Chapter 2, Square Competition

In the square, nearly a hundred people were already sweating, divided into two areas for adults and youths. Some practiced alone, while others wielded wooden swords and guns, engaging in duels. He approached the burly man who had been instructing everyone in the morning and called out, "Uncle Lin."

It is also possible that being too full has caused it to be damaged

When Chen Guanglin launched his attack again, the tip of the wooden stick made a thrust, precisely targeting the weak point just below his right knee. Chen Guanglin didn't even need to calculate; before his own wooden sword could reach the opponent's head, he was certain to be hit first. He couldn't help but retreat once more, but each time he attacked, it seemed as if Chen Zining had anticipated his thoughts, with the spearhead consistently aimed at his critical vulnerability.

Seeing his resolute expression, Chen Zining had no choice but to agree

Chen Guanglin expressed great interest and turned to Chen Zining, saying: "Let’s give it a try."

Chen Guanglin's eyes lit up as he watched from the side. He clearly felt that Chen Zining's movements were exceptionally relaxed and effortless, wielding the wooden sword with the same mastery as a calligrapher with their brush, achieving a state of transcendence. The sound of the wooden weapons clashing was not loud, indicating that he was not exerting much effort, yet it forced his proud disciple to retreat step by step, becoming disordered in form, and utterly unable to turn the tide.

After a while, unable to contain himself, Chen Zikang shouted, and with a flick of the wooden stick in his hand, he unleashed a flurry of strikes towards Chen Zining, accompanied by a faint whistling sound.

Chen Zining secretly broke into a sweat upon hearing this, thinking to himself: "You really hit the nail on the head, but I am not possessed by a martial god; rather, I am possessed by a cultivator from another world."

At the moment he was distracted, Chen Zining reversed the knife and struck the wrists of his opponent's hands. Chen Zikang immediately felt his hands go numb, unable to channel any internal energy, and involuntarily loosened his grip, allowing the wooden stick to be seized from him

Chen Zining gazed at the approaching muzzle, slowly extending the wooden sword in his hand forward. He exerted only a third of his strength, gently twisting the front end of the wooden stick, precisely at the moment when Chen Zikang's old strength had been exhausted and his new strength had yet to be generated

Indeed, at the very beginning, Chen Zining did not launch an attack; instead, he pointed the long staff in his hand towards the central hall of Chen Guanglin, standing in an unsteady manner, with a smile on his face as he gazed at the other party

Chen Zining advanced instead of retreating. With a misstep, he swung the wooden sword downward, striking a point before smoothly extending it, aiming to slice at Chen Zikang's fingers. Chen Zikang retreated once more.

Chen Zikang's face flushed as he said, "You are cunning, deliberately using words to deceive me. This time, I will not fall for your trick."

Start

With a command, more than sixty youths stood upright, calming their minds and dispelling distractions, executing a set of Tiger Fist with great vigor, their movements synchronized.

After having breakfast, Chen Zining rested for a while and then went to the square. In the afternoon, he practiced with equipment, focusing mainly on a set of sword techniques, a set of spear techniques, archery practice, and several combined formations. There were no particularly special names; all were martial arts passed down from the military, with some modifications made according to the characteristics of the mountains.

The group of young boys laughed and played for a while before each went home to have their meals

A slightly shorter boy next to him interjected, "Yes, you bookworm should read fewer books. I remember you haven't leveled up in almost a year. Be careful, Ah Jie might surpass you in less than six months."

Chen Guanglin waved his hand to shoo away a few troublemakers and said to Chen Zikang, "You didn't go easy on them, did you?"

Chen Zining immediately exclaimed in distress: "Lin Bo, stop joking around. You knocked me flying with a single strike when you took the stage."

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone turned their gaze towards the young man beside Chen Zining, their faces filled with envy. Chen Zining suddenly slapped Chen Zijie on the shoulder, regardless of the latter's grimacing, and said: "Well, you really caught up with this, huh? Now where am I supposed to put your brother's face?"

This is clearly a manifestation of having mastered the true essence of swordsmanship; even he, under the same force, would not be able to achieve such an effect

Chen Guanglin had no choice but to retract the momentum he had been building up, pulling back his body. If a fourteen-year-old junior were to leave a white mark on his clothing, it would be quite embarrassing, especially in front of the books. He twisted the wooden knife in his hand, directing it towards the long stick. Chen Zining did not wish to engage in a contest of strength, so he lowered the wooden stick, allowing a path to open.

