Celestial Wind Trading Company, Purchasing Department.
The Celestial Wind Trading Company was the largest business under the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall. The Xiaolin Escort Agency had members stationed at many businesses in the Upper River District. Their role wasn't just simple "bodyguard" duty; it involved deeper, intertwined financial interests.
For instance, the procurement of materials for various establishments like restaurants, dance halls, and karaoke bars was all handled through the Celestial Wind Trading Company, funneling significant profits back to the Martial Arts Hall.
The Purchasing Department, which dealt with major suppliers daily, was the most lucrative department in the entire company. Its employees were mostly Outer Disciples of the Martial Arts Hall. The department rarely hired externally; you couldn't get in without some status and ability.
On this particular day, things were slow in the Purchasing Department, and the disciples were chatting amongst themselves.
"What's the deal with the representative for the Three-Hall Tournament? Wasn't it already decided it would be Zhou Ze? Where did this challenger pop out from? Is there really someone that capable among this batch of new recruits?"
"Exactly. Zhou Ze reached Seven Sounds in half a year, and now he's gone through two months of special training with the Hall Master. His strength must be at Nine Sounds or even higher. He's way stronger than those of us who have been training for three to five years. How could any new disciple compare to him?"
"I heard a rumor. Apparently, Second Senior Brother recently gave special permission for a newcomer to join the Escort Agency's Wind Shadow Hall. The challenger might be that person. It's a shame, though. To keep it under wraps, the Martial Arts Hall definitely won't make this duel public."
"I heard the Hall Master announced that whoever wins the spot and succeeds at the Three-Hall Tournament will become the Martial Arts Hall's fourth True Inheritance? That's a True Inheritance we're talking about..."
"..."
The disciples of the Purchasing Department were buzzing with discussion about the tournament representative.
"Why are we all guessing? We have someone involved right here. Xia Qing, I hear you and Zhou Ze are close. Do you have any inside information?"
A woman in her early twenties spoke with a grin, her gaze shifting to Xia Qing, who was silently organizing a list off to the side.
Because of her connection to Zhou Ze, and with some help from her family, she had been assigned to the lucrative Purchasing Department of the Celestial Wind Trading Company as a newcomer. However, the people in this department were anything but ordinary. As a rookie, she had little say and usually kept a low profile.
At her words, everyone turned to look at Xia Qing.
"I... I haven't seen Zhou Ze in a long time either. He's been in closed-door special training. I don't know the details."
Xia Qing opened her mouth, feeling compelled to say something under the watchful eyes of her many senior brothers and sisters.
"Is that so... Well, in your batch of newcomers, is there anyone who can compare to Zhou Ze?"
Hearing this, the crowd was a little disappointed, but then asked with renewed interest.
"I don't think so. Zhou Ze has always been far ahead of everyone else. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been directly accepted into the Inner Sect by the Hall Master."
Xia Qing said, but even her own tone had become uncertain.
For some reason, the image of Zhao Qi appeared in her mind. After everyone received their assignments, she had specifically asked about where Zhao Qi had been sent.
The Xiaolin Escort Agency's Wind Shadow Hall—the division composed entirely of the Martial Arts Hall's elite disciples.
'Is the challenger... Zhao Qi?'
'Can Zhou Ze win?'
Something that had once been a certainty was now shrouded in doubt.
...
...
The qualifying match, which had garnered the attention of so many Martial Arts Hall disciples, was quietly taking place, unknown to them all.
Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, the rear courtyard.
Within the courtyard, a ten-meter-diameter circle had been drawn with white lime. Two figures stood in the center, facing each other five meters apart.
One of them, dressed in the black Martial Arts Uniform of an Inner Sect Disciple, was none other than Zhou Ze, who had been out of sight for nearly two months.
After two months of special training, Zhou Ze looked completely transformed.
He was originally 1.8 meters tall, but now stood over 1.85 meters. The lines of his muscles were incredibly defined, and both the width and thickness of his frame had increased significantly.
Most importantly, his gaze, his aura, and even his subtle movements had undergone a heaven-and-earth-shattering change.
While standing, his chest, abdomen, and chin were subconsciously tucked in. His legs were slightly bent, with his center of gravity always on the balls of his feet, as if constantly prepared to pounce on prey. His eyes were like those of a man-eating tiger, devoid of their previous immaturity.
This was the result of the two months of hellish special training Weng Xiaolin had put him through.
Overwhelming Physical Ability training, sparring sessions where Weng Xiaolin personally demonstrated techniques, live combat against senior Outer Disciples... Weng Xiaolin had even used his connections, contacting the city defense garrison to have him paired against death-row inmates for killing practice.
Top-grade Wound Medicine was always on hand, along with a constant supply of Secret Medicine...
All of this had allowed him to complete a total physical and mental transformation in just two months.
When he heard that Zhao Qi would be competing with him for the spot in the Three-Hall Tournament, he was only slightly surprised, and then gave it no further thought.
The person he was now was completely different from the person he had been two months ago.
If, two months ago, he was just a talented but naive boy from a poor family, then today, he had truly metamorphosed into a Martial Artist.
He knew what he wanted, and he was confident he could use his fists to smash through any obstacle on his path to fame and glory!
Outside the circle, only three figures were watching the fight.
Weng Xiaolin, Liu Changfeng, and another tall man who stood nearly 1.9 meters.
This man, like Liu Changfeng, wore a white Martial Arts Uniform. He was handsome with a powerful build, and he stood with his arms crossed, a somewhat cynical and flippant expression on his face.
This was the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall's third True Inheritance, Luo Moyou.
He managed all of the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall's businesses aside from the Escort Agency. He himself hailed from a gentry family with a hundred-year history in Celestial Sea Prefecture; one could say he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
"This kid is indeed promising. Master, you truly are amazing. In just two months, you've trained this Zhou Ze into a completely different person."
Luo Moyou kept his arms crossed, nodding slightly in approval as he looked at Zhou Ze.
Then, he turned his head to look at Zhao Xuanqi on the other side.
He was not yet 1.75 meters tall. Standing next to Zhou Ze, he was outmatched in both height and build. The disparity was stark, and even his aura seemed completely crushed by Zhou Ze's.
"This... Second Senior Brother, can this kid really do it? Even if he killed a Secret Medicine Fighter by himself, fighting with and without weapons are two completely different things."
Luo Moyou looked skeptically at Liu Changfeng, who stood nearby with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Whether he can or not, there's no harm in trying."
Liu Changfeng said nonchalantly.
'To be honest, I'm also a little surprised. I didn't expect Zhou Ze's transformation under Weng Xiaolin's guidance to be so dramatic in just two months. Seeing this, it does seem unlikely that Zhao Qi can defeat him in a ring match. No wonder Weng Xiaolin is so pleased with Zhou Ze.'
'But it doesn't matter. Even if he loses, as long as he displays sufficient strength and talent, he'll still gain recognition and be given better resources and opportunities for development within the Martial Arts Hall. If he can achieve that, then my goal in promoting Zhao Qi will be met.'
"Chang Feng is right. There's no harm in trying,"
Weng Xiaolin said with a nod. He didn't think Zhao Qi could defeat Zhou Ze, but he was curious to see just how far he could go.