Upon Yun Che's declaration, a great uproar immediately ensued.
Especially among the Yun Clan disciples of Group Seven, who collectively began to harbor deep animosity towards him.
"This is outrageous! This guy is utterly arrogant!"
"Yun Chengang, knock him down!"
The commotion drew the attention of disciples from other groups, all of whom turned their gaze toward the unfolding scene.
"Basic martial arts? This could be interesting."
Among the onlookers, a serene young woman with a gentle demeanor, Yun Qin, the fourth-ranked disciple of the inner circle, smiled faintly, revealing a hint of intrigue.
As an inner circle disciple, Yun Qin was exempt from the preliminary rounds, and her cultivation was far superior to that of all other disciples present. Even Yun Yue, the top-ranked disciple of the outer circle, was no match for her.
"Very well! Basic martial arts... I shall witness it firsthand!"
Yun Chengang's face shifted between pale and livid, his gaze darkening with fury.
The other's actions were a blatant insult, an utter disregard for his status as the top-ranked in the group.
"Flowing Wind Fist!"
The fury beneath Yun Chengang's grim expression erupted as he launched a punch swift as a tempest.
He began with the advanced martial art Flowing Wind Fist.
This technique relied on overwhelming speed and force, and a master of it could sweep through a battlefield like a whirlwind, leaving destruction in its wake.
The power of Yun Chengang's strike was entirely within expectations; his strength rivaled that of a near-warrior, and he rightfully earned his rank as the top disciple of the group and the seventh of the outer circle.
Yet the majority of onlookers focused their attention on Yun Che.
Would he dare to use his basic martial arts against such a formidable opponent, the top of the group and seventh in the outer circle?
Yun Che remained calm, composed, and unwavering. Through his actions, he made his intentions clear.
Flame Iron Fist!His punch, simple yet powerful, seemed to roar with a fiery glow, embodying the boundless passion of life itself. It was a flawless embodiment of martial energy, as natural as if it had been sculpted by the heavens.
Once again, it was the basic martial art!
The eyes of the disciples in the Tianwu Arena were riveted on Yun Che's movements.
"Again with the Flame Iron Fist!"
"Is he really using basic martial arts?"
Many disciples of the Yun Clan were dumbfounded, their faces full of astonishment.
They had assumed that Yun Che was merely speaking boastfully and wouldn't dare be so reckless in actual combat.
The reality was far more audacious than they could have imagined.
"Kid, you're arrogant enough. Prepare to fall!"
Yun Chengang's eyes practically blazed with fire. His fists, like meteors in a storm, surged forth with a ferocity so powerful that it seemed to suffocate the very air around him.
The strength of his punch drew cheers of approval from the surrounding Yun Clan disciples.
"At the third level of ordinary martial arts, he surely can't withstand this blow."
"Indeed, Flowing Wind Fist is perfected, a true masterstroke!"
Even some of the older clan members nodded in approval.
Bang!
The two figures collided in a blink of an eye, their fists crashing against one another.
"Fall!"
Yun Chengang's face twisted with fury as he poured his entire strength into his strike, pushing the Flowing Wind Fist to its absolute limit.
This advanced martial art had to bring Yun Che down in just a few moves, or how could Yun Chengang maintain his face among the top ten of the outer circle?
"Open!"
Yun Che remained calm, his gaze steady and unshaken. His fist, as if guided by some divine will, intercepted Yun Chengang's punch at the perfect moment, like a blazing flame in the air.
Boom!
Yun Chengang staggered, his fist nearly going numb, and his body uncontrollably retreated two steps.
In contrast, Yun Che's form barely shifted.
"...How is this possible?"
Yun Chengang's face was a mask of shock and disbelief.
What he had thought would be the crushing blow that would bring Yun Che to his knees had been effortlessly repelled.
"What's going on?"
The disciples near the seventh arena were frozen in place.
"I don't believe it... that was surely just a fluke! That kid must have hit the weak spot of my technique by accident!"
Yun Chengang roared in rage, once again channeling the Flowing Wind Fist as he charged at Yun Che with reckless abandon.
Flame Iron Fist, Fourth Form!
Yun Che remained unhurried, his response as indifferent as before, still relying on his basic martial art.
Bang!
Once more, the two collided in a brutal clash, with Yun Chengang being forced back yet again.
In those two exchanges, while no clear winner had emerged, it was evident that Yun Chengang was being subtly outclassed.
"It really is basic martial arts... How is he doing this?"
The onlooking disciples were dumbstruck, unsure of how to react.
"How could basic martial arts possibly compete with advanced techniques, let alone dominate?"
Confusion and disbelief spread through the crowd.
