A Martial Master Level expert would be considered an Elder Level figure even in the Blood Wolf Gang, to say nothing of smaller factions.
On the stage, Chu Qingyun and Zhu Yuanzhi were locked in a fierce battle and naturally failed to notice any of this.
Relying on the first four forms of the Gale Seven Swords, supplemented by the distracting attacks of his Five-Star Vine, Chu Qingyun fought Zhu Yuanzhi to a standstill.
Zhu Yuanzhi couldn't defeat Chu Qingyun, but Chu Qingyun couldn't win against Zhu Yuanzhi either.
"Kid, you've got some skill, but this isn't my full strength!"
"Iron Sand Palm!"
Zhu Yuanzhi roared, and his palms suddenly swelled, their color turning a deep, dark black.
Previously, Zhu Yuanzhi had been extremely wary of Chu Qingyun's Sword Aura, not daring to block it with his bare hands.
But after using Iron Sand Palm, his techniques instantly became incomparably fierce. He employed the Iron Eagle Claw, grabbing directly at Chu Qingyun's Sword Aura.
BANG!
The sharp Sword Aura, infused with Sword Momentum, tore through the Iron Eagle Claw Soul Technique, yet it could only leave a white scratch on Zhu Yuanzhi's Iron Sand Palm, failing to injure him at all!
'Impressive!'
'As expected of an expert who could achieve a four-win streak!'
Chu Qingyun couldn't help his inner astonishment.
The Martial Artists of Qingshan City not only had strong Martial Souls, but their available methods were on a level that a place like Chu Family Village could never compare to.
Relying on the Sword Momentum from the first four sword forms, Chu Qingyun was considered to have no match below the Martial Master realm back in the Chu Family Village area.
But now in Qingshan City, he couldn't even handle a single Level Eight Martial Artist.
After unleashing his Iron Sand Palm, Zhu Yuanzhi's presence surged. His relentless attacks forced Chu Qingyun back again and again, leaving him struggling to cope.
'There's no other choice. It seems I have to use that move.'
"Sword Drawing Technique!"
Using the five vines as cover, Chu Qingyun found his opportunity and abruptly executed the Sword Drawing Technique.
On the stage, a cold light flashed and vanished.
Zhu Yuanzhi's raised hands froze in mid-air.
Having advanced to a Level Seven Martial Artist, Chu Qingyun's Sword Drawing Technique was even faster and fiercer than before!
This sword strike was so fast that the vast majority of people couldn't see it clearly at all.
The stronger ones could barely perceive a flash of cold light, while the weaker ones simply saw a blur and nothing more.
In the entire Martial Artist District, the only person who saw Chu Qingyun's complete motion of drawing and sheathing his sword was Gao Feng!
DRIP... DRIP...
Blood gathered on Zhu Yuanzhi's Iron Sand Palms and dripped to the floor.
Only then did the spectators notice that his Iron Sand Palms, which even the Sword Aura couldn't pierce, had been slashed with a gash so deep the bone was visible!
The giant black palms quickly shrank back to their original size. Zhu Yuanzhi, hands trembling, took a deep look at Chu Qingyun and said, "You win."
With that, he turned, left, and jumped off the arena stage.
'Phew... It's over.'
Chu Qingyun also heaved a long sigh of relief inwardly.
After using the Sword Drawing Technique, a sharp, needle-like pain had already begun to spread through his right arm.
Just to get a five-win streak, he had been forced to play his greatest trump card. This served as a wake-up call to Chu Qingyun: with his current strength, he was truly nothing in Qingshan City.
"The winner of today's final match is the Level Seven Martial Artist, Chu Qingyun!"
After the referee announced the result, many people in the stands stood up and applauded.
Many of them looked at Chu Qingyun with fiery intensity in their eyes.
A fifteen-year-old Level Seven Martial Artist who had comprehended Sword Momentum, achieved a five-win streak at the Great Xia Martial Palace, and possessed that final Sword Drawing Technique—any one of these achievements held an immense attraction for them.
