The twilight outside the cabin window gradually deepened.

The giant passenger plane slowly landed at Shangjing International Airport.

Dragging his suitcase, Fang Qingyu walked out of the terminal, the evening breeze carrying the unique... smell of bustling city right to his face.

This was his first time leaving the province in this world.

He thought the infrastructure in Qingjian City was good enough, but Shangjing was even more impressive than Shanghai in his past life.

He hailed a taxi.

Headed straight to the nearby hotel he booked in advance.

He didn't join Tang Lingchuan and the others, after all, in this competition, both sides were rivals.

He put down his luggage.

Fang Qingyu brewed a cup of tea and went to the window.

Leaning on the balcony, he watched the sunset.

The sky was filled with red and purple clouds, the aroma of Oden wafting from the convenience store downstairs, and crowds squeezed in front of traffic lights.

Almost 20 years had passed.

The first ten years crushed by school bullying, only barely straightening his back in high school.

After graduating and receiving the Martial Arts Atlas, life became a taut bowstring.

Training in martial arts in the morning, going to work after practice.

Every day was a line drawn between two points, so productive that Fang Qingyu sometimes longed for the carefree life of the past, where he did nothing.

But each time such emotions arose, Fang Qingyu would crush them.

Weakness, confusion, loneliness...

All should be crushed beneath the fist.

He drank the tea in one go.

Fang Qingyu turned and picked up the Black Wolf Essential Oil, pouring it on himself without hesitation.

Instead of dwelling on these thoughts.

Why not practice martial arts!

...

The next day.

Fang Qingyu took a taxi to the location Lin Kang sent him.

Staring at the somewhat rundown alley before him.

With a hesitant look, he walked in.

"Longyuan Martial Arts Hall..."

After walking for a few minutes, looking at the ebony plaque above, the location name matched.

There were also people checking nameplates at the entrance.

The surrounding green brick walls were covered with Lingxiao flowers, and the bronze wind chimes hanging under the flying eaves jingled lightly in the evening breeze.

It gave off an ancient, tranquil atmosphere.

Fang Qingyu stepped forward.

"Hello, is this where the competition is held?"

"Yes, may I see your nameplate, where is your coach?"

The staff member politely smiled and said.

"Uh... I'm both the contestant and the leader."

Fang Qingyu took out two photo-like nameplates, one for contestant, one for leader.

"..."

"Welcome, Mr. Fang, I wish you success."

But those who work as gatekeepers at martial arts halls still possess a high level of professionalism and quickly adjusted.

Fang Qingyu stepped over the ebony threshold.

The sound of bronze chimes was left behind.

And he was greeted by a dome space so vast it took his breath away, sixteen wooden pillars with Coiling Dragon patterns supporting seven layers of bracketed caisson ceilings.

Octagonal glaze lamps hung from each corner.

Warm yellow halos wove dragon scale-shaped light spots on the blue-gray floor tiles.

Wow...

Even though Fang Qingyu had seen many ancient luxurious buildings.

He couldn't help but be captivated by this scene.

This must be the ultimate in ancient luxurious architecture.

There were already quite a few people seated around.

It felt somewhat like an ancient banquet, tables set up with food and drink, a group of people enjoying the martial arts performances while eating and discussing.

This was Fang Qingyu's first time seeing such a form of martial arts duel.

But since he was here, he might as well accept and adapt.

Following the edge, he walked to the spot marked for Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall.

One person occupying two seats.

Quite comfortable indeed.

He glanced around; most were one Red-Name Martial Artist accompanied by a Martial Arts Apprentice, maintaining a composed expression.

However, when Fang Qingyu's gaze landed on the seat in the deepest corner...

He was slightly stunned.

[???]

Three red question marks stood out amidst other martial artists or Martial Arts Grandmasters.

And an occupation not visible on the atlas!??

Or perhaps.

That elder was intensely powerful.

His current strength couldn't detect!?

However, the function of the atlas was still working correctly, as it displayed information for everyone else normally.

The problem wasn't with him.

But rather with that elder.

Before long.

The seats around were all filled.

Except for Lin Kang, no one was absent.

When a clear bell rang from the dome.

The octagonal glaze lamps at the eaves lit up in sequence, illuminating the entire martial arts hall as if it were daylight.

A middle-aged man was somehow already standing in the center of the venue, his garments moving without wind, casually standing there yet like an unshakable mountain.

"As usual, the duel has no restrictions, no rules."

"Whoever stands last."

"Will be this year's Martial Arts Apprentice champion."

Fang Qingyu was slightly stunned as he listened from his seat.

Just as in ancient times, no drawing lots, challenges can be initiated at will, strong stay, weak are eliminated.

At that moment.

The venue became somewhat silent.

Who will be the one to take the lead?

Fang Qingyu sat quietly, eating fruits while watching the show.

After all, he was alone, as long as he wasn't in a hurry, it would be others who were.

Yet even before anyone took the stage.

He suddenly heard a whisper beside him...

Fang Qingyu instinctively looked up towards the elder sitting in the depths.

And the other slightly opened his tired old eyes and looked over.

His gaze seemed tranquil.

But there was still a hint of amusement.

Fang Qingyu couldn't help it, less than 10 seconds after the rules were announced, he gritted his teeth and stood straight up, heading to the center of the stage.

While quickly scanning the surroundings.

"Well..."

"You, from Xingxuan Martial Arts Hall, I challenge you."

Fang Qingyu randomly pointed in a direction and said.

"?"

The young man from Xingxuan Martial Arts Hall immediately darkened his face.

He couldn't even remember their martial arts hall name properly, was he randomly picking someone?

Seeing no intention of Fang Qingyu changing his mind, the young man slowly stood up with a dark face and walked towards him.

While recalling the intel.

Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall, Fang Qingyu, practices Baji Fist and Thunder-Slaying Blade, once single-handedly defeated Life Ghost without practicing Observation Method...

"Sorry, can you be quick, I'm kind of in a hurry."

Fang Qingyu saw his dawdling manner.

A bit helpless between his brows.

He had just prepared to watch another big fight, but then a voice like transmission resounded by his ear.

"If you want the reward Lin Kang secured for you, take down everyone here within 30 minutes, otherwise no deal."

So now, for Fang Qingyu...

Time was money!!

"Arrogant!!"

The young man said angrily, his face immediately flaring with rage.

Quickly stepping before Fang Qingyu.

Despite his anger, he still performed a fist salute.

"Xingxuan Martial Arts Hall, Fu Yubin!"

"Please advise!!"

"Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall, Fang Qingyu!"

Though Fang Qingyu was in a hurry, this etiquette could not be discarded.

And just as the words left his mouth.

The two moved at the same time.

Observation Method Great Success, Qi Blood Technique Great Success, Martial Technique Great Success, solid basic skills!

With just one punch.

Fang Qingyu could roughly gauge the opponent's foundation.

However...

Still a bit lacking.

Bang—

The faster Fu Yubin charged, the faster he flew.

He crashed heavily into the distant Coiling Dragon Pillar, coughing blood and trying to prop himself up, only to find his spine seemed drained of strength...

Looking at Fang Qingyu in horror.

This monster shattered his Qi Force with just one punch!?

While Fang Qingyu had already turned back to the audience.

"Next."

His fingertip casually swept over the front row, "That friend in the green vest from Celestial Sea Martial Arts Hall."

"How dare you!"

The silver-haired elder from Celestial Sea Martial Arts Hall slammed the table.

With a stir from the other positions.

And Fang Qingyu sensed the threat emanating from the other...

Hesitated, "Or, you could come up as well."

"I really am in a bit of a hurry."

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