The Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall’s basic Striking Technique led to slow progress, even with the aid of Secret Medicine. It might have been fine for someone with a strong natural aptitude, but for a person of Zhao Xuanqi’s caliber, relying solely on this basic technique would have been insufficient. Even with his unique digestive talent and a full daily supply of Secret Medicine, it likely would have taken him half a year to reach the Cross-Training realm.

Therefore, he hadn’t relied on the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall’s Striking Technique to enter the Cross-Training realm. Instead, it was because he practiced the Hundred Beasts Mystic Gate during his rest periods!

The initial forging of his skin was complete!

Through training in the Hundred Beasts Mystic Gate, the skin and membranes all over his body had not only become tougher, but had also gained the unique Cross-Training characteristics of the technique.

His sense of touch was so keen he could even perceive, to an extent, the flow of air stirred by techniques in a duel.

His heightened intuition also enabled his skin to, at the very moment an opponent attacked, synthesize visual cues and hostile intent to roughly sense where the blow would land.

He had only just entered the Cross-Training realm, and the forging of his skin wasn’t deep, so the boost to his intuition was quite limited. For any other Hundred Beasts Sect disciple at this stage, the increase in strength from such intuition would have been within normal bounds. But for Zhao Xuanqi, it was a different story.

When combined with his vast Martial Dao experience and combat skills, this subtle enhancement provided an unimaginable boost to his fighting style!

With his five fingers clenched, Zhao Xuanqi met the incoming Tiger Claw with one of his own.

Finger Technique versus Finger Technique!

BAM!!

The two Tiger Claws collided. Zhao Xuanqi’s fingertips struck the center of Shang Haishan’s palm.

Logically, this was an incredibly dangerous counter. If Shang Haishan had fully executed his Finger Technique, his fingers would have instantly clenched, enveloping Zhao Xuanqi’s hand. With a full Force Release, Zhao Xuanqi’s hand would have been fractured and twisted in an instant.

However, at that moment, Shang Haishan’s Power Generation was incomplete.

And Finger Technique demands complete Power Generation!

Power must flow unimpeded through every joint to the fingertips to unleash its true might. How much damage could one inflict using only the palm and forearm?

The Intercepting Fist—cutting off an attack before the enemy’s technique is fully formed, preventing their Force from being completely unleashed—is the bane of Finger Techniques!

Zhao Xuanqi had blocked Shang Haishan’s attack head-on!

Moreover, Zhao Xuanqi’s Finger Force pierced into his palm, sending a tingling numbness through his entire hand.

’In a direct clash, I’m clearly the stronger one, but I’m the one who came out worse?!’

He... actually took it head-on?!

Looks of astonishment appeared in the eyes of the watching crowd.

Shang Haishan was a high-level Cross-Training Martial Artist with Qi Surge flowing through both his arms. His Physical Ability and defense were both more than a notch above Zhao Xuanqi’s. Yet in a direct, head-on clash, Zhao Xuanqi, a mere novice in Cross-Training, wasn’t at a disadvantage at all?

What in the world was going on?

But an even greater shock was yet to come.

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

After the initial strike, the two quickly became entangled, exchanging a continuous flurry of blows, each one a direct confrontation.

However, Shang Haishan, who should have held an absolute advantage in a direct confrontation, was now being forced back again and again!

On the contrary, it was Zhao Qi who pressed forward step by step, his Tiger Claws linking together as he seized the initiative and every advantage!

How is this possible?!

This turn of events defied everyone’s expectations. Some even began to suspect that the match was just a show arranged by the Martial Arts Hall’s master and Liu Changfeng. They thought Shang Haishan was intentionally losing to Zhao Xuanqi to bolster his authority, making it easier for him to take over Wind Shadow Hall.

"Senior Brother, could that be..."

The three Inner Sect Disciples from the escort division by Liu Changfeng’s side, however, were more experienced. They seemed to have noticed something, but couldn’t be certain.

"It’s the Intercepting Fist Technique," Liu Changfeng said with a nod. "Shang Haishan’s attacks are being cut off before they can fully form. For a Finger Technique user, such an interception is fatal."

’The Intercepting Fist...’

The three Inner Sect Disciples from the escort division narrowed their eyes. They had heard of this fighting style, of course, but its requirements were incredibly strict. It could only be used when one completely understood an opponent’s techniques and attack patterns, and possessed a massive advantage in fighting style, intuition, and reflexes.

