Just as a nation has its laws, every trade has its own rules.

Since the Weapons Ban Order of the late Qian Dynasty became a law in name only, martial arts halls have been developing for nearly a century, and rules have naturally emerged.

Martial arts halls in this day and age are no longer simply for passing down the Martial Dao. Many join a hall to fight for fame and fortune. As a result, friction over territory often leads to bloodshed.

This approach not only caused heavy losses for the halls themselves but also disrupted social order, earning them the displeasure of the authorities.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, martial arts halls avoid large-scale battles between disciples. Instead, they use the Street Arena to settle their differences.

A high platform is built, a life-and-death waiver is signed, and the neighborhood bears witness as the leaders of the two martial arts halls take the stage to compete. They make a wager, and the territory is decided in a single battle.

For a Martial Artist, spirit is everything.

If the spirit is lost, the fist grows weak.

If a leader is defeated on the platform, the morale of their disciples will plummet, and their courage to fight will vanish.

For a Martial Artist, the fist is life, and strength is truth!

Thus, in this world, it isn’t just Street Arenas; there are also Commercial Arenas and even Military Arenas, all founded on the same principle.

Now, Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall and Hengchang Martial Arts Hall were vying for territory, neither willing to yield. To minimize losses on both sides, holding an arena challenge was perfectly in line with the rules!

If Zhao Xuanqi didn’t dare to accept the challenge, it would be an admission of weakness. Hengchang Martial Arts Hall would then retake Mingyu Street with lightning speed!

"I accept this Street Arena challenge. But I have one condition."

Zhao Xuanqi said, his expression calm.

"What condition? Name it."

Zhang Xiankun said flatly.

"If I lose, I’ll take my men and withdraw from Mingyu Street. You can consider our work with the Yuhe Chamber of Commerce a freebie. We’ll even help your Hengchang Martial Arts Hall with the handover. However, if you lose, you must sell all of Hengchang Martial Arts Hall’s businesses on Mingyu Street to my Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall for eighty percent of their value."

Zhao Xuanqi said.

"Fine. On behalf of Hengchang Martial Arts Hall, I accept your terms."

Zhang Xiankun nodded and slowly rose to his feet.

"Tomorrow at noon, the arena will be set up in the middle of the street."

...

...

「The next day at noon,」 Mingyu Street was packed with a surging crowd.

A three-meter-high platform stood tall in the middle of the street, drawing countless people to stop and watch. Nearby shopkeepers had temporarily closed for business, running to the edge of the arena to watch the spectacle.

"How long has it been since a Street Arena was held in Celestial Sea Prefecture? I heard it’s the Xiaolin and Hengchang Martial Arts Halls fighting over our Mingyu Street?"

"Ever heard of Zhao Qi from Wind Shadow Hall? He’s the one who led the men that swept away the people from Hengchang and Yuhe on Mingyu Street. As for Hengchang’s side, they say the ’Evil Bright Monarch,’ Zhang Xiankun, is making a move."

"Zhang Xiankun? It’s really that monster? They say he can catch a bull with his bare hands and uproot a willow tree. His Hard Skill makes him impervious to blades. Even across the entire Celestial Sea Prefecture, few can match him. Hengchang Martial Arts Hall is really playing for keeps. But this Zhao Qi... I’ve been hearing his name a lot lately. Supposedly he’s only been training for a year? I wonder how many of the stories about him are true."

"Now this is going to be a good show. Zhao Qi of Wind Shadow Hall is clearly ambitious. Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall has been cooped up in the Upper River District for years. The moment this guy appeared, he immediately broke out. Young people sure are bold. Let’s see what he’s really made of."

"..." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

On the street, the crowd of onlookers buzzed with discussion.

But besides the curious crowd, there were also many individuals with ulterior motives.

’I have to get a clear grasp of Zhao Qi’s true abilities this time. With Zhang Xiankun as his opponent, he shouldn’t be able to hide his strength. I must complete the task Director Pete assigned me.’

An intelligence agent from the Jili Empire blended into the crowd, secretly gathering information.

Elsewhere, two men dressed like ordinary passersby were also discreetly observing their surroundings.

