Chapter 21

Dinner, Hundred-Foot Cliff. (www..com)

"I stood halfway up the cliff and watched your match today. Ever since your junior brother stepped onto the stage, Mother hasn't stopped praising you."

Seeing Qin Fengming arrive, Xiaoshijie Zhang Ruotong immediately jumped to his side, holding his hand and leading him to her parents, saying with a joyful expression,

Hearing Xiaoshijie's words, Qin Fengming's face instantly turned red, and he bowed, kneeling before his master and mistress: "Disciple lost a match today, disgracing the sect. Please, Master and Mistress, punish me."

"Ha ha ha, Fengming, there's no need for punishment. I already know about the match you lost. It was certainly intentional, and I can discern the reasons. To have such a sense of propriety at such a young age is truly remarkable.

Your current skill level has greatly surprised me, and even the hall masters and elders are amazed. They all praise you highly. If they didn't know you are my disciple, they would certainly vie for you."

Hearing his master's words, Qin Fengming was flattered and quickly bowed: "This is all due to the diligent teaching of Master and Mistress. I dare not take credit for it."

After praising Qin Fengming, his master's expression turned serious. After a moment of thought, he said solemnly,

"Fengming, after a year of practice, your understanding of the thirteen forms of the Willow Sword Technique has deepened significantly. With your current skill level, you already have the ability to enter the top ten in this competition."

"What? Master, are you saying that I have a good chance of entering the Elite Hall this time?" Hearing his master's words, the young Qin Fengming almost jumped up.

Seeing Qin Fengming's excitement, his master smiled and said,

"Fengming, don't be too happy too soon. Among these disciples, there are three or four who you might not be able to defeat. If you meet them, you might lose due to lack of strength. But as long as you don't meet them too early, entering the top ten is very possible. If you successfully enter the top ten, I will personally recommend you to Master Sima to join the Dark Night Hall."

Hearing his master's words, Qin Fengming's face showed a hint of confusion. He had no idea what the Dark Night Hall was, but from his master's tone, it seemed to be a place even better than the Elite Hall.

"The Dark Night Hall is a secret hall of our sect, accessible only to the most core disciples. Very few people know its true nature, and even I don't know where it is. Once you enter the Dark Night Hall, all kinds of resources are provided without limit. This is a place that every disciple of our sect aspires to."

Hearing his master's explanation, Qin Fengming was extremely excited. It seemed that the Dark Night Hall was undoubtedly the ultimate goal for the disciples of Luoxia Valley.

Although his master said he could recommend him to join, Qin Fengming knew he had to pass several tests to get this opportunity. He could not afford any mistakes in future matches.

The next day, the same valley was even more bustling than the previous day. However, the number of disciples participating in the competition was only half of yesterday's.

At 9 AM, Elder Wang again stood before the central platform and said loudly,

"Today's competition has only 32 participants. It will be a knockout tournament. The winners will directly enter the Elite Hall. The losers will have another match to determine the top four, who will also enter the Elite Hall for further training. Now, go and get your number plates."

Qin Fengming followed the other disciples and also received a number plate. The number plates were randomly distributed, and each had the name of the disciple written on it.

"This competition will only take place on the five platforms in front. The first and 32nd disciples will go on the platform, the second and 31st will prepare, and so on. Go ahead." Looking at the disciples holding number plates below the platform, Elder Wang said expressionlessly.

Standing below the platform, Qin Fengming looked down at the number plate in his hand, which read "7." It seemed he would be the seventh to go on the platform.

At this moment, Qin Fengming was slightly nervous. He did not want to meet the three or four disciples his master mentioned who could defeat him.

However, this was not something he could control. He could only hope that fate would be kind and not make him meet them too early.

The fifth platform was directly in front of the platform where his master and the hall masters and elders were seated. From the platform, one could clearly see every move of the competing disciples.

At this moment, Qin Fengming had no interest in the matches on the platform. His only task was to rest and adjust his state to the best possible condition.

The Dark Night Hall was a great temptation for him. If he really entered the top ten as his master said, his master, who had a word of great weight, would certainly recommend him to Master Sima of Luoxia Valley. Entering the Dark Night Hall at such a young age would save him ten years of hard work.

Two hours later, Qin Fengming stood up at the call of Duan Meng and other disciples. Holding his sword, he steadily walked towards the fifth stone platform.

The first battle that would decide his future was about to begin.

Facing a young man in his late teens holding a saber, Qin Fengming's young face was unusually calm, showing no signs of nervousness.

Seeing Qin Fengming step onto the platform, the young man opposite him looked slightly surprised and looked down, seeing no one else coming up. He asked with a hint of doubt, "You, are you the one I'm fighting?"

"Senior Brother, please. I am the one who will be fighting in this match. I hope you will show mercy."

"Junior Brother, you are so young. Even if you started practicing martial arts at eight, you have only been practicing for four years. How can you be a match for us who have been practicing for seven or eight years? It's better to admit defeat."

Looking at the young man in front of him, who was only twelve or thirteen years old, the saber-wielding young man was surprised but also greatly relieved. Facing such a weak opponent, victory was certain, and entering the Elite Hall was a sure thing.

"Ha ha, just a few rounds with Senior Brother will be a good training for me. I will be very grateful if you show a little mercy."

With a nod from the young man in a brown shirt who was overseeing the match, the crucial battle began.

Seeing Qin Fengming still calm and composed, the young man was slightly moved. Following the signal from the overseer, he swung his long saber, creating a flurry of blade movements, and launched a rapid attack on Qin Fengming.

He intended to win quickly and not give Qin Fengming any chance to counterattack.

Seeing this, Qin Fengming knew what the young man was thinking. Otherwise, with his status, he would not have attacked a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy.

Facing the rapid attack, Qin Fengming did not dare to be careless. He swung his sword, and a series of exquisite sword techniques poured out. The tip of the sword moved unpredictably, like willow leaves dancing in the wind, and a white light surrounded the young man, trapping him firmly.

After a brief exchange, the saber-wielding young man was greatly shocked. This boy, who was a head shorter than him, was no novice. He had clearly been practicing martial arts for over ten years. His sword techniques were mature, his movements light, and his techniques were endless. Defeating this twelve or thirteen-year-old boy was now as difficult as climbing to the sky.