Chapter 22 – Gathering Together as Winds and Clouds Transform

As the Qinghe Month approached, even the slowly rising sun seemed to blush with excitement, shining with dazzling brilliance.

Countless flowers competed in vibrant display, making everyone feel as if they had entered a garden overflowing with fragrance.

The blossoms swaying in the breeze danced lightly to the melody of April, their falling petals each displaying unique charm that left no room for criticism.

Ye Kuang strode with powerful, confident steps, following his phone’s navigation toward Wind Cloud Mountain.

This mountain stood as N City’s sole towering peak.

Through endless years, it had remained unchanged in appearance, standing firm through countless generations.

The mountain was also known as “Heroes’ Peak,” symbolizing champions from across the land!

Watching the endless stream of vehicles on the road, Ye Kuang’s eyes gradually narrowed.

Because every bus he saw was one he had previously encountered in news reports – each representing renowned institutions from across the nation.

He couldn’t help but clench his fists. Whether for the championship or not, for that three hundred thousand debt alone, he had to claim first place in this tournament!

Anyone who dared stand in his way would be considered an enemy!

With this thought, he suddenly quickened his pace.

Crossing Great Rivers!

In that moment, Ye Kuang became like a leopard springing forward, his swift speed leaving the long line of tourists far behind.

The tourists looked at each other in astonishment, as if they had seen a ghost.

Ye Kuang paid them no mind. Ten minutes of rapid sprinting, faster than antelopes racing, covered nine kilometers in one go!

As steam rose from his head, it shot straight toward his Three-Foot Spiritual Platform. What boiled within him wasn’t just fighting spirit, but also scorching hot blood.

Since debt had forced him to participate in this competition, why not turn everything upside down?

Living up to his reputation like a dragon emerging from the sea!

When one thought became clear, all thoughts followed, making his body and mind increasingly light, his movements comparable to swift winds.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…

He charged into Wind Cloud Mountain, the entire Mountain Forest seeming to transform with his arrival.

Chirp, chirp, chirp…

Even the forest birds keenly sensed this astonishing aura, flapping their wings to fly toward the blue sky.

The mountaintop became a gathering place for countless circling birds, as if summoned to swarm together, cheering exuberantly for the urban legend about to rise.

This spectacle couldn’t escape everyone’s notice. All looked up at the sky, unable to avoid feeling deeply shocked.

Because this was something that had never happened before!

Martial Arts Plaza.

With countless competitors and Martial Arts Schools gathering, the venue became bustling with activity.

Their cold gazes carried endless sparks, their soaring fighting spirits reaching higher than the heavens, immeasurable in intensity.

With outstanding youths from across the nation assembled here, each brimming with pride, the atmosphere became combustible even before the competition began.

They represented the fresh blood that various factions had invested everything to cultivate, all aiming to showcase their prowess in competing for the championship and establishing their reputations.

Just then, a blower suddenly rose at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall, extending dozens of meters.

Dozens of gilded characters written with Wandering Dragons’ grace adorned it, each stroke flashing like lightning, their sharpness intimidating.

“Salute: To every prodigy who dares to shed sweat for youth.”

“Pave: The road to revival for those who dare to strive and dedicate themselves to national heritage!”Upon reaching the mountain peak, Ye Kuang was immediately struck by the large characters inscribed there. To be honest, his martial arts training had been brief, making it difficult for him to grasp the deeper meaning behind them.

Yet now he was beginning to sense something, realizing that this competition might not be as simple as he had initially thought.

His entire being was stirred by a mysterious force, like a small boat tossed in a violent storm, becoming utterly uncontrollable!

Only when he slowed his pace and calmed his emotions did he begin to perceive the changes within himself.

Arriving at the main entrance, he saw numerous burly men in black suits with communication devices in their ears emerging in succession.

“Please present your credentials!”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but freeze in awkward silence.

One of the men, observing his reaction, spoke up: “This Martial Arts Hall has been reserved today. Without proper credentials, entry is not permitted. Please visit another venue for sightseeing.”

The man’s voice carried a chill, yet it resonated with robust energy – clearly someone trained in martial arts.

Ye Kuang found himself caught between amusement and exasperation. After some futile explanations, he had no choice but to call Ma Xiu.

Meanwhile, those filing past witnessed the scene, casting contemptuous sneers in his direction.

“Look at this one! Which school does he belong to? How pathetically naive…haha…”

“Regardless of his affiliation, he’s just adding to the comedy.”

“Don’t underestimate him though. What if he’s a Dark Horse? That possibility exists, doesn’t it? Hehe…”

…

Ye Kuang heard the surrounding mockery but maintained an expressionless facade.

