7: Chapter 7: The first match begins, and the first victory is easily secured.

The next day, early morning.

The largest training ground of the Xiao Family was specially cleared, and a spacious, one-zhang-high fighting ring was erected in the center.

Around the ring, it was already bustling with people.

From the patriarch and elders of the Xiao Family down to the servants and laborers, almost everyone who had no urgent business had gathered here.

The monthly small competition was a major family event, and since this one concerned the qualifications for the Cang Gong Pavilion and the training resources for the coming month, the level of attention was naturally extremely high.

The high-ranking members of the family had set up a viewing platform to the north of the ring.

Patriarch Xiao Zhan sat in the center, his expression solemn but expectant.

To his left and right were the First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, and other influential figures.

The First Elder's expression was calm, but his eyes occasionally swept over a spot below the stage where his grandson, Xiao Ning, was standing.

Xiao Ning was dressed in a sturdy outfit today, his aura steady, faintly showing the fluctuations of an Eight-Duan peak, drawing many gazes of awe.

He seemed to enjoy this attention, his chin slightly raised, carrying the confidence of certain victory.

Lin Yan stood in the southwest corner of the ring, a relatively inconspicuous spot.

He was still wearing ordinary side-branch attire, his aura intentionally maintained at the peak of the Fifth Duan, close to the Sixth Duan—this was the "reasonable" level he simulated after using the breath-concealing talisman, which showed progress without being too eye-catching.

Occasionally, gazes fell upon him, mostly out of curiosity and scrutiny.

The incident of defeating Jia Lie Ao with one punch in the market, after several days of fermenting, had already made him somewhat famous among the younger generation of the family, but doubts persisted; many believed it was mostly due to luck and Jia Lie Ao's underestimation of him.

His gaze swept calmly over the ring, the viewing platform, and some familiar faces in the crowd.

Xiao Yan stood not far away, dressed in black, his eyes calm, showing little emotion, but Lin Yan could feel the solid Seventh Duan Dou Zhi Qi within him, as well as a trace of deeply hidden sharpness.

Further away, Xiao Xun Er, in a light green dress, stood quietly like an orchid in an empty valley. Her gaze occasionally fell on Xiao Yan, carrying a gentleness others could hardly perceive, and occasionally she would thoughtfully sweep across the ring and Lin Yan's side, her eyes clear yet profound.

"The small competition, now begins!" The deacon presiding over the competition stepped onto the ring, his voice loud and clear, "First round, first match, Number Jia-One against Number Jia-Two!"

The fierce competition instantly kicked off.

The sounds of fists and feet colliding, the whistling of Dou Qi, shouts and groans, mixed with the gasps and cheers of the onlookers, ignited the passion of the training ground.

Lin Yan observed silently.

The younger generation of the Xiao Family had uneven strength.

The strong ones like Xiao Ning, Xiao Yan, and two or three other Seventh Duan experts, while the weak ones had just reached the Fourth Duan threshold.

The Dou Techniques were mostly Huang-level low-grade, and occasionally a Huang-level middle-grade one appearing could draw gasps of admiration.

Most were immature in combat experience, and often the winner was decided in a few rounds.

Soon, it was Xiao Yan's turn to step up.

His opponent was a Sixth Duan direct descendant.

The battle started suddenly, and ended even faster.

Xiao Yan didn't even use any obvious Dou Technique, just a few simple dodges and cuts, and a plain, unadorned straight punch accurately hit the opponent's opening, forcing him back several steps until he stumbled and fell.

The whole process took no more than ten breaths, demonstrating a precise control over the battle rhythm and combat experience far exceeding his superficial cultivation.

"Xiao Yan, wins!"

A low uproar broke out under the stage.

Xiao Yan's former name as a "genius" and later ridicule as a "trash" were known to everyone in the family.

Now that he had once again displayed remarkable strength and easily defeated a Sixth Duan opponent, it undoubtedly declared to everyone: that genius seemed to have returned!

On the viewing platform, a flash of relief and excitement crossed Xiao Zhan's eyes, while the expressions of the First Elder and others changed subtly.

Xiao Yan walked off the ring calmly, as if he hadn't heard the discussions around him.

When passing by Lin Yan, his footsteps paused slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Be careful."

Lin Yan nodded slightly.

The competition continued.

When Xiao Ning went up, it drew quite a bit of attention.

His opponent was a Seventh Duan early-stage elite from the side branch, not weak.

But as soon as Xiao Ning came up, he displayed an overwhelming advantage. He unleashed a Huang-level high-grade fist Dou Technique, wind whistling with power and surging Dou Qi. In just five moves, he forced his opponent to the edge of the ring. With a final, light palm strike printed on the opponent's chest, he pushed him off the ring, winning with ease and even a sense of mockery.

