Chapter Twenty: Choosing Martial Arts

Tianhai Sect!

The vast square was utterly silent; not a sound was heard, and the atmosphere had frozen into a heavy stillness. On the Life-and-Death Platform, Wei Wuya, who had been so loud and arrogant just moments before, now lay weak and gasping at the bottom of a deep pit, his caved-in chest still heaving faintly. Luo Hao’s gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over the edges of the stage, where the silence was almost suffocating.

Many disciples of the Tianhai Sect who had just mocked Luo Hao for his arrogance now felt their cheeks burning with shame; the outcome of the duel was like a giant slap, mercilessly landing on their faces. Beneath the stage, Su Yao’s delicate lips parted in astonishment, her inner turmoil evident—Qi Spirit Fifth Realm against Qi Spirit Ninth Realm, and yet the slightly gaunt figure on the stage had crossed four entire levels to victory.

“If others do not offend me, I will not offend them.”

His deep voice echoed around the Life-and-Death Platform as Luo Hao surveyed the crowd. If this had been said before, few would have taken it seriously, but now Wei Wuya, at Qi Spirit Ninth Realm, lay dying, and the blood on the platform was still wet.

No one spoke. Luo Hao glanced back at Wei Wuya, lying in the pit. “I have always been merciful—today I’ll spare your life. But if you dare provoke me again, you’ll bear the consequences yourself.”

With that, he turned and left the platform without another word. As he departed, the surrounding martial artists instinctively stepped aside to clear a path for him, and the disciples of the Ziwei Pavilion, in particular, hid behind the crowd.

As soon as Luo Hao had gone far enough, Su Yao hurried after him, and only then did the martial artists around the platform begin to whisper among themselves. “He calls that merciful? Wei Wuya was nearly beaten to a pulp!” They glanced at Wei Wuya, shuddering at the sight.

“This time Wei Wuya has lost all face. Not only did he fail to teach the newcomer a lesson, but he’s also become a stepping stone for someone else’s fame.” Many martial artists around the stage began to discuss the outcome, and those who had harbored grievances against Wei Wuya laughed gleefully. Amid the ridicule, several Ziwei Pavilion disciples who had been shouting moments before quietly carried the unconscious Wei Wuya away, leaving without a backward glance.

In the pavilion at the top of the one hundred thousand steps, Han Linger and Su Yu looked at Luo Hao in surprise as he appeared. “It’s only been half an hour. Did Wei Wuya cancel the duel?”

“That shameless fellow was dealt with by me. He’s big and tall, but turned out to be nothing special,” Luo Hao replied, flicking his hair with a flourish before the two women, putting on the lonely air of a master.

“You’re not saying you actually beat Wei Wuya, are you?” Su Yu was clearly skeptical, and Han Linger wore the same look of disbelief. Qi Spirit Fifth Realm against Ninth—four whole levels, how could he possibly have won? Did he really think they were just empty-headed girls from the mundane world?

“Elder sister, this little scoundrel did beat Senior Brother Wei, and quite ruthlessly. Senior Brother Wei was nearly unrecognizable after the fight.” Su Yao had just entered the pavilion and now stood beside Su Yu, looking at Luo Hao as if he were some kind of monster.

Luo Hao felt unsettled under Su Yao’s gaze. Then Su Yao added, “And this little scoundrel actually managed to achieve unity with his martial technique.” Her voice was thick with disbelief.

“Unity with the martial technique!”

Those four simple words made both Han Linger and Su Yu’s hearts race as they looked at Luo Hao as if he were a rare beast. “You’re so young—how did you do it?”

“Ahem, I know I’m handsome, but you don’t have to look at me like that. I have things to do, so I’ll be off.” With that, Luo Hao made his escape from the pavilion, afraid the three women would pester him with questions. To be honest, he didn’t know how he had achieved the unity with his martial technique himself.

After Luo Hao’s figure disappeared, Elder Qingyang, who had been meditating, suddenly opened his eyes and murmured, “Unity with the martial technique… excellent, excellent.” No one could fathom the meaning behind his words.

“Goddess, look—it’s the beautiful senior sisters! I knew Tianhai Sect would be the beginning of my springtime!” Many new disciples who had just ascended the one hundred thousand steps gazed at the three women in the pavilion, eyes aglow with admiration.

