"Master Ancestor’s impressive Qinggong!"
Wei Quan watched from below as Cheng Fengxiao floated in and leaped onto the high platform, clapping his hands in excitement!
As tall as a three-story building!
A single leap to the top? Flying up?
Not to mention flying up, even climbing would be difficult.
Not to mention climbing up, even jumping down would be hard.
The Iron Wire Martial Arts Hall hadn’t participated in the Martial Arts Competition for three years, and Cheng Fengxiao hadn’t been here for three years either. It just so happened that Wei Quan joined the Iron Wire Martial Arts Hall three years ago, meaning he had never seen Cheng Fengxiao among the ranks of the big shots.
He had always regretted it deeply.
Today he finally got to see it, fulfilling his long-held wish; he could die without regret.
Yan Chuan exchanged a look with his master in the stands, smiled slightly, then saw Wei Quan waving and clapping like a fool, shouting ’Master Ancestor’, ’Oh oh.’
He frowned, pushed Wei Quan, urging him to get on stage.
Wei Quan was stunned: "Isn’t that too high-profile?"
The Martial Arts Competition had just started.
In his mind, characters like his master ought to make their move towards the last few days. Even if he were a top disciple of a famous master, expected to appear on the first day, at worst, it should be in the afternoon; and at the absolute latest, around noon.
No big figure would rush to take the stage right away.
"I won’t say anything more!"
Wei Quan thought Yan Chuan was annoyed by the noise he made.
But Yan Chuan really wasn’t—
"The spotlight will come sooner or later, it makes no difference early or late."
He believed in "Mutual Teaching and Learning", early exposure is better than late exposure.
"You all stay here without moving, your master will be back soon." Yan Chuan first turned to instruct the three of Yu Jinpeng, then grabbed the back collar of Wei Quan’s new clothes—
Raising himself lightly, he brought Wei Quan up onto the platform.
No one else on the stage, a crowd below.
Yan Chuan pushed Wei Quan forward, declaring loudly, "This disciple of mine has practiced martial arts for over three years. Meeting this grand occasion, he comes to gain experience. Is there any fellow Jianghu practitioner interested in sparring with him?"
Yan Chuan’s voice was clear.
Wei Quan finally realized it was the real deal.
Yet he was not stage-frightened; earlier, being lifted and pushed by Yan Chuan was undignified, but now he adjusted his clothes, especially his collar, and then cupped his fists to all sides, clearing his throat and loudly stated, "I am Wei Quan, a disciple of ’Tiger Crane Double Forms’, ’Stone to Gold’, the leader of ’Guangling Ten Tigers’, Yan Chuan. My Master Ancestor Cheng Fengxiao, ’Iron Bridge Cheng’ of ’Guangling Ten Tigers’, renowned for over twenty years! I have trained in Cheng Family Boxing for over three years, excel in Tiger Form Boxing, and humbly seek your guidance!"
That rascal Wei Quan!
He first cupped his fists toward the audience, then specifically toward Yan Chuan in the inner section and Cheng Fengxiao in the stands while mentioning his lineage.
"Just this opening speech!"
"I’ve heard him practice at home hundreds of times!"
Jin Yutang smiled below but secretly pondered; it seems he really needs to come up with an opening speech for himself.
One incense’s time on stage!
Ten years of effort offstage!
Wei Quan’s opening was elegant and well-presented.
"Turns out it’s the disciple of ’Tiger Crane Double Forms’, the grand-disciple of ’Iron Bridge Cheng’!"
The crowd below erupted in applause.
As the first to step onto the ring, he naturally drew many gazes.
All eyes were on him.
Wei Quan was trembling all over, not from fear, but excitement.
"Fame achieved in one battle!"
He had trained diligently for three years, and in the recent four months, he made rapid progress. Today’s the day to truly test his results.
The shame at the beginning of the month in the Advanced Study Hall!
Today it will be washed away!
"Practiced martial arts for three years?"
"Perfect, I’ve practiced for three years too, let me face you!"
Someone leaped onto the ring, cupped his fists toward Wei Quan and said: "Guangling Academy, Character Gate Fist, Chen Hongyuan!"
This was a spirited young man, appearing about the same age as Wei Quan, both eighteen or nineteen years old.
"Character Gate Fist, first trains ’spirit’, no wonder he’s so spirited."
Wei Quan thought to himself, but his expression was serious, cupping his fists and pushing forward: "Please!"
Neither wasted words.
They stepped in and began fighting.
Wei Quan had always been practicing the basics; mastering ’Horse Stance’ and ’Twelve Bridge Hands’ for three years, now with an additional four months of special training, he had long reached the Fifth Realm.
Tiger Form Boxing hadn’t received much attention, but recently with vigorous practice for half a month, it also approached the Fourth Realm, though not quite there; still, it had greatly improved.
At this moment, he struck with ’Tiger Form Boxing’.
The force was like a Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain.
Far from Yu Jinpeng, yet still proper.
Opposite, Chen Hongyuan’s boxing was much sloppier. It was evident that his practice wasn’t solid, distinctly lacking compared to Wei Quan in terms of horse stance and qi power.
Three punches and two kicks!
Wei Quan landed a punch, pulling back at the last moment, only pushing Chen Hongyuan back a few steps, then cupped his fists with a mysterious expression and said: "Thank you for letting me win!"
Chen Hongyuan hadn’t expected to lose so quickly; his face flushed red. He cupped his fists toward Wei Quan, said ’I lost’, and immediately turned to leave the stage, unable to face friends and relatives.
With the first victory secured, Wei Quan was delighted.
Yan Chuan nodded silently.
With Great Yan Buwu, academies sprang up, and the number of martial arts practitioners skyrocketed by hundreds or thousands, but not everyone was suited for martial arts, so mediocre individuals multiplied by hundreds or thousands. Too many practiced martial arts for three to five years yet remained mediocre martial artists, straddling between practicing and entry-level skills.
Just like Wei Quan four months ago.
After three years of martial practice, his foundation was not established, and his combat ability at the time probably only slightly surpassed that of this Chen Hongyuan.
As for the current Wei Quan—