Cyclebreaker: Rise of the Martial Emperor

Chapter 26 – Movement Technique Major Achievement, entering the minutest details

The Martial Hall's duels were conducted through a lottery system, which added an element of luck to the proceedings.

Some matches were closely contested, with blades clashing and spears crossing on the dueling platform, drawing cheers from the crowd.

In matches with a significant disparity in strength, victory was often decided in a single move. A young man named Hu Gang, wielding a sword that remained sheathed, defeated his opponent with a single palm strike, sending him off the platform.

Those brave enough to participate in the duels were at least at the Body Refining level seven, with excellent talent and mastery of Grade-Three martial arts, making them far superior to ordinary Martial Hall students.

The area below the dueling platform was a cacophony of cheers and shouts, as many Martial Hall students encouraged their favorite contestants.

The first round of eliminations proceeded quickly, and before long, it was Luo Xiu's turn to take the stage.

"Platform number three, contestant ninety-eight!"

With a loud thud, a young man leaped into the air, spinning gracefully before landing lightly on the platform.

The crowd erupted in applause, recognizing his mastery of a Grade-Three movement technique, showcasing impressive agility.

In contrast to his opponent's flashy display, Luo Xiu's approach was much more subdued. He simply leaped lightly onto the platform.

"So, you're the Luo Xiu who recently advanced to the intermediate class and crippled Zhang Hai?" The young man opposite him was thin, and upon seeing Luo Xiu, a hint of apprehension appeared in his eyes.

Luo Xiu nodded calmly, saying nothing more.

However, Luo Xiu's indifferent demeanor was perceived by his opponent as a sign of disdain, prompting a cold snort and a sneer.

"This Luo Xiu thinks that just because he defeated Zhang Hai, he can look down on me. We're both at Body Refining level seven; I refuse to believe I'll lose to him!"

Confident in his movement technique, the young man charged at Luo Xiu, flicking his wrist to send a cold gleam flying toward him.

The gleam was a small throwing knife, revealing that the young man specialized in hidden weapons.

Luo Xiu remained unfazed, taking a slight lateral step, allowing the knife to narrowly miss his chest by a hair's breadth.

To others, this might not have seemed remarkable, but to the elders and the Master of the Martial Hall watching from the pavilion, it was a different story.

"Mastered movement technique, precise to the hair's breadth?" Zhuang Nantian expressed surprise.

The so-called "precise to the hair's breadth" was a movement technique skill aimed at evading attacks in the most efficient manner. However, it required a high level of precision, as any mistake could result in being hit.

On the dueling platform, as Luo Xiu dodged the knife, he suddenly stepped forward, moving like the wind, and appeared directly in front of the young man.

"Bang!"

With a dull thud, a figure was sent tumbling off the platform.

"Luo Xiu wins!" announced the judge instructor for platform number three.

"Damn it, that Luo Xiu got lucky. My throwing knife was just a hair away from hitting him!" The young man who had been knocked off the platform by Luo Xiu wore a sullen expression, filled with unwillingness.

"Even Zhang Hai, who was at Body Refining level eight, was defeated. Losing to him isn't shameful," a companion consoled him.

Luo Xiu stepped down from the platform, finding the Body Refining level seven opponents too weak to even warrant drawing his sword.

Though there were over a hundred matches, they proceeded quickly. After all, the contestants were all Body Refining martial apprentices, and most matches were decided within a dozen moves.

As the second round began, the remaining contestants drew lots again, and Luo Xiu drew number thirteen, soon taking the stage once more.

Luo Xiu's second opponent was also a Body Refining level seven martial apprentice.

As the match began, Luo Xiu didn't bother wasting time. With a flash of movement, he closed in on his opponent, striking him off the platform before he could react.

Just like in the first match, Luo Xiu didn't use any martial techniques, relying solely on the precision of his movement technique to defeat his opponent in one move.

"This kid is too arrogant, thinking his movement technique makes him invincible."

