"Nothing much?"
"A bunch of them?"
The combat masters glanced at one another in bewilderment, feeling as if they were about to collapse.
They had thought that no one in the same cultivation realm would be a match for them. Yet, before they could even meet the man in question, they had already been defeated by a few students playing by the roadside!
Did they have to be so savage?
More importantly, it was one or two such experts, but according to Luo Huan, the Xuanxuan Faction, which consisted of thirty thousand people, was actually so powerful …
Liao Song felt his entire body stiffening, and he was unable to speak a single word.
As a Thousand Men Commander of the Combat Master Hall, this was the first time he felt as if he was Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden.
"Why? You don't believe me?"
Seeing that the combat masters were all dumbfounded, Luo Huan chuckled softly before pointing behind him. "The members of our Xuanxuan Faction are having a gathering right ahead. I can bring you over to take a look!"
"A gathering?"
"Un. Follow me!"
Luo Huan nodded before leading the way.
Liao Song and the others glanced at one another before following behind him.
Not too long later, they saw quite a few people gathered in the square, discussing something. From time to time, there would be a few people sparring with one another.
"Is that the Basic Battle Technique, Boundless River? Isn't that move lacking in prowess? Why is it so powerful in that person's hands? "
"That's the Zephyr Sword Art, a Spirit intermediate-tier battle technique … I have cultivated it before, but due to the complexity of its moves, I didn't cultivate it in the end … Why does it feel as if it is on par with a Spirit high-tier battle technique in his hands?"
"Even though that fist art and movement technique aren't flashy, they are able to capture the essence of a fist art, making it hard for one to guard against. Even I might not be able to withstand it in a battle!"
"What is that move? The most basic set of moves, when combined together, actually had such great power? It is already on par with a Spirit high-tier battle technique? "
…
Seeing the clash between the moves of the sparring participants, the faces of the combat masters twitched uncontrollably.
Even though they hadn't fought yet, with their eye of discernment, they could easily tell that they wouldn't fare any better against Luo Huan.
In other words, even though they had so many formidable combat masters, if they were to be placed among the thirty thousand students before them, not only would they not stand out, they might even be at the bottom!
What in the world was going on?
After all, they were combat masters who were one in ten thousand!
Unable to hold himself back any longer, Liao Song asked, "How can your fighting prowess be so strong?"
"Oh, at the start, we were just ordinary students as well. It was only after Principal Zhang lectured us for an entire afternoon that we were able to reach our current level!" Ruohuan exclaimed in agitation.
Until now, he could still remember the contents of Principal Zhang's lecture clearly, and his fighting prowess had improved by leaps and bounds.
Those who had attended the lecture and those who hadn't were two completely different concepts. The gap between them was as wide as a chasm.
It was precisely for this reason that many students wished to join the Xuanxuan Faction and become one of its members. However, in order to prevent the Xuanxuan Faction from overshadowing the Xuanxuan Faction, the Xuanxuan Faction hadn't accepted any new members recently, and this left many regretful.
"The whole afternoon?" Liao Song was dumbfounded.
Just by lecturing for one afternoon, your strength will increase exponentially? Was this a joke?
If it was that easy to raise one's fighting prowess, wouldn't all the hard work they had put in every day be for naught?
"Indeed. It's a pity that Principal Zhang is simply too busy. Otherwise, if he were to lecture for a few more days, we would surely be able to grow even stronger …" Ruohuan sighed.
Honestly speaking, if not for the fact that Principal Zhang was too busy lecturing them for several days straight, they would have surely become stronger.
"Stronger?"
Liao Song's lips twitched once more.
If the other party was already so powerful that even their combat masters were no match for him, wouldn't they be even more formidable than the combat masters?
If so, what would be the point of having combat masters around?
"Right, who are you? Who are you looking for in the academy? "Just as Liao Song was feeling stifled, Ruohuan suddenly asked.
"We … We are here to look for … Combat Master Zhuo!"
Liao Song wanted to say that he was a combat master, but just as the words were about to leave his mouth, he swallowed them back down.
"So, you are friends of Combat Master Zhuo. Give me a moment, I'll send someone to bring you over …"
Ruohuan nodded in realization. He quickly called one of his members over and instructed him to lead the way.
"Thank you!"
Liao Song and the others hurriedly followed along, fearing that they would suffer another blow if they stayed any longer.
"Ruohuan, who are those people?"
After the group left, a student walked over with a perplexed look on his face.
"I have no idea either. I thought that they might be combat masters, but after some time, I was certain that they weren't … How could a combat master possibly have such poor combat awareness? While their fighting prowess is still acceptable, a master teacher who prioritizes combat can't possibly be so weak! Forget it, as long as they aren't combat masters, we can find a way to recruit them into the Xuanxuan Faction and groom them for a few days.
Ruohuan said.
"Currently, the Xuanxuan Faction only recruits the cream of the crop. If they wish to join us, they will have to clear the examination first. If they fail the examination, we won't accept them!"
The student said.
"Of course. Our Xuanxuan Faction isn't a faction that just anyone can join. While their fighting prowess is decent, they are still a little lacking in clearing the examination …"
Ruohuan nodded with a proud look on his face.
…
"Liao shi, how did those fellows become so strong?"
Following behind the students, one of the combat masters couldn't help but turn to Liao Song, who was standing at the forefront of the group.
"I have no idea either …"
Liao Song felt deeply stifled.
All along, he had thought that combat masters were the strongest among their peers. However, after seeing the members of the Xuanxuan Faction, he realized that … that might not be the case!
"It's no wonder Zhuo Qingfeng insisted on having us come here. This Hongyuan Academy is simply too bizarre …"
It took him a long while to recover from his shock, and he couldn't help but exclaim.
