Below the stage, Chen Cheng stood straight and tall with his eyes slightly closed. He appeared to be resting and gathering his strength, but he had actually called up his status panel and was deep in thought.
[Name: Chen Cheng
Realm: Skin Grinding Realm (Small Success)
Skills: Iron Armor Skill (Small Success 50/1000), Wind Chasing Saber Technique (Beginner Level 30/100)
]
'Those disciples from the Martial Arts Halls haven't reached the Skin Grinding Realm. In terms of raw power from one's realm, they're probably not even at the Beginner Level. I'm at the Small Success stage of the Skin Grinding Realm. Based on Martial Arts Realm alone, I should be able to crush them.'
'The two from Liuhe Martial Arts Hall have a Saber Technique that is nearing Great Success, while mine is only at the Beginner Level—not even Small Success. If we compete with Saber Techniques, the advantage isn't mine.'
'But Li Lin just said he cultivates a Fist Technique, and his Fierce Tiger Fist is nearing Great Success. Unfortunately, I've never trained in any Fist Technique. I only know some basic moves from Scattering Hand Boxing.'
'If I fight him using a Fist Technique... it seems I won't have the advantage either.'
'But I have to win this match no matter what. The outlook isn't good. I can't afford to be careless.'
Just then, Liao San whispered from the side, "Ah Cheng, you need to be cautious in the upcoming match. Don't overreach."
"Absolutely do not push yourself too hard just to win. If it comes down to it, just concede. There's no shame in losing to a disciple from a Martial Arts Hall."
"The thing Martial Artists fear most is injury. If you make one misstep and suffer an internal injury, it will be very difficult for you to continue cultivating the Martial Dao in the future."
Chen Cheng knew he meant well and nodded slightly. "Thank you for the reminder, Third Brother. I know what's at stake."
On the platform, Shen Qingshuang and the others finished their discussion. They had decided to have Li Lin and Chen Cheng compete.
Li Lin, who had been raring to go, stepped forward into the arena. He stood firm, head high and chest puffed out, and scanned the crowd. Finally, he turned to Shen Qingshuang, cupped his fist in salute, and announced in a clear voice, "Li Lin, disciple of the Tiger Power Martial Arts Hall, greets Lord Shen."
Shen Qingshuang gave a slight nod. Seeing that Li Lin was not carrying a saber, she said coolly, "You two will compete with Fist Techniques."
Chen Cheng cupped his fists in salute, then unfastened the saber from his waist and handed it to Liao San for safekeeping. He walked forward and took his position opposite Li Lin.
On the platform, Zou Bingliang, the Hall Master of the Tiger Power Martial Arts Hall, saw Li Lin's menacing aura and his heart sank. 'This is bad. If he injures Chen Cheng, we'll inevitably offend Liu Yunfeng.'
Just then, Liu Yunfeng's seemingly casual gaze swept over him. Zou Bingliang's heart lurched. 'Speak of the devil,' he thought. He quickly shouted to Li Lin:
"Li Lin, this is a demonstration of skills! Know when to stop!"
Having been instructed by Zhao Yongfeng, Li Lin was determined to teach Chen Cheng a harsh lesson. Naturally, he had no intention of listening.
"Hall Master, when you taught us this Fist Technique, you said that the Fierce Tiger Fist of our Tiger Power Boxing Club is all about raw, overwhelming power. You said that when facing an opponent, we must go all out with ferocious strength to bring out the technique's true essence."
"If I hold back, I'll be fighting with my hands tied. I won't be able to unleash the true power of the technique, and I might even lose because of it. My defeat would be a small matter, but if I tarnish the reputation of the Tiger Power Boxing Club, that is a disgrace this disciple cannot bear."
The argument was so well-reasoned that Zou Bingliang was momentarily at a loss for words, stomping his foot in frustration.
Before he could answer, Shen Qingshuang spoke up. "What Li Lin says is right. If you don't use your full strength in a contest of skill, how can we gauge your true ability? The City Guard Department is recruiting constables, and we only want the strong."
Li Lin grew even more smug. "Lord Shen, I will certainly give it my all. Chen Cheng, if you don't dare to fight, it's not too late to surrender. All you have to do is get on your knees and apologize to me."