"I bet his movement technique is good, but his martial skills and internal cultivation are probably lacking. He might handle weaker opponents, but against a true expert, his movement technique won't save him."

Many other contestants took note of Luo Xiu's performance, categorizing him as someone with decent movement skills but average overall strength.

After the second round, only seventy or so contestants remained.

As the tournament entered the third round, Luo Xiu was called to the stage early. His opponent was a proud young man dressed in a blue martial outfit, carrying a black iron spear on his back.

"Heh, Luo Xiu's luck is terrible, running into Lin Jie!" Xu Fei, who spent his days playing the role of a flower guardian beside Liu Yuxin, said gleefully.

Liu Yuxin frowned slightly, a hint of disdain in her bright eyes as she looked at Xu Fei. "At least Luo Xiu has the courage to compete and has already won two matches. Even if he loses to Lin Jie, it's not disgraceful."

"He just got lucky, facing two weak opponents before," Xu Fei replied, his face darkening. He could tell Liu Yuxin was mocking him for not even daring to participate in the Grand Martial Tournament.

But reminding himself that this woman would eventually be his, he swallowed his pride, thinking, "Once you marry into the Xu family, Liu Yuxin, I'll show you who's in charge!"

"Lin Jie?"

In the pavilion's spectator seats, Zhuang Nantian frowned slightly. He knew that two months ago, Luo Xiu had reached Body Refining level eight and, having mastered the Pure Yang Technique, could likely rival those at Body Refining level nine.

However, Lin Jie was no ordinary opponent, being at the peak of Body Refining level nine and ranked fifth on the ranking board!

As the fourth person in eight hundred years to master the Pure Yang Technique, Zhuang Nantian had high hopes for Luo Xiu and planned to take him as a disciple after the tournament. But if Luo Xiu couldn't achieve a good ranking, taking him as a disciple would invite criticism.

"Elder Zhuang, be patient. This little guy Luo Xiu isn't as simple as he seems," the Master of the Martial Hall said with a slight smile, sipping his tea.

Behind the Master of the Martial Hall and the elders, the Martial Hall's instructors stood, except for one who sat with the elders. She was the renowned beauty teacher, Lu Mengyao, known for her dual mastery of ice and fire.

"I agree with the Hall Master. Luo Xiu should be able to win," Lu Mengyao said.

Zhuang Nantian was surprised but then smiled slightly, curiosity in his eyes as he looked at Luo Xiu on the platform, thinking, "Could this kid have secrets I can't see?"

On the platform, Luo Xiu and Lin Jie faced each other.

"You're not my match. If you don't want to get hurt, step down yourself," Lin Jie stood proudly, giving Luo Xiu a disdainful glance.

Luo Xiu shook his head silently. Perhaps due to his past as a commoner often bullied by noble heirs, he despised those who were arrogant and looked down on others.

Seeing Luo Xiu shake his head, Lin Jie frowned, a fierce light flashing in his eyes. "Looks like you won't shed tears until you see the coffin!"

As he spoke, Lin Jie stepped forward, his body emitting a faint glow. Even without fully activating his inner qi, the glow was apparent, a feat typically only achieved by those at the peak of Body Refining level nine.

"Against trash like you, I don't need to draw my spear. Take this, Mountain-Breaking Fist!"

Lin Jie charged at Luo Xiu, his fist aimed at Luo Xiu's chest, inner qi glowing and the wind from his punch howling fiercely.

Facing this ferocious punch, Luo Xiu remained calm, retreating half a step, leaving Lin Jie's fist just shy of his chest by less than half an inch.

Lin Jie was momentarily stunned, but his punch had just reached its limit, perfectly dodged by Luo Xiu.

Was it luck? Or had this kid calculated that my punch would lose its force here, unable to touch him?

Being ranked fifth on the board, Lin Jie was no fool. He quickly realized that Luo Xiu might not be as simple as he had thought.

"Shadowstrike Fist!"

