Chapter 655: Tianzhou Martial Arts—I'm In!

Qiao Zhenyu stood there, his back straight as a ruler, his gaze fixed rigidly on Chi Tian Yi Lang.

His mind raced, running through every possible scenario he could think of, and the uneasy feeling in his heart grew ever stronger.

Ying Kingdom people never engage in losing trades; they produced the Zhenhai Technique, and it could not possibly be just to humiliate Tianzhou Martial Arts.

The Zhenhai Technique is a Heaven-level Technique, and throughout the Xia Kingdom Martial Arts community it is considered a top-tier existence!

They have held it in their hands for decades, and suddenly this time they brandished it as a wager; there must be a larger scheme behind it.

Chi Tian Yi Lang looked at Qiao Zhenyu's tense face, and the smile at the corner of his mouth deepened.

He took two steps forward, moved to the edge of the arena, stood with his hands behind his back, looked down from his height at the angry, silent faces below, and spoke at an unhurried pace, his voice carrying a patronizing tone.

"No, no, no, my Ying Kingdom Martial Way is flourishing, so this time we want nothing from you."

He paused, and his smile became more playful.

"Just… one chance."

Qiao Zhenyu's brows knit into a furrow, his voice heavy as if a stone were pressing down.

"A chance? What exactly do you want?"

Chi Tian Yi Lang lifted one hand, spreading his five fingers as if measuring something invisible.

His gaze swept over the angry faces on the stand, then returned to Qiao Zhenyu; his voice was low, yet each word hammered into the ears of everyone present like a nail.

"It's simple. I've heard that your Xia Kingdom's quinquennial World Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin. Your Tianzhou Martial Arts seem… in recent years to have lost the strength to compete."

"Rather than waste this slot for nothing, why not give this chance to us Ying Kingdom?"

The moment those words were spoken, the air in the training ground seemed to be sucked out instantly.

Lu Zhanlian was the first to charge forward; the white‑haired elder resembled an enraged old lion, his voice hoarse and angry as he pointed toward Chi Tian Yi Lang.

"Damned Wokou! What right do you have to join the World Martial Arts Tournament? You are nothing but petty scurrying insects, yet you dare covet our Xia Kingdom Martial Arts grand event?"

The few disciples of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall behind him also shouted, few in number, but their voices carried a resentment and unwillingness long suppressed.

Wu Tongze stood amid the crowd, his clenched fists clicking, his eyes fixed on the roll of Zhenhai Technique in Chi Tian Yi Lang's hand, his lips trembling, yet not uttering a single word.

He knew this matter had already exceeded his personal grudges, involving the entire Tianzhou Martial Arts and the destiny of the whole Xia Kingdom.

Qiao Zhenyu's complexion had sunk to the valley bottom.

He stared at Chi Tian Yi Lang's face bearing a false smile, and the anger inside him roiled.

He never imagined that Ying Kingdom people would still dare to reach for the World Martial Arts Tournament.

That is the highest‑level martial arts gala of the Xia Kingdom, the supreme stage where Xia warriors display strength and vie for destiny. In each tournament, the top three have the chance to draw the Xia Kingdom's martial destiny for nourishment, a foundation that has gathered the essence of Xia's martial arts over centuries.

The Ying Kingdom's scheme is exactly this: they intend to use Tianzhou's slot to enter the tournament and steal the Xia Kingdom's martial destiny.

Qiao Zhenyu knows very well how rapidly Ying Kingdom's martial arts have progressed in recent years; not only has their overall strength surged, but even Martial Ancestor‑level warriors have emerged.

If they were truly allowed to participate in the World Martial Arts Tournament using Tianzhou Martial Arts' qualification, with their prowess they could likely achieve excellent results.

Once they stand on that award podium, a large portion of the Xia Kingdom's martial destiny would be siphoned away, a crippling blow to the entire Xia martial arts.

He inhaled deeply, his voice bearing a decisive firmness.

"Chi Tian Yi Lang, give up that wish. My Tianzhou will not agree to you. The slot for the World Martial Arts Tournament is a sacred relic of the Imperial Martial Arts Community, and can never be handed over!"

He paused, his voice becoming even more stern.

"The Zhenhai Technique will certainly be reclaimed by our Tianzhou, but not by exchanging the Heaven-level Technique slot. If you truly have skill, prove it on the arena!"

Chi Tian Yi Lang looked at him, and the smile on his face finally contracted a bit.

He glanced down at the Zhenhai Technique in his hand, then looked up at the angry, resolute faces below, let out a cold laugh, his voice growing even more chilling.

"General Qiao sounds hard‑spirited. Yet your Tianzhou can't even muster three talents capable of taking the stage; what do you have to fight me with?"

He re‑rolled the Zhenhai Technique, poised to slip it back into his chest.

"Since you won't accept, we will take the Zhenhai Technique back. It can't be that a Heaven-level Technique is reclaimed by you with a few casual words, can it?"

His movements were neither hurried nor slow, as if deliberately stalling to pressure Qiao Zhenyu.

His gaze swept over the angry faces, as if appreciating a meticulously staged performance.

As he was about to fully conceal the Zhenhai Technique, a voice rang out from behind the crowd.

"Wait."

Chi Tian Yi Lang's motion paused.

His brows twitched slightly as he looked toward the direction of the voice.

Jiang Feng stepped out from behind Qiao Zhenyu.

His stride was neither fast nor slow, hands still in his pockets, his posture casual as if strolling. He walked through the angry, silent crowd, reached the front of the arena, lifted his head, gazed at Chi Tian Yi Lang standing at the arena's edge, his mouth curving slightly into a faint arc.

"This contest…"

His voice was low, yet everyone in the training ground heard it.

"I, representing Tianzhou Martial Arts, accept."

With those words, the entire hall erupted in a roar!

Lu Zhanlian, who had previously been very grateful to Jiang Feng, roared in anger: "What are you, and on what authority do you decide for my Tianzhou Martial Arts! Do you know how huge the impact of this matter is?"

Even Qiao Zhenyu's complexion changed drastically at that moment, and he whispered beside Jiang Feng:

"Uncle Master, should we still deliberate on this matter? If any problem arises, we could become criminals of the Empire!"

Chi Tian Yi Lang stood at the arena's edge, lowered his head to look at Jiang Feng, his expression shifting.

His sharp, predatory eyes scanned Jiang Feng repeatedly, as if reassessing the young man's weight.

He lingered in silence for a few breaths, then a cold smile returned to his mouth, his voice tinged with contempt.

"You? A kid not even a single hair grown, yet you dare to stand up for Tianzhou Martial Arts?"

Then, his gaze turned to Qiao Zhenyu, calling him by name directly.

"Qiao Zhenyu, you are at least a Heavenly Person Expert, Commander of Tianzhou Military Office! How could you let a kid command at will?"

Jiang Feng gave Qiao Zhenyu a faint glance.

"If you trust me, accept it! This Time, I guarantee Tianzhou Martial Arts will Rise!"

As soon as those words were spoken, Qiao Zhenyu stared fixedly at Jiang Feng's eyes.

"Good! I trust Uncle!"

He turned and looked toward Chi Tian Yi Lang.

"Chi, this wager, I, Tianzhou Martial Arts, accept!"