Chapter 191 – The South’s Hundred Cities Martial Arts Tournament

Weishan, Linghexuan.

Two figures were sparring in the vast martial arts arena.

One of them demonstrated leg techniques that were sharp and agile, like a Spirit Crane.

However, all her attacks had little to no effect on her opponent.

The latter casually blocked all her attacks with ease, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll.

In the end, he even moved slightly and effortlessly dragged a middle-aged man with a dignified demeanor, who was standing on the sidelines, into the fray.

The duel turned into a chaotic two-against-one battle.

White inner strength flickered like magnesium flares, and the sound of fists and feet colliding was as crisp as firecrackers.

Liu Daoyuan, with white hair, a white beard, and long eyebrows hanging down his cheeks like wisps of a duster, sat calmly in a Grandmaster’s Chair, holding a delicate white teacup.

He lifted his eyelids and glanced at the ongoing battle, then lightly coughed.

Liu Si, who was standing respectfully to the side, nodded and immediately joined the fray below.

The three-person melee turned into a four-person brawl, with three simultaneously attacking the figure in the center.

After a few breaths, a blazing yellow light suddenly flashed from the center of the battle.

“Boom!”

A terrifying burst of inner strength erupted, spreading an invisible force field that sent the three figures flying.

At that moment, Liu Daoyuan, who had been sitting in the Grandmaster’s Chair, took a leisurely sip of tea. The teacup in his hand shattered instantly.

He then darted out with a ghostly speed towards the center of the battlefield.

“Bang!”

A massive thud echoed as an invisible wave of energy spread out.

The blue brick floor of the vast martial arts arena shattered, sending dirt and stones flying and dust swirling.

As the dust slowly settled.

The three who had been repelled earlier looked shocked, their faces revealing expressions of disbelief.

In the center of the battle, an elderly man and a young man stood facing each other, one suspended in mid-air, the other standing firmly.

They quietly pressed their fists and palms against each other.

In a daze, the three seemed to see two enormous white cranes, their wings spread wide, locked in a fierce confrontation.

“True… True Intent?!”

Zhuang Xiujie murmured in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock: “…Little Senior Brother… has already comprehended True Intent?”

Zhao Qiancheng stood beside them, expressionless, but his pupils seemed to be experiencing an earthquake.

Liu Si remained silent, standing humbly.

“Good, good, good!”

The frozen scene was broken by Liu Daoyuan’s hearty laughter after a moment.

Liu Daoyuan swiftly returned to the Grandmaster’s Chair, and Liu Si promptly handed him a freshly brewed cup of tea.

“You all can leave now. I need to talk to Xiao Yuan alone.”

Liu Daoyuan said this while lightly scraping the floating leaves in his teacup with the lid, without even looking up.

“Yes.”

Zhuang Xiujie and Zhao Qiancheng responded, taking one last look at the quietly standing youth in the arena, their hearts filled with shock and excitement. Then, they followed Liu Si out of the martial arts arena.

As soon as the three left, Liu Daoyuan, who had been composed and serene, threw his teacup aside and dashed to Lu Yuan’s side in an instant.

The Bionic Arm slapped Lu Yuan’s shoulder enthusiastically, and the electronic eyes emitted a pulsing blue light.

“Good, good! Excellent!”

Liu Daoyuan’s old face was almost beaming with joy.

“I didn’t expect you to comprehend True Intent so quickly. This is fantastic! I knew I wasn’t wrong about you…”

Seeing Old Liu so excited, Lu Yuan felt quite pleased himself and was about to speak.

But Liu Daoyuan’s tone suddenly turned sinister: “At this rate of cultivation, you’ll reach the pinnacle of the True Intent Realm within two years. Becoming a Grandmaster within five years is not an unrealistic dream. When that time comes, I’ll take you back to the Snake Sect and wipe them out completely! Leave no one alive!”

“…”

“Alright, alright, we’ll discuss this later.”

Liu Daoyuan said with a smile, “Let’s talk about something more immediate.”

Seeing Liu Daoyuan’s expression turn serious, Lu Yuan also straightened up.

“Teacher, please go ahead.”

Liu Daoyuan led Lu Yuan to the nearby resting area and said as they walked, “Next month, the South’s Hundred Cities Martial Arts Tournament will begin. I want you to participate. It will be the perfect opportunity to announce the return of our Sky Water Stream Crane Style to the martial arts world…”

Lu Yuan frowned slightly but quickly relaxed and nodded, “Alright.”

Liu Daoyuan glanced at him and casually said, “I know you don’t think much of this tournament. But your time in martial arts practice has been short. Though your strength has grown rapidly, your combat experience is still far behind those who have been practicing for decades. Participating in these tournaments will be beneficial for your growth.”

“Mm.”

Lu Yuan responded absentmindedly.

Liu Daoyuan thought for a moment and continued, “The South’s Hundred Cities Martial Arts Tournament doesn’t have an age limit. Some shameless sect leader level figures will also participate, so it’s not just for beginners. Moreover, this tournament is the ticket to enter Martial Saint Island.

Penglai Pavilion may be full of crap, but it also contains a lot of valuable items. It gathers the true essence of ancient martial arts. If you get the chance to enter, you must seize it.”

Lu Yuan’s eyes flickered slightly. Counting You Long, this was the second person to tell him something similar.

“I understand, Teacher.”

“Lastly…”

Liu Daoyuan paused and said, “This is also crucial for you. The Overlord Fist Sect will participate in this tournament. Your Heavenly Domineering Physique is still missing the legacies of the Overlord Fist Sect and the Celestial Pole Sect. Use this opportunity to obtain the Overlord Fist Sect’s part. As for the Celestial Pole Sect, we’ll figure out a way to get it once you make it to Martial Saint Island.”