Lin Jie immediately changed his tactics, his fists flying like rain, creating a flurry of overlapping shadows that dazzled the eye.

This technique contained many feints, and a moment's inattention could lead to defeat.

Luo Xiu's movement technique unfolded, allowing him to move freely amidst the flurry of punches. No matter how fierce Lin Jie's assault, Luo Xiu remained composed, responding with calm indifference.

"Mastered movement technique, precise to the hair's breadth, using Grade-Two Inch Step to such a degree, impressive, impressive..."

In the pavilion's spectator seats, the Master of the Martial Hall stroked his beard, nodding with a smile. At fourteen, mastering the Pure Yang Technique and comprehending the precise movement technique was a rare talent.

"But Lin Jie's forte is the Moon-Catching Spear Art. I wonder how Luo Xiu's Thunderstorm Sword Art is progressing?"

The Master of the Martial Hall's keen eyes had already discerned that Luo Xiu was concealing his true strength. Though he appeared to be at Body Refining level eight, his inner qi had long reached the level of Body Refining level nine.

To most observers, Lin Jie seemed to be dominating the fight, his body glowing and his attacks fierce, appearing to have the upper hand over Luo Xiu.

Cheers and applause filled the air, but suddenly, a wave of inner qi emanated from the platform, and brilliant light burst forth.

In the arena, Luo Xiu's aura surged, his entire body glowing with inner qi, reaching the height of Body Refining level nine!

"What!?"

"Body Refining level nine? How is this possible?"

The crowd fell silent, all eyes incredulously fixed on the black-clad youth in the arena.

Everyone knew that just over two months ago, Luo Xiu was at Body Refining level eight. How could he have reached level nine in such a short time?

More astonishingly, five months ago, Luo Xiu was only at Body Refining level two!

Seven levels in five months?

This undoubtedly shattered the eight-hundred-year cultivation record of Qingyun City's Martial Hall!

In the spectator seats, all four elders, including Zhuang Nantian, stood up in astonishment, their eyes fixed on the black-clad youth in the arena.

Was Luo Xiu a monster, cultivating at such an incredible pace?

Among everyone, only the Master of the Martial Hall and Lu Mengyao remained relatively calm. To ordinary people, such cultivation speed was indeed miraculous, but this was only relative to Qingyun City. In the broader Yunlong Prefecture or the Free Spirit Sect, while rare, such cultivation speed was not unheard of.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a sharp sound of something cutting through the air came from the platform. Lin Jie, unable to break through, resorted to his spear technique. The black iron spear moved swiftly like the wind, the Moon-Catching Spear Art tracing arcs as it attacked Luo Xiu.

Just when everyone thought Luo Xiu would finally draw his sword, he remained motionless, lightly pushing the spear aside with his palm. His movement technique followed like a shadow, pouncing like a tiger, and he punched Lin Jie in the chest.

"Bang!"

With a powerful burst of force, Lin Jie's body was flung into the air like a kite with a broken string, crashing down off the platform.

"Wow..."

Seeing Luo Xiu defeat Lin Jie, who specialized in spear techniques, using only his movement and fist techniques, the crowd erupted in astonishment, unable to believe that in less than half a year, the once obscure Luo Xiu had become so formidable.

The judge instructor on the platform was also shocked by Luo Xiu's displayed strength, only snapping back to reality to announce Luo Xiu's victory.

Undoubtedly, after this Grand Martial Tournament, Luo Xiu's name would become legendary in Qingyun City's Martial Hall!

Below the platform, a wave of applause and cheers erupted. If anyone had previously thought Luo Xiu was merely lucky with good movement skills, his battle with Lin Jie proved he possessed true strength, not just luck!

Especially among the students who, like Luo Xiu, came from humble backgrounds, excitement was palpable. If Luo Xiu could rise, why couldn't they?

On the platform, Luo Xiu stood tall, his presence etched into the hearts of many, inspiring them to resolve to train diligently, hoping to one day achieve what Luo Xiu had.