Ask Wudang Chapter 004

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Seeing Zhang Sanfeng arrive, everyone rose in unison and saluted, “Greetings, True Man Zhang!”

Zhang Sanfeng walked to the main seat, raised his hand to gesture, and said, “No need for formalities, everyone. Please be seated.” After everyone had sat down, he continued, “Today is the day of our sect’s quinquennial grand competition. You have all traveled a long way, and I was unable to personally welcome you. I hope you will forgive me.”

Abbess Miejue said, “True Man Zhang is too kind. It is our honor to be able to come to Wudang to observe the ceremony.”

As soon as she spoke, others also began to exchange pleasantries, and the hall immediately became boisterous.

Then, Zhang Sanfeng pointed to Ye Qingfeng beside him and introduced, “This is my last disciple, named Ye Qingfeng. He has just completed his studies today. When he goes out into the martial world for experience in the future, I hope all you martial friends will guide him. I will be eternally grateful.”

Upon hearing this, everyone could not help but show surprise and looked at Ye Qingfeng.

Ye Qingfeng immediately stepped forward two paces, cupped his hands to everyone, and said, “Ye Qingfeng greets all seniors!”

After speaking, he retreated to Zhang Sanfeng’s side, his demeanor extremely proper, without the slightest hint of disrespect.

Everyone secretly thought to themselves that Zhang Sanfeng was almost a hundred years old, yet he was still taking disciples. It seemed this young man must have extraordinary qualities.

Thinking of this, Abbess Miejue immediately said, “Congratulations, True Man Zhang, on taking another excellent disciple!”

Subsequently, others also offered their congratulations, their words full of politeness.

After everyone had finished their pleasantries, Zhang Sanfeng turned to Song Yuanqiao and said, “Yuanqiao, you may begin.”

“Yes, Master.”

Song Yuanqiao responded, then cupped his hands and bowed to everyone, saying loudly, “Everyone, our sect’s quinquennial grand competition is about to begin. The competition venue is set in our sect’s training ground, where seats have already been prepared. Please follow me.”

Before long, under Song Yuanqiao’s guidance, everyone arrived at the Wudang Sect’s training ground.

Seats had already been set up by the training ground, and guests observing the ceremony took their places in order.

After everyone was seated, Song Yuanqiao spoke some formalities, and then the grand competition officially began.

Activities like the Wudang Grand Competition are common among various sects in the martial world. The purpose of such activities is, firstly, to test the strength of their disciples, and secondly, to display the sect’s foundation to the outside world. Although it has a bit of a “showing off muscles” feel, it is also a way for sects to survive. And guests observing the ceremony are also happy to participate in such activities, as they can use the opportunity to scout the strength of various sects.

This Wudang Grand Competition was mainly to test the Wudang third-generation disciples.

Among the second-generation disciples, only Song Yuanqiao, Yu Lianzhou, Yu Daiyan, and Zhang Songxi were qualified to take disciples. Zhang Cuishan, Yin Liting, Mo Shenggu, and Ye Qingfeng had not yet officially graduated from their apprenticeship, and even had to participate in the grand competition, so they were not qualified to take disciples.

Therefore, the disciples tested in this grand competition were the apprentices of Song Yuanqiao, Yu Lianzhou, Yu Daiyan, and Zhang Songxi.

However, because Zhang Cuishan, Yin Liting, Mo Shenggu, and Ye Qingfeng were all second-generation disciples, their status was much higher than that of third-generation disciples. Therefore, their four matches were arranged for last, as the grand finale.

After the grand competition began, the Wudang third-generation disciples took to the stage one after another, fighting with great enthusiasm.

As a renowned major sect ranked among the top in the martial world, with Zhang Sanfeng, a martial arts grandmaster, presiding, the strength of the Wudang third-generation disciples was naturally not to be underestimated. Although these third-generation disciples could not yet be considered top masters, their overall quality was undoubtedly superior compared to other sects. It was foreseeable that in a few years, these third-generation disciples would become the pillars of Wudang.