Here, everyone were fellow competitors, representing their respective factions. Causing a scene at this moment would inevitably bring trouble to his own side.

Therefore, he could only wait quietly for Ma Xiu’s arrival, not daring to act rashly.

This waiting period proved torturous, yet it served as training for his mental fortitude.

When Ma Xiu finally arrived, it required considerable explanation to resolve the situation.

This development only provoked more derisive laughter from all around.

Ye Kuang couldn’t help but glare coldly at the spectators, his heart simmering with anger that refused to subside.

Seeing this, Ma Xiu’s expression also darkened slightly.

Though she understood the reasons perfectly well, she found it inconvenient to elaborate.

Because: the complicated relationships involved were too complex to explain simply.

Ye Kuang didn’t press for details either, having already resolved in his heart that he would use his fists to smash all those contemptuous smirks into oblivion.

When he finally entered the Martial Arts Hall, he was immediately awestruck by the roaring crowd before him.

Tens of thousands of people packed the venue, their bustling presence testifying to the unprecedented scale of this competition.

“Everyone, please quiet down! And quickly take your seats!!!”

This thunderous command cut through the air, finally bringing the cacophony under control.

A middle-aged figure then strode forward to stand before the screen.

With a square jaw, sharp eyebrows like blades, and a black bodysuit that couldn’t conceal the iron-hard muscles of his chest…

Ma Xiu whispered: “That’s the representative of this year’s organizing committee, known in martial arts circles as: Immovable Thunderhand, Tie Feng.”

Ye Kuang naturally took a longer look, firmly imprinting this figure in his memory.

Tie Feng announced: “Welcome to all the martial arts schools and young talents who have traveled from afar! Thank you for journeying thousands of miles to participate in the 35th Youth Sanshou Championship. Present today are the Heaven and Earth Martial Hall, Tiangang Martial Hall, Jeet Kune Do Temple, Xingyi Sect… Today, I, Tie Feng, will be presiding over the competition proceedings.”

As his words faded, the venue erupted with even greater fervor than before.

Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!The atmosphere gradually reached a boiling point, akin to thousands of troops galloping forth one after another, pushing this Martial Arts Hall to its peak.

After a brief moment, Tie Feng finally pressed his palm downward slightly and continued his spirited opening address: “For this year’s competition, we have specially invited two esteemed seniors from the Yuan-Ma Families—Yuan Xiao and Ma Wei, who are also members of the Martial Arts Association. Let’s give them a round of applause!!!”

Clap clap clap!

Whoosh…

It could be said that every young person present clapped with all their might, for they had long heard of the legendary deeds of the Southern Yuan and Northern Ma families.

Yet, the situation grew increasingly unclear and complex.

In previous decades of competitions, traces of the Southern Yuan and Northern Ma families had appeared, but never had such heavyweight figures attended in person.

This made the sect masters of various martial arts schools and temples sense an unusual shift in the air.

Were Southern Yuan and Northern Ma aiming to dominate all rivals, or had they completely torn off their masks of civility, preparing for a fierce dragon-and-tiger struggle?

Tie Feng: “The world is ever-changing, with heroes emerging in droves. I ask you, proud talents gathered here, are you ready?”

His words inevitably stirred the entire venue into a frenzy once more.

Roar roar roar!

They paid no mind to the intricate shifts in relationships—the disciples had but one goal in their hearts!

That was to seize the championship throne of this competition, trampling all opponents beneath their feet to ascend to the pinnacle of glory.

This scene instantly ignited the fervent passion in countless outstanding youths. Perhaps starting today, their names would be immortalized for generations to come!

Even Ye Kuang could not help but be swept up by this atmosphere.

His heart, like the sun at dawn, began to covet that very fame.

What is fame in this world?

It drives people to pledge loyalty with their very lives, risking life and death just to catch a glimpse of its true face.

What is the essence of renown?

Nothing less than standing unrivaled among the young generation, basking in sole reverence!

Ye Kuang not only sought the awe of the world but also aimed to prove his own worth. Since everyone is merely mortal, no one wishes to be inferior to another!

The path lay right at his feet—all that remained was to pursue it with madness.

Roar roar roar!

Ye Kuang, too, became consumed by this burning passion. In that moment, he cast aside all other thoughts—his sole purpose was to crush every enemy present beneath his feet!

Using all the young talents on site as stepping stones, solely to claim that championship throne!

With a heart fierce as a tiger, what fear could he have of countless challenges?

Just like the overwhelming roar of the crowd, each person sank deeply into the fervor, unable to extricate themselves.

Born between heaven and earth, one must shake the world—only then would it be worthy of this rebirth as the strongest disciple in the city!

And this ever-shifting situation, this unpredictable landscape, was like interwoven winds and clouds—utterly unfathomable!!!