Chapter 25: First Display of Prowess

"Since the Xu family is opening for business, as fellow residents of Dongxi Village, my Xu family naturally cannot fail to show our respects."

"Here are ten Qi and Blood Pills, my congratulatory gift for this occasion."

"Second Master Xu's gift is quite valuable," Xu Chuan said with a faint smile.

Xu Zhen said, "This gift naturally doesn't come so easily. I've heard that your Xu family also has quite a few children practicing martial arts. How about having them compete with my Xu family's young men?"

"It would also add to the excitement of your opening. What do you say?"

Xu Chuan lowered his head in thought. Xu Mingxuan said, "Father, ten Qi and Blood Pills, it would be foolish not to take them. Let me be the vanguard."

Seeing him so eager, Xu Chuan smiled knowingly, then looked at Xu Zhen, "Second Master Xu, then let's have a few matches, stopping at a certain point."

"When martial artists spar, injuries to tendons and bones are unavoidable. If you're afraid, you can refuse."

"Enough nonsense. I'll go first. Who will you send out?"

"Yes, Great-grandfather."

The person who came out was half a head taller than Xu Mingxuan, also around eleven or twelve years old.

Everyone was happy to watch the excitement and made way one after another, giving them enough space to compete.

Although Xu Mingxuan's destiny talent didn't provide strong support for the martial path, his comprehension was quite good. He learned techniques and martial skills extremely quickly.

This was why he and Li Zhi were noticed by a peak of Postnatal expert from Heavenly Dragon Martial Hall and taken as disciples.

Although only nine years old, with the Xu family's full support, he was already a martial artist who had opened over twenty acupoints. As for Li Zhi, his martial arts talent was much higher than Xu Mingxuan's.

He was only one step away from becoming a third-rate martial artist.

Xu Feng had only opened sixteen or seventeen acupoints. His internal energy was already inferior to Xu Mingxuan's, and his martial skills were also not as good. He was defeated in just over ten moves.

Xu Mingxuan held back, only injuring Xu Feng's arm.

This bearing drew praise from the surrounding people.

"What a fine young man!"

"This Xu family teaches their children well!"

"They will surely rise to prominence in the future."

Xu Mingxuan looked at Xu Zhen and the others and said, "Who's next?"

"What an arrogant boy. Xu Wei, you go."

"Yes, Great-grandfather."

Xu Wei was fifteen or sixteen years old. His attacks were ruthless. Without another word, he reached out with a claw strike toward Xu Mingxuan's heart.

Xu Mingxuan responded calmly.

Although he lacked internal energy, martial artist competitions weren't purely about comparing the amount of internal energy.

The application of martial techniques could equally become the key to victory or defeat.

Bang bang bang~

After several dozen consecutive moves, Xu Mingxuan knew that if he continued, he would definitely lose. So he deliberately showed an opening, luring Xu Wei in deep.

Then, using a method of mutual destruction, he broke one of his arms. However, he himself also suffered internal injuries.

Bai Jing looked worried. Xu Chuan also said, "Mingxuan, you've won two matches in a row. You've had enough fun. Come back."

"Let your elder brother go for the rest."

"Yes, Father."

Xu Zhen's face was ugly as he glared at Xu Wei.

Xu Wei was also embarrassed and didn't dare to look directly at him.

Xu Zhen sighed slightly in his heart. Today he had brought the Xu family's most outstanding children but two people in succession couldn't even defeat a nine-year-old boy.

Perhaps in another ten years or so, the Xu family would no longer be able to resist the rise of the Xu family.

Xu Mao was also angry and cursed, "Second Uncle, let Qian'er go up. He'll definitely win face for our Xu family."

"That's the only option."

"Father, Great-grandfather, rest assured. Qian'er will definitely not disgrace the Xu family's reputation."

Xu Qian walked to the center of the field and shouted loudly at Xu Chuan and the others, "I am Xu Qian. Who from your Xu family will fight?"