For the development of a sect, having top masters presiding is important, but pillars are equally indispensable. If there are only top masters presiding, but the talent below is dwindling and there is a lack of new blood, the sect will eventually wither away.

Few of the observing guests present were not astute. After watching the matches of the Wudang third-generation disciples, they immediately realized that Wudang’s prosperity would likely continue. Among the various observing guests, the most uncomfortable was undoubtedly Monk Kongzhi of Shaolin. Wudang and Shaolin had been rivals for decades, and because of Zhang Sanfeng’s existence, Shaolin had always been suppressed and unable to breathe. Now, Wudang’s foundation was gradually developing. Even if Zhang Sanfeng passed away, Wudang would still be able to contend with Shaolin. How could this not make him uncomfortable?

The matches of the third-generation disciples concluded in a single morning.

In the afternoon, the grand finale officially began.

Ye Qingfeng was not polite and was the first to step into the arena. He then looked at Mo Shenggu and called out, “Seventh Brother, come on.”

Mo Shenggu didn’t waste words, flying down into the arena, laughing and scolding, “Brat, do you think I’m a soft persimmon?”

Ye Qingfeng smiled, “That’s for sure.”

Mo Shenggu was stunned when he heard this, then whispered, “Later, hold back a bit and give me some face.”

Ye Qingfeng said, “Don’t worry, I understand. I’m coming, Seventh Brother, watch my move.”

As his voice fell, he suddenly darted forward, instantly closing in on Mo Shenggu. At the same time, he flipped his right hand and chopped a palm diagonally at Mo Shenggu’s left ribs. It was precisely a move called “Needle Hidden in Cotton” from the Cotton Palm. Mo Shenggu knew Ye Qingfeng’s true strength and dared not underestimate him in the slightest. He immediately turned his body, met Ye Qingfeng’s palm with a backhand, also a “Needle Hidden in Cotton.”

The two palms clashed, emitting a muffled “pop” sound. Their palm forces resisted each other, and both swayed simultaneously, quickly separating.

With this palm, Ye Qingfeng had clearly held back, otherwise, with his internal energy, Mo Shenggu would not have been able to block it at all.

“Eighth Brother, well done. This brother owes you one.”

Mo Shenggu whispered, then bounded forward again, launching a fierce attack with the Mountain Shaking Palm towards Ye Qingfeng’s upper vital points.

“As long as you remember. You owe me a Mandarin Duck Real Stew Feast from the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuchang.”

Ye Qingfeng was not polite either, still responding with the Cotton Palm, countering every move and breaking every stance, continuously.

The two fought back and forth, drawing continuous cheers from the spectators outside the arena.

After fighting for over a hundred moves, seeing that the time was right, Ye Qingfeng immediately circled his arms, enveloping Mo Shenggu’s palm force. Then, he vibrated with his internal energy, sending Mo Shenggu staggering backward. In this way, the victor and loser were clear at a glance.

“Seventh Brother, you yielded,” Ye Qingfeng cupped his hands and said.

Mo Shenggu also cupped his hands, giving him a grateful look.

This match, in the eyes of most people, was extremely exciting. Only a very few people had strange expressions.

Because they all saw the hidden meaning.

Song Yuanqiao, Yu Lianzhou, Yu Daiyan, Zhang Songxi, and others naturally saw it, feeling somewhat amused and exasperated.

Seeing a slight displeasure on Zhang Sanfeng’s face, Song Yuanqiao quickly said, “Master, Seventh Brother and Eighth Brother are still young after all…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhang Sanfeng interrupted, “Cuishan, go test Eighth Brother’s skill. Be sure to use your full strength.”

Zhang Cuishan’s expression froze, then he responded, “Yes, Master.”

As his voice fell, he leaped forward, suddenly springing into the arena, standing opposite Ye Qingfeng.

Ye Qingfeng said, “Fifth Brother, do you want to compete with palm techniques, or sword techniques?”

Zhang Cuishan said, “Let’s compete with sword techniques.” Then he added, “Eighth Brother, be careful. Master told me to use my full strength.”

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