"Thank you, Master Qiu, for your guidance."

Zhang Yuan respectfully bowed to a middle-aged man and then exited the martial arts chamber.

This stern-faced man was surnamed Qiu, and he was the Dharma Transmission Elder of the Upper Scenic Celestial Martial Pavilion, just like Wei Long, a Tier Six expert.

However, Elder Qiu excelled in the saber technique and had been immersed in the Sword Dao for decades, with his cultivation nearing the Grandmaster Realm!

Zhang Yuan had studied under him for half a month, and his saber technique had significantly improved.

However, Elder Qiu’s teaching fees were higher than Wei Long’s, and Zhang Yuan had spent the last bit of his Daoist Merit clean.

As he descended from the Martial Pavilion, he pondered whether to take up a task at the Merit Hall.

He needed to earn some Daoist Merit to get by; otherwise, he would be completely at a loss!

There was still half a month until the Upper Scenic Celestial Nine Peaks Grand Competition, and having tasted the benefits of the Dharma Transmission Elder’s guidance, Zhang Yuan was reluctant to shut himself away for training during this time.

Especially since, over the past dozen days, he felt on the verge of a new breakthrough in his saber technique.

"Are you Zhang Yuan?"

To Zhang Yuan’s surprise, as soon as he stepped near the Merit Hall, someone blocked his way.

There were six or seven people, led by a tall, arrogant martial artist who coldly said, "I hear you’re quite strong. Do you dare to have a match with me on the Trial Platform?"

Zhang Yuan was taken aback, finding it utterly baffling.

He had no idea who this guy was or why he was challenging him out of the blue.

Moreover, the reason seemed so clumsy and contrived, it was simply looking for trouble!

Zhang Yuan, maintaining his composure, asked, "Who are you?"

The other replied loudly, "I am He Yin from Nan Jin!"

He Yin?

Zhang Yuan shook his head, "Never heard of you, and I have no interest in competing with you."

With that, he intended to bypass the other person.

"Hold it!"

He Yin stretched out his hand to block him and sneered, "Zhang Yuan, as a Dharma Guardian Divine General of the Celestial King Hall, are you really so afraid to fight?"

"If you don’t want to compete, fine, you just need to bow and admit defeat to me in front of everyone!"

The martial artists behind him laughed loudly, looking at Zhang Yuan with eyes filled with contempt.

By this time, many had gathered to watch the commotion, whispering and pointing fingers.

Zhang Yuan said lightly, "He Yin, I’ve never met you before, we have no grievances. No matter who sent you to cause trouble, this is not the place for you to act wild."

He stepped forward and sharply exclaimed, "Leave!"

He Yin hadn’t expected Zhang Yuan to remain unmoved by his taunts and still be so firm.

Caught off guard, he was overwhelmed by Zhang Yuan’s sudden surge of aura, involuntarily retreating.

He ended up embarrassingly bumping into his companion behind him!

"Heh!"

Zhang Yuan sneered, "You think you’re worthy of challenging me on the Trial Platform?"

The Trial Platform is located atop a solitary peak outside the Upper Scenic Celestial Peak Gate, a naturally formed vast rock platform, as large as the Martial Arts Arena of the Martial Pavilion.

Upper Scenic Celestial Martial Pavilion is the learning and training ground for visiting martial artists, who come from all over with differing temperaments. With competition evident, conflicts and grievances arise.

However, personal combat is strictly prohibited within the sect; if visiting martial artists have disputes to settle through force, they must go outside the gate to determine victory or defeat.

Thus, the Trial Platform has become the best venue for this!

This unwritten rule has existed for hundreds of years.

Every year, some martial artists from the Martial Pavilion duel on the Trial Platform, getting injured or even killed is commonplace.

Zhang Yuan had never been to the Trial Platform, but he knew the rules.

The question was, why should he let the other side lead him by the nose?

He Yin, after embarrassing himself in public, turned bright red with fury, glaring at Zhang Yuan with a vengeful gaze.

The aura of a Tier Five martial artist surged forth!

Zhang Yuan stood unafraid, "Why, planning to fight here?"

Though Zhang Yuan spoke calmly, anyone could detect the sarcasm and ridicule in his words.

He might as well have called He Yin a fool to his face.

He Yin was so furious he could barely contain it, clenching his fists tightly.

This Tier Five martial artist had forgotten that it was he who had first provoked Zhang Yuan, trying to goad him into a duel on the Trial Platform.

Yet Zhang Yuan didn’t take the bait, leaving He Yin so incensed he wanted to kill!

"He’s unworthy?"

Just then, a hand suddenly reached over, gently resting on He Yin’s shoulder.

"What about me?"

Upon hearing this voice, He Yin immediately calmed down, respectfully saying, "Senior Brother Yang!"

He stepped back, giving way.

Everyone around bowed, "Senior Brother Yang!"

The newcomer wore a white robe, with sharp eyes and thin lips, exuding a noble and otherworldly demeanor, clearly a direct disciple from a major sect or noble family.

Yang Hongyu!

Unlike He Yin, Zhang Yuan actually recognized this Senior Brother Yang standing before him.

Yang Hongyu was a renowned genius martial artist in the Upper Scenic Celestial Martial Pavilion, second only to Xiao Yan in fame and prowess.

Zhang Yuan had seen him a few times in the Merit Hall, leaving quite an impression despite never having spoken.

If he remembered correctly, the other ought to be a scion of the Yang Family from Qianjing!

Yang Hongyu smiled slightly, indicating no need for excessive courtesy.

He met Zhang Yuan’s gaze and said calmly, "Junior Brother Zhang, martial artists like us should fear no challenge. Crafting our skills through duels and exchanges is the path to bravery and improvement!"

"Well said!"

A burst of applause erupted immediately around them.

And as they cheered, the onlookers shot hostile glances at Zhang Yuan.

Now, Zhang Yuan had become the target of everyone’s mockery!

Zhang Yuan laughed, "Senior Brother Yang, what you’re saying makes sense, but if I’m to go up to the Trial Platform, how should the appearance fee be calculated?"

Appearance fee?

Yang Hongyu’s smile froze at once.

He attempted to pressure Zhang Yuan into submission with his position, but he didn’t expect Zhang Yuan to counter with such a remark!

The onlookers exchanged doubtful glances.

The atmosphere suddenly grew awkward.

"Don’t have it?"

Zhang Yuan feigned surprise and said disdainfully, "Without it, there’s no point!"

Yang Hongyu, self-proclaimed noble, had never been confronted with such coarse words before. Even with a deep reserve, he couldn’t help but show an embarrassed irritation: "Junior Brother Zhang, mind your reputation!"

"Can reputation be spent as Daoist Merit?"

Zhang Yuan sneered, "Senior Brother Yang, I can go to the Trial Platform, but it’ll cost five hundred Daoist Merits, not a single one less. If you can’t afford it, then stop wasting words; I don’t have time for this nonsense!"

Five hundred Daoist Merits!

A gasping whisper spread through the crowd.

Zhang Yuan was truly making an outrageous demand, asking for five hundred Daoist Merits to go to the Trial Platform—did he really command such a price?

Yang Hongyu hadn’t expected Zhang Yuan to be so difficult, and he found himself in an awkward predicament.

"If Junior Brother Yang finds it inconvenient, I’ll cover the Daoist Merits!"