Chapter 43 – The Four Directions Forest Stirs, Revealing True Forms: Prologue

The silver-haired elder said, “I forgot to introduce myself. I am Chai Lani’er, one of the Golden Lion Triad Guardians… You may also call me Silver Wolf!”

As his words fell, his tone abruptly shifted, “For elders to intervene in sparring between juniors is utterly disrespectful, isn’t it?”

Upon hearing this, Tie Feng’s expression grew increasingly grim. Seeing that the situation had escalated beyond expectations, they bore inescapable responsibility.

Thinking this, Tie Feng immediately reached out to stop the various hall masters who were about to step forward.

“Tie Feng!”

“What do you mean by this?”

“How dare you block us!”

…

Tie Feng remained unmoved by the voices, his cold gaze fixed on Silver Wolf as he questioned, “Then what about you striking so heavily? Isn’t that also disrespectful?”

Before Silver Wolf could speak first, the White-Tuxedo Youth stepped forward, offering a slight bow before smiling and saying, “Esteemed Senior, if your side’s hospitality begins with insults, wasn’t that disrespectful from the start?”

Hearing this, Tie Feng suddenly rolled up his sleeves and said in a deep voice, “Insults are a matter of morality, but striking first is a matter of principle. With such behavior, how are you any different from savages? Do you truly think we have no one capable?”

At this point, Tie Feng scanned the surroundings, then pointed at the fallen disciples behind him and the supported Di Sha Master, shouting, “Or is your etiquette solely built upon fists!”

“Moreover, when we elders are speaking, what right does a junior like you have to interrupt? Hmm!!!” Tie Feng declared.

Roar roar roar!

Following the “Hmm,” the air instantly exploded with overwhelming Lion’s Roar thunder.

Buzz buzz buzz…

This was unmistakably the long-lost Lion’s Roar technique!

And the first to bear the brunt was none other than the youth in the white tuxedo!

The youth’s eyes instantly shifted with shock, retreating several steps while unconsciously clenching his fists into tight balls.

This scene could truly be described as Shocking Hundred Li!

The various hall masters behind them were also horrified beyond measure.

Not to mention the countless disciples, whose eyes bulged like bull’s eggs as they gazed at Tie Feng’s back, their admiration unmistakable.

One might ask: What could be more thrilling than intimidating an entire crowd with just a single roar?

Thus, everyone’s gaze toward Tie Feng transformed!

Some held complex, indescribable emotions, but most overflowed with outright worship.

In contrast, Silver Wolf and the two other elders exchanged glances, nodding gravely before finally breaking the tense silence.

“Since we are all Martial Arts practitioners, if you don’t mind, our young ones could also spar with your disciples…” Silver Wolf said.

Before his words fully settled, Silver Wolf fixed Tie Feng and the others with a challenging stare.

“Hmph… We’d be delighted!”

“Today, we’ll show you why flowers bloom so red.”

“Suits us perfectly!”

…

It could be said that before Tie Feng even voiced his stance, the various hall masters were already seething with indignation, their unified positions evident from their formation.

This delicate situation inevitably led both sides to confront each other solemnly.

This had transcended the level of mere Martial Arts sparring, escalating to a matter of collective honor.

Because glory and shame were shared by all!

Seeing this, Tie Feng couldn’t help but sigh deeply. This matter had indeed confirmed the elderly gentleman’s prediction, becoming the situation everyone least wished to face.But things had come to this point, and the stirrings from all four directions had become an unstoppable tide that no single person could hold back.

Thinking this, Tie Feng immediately spoke up: “Since everyone has reached a consensus, how could I, Tie Feng, go against the current?”

He then scanned the surroundings once more before continuing: “However, this matter is of great importance. It must not deviate from the essence of our Martial Arts and should naturally follow our established rules. What do you think?”

As he said this, Tie Feng fixed his stern gaze upon the Silver Wolf Triad.

Only when he saw Silver Wolf give a slight nod did Tie Feng secretly breathe a sigh of relief. He then picked up the microphone, and his voice tore through the entire Grand Martial Hall!

“Everyone has witnessed what happened. As one of the organizers of this tournament, I, Tie Feng, must reiterate: No malicious injuring or taking of lives is permitted, no using Martial Arts to provoke incidents… Let the Martial Arts end when the point is made!”

Before Tie Feng’s words had fully faded, their lingering echoes struck everyone’s hearts like thunder.

The venue instantly fell into a cold silence, but how could everyone’s inner thoughts be the same?

Though each person appeared silent, they were actually calculating their own schemes.

Seeing this situation, the master of Jeet Kune Do Hall timely spoke up: “Tie Feng, count our school in for this tournament!”

