the drinking of Yuanlong and Chen Youcai. In the mountains, Yuanlong and Adai often drank.

Alán was more interested in the competition on the platform, but after a while, she got bored.

"Brother, the people on the platform fight so poorly. Their skills are not even as good as yours."

Alán didn't understand the subtleties. To her, her brother's daily training with a thousand-pound stone was much more impressive.

At this moment, a young man at a nearby table became annoyed. He had sharp eyes and a proud expression.

"Hmph... Where did this little girl come from, speaking without restraint? If you keep talking nonsense, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your elders."

"What did you say? My sister needs your lesson?" Yuanlong, after three cups of wine, had lost some of his reason. Even without the wine, he had a short temper.

At this, the waiter and the owner quickly intervened.

"Master Xu, please calm down. Please don't start a fight."

"Brother, be reasonable. Let's keep the peace."

Yuanlong, persuaded by the waiter, did not want to cause trouble, knowing that such small stalls feared nothing more than drunken brawls.

But suddenly, Master Xu pushed the owner aside and walked arrogantly to Yuanlong's table.

"I see not only your sister needs a lesson, but you, the brother, are no good either. I just joined the Iron Scroll Sect, and my good mood has been ruined by you and your blind followers."

"Who are you calling a blind follower?" Chen Youcai burped, his face red, and he slammed his bowl, standing up abruptly.

"Of course, you poor devils. What? Do you want to fight? I'll let you use one hand. If you..."

Before Master Xu could finish, he suddenly felt his body lifted by Yuanlong's single arm.

Master Xu was shocked. He had used the Thousand Pound Weight technique, but Yuanlong still lifted him easily. This made him lose his composure, and he shouted, "What do you want to do? I'm from the Iron Scroll Sect..."

Before Master Xu could finish, Yuanlong suddenly threw him, and he landed on the platform below.

Chen Youcai was now fully sober, staring at Yuanlong in shock.

Master Xu had sparred with the Iron Scroll Sect's elite disciple for over thirty rounds without losing. But Yuanlong's single arm had thrown him several yards away, a feat not easily matched.

When Master Xu landed, he was dazed, and the competitions on both platforms stopped.

Everyone's eyes were on Yuanlong, especially the Iron Scroll Sect's disciple. Master Xu was a new disciple of the Iron Scroll Sect, not just an outer disciple, and his status was significant.

If he was bullied by an outsider, the Iron Scroll Sect's reputation, which had just recovered, would be damaged.

"Bold! How dare you hurt my Iron Scroll Sect disciple!"

The Iron Scroll Sect's disciple, his face pale, pointed at Yuanlong, "Cut off your arm, or I'll make you bleed on the spot."

Chen Youcai was truly scared. As a mere hunter, he was no match for the Iron Scroll Sect, a massive organization.

But Yuanlong was not one to back down. He stood like a wall, his gaze firm and sharp.

Chen Youcai's heart raced, but he could not abandon his friend. He stood nervously behind Yuanlong, his heart pounding.

On the Dragon Tiger Gate's platform, the people watched Yuanlong with interest. Long Tuoxiao, standing behind the platform, smiled as he watched his junior brother's performance.

But when he saw Yuanlong, his eyes lit up. "He has the makings of a good martial artist. If he joins, he will be no less than me. Unfortunately, he has offended the Iron Scroll Sect."

Alán, standing on the table, suddenly threw something at the Iron Scroll Sect's platform. When the crowd saw it, it was a bone she had gnawed on, causing a burst of laughter.

The Iron Scroll Sect's disciple turned red with anger. A little girl dared to be so disrespectful, and he felt a surge of killing intent.

"Cut off your arm? We'll see if your Iron Scroll Sect has the ability to do that."

"Arrogant! A mere brute, daring to challenge the Iron Scroll Sect. You're like a mantis trying to stop a cart. Have the courage to step onto the platform! Let me see your skills."

Yuanlong took a few steps forward, then stopped, looking back at the excited Alán and the nervous Chen Youcai, "Brother Chen, take care of Alán. I'll come back to drink after I'm done."

"Brother, don't worry. As long as I'm standing, no one will hurt Alán." Chen Youcai nodded firmly, though his skills were poor and his courage lacking, he was determined to fulfill Yuanlong's request.

Yuanlong stepped forward, leaping several yards onto the platform.

This move drew a round of applause, but Long Tuoxiao saw clearly that this was not lightness, but pure strength.

Though the technique was crude, the strength was astonishing. Even his own master might not be stronger.

"Boy, come!" Yuanlong beckoned, a move he had learned from Bai Chen. It always enraged the enemy, making them forget their skills.