My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

As the Black-robed Steward announced the results, the crowd below the stage erupted.

"Number forty-eight on the Hero Ranking! Liang Cheng actually succeeded!"

"That final saber strike was brutal. It cleaved right through Senior Brother Lin’s Fiery Sun Palm..."

Amidst the crowd’s murmurs, Liang Cheng sheathed his saber and clasped his fist at Lin Yuan, who had managed to struggle to his feet. "Senior Brother Lin, thank you for the match."

Lin Yuan wore a bitter expression and let out a long sigh.

"Junior Brother Liang, what excellent Saber Technique. I was fairly beaten."

He staggered off the stage, cutting a lonely figure as he departed.

When Liang Cheng stepped off the stage, Ye Zhiqiu rushed over and clapped him hard on the shoulder. "Good man! Number forty-eight on the Hero Ranking! Beautifully done!"

Liang Cheng smiled, though he felt a searing pain in his left shoulder. He had taken the brunt of the Fiery Sun Palm’s aftershock. While his Mixed Element Gang Body had blocked ninety percent of the force, his skin was still lightly singed.

"You’re hurt?"

Ye Zhiqiu, with his sharp eyes, immediately pulled out a vial of Ice Jade Ointment and handed it over.

"It’s just a flesh wound. Nothing serious."

Meanwhile, up on the high platform, several of the Masters were congratulating Chen Xuanfeng.

Li Changfeng stroked his beard and chuckled. "Old Monster Chen, you’ve really found a gem this time."

Master Su Wan nodded slightly. "His will is firm and he’s adaptable in battle. This boy’s potential is limitless."

As the Masters praised him in front of everyone, Chen Xuanfeng repeatedly replied that it was just a stroke of luck.

At that moment, Fu Qingyun was standing in the crowd, his expression dark. He whispered a few words to Shi Jun, who was standing beside him, and Shi Jun looked rather stunned.

"Are you sure?"

Fu Qingyun nodded.

Shi Jun thought for a moment, then nodded. He took a step forward, his voice carrying across the entire field.

"Junior Brother Liang, your talent is extraordinary, and I, Shi Jun, am deeply impressed. I happen to practice the saber as well, and seeing your skill has ignited my own desire for a match. In three days, I would like to spar with you. I wonder, do you dare accept?"

The atmosphere in the field suddenly grew tense.

Shi Jun was ranked thirty-eighth, a cultivator at the Late Stage Peak of the True Essence Realm. He was stronger than Lin Yuan by more than just a notch. By stepping forward now, he was clearly trying to steal Liang Cheng’s thunder.

Chen Xuanfeng’s brow furrowed.

Liang Cheng turned to face Shi Jun, his expression calm. "So, Senior Brother Shi wishes to offer me some guidance?"

"That’s right."

All eyes turned to Liang Cheng.

He had just defeated Qin Wentian, Xiao Qingxue, and Lin Yuan in succession. His momentum was unstoppable, and many feared he would be goaded into accepting the challenge.

After all, what prodigy wasn’t proud and arrogant?

If he accepted the fight, it would be an arduous battle with his odds of victory at less than forty percent. Even if he managed to win, it would be a pyrrhic one, requiring a long period of recovery.

Fu Qingyun sneered from the crowd, waiting to see how Liang Cheng would respond.

Liang Cheng was silent for a few moments, then suddenly smiled and spoke, his tone perfectly level, neither servile nor overbearing. "Senior Brother Shi is ranked thirty-eighth and his Cultivation is profound. I admit that I am no match for you."

"As for this battle, I concede."

Conceding?!

The entire field was in an uproar!

Some were disappointed, others understood, and Fu Qingyun’s face turned ashen.

No one had expected Liang Cheng to concede so decisively. Shi Jun stood frozen in place, the words he had prepared all caught in his throat.

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Xuanfeng’s eyes. He stroked his beard and smiled, his expression one of approval. The other Masters had similar looks on their faces.

