My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Grand Competition

Juying Mountain Villa, Martial Arts Arena.

Six flag stands were positioned around the arena. The banners of the six great Martial Arts Halls—Zhen Nan, Yangwei, Liuyun, Iron Palm, Cyan Blade, and Sea Tide—fluttered and snapped in the northern wind.

On the high platform to the north of the Martial Arts Arena, the special emissary from the City Lord’s Mansion sat in the seat of honor. Flanking him were the Patriarchs of the three great local families. Behind them stood more than a dozen Martial Artists with calm and steady auras, all of them possessing Dark Force Cultivation.

Dozens of merchant representatives were also present at the edge of the field, their gazes sharp as they scanned the disciples from each hall. The year-end grand competition was not just about ranking the Martial Arts Halls; it was also an opportunity for the various families to select candidates for investment.

"A Dark Force expert can be an Honored Guest Elder for an annual stipend of two hundred taels, and they’ll even provide medicinal resources," a portly merchant whispered. "Even the best among the Bright Force practitioners can get a hundred taels as a settlement fee and be specially groomed."

"They’d have to survive first," the person next to him sneered. "See that? Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall has the most momentum this year. Wu Xiao is already at the Dark Force Middle Stage, and they say he’s just a hair’s breadth from the late stage."

"Zhao Yuan from Yangwei Martial Arts Hall is a Dark Force expert too. We’re in for a good show today."

Among the six halls, Zhen Nan and Yangwei Martial Arts Hall were the ones creating the biggest stir. Each of them had two Dark Force Disciples today, while the other Martial Arts Halls only had one each.

However, Zhen Nan and Yangwei Martial Arts Hall had a long-standing feud, and it was likely things wouldn’t end peacefully today. By now, the six hall masters had all drawn their lots, their faces calm and unreadable.

In the center of the arena, a Copper Gong suddenly rang out.

"First round: Zhao Yuan of Yangwei Martial Arts Hall versus Chen Tao of Hai Chao Martial Arts Hall!"

Zhao Yuan vaulted onto the cyan stone ring. His fine blue martial uniform accentuated his upright figure. His opponent was a dark, sturdy man holding two sabers, none other than the Peak Bright Force disciple from Hai Chao Martial Arts Hall.

"Please."

Zhao Yuan cupped his fist, but his gaze flickered toward the Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall’s area, where Wu Xiao was standing with his arms crossed, a cold sneer on his face.

"My apologies!"

Chen Tao crossed his twin sabers and rushed forward, the light from his blades splashing out like a tide.

Zhao Yuan neither dodged nor retreated. Only when the blades were three feet away did he suddenly move.

Fierce Bull Force·Mountain-Shattering Lean!

He sidestepped the blades and slammed his right shoulder, hard as an iron hammer, into Chen Tao’s chest. With a dull THUD, Chen Tao was sent flying backward. His twin sabers slipped from his grasp, and he was already spitting a mouthful of blood in mid-air before crashing heavily onto the edge of the ring.

"You let me win."

Zhao Yuan retracted his stance and stood with his hands behind his back.

A series of low gasps came from the sidelines. A one-move victory, clean and decisive.

"Zhao Yuan of Yangwei Martial Arts Hall wins!"

The referee shouted.

Zhao Yuan bowed with cupped fists toward the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall’s group. Yang Wei gave a slight nod. Zhou Hu’s expression was calm, and Liang Cheng stood among the disciples, his face as still as water.

Just as expected, before the referee could announce the next match, Wu Xiao had already vaulted onto the ring.

"Wu Xiao of Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall challenges Zhao Yuan of Yangwei Martial Arts Hall!" his voice boomed, echoing across the entire arena. "Since we both have Dark Force Cultivation, why don’t we settle things now? It’ll save us the trouble of drawing lots later."

An uproar immediately erupted from the sidelines.

"This is against the rules..."

The referee looked toward the high platform.

The special emissary from the City Lord’s Mansion was a clean-shaven, fair-faced middle-aged man. He chuckled upon hearing the challenge. "It’s a good thing for young people to have fighting spirit. Zhao Yuan, will you accept? If you do, this battle will count as the first-round match between your two halls."

All eyes focused on Zhao Yuan. He took a deep breath, pride surging in his chest. He had just won in a single move, his Qi Blood was vigorous. ’How could I possibly back down?’

"I’ll fight!"

"Good!" Wu Xiao grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "Don’t worry, I’ll let you live."

Once both fighters were in position, the ring’s gong sounded, and Wu Xiao struck first to gain the upper hand.

There was no probing, no opening stance. Wu Xiao shot forward like an arrow, his right hand forming a claw as he aimed straight for Zhao Yuan’s heart!

The Claw Wind was sharp and piercing, even creating a faint sound of tearing through the air.

"Eagle Claw Skill at Great Success?"

Someone from the sidelines cried out in alarm.

Zhao Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly retreated half a step, raising both hands to block. He unleashed his Fierce Bull Force at full power, the wind from his fist as solid as a wall.

"SCREEECH—"

When the claw and fist met, it actually produced a grating sound like metal scraping against metal. Zhao Yuan felt a sharp pain in his fist. Looking down, he saw three bloody gashes on the back of his hand.

’Such hard claws!’ he thought in alarm.

Wu Xiao’s assault didn’t stop. Each claw strike was faster than the last, all aimed at vital points. His moves were ruthless and cunning, not at all like a sparring match, but rather a fight to the death.

