Butterfly Dance Martial Arts Arena.
The martial arts arena used by the old students of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall.
Lin Chen and the other nine quietly followed behind Kong Yinglei to this place.
On the martial arts arena, there were about twenty female students.
Seeing Lin Chen and the others behind Kong Yinglei, these female students all showed a look of schadenfreude in their eyes.
"Here they come, Vice Hall Master Kong has brought the newcomers."
"It's the old tradition every year, but I wonder how miserably this batch of newcomers will be abused this time."
"If you're interested, you can step up later. There's not much chance to bully these Junior Sisters, if you miss this opportunity, I'm afraid there won't be another."
"Compared to bullying Junior Sisters, I prefer bullying that Junior Brother."
...
...
The senior sisters on the martial arts arena actively made way for the central area, with many showing eager expressions on their faces.
The old tradition of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, where the instructors bring newcomers who have opened their acupoints to the old students, to compete against each other.
The purpose is simple, to temper the newcomers' arrogance.
In the Martial Path, there can be sharpness, there can be pride, but there must not be arrogance.
Kong Yinglei looked at these eager old students and was quite clear in her heart. Most of these old students on-site had entered the martial arts hall last year without opening their acupoints and did not belong to the top batch.
The top batch, after a year of cultivation, had opened at least Nine Acupoints and was not suitable for curbing the arrogance of newcomers.
Only competition at the same realm can be effective, otherwise, the new batch will feel unwilling in their hearts.
This batch of old students was considered above average in the martial arts hall in terms of family background, but naturally fell far short of that top batch. For a year in the martial arts hall, they had been overshadowed by those top few and had a suppressed resentment.
This resentment can't be vented on those from the same batch, so it's aimed at the Junior Sisters from the next batch.
"On the path of martial arts, realm is important, but actual combat between martial artists cannot be decided by realm alone, or else the disciples of various martial halls wouldn't need to compare. Families could just report students' realms and rank them by realm level."
Kong Yinglei looked at Lin Chen and the others, and slowly said, "Bringing you here is to tell you that even among martial artists of the same realm, there are differences in strength. It's even possible to defeat higher acupoint opponents with proficiency in martial arts techniques!"
"These are your Senior Sisters, you can report your current realm, and a Senior Sister of the same realm will spar with you."
Hearing Kong Yinglei's words, except for Jiang Qing who remained unchanged in expression, Fu Jingya and the others had their eyes light up, eager as well. They believed that they still had a chance of winning even against old students.
"Who wants to go first?"
"Hall Master Kong, I'll go first!"
Fu Jingya was the first to step forward and looked at those Senior Sisters, "Fu Jingya, Four Acupoints opened, I seek guidance from all the Senior Sisters."
"Did you hear that? The Junior Sister has volunteered, who's going from our side?"
"Let me go then."
A Senior Sister came out and looked at Fu Jingya, smiling as she said, "Since Junior Sister wants guidance, let me give it a try."
"Fang Mei!"
"Senior Sister Fang, please advise!"
Fu Jingya bowed, and Fang Mei returned the salute.
After the salutes, Fu Jingya made the first move. Although confident, she wouldn't really wait for Senior Sister Fang to make the first move, especially since the opponent had practiced the Water Cloud Palm a year longer than herself.
Fu Jingya unleashed her palm; she had practiced the Water Cloud Palm for three months and was about to reach the proficiency stage. Her movements were light, her steps nimble, and her techniques changed rapidly.
On the other hand, Fang Mei's palm strikes were not fast, but each strike broke through Fu Jingya's attacks appropriately, forcing Fu Jingya to withdraw her attacks for defense.
"There's too much difference in proficiency of the techniques; Senior Sister Fu is going to lose."
Even after a few moves, Lin Chen had already judged in his heart. Fu Jingya seemed agile and flexible, but all her moves were within Senior Sister Fang's calculations.
In short, Senior Sister Fu was already being led by Senior Sister Fang, and how soon she would be defeated depended on when Senior Sister Fang wanted to end the fight.
