Before the mountain gate of the Azure Firmament Sect, a man and a woman stood side by side. Both appeared young.
The man was handsome and spirited, clad in a form-fitting blue robe, his long hair tied high, a spear in his hand—he radiated the confident energy of a young general.
The woman had a delicate, beautiful face, dressed in a flowing green gown, gentle as water. A pack hung on her back, and her gaze rested on the blue-robed man beside her, her eyes filled with tenderness.
The blue-robed man was none other than the Martial Arts Champion, Li Yang. The woman in green was his cousin, Zhao Linglong.
"Cousin, is it really wise to announce yourself like that right after arriving? The major sects have their pride and might tolerate it, but this Azure Firmament Sect—without Lin Xunfeng—is run by disciples far too young. Your reputation might frighten them into declining the challenge."
Zhao Linglong's voice was soft and pleasant.
Li Yang shrugged casually. "A martial artist can't avoid competition. With a challenge like mine, if the Azure Firmament Sect has any true men among them, they won't back down. Besides, this is a friendly spar—not a fight to the death."
He gave his right hand a subtle twist, and the silver spear in his grip glinted coldly in the sunlight.
As they spoke, a crowd surged around the bend in the mountain path. Seeing this, Li Yang's lips curved upward, excitement flashing across his handsome face.
Yang Jueding led the way, stopping at the mountain gate. His gaze swept over Li Yang, sizing him up.
"Your surname is Li, and you're the Martial Arts Champion. Which Li family do you hail from?" Yang Jueding asked.
In the Great Li Dynasty, which valued martial prowess, becoming the Martial Arts Champion required not only exceptional talent but also vast resources. No champion had ever come from a humble background.
Li Yang lifted his chin. "The Li family of Linchuan."
Yang Jueding's eyes lit up with understanding. "Ah, so you're a descendant of the Minister of War. If we beat you until you cry, you won't go running to your elders, will you?"
At these words, Li Yang's smile vanished. His gaze turned cool. "I've traveled south from Linchuan and challenged eleven sects already. No one has made me cry yet. If you can defeat me, not only will I not hold it against you—I'll reward you handsomely, help you repair this dilapidated mountain gate of yours."
"Excellent! You said it! Man'er, you're up!"
Yang Jueding agreed immediately and stepped aside.
Wu Man'er, upon hearing this, strode forward.
The moment he stepped out, Zhao Linglong couldn't help but frown.
Li Yang's eyes, however, lit up. "Big fellow, how would you like to join my army and earn the respect of ten thousand?"
Wu Man'er scratched his head. "I won't join any army. I'm staying with Senior Brother forever."
Li Yang's lips twitched into a smile. "Then let's fight first!"
Wu Man'er nodded and continued walking toward Li Yang.
Seeing Wu Man'er so utterly unconcerned, a flicker of displeasure crossed Li Yang's eyes. He wasted no more words. In a single bound, he was before Wu Man'er, his silver spear sweeping horizontally, tearing through the breeze, aimed directly at Wu Man'er's waist.
*Smack!*
Wu Man'er raised a hand and caught the spear. Li Yang's expression flickered. Before he could react, an immense force jerked him forward, throwing him off balance.
He saw Wu Man'er's other hand starting to rise. He immediately released the spear and leaped backward, landing like a swallow behind Zhao Linglong, nearly tumbling down the steps.
Regaining his footing, Li Yang stared at Wu Man'er in shock. The man's strength far exceeded anything he'd anticipated. He had never encountered anyone with such raw power.
"What is your name?" Li Yang's voice was low, his manner now cautious.
Wu Man'er grinned his simple grin. "I'm Wu Man'er."
"Surname Wu? Could it be..."
A thought seemed to strike Li Yang. His expression shifted. Before he could speak, Wu Man'er tossed his silver spear back to him.
He caught it, and the impact stung his palm.
This monstrous strength made him even more certain of his speculation.
Then Wu Man'er suddenly widened his stance, squatting slightly. His right palm drew back to his waist. Wispy, visible currents of energy swirled around him. His expression changed, becoming utterly different from moments ago.
Sensing the shift in Wu Man'er's aura, Li Yang felt no fear. Instead, he gripped his spear with both hands, ready to meet the challenge head-on.
Below the steps, the disciples in the new courtyard were also watching. Seeing Wu Man'er's imposing figure above them, they were astonished. This was the first time they'd seen him with such an expression.
Li Yang let out a roar and leaped, soaring several yards into the air. Backlit by the blazing sun, his internal energy wrapped around his body and spear like a piercing beam of cold light descending from the heavens. The disciples behind him blinked involuntarily.
In that instant, Wu Man'er struck with his palm.
Nine Heavens Divine Palm!
The disciples felt an explosion in their ears, like the roar of a tiger or leopard, deafening. A blast of powerful energy rushed toward them, forcing them back a step.
Cheng Canghai squinted and saw Li Yang sent flying by Wu Man'er's palm strike.
Li Yang tumbled through the air like a kite with a broken string, blood spraying from him. He crashed into a house in the new courtyard, collapsing part of the eaves. Dust rose, startling the nearby disciples.
One move decided the outcome!
Even fellow disciples of the Azure Firmament Sect were stunned by Wu Man'er's power—including Yang Jueding.
