Zhao Xuanqi nodded and followed behind Weng Xiaolin, walking toward the group of large men holding the sign.

"Rong, it’s been a long time."

Weng Xiaolin said with a smile to the leader of the group.

This leader was nearly two meters tall with extremely broad palms. His figure could be described as "stout," with no visible, chiseled muscles, yet he couldn’t be called fat.

He closely resembled the build of ancient Military Generals, exuding an immense sense of pressure.

"Hall Master Weng, welcome to Guangdong. And this is?"

The large man called Rong bowed slightly with his hands clasped toward Weng Xiaolin, then turned his head to look at Zhao Xuanqi, who was standing beside him.

"This is my new True Inheritance disciple, Zhao Qi. He’s only been with me for a year. I brought him to this Martial Arts Association gathering to broaden his horizons."

Weng Xiaolin said to Rong with a smile.

"I see. Congratulations, Hall Master Weng, on accepting another fine disciple. I originally thought Chang Feng would be the one coming this time."

A look of understanding crossed Zhong Daorong’s face. He turned to Zhao Xuanqi and proactively extended his palm, which was as wide as a cattail fan. "Zhong Daorong, a True Inheritance of Taihe Tiger Form Fist. A pleasure to meet you, Zhao."

"A pleasure, Zhong."

Zhao Xuanqi, also smiling, extended his hand and clasped it with Zhong Daorong’s.

Seeing this, the other accompanying disciples of the Taihe Tiger Form Fist all had mischievous smiles on their faces.

’When Martial Artists first meet, it’s never that simple. A greeting requires strength.’

Before the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, they had already received three other Tiger Form Fist Martial Arts Halls from various prefectures in Yuehai, and not a single disciple had managed to get the better of Senior Brother Zhong, let alone a newcomer who had only been training for a year.

After all, although Zhong Daorong was ranked seventh among the ten True Inheritance disciples of Taihe Tiger Form Fist, his expertise in Cross-Training left him with few rivals.

The instant their hands clasped.

BOOM!!

Zhong Daorong’s already massive palm suddenly swelled, turning a purplish-blue. A powerful Qi Surge enveloped it, and his seemingly stout hand instantly bulged, the lines of his muscles becoming extremely savage and distinct.

His seemingly stout body was, in fact, composed of powerful muscle. This had much to do with the Training Method of Taihe Tiger Form Fist. As a Fist Technique lineage stronger than the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall’s Zhou’s Tiger Form Fist, its unique characteristics were even more pronounced. It could slightly alter one’s physical structure through its Training Method, making it a cut above the Secret Transmissions of the three great Martial Arts Halls of Celestial Sea Prefecture.

’Truly worthy of a Secret Transmission from a Martial Arts School rooted in the capital of Yuehai.’

A flicker of interest flashed in Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes. ’Celestial Sea Prefecture really is too small. The moment I leave Celestial Sea, I run into a School’s Secret Transmission of this caliber. It makes me a little curious about the other opponents at this Yuehai Martial Arts Association gathering.’

Zhong Daorong’s hand, its muscles now savage and chiseled, suddenly tightened, unleashing terrifying gripping power.

However, just as the Taihe Tiger Form Fist disciples behind them were getting ready to enjoy the pained and twisted expression on Zhao Xuanqi’s face...

BOOM!!

Zhao Xuanqi’s hand also swelled abruptly, instantly doubling in size to an unbelievable degree.

No matter how much force Zhong Daorong’s hand exerted, the smile on Zhao Xuanqi’s face remained unchanged.

A sharp glint flashed in Zhong Daorong’s eyes, and his entire body suddenly trembled slightly.

Zhao Xuanqi could clearly see the man’s arm and hand muscles suddenly soften, losing their savage appearance. The fierce, brute strength abruptly transformed into a clinging Soft Force, which traveled up his arm to pull at Zhao Xuanqi’s body.

