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Chapter 62: Internal
Chapter 62: Internal
Chapter 62: Internal
"The grand martial art event that is held once every three years... During this competition, countless individuals aspire to rise to prominence, achieve worldwide recognition, and amass immense wealth.
"Yet, amidst this spectacle of triumph, there are also those who will inevitably face defeat, causing their sects to fade into oblivion," remarked a middle-aged man in a long robe.
He appeared somewhat frail as he stood by the window atop the headquarters of the martial society. Gazing upon the martial arts masters that had rushed from all corners of the province to convene below, he was unable to suppress his sigh of contemplation.
"Alright Liu Tiandao, enough with your reflection. Let's resume our discussions on how the slots should be allocated."
Behind Liu Tiando was a well-lit and spacious conference room, and seated inside were six individuals. They seemed to be engaged in a discussion.
The one who had spoken now was none other than the old sect master of the Solar Vermillion Sect, Qiu Chufeng, who was bestowed with the title of Martial Saint.
"We can forgo competing for the top spot in the adult category, but the first place in the intermediate category must belong to our sect's Jiang Zhenhai," Qiu Chufeng declared.
However, the individuals in the room evidently paid no heed to his status as a Martial Saint. Among the elite of Jiang Province's martial arts community, it was clear that being a Martial Saint wasn't exactly a distinguishing feature.
"Have you sought approval from the Cloud Crest Martial Hall before you had thoughts of Jiang Zhenhai claiming the top spot?" Shu Shaoyan remarked nonchalantly. "Jiang Zhenhai is known for his Dragon Fist, while our martial hall's Zhou Yuanfei specializes in the Dragon Slaying Sword Technique. Are you suggesting a showdown between his fist and our martial hall?"
"The Cosmic Gem Sect will not contend for the intermediate category this time. But I, Zhao Shenyan, will definitely claim first place in the adult category," another man said. He appeared noticeably younger compared to the others and looked to be in his thirties.
The lone woman among them spoke discontentedly. "For the adult category, Baron Lu Yunzhou has already declared that the top spot must go to Nie Wuji. Sect Master Zhao, are you really going to disrespect Baron Lu's wishes?"
"Hahaha! For six whole years, I have been preparing for this Martial Saints evaluation! There hasn't been a moment of rest or slack. If I can't participate in the national competition to showcase my skills on the stage and seize the first place, wouldn't these six years have gone to waste?"
"Hmph... Sect Master Zhao, you can just cut to the chase and say that you are after a spot in the Dragon Gate Hall. Why beat around the bush?"
The last person sneered. "Consider that first place of yours challenged. My junior brother, Xiao Dingjun, is coming for it."
The exchange between those few people was far from friendly, and the atmosphere was electric with tension.
It was quite easy to figure out their identities from their conversation.
Liu Tiandao, the private tutor of a high-ranking Astral Cultivator in the Guardian Hall. He was awarded the title of a Martial Saint due to his connections with the Astral Cultivator.
Shu Shaoyan, the hall master of the top martial hall in Jiang Province, Cloud Crest Martial Hall. She had already received her Martial Saint title for eight years.
Qiu Chufeng, the sect master of the Solar Vermillion Sect. He had been active in the capital city for years and attained the Martial Saint title two years earlier than Shu Shaoyan, establishing himself as a seasoned veteran martial artist.
Zhao Shenyan, the sect master of the Cosmic Gem Sect, a top sect in Jiang Province. He was not a Martial Saint. However, with his peak Aura Cultivation, he once demonstrated formidable prowess with a powerful strike of Spirit Qi Unity. Even in a life-or-death battle against seasoned veterans like Qiu Chufeng, he could hold his own ground.
The woman, Nie Sixian, had a lower cultivation level. She was only at the Core Formation stage. She was better known by her title as Lady Lu, the mistress of Baron Lu Yunzhou. Her brother, Nie Wuji, was an Aura Cultivation expert like Zhao Shenyan, but unlike Zhao Shenyan, he had not yet achieved Spirit Qi Unity or unleashed Spirit Force.
