Chapter 0002: Challenge

Over the past decade, the name and anecdotes of the foolish young master Du Shaofu have long been known to everyone in private, becoming a household topic that cannot be avoided in casual conversations in Shicheng.

However, among those excited men who rushed up, very few could withstand three moves without being defeated. Within less than an hour, as many as two to three hundred people eagerly took to the arena, yet one by one they were continuously thrown off the stage. Only a dozen or so young boys and girls remained, panting heavily, and it was estimated that their energy was nearly exhausted as well

The martial arts techniques of the Du family are full of flaws, could it be that I am overthinking this

All eyes were drawn to the arena, and no one paid any attention to the figure of the young man on the desolate mountain.

Twenty strong men nodded with joy, as the guards of the Du family, this treatment is indeed different

A burly man with a scruffy beard and slightly dark skin gazed at a figure in the distance on the desolate mountain, murmuring softly.

Regarding the title of fool, over the years, Du Shaofu has never cared about it, and he even takes pleasure in seeing others truly regard him as a fool. Only in this way can he comprehend in front of the stone tablet without being disturbed by anyone

When the last lean man supported the third move at the cost of spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, Du Qi walked forward from a corner of the arena and looked at the man who had withstood three moves, saying: "Congratulations on your future membership in the Du Family Guard Corps. Those who are injured may go to the Du Family clinic for free treatment later."

Bang bang

Du Shaofu squeezed into the crowd and began to enjoy the excitement, observing the moves of those who should be considered his cousins on the arena. At times, he would furrow his brow, seemingly pondering something, and then his hands would subtly shift within his long sleeves

Well, it seems that there truly is no second method present here

Even those who are unable to attend will take this opportunity to witness the excitement and broaden their horizons, as such lively events are indeed rare to encounter in everyday life

Initially, the Du family sent people to manage the situation and sought medical treatment for the individuals involved, but there was no effect whatsoever. Therefore, after a prolonged period, the Du family had no choice but to give up.

After feeling the changes within his body over the past ten years since comprehending the first form inscribed on the stone tablet, Du Shaofu revealed a satisfied smile on his face. The mysterious first form within the stone tablet seemed to be specifically designed for those with wasted meridians, as it was capable of repairing martial meridians, allowing those with wasted martial meridians to cultivate.

In front of the Du family's gate, a large crowd had gathered early in the morning, their low murmurs coalescing into a lively and noisy clamor. Today is the day the Du family is recruiting guards, and those eager to participate had already lined up in front of the arena, each one rubbing their fists in anticipation, eager to try their skills.

Since then, this young master frequently went to stand before that stone tablet. Initially, he would stand there for several hours, but gradually the duration increased, his eyes becoming vacant and dazed, exhibiting strange behaviors, and at times even gesturing wildly in front of the stone tablet

However, I have now gained some understanding. A fool on the path of martial arts, yet unable to receive support from the clan's resources, while these resources are precisely what I need. Moreover, being treated as a fool every day is not a good thing. In these ten years, the things I have lost, I believe it is time for me to gradually reclaim them.

The younger generation of the Du family has emerged

Finally, there were twenty people who barely managed to withstand three moves. Many of them bore injuries, yet those who remained on the stage were all filled with excitement and exhilaration

This time, I must become the protector of the Du family, I will give it my all

How could the stone tablet break? There should be a second form following the first one.

Although the younger generation of the Du family is relatively young, they appear to handle the situation with ease when facing the burly men who leap onto the stage. With just a move or two, they are able to defeat each of the men who jump onto the platform, leaving many onlookers around them secretly astonished and increasingly in awe of the Du family

It is said that among the younger generation of the Du family, Du Yu and Du Xue possess exceptional talents, with a fifth-grade martial vein and a postnatal level of six at the age of fourteen. It is highly likely that they will step into the innate realm by the age of seventeen or eighteen, and to achieve the innate realm at such a young age is extremely rare.

Muttering softly in his mouth, amidst the crowd, Du Shaofu's expression grew increasingly perplexed. He had previously observed members of his family practicing martial arts, but at that time, he understood nothing. Later, as he grasped the technique inscribed on the stone tablet, he felt as though he could comprehend certain aspects of the Du family's martial arts.

Ding ding

The silvery dawn gradually revealed a reddish hue, with the morning glow reflecting across the entire sky of the stone city

At that moment, among the twenty men who had supported the three moves, one man with a face full of stubble, slightly dark skin, and a robust physique stepped forward, his expression slightly somber. He then looked at Du Qi and mustered his courage to ask: "Deputy Commander, does defeating or drawing with any of the younger members of the Du family mean that one can become the captain of the guard?"

Please slow down

The handprint solidified, and within Du Shaofu's palm, a surge of yellow energy flowed forth. His entire body trembled in the purple robe, causing the surrounding space to ripple with waves of energy, as if attempting to shatter the flow of energy. Suddenly, he exuded an inexplicable aura of dominance. "Having successfully cultivated this first form, my martial vein should be at around the second rank of others, right"

Everyone's gaze was fixed on the arena, and Du Shaofu walked down from the desolate mountain, yet no one paid him any attention

Du Shaofu emerged from the rubble, brushing off his robe with both hands. Dust swirled around him, and on his resolute and determined face, his gaze was bright and profound, with a faint glimmer of brilliance. In this moment, he bore no resemblance to the fool whose reputation echoed throughout the city.