In the contest of the Martial Dao, one must assess the situation and know when to advance and when to retreat. One must not fear battle, but one must not fight blindly either!

A smile played on Ye Zhiqiu’s lips.

Fu Qingyun’s face flushed red as he raged, "Liang Cheng! How dare you refuse Senior Brother Shi..."

"And why wouldn’t I dare?"

Liang Cheng cut him off, his voice still even. "Senior Brother Shi’s Cultivation is profound, his True Essence abundant, and his Combat Techniques masterful. I am no match for him to begin with."

He turned to Shi Jun and cupped his hands. "If Senior Brother Shi is looking for a proper match, my Third Senior Brother, Ye Zhiqiu, is also here. He is a True Inheritor of our Master’s teachings and could surely offer you a rewarding experience."

Ye Zhiqiu played along and stepped forward.

Shi Jun’s expression turned ugly.

’Ye Zhiqiu is ranked third on the Hero Ranking. I’m no match for him at all.’

Fortunately, the Black-robed Steward stepped forward just then. "Today is the Inner Courtyard’s mid-month competition, not a stage for private spars. Shi Jun, step down!"

Shi Jun eagerly took the offered excuse to save face, retreating without another word.

However, when he returned to his spot, he whispered to Fu Qingyun, "Remember to send over the Xuanyuan Breaking Barrier Pill tonight."

Fu Qingyun’s expression changed.

"What, are you unwilling? Liang Cheng was the one who refused to fight. It’s not like I didn’t issue the challenge!"

Fu Qingyun quickly shook his head and said with a placating smile, "You must be joking, Senior Brother. I’ll have it delivered tonight."

On the other side, Ye Zhiqiu curled his lip in disdain.

’What a coward. Bullies the weak and fears the strong.’

The Black-robed Steward called for more challengers a few more times, but the Inner Courtyard Disciples were all familiar with one another. After a few more sporadic duels, the challenges came to an end.

Then, the Steward announced in a loud voice, "Liang Cheng is now ranked forty-eighth, with a basic monthly stipend of three thousand Contribution Points. Xiao Qingxue is fifty-eighth and Qin Wentian is sixtieth, with a basic monthly stipend of two thousand points..."

With that announcement, the competition officially came to a close.

...

Back at Building C-42, Liang Cheng activated the Quiet Chamber Array.

Liang Cheng sat down cross-legged, consumed a True Essence Pill, and began circulating his energy. Under the influence of his Crossing the Sea True Intent, he was fully recovered in just two hours.

After he applied the Ice Jade Ointment, the burn on his left shoulder became nearly invisible, a testament to both the ointment and his powerful physique. When he opened his eyes, they were perfectly clear.

’If I can endure the hatred from Fu Chenzhou’s assassination attempt for now, what’s a trivial challenge from Shi Jun in a minor competition?’

’Once I’m strong enough, it won’t be too late to settle these scores, one by one.’

...

「The next day, at the Instructor Hall.」

Liang Cheng was summoned to Chen Xuanfeng’s Quiet Chamber.

All three of his senior brothers were there. When they saw him enter, Ye Zhiqiu was the first to grin. "Junior Brother, that was a beautiful performance in yesterday’s competition!"

Lu Zheng also nodded. "Knowing when to choose your battles is the mark of someone destined for great things."

Though Leng Feng didn’t speak, a look of approval had appeared in his eyes.

Chen Xuanfeng gestured for Liang Cheng to sit down and got straight to the point. "I was very pleased with how you handled things yesterday. The contest of the Martial Dao is not about winning or losing a single engagement. Shi Jun is a narrow-minded person. If you had fought him to the death, you would have played right into his hands."

"This Disciple understands."

Chen Xuanfeng took down his saber. "Today, I, your Master, will demonstrate the Mountain-Breaking Saber for you again. Quiet your minds and seek enlightenment from it."