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Such challenges require certain qualifications. Disciples like Xunuo, who have no ranking, are not eligible to participate. Only those ranked within the top two hundred can challenge others. Xunuo must first compete in the ranking matches and secure a place in the top two hundred before selecting an opponent.
Except for the top fifty ranked disciples, all Outer Sect Disciples must participate in the ranking matches to determine their order. Each month, rankings will be used to distribute monthly silver. If someone outside the rankings successfully challenges a ranked disciple, that disciple and all others below them will drop one rank, causing the fifty-ranked disciple to fall off the list.
This monthly competition is a method employed by Wuhua Sect to motivate Outer Sect Disciples. It also provides disciples with frequent opportunities for real combat, allowing those with talent to stand out early. With more than ten days remaining until the competition, Guo Shujiang estimated that Xunuo would easily make it into the top two hundred. What remained was to choose a target for his challenge.
Guo Shujiang, still wearing an excited expression, said, "In these next ten days, you should focus on practicing martial arts while I carefully consider your opponent. You needn't worry about fetching water; I'll take care of that."
Xunuo chuckled and replied, "There's no need for that, Senior Brother. Since I agreed to your request, I will do my best. I'll handle the water-fetching myself; as Liu Yunfei Shishu said, it's also a form of training for me and not entirely a bad thing."
Guo Shujiang expressed his gratitude and then sat down to calculate how much monthly silver he could gain. A crafty look appeared on his face.
Xunuo glanced at him disdainfully and thought: If I want to participate in the monthly competition, I must first engage in the preliminary ranking matches where opponents will primarily use the three sets of Fist Techniques taught by our sect. What I need to do now is compare these three sets of Fist Techniques to identify their strengths and weaknesses and find ways to counter them.
With this in mind, he left and returned to the open space from earlier. After recalling the two sets of Fist Techniques, Xunuo began practicing all three sets in rotation.
He understood that to find flaws, he first needed to master them thoroughly and become an expert himself; only then would he have a chance at discovering their nuances. He practiced until it grew dark, completely unaware of time passing. He began to notice some connections between Tongbi Fist and Eight Extremes Fist and started mixing them together in his practice.
While he was training, Guo Shujiang approached from a distance with a food box in hand, calling out, "I knew you would be diligent! Take a break and eat before continuing your practice."
It turned out that Guo Shujiang had realized there was a chance for him to gain a significant amount of silver and had started planning how to spend it while still inside. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice when Xunuo had left. By the time he finished his cheerful calculations, it was already past noon. Not seeing Xunuo around, he muttered under his breath: "This guy doesn't even invite me when he's eating."
Upon arriving at the dining hall, there was no sign of Xunuo. He thought that Xunuo must have gone to practice his punches. He quickly finished his meal and packed an extra portion for Xunuo before hurrying over. When he found Xunuo indeed practicing, he couldn't help but smile widely, as if he had just seen a fortune rolling in. He approached, took out the food, and helped Xunuo wipe the sweat and get some water before excusing himself to return to his duties.
After eating, Xunuo practiced a mix of Tongbi Fist and Eight Extremes Fist for a while. By the time the moon was high in the sky, he realized he still needed to cultivate the Huayang Classic, so he wrapped up his training and headed back to his residence.
After more than ten days of practice, the day of the Monthly Test arrived. Xunuo had become proficient in the three new sets of Fist Techniques he had learned. Particularly with the combination of Tongbi Fist and Eight Extremes Fist, he had even grasped some new insights. While he wouldn't dare claim to surpass his predecessors, it certainly excited him.
Early in the morning, Guo Shujiang took Xunuo to the Training Ground for the Outer Sect Disciple Monthly Test. Guo Shujiang had already registered Xunuo, who was the only one among the new disciples to sign up for the test. As soon as Xunuo appeared, he drew curious glances from the surrounding disciples, especially from those new disciples who had come to watch, whispering and discussing among themselves.
