Chapter 20

As the first match concluded, without a moment's pause, two young men each holding a wooden staff immediately ascended the stone platform. Baidu Search www..com

At the indication of the youth in the brown shirt, these two also employed their respective techniques, engaging in a fierce struggle.

Although Qin Fengming had not practiced staff techniques, he knew that this weapon was one that relied on strength to overpower the opponent. This martial art was most suitable for medium to long-range combat, as the staff itself was already half a zhang (about 1.5 meters) long. When wielded, it was extremely powerful.

These two seemed to have known each other before, so upon making contact, neither of them tested the other; they directly unleashed their ultimate moves, engaging in a fierce battle.

Watching the techniques used by the two, Qin Fengming couldn't help but smile inwardly. These two had actually abandoned their techniques and resorted to a contest of strength.

This kind of brute force struggle naturally determined the winner very quickly.

The third pair to step onto the stage had a significant difference in both age and strength. It took only a moment for the one using his fists and feet to snatch the opponent's spear, winning effortlessly.

Seeing the youth using palm techniques, Qin Fengming's expression turned serious. His bare hands possessed extraordinary power, though not yet reaching the level of his master's Thunderclap Palm, it still gave Qin Fengming a sense of difficulty in resisting. Therefore, Qin Fengming put aside his initial contempt for the disciples.

With the conclusion of the third match, it was Qin Fengming's turn to step onto the platform. Smiling slightly at the fellow disciples beside him, Qin Fengming stepped forward without any panic and ascended the stone platform.

Holding the bamboo token, the youth in the brown shirt looked at Qin Fengming with a puzzled expression. He was surprised that someone so young would dare to step onto the platform. After a brief pause, he waved his hand, signaling the start of the match.

The youth opposite held a peculiar weapon, a crescent moon-shaped blade at the bottom and a hook at the front. Looking at Qin Fengming, there was a hint of ease in his eyes.

"Junior Brother, are you a new disciple? At such a young age, participating in the competition, don't you know that weapons have no eyes, and a slip of the hand could seriously injure you?"

"Thank you for your advice, Senior Brother. I am a disciple who has been in Luoxia Valley for less than three years. I am here to gain experience. I hope Senior Brother will show mercy."

The disciple nodded and said no more. He crossed his weapons in front of his chest and then stared intently at Qin Fengming, not initiating an attack.

Drawing the precious sword given by his master, Qin Fengming smiled slightly. With a flick of his wrist, the first move of the Willow Drift Thirteen Postures flowed out like a stream, rapidly attacking the youth several zhang away.

Upon the first clash, the youth with the peculiar weapon was greatly startled. This young man in front of him was no easy opponent; even if he gave it his all, victory was uncertain.

Although the youth's weapon and techniques were proficient and powerful, they were completely suppressed by the exquisite sword techniques of the Willow Drift Thirteen Postures. After the initial all-out effort, Qin Fengming only used five-tenths of his strength.

The youth disciple became increasingly alarmed as the battle continued. This twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy's techniques were so seasoned and his sword movements so elusive, as if he had been practicing for over a decade. Layer upon layer of sword light surrounded him, and he felt sword shadows flashing all around. If not for his solid defense, he would have already been defeated.

At this moment, Qin Fengming's mind was at ease. He could easily defeat the youth if he wished. However, despite his youth, he understood the principle of keeping a low profile. He knew that if he won every match at his age, it would surely arouse the enmity of all the disciples, which would not be good for his future in Luoxia Valley.

With this thought, Qin Fengming had already made up his mind. Suddenly, he saw the youth's weapons strike his sword. Taking advantage of the situation, he flicked his wrist, and with a crisp sound, the sword was deflected and fell several zhang away.

"Thank you for your mercy, Senior Brother. I am not skilled enough, and I admit defeat." Bowing and speaking these words, Qin Fengming picked up his sword and gracefully descended from the platform.

The youth stood on the platform, staring blankly at Qin Fengming as he left. He was clearly about to lose, but the other side had dropped his sword with a very ordinary move, which left him very puzzled.

"Fengming, you showed no signs of defeat, why did you suddenly lose?"

Hearing the inquiries from the crowd, Qin Fengming laughed carelessly and said, "I just slipped up. No worries, there's still the loser's bracket. Winning in the next match will allow me to advance to the next round."

The other disciples, seeing this, discussed it among themselves, all feeling very sorry for his sudden loss.

"Zhang Feng, Wei Zhihu, step onto the platform for the match." Just as Qin Fengming was resting with his eyes closed, the youth in the brown shirt on the platform called out.

As the two ascended the platform, Qin Fengming recognized them as the disciples who had lost in the previous matches. He already knew the strength of the disciples in his group and was confident that he could smoothly advance to the next round.

When Duan Meng reminded Qin Fengming that it was his turn to step onto the platform again, two matches had already been held in his group. A youth named Wei Zhihu had earned the right to challenge, while another named Cui Liang had directly advanced to the next round.

His opponent this time was a disciple around seventeen or eighteen years old who used a sword. Qin Fengming was very impressed by this person, knowing that he had some martial arts foundation, but it was not strong enough to match him.

Without further ado, the match began at the indication of the youth in the brown shirt.

This time, Qin Fengming held nothing back. In just over thirty moves, he used a clever technique to knock the opponent's sword away, earning the right to challenge.

Seeing Qin Fengming's smooth victory, Duan Meng and the other disciples cheered loudly, and the scene became noisy. This was the first victory by a new disciple in decades, and it couldn't help but make everyone happy.

As the matches continued, Qin Fengming eventually faced a youth who used a staff for the last spot in the next round.

Standing on the platform, the staff-wielding youth looked at the young man who was a head shorter than him without any contempt. He had seen all of Qin Fengming's previous matches and knew that although the youth was young, his skills were profound.

He also knew that it would be extremely difficult to defeat the youth with techniques alone, and the only way was to use strength to force him to drop his sword and admit defeat.

With this in mind, as soon as they engaged, the staff-wielding youth fiercely struck Qin Fengming's sword, hoping to achieve a quick victory.

Facing this move, Qin Fengming was well aware. He skillfully wielded the Willow Drift Thirteen Postures, and his small body moved with great agility, circling around the opponent without letting their weapons clash.

After about seventy rounds, Qin Fengming lightly stabbed with the tip of his sword, drawing a slight wound on the opponent's arm. Although the wound was not deep, it forced the opponent to drop his staff and admit defeat.

Thus, the list of disciples advancing to the next round on Platform Six was decided: the sword-wielding disciple Huyan Zhuo, Wei Zhihu, the fist-and-foot user Cui Liang, and Qin Fengming.

The second round of matches would begin the next day. Under the enthusiastic escort of Duan Meng and the other disciples, Qin Fengming was surrounded like a star and led away from the valley.