As for the last person, Xiao Yunfeng, he was a renowned Martial Saint in Jiang Province. His sect was smaller in scale compared to the Cloud Crest Martial Hall, but it boasted not only him but also his junior brother, Xiao Dingjun, a peak Aura Cultivation expert.
If Xiao Dingjun could showcase his strength at the national competition and earn the Martial Saint title, his sect would boast two Martial Saints, putting them in a position that surpassed even the Cloud Crest Martial Hall.
As the six influential figures, each capable of causing a stir in Jiang Province's martial arts community with a mere gesture, engaged in a heated debate, the conference room door swung open. Lin Yuzhi, the chairman of the Jiang Province Martial Society, strode in.
Behind him followed a girl in her teens, a man in his late twenties, and a robust middle-aged man in his early forties. All of them wore calm expressions.
"Have you all finalized the allocations for the youth, intermediate, and adult categories?" Lin Yuzhi asked with a smile.
Right after, he added, "Oh, and by the way, I'll be taking first place in all categories. You all can sort out the remaining top three positions among yourselves."
Since those outside the top three couldn’t be assured invitations to the national competitions, it wasn't particularly significant.
As soon as he finished discussing the top spots for the intermediate and adult categories, Shu Shaoyan, Qiu Chufeng, Zhao Shenyan, and the others abruptly stood up. Nie Sihong and Xiao Yunfeng also displayed extreme dissatisfaction on their faces.
"Chairman Lin, that is too much," Shu Shaoyan said with a firm tone.
"Everyone, please calm down. Let me introduce you," Lin Yuzhi said with a smile. He first pointed at the young girl who looked to be no more than eighteen-years-old. "You don't need me to say anything about Nianru; she is my granddaughter. There shouldn't be a problem with her taking the spot, right?"
The others nodded in agreement. They hadn't discussed the top spot in the youth category because they all understood it was a foregone conclusion that it would go to Chairman Lin's granddaughter, Lin Nianru. This was a matter of respect they all felt obliged to honor.
After that, Lin Yuzhi pointed at the man in his late twenties. "This is Gu Haoran from the Blizzard Mountain Gu Family."
Everyone was surprised.
"Gu Haoran?"
"The monster from the Blizzard Mountain Gu family who achieved Aura Force at just twenty-nine!?"
Qiu Chufeng was a bit upset. "Didn't you already sign up for the intermediate category in the capital city?! We have already backed down all the way to Jiang Province, why push on?!"
Gu Haoran calmly responded, "Her Royal Highness, the sixth princess unleashed a Spirit Qi Unity strike half a month ago."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone, including Zhao Shenyan, a prospective Martial Saint as well as the true Martial Saints like Liu Tiandao and Qiu Chufeng, couldn’t help but gasp in shock.
Spirit Qi Unity.
The Martial Saint was a Spirit-Tempering realm.
When martial artists discovered their own Martial Will, they harnessed their spiritual power through it, using it to drive their qi and blood force to unleash a strike that surpassed their limits. This attack was known as Spirit Qi Unity.
Just like a Transformative Force expert capable of unleashing a Core Force Strike before forming his Core, before a grandmaster discovered his own Martial Will, in a certain unique spiritual state, they could unleash a single strike of Spirit Qi Unity. In other words, Spirit Force.
Like Core Force and Aura Force martial artists, these people were known as the Spirit Force Martial Saints. However, compared to Core Force and Aura Force, the Spirit Qi Unity was notably more unstable. It could only be summoned sporadically under unique mental conditions, such as extreme anger, profound calmness, or intense madness.
Consequently, those who possessed this ability were often referred to as "Half-Step" Martial Saints. Once they discovered their own Martial Will to harness their spiritual power and stabilized their state of Spirit Qi Unity, they would truly step into the realm of the Martial Saints. It might be sporadic, but once unleashed, that one strike of Spirit Qi Unity was enough to overwhelm every Aura Cultivation expert.
In such cases, it was perfectly understandable why many people would choose to avoid its formidable power.
Qiu Chufeng let out a sigh. "Then, I suppose the first place in the intermediate category would go to Master Gu."
Shu Shaoyan also did not press the matter further.
It didn't matter if they couldn't secure first place; the second or third was just as good.