Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist-Chapter 96 - 7: Great Success? Hell No, This Is Perfection! (Bonus)

Chapter 96: Chapter 7: Great Success? Hell No, This Is Perfection! (Bonus)

The difference between strength and force is just a single character, yet they are completely distinct.

Lifting a thousand-pound boulder signifies having a thousand pounds of strength, but it does not mean that striking with fists or palms can exert a thousand-pound force.

Precisely because force cannot be measured, after reaching the Opening Acupoints Realm, the martial arts hall no longer measures strength. However, over the years, based on the experiences of past students, there is a relatively accurate standard reference.

Achieving great success in a cultivation technique allows a martial artist in the Opening Acupoints Realm to fight across two acupoints, provided it’s not between Four Acupoints and Five Acupoints, or Eight Acupoints and Nine Acupoints, such crossing small stages of the Opening Acupoints Realm.

This is also why the Martial Arts Garden’s arenas are arranged for every two acupoints.

"Even if he has mastered the Clear Wind Palm, it shouldn’t be like this."

What troubles Shao Hong is not just that Lin Chen’s Clear Wind Palm is now equally powerful, and their palm strikes leave him without an advantage, but also that each of his attacks seems to be anticipated by Lin Chen, leaving him restrained, as Lin Chen’s palm wind strikes before he can unleash full force.

He can only defend passively, and although he blocks most of Lin Chen’s palm force, every time the palm wind strikes, it feels like a blade of wind. In just a few breaths, his sleeves are torn, and his arms are covered in blood marks.

Lin Chen’s palm winds howled as he effortlessly suppressed Shao Hong, without needing to exert the full power of his perfected Clear Wind Palm, and wielding only the power of Six Acupoints was enough to keep his opponent in check.

The reason is simple: Shao Hong’s every move is within his anticipation.

"Shao Hong is going to lose."

Over at Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall, Chen Chunfeng whispered, looking slightly despondent. Even though he greatly admired Lin Chen, this match ultimately marked a loss for their hall, represented by Jingshui Martial Arts Hall.

Shao Hong’s defeat meant Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall would be entirely wiped out in this competition and not have a single slot in the top ten.

This was something Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall had not encountered in ten years.

The last time something like this happened, the Martial Affairs Office reduced the resources allocated to them to the lowest level, the hall master resigned, and the instructor responsible for recruitment was labeled the hall’s criminal.

Thinking of this, Chen Chunfeng glanced at Qi He and Zhao Ce, noticing their expressions, showing their genuine emotions due to their intense focus on the match. He couldn’t help but sigh.

Since the senior brother started his secluded cultivation, matters of the hall were left to Senior Brother Qi. In these past two or three years, the hall had been on a downhill path.

Every year, the new students’ competitions seemed to show decent rankings, but looking back after three years, this batch of new students had already reached the bottom among the Eight Great Martial Arts Halls.

Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall, it’s time for a change.

Pa!

As they saw on the arena, Shao Hong’s sleeves shattered, revealing arms full of blood marks, many students from the hall were chilled to the bone.

This was Shao Hong who had opened Eight Acupoints, and his Clear Wind Palm was at mastery, yet he was beaten so miserably.

"Senior Brother Gu, can you handle Lin Chen?"

Fu Ang was stunned for a moment, thinking Lin Chen was quite impressive. Back during their time in the Martial Arts Garden, Lin Chen had shown some restraint when facing him. Otherwise, if the mastered Clear Wind Palm had been fully unleashed, he might have ended up like a beaten dog.

"Shao Hong is powerless because Lin Chen’s Clear Wind Palm is already at great success. Lin Chen’s understanding of the Clear Wind Palm is much deeper than Shao Hong’s. When Shao Hong attacks, it seems as if Lin Chen anticipates it."

Gu Shan kept his eyes on the arena, frowning, saying, "If I were to face Lin Chen, he wouldn’t gain any advantage from the moves. It’s just whether his Clear Wind Palm is sharper or my Iron Bone Skill is harder."

The other seed students from various martial arts halls were also pondering at that moment if they encountered Lin Chen, would they have a chance to win?

As for Shao Hong, from their perspective, his failure was already a foregone conclusion unless he had some hidden card to play at the last moment.

With Shao Hong’s nature, if he had any trump cards, he would’ve played them by now rather than waiting until such a moment.

"Lin Chen, fall for me!"

On the arena, Shao Hong gritted his teeth, his face contorting fiercely, losing the demeanor of the hall’s senior brother. At this moment, ignoring Lin Chen’s approaching palm, he struck out with "Wind-Rolling Clouds."

He chose a method of mutual destruction.

