20: Chapter 20 Challenge

Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall has a rule that has been passed down for many years.

If there is any grudge between Disciples, or if they want to compete for a certain job or resource, they can initiate a "Challenge."

The Challenge must be conducted publicly, with both parties competing under the witness of an Elder of the martial arts hall; the winner gets what they desire, and the loser has nothing to say.

The martial arts hall encourages this method—people of the Dao should speak with their fists.

Sun Hao had his eyes set on exactly this point.

Early the next morning, he submitted a challenge application to the martial arts hall, with a legitimate reason: to compete for the job at Sifang Pavilion.

When the news spread, the entire martial arts hall was in an uproar.

On the Training Ground, Disciples gathered in small groups, discussing it animatedly.

"Have you heard? Sun Hao is going to challenge that newcomer, Lin Tian!"

"Lin Tian? The one who snatched the job at Sifang Pavilion?"

"Yes, that's him! I heard he's only been at the martial arts hall for two or three months. Who knows what kind of shit luck he had to be favored by Master Huang and shoved into Sifang Pavilion."

"Two or three months? Isn't that just when he entered? Giving the Sifang Pavilion job to him, isn't that a waste?"

"Who's to say it isn't! Sun Hao has been eyeing that job for over half a year; it should have been his long ago. To have it snatched away by a newcomer, anyone would be anxious."

"With Sun Hao making a move, Lin Tian is likely going to be in trouble."

"He deserves it if he's in trouble. A newcomer, what right does he have to ride on the heads of us veteran Disciples?"

Someone lowered their voice: "But I heard that Lin Tian seems to have a background; Master Huang thinks quite highly of him."

"So what if Master Huang thinks highly of him? Sun Hao's father is Elder Sun! Elder against Elder, who's afraid of whom?"

"That's true... Now we have a good show to watch."

Everyone nodded, their eyes filled with the excitement of watching a spectacle.

In their view, Lin Tian would undoubtedly lose.

How much skill could a newly promoted First-Rank Martial Artist have? Blood and Qi can be piled up with medicinal herbs, but Martial Skills and fist techniques must be polished over time.

Sun Hao has been a First-Rank Martial Artist for three years, his fist techniques are proficient, and he is experienced—how could a newcomer compare?

When Liu Yunfeng heard the news, he was dazed in his room.

He was stunned for a long while before he suddenly stood up, hurried out, and headed straight for Lin Tian's residence.

In the courtyard, Lin Tian was practicing the Wood Element Fist.

His movements were gentle, every move and stance unhurried, but where his fist passed, there was a faint flow of vitality in the air.

"Junior Brother Lin Tian!" Liu Yunfeng pushed the door open and entered, panting.

Lin Tian withdrew his fist and turned to look at him: "Senior Brother Liu? What is the matter?"

Liu Yunfeng took a deep breath, recounted the news he had heard, and then said anxiously:

"Lin Tian, listen to my advice; this job... why don't you just give it up."

Lin Tian frowned slightly and didn't speak.

Liu Yunfeng, thinking he didn't believe him, became even more anxious:

"You don't know that Sun Hao! He has been a First-Rank Martial Artist for three years, and it's said that his Metal Element Fist has reached the Minor Achievement Realm, with extremely strong defense.

Furthermore, he is rich in combat experience and often spars with others; there are few veteran Disciples in the martial arts hall who can beat him!"

He paused, then lowered his voice:

"You just had your Breakthrough, your blood and Qi might not be as stable as his, and your Martial Skill is lacking a few years of tempering. If you fight him head-on, your chances of winning are not high."

"In case you lose, not only will the job be gone, but you will also lose Face. It would be better to give up voluntarily and maintain some dignity."

Lin Tian was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Liu. About this matter... I will look into it first."

Seeing that he didn't agree directly, Liu Yunfeng stamped his feet in anxiety, but it wasn't appropriate to persuade him further, so he could only leave with a sigh.

After seeing Liu Yunfeng off, Lin Tian went straight to Huang Yuanshan's small courtyard.

Huang Yuanshan was drinking tea in the courtyard. Seeing him arrive, he put down his teacup, his expression somewhat grave:

"Have you heard?"

Lin Tian nodded: "Master Huang, is Sun Hao's challenge... reasonable?"

"It is reasonable." Huang Yuanshan sighed, "According to the rules of the martial arts hall, official Disciples can challenge to compete for a job. He submitted the application according to the rules; no one can stop him."

He paused, a flash of anger appearing in his eyes:

"This Sun Hao is clearly not giving me any Face! I will go find Elder Sun to talk it over and have him withdraw the challenge voluntarily!"

He started to get up as he spoke.

"Master Huang, wait." Lin Tian stopped him, "Since the other party dares to challenge, even if you go to find Elder Sun, I'm afraid it will be useless. Perhaps we will be ridiculed by them instead."

Huang Yuanshan frowned: "Then what do you mean..."

Lin Tian said calmly: "I want to learn about Sun Hao. What is his strength? How is his hand-to-hand combat? What are his strengths and weaknesses?"

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

Huang Yuanshan sat on the stone stool, looking at Lin Tian opposite him, his brows tightly locked.

