Chapter 20: An Old Acquaintance

All of them were martial artists. Though not all had personally faced mortal combat, they were no strangers to the violent clashes between warriors. At most, they would stop to watch for a moment, sighing with admiration or concern. In this vast assembly hall, amidst the restless crowd of ten thousand martial artists, this would not be the first life-and-death struggle, nor would it be the last.

As they wandered, sometimes pausing, they watched the sparring and duels of martial artists from all regions. Suddenly, Bao Tianyou pointed excitedly at a wooden arena ahead. "Junior Brother Chen Fan, look—do you see who that is?"

On the platform, two young female martial artists were locked in combat. One of them, tall and strikingly beautiful, was none other than Lin Qingyu, with whom Chen Fan had once crossed blades.

It was only then that Chen Fan noticed the banners and insignia around them. They had, in fact, arrived at the territory designated for Feiling County. The surrounding area was filled with martial artists from the major schools of Feiling County. Disciples from the Baiyun Branch Hall had also gathered here, and that very arena had been set up for the geniuses of Feiling County to spar with their peers from the neighboring Liuyang County.

After half a year apart, Lin Qingyu’s appearance was unchanged, but her strength had deepened considerably. The true essence martial techniques she wielded were on an entirely different level. Chen Fan narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself, “If Lin Qingyu had possessed this strength when we fought, I’d never have lasted until my moment of enlightenment. Feng Yuancheng and Yan Linsu likely wouldn’t have been her match either…”

But now Lin Qingyu had already passed her eighteenth year. Her foundation, though first-class, meant her improvement in the first stage of martial cultivation was limited; only as she refined her muscles in the second stage did her strength grow more pronounced.

Since they were all from Feiling County, the group stopped at once, surrounding the arena to watch the bout. The disciples of the Baiyun Branch Hall, seeing familiar faces, quickly gathered around to greet them, encircling the core disciples at the center. They were fellow provincials, fellow disciples—most knew each other. And as for Chen Fan, there was no one among them who did not recognize him.

After exchanging greetings, their attention turned back to the stage. Lin Qingyu, who had begun training in true essence techniques upon entering the second stage of martial cultivation, now displayed far greater mastery than before. Facing an opponent clearly older than herself, she did not yield an inch and soon emerged victorious.

As she won, disciples from Cold Plum Pavilion hurried forward to congratulate her. “Well done, Junior Sister Lin!” To defeat a rival from another county was an honor not only for her own school but for all of Feiling County.

Lin Qingyu, breathing heavily, wore a radiant smile. Bao Tianyou pulled Chen Fan forward to offer congratulations. “Ha! Congratulations, Junior Sister Lin! Truly, you are Feiling County’s peerless prodigy!”

Chen Fan cupped his fist. “Senior Sister Lin, that was impressive!”

“Junior Brother Chen Fan!” Lin Qingyu’s eyes lit up as she saw him. In the half-year since they’d last met, he had grown taller, his youthful features giving way to a more refined, handsome visage.

“I heard you’d arrived in Yandu City, and thought I wouldn’t see you again so soon…” Warmth and familiarity colored her voice as she greeted her old acquaintance.

Meanwhile, not far away, a black tiger banner fluttered in the wind above a cluster of disciples. Among them, two men watched the direction of the Baiyun School.

“Senior Brother, if I’m not mistaken, those fellows are wearing the uniforms of the Baiyun Hall’s main branch. They’ve come to watch our Feiling County’s matches—I bet those are the core geniuses who’ve mastered the ‘Baiyun Pine-Crane Palm’!”

Among the Feihu Gate disciples stood a young man in blue beside a slovenly fellow. The latter, Zhao Hei, narrowed his eyes and scratched his neck. “Now I remember—the one at the front is Lin Shiyu from the Lin family. Back in Feiling County, I thrashed him so many times I’ve lost count. He looks impressive now, eh?”

His gaze swept over Lin Shiyu, then paused briefly on Chen Fan, who was chatting with Lin Qingyu nearby, as if the young man looked familiar.

The youth in blue narrowed his eyes. “Lin Shiyu is your peer and a core disciple of Baiyun Hall. That means he must be at least at the peak of the third stage, maybe even the fourth. Do you think I stand a chance if I challenge him?”

In Feiling County, few had mastered top-tier manuals, but there were some who could rival Lin Shiyu. Yet Lin Shiyu, now a core disciple of the main hall, held a different status.

Zhao Hei shook his head. “Who knows? Now that he’s in Yandu, he might be even stronger than me—or maybe he’s grown complacent with all the resources available. It’s impossible to judge just by strength alone.”

He shifted his gaze from Chen Fan, then added, “Still, if we want to join the Martial Academy, we can’t be timid. Win or lose, a duel will only raise the reputation of Feihu Gate—and it’ll be great experience for you! But remember, the Demon-Slaying Tournament is soon. Don’t over-exert yourself; keep it to a friendly match.”