"Young Master Xiao Ning is amazing!"

"Eight-Duan peak, truly extraordinary!"

"It seems that the first place in this small competition will definitely be Young Master Ning."

Compliments and discussions arose. Standing on the ring, Xiao Ning enjoyed the spotlight for a moment. With a provocative gaze, he deliberately glanced in the direction of Lin Yan before proudly stepping off the stage.

Finally, the deacon's voice rang out: "First round, fifteenth match, Number Jia-Seven, Lin Yan, against Number Jia-Seven, Xiao Ke!"

It was time to go up.

Lin Yan took a deep breath, pushed through the crowd, and walked slowly onto the ring.

His appearance was far less eye-catching than Xiao Yan's or Xiao Ning's, but his status as the protagonist of the "market incident" still piqued the interest of many, who wanted to see how the side-branch youth, rumored to have great strength, would perform in actual combat.

His opponent, Xiao Ke, had also stepped onto the stage.

He was a sturdy youth with a Sixth Duan Dou Zhi Qi, belonging to the backbone of the direct descendants. He practiced the Huang-level middle-grade Dou Technique "Thick Earth Fist," known for its steady power and defense.

"Lin Yan, right? I heard you have quite a bit of strength." Xiao Ke said in a muffled voice, his eyes carrying the slight sense of superiority typical of direct descendants, but also a trace of seriousness, "However, in a ring competition, brute force alone won't work. I will let you know what real Dou Techniques and combat are like."

Lin Yan cupped his fists, his expression calm: "Please teach me, Brother Xiao Ke."

"The competition begins!"

At the deacon's command, Xiao Ke let out a low shout. Earth-yellow Dou Qi surged around his body. He stepped forward steadily and punched straight with his right fist, carrying a heavy wind, aiming directly at Lin Yan's face.

As he said, this punch did not seek speed, but was powerful and heavy, sealing off the space for Lin Yan to dodge left or right, forcing him to take it head-on.

Someone under the stage shook their head, thinking Lin Yan would suffer.

In a contest of strength, Xiao Ke's "Thick Earth Fist" was famously strong among those of the same rank.

However, Lin Yan did not dodge.

He also stepped forward, pulled his right fist to his waist, and immediately punched straight out!

The movement was simple and direct, with no outward display of Dou Qi light, even appearing somewhat "clumsy," like an unrefined style from someone who hadn't learned formal Dou Techniques.

"As expected, only knows how to use brute force!" someone sneered.

The moment the two fists were about to collide, a flash of light shone in Lin Yan's eyes.

The Dou Zhi Qi in his body accelerated instantly, and his true power at the peak of the Seventh Duan gathered at his fist. At the same time, he quietly used the force-generating technique of "Eight Extremities Collapse," the first layer of Ming Jin contained but not released, just making his fist become more solid and heavy.

"Bang!"

The two fists collided, emitting a muffled sound.

The scene of Lin Yan being forced back, as expected, did not appear.

Instead, Xiao Ke's expression changed. He felt as if he had punched a piece of incredibly tough cowhide. The power coming from the opponent's fist was as steady as a mountain, not at all inferior to his "Thick Earth Fist" force, and the refinement of that power was even greater!

"How is this possible!?" Xiao Ke was shocked. He was at the Sixth Duan and was using a Huang-level middle-grade Dou Technique!

The opponent was a side-branch member, at most Fifth Duan, with an unrefined fist, yet he could stand on equal terms with him?

He gritted his teeth, pushed his Dou Qi again, and threw his left fist, using a move called "Earth Shaking Mountain Sway." His twin fists linked together, the earth-yellow Dou Qi light shining even brighter, attempting to suppress Lin Yan with continuous attacks.

Lin Yan slightly shifted his feet, his figure not retreating, and met the attacks with his own fists.

He did not fully unleash the An Jin of "Eight Extremities Collapse," just integrated the technique of the first layer of Ming Jin into his ordinary fists and feet, combined with his Seventh Duan peak Dou Zhi Qi and the physique strengthened by the Living Spirit Flame. Every punch and kick was simple and effective; in power, speed, and toughness, he was not at all at a disadvantage!

"Bang, bang, bang!"

On the ring, the two exchanged punches and kicks, Dou Qi surging.

Lin Yan's moves looked simple, even somewhat rigid, far less exquisite than the patterns of Xiao Ke's "Thick Earth Fist," but every strike was powerful and heavy, with tricky angles, always able to block Xiao Ke's offensive at just the right moment and deliver a powerful counterattack.

His fighting style gave people a feeling of "one force subdues ten techniques" in its simplicity, yet faintly revealed an indescribable precision.

The expressions of the spectators under the stage changed from initial dismissal to surprise, and then to seriousness.