The moment these words were spoken, the venue immediately erupted like a boiling pot.

“Then our Qilin Hall will join too!”

“You old fool, what nonsense are you spouting? Your Long Fist style is powerful indeed, but your techniques are too ruthless. Don’t you know that? In my opinion, the Yuan-Ma Families are most suitable to participate!”

“You…”

“Right, right… We should indeed invite the Yuan-Ma Families. That would satisfy everyone most.”

“Heh… Lu, stop playing dumb. Are you actually daring to obstruct this tournament?”

……

Hearing the overwhelming noise, Tie Feng couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on. He saw that even at this critical juncture, the various hall masters were still secretly fighting among themselves…

Then, Tie Feng cast a cold glance at these hall masters and finally stopped restraining himself: “As hall masters, you should set an example as leaders! I might let it slide normally, but now you’re still fighting among yourselves – what kind of behavior is this?!”

Yuan Xiao and Ma Wei saw the situation deteriorating and secretly felt greatly troubled. Others might not know Tie Feng’s background, but they understood him very well.

Therefore, the two of them inevitably stepped in as mediators.

With the Yuan-Ma Families mediating, Tie Feng had no choice but to relent. He then declared clearly: “The tournament rules remain unchanged. As for the participants, I have an idea…”

Before Tie Feng could finish speaking, he had already piqued the interest of all the hall masters, each looking at him with inevitable curiosity.

Seeing this, Tie Feng explained: “We’ll select the strongest Disciples recognized by everyone and have a young fellow test them!”

What?

Before anyone could ask who this young fellow was, Tie Feng immediately made the decision: “It’s settled then!”

His gaze then focused directly on a certain figure, full of intensity and seriousness as he said: “Young friend, I presume you haven’t yet exerted your full strength, have you?”

Tie Feng’s words caused the venue to fall into such silence that you could hear a pin drop.

All the Disciples stared in shock at this Young Friend Ye, for they well knew who the only Ye-named competitor present was.

None other than the Dark Horse – Ye Kuang!Even the group from Yinghao Martial Hall couldn’t help but secretly gasp in astonishment!

With tens of thousands of eyes focused on the scene, one could imagine the tremendous impact of such a shocking spectacle.

Ye Kuang, witnessing this, couldn’t help but feel immense pressure, yet he had no choice but to reveal the truth about his hidden strength.

“As expected, I couldn’t hide it from Senior Tie’s discerning eyes.”

Though his words sounded light, they reverberated in everyone’s hearts like a depth charge.

Tie Feng had only speculated privately, but now that it was confirmed, one could imagine how exhilarated he felt.

The other Martial Hall masters, however, did not share this sentiment. Each of them looked at the young man with clear skepticism!

Tie Feng paid no mind to their thoughts. He stated plainly, “I ask each faction to select their five strongest disciples present to spar with Young Friend Ye, one by one. Anyone who can last three minutes against him will be considered qualified!!!”

What?

Hearing this, the Martial Hall masters couldn’t help but look at the speaker as if he were insane.

Tie Feng, completely unfazed, continued, “Li Xiao from the Jeet Kune Do Temple need not continue competing. You count as one—step down!”

What?

The Martial Hall masters were even more shocked, staring at Tie Feng who dared to speak such frivolous words!

They could hardly believe their ears, unable to suppress their indignation as they roared in anger.

“Tie Feng, have you lost your mind?”

“How dare you say such things… What do you take our disciples for? Paper tigers?!”

“Madness, sheer madness! Fine, fine… Wind-Thunder Martial Hall will be the first to test this. Xiao Tianqiong, step up! I want to see what skills this youngster possesses to earn your such high regard, Tie Feng!”

…

Amid the chorus of furious shouts, Tie Feng remained utterly indifferent. He casually dug his ear and then spoke sternly to Ye Kuang, “Go all out!!!”

Ye Kuang naturally understood the deeper meaning behind those words—he was to test the mettle of others, serving as the whetstone.

In the shortest time possible, he was to defeat any disciple daring enough to step onto the stage, thereby selecting the strongest disciples!

As for the upcoming trial, Tie Feng had, in truth, given it careful thought. To dispel the Martial Hall masters’ outrage, he had to let them witness their disciples’ crushing defeats with their own eyes.

His choice of Ye Kuang was not without personal reasons.

First, this young man remained exceptionally calm and composed against every opponent.

Second, his strength index had yet to be fully displayed, but it couldn’t escape Tie Feng’s sharp eyes.

Third…

One could say no one had anticipated such a dramatic turn of events!

And so, a pre-competition trial to distinguish gold from stone was about to commence under the gaze of countless furious eyes.