Ten moves!
On the tenth move, Fang Mei changed her techniques, her continuous palm strikes were like rippling water, and Fu Jingya's expression instantly turned grim. She could only frequently block, but after three moves, she still lost!
"Junior Sister Fu, well played."
Fang Mei withdrew her palm that was pressing against Fu Jingya's chest, smiling as she spoke.
"Thank you, Senior Sister, for your mercy."
Fu Jingya knew very well in her heart that Senior Sister Fang had held back; otherwise, she couldn't have lasted till now.
In the first ten moves, Senior Sister Fang hadn't even attacked; by merely defending, she left Fu Jingya helpless, unable to find any weaknesses. Once she truly attacked, Fu Jingya was powerless to defend.
Both had Four Acupoints opened, and now Fu Jingya understood the gap in martial arts techniques that Hall Master Kong had mentioned.
Gu Qingqing and the others present no longer had their relaxed expressions from before; each one turned serious. Fu Jingya was among the top three among them, and she lost so quickly.
"Second person!"
Kong Yinglei continued to speak expressionlessly.
This time, there was silence among the newcomers.
"Let me seek the Senior Sisters' advice."
The clear voice was heard, and no one expected Jiang Qing to step forward at this moment.
"Jiang Qing, Five Acupoints opened!"
As Jiang Qing announced her situation, the Senior Sisters looked at each other; this was the Celestial Pride Junior Sister everyone in the hall had been talking about yesterday, entering the martial hall already having Five Acupoints opened.
The martial arts realm of those who join the academy on the first day is already higher than theirs.
These students usually come from extraordinary backgrounds, with martial arts powerhouses in their families offering guidance. If you are not confident, it's better not to make a move.
There was a brief silence in the Martial Arts Arena; after a moment, a senior sister stepped forward.
"Five opened acupoints, Yuan Yao."
"Senior Sister Yuan, please guide me!"
Jiang Qing's face had no arrogance; she wore a sweet smile.
"Junior Sister Jiang, please go ahead!"
Facing this junior sister from Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, who broke records that had stood for twenty years, Yuan Yao dared not underestimate her and focused intently.
"Senior sister, forgive me!"
As Jiang Qing's words fell, she moved like lightning to Yuan Yao's front and struck with her palm, bringing a faint sound of water waves.
Yuan Yao's face turned solemn, and she returned a strike.
Smack!
The palms collided, and Yuan Yao staggered backward half a step.
This scene surprised the others present, especially the older students, who could hardly believe it.
They knew that Senior Sister Yuan had already mastered the Water Cloud Palm three months ago, yet she was still at a disadvantage. Is Junior Sister Jiang's mastery of the Water Cloud Palm really that high?
"Junior Sister Jiang has already opened five acupoints; she must have started training the Water Cloud Palm four months earlier. It's not surprising that such Celestial Prides can reach this level. Didn't a few senior sisters in our year also accomplish this?"
Another senior sister comforted the people nearby, and after thinking about it, the other senior sisters felt a little better.
Indeed, reaching proficiency in the Water Cloud Palm in four months happens every year. Didn't the leading senior sisters in their year also do the same?
Kong Yinglei observed the expressions of all the students present. She didn't intend to tell the truth to the older students because the truth was too harsh.
Jiang Qing had only been introduced to the Water Cloud Palm at the end of the year, less than a month ago, and it was personally taught by the master sister during her trip to the prefecture city.
To reach proficiency in the Water Cloud Palm in less than a month, such talent...
Kong Yinglei understood why Jiang Qing came to Jingshui Martial Arts Hall; it must have been for the Water Cloud Palm. Her compatibility with the technique must be exceptionally high.
In the arena, although the battle was not over, everyone knew the outcome, just like Fu Jingya.
Yuan Yao could not hold an advantage with the Water Cloud Palm, and purely relying on realm, Jiang Qing was securely in the lead.
There are differences even among those with five opened acupoints.
Under Jiang Qing's successive Water Cloud Palm attacks, Yuan Yao retreated step by step, her defeat sealed!