Lu Yuan’s heart stirred at the mention of the Overlord Fist Sect.

Liu Daoyuan didn’t know that Yellow Bear had already sent him the Celestial Pole Sect’s legacy, which was probably on its way via express delivery.

Once he obtained the Overlord Fist Sect’s legacy, he would complete the legendary Heavenly Domineering Physique, known as the number one hard martial arts technique in the ancient martial arts world!

“Teacher, what should I do when the time comes?”

Lu Yuan curiously asked Liu Daoyuan.

Liu Daoyuan casually replied, “Don’t worry, just focus on the competition. I’ll handle the rest. In this area… I’m a professional… hehe…”

He finished with a sinister smile often seen on TV villains, as if he had thought of some “evil plan,” his electronic eyes flashing blue light.

Lu Yuan: “…”

Old Liu’s care… is really overwhelming.

Liu Daoyuan led Lu Yuan around to the back of the martial arts arena, to the bamboo forest where Lu Yuan had once formally acknowledged him as his teacher.

This was also where Liu Daoyuan usually drank tea and relaxed.

As they walked, they chatted, mostly Liu Daoyuan talking about his glorious days when he was younger, occasionally asking Lu Yuan if he had encountered any problems in his cultivation.

In the midst of their conversation, Liu Daoyuan suddenly asked, “How’s Lao Liu doing lately? Has his daughter’s illness been cured yet?”

Lu Yuan was momentarily stunned, quickly realizing that Liu Daoyuan was referring to Lin Zhiqin.

After a pause, he honestly replied, “He’s been in Xiabang for almost two months now, and it seems he hasn’t returned yet.”

Liu Daoyuan stood by the pond in the bamboo forest, his eyes on the swimming koi, and said faintly, “When you see him, tell him to come back and have a meal with me.”

Lu Yuan was taken aback, looking at Liu Daoyuan’s cold profile, and thought of Lin Zhiqin.

He couldn’t help but smile and lightly responded, “Yes, Teacher.”

…

In a cramped, small private room of a restaurant.

Lu Yuan and Lin Zhiqin sat facing each other.

On the bare table between them were four or five steaming dishes.

Stir-fried Kidney Slices, Chicken Stew in Clay Pot, braised spare ribs, some green vegetables, and a fish.

They were at Chunhua Noodle Restaurant. The dishes were ordered by Lin Zhiqin.

“The teacher asked me to come back? To have a meal with him?”

Lin Zhiqin, holding a cigarette, gazed at the rising steam from the dishes, a hint of bewilderment in his expression.

“Yes.”

Lu Yuan picked up the chopsticks from the table and started eating.

After returning from Weishan, before he could contact Lin Zhiqin, Lin Zhiqin had already reached out to him.

What surprised Lu Yuan was that Lin Zhiqin chose this small noodle restaurant as their meeting place.

As the food entered his mouth, the familiar taste triggered a wave of nostalgia.

It had only been a few months since Lin Zhiqin had led him into the world of martial arts.

Yet it felt like years had passed, the world had turned upside down, and life had changed dramatically.

Lin Zhiqin waited until the cigarette in his hand burned out before snapping back to reality.

He nodded, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

After a sniff, he handed something to Lu Yuan.

“I understand. I’ll head to Weishan this afternoon.”

“Take this.”

Lu Yuan curiously took the item Lin Zhiqin handed him.

It was a thick notebook with a dedication on the cover.

Flipping through it, he saw that every page was filled with Lin Zhiqin’s handwriting. It seemed to be… martial arts insights.

“Thank you, Coach Lin!”

Lu Yuan put down his chopsticks and stood up to solemnly thank Lin Zhiqin.

Given his current strength, the notebook might not be very useful to him.

But knowing that Lin Zhiqin had poured his heart and soul into it made it feel weighty in his hands.

Among the direct disciples of the crane style, Lin Zhiqin’s intentions were the most heartfelt.

“No need to thank me.”

Lin Zhiqin waved his hand with a wry smile. “I don’t even know if it will be of any use to you. But as a gift for formally acknowledging me as your teacher… apart from this, I really don’t have anything else to offer.”

Lu Yuan wanted to say something but wasn’t used to being sentimental.

He thought it would be perfect if he had some wine on hand… he should toast Lin Zhiqin.

No need for words, Coach, it’s all in the drink!

Seeing Lin Zhiqin light another cigarette with a dejected look, Lu Yuan felt that he seemed even more burdened than the last time they met.

After some thought, Lu Yuan asked, “Coach, how’s your daughter’s illness… is she doing better?”

“Uh… ah!”

Lin Zhiqin seemed lost in thought and was startled by Lu Yuan’s question. He quickly nodded.

“She’s doing well. The surgery was very successful. She just needs a few more months of rehabilitation and rest… Oh, by the way, did the teacher mention anything else to you?”

Lin Zhiqin looked at Lu Yuan and asked.

“Yes, he did. It’s about participating in the Hundred Cities Martial Arts Tournament in the South next month. He said he already signed me up.”

“Next month… the Hundred Cities Martial Arts Tournament in the South…”

Lin Zhiqin squinted his eyes, suddenly recalling something, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

He abruptly stood up from his seat and urgently said, “Don’t go! You absolutely must not participate in that tournament!”

“Uh…”

Holding the notebook in his hand, Lu Yuan was momentarily stunned. He blinked, not understanding why Lin Zhiqin had such a strong reaction all of a sudden.