"I know that kid Sun Hao." He slowly began, "He had his Breakthrough to First-Rank three years ago, specializing in the Metal Element Fist, and now he has reached the Minor Achievement Realm. His fist technique is fierce and sharp; among the younger generation in Heishan City, he is considered somewhat famous."

He paused, his tone grave:

"Although your talent is astonishing, you have only just had your Breakthrough after all. Your Metal Element Fist is only at the Entry level; you are missing a whole Realm. If you really fight... your winning chance is less than thirty percent."

Lin Tian was silent.

Minor Achievement in the Metal Element Fist requires three hundred repetitions.

He is currently only at the Entry level, and he is still three hundred repetitions of proficiency away from Minor Achievement. Under normal circumstances, it would take a month to master.

If he speeds up, half a month... it might be feasible.

"Master Huang, besides the Metal Element Fist, has he practiced anything else?" Lin Tian asked.

"No." Huang Yuanshan shook his head, "Sun Hao focuses on the Metal Element Fist and doesn't touch any other fist techniques. In his words, one mastered technique is enough to rule the world."

Lin Tian calculated quickly in his mind.

The Metal Element Fist focuses on attacking, being fierce and sharp. But if the opponent only knows the Metal Element Fist, then there is a flaw.

The Metal Element Fist consumes a lot and is difficult to sustain. And besides the Metal Element Fist, Lin Tian has also practiced the Wood Element Fist.

The Wood Element Fist focuses on vitality and recovers quickly. As long as he can endure the early stages, he can wear the opponent down to death.

The premise is—the Metal Element Fist cannot be too far behind.

Entry level against Minor Achievement, the gap is too big; he might be defeated before reaching the exhaustion stage.

But if the Metal Element Fist also breaks through to Minor Achievement...

"Master Huang, I have decided to accept the challenge." Lin Tian raised his head, his eyes firm.

Huang Yuanshan was stunned: "Are you sure?"

"Sure." Lin Tian nodded, "But Master Huang must do me a favor—postpone the challenge time by half a month."

Huang Yuanshan frowned: "Half a month? What is the use? Even if you are a Genius, it is impossible to go from Entry level to Minor Achievement in half a month."

"This Disciple wants to try." Lin Tian did not explain further.

Huang Yuanshan stared at him for a long while, and finally sighed:

"Fine, since you insist, I will help you this once. Postponing it by half a month... I will go talk to Elder Sun."

He stood up, walked to the courtyard gate, and then turned back:

"Kid, don't force yourself. If it really doesn't work, admitting defeat is not shameful."

Lin Tian cupped his hands: "Thank you, Master Huang."

The news spread, and the martial arts hall was in an uproar.

"What? Postponed by half a month?"

"Lin Tian requested it himself? Is he afraid he just wants to live for half a month longer?"

"Haha, he'll lose sooner or later, why delay it?"

"Maybe he wants to cram in the last half month."

"What can be done in half a month? It took Sun Hao three years to go from Entry level to Minor Achievement in the Metal Element Fist. Half a month? Dreaming!"

When Sun Hao heard the news, he was practicing his fists in the courtyard. He finished his practice and stood firm, a sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth:

"Half a month? Fine, I can afford to wait. Let him jump around for a few more days; he will lose even more miserably then."

Elder Sun sat on the side, slowly sipping tea, and said indifferently upon hearing this:

"Be careful, don't underestimate the enemy."

"Father, don't worry." Sun Hao flexed his wrists, "A newly promoted newcomer, how much skill can he have? In half a month, I will make him kneel and admit defeat in front of the entire martial arts hall."

Lin Tian returned to his residence and began to plan for this half month.

How many times does he need to practice every day?

Minor Achievement in the Metal Element Fist requires three hundred repetitions. Half a month is fifteen days, averaging twenty repetitions per day.

Previously, with the help of the Ganoderma, he could practice twenty times a day. But the Ganoderma was finished, leaving only some scraps, which wouldn't last many days.

One bowl of body strengthening soup every day can assist recovery, but the speed cannot compare to the Ganoderma.

If he relies solely on the body strengthening soup, he can practice at most fifteen times a day. Fifteen days would be two hundred and twenty-five repetitions, which is not enough.

He still needs a Ganoderma.

Lin Tian pondered for a moment, then stood up and went out.

Liu Yunfeng was worried in his room.

He heard the news of Lin Tian accepting the challenge, and heard that it was postponed by half a month; he was anxious. That Ganoderma had already been given; if Lin Tian lost, wouldn't it be all for nothing?

Just as he was thinking, there was a knock on the door.

"Is Senior Brother Liu there?"

Liu Yunfeng was stunned, stood up to open the door, and seeing Lin Tian standing at the door, quickly let him in:

"Junior Brother Lin Tian? Come in and sit."

Lin Tian walked into the room, didn't beat around the bush, and said directly:

"Senior Brother Liu, I need you to do me a favor."

Liu Yunfeng's heart skipped a beat: "What favor?"

"Lend me another Ganoderma." Lin Tian looked at him, "One of the same quality as last time will do. Half a month later, regardless of whether I win or lose, I will return it to you.

If I win, I will return it twofold."