Xunuo anticipated that his participation would raise eyebrows, so he chose to ignore their chatter. Over two thousand disciples had signed up for this Monthly Test, and more than ten areas were marked out in the Training Ground for various matches.
Xunuo was assigned to Area Five for his first match against a female disciple who was in her second year. Guo Shujiang quietly advised him, "This female disciple practices Flowing Cloud Fist; your Eight Extremes Fist counters her well. Don't hold back."
Xunuo nodded without replying and stepped into the arena. The female disciple assumed she had drawn an easy opponent since Xunuo was new to the sect. She feigned politeness and said, "Lu Shidi is young and talented; it's truly rare. I practice Flowing Cloud Fist; please guide me."
Xunuo cupped his hands in response, saying, "Sister, there's no need to hold back; I will do my best to win."
At this remark, laughter erupted from the disciples gathered around the arena, clearly dismissive of Xunuo's competitive spirit.
The female disciple smiled slightly to herself, thinking: Your words suit me perfectly; if you hadn't said that, I would feel bad about going all out against you—lest Guo Chaozi mock me for bullying a newcomer.
She then turned and executed a move called "Gentle Breeze Caressing Willows," launching an attack toward him.
Having contemplated her style over these past few days, Xunuo understood that Flowing Cloud Fist employed elusive footwork that made it hard to discern its true nature. It relied on skillful strength to overcome opponents. Therefore, instead of following her lead or dodging her attack, he stood firm and threw a punch directly at her. As their fists met, she deftly redirected his punch with her palm but continued her assault toward him. She raised her left palm to strike at Xunuo's wrist while sidestepping to evade him. However, she felt as if she had struck iron when she tried to deflect his punch and realized something was amiss; she quickly withdrew her hand and stepped back but was half a beat too late—Xunuo's punch had already landed on her shoulder.
The female disciple took a hit and quickly stepped back, turning around. After taking a few steps, she prepared to launch another attack. However, she saw Xunuo already coming at her with a relentless kick. Knowing Xunuo's punches and kicks were powerful, she dared not take it head-on. Instead, she leaped into the air, avoiding the blow. But Xunuo immediately followed up with a move, the Hanging Noodle Palm of Tongbi Fist, aimed at in front of. The female disciple found herself without solid footing and quickly raised her hands to block.
Little did she know that this was merely a feint; just as she thought she could block it, Xunuo changed the trajectory of the palm strike. The female disciple's hands ended up in empty space. In the next moment, she felt a sharp pain in her waist as Xunuo's left hand executed the Flowing Cloud Fist, sending her sprawling out of the ring.
Watching from the sidelines, Guo Shujiang murmured to himself, "Why is it always this move? Can he only rely on this technique to defeat his opponents?"
Xunuo maintained a respectful posture with his fists clasped together and said, "Thank you for your guidance."
The female disciple lay on the ground, clutching her sore spot and rubbing it for a while before standing up. Blushing with embarrassment, she clasped her fists and said, "How could I accept such courtesy? I must thank my junior for holding back."
In just three punches and two kicks, she had been knocked down. The mocking laughter from the other disciples had barely faded when they now stood there wide-eyed and slack-jawed, their jaws dropping to the ground.
The match was presided over by an Outer Sect Disciple. Upon witnessing how swiftly Xunuo ended the bout with such fierce yet measured techniques, he realized that a talent was emerging within the Daoist Sect. He announced loudly, "In this match, the new disciple Lu Zaisheng is victorious."
He walked over to Xunuo and patted him on the shoulder. "At such a young age to possess such skills is truly impressive. You may go rest now; someone will notify you for the second round of matches."
Xunuo cupped his hands in thanks and stepped off the stage. Guo Shujiang hurriedly pulled him aside to watch other matches. "This first round had some tough opponents; let me show you some formidable characters so you won't be caught off guard in the next round."
Others noticed Guo Shujiang's enthusiasm as he guided Xunuo through various arenas for observation and thought he had changed his ways. Little did they know that Guo Shujiang now viewed Xunuo as a golden goose, a source of wealth. With silver coins just within reach, how could he not be eager?
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