They had all been so engrossed in the Life-and-Death duel just now that they hadn’t noticed the splendor within the pavilion. Now, for the first time, they realized there was a reward for the agony of climbing the steps.

“Look, that new disciple was just chatting happily with the pretty senior sisters. Let’s go over too!” Many newcomers, hearts pounding, headed toward their goddesses.

“Welcome to Tianhai Sect, junior brothers,” Su Yu greeted them warmly as they entered the pavilion, causing a wave of delight among the crowd of eager young men. But in the next moment, a chill emanated from Han Linger, dousing their excitement. She spoke coldly, “All new disciples, wait to the side until the assessment is over, or you’ll be punished for breaking sect rules.”

Her words made the new disciples shiver and obediently line up to the side, looking like wilted eggplants. Many of the young men were nearly mad with envy of Luo Hao.

Leaning against an ancient pine, a blade of grass between his lips, Luo Hao basked in the warm sunlight. After the duel with Wei Wuya, no one dared provoke him lightly; some even avoided him altogether.

But only Luo Hao knew how much pressure he was under now—he needed to improve his cultivation quickly, or the disciples from the Ziwei Pavilion would surely come for revenge. He did not believe that Wei Wuya would let this matter rest.

“Friend, my name is Yan Longyuan. May I sit here?” A young man in white robes, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, approached Luo Hao beneath the ancient pine, his expression full of heroic spirit.

“Yan Longyuan? The first to reach the summit—impressive. I’m Luo Hao. Take a seat.” Luo Hao smiled faintly at the man before him. For some reason, he felt that Yan Longyuan had the same innate pride as Zhan Wuji, but it was a pride that didn’t feel overbearing.

“Brother Luo, on your first day in Tianhai Sect, you made enemies with the Ziwei Pavilion. Isn’t it a bit too conspicuous?” Yan Longyuan glanced at him, his words a subtle warning.

“Brother Yan, do you think I wanted trouble? Wei Wuya kept pushing me—like I said on the Life-and-Death Platform, if others don’t offend me, I won’t offend them.” Spitting out the blade of grass, Luo Hao sighed. Sometimes, you don’t seek trouble, but trouble comes looking for you.

“Haha! Well said—‘if others do not offend me, I will not offend them.’ Friend, my name is Sikong Xuan. You were truly bold and heroic on the platform just now. I’m a straightforward person, and I think the three of us should become sworn brothers.” Just as Luo Hao finished speaking, a powerful voice rang out, and a sturdy figure appeared before Yan Longyuan and Luo Hao.

This newcomer radiated a wild, imposing aura, as if explosive strength was coiled within his muscular frame. But his hearty, straightforward nature matched Luo Hao’s temperament perfectly.

“Brother, I like the sound of that. What do you think, Brother Luo?” Yan Longyuan seemed very interested in Sikong Xuan’s suggestion, and both men looked at Luo Hao.

“Heh, anyone who treats me as a brother is my brother. Naturally, I have no objections. From today on, the three of us are brothers—sharing fortune and facing adversity together.” Imitating the tone of a hero from a movie, Luo Hao stood up with great flair.

“Hahahaha!”

The three of them exchanged glances beneath the ancient pine, then burst into hearty laughter. In the distance, Jian Lingyun, Lin Feng, and others were immediately drawn by their laughter. Some new disciples watched the three with curiosity, wanting to go over and greet them, but someone pulled them back, whispering, “Are you crazy? Those three were the first to reach the top of the one hundred thousand steps, and that Luo Hao even defeated someone at Qi Spirit Ninth Realm. That’s not a circle you can just join.”

“The entrance assessment is now over.” As the last rays of the setting sun faded, Elder Qingyang rose from his meditation and announced the end of the assessment. With a wave of his hand, those who had not reached the summit were instantly expelled from the mountain, reappearing at the foot of Zhen Tian Peak. Many disappointed trialists could only sigh and leave.

“Five hundred have passed this assessment. We will now officially admit five hundred new disciples. All newcomers, go to the newcomer quarters to rest. Tomorrow morning, gather in the square.” With that, Elder Qingyang’s figure vanished from the pavilion.