After returning backstage, Chu Qingyun received the reward for his five-win streak from Gao Feng: five hundred Middle Grade Primordial Stones.
From his first match to the final five-win streak, Chu Qingyun had obtained a total of 661 Middle Grade Primordial Stones.
This amount of money was a far cry from the nearly four thousand Middle Grade Primordial Stones he needed.
But there was nothing to be done about it. The Great Xia Martial Palace was a place to win honor and opportunities, not a place to make money.
"Lord Qingyun, you're so amazing! You got a five-win streak as just a Level Seven. You'll definitely get a ten-win streak in the future!"
Mo's eyes were filled with adoration.
Chu Qingyun gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and said, "That last battle already forced out all of my trump cards. A ten-win streak... that's too difficult..."
At this moment, Chu Qingyun finally understood that the title of Great Xia Samurai was not so easily obtained.
Of course, this was also related to his Realm.
Basically, those who achieved a four-win streak or more were all Level Eight Martial Artists, and those who could manage a seven-win streak or more were all Level Nine Martial Artists.
Chu Qingyun's Level Seven strength was still somewhat lacking in this regard.
"Lord Qingyun can definitely do it! Oh, right, I'm afraid the outside is probably packed with people wanting to recruit you right now."
Mo said with a smile.
"Huh?"
Chu Qingyun was both surprised and exasperated.
He was here to cause trouble for the Blood Wolf Gang; his priority was to keep a low profile. He had no desire to be recruited.
"Does Lord Qingyun want to avoid the trouble? I can help you! I'll lead you out through the back door!"
Mo said, seeing Chu Qingyun's intention.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Mo."
Chu Qingyun said gratefully.
"Just call me Mo."
"Lord Qingyun, don't forget to look for me next time you come! I still want to see you get that ten-win streak."
After slipping out the back door of the Great Xia Martial Palace, Chu Qingyun glanced down the street and saw that, sure enough, a large crowd was packed around the main entrance.
Chu Qingyun shook his head and quickly departed.
'After a full day's work, I only earned a little over six hundred Middle Grade Primordial Stones.'
'This much money isn't even a drop in the bucket. It looks like I'll have to go to the Life and Death Arena after all.'
On the way, Chu Qingyun shook his head and sighed.
He didn't know when the Blood Wolf Gang would find out about Young Master Ning, so Chu Qingyun needed to assassinate their higher-ups as soon as possible to divide their attention.
'Tonight, I'll go find You Yun!'
Chu Qingyun made up his mind. He would take the risk and brave the Life and Death Arena!
Back at the inn, Chu Qingyun consumed a dozen or so Middle Grade Primordial Stones to quickly restore his Primordial Power to its peak condition.
He ate dinner that evening and rested for two hours.
After dark, he quietly left the inn, went to the entrance of Dongliu Alley, put on a mask, and walked inside.
At the Assassin Alliance that night, a few people were still waiting in line.
However, upon seeing Chu Qingyun appear, You Yun handed off their work to someone else and led Chu Qingyun to the side.
"Figured it out? Still want to enter the Life and Death Arena?"
There was a hint of amusement in You Yun's words.
Chu Qingyun nodded and said, "I need to earn the money to buy those things quickly. The faster, the better. Today would be best."
"Today... As it happens, there is a Life and Death Arena match today. But are you sure you want to participate in today's?"
"The opponent in today's Life and Death Arena is a Tier One Demon Beast, the Cyan Wind Wolf."
You Yun asked.
"Cyan Wind Wolf? An adult Cyan Wind Wolf is only about as strong as a Level Seven or Eight Martial Artist, right? Don't tell me you got your hands on a Wolf King?" Chu Qingyun asked in confusion.
"Heh, you're too naive."
"You need over three thousand Middle Grade Primordial Stones, right? Let me calculate..."
"If you challenge ten Cyan Wind Wolves at the same time, you can get three thousand Middle Grade Primordial Stones. Of course, that's only if you can get off the stage alive."
You Yun said with a chuckle.
"Ten of them!"
Chu Qingyun's pupils contracted, and his heart couldn't help but tighten.