Li Ming stood before the Strength Testing Pillar, the crowd's murmurs fading into the background as he prepared to showcase his skills. The instructor nodded, his voice clear and authoritative. "Li Ming, Li Clan. Fēng Xíng Bù. Show us." Li Ming took a breath, his feet shifting into the starting stance of Fēng Xíng Bù, a martial art that emphasized speed and agility. With a swift exhale, he launched into motion, his steps light and nimble as he gathered his qi. He struck the pillar with a palm strike, the wind whirling around his hand as he unleashed his power. The pillar's numbers flashed, and the crowd buzzed with excitement as they saw the score: 830 points.
The crowd's reaction was immediate, with some martial practitioners nodding in approval, their faces filled with a mix of surprise and admiration. Li Jian smiled slightly, his eyes filled with pride as he watched his son's performance. Li Feng's eyes were huge, his voice barely above a whisper. "Wow... Li Ming ge (big bro)!" The Fēng Xíng Bù announcement echoed again, this time with more emphasis: "Best score for the martial arts gathering Li Ming, Li Clan - 830 points.Black Iron Spear up for grabs."
Other contestants looked at Li Ming with interest, their faces a mix of determination and curiosity. A Ice Blade user stepped forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "I'll beat that," he said, his voice dripping with confidence. The ice blade practitioner struck the pillar, his blade flashing with icy intent, but his score was not enough - 780 points. A Qīngchéng (Lightweight Steps) girl tried next, her movements quick and agile, but her score was lower - 760 points.
Li Jian leaned to Li Feng, his voice filled with pride and strategy. "See? Fēng Xíng Bù's got Li Ming an edge. He's using the wind to his advantage, making his movements unpredictable." The instructor called out, his voice echoing across the crowd: "No one beats 830? The black iron spear is Li Ming's." The crowd parted, and Li Ming was handed the Black Iron Spear, its weight solid and reassuring in his hands.
Li Ming hefted the spear, balancing it with ease as if it were an extension of himself. Li Jian nodded, his eyes filled with approval. "Good start. Now... show them Fēng Lí Qiáng." Li Ming smiled, the spear twirling in his hands as he launched into the opening moves of Fēng Lí Qiáng, a martial art that combined speed, agility, and raw power. The crowd watched, mesmerized, as Li Ming's movements seemed to weave a dance of wind and steel.
As Li Ming continued to demonstrate his skills, the crowd's excitement grew, and the other contestants watched with a mix of admiration and determination. The ice blade practitioner, his eyes narrowed, whispered to the Qīngchéng girl, "He's good. But I'm better." The Qīngchéng girl nodded, her eyes fixed on Li Ming. "We'll see about that."
The air was electric in the martial arts hall as Li Jian's voice boomed through the crowd, commanding attention from everyone present. "Till now, Li Ming's held back. Now... he'll show full strength. Fēng Lí Qiáng with Fēng Xíng Bù!" The words sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd, and Li Ming's eyes widened as he processed his father's instructions.
He looked at Li Jian, seeking confirmation, and their eyes met in a fleeting glance. Li Jian nodded almost imperceptibly, a small smile playing on his lips. Trust was conveyed in that fleeting glance, and all hesitation left Li Ming. He gripped the Black Iron Spear, feeling its weight and balance, as his qi surged through him.
"Wind rises, clouds surge, wild gusts unrelenting." He recited the opening passage of Fēng Lí Qiáng, his voice low and steady.
Li Ming's spear danced like wind-driven rain, striking with precision and power as he unleashed Fēng Lí Qiáng with Fēng Xíng Bù. The Strength Testing Pillar shuddered violently, the sound of the impact like a crack of thunder. The numbers flashed, and the martial arts hall fell silent as everyone processed the score: 1250 points.
The crowd's reaction was one of stunned amazement, with martial practitioners staring at Li Ming in awe. Some nodded in approval, their faces filled with respect, while others whispered to each other, their eyes wide with excitement. Li Jian smiled, his eyes filled with pride, as Li Feng jumped up and down, shouting, "Li Ming ge!"
The instructor exhaled slowly, his voice filled with respect. "Li Ming, Li Clan... you win the Black Iron Spear." Li Ming breathed hard, his chest heaving with exertion, as he stood with the spear still pointing at the pillar.
A martial arts hall elder approached Li Jian, his face filled with a mix of admiration and interest. "Li Clan's got talent. 1250... Fēng Lí Qiáng + Fēng Xíng Bù, that's a killer combo." Li Jian nodded, his voice filled with confidence. "He's got more. Li Ming's been training hard."
The elder smiled, his eyes glinning with interest. "We'll invite Li Ming to the Martial Arts Grand Gathering. Heng Mountain tournament soon. Make sure he's ready." Li Jian nodded, his face serious. "He'll be ready."
As the crowd began dispersing, Li Ming turned to Li Jian, still gripping the Black Iron Spear. "Father..." Li Jian smiled, his eyes filled with pride. "You did good, Li Ming. You've made me proud."
Li Feng tugged Li Ming's sleeve, his face filled with excitement. "Can I try the pillar now, big bro?" Li Ming chuckled, ruffling Li Feng's hair. "Sure, little bro. Show us what you've got."
Li Feng grinned, bouncing to the Strength Testing Pillar. He gripped the Black Iron Spear, his eyes shining with determination. "Dragon roars through nine heavens, spear surges wild waves." He recited the passage of Qiang Ya Long, his voice loud and clear.
Li Feng's spear whirled in his hands, a blur of silver as he struck the pillar with a powerful thrust. The sound of the impact was like a crack of thunder, and the pillar's numbers flashed: _1150 points_. The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles, with some martial practitioners nodding in approval.
Li Jian's eyes widened slightly in surprise, a smile spreading across his face. "Not bad, Li Feng! You're getting there." Li Ming smiled, clapping Li Feng on the back. "Little bro's got spirit! You're just below my score."
As the Li family walked out of the martial arts hall, the evening sun cast long shadows on the steps, and the air was filled with the sounds of martial practitioners sparring and chatting. The smell of food wafted from the nearby stalls, mingling with the scent of incense and sweat.
"Instructors Zhang, Liu." Li Jian nodded respectfully, his eyes crinning at the corners as he smiled. Instructor Zhang smiled back, his face creasing into a network of lines. "Li Jian, congratulations. Li Ming's Fēng Lí Qiáng + Fēng Xíng Bù, impressive. And Li Feng... 1150 points at 16. Heavenly talent. You've done well raising these boys, Li."
Li Jian beamed, his pride evident in his voice. "Thanks, Instructor Zhang. Sons' own effort. They're just starting out, but they've got the drive." Instructor Liu handed Li Jian two Grand Gathering invitations, the paper rustling softly. "For Li Ming, Li Feng. Heng Mountain tournament invitation .Represent the Li Clan. It's a big deal, Li Jian. Make sure they're ready."
Li Jian took the invitations, his eyes scanning the details. "Honor. They'll do well. We'll make sure they're prepared." Elders of the martial arts hall approached, nodding at Li Jian. "Li Jian, martial arts hall applauds. Li Ming's Fēng Lí Qiáng, Li Feng's Qiang Ya Long... Li Clan's rising."
One elder, White-haired, nodded gravelly. "Li Jian, you've done well. Filial sons... family has talent. Martial arts hall's watching. We expect great things from Li Ming and Li Feng." Li Jian's face shone with pride . "Sons make me proud. Thank you, elders. I'll make sure they don't disappoint."