Yang Jueding felt a chill of lingering fear. He suddenly felt grateful to Li Qingqiu. If Li Qingqiu hadn't called a halt earlier, and this simple-minded kid had unleashed the Nine Heavens Divine Palm, he wouldn't have been able to withstand it. Injury would have been one thing, but the loss of face...
"Cousin!"
Zhao Linglong cried out in anguish. Gathering her skirts, she hurried down the steps.
Wu Man'er withdrew his palm. The force of the strike dissipated, and his robes billowed violently. His back view alone conveyed an aura of unmatched mastery, the bearing of a grandmaster.
"Is this the pinnacle of martial arts? Incredible."
Zhang Yu, standing behind the disciples, marveled at the scene. A powerful urge to learn martial arts rose within him, but he quickly suppressed it.
Wu Man'er looked down at the rising dust below. His stern expression melted like ice. He turned to Yang Jueding and asked hesitantly, "Did I hit him too hard?"
Yang Jueding snapped out of it. His heart skipped a beat. If the Martial Arts Champion died here, there would be serious trouble!
He rushed down the mountain. The other disciples crowded around Wu Man'er, marveling at his strength.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard.
Li Dongyue could hear the disciples' exclamations. Worry crept onto her face. "Senior Brother, Man'er is too simple-minded. He doesn't know his own strength. We can't let him fight casually anymore."
Li Qingqiu nodded, though he wasn't too concerned. He could hear Li Yang's breathing—rapid, but he was alive.
"Go tend to him."
Li Qingqiu said. Li Dongyue quickly rose, handed Yuan Li to him, and hurried out of the courtyard.
...
Li Yang had a dream. He was on a battlefield, charging seven times in and out, unstoppable. Suddenly, a giant appeared before him and struck with a palm. He was powerless to resist.
Just as he was about to be killed, he woke with a start.
He opened his eyes, gasping for air. Instinctively, he tried to sit up, but searing pain throughout his body made him inhale sharply. He couldn't rise.
"Cousin! You're awake!"
Zhao Linglong's delighted voice came from nearby. Li Yang glanced over and saw her sitting by the bed. Through the window behind her, the setting sun cast long shadows.
Dusk had fallen.
Li Yang ground his teeth. "Where are we?"
"Inside the Azure Firmament Sect. A young woman named Li Dongyue treated you with acupuncture." Zhao Linglong replied. Seeing him awake, she visibly relaxed.
She added, a hint of reproach in her voice, "Cousin, you can't be so careless again. Luckily, the Azure Firmament Sect is kind. Another sect might not have treated you."
Despite Li Yang's injuries, she bore no grudge against the sect. Instead, she was grateful to Li Dongyue for her help.
Li Yang smiled wryly. "It wasn't carelessness. That fellow is simply terrifying—inhuman. There were rumors that the Wu clan of Lishan spent a century researching war-wrights, immersing newborns in the most extreme yang-natured body-tempering elixirs. It seems they succeeded."
"The Wu clan of Lishan? Weren't they wiped out thirteen years ago? How can you be sure Wu Man'er is their descendant?" Zhao Linglong asked, puzzled.
Li Yang winced, feeling his body might fall apart. He forced a smile. "Because of Lin Xunfeng. My father once said Lin Xunfeng had a knack for meddling. He had some connection to the Lishan Wu clan. When he heard they were wiped out, he went there personally. Maybe he found Wu Man'er somewhere."
Zhao Linglong's eyes widened in understanding. She sighed, "Lin Xunfeng truly was an extraordinary man. They say when he first entered the martial world, he befriended the Emperor himself during one of his incognito journeys among the people. The Emperor held him in high regard. If he'd agreed, he could have risen rapidly in officialdom. A pity his heart was set on the martial way."
"Extraordinary indeed. Come to think of it, my Li family also has ties to him..."
Li Yang seemed to remember something, his expression growing complex.
"What ties?" Zhao Linglong asked curiously.
Li Yang shook his head slightly and refused to elaborate.
Just then, a voice came from outside: "Hey, are you really the Martial Arts Champion? Does a Martial Arts Champion have to study?"
Startled, Li Yang and Zhao Linglong turned to the window. Two young girls were watching them—Li Sijin and Xu Ning. The speaker was Li Sijin, eyeing Li Yang with curiosity.
Li Yang managed a smile. "Of course. Even the Martial Arts Champion must pass a written exam, though it's not as demanding as the Civil Champion's. I spent my childhood either training or studying. Not as free as you, playing on the mountain."
He had encountered the two girls on his way up and asked them for directions.
Li Sijin pressed on. "Champion brother, what rank would you say your martial arts are in the martial world?"
Li Yang replied, "I've easily defeated quite a few first-rate experts, but I'm still far from the supreme level."
"Then does that mean my fifth senior brother is a supreme expert?" Li Sijin asked, delighted.
Li Yang nodded slightly. Curious, he asked, "How old is your fifth senior brother?"
He recalled Wu Man'er's voice—still carried a boyish tone.
"Just turned fifteen." Li Sijin blinked.
Li Yang's mouth twitched. Zhao Linglong's beautiful eyes widened, her lips parting in shock.
Li Sijin, despite her innocent appearance, felt a quiet satisfaction inside.
Xu Ning, seeing her pretending again, subtly turned her head away, unable to watch.
Lying in bed, Li Yang closed his eyes and sighed, "I have disgraced the title of Martial Arts Champion."