Shuai Chang asked, “Is the spirit you’re referring to the one with extraordinary aura?”
“In response, the leader, it is ‘Ling’ from Qianxiao Lingyun.”
So it turned out to be Murong Ling.
Shuai Chang nodded, “Indeed, Murong Shaoxia is a remarkable young talent, truly deserving of the title Qianxiao Lingyun.”
“Thank you for the compliment, leader. I do not dare to accept such praise.”
Murong Ling had excellent etiquette and did not overstep his bounds despite his good relationship with Fu Bai.
Shuai Chang and Feng Yunlan looked at him with increasing satisfaction.
Feng Yunlan smiled kindly and said to Murong Ling, “Fu Bai calls you Ling’er, can I also call you Ling’er?”
The charm of the number one beauty in the martial world was indeed tremendous. Murong Ling felt that Feng Yunlan was indescribably beautiful, and he couldn’t help but blush, his almond-shaped eyes blinking in confusion. “Yes, yes.”
As an outsider, Shuai Chang clearly noticed that Fu Bai hadn’t taken his eyes off Murong Ling since entering the room. In contrast, Murong Ling seemed more responsive to women.
After dinner, Shuai Chang had inquired enough about Murong Ling’s past; he learned that Murong Ling was the only son of Murong Zhao, with just a three-year-old younger sister born to a concubine.
Fu Bai went to see off Murong Zhao and Murong Ling, and Shuai Chang said to Feng Yunlan, “Fu Bai’s explanations don’t match up at all. He said Murong Ling is the second young lady of the Murong family, but the second young lady is only three years old, and Murong Ling isn’t a girl at all. Has Fu Bai’s martial arts training made him foolish?”
Feng Yunlan replied, “Don’t speak carelessly; Fu Bai is quite clever, as you already know.” He thought for a moment, “Not fearing the clouds obscuring one’s view is only because one is present in the mountains. When someone falls for a person, what they see are their own feelings.” He pointed out, “Did you notice? Despite you spilling so much information earlier, Fu Bai only had eyes for Murong Ling and didn’t hear a word you said.”
“…Should we tell him about this?” He hesitated, fearing that it would upset Fu Bai and lead to failure in the martial arts competition. Not telling him would be troublesome if he later found out and felt bothered. Raising a child is truly a hassle.
Feng Yunlan also felt distressed: “How about… we wait until after the martial arts tournament to tell him?”
That wouldn’t be too late. Shuai Chang nodded in agreement.
The second round of the competition was for 426 participants to narrow down to 213, and both Fu Bai and Murong Ling successfully advanced.
Since the third round had an odd number of participants, one person could automatically advance, so Shuai Chang had a huge wooden box made to contain over two hundred marked wooden tokens. After the matches, they would draw lots.
Murong Ling had mediocre martial arts skills; just making it to the second round was good luck. Unexpectedly, he drew a bye for the third round and automatically advanced to the fourth without having to compete.
In the fourth round, however, Murong Ling’s luck ran out, and he drew Zhu Canyun, the leader of the Hundred Flowers Palace.
Zhu Canyun had been practicing the secrets of the Hundred Flowers Palace since childhood; his movements were unpredictable and fierce, making him a strong rival for Fu Bai. Shuai Chang believed their martial abilities were quite comparable.
Once Murong Ling stepped into the arena, he didn’t even have time to react before Zhu Canyun lifted him and threw him out of the ring, ending the match in the blink of an eye.
Seeing this, Fu Bai’s eyes filled with anger. “Zhu Canyun is too arrogant! I will avenge Ling’er!” Throwing someone out of the arena was a great humiliation to the opponent, clearly showcasing Zhu Canyun’s prideful nature.
“Your wife supports you! If you defeat Zhu Canyun, Ling’er will surely be very happy,” Feng Yunlan urged beside him.
As the competition reached the ninth round, Fu Bai still hadn’t encountered Zhu Canyun.
The ninth round consisted of four people, divided into two pairs. The winners of each group would compete for first and second place, while the losers would vie for third.
This time, Fu Bai faced Zhu Canyun.
“Go! As long as you defeat Zhu Canyun, the remaining opponents are not a concern,” Shuai Chang encouraged, patting Fu Bai’s shoulder.
Fu Bai clenched his fists and vowed, “Don’t worry, Master. I am determined to win first place.” Only by winning first place could he invite his master and mistress to propose to Murong Ling.
Fulfilling the wish to avenge Murong Ling, and aspiring for the champion title, Fu Bai took the initiative once he entered the arena. Landing punch after punch, he left Zhu Canyun no place to retreat. Zhu Canyun’s unpredictable techniques remained unused, as Fu Bai broke through, seizing his collar and in the next moment, Zhu Canyun was tossed out of the ring.
Zhu Canyun felt a surge of terror within. Just five days, and originally someone comparable in skill, Fu Bai had improved so greatly. After a few more years, wouldn’t this vast martial world fall under his dominion?
Once Zhu Canyun was defeated, the tenth match for the championship was scheduled for the afternoon. Fu Bai unexpectedly won the match and claimed first place.
Shuai Chang grinned from ear to ear and directly announced his intention to retire and pass the position of martial arts leader to Fu Bai.
The entire arena was in an uproar!
Fu Bai, at just twenty years old, was seven years younger than Fu Qingya when he took on the role of martial arts leader. Even with great martial skills and reputation, many still doubted him.
Fu Bai had a very strong psychological quality; although there was plenty of dissent, he stood on the stage with a stoic expression. Using his internal energy, he amplified his voice: “Grateful for Master’s trust, as the new leader, I will serve diligently, resolving disputes in the martial world and leading fellow heroes in the quest for martial arts excellence.”
After he said this, some began to look at him with admiration. The leader of the martial arts world must possess the determination to turn the tide single-handedly. Although young, Fu Bai faced many opposing voices with unwavering composure, something many people in their thirties have not achieved.
After the martial arts tournament concluded, Shuai Chang set the upcoming succession ceremony for the martial arts leader for three days later.
That night, Shuai Chang and Feng Yunlan had not yet told Fu Bai about Murong Ling when the current emperor, Zhou Fang, unexpectedly visited the martial arts estate in secret.
At the time, Shuai Chang, Feng Yunlan, and Fu Bai were in the study. Feng Yunlan said, “Fu Bai, it’s not that your mistress intended to hide it from you, it’s actually that Ling’er…”
Suddenly, the door to the study was pushed open, and a middle-aged man in a green brocade robe with a white beard stepped in, followed by dozens of men in black.
The spirit team exclaimed, “Handsome guy, he is Emperor Zhou Fang of the Zhou Dynasty!”
Shuai Chang narrowed his eyes.
Feng Yunlan asked sharply, “Who are you?”
Shuai Chang stopped him, saying, “Calm down.”
“May I ask what brings His Majesty to visit at this late hour?”
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