"This Lin Yan... his strength is really great! Xiao Ke's Thick Earth Fist actually can't suppress him?"

"It's not just strength. Look at his footwork and timing; it's very steady, not at all like someone without experience."

"He doesn't seem to have used any Dou Technique, just basic punches and kicks, but this foundation is too solid, right? And that strength..."

Xiao Ke became more and more alarmed as he fought.

He felt as if his fists were hitting an anvil, the recoil making his arms numb.

But the opponent's fists were getting heavier and faster, and his own exquisite fist patterns, under the opponent's pure power and precise interception, were gradually becoming impossible to execute, giving him a feeling of being tied up.

"Cannot drag this on!" Xiao Ke gritted his teeth and seized an opportunity. He suddenly retreated half a step, the Dou Qi in his body surging wildly, and his right fist radiated a bright earth-yellow light, faintly forming a tiny vortex—this was the finishing move of "Thick Earth Fist," "Earth-Splitting Strike," which concentrated all his Dou Qi into one point to explode, with power comparable to a Huang-level high-grade!

"It's over!" Xiao Ke roared and struck out with a punch carrying the power to split stones!

Facing this powerful blow that was clearly beyond his previous level, Lin Yan's eyes narrowed slightly.

He rooted his feet, lowered his waist slightly, and pulled his right fist back to his ribs. Dou Qi surged, and the Ming Jin of the first layer of "Eight Extremities Collapse" was no longer held back, all of it gathered at his fist.

He did not choose to clash head-on at the center of the impact. Instead, the moment the opponent's punch was about to be released, he slid his feet, sidestepped to avoid the main force, and his fist, condensed with Ming Jin, shot out like a viper, a split second faster, slamming into the side of the joint of Xiao Ke's punching arm!

"Bang!" Crack!

With a crisp sound, Xiao Ke's forward momentum was suddenly halted. The sharp pain and numbness from his right arm caused his gathered Dou Qi to instantly dissipate, and his "Earth-Splitting Strike" died in the cradle before it could be fully released.

His entire body was pulled by this punch, stumbling sideways, leaving his defenses wide open.

Lin Yan did not let up after gaining the advantage. His left palm followed closely, gently pressing on Xiao Ke's back, and a soft force was released.

Xiao Ke could no longer steady himself. He rushed forward seven or eight steps with a "thud, thud, thud," until he barely stopped at the edge of the ring, one foot already hanging over, almost falling off.

He clutched his painful and numb right arm, his face flushed. He turned back to look at Lin Yan, who had already stood still and recovered his breath. His eyes were filled with unwillingness, but even more so with astonishment and a trace of resignation.

"I accept your concession." Lin Yan cupped his fists.

Under the stage, after a brief silence, a more heated discussion than before erupted.

"Won!? Lin Yan won!"

"Ten moves! At most ten moves! He actually won against Xiao Ke!"

"That last punch... such a tricky timing! It doesn't look like an unrefined style at all!"

"The force on his fist just now seems a bit special..."

The deacon also looked at Lin Yan with some surprise, then announced loudly: "Lin Yan, wins!"

On the viewing platform, Xiao Zhan nodded slightly, his eyes showing approval: "This child is not bad. His foundation is solid, his combat awareness is keen, and his strength is indeed extraordinary. It seems the market incident was not just luck."

The First Elder's face twitched imperceptibly, and he said nothing.

Xiao Ning beside him snorted coldly, staring at Lin Yan as he walked off the ring, his eyes becoming increasingly cold: "I underestimated you. However, that's all. In the next round, you won't have such good luck."

Lin Yan returned to his spot, ignoring the various gazes around him, and adjusted his breathing secretly.

In the battle just now, he had intentionally controlled his performance, using only about the power of the Sixth Duan peak and part of the power of the first layer of Ming Jin of "Eight Extremities Collapse," showing an image of "great strength, good foundation, and strong combat instinct," which both won the match and did not exceed the reasonable scope of his disguised cultivation of "Fifth Duan peak."

The effect of the breath-concealing talisman was excellent; even Patriarch Xiao Zhan didn't seem to notice any flaws.

The first battle was a victory, and he successfully advanced.

In the next round, the opponent would be stronger.

He looked up and happened to meet the gaze of Xiao Xun Er from not far away.

That gaze was still clear and calm, but Lin Yan caught a flash of deeper scrutiny and thought within it.

Just as Lin Yan moved his gaze away, preparing to continue watching the subsequent matches, a blurry shadow, almost integrated with the tree shadows among the lush branches and leaves of a large tree at the edge of the training ground, was quietly putting away a miniature jade slip that recorded the details of the battle just now.

The shadow's gaze shifted subtly back and forth between Lin Yan and the First Elder on the viewing platform.