"Xu Qian, I've heard of him. He's a genius of Black Tiger Martial Hall. Just past twenty, he's already a second-rate martial artist, one of the geniuses in Black Tiger Martial Hall with hope of reaching peak of Postnatal."

"I think the Xu family is in trouble this time. Their eldest son is five or six years younger than him."

"And I heard that only three sons from the Xu family entered the martial hall."

Yang Zhao listened to those words and looked at Xu Chuan, "Brother Xu, do you need me to step in?"

"Brother Yang, I invited you today only to observe. This small matter doesn't require your intervention."

Yang Zhao looked thoughtful.

At the restaurant across the street, second floor.

"Young master, I think the Xu family is going to lose. That person from the Xu family looks very formidable. Xiao Mei faintly heard he has second-rate martial artist strength."

"A second-rate martial artist just past twenty is indeed not bad. He has hope of reaching peak of Postnatal, but the innate realm is remote."

"Let's see how the Xu family responds."

Chang Haowen was unconcerned and continued drinking wine and watching the show.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "Shitou, you go. Don't let down the Xu family's reputation."

"Yes, Father."

Xu Mingwei had been practicing martial arts since he was six years old, day and night without rest, never boasting.

Today, Xu Chuan's words meant he need not remain dormant anymore.

His heart was also excited. He walked with the gait of a dragon and tiger into the field, his eyes like torches, looking directly at Xu Qian.

The aura he unconsciously revealed made even Yang Zhao take notice. He couldn't help but sigh, "I originally thought your third son was already outstanding, but seeing the eldest son's bearing, I now know what it means to be a dragon among men!"

Bai Jing was very happy to hear this, "Brother Yang, you praise him too much. Shitou hasn't properly practiced martial arts. He only practices casually with his father in his spare time."

"Sister-in-law is truly modest," Yang Zhao said with a smile.

Xu Mingwei looked at Xu Qian, turned his right palm upward in a respectful gesture, and said loudly, "Brother Xu, please!"

Xu Qian didn't say much either. His figure moved suddenly like a ghost, dodging left and right with afterimages appearing, difficult for the eye to follow.

In an instant, he was already like an arrow from a bow, closing in on Xu Mingwei.

Seeing that he didn't move, Xu Qian sneered, raised his hand into a fist, and fiercely smashed toward his face.

Xu Mingwei's left hand moved slightly.

Only hearing a "peng" sound, Xu Qian's fist was easily blocked by Xu Mingwei's palm.

Then his hand, like a flood dragon's claw, turned and tightly gripped Xu Qian's wrist.

One retreat, one pull.

Xu Qian couldn't resist and directly performed a full split.

He only felt a pull in his lower body.

Egg pain!

He couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.

Seeing this, everyone understood what had happened and couldn't help but laugh.

Xu Mingwei also didn't expect this to happen. With one arm, he lifted him up, intending to throw him out.

Xu Qian took the opportunity to kick toward his chest but it was blocked by Xu Mingwei's other hand, and then he was thrown out by an irresistible force.

"Brother Xu, you're not my match. You'd better have someone else come."

…

Chang Haowen's pupils contracted slightly, "I didn't expect Xu Mingwei to have such strength. I really didn't see it last time."

"At fifteen years old, comparable to a first-rate martial artist. If he can reach peak of Postnatal before the age of twenty, or even go further and break through to innate, that would be the qualifications of a grandmaster. Becoming a grandmaster with a lifespan of one hundred and twenty years would be enough to establish a prominent family in the commandery capital."

"That blockhead is actually this formidable!" Xiao Mei exclaimed in surprise, looking at Xu Mingwei outside the window with admiring glances.

"What, are you moved?"

"No, I'm just curious that a country family could produce such a remarkable figure. Even in the commandery capital, this isn't common, right?"

"Don't underestimate these common families at the bottom. Who knows how many prominent families climbed up step by step like this?"

"Understood, young master."

Xu Mingwei easily handling the genius from Black Tiger Martial Hall amazed people. However, he cupped his fists toward Xu Zhen, "I've long heard of Second Master Xu's reputation. This junior would like to seek your guidance today. Would that be possible?"