This kind of power was generated within inches, but that didn’t mean it was weak. On the contrary, under Zhong Daorong’s Force Release, the clinging, wave-like Force was as difficult to resist as an ocean tide, attempting to pull Zhao Xuanqi off balance.

Taihe Tiger Form Fist was a School founded by merging multiple techniques, including Taihe Palm, Tiger Form Fist, and Soft Fist Technique. It excelled at the Transformation of Hard and Soft, taking the "Firm, Fierce, and Dominating" aspects of Tiger Form Fist and the "Clinging, Neutralizing, and Soft" aspects of Taihe Palm and Soft Fist Technique. It was a fusion of Yin and Yang, a concept of profound depth.

A typical Martial Arts Hall True Inheritance disciple would find this transformation between hard and soft difficult to resist, revealing a flaw and making a fool of themselves.

After all, Taihe Tiger Form Fist was the foremost among Yuehai’s Tiger Form Fist styles. While showing the magnanimity of a host, they also had to display corresponding strength and skill to earn the respect of the other Schools.

However, this move had no effect on Zhao Xuanqi.

He remained standing in place without any overt movement, the parts of his body merely undulating slightly with the transmitted Force. Then, his palm abruptly generated power.

CRACK!!

A crisp sonic boom erupted between their palms. This was the near-unbelievable phenomenon caused by both of them exerting force simultaneously, suddenly compressing the air in their palms.

Under this mutual force, their hands were suddenly forced apart, unable to remain clasped.

The opponent’s test had been effortlessly neutralized by Zhao Xuanqi.

True skill is revealed in the smallest of movements.

"Zhong, your Taihe Tiger Form Fist is an excellent art. I’m truly impressed."

Zhao Xuanqi said to Zhong Daorong with a smile, clasping his hands.

"Not at all. For you to have such skill after only a year of training, Zhao, is what’s truly admirable. I was rude just now. Hongjie, escort Hall Master Weng and Zhao to their hotel. Fulfill any requests they have."

Zhong Daorong’s expression was full of solemn respect as he looked at Zhao Xuanqi. He then spoke to one of the sturdy men behind him.

"Yes, Senior Brother. I’ll take care of it. Please, follow me. A private car is already waiting outside the station."

The young disciple called Hongjie snapped out of his daze upon hearing Zhong Daorong’s words. He bowed respectfully to Weng Xiaolin and Zhao Xuanqi and made a welcoming gesture.

"Rong, we’ll be on our way then."

Weng Xiaolin watched this scene with a smile. His face was impassive, but inwardly, he felt extremely proud.

"Zhong, we’ll meet again."

Zhao Xuanqi also said to Zhong Daorong, and the two of them left under Hongjie’s guidance.

Only after their figures had disappeared from view did the group of Taihe Tiger Form Fist disciples erupt into discussion, seemingly unable to believe that Zhao Xuanqi had so steadily weathered Zhong Daorong’s test.

After all, among the eight Tiger Form Fist powers in Yuehai, the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall had never been considered strong, ranking in the lower-middle tier.

"Senior Brother Zhong, has that kid really only been training for a year? How could he be evenly matched with you?"

One of the disciples couldn’t help but ask Zhong Daorong.

"Evenly matched?"

Zhong Daorong’s expression was grave. He opened the hand he had just shaken with Zhao Xuanqi. Only upon closer inspection did the crowd notice a faint scratch in his palm. The skin, tougher than cowhide, had been cut open. The thick calluses prevented any blood from being drawn, but the scratch was clearly visible.

Seeing this distinct scratch, the crowd instantly fell silent, completely quiet.

"This time, I lost by a move."

Zhong Daorong said, "The instant our hands separated, Zhao Xuanqi suddenly clenched his fist, releasing his formidable Finger Force within that tiny space. He used the sharpness of his fingernails to slice open the skin of my palm. To be able to react and generate that much power under those circumstances... it just shows how terrifying he is."

’Really only been training for a year? Looks like a powerful outsider is coming to the Guangdong Martial Arts Conference this time.’

Zhong Daorong thought to himself.