A few random people who appeared on the side of the road beat them up without being able to fight back. It had to be said that this place was too terrifying. Fortunately, they were not enemies. Otherwise, they might not have been able to return.
"Combat Master Liao, you are finally here …"
Before Liao Song even entered the residence, Zhuo Qingfeng had already heard the news and came out to welcome him. Upon seeing Liao Song, he couldn't help but exclaim in agitation. However, a moment later, he realized that something was amiss.
The haughty combat masters who had been standing high and mighty a moment ago were all listless at this moment, as if frosted eggplants.
"What's wrong with you all?"
Zhuo Qingfeng asked.
"Tell me about the principal of Hongyuan Academy. What's going on with him?"
Instead of replying to Zhuo Qingfeng's question, Liao Song asked directly.
He had been listening to Principal Zhuo Qingfeng's lecture the most, so he couldn't help but ask about it.
"Principal Zhuo Qingfeng? Alright … "Zhuo Qingfeng hesitated for a moment before revealing everything that he knew to Liao Song.
"He only lectured for an hour, and our combat masters are already no match for him? After lecturing for an entire afternoon, even our zhenqi and strength are no match for him? "
Liao Song and the combat masters behind him felt as if they had just heard a ghost story. Goosebumps rose all over their bodies, and their hearts trembled in fear.
"Indeed!" Zhuo Qingfeng said with a bitter smile. "Right, President Zhang's four direct disciples have been waiting in the residence for a while now. I'll need you to arrange how the examination will be conducted later on!"
"Four direct disciples? How strong are they? "Liao Song asked.
"They are invincible among those of the same cultivation realm … Even I am no match for them!" Zhuo Qingfeng replied.
"Even you aren't a match for them?" Liao Song was shocked. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "If they are really that powerful, why don't we have them challenge the Dragon Gate Formation?"
"Dragon Gate Formation? That is the Progeny of Combat examination that the Combat Master Hall uses. Liao shi, are you intending to … have them take the Progeny of Combat examination? "
Zhuo Qingfeng was astonished.
"Indeed. Given how Principal Zhang of the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy was able to induce such a huge change in his students with just a few hours of teaching, his direct disciple … might just be able to clear the Progeny of Combat examination. As the ones who discovered the Progeny of Combat, our standing will surely rise as well!"
Liao Song said.
"This …"
Zhuo Qingfeng fell silent.
Indeed.
If the Combat Master Hall were to be compared to a clan, the Progeny of Combat would be the next clan head!
In other words, as long as they matured, they could very well become the head of the Combat Master Hall.
However, the Progeny of Combat was the dream of countless combat masters, and it was a goal that countless people fought for. Unfortunately, it was simply too difficult.
For the past three hundred years, the Combat Master Hall had never had a Progeny of Combat, let alone a Hall Master … Would Zhang Shi's direct disciples be able to clear the examination?
Even Combat Master Zhuo, who had fought with them before, did not have the confidence to do so.
The Progeny of Combat examination was so difficult that one would think that it was impossible to clear it!
If President Zhang's direct disciples were able to clear the examination and become the Progeny of Combat, as the ones who discovered the Progeny of Combat, their standing would be elevated, and they would be given better resources.
"We won't be able to set up the real Dragon Gate Formation, but we can make a simplified version. If they are able to clear it, they will be qualified to bring it back to the headquarters and apply for the real examination. Regardless of whether they succeed or not, it will still be a good thing for us!" Liao Song said.
It would be best for them to become the Progeny of Combat, but even if they failed, the fact that they possessed the strength to challenge the Progeny of Combat was already a testament to their talents. As long as they entered the Combat Master Hall, their standing would surely be higher than theirs.
Such a person would surely become their backing in the future.
"Alright, we'll let them challenge the Dragon Gate Formation then."
Zhuo Qingfeng gritted his teeth.
"Un."
Liao Song nodded.
After the discussion was over, the combat masters quickly made their way into the courtyard.
As soon as they stepped into the residence, they saw Elder Mi, Elder Zhao, and the others walking over to welcome them. Following them were Wu Tianqiong, Wu Ran, and the others.
In order to observe the examination, the Three Great Master Teacher Academies had not left.
Zheng Yang, Wang Ying, Liu Yang, Wei Ruyan, and the others had also arrived. They stood firmly on the spot, as sharp as spears.
"Allow me to introduce you all. This is the Thousand Men Commander of the Combat Master Hall, as well as my senior, Combat Master Liao Song! He will be in charge of the examination for Zheng Yang and the others. "
Zhuo Qingfeng introduced.
"Paying respects to Combat Master Liao!"
The combat masters clasped their fists and bowed.
"Un, there's no need to stand on ceremony. These four should be President Zhang's direct disciples, the cultivators who will be participating in the examination, right?" Liao Song nodded to the combat masters before turning his gaze to Zheng Yang and the others.
"My teacher is Zhang Xuan!"
Zheng Yang and the others nodded in response.
"You do possess an extraordinary disposition!" Combat Master Liao chuckled. "I have already heard from Combat Master Zhuo on the way here. I intend to have you undergo the examination of the Dragon Gate Formation!"
"Dragon Gate Formation?"
Zheng Yang and the others glanced at one another in bewilderment.
Wu Tianqiong and the others didn't seem to have heard of the Dragon Gate Formation either.
"The Dragon Gate Formation utilizes the concept of a carp leaping over the dragon gate. As long as one is able to clear it, one will immediately transform into a dragon and become one of the most influential figures of the Combat Master Hall and the Master Teacher Continent!"
Liao Song said.
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