At the Martial Arts Arena.
Zhang Qi was extremely arrogant, and the attitude of the martial artists watching from the stands was also divided into two extremes.
"It’s just a county competition; there’s no need for Yanshan County to be like this."
"Martial Path is indeed a contest for the strong. If one’s strength is lacking, one should concede. Besides, I heard that before the county competition, there was already a conflict between Poyang County and Yanshan County, where a Poyang County student injured a Yanshan County student, so now they are just retaliating."
"If that’s the case, it makes sense."
In the area for Yanshan County students, the other students were also filled with fervor at this moment. Senior Brother Zhang’s arrogance was not only directed at Poyang County but also at yesterday’s Degao County and Yudong County.
Because the county competition was postponed, the students from Degao County and Yudong County did not hold back their mockery, thinking a contest between two bottom counties was meaningless no matter how long it was delayed.
Now, Senior Brother Zhang Qi showed them with his strength that although Yanshan County had been at the bottom in previous years, it does not mean it will be at the bottom this time.
The students from Degao County and Yudong County, especially Degao County, who were the victors yesterday, no longer had their superiority, as the strength Zhang Qi displayed left them stunned.
"Yanshan County is rising this year. With Zhang Qi being so strong and with Shen Ge yet to make a move, except for Guangxin County and Yongfeng County, other counties probably wouldn’t dare to say they can surely win against Yanshan County."
Previously, Poyang County and Yanshan County were at the bottom because they lacked top-tier students, with their students’ strengths being quite average, which was a shortcoming for both counties.
This year, Yanshan County produced Zhang Qi and Shen Ge, filling that gap, giving them the strength to contest even against counties that were in the top five of the Prefecture Examination last year.
In contrast, Poyang County...
"We can only say that Poyang County has faced some bad luck this year, encountering a rising Yanshan County; even if they faced yesterday’s Degao County and Yudong County, they wouldn’t have lost so miserably as they did today."
Several Grade-Entering Powerhouses turned their eyes to Su Lingchuan, acknowledging that this Lord Su was just unfortunate.
While everyone was watching, Shen Ge had already picked his opponents.
Apart from Fu Jingya, he selected the remaining eight including Fei Hong.
Leaving Fu Jingya alone was not out of pity but rather to leave Poyang County the last bit of dignity.
The eight Hall Masters of Poyang County at this moment looked extremely somber, as two people effortlessly swept through eighteen of their disciples, which was a tremendous humiliation.
"If only Senior Brother Lin were here, how could Yanshan County be so arrogant!"
Fu Ang mumbled, having just been defeated by Zhang Qi, and as he finished speaking, he instinctively scanned his surroundings, his gaze abruptly halting.
"Senior Brother Lin!"
At Fu Ang’s shout, all the students from Poyang County turned their gaze to the entrance of the Martial Arts Arena, including Hall Master Zeng Qingyao and others.
At the entrance of the Martial Arts Arena.
Lin Chen was explaining his identity to the Martial Affairs Department martial artist who was guarding the entrance: "Sir, this is my junior brother; I truly am from Poyang County."
The Viscera-Refining Martial Artist who was guarding looked back at Fu Ang, only then allowing him to pass.
"Senior Brother Lin, you finally made it."
Fu Ang was very excited. Having just lost to Zhang Qi on stage, he was filled with anger, and now seeing Lin Chen was like seeing a savior.
The other students looked at Lin Chen with the same gaze.
At this point, the current students of Poyang County had long acknowledged Lin Chen’s strength.
Now, the only one who could restore Poyang County’s dignity was none other than Senior Brother Lin.
"Sorry, I was delayed by some matters and arrived late."
Lin Chen apologized to Zeng Qingyao, Tai Rubai, and the other eight Hall Masters, not expecting that his trip with Senior Sister Jiang almost made him miss the county competition.
"Not too late at all!"
Zeng Qingyao spoke in a deep voice, and Tai Rubai finally showed a smile on his face: "Junior Sister Zeng is right, it’s still not too late. The face Poyang County just lost will be regained shortly."
"I will do my utmost," Lin Chen nodded and agreed.
Beside them, the other six Hall Masters had doubts in their eyes. While Lin Chen’s strength in this year’s Poyang County was indeed unparalleled, Zhang Qi and Shen Ge from Yanshan County were not weak, and even Lin Chen might not necessarily be able to defeat them.
"Senior Brother Lin, I just want to ask, how does Zhang Qi’s strength compare to yours?"
Fu Ang looked hopefully at Lin Chen. Lin Chen paused for a moment before saying, "I haven’t seen Zhang Qi in action, but having opened sixteen acupoints, his strength should not be below mine."
Relief!
Upon hearing Lin Chen’s answer, a heavy weight was lifted from Fu Ang’s heart.
Other students, however, showed disappointment in their eyes. They hoped for a confident reply from Senior Brother Lin saying that defeating Zhang Qi would be easy, but on second thought, they realized this was the reasonable answer.
Zhang Qi had opened sixteen acupoints and achieved Great Success with the Tiger Roar Fist, which was known to be no less powerful than the Iron Collapse Fist. Lin Chen had only opened 14 acupoints, so being able to stand even with Zhang Qi was already quite impressive.
They didn’t expect more. As long as Senior Brother Lin went on stage and defeated ten or more students from Yanshan County, or even just one or two more, it would restore Poyang County’s dignity.
"What’s going on with Poyang County; I see another person has joined."
"The students from Poyang County are still able to smile. Who is this person?"
Lin Chen walked towards the Poyang County area, catching the eye of someone sharp, and Lord Su Lingchuan, who was seated in the viewing stands, also spotted Lin Chen right away, finally no longer maintaining a stern face.
