My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

"Wind and Thunder Slash: Breaking Wind."

He unleashed his saber, and the air crackled with nascent wind and thunder.

The brawny man blocked with his twin hammers, but the immense force from the saber sent him stumbling back three steps, splitting the webbing of his hands.

"I concede!"

He decisively leaped off the arena. It wasn’t worth getting seriously injured now; better to use the time to challenge other defenders.

On the high platform, one of the Masters’ eyes lit up. "Perfection in Saber Technique?"

"There’s more. His previous External Combat Technique must be Fierce Bull Force, which has also reached the Perfection Realm. This boy’s talent for Combat Techniques is exceptionally rare."

"The other two are quite good as well. Their willpower is firm, and their Combat Techniques have reached the Great Success Realm. With a little polishing, they could probably reach the Realm of Perfection too."

"It seems the quality of this year’s new Disciples is quite high."

The Combat Power Arena battles continued for half an hour.

Liang Cheng defended his arena for twelve matches, and no one else dared to challenge him. He maintained a perfect winning streak, even defeating two True Essence Realm Early Stage opponents within three moves.

In the end, the ones who successfully defended their arenas were Liang Cheng, the brocade-robed youth, and the female Disciple who was in the True Essence Realm.

The final three gazed at one another from a distance, their fighting intent surging.

But to their surprise, the Steward suddenly announced the end of the arena battles. "There will be ranking matches after you are admitted. You can settle the score then."

In truth, this was a unanimous decision made by the Masters on the platform.

"All three of them are proud and ambitious—the cream of the crop. They haven’t even been admitted and polished yet. There’s no need to let them get injured, otherwise it would be a waste of their time."

When Liang Cheng heard the Steward’s announcement, he quickly understood the reasoning behind it. ’It seems the Main Courtyard, just like the outer Martial Arts Academy, cherishes its talented Disciples and doesn’t want them to be wasted in internal conflict.’

This was different from the Martial Arts Academy in Lin Wu City. This place seemed to have a more human touch.

Just then, several Masters floated down from the high platform, landing before the Disciples they admired.

"I am Chen Xuanfeng, an Elder of the Main Courtyard’s Instructor Hall."

He looked at Liang Cheng, the brocade-robed youth, and the only girl to achieve a perfect winning streak, his eyes full of admiration as he continued.

"The Masters of the Main Courtyard have all witnessed your performance. You three were outstanding, and have thus earned a Teacher Selection Order. With it, you may choose any Master you wish to study under, and that Master cannot refuse."

"Other Disciples may submit petitions to a Master. If a Master accepts you, your apprenticeship will be successful. For those who are not chosen, do not be discouraged. If you study and train hard, you will have other opportunities."

As he finished, Liang Cheng and the other two took the Teacher Selection Orders and bowed in thanks.

Liang Cheng examined the Teacher Selection Order in his hand. It had a slight weight to it. The front of the Token was engraved with the ancient character for "Select," and the back bore the Main Courtyard’s cloud-patterned insignia.

Just then, several faint yet distinct voices sounded in his ear almost simultaneously.

"Young friend Liang Cheng, I am Wu Qingyuan of the Law Enforcement Hall. I specialize in Swordsmanship and Body Techniques. I see that your Wandering Dragon Step has already reached Perfection. You could advance your training greatly under my tutelage..."

"Lad, I’m Zhou Mo from the Pill Furnace Pavilion. A powerful True Qi is the foundation of all martial arts! You cultivate the Broken Wave Technique, and I have a Secret Technique that can help you take it to the next level!"

"Liang Cheng. I am Ling Yue. I focus on Physical Battle Techniques. Your foundation in Hard Skills is superb. Become my disciple, and I guarantee you’ll reach the True Essence Middle Stage within three years!"

"I am Chen Xuanfeng of the Instructor Hall. Your comprehension is astounding, and I am the best at training Disciples. Join me, and your future will be boundless."

...

Within the span of three breaths, the voices of five different Masters had reached his ears, each one simple and direct.

This was Secret Transmission, a technique available only to Martial Artists at the True Gang Realm and above.

Liang Cheng’s expression remained unchanged. ’So all these Masters are trying to recruit me,’ he thought. ’It seems my performance was good enough to earn this special treatment.’

He glanced ahead and saw Qin Wentian and Xiao Qingxue also holding their Teacher Selection Orders. Their expressions flickered slightly, a clear sign they had received similar messages.

On the high platform, the Masters remained seated, but their gazes were all fixed on the trio.

"You have the time it takes for one incense stick to burn."

The Purple-robed Steward in the center spoke. "Those with a Teacher Selection Order may step forward to choose your Master. If you fail to choose in time, you will forfeit this opportunity."

The brocade-robed youth, Qin Wentian, was the first to move.

He walked straight to the green-robed Master who carried a longsword on his back, bowed deeply, and said, "Disciple Qin Wentian wishes to study under Master Li Changfeng."

The green-robed Master, Li Changfeng, smiled faintly and nodded in acceptance.

Xiao Qingxue, in turn, walked toward the female Master in a white dress who had a gentle air about her. She curtsied gracefully. "Disciple Xiao Qingxue wishes to cultivate under Master Su Wan."

Master Su Wan nodded lightly, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

Now, all eyes were on Liang Cheng.

Who would he choose?

Liang Cheng’s gaze swept across the high platform.

Wu Qingyuan of the Law Enforcement Hall had a grim face. Zhou Mo of the Pill Furnace Pavilion was white-haired and bearded. Ling Yue was burly and radiated an overwhelming presence...

And then there was Chen Xuanfeng of the Instructor Hall, stroking his beard and smiling down at him.

’Elder Huang’s advice... ’ Liang Cheng thought. ’Plus, Chen Xuanfeng is an Instructor Elder, so he has the most resources and the widest perspective. He’s also a grandmaster of the Sword Dao, which is perfect for me.’

Without a moment’s hesitation, he stepped forward, walked up to Chen Xuanfeng, and bowed deeply.

"Disciple Liang Cheng wishes to study under Master Chen Xuanfeng."

As he spoke, the expressions of the Masters on the high platform varied.

A flash of regret crossed Wu Qingyuan’s eyes. Zhou Mo shook his head with a faint sigh. Ling Yue, however, just let out a heavy snort.

Chen Xuanfeng roared with laughter, his voice echoing through the valley. "Excellent! Excellent! From this day forward, you are my fourth Direct Disciple!"

He stepped forward, helped Liang Cheng to his feet, and produced a White Jade Token. "This is the token of my Direct Disciples. With it, you may freely enter the first three floors of the Instructor Hall and will receive an extra one thousand Contribution Points each month."

"Thank you, Master!"

Liang Cheng accepted it with both hands.

"Go back and get some rest. Come find me at the Instructor Hall tomorrow."

Chen Xuanfeng clapped him on the shoulder, then turned to the other two Masters. "Everyone, the master selection is now complete. Let’s all disperse."

The three Masters then departed from the Trial Valley, each with their new disciple in tow.