The Beginning of Panlong: In the Name of the Father

Chapter 1737 Martial Arts
Taiyuan Realm, a remote lower realm.

In March, the morning light breaks and everything comes back to life.

The Qinghe School, a major martial arts school located in Yanzhou, held its annual disciple-recruiting ceremony.

On the towering high platform, surrounded by clouds and mist, an elder with white hair and beard and an immortal appearance, with a voice as loud as a bell, was solemnly announcing the three tests for accepting disciples this year.

"The first level is 'Exploring the Essence of Qi', which is to measure the talent of absorbing the essence of heaven and earth. This is the foundation of cultivation;

The second level is "A Long Journey", where the warrior has to carry a heavy object and walk forward, testing whether his determination to seek the truth is strong.

The third level is "Martial Arts Competition", which tests the disciples' skills and techniques."

"Those who pass all three levels can become my disciples."

There were many talented people gathered below the stage, some young men were vigorous and heroic, some had sparkling eyes, all of them had a longing for martial arts and their blood was boiling.

Among them was a sturdy young man with a muscular figure, named Han. Upon hearing the content of the trial, the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose and a look of confidence appeared on his face.

As for his talent for absorbing the vital energy of heaven and earth, he had already been tested and found to be a 'B+' talent, which means he had reached the entry threshold.

In terms of character and will, having been in the world for some time, he is more confident than most of his peers.

As for martial arts, although he was born in the countryside and had never practiced any high-level martial arts, he had mastered the training method of "Rough Bull and Iron Horse Strength" and the corresponding fighting style, so he had a certain degree of confidence.

However, his confidence did not last long as it was broken by the words of a plump, worried-looking young man next to him.

"Brother Han, don't be fooled by what this elder said.

The tests of vitality and talent, and the tests of character and will were all real. But the third level was a test of martial arts, so the disciples were arranged to compete one by one.

If you have a background, or have shown some merit, he will naturally arrange for you to fight with the disciples who will show mercy. If you don't have any, or even offend the person in charge, he will directly arrange for you to fight with the disciples who are difficult to get along with.

I have heard that some disciples of the Qinghe Sect are arrogant and have no sense of propriety when fighting. If you fight with them and don't admit defeat in time, you will be injured at best, or even have your foundation damaged, and it will be too late to regret it."

The fat white boy's words were helpless, but also revealed a bit of the coldness of the world.

When the young man surnamed Han heard this, his expression instantly became complicated, with both astonishment and reluctance, as if a basin of cold water had been poured over his head, and his passion instantly cooled. But he quickly restrained his emotions, and a firm look flashed in his eyes.

"Forget it. I told you this because we had a very pleasant conversation along the way, brother Han. You will know if it is true once you try it." Upon seeing this, the fat boy gently patted the boy named Han on the shoulder.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, half a day has passed.

In the trial field, the situation was turbulent and everyone showed off their skills.

The world is divided into thirteen states in the north and south. Although Yanzhou is relatively remote, it has many masters. Even those who become apprentices at the apprenticeship ceremony have many masters.

The sturdy young man named Han took part in the three-level trial. The first two levels went quite smoothly, but in the third level he encountered a ruthless disciple of the Qinghe School.

After a few moves, he felt the opponent's murderous intent and quickly surrendered.

If he admitted defeat, as long as he showed a certain level of skill, he would be noticed by the elders of Qinghe Sect and accepted as a disciple. But if he admitted defeat too quickly, the elders would not pay attention to him, and then he would have no chance.

In the end, the young man surnamed Han did not join the Qinghe School. He rode the yellow horse and started his journey home. His back looked a little lonely.

Although he was just a bumpkin boy at the Qinghe Sect's disciple-recruiting ceremony, he was born in a landlord family and his family had some wealth, otherwise he would not be able to ride the yellow horse.

When they reached the river crossing, everything was quiet except for the gurgling river water. The sturdy young man did not rush to board the boat, but stopped by the river, looking at the sparkling water, with mixed feelings in his heart. The yellow horse seemed to feel the owner's emotions, pacing gently and neighing, as if to cheer for the unyielding young man.

After a while, a skinny old man came rowing a boat.

"Mr. Ji." When the young man from the landlord's family saw the old man, he first greeted him.

This old man has been rowing boats on this river for 60 years. Not to mention the boy, even his father and grandfather grew up under his care. Although he is just a boatman, he still has some face in front of the Han family boy.

"Xiao Han." The old man took a look and asked, "How is it? Have you joined the Qinghe Sect this year?"

"No." The young man said gloomily, "Qinghe Sect has too many rules for recruiting disciples. They even require interest. I didn't give the manager any money, so the disciple from Qinghe Sect who tested me used heavy hands. Fortunately, I gave in quickly, otherwise I might have died in the disciple recruitment meeting."

"Haha, I told you to listen to the arrangements of your family elders, but you didn't listen and insisted on going out on your own. Now you're suffering the consequences." The old man laughed twice and rowed the boat even faster.

"But if you don't join the Qinghe Sect, you won't be able to practice advanced martial arts, nor will you have the opportunity to cultivate inner Qi."

"You still want to cultivate inner Qi? Once the inner Qi is cultivated, your body will be like a rough jade, and you will have hope of entering the Dao through martial arts. You may even be able to achieve the outer manifestation of the inner scene, and condense the body of a martial arts god or devil." Grandpa Ji said with a smile, "If so, you may even be able to become an immortal in the future."

"Hey, old man, you also learned martial arts when you were young." There was nothing to do on the boat, so the young man surnamed Han asked curiously. Although this old man is old, I have never heard of him practicing martial arts.

"When I was young? That was a long time ago." A trace of reminiscence flashed in the old man's eyes, "A long, long time ago."

"Why are you asking about my youth, kid? Do you want to learn some martial arts from this old man?"

"Learn from you? Forget it." The young man curled his lips, "You old man, do you know what martial arts is? Moreover, thirty years ago..."

"Thirty years ago, a strange stone fell from the sky, passing on the martial arts of gods and demons." Old Master Ji's eyes widened, "How could this old man not know about this?"

"First, you must refine your skin and flesh, then refine your tendons and bones, refine your lungs and internal organs, refine your Qi and blood, refine your true strength, and finally combine your Gangsha, combine your divine will, and then combine the heaven and earth. This old man not only understands martial arts, he also learned it when he was young."

"You've learned the martial arts of gods and demons, so why are you still rowing the boat here, old man?" The young man still looked unconvinced, "I've seen those martial arts masters who have achieved success, and they all look very impressive when they go out."

Old Master Ji chuckled, "That's because I'm being low-key. Well, I'll give you this martial arts book. If you can cultivate something, don't forget me, an old man."

Soon, a book fell into the hands of the young man named Han.

"Wow, there really is a secret book? No, old man, your secret book looks new, the ink isn't even dry yet."

"There was a lot of wind and waves on the boat, so it just got wet."

"Damp? Wait, this secret book?" Although the boy was not very knowledgeable, he knew that this secret book was very complicated after flipping through two pages. "Grandpa Ji, your secret book is not ordinary. I can't take it, and you don't pass it on to others."

"Boy, do I take back the things I gave away?" Old Master Ji's eyes widened. "Just take it if I give it to you."

"This, this is so embarrassing."

"Han kid, are you looking for a fight?"

"Hey, then I'll take it."

The figures of the old man and the young boy gradually faded away.

(End of this chapter)