Chapter 7

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On September 9th, True Martial Year 394, the sun rose, its rays illuminating the earth.

In the Chen family training ground, from the family head to the lowly sweepers, almost everyone who could move gathered there, for this was the family's annual grand event: the Martial Disciple Battle.

At the center of the training ground, a platform was built, one meter high, five meters long and wide, constructed from hard wood three fingers thick, making it very sturdy.

"Everyone..." Family head Chen Wuxiong leaped onto the platform, looking around. Everyone fell silent, their eyes focused on Chen Wuxiong, who spoke loudly, "This is our Chen family's annual major event..."

The content of his speech was the same as in previous years, but under Chen Wuxiong's steady and powerful voice, it was stirring and inspiring, especially to the young men about to participate in the Martial Disciple Battle, who were filled with excitement and eager to show their skills.

"According to the usual rules, please invite the three pre-selected top contestants to the stage." As soon as Chen Wuxiong finished speaking, a delicate voice rang out. A graceful figure leaped onto the platform, light as a red butterfly, landing behind Chen Wuxiong. Her deer-skin shoes accentuated her round, slender legs.

"Miss Yurao is so beautiful."

"Too beautiful, I wish she would smile at me."

The family members below the platform were amazed.

Beautiful, powerful, and of high status, she was truly a goddess.

A faint sound of the wind, and a figure darted out like a wolf, leaping lightly onto the platform. This person was slender, with cold eyes and a scar on his cheek, making him look even more fierce.

"It's Chen Yidao."

"I knew it, he must be one of the pre-selected top three."

Chen Yidao seemed to ignore the amazement of the crowd, his cold eyes fixed straight ahead, exuding a lone wolf-like aura.

"Move, move." Shouts echoed as Chen Zhongjie and Chen Dalei pushed through the crowd, causing a chorus of complaints. Chen Zhigang strolled over, leaped lightly onto the platform, walked to the center, looked around, and smiled faintly, as if saying, "Who dares to claim first place if I'm second?"

"Chen Zhigang!"

"It's Brother Gang."

"It's Young Master Gang."

Many people below the platform were excited.

Chen Zhigang was hailed as the top martial disciple under fifteen in the Chen family, with exceptional strength and a role model for many young family members. His father was the family's top martial artist, and his every move was closely watched.

"Chen Zhigang, Chen Yidao, and Chen Yurao, these three are pre-selected. Does anyone object?" Chen Wuxiong said loudly, his eyes quickly scanning the crowd.

"No objections."

"The three are the strongest and most skilled under fifteen, it's only right."

Many people agreed.

"The pre-selection of these three does not mean others have no chance," Chen Wuxiong nodded in satisfaction. "All family members under fifteen who wish to compete for the top three can participate in the Martial Disciple Battle. The winners can challenge one of the pre-selected three, and if they win, they can go to the clan hall for training."

As Chen Wuxiong finished speaking, the young men who were about to participate in the Martial Disciple Battle began to breathe heavily.

"I suggest adding another rule," a man sitting in a high seat stood up. He wore a sleeveless martial uniform, his exposed arms bulging with muscles like steel, exuding a powerful and intimidating aura. His eyes seemed to emit electricity, and he was none other than Chen Zhigang's father, Chen Huzhan: "Those below the third level of the Blood Qi Realm are not allowed to participate in the Martial Disciple Battle."

"What!"

"How can you do this?"

"This is unfair."

As soon as Chen Huzhan spoke, some people became agitated.

The original rule was that any family member under fifteen could participate in the Martial Disciple Battle. Now, Chen Huzhan's words would disqualify most of them, which was hard to accept.

"Do you think those at the second level of the Blood Qi Realm can defeat those at the third level?" Chen Huzhan laughed coldly, his eyes piercing as he asked, "Who among those below the third level of the Blood Qi Realm thinks they can defeat those at the third level? Stand up and let me see."

No one spoke.