Chen Cheng wasn't about to get into a shouting match with him. He clenched his fists, shot forward, and threw a punch straight at Li Lin's face.
'Strike first, or be struck!'
This was the solution Chen Cheng had devised after careful thought.
Li Lin never expected Chen Cheng to attack without warning, completely breaking from convention. However, he wasn't flustered. On the contrary, he was secretly delighted.
With his Fist Technique nearing Great Success, Li Lin could tell at a glance that Chen Cheng's punch was completely without form. It was riddled with openings, no different from a common street thug's brawl.
He figured he had a hundred different ways to easily dodge the punch, but why would he? Dodging would mean losing his Momentum!
"Nice try!"
Li Lin bellowed. Sinking into his stance, he channeled all his power into his fist and met Chen Cheng's punch with the move "Fierce Tiger Leaves the Mountain."
As expected of someone whose Fist Technique was nearing Great Success, he put his full power into the blow. Its momentum was immense, faintly stirring gusts of wind from the force of his fist. It was like a tiger's roar in the mountains—an astonishing display of power.
'Sigh... Ah Cheng is still too young and impulsive! He shouldn't have been so reckless.' Liu Yunfeng sighed to himself and turned his head away. He couldn't bear to watch Chen Cheng get sent flying by the punch and collapse, grievously injured.
BANG!
As Liu Yunfeng had foreseen, the dull thud of fists colliding was followed by a sickening sound, and then the heavy thump of a body hitting the ground.
For a moment, the entire training ground fell silent.
Liu Yunfeng even thought he saw a flicker of excitement in Shen Qingshuang's beautiful eyes.
"Ah Cheng, you won!"
Liao San roared in excitement.
Immediately, the surrounding constables all broke into cheers, and the entire training ground erupted with noise.
Liu Yunfeng whipped around. He saw the slender, handsome youth standing tall and proud. His face was devoid of joy or sorrow, as calm as still water, projecting an aura of profound depth and unshakeable stability.
He looked ordinary, yet there was a hidden sharpness about him, a sign of extraordinary talent.
"Innate Divine Power," Shen Qingshuang murmured.
She had seen it all, and she was utterly shocked.
Chen Cheng's punch had been unremarkable. His form for generating power was even incorrect. And yet, it had completely overwhelmed Li Lin's own punch—a blow backed by immense Power Dao and the momentum of a thunderclap.
The duel was like a farmer fighting a veteran boxing master with decades of cultivation. There should have been no chance of victory.
Yet Chen Cheng had won. He had won a crushing victory, not only knocking aside Li Lin's fist, but sending his opponent's sturdy body flying several meters with the remaining force.
The force behind that punch from Chen Cheng must have been at least several hundred jin of Power Dao!
That kind of strength should belong to a Small Success Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm, yet even an ordinary Small Success Martial Artist in the Skin Grinding Realm might not possess such Power Dao.
But with Shen Qingshuang's discerning eye, she could tell at a glance that Chen Cheng was no Skin Grinding Realm Martial Artist. His body bore none of the tell-tale signs of a physique honed by a Body Tempering Technique.
If he wasn't a Skin Grinding Realm Martial Artist, then there was only one explanation: Innate Divine Power!
In the Martial Arts Realm, those born with Innate Divine Power are as rare as a phoenix's feather, and without exception, all are prodigies of the Martial Dao.
SPURT! The fallen Li Lin coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face turning deathly pale. He had clearly suffered an internal injury.
To grievously injure a Martial Artist whose Fist Technique was nearing Great Success with only the residual force of a punch—such power drew another wave of gasps from the onlooking constables.
What kind of monster was he!
'So disciples from the Martial Arts Halls are this fragile?' Chen Cheng's expression was calm, but inwardly he was quite surprised himself.
'Or maybe it's not that Li Lin is weak, but that I've misunderstood the power of a Skin Grinding Realm Martial Artist.'
Li Lin was helped to his feet by his fellow Martial Arts Hall disciples.
"Chen Cheng, you dare injure my brother! Let's have another match!" a disciple holding a long saber roared. He bore a striking resemblance to Li Lin.
Chen Cheng gave him an indifferent glance, then turned and walked toward Liao San.
'The victor has been decided, and I've successfully secured a position as a Preparatory Constable. Why would I waste my time on a pointless squabble with these disciples?'