Zhao Yuan retreated again and again. Although his Fierce Bull Force was fierce and powerful, he had broken through using medicinal concoctions. Against his opponent’s Great Success level Eagle Claw Skill, he was completely suppressed.

After twenty moves, he was already struggling to defend himself, and several new wounds had appeared on his chest.

"Zhao Yuan is losing his composure."

Zhou Hu couldn’t help but frown. Zhao Yuan was being suppressed at every turn and was no match for Wu Xiao at all. Yang Wei sat to the side, his face impassive, but Liang Cheng saw his right hand clench slightly.

Just then, on the ring, Wu Xiao suddenly changed his attack. He used a feinting claw to force Zhao Yuan back, then shifted his footwork, circling to Zhao Yuan’s side and rear. His right claw shot out like lightning, aiming for the back of Zhao Yuan’s neck!

The move was too sudden. Zhao Yuan hurriedly turned to the side, but he was half a beat too slow.

"PFFT!"

Wu Xiao’s five fingers, like hooks, dug deep into Zhao Yuan’s left shoulder. His Dark Force erupted, and blood instantly stained the front of Zhao Yuan’s robes.

"AARGH!"

Zhao Yuan roared in pain and threw a backhanded punch at Wu Xiao’s face. Wu Xiao neither dodged nor retreated. He blocked with his left hand while brutally twisting his right claw!

"CRACK!"

The distinct sound of a bone fracturing echoed across the arena.

Zhao Yuan’s entire left arm hung limply, his face ashen. Wu Xiao gave a savage grin, then raised his leg and drove his knee straight into Zhao Yuan’s abdomen.

"PFF—"

Zhao Yuan spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with bits of internal organs and was sent flying off the ring. Fortunately, Zhou Hu reacted quickly and caught him, saving him from smashing into the ground.

The entire arena fell deathly silent.

Everyone from Yangwei Martial Arts Hall shot to their feet. Zhou Hu reached out to check Zhao Yuan’s injuries, his face turning livid. "His shoulder bone is shattered, and his internal organs are damaged. He’ll need at least half a year to recover."

Yang Wei slowly stood up, staring at Wu Xiao on the ring. "So young, yet so ruthless."

Wu Xiao flicked the blood from his hand and grinned. "In a sparring match, it’s hard to hold back sometimes. I hope Martial Arts Hall Master Yang can forgive me."

On the high platform, the emissary from the City Lord’s Mansion clapped his hands. "Excellent! To have cultivated the Eagle Claw Skill to the Great Success Realm at such a young age, he is truly one of the best among those at the Dark Force level. Martial Arts Hall Master Wu, your nephew has a boundless future."

Wu Tianxiong laughed heartily. "You flatter me, Emissary."

Among the merchants’ seats, some began to discuss in low voices. "This Wu Xiao is someone we should make a point to contact."

"He’s too vicious. We’ll need to observe his character more."

"Vicious is good. For a guarding Honored Guest Elder, you want exactly this kind of ruthless person."

On the ring, the referee announced without hesitation, "Wu Xiao of Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall wins! Zhao Yuan of Yangwei Martial Arts Hall is eliminated due to serious injury."

Wu Xiao’s gaze swept over the disciples of Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, and he let out a sneer. "Is this all Yangwei Martial Arts Hall is capable of? Who’s next?"

The disciples glared at him, but no one dared to answer. Zhao Yuan was already the second-strongest expert in their Martial Arts Hall, yet he had been defeated so miserably. Whoever went up now would just be sending themselves to their death.

Zhou Hu took a deep breath and was about to step onto the stage when Wu Tianxiong of Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall suddenly laughed. "Martial Arts Hall Master Yang, you wouldn’t let Zhou Hu bully a junior, would you? If he goes up, I’ll concede on Xiao’er’s behalf."

Yang Wei’s expression turned ugly. He could already see Wu Tianxiong’s eldest disciple eager for a fight. The two were of a similar Realm. If Zhou Hu lost, they would lose both the man and the match.

Just then, Zhou Hu suddenly looked at Liang Cheng. "Junior Brother Liang, are you willing to go up?"

Liang Cheng?

Everyone, including Yang Wei, turned to look at Liang Cheng. Yang Wei had been focusing all his attention on Zhao Yuan, and only now did he realize that Liang Cheng’s current state was completely different.

It wasn’t that Zhou Hu’s perception was sharper than Yang Wei’s. It was simply that as the eldest senior brother, he had always paid close attention to Liang Cheng.

Liang Cheng stood up, his voice calm.

"This disciple is willing to go."

Liang Cheng stepped out from the ranks. Dressed in a green robe with a black sash, his expression was as calm as ever. Yang Wei looked at him deeply and slowly nodded. "Be careful."

Liang Cheng nodded in acknowledgment, then turned and walked toward the ring, one step at a time.

A wave of whispers immediately spread through the sidelines.

"Who is that?"

"Never heard of him. Does Yangwei Martial Arts Hall have a third Dark Force practitioner?"

"He looks so young. Even if he has Dark Force Cultivation, he probably just broke through, right? Is he going up there to die?"

In the merchants’ section, the portly merchant narrowed his eyes. "This kid... his steps are steady, and his aura is contained. I’m afraid he’s not as simple as he looks."

On the ring, Wu Xiao watched Liang Cheng’s slow approach with a contemptuous smile. "Another one coming to die? State your name. I don’t injure nobodies."

Liang Cheng walked onto the ring and came to a stop.

"Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, Liang Cheng."

"Please."