"Since no one has, there's no need to waste time," Chen Huzhan sneered, looking at Chen Wuxiong, "Family head, my suggestion is good, right? Let's decide it this way."

"I have an objection."

Chen Wuxiong was somewhat helpless, but before he could speak, a not very loud, even somewhat hoarse voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention.

"Oh, I thought it was someone else, it's you, Chen Zhengtang." Chen Huzhan was first surprised, then his face twisted with ridicule, "The former top martial artist of the family, but that was in the past. Now you're just a cripple, what right do you have to object?"

"Because I am a member of the Chen family, I have the right to raise objections," Chen Zhengtang said firmly, "The purpose of the Martial Disciple Battle rules was to provide a collective exchange and practice opportunity for the young family members, a form of tempering. For most people, winning or losing is secondary. Your approach is detrimental to the family."

"Is your approach beneficial to the family?" Chen Huzhan laughed coldly, "For your son, you lost all your strength and became a cripple, almost causing our Chen family to be suppressed by other families in town. If I hadn't broken through in time, who knows what state our Chen family would be in now. What right do you have to say such things?"

Chen Zhengtang's face darkened.

"Of course, I can give you a chance. Come up, if you can defeat me, you can set the rules," Chen Huzhan beckoned to Chen Zhengtang, sneering, "If you don't dare, get lost."

Chen Zhengtang's face turned even darker.

"Enough." Chen Wuxiong shouted, looking at another person sitting in a high seat, "Supervisor, what do you think?"

This person looked to be in his forties, wearing a blue martial uniform, with a high and mighty demeanor. The Chen family members looked at him with a hint of reverence, as he came from the clan and was the martial artist sent by the clan to supervise the battle.

"You decide among yourselves, I have no objections," the supervisor said calmly, "I just need to bring the three strongest to the clan hall."

"Does anyone else have objections?" Chen Huzhan pressed, "If you do, come up and defeat me."

"My father is right, those below the third level of the Blood Qi Realm don't need to participate, to avoid wasting time," Chen Zhigang stepped forward, standing next to Chen Huzhan, and said loudly, "Actually, I think the Martial Disciple Battle can be skipped, because no one is my match."

"This father and son are really annoying," Chen Yiming clenched his fists and said softly.

Chen Zhengtang also retreated into the crowd, his face anxious, as he had not yet seen Chen Zong.

"Enough, no more talk, the Martial Disciple Battle begins now," Chen Huzhan said, making the decision for Chen Wuxiong, leaping high and landing in his seat.

Chen Wuxiong, helpless, could only leave the platform, and Chen Zhigang, Chen Yidao, and Chen Yurao also leaped down.

Excluding Chen Zhigang, Chen Yidao, and Chen Yurao, and those below the third level of the Blood Qi Realm, only eight people could participate in the Martial Disciple Battle.

"I'll go first, who will fight me?" Chen Zhongjie leaped onto the platform, his cultivation having just broken through to the third level of the Blood Qi Realm.

"I will, Chen Yang." A slender figure leaped up, landing lightly and immediately assuming the starting stance of the Wolf Tooth Fist, facing Chen Zhongjie.

"Wolf Rush!" Chen Zhongjie had already assumed the starting stance, his feet moving quickly as he lunged forward, his punch like a fang.

"Wolf Flash!" Chen Yang crouched low, his feet tapping the ground, darting forward. As he approached Chen Zhongjie, he used the Wolf Flash stance to dodge Chen Zhongjie's attack, appearing at his side and striking with his left fist like a wolf's bite.

Wolf Bite!

Chen Zhongjie was caught off guard and rolled to the side. Chen Yang immediately rushed forward, his punch like a fang aiming for Chen Zhongjie's face.

"I surrender!" Chen Zhongjie shouted hastily, Chen Yang's Wolf Rush stopping just in front of him, blowing his bangs.