"We still don’t have any detailed, reliable intelligence on this Zhao Qi’s strength. He’s only been training for a year, but he’s already a prominent figure in the prefecture. He can’t be underestimated. The Military Officer is very concerned about his true capabilities."

"Zhang Xiankun is considered top-tier within the prefecture. If Zhao Qi can defeat him, then his rating will need to be re-evaluated."

"..."

The two men murmured to each other.

There were quite a few people interested in Zhao Qi’s true strength.

A powerful True Inheritance practitioner of Cross-Training, a gifted New Generation Martial Artist—he had the potential to dramatically impact the entire situation in Celestial Sea Prefecture.

The Jili Empire, the Celestial Sea Prefecture Civil Affairs Department, the City Defense Army, the Golden Blade Martial Arts Hall...

Countless eyes were fixed on this Street Arena match.

At noon, the blazing sun hung high in the sky!

The groups from Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall and Hengchang Martial Arts Hall approached from opposite ends of the street, finally converging below the fighting stage in a tense standoff.

Zhao Xuanqi and Zhang Xiankun stood at the forefront of their respective groups.

Zhao Xuanqi glanced at Cai Mingliang beside him, who immediately produced a life-and-death waiver.

"Affix your Hand Seal."

With a casual toss, Zhao Xuanqi threw the waiver to Zhang Xiankun.

Zhang Xiankun glanced at the document. A disciple from his hall handed him a pad of seal paste, and he pressed his Hand Seal onto the waiver.

The two men locked eyes. Without another word, they both moved at almost the same time.

THUD! THUD!

In two great strides, they ascended the stairs and onto the platform, standing face-to-face.

Zhang Xiankun bent his knees slightly, tucked his right elbow to his ribs, and extended his left hand in a palm strike, assuming the stance of Hengchang Martial Arts Hall’s Vajra Cannon Fist.

He wore the sleeveless martial arts uniform of Hengchang Martial Arts Hall, and his two thick arms had lines like they were carved from granite. Under the blazing noon sun, his brownish-yellow skin seemed to glint with a metallic sheen.

He looked just like a temple deity’s statue!

On the other side, Zhao Xuanqi wore the True Inheritance martial arts uniform of Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall. It seemed a bit loose on him. At nearly six-foot-one, his physique was quite large and strong compared to an average person, but it was hidden by the uniform, his frame not fully apparent.

His expression was serene as he, too, assumed the stance of the Tiger Form Fist.

"You’ve only been training for a year. If I hold a Street Arena with you, people will say I’m bullying a fellow practitioner who is new to the path. There would be no honor in such a victory. Therefore, I will allow you the first three moves."

Zhang Xiankun said indifferently. Then, the Qi and Blood in his body suddenly began to circulate, and he activated his Qi Surge!

BOOM!!

Both of his arms instantly turned a deep crimson. Not only that, but beneath his clothes, the width of his body suddenly expanded. His martial arts uniform was stretched taut, looking as if it might burst at any moment. The deep crimson color of his Qi and Blood covered even his neck, spreading all the way to his jaw and the back of his head.

In an instant, he transformed from a divine statue under the blazing sun into an Asura Ghost Demon.

This was how he had earned the name Evil Bright Monarch!

The strength of this man’s Qi and Blood and his physique were nearly on par with Liu Changfeng’s. Empowered by his Hard Skill, he could stand still and let an ordinary person hack at him with a sword or axe and emerge completely unscathed!

This was the power of a top-tier expert in the prefecture.

In this arena duel, they could only use the Tiger Form Fist. The space was limited, restricting evasion. There was a difference in their cultivation realms, and a huge disparity in their physiques.

Everything seemed to be stacked against Zhao Xuanqi.

However, there was no trace of gravity on Zhao Xuanqi’s face. Instead, he appeared calm and unconcerned.

So much time had passed. His strength was no longer what it once was!!

At this moment, the Qi and Blood in his body also began to surge.

The Qi Surge enveloped his arms!!

BOOM!!

Both of his arms instantly swelled, the once-loose sleeves of his martial arts uniform stretched taut by his Qi Surge-enveloped limbs.

A two-armed Qi Surge!!

"Let me attack first for three moves? Are you sure?"