Typically, the Intercepting Fist Technique was seen only in training sessions where a senior was guiding a junior. It rarely, if ever, appeared in a real fight. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

And yet, here was Zhao Xuanqi, using this very style in a real battle—against an opponent with superior overall physical conditioning!

It was simply unbelievable.

’So this is the man who earned the favor of both the Hall Master and Senior Brother Liu?’

In truth, even Liu Changfeng was a little surprised. Zhao Xuanqi had never used a similar technique in their previous training sessions.

But after a moment’s thought, he understood. His own physical conditioning completely crushed Zhao Xuanqi’s. Even if Zhao Xuanqi had tried to use the Intercepting Fist Technique, he likely wouldn’t have been able to block his attacks and would have only been walking into a trap.

Against other Inner Sect Cross-Training practitioners, however, this technique was terrifying.

’This kid... he always finds a way to surprise you...’

Liu Changfeng thought to himself, his worries completely assuaged.

Meanwhile, Shang Haishan, who was in the thick of the fight, felt it most profoundly.

Only he could truly understand the agony of being unable to unleash his full strength. It was so frustrating he felt like he could spit blood.

He tried using his extensive combat experience to change his attack patterns on the fly. It had some effect, but Zhao Xuanqi would still intercept him mid-move. This reduced the power of his strikes, and since they weren’t his usual techniques, their force was limited to begin with. Not only did he fail to harm Zhao Xuanqi, but he also left himself more vulnerable to attack.

The longer he fought, the more a sense of powerlessness and despair grew within him.

’This Junior Brother Zhao has only just entered the Cross-Training realm, yet his strength has already reached such a level!’

’No wonder Master and Senior Brother Liu felt at ease entrusting Wind Shadow Hall to him.’

As the fight wore on, the dissatisfaction Shang Haishan had initially felt began to fade away.

His skills were inferior. He had nothing more to say.

The Martial Dao was that simple. If you were good enough, you were good enough. If you weren’t, you weren’t.

Zhao Xuanqi and Shang Haishan battled for the time it takes half a stick of incense to burn.

Finally, after a careless move, Zhao Xuanqi pinched a nerve in his arm. A moment later, a Tiger Claw was pressed to his throat, forcing him to drop his Stance and concede defeat.

"Hall Master, your Technique is superb. Forgive me for displaying my amateur skills before a master. However, there is one thing I don’t understand. I consider my fighting style to be well-practiced and my techniques versatile. How were you able to rob me of the initiative time and time again?"

Shang Haishan clasped his fists, bowed, and sincerely asked Zhao Xuanqi for guidance.

"A Martial Artist’s Qi and Blood are vigorous. Where the Eye Power goes, the Intent follows, and the body will inevitably respond. Your Intent was far too obvious."

Zhao Xuanqi said淡淡的说道.

"Thank you for your guidance, Hall Master."

Shang Haishan fell into thought at his words. He clasped his fists toward Zhao Xuanqi once more and withdrew.

As everyone watched this unfold, the training ground fell silent.

"Senior Brother Shang..."

The other two Inner Sect Disciples watched Shang Haishan step down. Their insight was much greater than that of the average disciple, so they had been able to see hints of what was happening during the fight, but they still weren’t entirely sure.

"I used my full strength," Shang Haishan said in a low voice. "If you two don’t believe me, feel free to go up and try for yourselves."

He said no more, lowering his gaze and falling silent.

Si Xinyong and Jiang Yiren exchanged a look. They glanced up at Zhao Xuanqi in the center of the training ground, and after recalling the fight, they too fell silent.

"Does anyone else want to give it a try?"

Zhao Xuanqi spoke with a calm expression, but his words now carried an unspoken pressure that weighed on the disciples of Wind Shadow Hall.

The seeds of his authority had been quietly sown.

Zhao Xuanqi scanned the crowd. When no one else stepped forward after a long moment, he spoke again.

"Since there are no more challengers, from now on, I’m in charge of Wind Shadow Hall. My word is law. If any of you dare to outwardly agree but secretly disobey..."

As he spoke, a cruel light, like that of a Fierce Beast, flashed in Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes. Under his gaze, not a single disciple from Wind Shadow Hall dared to look up and meet his stare.

"Then don’t blame me for being merciless and disregarding the bonds of our sect."