"This boy reacts quickly and has rich combat experience," the supervisor nodded, giving an evaluation.

"Who will fight me?" Chen Yang defeated Chen Zhongjie quickly without expending much energy.

"Chen Chongxing will challenge you." A figure leaped up, landing and immediately rushing toward Chen Yang, his leg like a long knife slicing through the air.

Chen Yang crouched low, using the Wolf Flash stance again.

The Wolf Tooth Fist and the Wind Blade Leg Technique clashed.

Dodge, attack, collide. Both put all their effort into defeating the other.

In the end, Chen Yang seized an opportunity, using the Wolf Rush to strike Chen Chongxing's ribs. The powerful force made Chen Chongxing's face change as he retreated. Chen Yang seized the opportunity to advance again, knocking Chen Chongxing off the platform and winning again.

"I request a rest." Before the third match began, Chen Yang raised his hand, having expended a lot of energy in the fight with Chen Chongxing.

"Approved, Chen Yang, go rest." Chen Wuxiong agreed, "Others can continue to challenge."

This prevented someone from fighting continuously and being exhausted, giving weaker opponents an unfair advantage.

"I'll go first." Chen Dalei jumped onto the platform. After eating tiger bone jelly and tiger meat soup, his blood qi had grown, his cultivation approaching the peak of the third level of the Blood Qi Realm, and his strength had clearly increased.

His opponent also practiced the Tiger Strength Fist. They clashed head-on, Chen Dalei using his greater strength to push his opponent back. He then took a large step, creating a gust of wind, and struck with all his might, a roar like a tiger's echoing.

He hit, his opponent flying back and falling off the platform.

"Overwhelming, his strength is quite good," the supervisor nodded again.

"Who dares to fight me?" Chen Dalei roared.

"Don't be too arrogant, I'll challenge you." Another person rushed onto the platform, using the Wind Blade Leg Technique.

After several collisions, this person was also pushed off the platform by Chen Dalei.

"Great job, Dalei." Chen Zhigang nodded in satisfaction.

After defeating three opponents in a row, Chen Dalei requested a rest.

Thus, only Chen Yang, Chen Dalei, and one last person remained.

With Chen Dalei resting, Chen Yang naturally fought the last person.

"Chen Yang, you're not my match." The last person was a woman named Chen Li, who practiced the Wind Blade Leg Technique.

"Let's see after we fight." Chen Yang growled, using the Wolf Rush, Wolf Flash, and Wolf Bite, attacking with all his might, holding nothing back.

Chen Li shouted, her long legs sweeping like a knife, creating a strong wind.

Blade Sweep, Blade Strike.

The two techniques were used in succession, striking Chen Yang and pushing him back. Chen Li's legs, like long knives, slashed continuously, forcing Chen Yang off the platform.

"Chen Dalei, come and fight me." Chen Li said confidently.

"Defeat me." Chen Dalei leaped onto the platform, his strength exploding as he leaped like a fierce tiger, striking with all his might.

Tiger Burst!

"Blade Slash!" Chen Li also unleashed her strongest attack.

They collided, Chen Dalei's figure wavered, while Chen Li retreated, her right leg trembling.

"I surrender." Chen Li was reluctant but her right leg was numb.

"Congratulations, Chen Dalei, you have won the Martial Disciple Battle. Next, you can challenge one of the three pre-selected. Who will you challenge?" Chen Wuxiong asked.

"Dalei, go down." Chen Zhigang suddenly spoke.

"I give up." Chen Dalei immediately said, jumping off the platform and giving up the right to challenge, leaving everyone stunned.

"Chen Dalei gives up the challenge. Chen Zhigang, Chen Yidao, and Chen Yurao will go to the clan hall for training." Chen Wuxiong had to announce, and asked symbolically, "Does anyone have objections?"

"I have an objection." A clear voice rang out, like a sword slicing through the silence. Chen Zhengtang and Chen Yiming's faces changed simultaneously.

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