As soon as Elder Qingyang departed, Luo Hao and the other five hundred new disciples were divided into two groups, male and female, and led away by two senior disciples. As Luo Hao left, he glanced back at the pavilion, only to find that Su Yu, Su Yao, and Han Linger had already disappeared. “Damn, I still don’t know the names of those two beautiful senior sisters.”

Under the guidance of a disciple, Luo Hao and the others arrived at the newcomer rest area, where he found the accommodations quite good: there was a table, a bed, and on the table a scroll—which, without even looking, he knew contained the rules of Tianhai Sect.

The room was far better than his old school dormitory, and spiritual energy suffused the air. Luo Hao sat on the bed and cultivated all night using the Twin Dragons Dominating the World technique.

When the sun rose the next day, he sensed that the dragon force within him had grown slightly. He discarded his ragged clothes, put on the new disciple’s robe issued the day before, and washed himself thoroughly.

After changing and grooming himself, Luo Hao’s appearance transformed completely. Though not exactly handsome, perhaps due to his cultivation of dragon force, he exuded a robust, masculine energy.

When he arrived at the square, many people had already gathered, including Yan Longyuan and Sikong Xuan. Seeing him, the two came over and Sikong Xuan laughed, “Brother, you look even more manly in your new outfit, hahaha!”

Just then, Elder Qingyang appeared beneath the statue in the square, his voice calm: “Congratulations on joining Tianhai Sect. The founder of our sect, Elder Tianhai, established it ten thousand years ago. Behind me stands his statue.”

At this, whether Luo Hao or the other new disciples, they all gazed at the central statue with awe—after all, Elder Tianhai was a legendary figure who had founded an eternal sect.

Seeing their reverence, Elder Qingyang nodded in satisfaction. “Tianhai Sect is divided into five branches: Hall of Nonaction, Ziwei Pavilion, Jade Bamboo Peak, Leize Hall, and Ziling Peak. One month after joining, you will participate in the Newcomer Tournament, where the top three hundred by duel will enter one of the five branches. Remember, you will not only compete with your own year, but also with those from previous years who have not yet joined a branch. Here are your identification tokens.”

With a wave of his hand, countless rays of light flew out over the crowd. Luo Hao caught the one meant for him—a bronze token bearing his name on the front and “Tianhai” on the back.

“Elder, this isn’t fair! We’ve only just joined—how can we compete with them?” Suddenly, a voice interrupted. It was a blue-robed disciple, looking nervous under so many stares.

“There is no such thing as perfect fairness in this world!” Elder Qingyang’s words silenced the blue-robed disciple. Indeed, in this world, only the strong can talk of fairness; for the weak, it is a luxury.

Everyone fell silent as Elder Qingyang continued, “Every new disciple entering Tianhai Sect is entitled to enter the Divine Martial Pavilion once to select a martial technique. Shortly, you will be led there to make your choice.”

These words revived the spirits of the young crowd—most of whom were only sixteen or seventeen. The chance to pick a martial technique was a true delight.

“Yan Longyuan, Sikong Xuan, Luo Hao—you three were the first to reach the summit, and by tradition you will receive extra rewards.” Luo Hao’s heart burned with anticipation—this was the moment he had fought so hard for.

“Yan Longyuan, you may choose one additional martial technique from the Divine Martial Pavilion. Sikong Xuan, you may select a weapon from the Divine Weapon Hall. As for Luo Hao—a single Dustbreaker Pill.”

“Thank you, Elder.” The three replied in unison, but Luo Hao inwardly wept—after all that effort, just a pill? If Elder Qingyang knew what he was thinking, he’d probably want to slap him.

“Luo Hao, here is your Dustbreaker Pill.” With a flick of his hand, Elder Qingyang tossed a jade vial to Luo Hao, who accepted it with a calm expression, though many eyes in the crowd burned with envy.

“Jue Feng, take them to the Divine Martial Pavilion to choose their techniques,” Elder Qingyang said to a disciple behind him, then disappeared on the spot. The disciple named Jue Feng bowed to the departing elder, then led Luo Hao and the other newcomers toward the Divine Martial Pavilion of Tianhai Sect.