The young man’s eyes flashed as he nodded. “In that case, allow me to issue the challenge!”

This particular arena was intended for Feiling County’s martial prodigies to challenge those from other counties. There were no strict rules. Chen Fan and the others were chatting with disciples from the Baiyun Branch and Cold Plum Pavilion when the young man in blue strode directly toward Lin Shiyu, never taking his eyes off him.

He approached and addressed him, “Are you Lin Shiyu, the Lin family’s rising star from Feiling County?”

Lin Shiyu gave him a measured look. “And you are…?”

The youth cupped his hands in greeting. “I am Chai Yong of Feihu Gate. I’ve long heard of your reputation, Senior Brother Lin, and I wish to seek your guidance!”

Lin Shiyu, having left Feiling County for several years, only vaguely recalled the name Chai Yong but did not know his strength. Seeing the young man’s respectful manner, he frowned slightly, then nodded. “I have no objection. But let me warn you, I’ve already broken through to the fourth stage of martial cultivation.”

The third stage was a minor threshold in the path of martial arts—once overcome, one’s stamina and strength increased markedly.

Chai Yong’s eyes flashed. “I’m only a step away from the fourth stage myself, but my footwork is my strong suit, so you needn’t worry about hurting me. Since the stage is free, shall we begin?”

Without further ado, Lin Shiyu followed him onto the platform. Bao Tianyou squinted and explained, “Chai Yong is the personal disciple of Teng Bo, the Feihu Gate master. He’s only twenty-two and already close to the fourth stage. He’s one of the most gifted in Feiling County!”

For someone like Bao Tianyou, who was considered talented for reaching the third stage at twenty-two, the gap was enormous. Chai Yong’s aptitude even surpassed that of Xiao Chunkong, who was already surpassed by many among the Baiyun Hall’s core disciples. Yet Chai Yong was Teng Bo’s personal disciple—the cream of Feiling County’s crop.

As the two took the stage, the onlookers grew excited. Both men held special status and were far stronger than Lin Qingyu and the others who had fought before, drawing even more attention. Soon, martial artists from all around crowded forward to watch.

To the crowd, Lin Shiyu, as a core disciple of Baiyun Hall, trained in Yandu and with a clear advantage in cultivation, was naturally expected to win with ease. Yet, as the duel commenced, the two quickly found themselves deadlocked.

“What footwork is Chai Yong using? He moves with such agility—could he have already reached the Insightful Realm?” Chen Fan was mildly astonished. Even with his own ‘Three Thousand Lightning Movements’ at full mastery, he was not so nimble.

Lin Qingyu, with sharp eyes, replied, “I don’t think he’s quite there. If he were, Senior Brother Lin wouldn’t even be able to touch him. His footwork approaches the threshold, but hasn’t fully crossed it. He won’t be able to defeat Senior Brother Lin.”

Chen Fan nodded in silent agreement, calculating inwardly how many moves it would take him to handle either one. He himself was nearly at the peak of the third stage, but with his powerful foundation, he could suppress Lin Shiyu in terms of sheer strength. Neither opponent, without mastery of martial techniques at the Insightful Realm, would be a match for him.

Both fighters possessed formidable talent and first-class foundations, quickly drawing the attention of the crowd. Disciples from the major schools of Feiling County gathered, pressing forward to watch the match.

Not far away, among the ranks of the Four Symbols Gate, a cold gaze was not fixed on the fighters but rather on Chen Fan, who was surrounded by his peers. The tall youth was none other than Yu Xingzheng. Though he had trained hard and been given elixirs, as a second-class foundation, his strength was still outmatched by those core disciples of stronger roots.

Beside Yu Xingzheng stood a man even taller, with similar features—Yu Haitao, his cousin, now in his twenties. He frowned deeply. “It’s been years since I last saw Lin Shiyu, and now he’s broken through the fourth stage, surpassing me in cultivation…”

The duel between Lin Shiyu and Chai Yong did not last long before Chai Yong leapt from the platform and conceded. Though formidable, he was conserving his strength for the Demon-Slaying Tournament and had no wish to waste energy in an exhibition match. He and his senior brother soon departed.

After stepping down, Lin Shiyu rejoined Chen Fan and the others, chatting and laughing together. It was clear to any discerning eye that Lin Shiyu and the other core disciples treated Chen Fan with great courtesy, even subtly placing him at the center of their circle.

Yu Haitao, surprised, asked, “Such a young core disciple of Baiyun Hall? Xingzheng, do you know him?”

Yu Xingzheng’s mouth twitched with envy. “That’s Chen Fan. I heard he made it to Yandu and, sure enough, he’s now a core disciple of the Baiyun Hall’s main branch. Quite impressive…”