Some say the disciple went on a long journey for training (his disciple stood beside him, astonished to hear his master lie)
Others say the disciple fell ill (the disciple was actually in a hotel, exchanging drinks, and entertaining Martial Arts Association partners)
Anyway, they all had excuses.
Zhang Feng listened in silence.
In this martial arts world, even those who are simply spectators are too lazy to come.
Yet Shaolin and Xingyi decided to accept the challenge.
"Alright, you set the date," Xingyi agreed straightforwardly.
"July 24th, it's auspicious," Shaolin even suggested a date.
July 24th is the birthday of Longshu Bodhisattva.
Meanwhile.
Zhang Feng felt his forehead itching.
Goodness! Is arranging and declining battles really so casual?
A few phone calls and setting a time, is it really a 'South-North Martial Arts Gathering'?
Yet, on reflection.
This world doesn't revere martial arts; rather, it's quite akin to the real world.
The popularity of real martial arts needs no explanation.
Conversely.
After deep contemplation, Zhang Feng felt the martial arts atmosphere in this world was quite good.
If the first world of experiences was to make him familiar with 'adventure and enhancement'.
Then this world, as its genre's name implies, should be about 'growth and learning'.
Engage more with martial arts, gain more experience.
Prepare for future adventures.
'There are twelve years left.'
Zhang Feng calculated that he still had 'almost a lifetime' in this world.
So he decided to quickly secure the first place, complete the main mission, and then begin serious training, cherishing the twelve years of martial arts experience to come.
...
Half a month later.
South-North Martial Arts Gathering.
Twenty-plus people from Xingyi and Shaolin arrived successively at the Baji headquarters.
The representative of Xingyi, thirty years old, was a cold man of short stature.
The Shaolin representative, twenty-seven years old, had a slightly darker skin tone and appeared very 'robust'.
They were at the peak of their strength.
"Uncles and elders, greetings."
Upon arriving at the large compound prepared for the duel.
The two representatives paid respects to some elders within the Baji sect.
"Who will my disciple compete against?"
The elders from Xingyi and Shaolin, who brought the two here, chatted with acquaintances from the Baji sect.
"My disciple." The master, hearing their inquiry, happily pointed to Zhang Feng behind him.
"Greetings, elders. I am Zhang Feng." Zhang Feng stepped forward and cupped his fists, evaluating his two opponents.
The two opponents were also evaluating Zhang Feng.
But some elders from Xingyi and Shaolin frowned a bit.
"Why is he just a young lad?"
"Is your Baji not joking?"
"We don't want to take advantage."
"Change someone! Change someone!"
Xingyi and Shaolin both voiced concerns, feeling the age difference was inappropriate.
Even if they won, it wouldn't be very honorable.
Yet, as Zhang Feng planted his feet firmly and raised his arms behind him, as if drawing a bow.
Hoo—
First came a Baji sweeping strike.
Then, he turned and leaned back, boom, his foot stomped the ground, forming a fierce Xingyi Bear Back Mountain move.
'He's mastered our Xingyi skills?' The Xingyi people fell silent.
Whoosh—
Zhang Feng finished his move, turned, his single hand swaying like a snake, his sleeve rustling, finally standing upright, swinging down, performing Shaolin's 'Bone Searching' grappling technique.
'He's mastered Shaolin grappling too?'
The solid-built Shaolin representative watched as his right eye twitched, and finally, he was the first to bow with the Buddhist salute:
"This external disciple not only trains Baji to its essence but also masters the essence of Xingyi and Shaolin.
No need to compete, I, this humble monk, am no match.
May the wisdom of today's Longshu Bodhisattva understand."
He bowed, and several monks who came with him also made a Buddhist salutation.
Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, the few turned and left the compound.
Click—
The car door of a nearby vehicle opened.
'Vroom,' the small car sped away.
Shaolin acknowledged their inferiority and graciously conceded.
Without even competing.
"Haha..." An elder from Baji laughed then, but his laughter soon turned into sighs, "Times have changed. In this colorful world, who can be like Nephew Zhang Feng, wholeheartedly pursuing martial arts?
His achievements are indeed unmatched, perhaps with no successors."
The elder shook his head, rose, and left the spectating area.
He was too disappointed.
"Indeed..." a Xingyi elder also quietly sighed, "If it were thirty years ago when I was in my prime, I would have wanted to spar with this young gentleman, test my skills."
After speaking, he looked at the representative from his sect,
"Let's go, you are no match.
Zhang Feng has been training since childhood, never veering from the path, not something a latecomer's skills like yours can compare with.
If your parents had sent you here since you were young, perhaps you could have tried."
The Xingyi representative did not respond, instead, he fixed his gaze on Zhang Feng,
"Please!"
He finished speaking, readying his starting posture.
Left hand and left foot forward, right palm pressing down while the right foot moved back.
It was a Dragon Form starting move, also the initiation of a Counter-Step Drill Fist, yet it also resembled a transformation in the Breaking Palm.
The Dragon is revered as a divine beast.
Having the power to ascend the skies and roam the earth, unpredictable with divine power.
The Dragon Form naturally showcased a flexible and versatile fist technique.
"Please!"
Zhang Feng slowly extended his left hand, his fist showing, grand and open, like a Baji swinging punch.
"Has it started?" The elders who were about to leave paused their steps upon seeing the spar about to begin.
Hoo—
Seeing him not making a move, Zhang Feng took the initiative to attack first, delivering a swinging punch to break through his central point at seven inches.
The Xingyi representative, seeing Zhang Feng's fierce approach, stepped forward with his right foot, tapping the ground lightly like a dragonfly touching the surface of the water, taking a sideways step as his body simultaneously shifted to the right, his right hand seemingly drawing a bow to gather power.
He ultimately turned it into a Drill Fist.
'Four transformations!' The surrounding observers' eyes glowed, surprised that this Xingyi representative displayed four variations within a single move.