At present, the two individuals stood facing each other at a distance of one zhang, while some exhausted youths nearby also paused to gather around and watch.

Chen Zining put down the wooden sword and picked up Chen Zikang's wooden stick. He understood that even if Chen Guanglin used the same amount of force as him, with his combat experience, it would be impossible for his opponent to easily close the distance. Moreover, with a wooden stick, the saying "an inch longer, an inch stronger" applies; by leveraging this advantage, he could seize the opponent's weaknesses and restrain their hands and feet, thus securing an invulnerable position.

Unlike the mandatory morning exercises, the practice in the afternoon is voluntary; however, most idle youths will attend. After all, it is far better to learn from the best teacher in the village and engage in sparring with peers than to ponder alone.

Chen Guanglin nodded at him and said: "Zining, your techniques are well-practiced, but you lack sparring practice. Zikang! Come here."

Chen Zikang smiled at Chen Zining and said, "Zining, did you hear that? No mercy allowed. If I end up making you look disheveled later, don't blame me." As he spoke, he poked one end of a cloth-wrapped stick into a wooden barrel filled with white powder.

With a smile on his face, Chen Zining, in an instant, found his entire being immersed in an incredible realm and the world of books. Compared to before, his true energy had not increased significantly, but the insights and combat experiences accumulated over a thousand years of cultivation by Qingwuzi had integrated into his soul. Although one pertains to martial arts and the other to spiritual cultivation, all methods converge into one, revealing their inherent connections.

As Chen Zikang's wooden stick slipped from his grip, he felt a sense of losing control. Just as he was about to change his move, he saw Chen Zining take a quick step forward, closing the distance by two feet, with the wooden sword aimed directly at his advancing position. Consequently, he had no choice but to step back, twisting the wooden stick to sweep towards Chen Zining's lower body, attempting to disrupt his opponent's footing.

After practicing the boxing technique twice, everyone was slightly sweating. The strong man then called out several young individuals by name, pointing out their shortcomings. Finally, he said: "The morning exercises are merely to prevent everyone from being lazy; true effort relies on your self-discipline in daily practice. Yesterday, Zijie broke through to the sixth level; you should learn more from him. Alright, dismissed"

Chen Guanglin is three years older than Chen Guangming. He is the chief instructor of the village, possessing the eighth level of martial arts cultivation, second only to the elder clan leader in the clan

A tall and muscular young man ran over, holding a wooden stick, one end of which was wrapped in cloth.

What a beautiful thought

Chen Guanglin raised the wooden knife in his hand, and as he moved his body, he intended to approach Chen Zining. However, just as he initiated his movement, the tip of a gun wrapped in cloth appeared before his eyes and the book, precisely at the position of his heart, as if he had voluntarily presented his vital point.

Chen Zijie is more than two years younger than him, but now he has already caught up. If it weren't for yesterday's unexpected adventure, he would still be envious of him.

Rest assured, I will only use strength comparable to that of a sixth-level martial artist

Chen Zikang rolled his eyes and said: "How could that be? I am just as confused. This kid seems to be possessed by a martial god, as he always seizes my weaknesses and takes the initiative every time."

Chen Guanglin pointed at Chen Zining and said, "You and Zining should have a duel, no mercy, to see if you two have made any progress these days." After saying this, he handed a wooden sword to Chen Zining

Chen Zijie broke free from his grasp, rubbed his shoulders, and rolled his eyes, saying: "Who can be blamed for this? While you are busy holding your books all day, I have been diligently practicing my energy cultivation"

A match concluded so casually, and aside from Chen Guanglin, who sensed something amiss, the others were completely baffled, unable to understand why Chen Zining only took a few steps, tapped with his wooden sword a few times, and his opponent's wooden stick slipped from his grasp

Chen Zining brandished a wooden sword in several poses and retorted, "What a joke, it's not like I haven't sparred with you before. Who was it last time that got poked in the backside by me twice?"

The several youths exclaimed with laughter, "Zikang, what’s wrong with you? Did you not have enough to eat this morning?"