A deep bell tolled, signaling the official start of the recruitment for guards. One by one, the burly men who had been waiting in line leaped onto the stage, engaging in combat with the young boys and girls.

Boom

As Du Shaofu retracted his handprint, the mysterious energy gradually dissipated within his palm, and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes. He was known as the village fool throughout the entire Stone City, and over the years, everyone had truly regarded him as a fool.

However, misfortunes do not come singly. On the very day when the pulse was declared void at the examination office, this young master of the Du family, in a fit of discontent, found himself before the stone tablet on the desolate mountain in the midst of a storm. As fate would have it, a bolt of lightning struck the stone tablet, which remained unscathed, while this unfortunate young master of the Du family suffered an undeserved calamity, awakening only three days later after being struck by lightning

Bang bang

At the very least, I will be able to cultivate in the future; however, I must find a way to remove the title of this fool.

In front of the Du family's main gate, many members of the Du family emerged, accompanied by numerous guards surrounding the area. In such a lively scene, no one dared to cause trouble.

Stop, the twenty positions have been filled, and the recruitment is now closed

Isn't it just three moves to counter? Let's go for it

After mastering the first form, one can restore their martial veins to a level comparable to that of others with second-grade martial veins. If in the future one can find the subsequent second and third forms, to what extent could their martial veins reach? This prospect filled Du Shaofu's heart with great anticipation

Among the dense crowd of onlookers outside the Du family residence, many were gazing from a distance at a desolate mountain before the side gate of the Du family. A young man in a purple robe was tinkering with something on that barren mountain. There was no need for speculation; everyone within Shicheng knew that the person could only be the foolish young master of the Du family.

That stone tablet seems to have disappeared, what a strange occurrence

In this world where martial arts flourish and are held in high esteem, the consequences of being unable to cultivate martial skills are evident. Given the current reputation and influence of the Du family in Shicheng, a young master of the Du family, even if unable to cultivate martial arts and lacking status within the clan, would at least be able to lead a respectable life

The dense and intricate cracks on the stone tablet are related to the restoration of martial veins. After all, coming from a family of martial artists, Du Shaofu feels that the level of martial veins within him at this moment should be comparable to that of others with second-grade martial veins

When it comes to Du Shaofu, as the young master of the Du family, he is undoubtedly regarded as a prodigy within the Stone City. However, when Du Shaofu was six years old, an examination of his martial veins revealed that he possessed a useless vein, rendering him incapable of cultivating martial arts

On the desolate mountain, Du Shaofu was rummaging through a pile of crushed stone powder, stirring up large clouds of dust. His once respectable purple robe was now covered in dust. He mumbled softly to himself, his face covered in dirt, which made his originally very white and neat teeth appear even whiter and cleaner.

Du Qi stepped onto the arena, facing the dense crowd of onlookers surrounding him, and declared: "The recruitment of guards begins now; those who can withstand three moves without defeat will become the guards of the Du family"

As Du Qi announced the conclusion, many men who were originally waiting to take the stage regretted missing their chance, wishing they had arrived earlier to queue for their turn. The crowd, which had gathered to witness the excitement, began to disperse amidst lively discussions.

Oh, the quota is already full, I came here for nothing today

Buzz

Thank you, Deputy Commander

As more than a dozen extraordinary young men and women from the Du family stepped out and onto the arena, they stood in formation. Although young, they exuded an impressive aura, causing a brief moment of silence amidst the clamor in front of the arena, with all eyes drawn to these young individuals.

The Du family members are indeed quite formidable, so strong at such a young age

However, Du Shaofu also noticed that the level of his martial veins at this moment seemed to be somewhat special. Although it was similar to that of others at the second rank of martial veins, it was clearly not comparable to the ordinary second rank of martial veins.

Over the course of ten years, the name of this fool quietly spread from the Du family to the entire Shicheng, and everyone knew that among the young masters of the Du family, there was a foolish young master

A dozen or so descendants of the Du family also planned to leave. For them, today was merely a preliminary trial, a different kind of sparring compared to the usual exchanges within the clan.

One by one, the strong men became increasingly excited upon witnessing the prowess of the young men and women from the Du family. If they were fortunate enough to enter the Du family and learn even a few of their techniques, wouldn't that make them formidable

At the arena in front of the Du family gate, a group of over a dozen young boys and girls, aged around thirteen or fourteen, are either fighting barehanded or wielding swords and knives, engaging in combat with a group of over a dozen strong men

Isn't that the foolish young master of the Du family? He is being foolish again on that desolate mountain

If the descendants of the Du family were all like him, today would be much easier

Now, Du Shaofu observes the martial skills of those families and can clearly perceive numerous flaws, many of which are riddled with weaknesses

In an instant, the sound of metal clashing echoed across the arena, with the sounds of fists colliding resonating intermittently. Coupled with the cheers and shouts of encouragement from the crowd, the lively and boisterous atmosphere could be heard from afar