Rather than being whittled away endlessly by Lin Chen and eventually defeated, it was better to fight it out.

"If you want mutual destruction, you must have the opportunity."

Lin Chen saw through Shao Hong’s thoughts; as this palm fell, the howling wind subsided.

At this point, it was no longer necessary to hide his skills.

This strike from Lin Chen gave people the feeling of facing a howling tornado one moment and then suddenly sinking into stillness the next.

The calm within the storm’s eye!

Oppressive and hopeless.

This palm of Lin Chen’s landed softly.

Swoosh!

In the left section, many Viscera-Refining Martial Artists, who had been sitting, suddenly stood up.

In their excitement, they didn’t even notice the chairs falling back.

"This palm..."

An elder in the front row, his beard and hair flaring in anger, his eyes almost spitting fire, stared towards Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall.

He came from Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall, naturally hoping for its prosperity.

But what had he seen now?

A young prodigy with a perfected Clear Wind Palm, abandoned by Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall, and went to Jingshui Martial Arts Hall!

Su Lingchuan and He Ruyun exchanged a glance, surprisingly reading a trace of astonishment in each other’s eyes, and in that fleeting exchange, they reached a silent understanding.

On the side of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall.

Shen Lin’s mouth opened slightly. Behind her, Fu Jingya and others hadn’t caught on, yet they were already guessing the significance of what Lin Chen’s seemingly ordinary palm meant.

"Senior Sister, did you already know this?"

After asking, Shen Lin felt she had wasted her breath because she saw Senior Sister Kong’s mouth wide enough to fit a goose egg.

So, Senior Sister Kong also didn’t know Lin Chen had perfected his Clear Wind Palm.

Not many martial artists could immediately deduce Lin Chen’s Clear Wind Palm had reached perfection. Many were quite puzzled about how Lin Chen’s palm strike seemed light and weak.

Was Lin Chen going easy on purpose?

While these young martial artists were confused, on the arena, Lin Chen’s palm had already landed on Shao Hong’s left shoulder.

At this moment, Shao Hong seemed to be struck by some terrifying event, his complexion turning pale instantly, with half his body collapsing.

The crisp sound of bones cracking resonated through most of the venue.

The next moment, Shao Hong was pressed by the pressure from his left shoulder to the ground.

There was a brief silence at the scene, followed by an explosion of deafening cheers.

"He won, Chen’Er won!"

In Linhu Village, Mrs. Lin was very excited. Beside her, Lin Liang quickly held his mother, sharing in her excitement.

They didn’t understand the meaning of great success and perfection, only that Lin Chen had won.

Brother Chen truly made them proud!

...

...

"Senior Brother Lin has won!"

"Instructor Liu, Senior Brother Lin has won!"

At Kaohe Town Martial Hall, hearing the cheers of the students, Instructors Liu and Chen were also filled with enthusiasm.

They had initially thought that Lin Chen stepping onto the arena was already a victory in itself.

Never did they expect this was just the beginning for Lin Chen.

At this moment, both were incredibly envious of Yu Yongnian. Although Yu Yongnian had resigned from his position as an instructor, with Lin Chen’s growing reputation, Lin Chen’s achievements in the Martial Hall would certainly be uncovered.

From being at the bottom upon entering the hall, barely passing the assessment, to Yu Yongnian giving Lin Chen the opportunity for work-study, and then becoming the first in the Martial Hall.

Though not officially master and disciple, when the story spreads, who could deny that Yu Yongnian was not an excellent mentor?

If Yu Yongnian were willing to continue as an instructor, any martial hall would eagerly vie for him!

The cheers came from ordinary citizens, while those strong in Viscera-Refining, including vice hall masters and instructors from various martial halls, remained silent.

At the moment Lin Chen executed his palm, Shao Hong’s fate was already sealed. Compared to Lin Chen’s victory, what concerned them more was whether Lin Chen’s Clear Wind Palm had indeed reached perfection.

After all, not every martial artist practiced the Clear Wind Palm. Lin Chen’s palm had features of a perfect technique’s ’Returning to the Essence,’ but it wasn’t absolutely certain.

"A perfected Clear Wind Palm’s power is frightening."

Fu Ang, looking at Shao Hong who couldn’t stand, felt a lingering fear. Meanwhile, Hong Qianhai, the Vice Hall Master of Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall, snorted: "Perfected? Damn it, is his ..."

Fu Ang was taken aback, wondering what Hong Hall Master meant with his tone—was what he said correct?

Hong Qianhai then directed his gaze towards Qi He: "Vice Hall Master Qi, give us an answer, is Lin Chen’s Clear Wind Palm perfected?"

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