In the arena, both Zhao Rui and his opponent were masters of the True Essence Realm. True Qi swirled around their bodies as they fought, looking like flood dragons churning the seas and blanketing the entire Martial Arts Arena in a raging gale.

Nie Sheng’s prowess was concentrated in his hands. His martial art was a form of External Skill, specifically Horizontal Training. Back in the Martial Artist Realm, he could shatter stone tablets and split rocks as easily as crumbling tofu; its power was astonishing.

He himself was exceptionally talented. After decades of diligent and arduous training, he finally returned to the Innate state and advanced to the Grandmaster Realm using an External Skill.

This caused quite a stir at the time.

In the Martial Arts Arena, the two exchanged fifty to sixty moves. Zhao Rui’s hands were starting to turn red. Even with the protection of his True Qi, his opponent’s Palm Force made his bones and muscles ache.

’If I could learn this martial art, it would make for an excellent ace up my sleeve!’

Zhao Rui thought to himself, ’The power generated from tempering one’s bones and muscles with pure physical strength is enough to threaten even someone in the True Qi Realm.’

’If I ever find myself completely out of Inner Strength, this skill alone could be a surprise attack, enough to carve out a path to survival.’

At this thought, Zhao Rui’s desire to learn grew even more fervent.

"Brother Nie’s Wind Chasing Palm is not only powerful enough to tear through metal and split iron, but its speed is also second to none among Palm Techniques."

"That brat won’t last much longer! I’d like to see if he still dares to be so arrogant after Brother Nie captures him."

The old man with the grizzled beard spoke smugly. What he hated most was young people disrespecting their elders.

Therefore, he naturally had no goodwill whatsoever toward Zhao Rui, who had come challenging them at their door.

Hearing his words, the middle-aged woman shook her head slightly and said, "It’s been almost a hundred moves, and that kid is still fighting with ease. It’s not that simple."

"How old can he be? Even if he started training in his mother’s womb, how much Inner Strength could he have accumulated? He definitely can’t keep this up."

The old man sneered and continued, "If it were me, I would have used overwhelming force from the very beginning to suppress him. Brother Nie is being too cautious!"

The middle-aged woman gave a faint smile but didn’t retort. Saying more would make it seem like she was taking the young man’s side.

Nearly another hour passed, and the two were still trading blows, showing no signs of fatigue whatsoever.

Never mind Nie Sheng in the arena; even the old man watching the fight was getting anxious.

He couldn’t help but shout to Nie Sheng, "Brother Nie, why are you still holding back! Do you plan to fight until tomorrow morning?"

The moment his voice fell, Zhao Rui suddenly flicked out seven or eight streams of True Qi Sword Pointing. Then, with a flicker of his body, he leaped out of the combat zone, cupped his fist, and said, "Director Nie, your Martial Arts are superb. I am impressed."

With that, he turned and walked directly toward the old man who had been speaking, looking him up and down.

The old man’s skin crawled under his gaze.

He barked sharply, "What are you looking at?"

"You’re the one who talks the most. Your Martial Arts Hall is next. What’s your name? Where are you from?"

"You— How outrageous!"

The old man, unable to contain his fury, raised his hand and threw a palm strike.

Zhao Rui dodged with a Dipper Step, and with a quick movement, leaped onto the top of the wall.

"No need to rush into a fight. Just tell me which Martial Arts Hall you’re from."

"Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall! I am Guo Qiquan—I don’t hide my name. I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow!"

Guo Qiquan’s eyes were wide with fury, wishing he could strike the young man down with a single palm.

"Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall... Do you also run the Chaoyang Porridge Stall?"

"What Porridge Stall?"

Guo Qiquan was taken aback.

"Oh, right, this is Jeju. My mistake. See you tomorrow, Old Guo!"

With that, Zhao Rui vaulted back over the wall and instantly vanished into the night.

"I’m furious!"

Furious, Guo Qiquan unleashed a Piercing Palm Force strike at the courtyard wall, only for it to hit with a useless, loud BANG.

Nie Sheng walked up to the group with a grim expression and said in a low voice, "He may be young, but his Inner Strength is formidable and his Cultivation Technique is powerful. He’s not someone to be trifled with."

"As if I’m afraid of him?"

Guo Qiquan said angrily, "I’ll be waiting for him at my Martial Arts Hall tomorrow. We’ll see if he dares to come!"

With that, he swung his arm and stormed out of the Martial Arts Arena.

The remaining three exchanged a look, then turned to Nie Sheng in unison and asked, "Were you confident you could have won?"

Nie Sheng shook his head. "I couldn’t gauge his true strength."

"It seems this kid came prepared. Could there be a conspiracy afoot? If he goes around defeating all the Martial Arts Halls in our Martial Alliance, how will we maintain our standing!"

"I doubt that will happen. He came late at night, so he likely doesn’t want to alert others. If we hadn’t shown up by coincidence, we probably wouldn’t even know about this."

The middle-aged woman raised her delicate eyebrows and said softly, "Let’s not panic. We should wait and see how the battle between Old Guo and him turns out."

Hearing this, the others couldn’t help but nod.

「The night passed peacefully.」

Early the next morning, Guo Qiquan, the director of the Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall who had watched the fight the night before, sat bolt upright in a Grandmaster’s Chair, his brow furrowed in concentration.

His eyes were fixed on the entrance, full of vigilance.

On the table beside him lay a Dragon Head Treasure Saber, its blade so golden it looked as if it were possessed by a golden dragon.

"The hall is closed today. We’re not seeing any visitors!"

Guo Qiquan called out in a low voice to a disciple beside him, then lightly closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

He prepared to face the challenger in his peak condition.

He waited like that for the entire day.

Guo Qiquan was a stubborn man and waited insistently under the eaves of the front hall.

It wasn’t until after nine o’clock, under a bright moon, that a figure in black abruptly appeared atop the wall.

The old man, Guo, snapped his eyes open and said coldly, "I was starting to think you wouldn’t dare to show up!"

With that, he slapped the table, and the Dragon Head Treasure Saber immediately shot into his hand.

"Taste the might of my saber!"

The old man roared, and a wave of Saber Qi slashed through the air, aimed straight at the visitor.

A flash of astonishment appeared in the newcomer’s eyes. Frowning slightly, he hastily dodged aside while simultaneously launching several blasts of Breaking Sky Palm Force right at the old man.

With a series of CRACKS, the Grandmaster’s Chair and the wooden table exploded into pieces, scattering wood splinters everywhere and leaving the area in shambles.