However, the attention of these spectators quickly returned to the battle on the stage.
Shen Ge, despite having opened only fifteen acupoints, faced off against Fei Hong and others who had opened fourteen acupoints as if they were nothing, with red light shimmering from his palms illuminating the sky.
"Cloud Burning Palm in Perfection!"
Among the group of martial artists watching, someone exclaimed in shock.
The top-tier powerhouses from other counties were also staring intently at Shen Ge, their eyes filled with apprehension.
Over at Yanshan County, Zhang Qi’s lips curled into a smug smile. He could sense the shock from his fellow disciples around him and the martial artists watching behind them.
Senior Brother Shen was the person he admired the most.
If it weren’t for Senior Brother Shen’s Cloud Burning Palm reaching perfection, he wouldn’t have willingly given up the first place.
Poyang County was merely a stepping stone for him and Senior Brother Shen, not worth mentioning.
"Junior Brother Zhang, your Yanshan County has produced an incredible talent this time."
"The Cloud Burning Palm isn’t easy to cultivate. Reaching perfection in such a short time is testament to Shen Ge’s astounding comprehension and talent."
Zhang Wangshan listened to the exaggerations of the Grade-Entering Martial Artists beside him, smiling but modestly said, "Haha, Shen Ge’s comprehension is nothing much."
"Indeed, it’s nothing much. Our Lin Chen from Poyang County reached perfection with the Clear Wind Palm three months ago."
Su Lingchuan couldn’t stand Zhang Wangshan’s hypocritical smile. When he said this, Zhang Wangshan’s smile froze.
In terms of martial comprehension, Lin Chen from Poyang County was indeed the strongest in the entire Raozhou Prefecture this year. Achieving perfection in the Clear Wind Palm in three months, even Guangxin County hasn’t seen a student do that.
"While martial comprehension is important, martial competitions aren’t based solely on comprehension. The realm determines the ultimate strength, and mastering one cultivation technique only means a high compatibility with it, not guaranteeing the same progress with other techniques."
Zhang Wangshan countered verbally. Su Lingchuan subconsciously wanted to counter back, mentioning Lin Chen’s mastery of Iron Bone Skill but decided to hold back.
Let Zhang Wangshan stay arrogant for a while longer. Once Lin Chen takes the stage, let’s see if he can still keep that smile.
Over at the area where the Guangxin County students were seated, two youths exchanged a glance, both seeing the excitement in each other’s eyes.
If the county’s standard was like Yudong County and Degao County yesterday, they’d just find it dull.
The strength Shen Ge displayed fired them up; Shen Ge was worth taking seriously.
"Cloud Burning Palm at perfection?"
Fu Ang’s mouth slightly opened. Subconsciously, he looked at Lin Chen beside him and asked, "Senior Brother Lin, how does Shen Ge’s strength compare to yours?"
"It’s not below mine."
Lin Chen’s response didn’t seem inappropriate to others, but Fu Ang scratched his head, stunned, still faced with the same answer?
Could it be that Senior Brother Lin wasn’t being modest before and genuinely believed this?
Lin Chen wasn’t aware of Fu Ang’s internal monologue. His answer stemmed from his cautious nature.
Never underestimate any opponent before exchanging blows; who can guarantee the other side doesn’t have hidden cards?
An incense stick’s worth of time, the battle on stage ended.
Even though Fei Hong and others fought with a strategy of mutual harm, they still lost.
The entire audience focused their gaze on Shen Ge.
No one believed Shen Ge’s longer time to defeat Fei Hong and others indicated he was less capable than Zhang Qi.
Zhang Qi defeated those with thirteen open acupoints, while Shen Ge’s opponents had fourteen. Additionally, Shen Ge wasn’t as battered as Zhang Qi.
Anyone with keen eyes could see the significant gap between Zhang Qi and Shen Ge.
"Poyang County is finished."
"All the county’s trainees lost to two people. After this competition, Poyang County’s bottom place reputation will be completely cemented."
The martial artists on the viewing platform sighed quietly, while the martial artists from Poyang County remained silent.
They wanted to refute but couldn’t find the words to counter.
Facts lay bare; martial competitions are about strength.
"Huh, does Poyang County still have male disciples?"
"What’s that person doing, challenging Shen Ge like an egg against a rock?"
The martial artists from Poyang County, preparing to leave early, noticed the figure stepping onto the stage. Several of those who had seen the competition three months prior showed excitement on their faces.
"It’s Lin Chen!"
"Poyang County hasn’t lost yet!"
Lin Chen?
"Could it be that martial genius from Poyang County who reached perfection with the Clear Wind Palm in three months?"
"Achieving perfection in the Clear Wind Palm in three months shows terrifying martial comprehension."
"There’s going to be a good show."
"It’s useless. Lin Chen’s realm is a bit lacking. No matter how skilled, can he defeat all of Yanshan County’s students alone? At most, he’ll regain some face for Poyang County."
Lin Chen’s identity was recognized, drawing attention from students of each county.
"It’s a pity, the realm is a bit lacking, it won’t change the outcome." Over in Guangxin County, Sheng Tao made his judgment.
The other counties felt the same.
No one questioned Lin Chen’s martial comprehension, but in the current scenario, Lin Chen couldn’t change the outcome.
"Junior Brothers, thank you for your hard work, leave the rest to me."
Lin Chen comforted the defeated Fei Hong and others, stepped into the center of the martial arts arena, and finally looked towards Yanshan County, his lips slightly upturned: "Lin Chen, disciple of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall from Poyang County, challenges all the senior brothers of Yanshan County."

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