"Senior Sister Yuan, thank you for letting me learn!"
Jiang Qing struck Yuan Yao's arm with her palm and then withdrew her hand immediately. Yuan Yao had a flash of unwillingness on her face, but then she was relieved.
In student duels, one shouldn't aim to cause serious harm. Being hit by Junior Sister Jiang already signifies defeat.
"Junior Sister Jiang's talent is heaven-sent. Our martial arts school is fortunate to have such a student." After praising Jiang Qing, Yuan Yao backed into the ranks of the older students.
Jiang Qing's victory inspired Gu Qingqing, Li Xue, and others once more.
But the reality that followed delivered a harsh blow to them.
They all lost, and they lost miserably.
Perhaps because Jiang Qing defeated Yuan Yao, the senior sisters from the previous year couldn't endure the humiliation and, in the following duels, did not hold back, resulting in defeats within ten moves.
The most unfortunate only lasted three moves.
Lin Chen observed Senior Sister Xiao, who, like him, had only opened two acupoints, being defeated in three moves. Her face turned pale, as if she had lost her soul.
A sheltered flower, too fragile.
Lin Chen could not help but slightly shake his head. Senior Sister Xiao must have produced Essence Qi earlier than he did, but from the duel just now, it was clear she was still unfamiliar with the Water Cloud Palm, not having even fully reached entry level.
Evidently, after generating Essence Qi, she became somewhat complacent and didn't focus on martial training between the end and the start of the year.
Kong Yinglei saw that her intended effect was achieved and prepared to speak. Catching a glimpse of Lin Chen's subtle action out of the corner of her eye, she changed her mind and said, "Your Junior Brother Lin Chen has only just opened two acupoints. Which of you as senior sisters would like to offer him some guidance?"
Kong Yinglei originally didn't plan for Lin Chen to participate in the duels since Lin Chen is a student of Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall and does not practice the Water Cloud Palm, but she changed her mind.
Lin Chen was taken aback; he hadn't expected Vice Hall Master Kong to call on him and had been contently observing the duels as a spectator.
Although he didn't practice the Water Cloud Palm, there are universal principles among palm techniques, and watching these senior sisters duel was beneficial for his own practice of the Clear Wind Palm.
But since Hall Master Kong called his name, Lin Chen did not refuse, stepped out from the crowd, and cupped his hands towards the senior sisters present: "Junior Brother Lin Chen, I ask the senior sisters for instruction."
Swoosh!
On hearing this, the female senior sisters on site became excited too. Defeating junior sisters was one thing, but dueling with a junior brother was even better; they could engage in a few striking maneuvers.
However, two acupoints seemed a bit too low. Most of them had reached three to four acupoints by the second year. Remaining at two acupoints after a year essentially meant giving up on the martial path, with many no longer attending the martial arts hall.
After a while, a senior sister stepped out from the prior year's students.
"Junior Brother, I am Zhai Xiaolu. I have reached Two Acupoints for two months now, please don't say I'm bullying you." Qu Xiaolu smiled sweetly, revealing two dimples.
"Senior Sister Qu is willing to guide me, and I am deeply grateful."
"Then, Junior Brother Lin, please go ahead."
Lin Chen and Qu Xiaolu exchanged formal respects and didn't linger, with Lin Chen taking the initiative.
As Lin Chen executed his first palm strike, Kong Yinglei's eyes fixed with amazement, a look of surprise in her eyes.
PS: Thank you all for your support. We've crossed the first round of PK [Reader's Choice Competition]. Now, let's continue like breeding Gu [legendary method of stronger surviving over weaker]. After midnight, we enter the second life-and-death round of PK. This round is extremely important, and PK's standard is still the same - it's all about the follow-up reading - focusing on the number of people who read the latest Chapters within 24 hours. The most critical weight is given to paid updates, referring to the number of users who have spent at least three months on the site. If any of you haven't spent on the site before and are willing, it wouldn't hurt to spend a dollar or give a twenty-cent reward or whatnot, and I would be immensely grateful!