One move... two moves... three moves...
Yun Chengang was repeatedly forced back, each time by Yun Che's unyielding defense.
Both were of the same tier, with each possessing their own strengths and weaknesses—this was only natural.
But for basic martial arts to overpower advanced techniques in this way was truly shocking.
What in the world was happening?
Yun Chengang's expression grew increasingly deranged as he launched a desperate, frenzied assault.
And so, the gazes of many turned toward the judges and the elder family members observing from the stands.
"Yun Che's battle awareness and practical techniques far surpass Yun Chengang's. His mentality is also far more composed."
One of the judges remarked, his voice uncertain.
His analysis, however, failed to satisfy anyone present.
"Heh... This child has actually perfected a set of basic martial arts to the 'realm of perfection.'"
An elderly voice rang out from the center of the observation stands.
The speaker was an old man with a white beard, the head judge of this preliminary tournament, a man of great seniority.
The Perfect Realm?Several of the judges nodded in acknowledgment, their expressions shifting in realization.It is widely known that the higher the level of martial arts, the greater its power. But this is not an absolute truth! Martial arts have their distinctions in rank, yet the progress and mastery each practitioner attains can vary widely. For example, one person may master a lower-level martial art to its pinnacle, while another might only just begin to grasp an advanced technique. In this case, the one practicing the higher martial art might not be able to defeat the practitioner of the lower-level art. Typically, martial arts are classified into four stages of power enhancement: initial mastery, minor achievement, major achievement, and the peak realm. Among these, the peak realm represents ninety percent of the potential. For most people, reaching the peak realm is already an extraordinary feat. However, the peak realm does not represent the highest limit. Above it lies the "Perfect" realm. The so-called Perfect realm requires the practitioner to have refined their skill to at least ninety-nine percent of its potential, even approaching perfection, flawless in execution. "The difference between the Perfect realm and the peak realm might appear small, but in reality, the former represents a stage where one has perfected the technique to its fullest, transcending the limits of the martial art itself," the Chief Judge explained with a smile. "Thus, the gap between the Perfect realm and the peak realm is even greater than the difference between minor achievement and major achievement!" A warrior nearby, still somewhat confused, interjected, "But even so, Cloud Che should only be able to draw with Cloud Chen Gang, not defeat him." After all, advanced martial arts are three levels higher than basic techniques, and Cloud Chen Gang had already cultivated his advanced martial skills to the minor achievement stage. "Indeed!" the Chief Judge nodded. "A basic martial art mastered to the Perfect realm might barely match an advanced martial art at the minor achievement stage. But if you observe closely, you'll notice that Cloud Che's physical strength, reaction time, mental fortitude, and combat awareness all surpass Cloud Chen Gang's. He is truly a talent to be reckoned with."The crowd finally began to understand.And at that moment, the battle on the seventh arena shifted."Cloud Che has started to fight back!""My goodness! His speed is incredible!"All eyes were drawn to the seventh arena.Boom! Crack! Bang…Cloud Che shifted from defense to offense, his punches flowing like an untethered steed, effortlessly transcending the very boundaries of the "Flame Fist" technique.His strikes, speed, and power were flawless, each one landing with precision. Previously enraged and frantic, Cloud Chen Gang was now flustered, his concentration faltering, leaving him open to Cloud Che's strike.Bang! Cloud Chen Gang was struck on his shoulder, letting out a scream as his joint dislocated, collapsing onto the ground in agony, drenched in cold sweat."Contestant 188, Cloud Che wins!" The judge on the seventh arena let out a long breath, his eyes still filled with disbelief.The crowd in the seventh group erupted in shock. "Cloud Che actually defeated Cloud Chen Gang, and with basic martial arts, no less!" "I can't believe it! Cloud Chen Gang is the top contender in the group…" Amid the stunned exclamations, Cloud Che secured his fifteenth consecutive victory. This also meant that he became the leader of the seventh group.With such a remarkable victory, he suddenly became the center of attention among the outer disciples.At that moment, the first-ranked Cloud Yue, as well as Cloud Yijian, Cloud Fei, and Cloud Qian, all cast curious glances toward Cloud Che. "Perfect realm? When the instructor lectured last time, I felt the understanding of the Flame Fist technique vanished from my mind… This must be the reason," Cloud Che realized inwardly.Since the lecture, he had felt his basic martial arts had reached an entirely new level, likely enough to rival a quasi-warrior's strength.Meanwhile, Cloud Chen Gang's strength barely approached that level. "Well, it seems that a dark horse has emerged among the outer disciples," the Chief Judge smiled faintly."Achieving the Perfect realm with a basic martial art… truly unexpected. But… once he faces my son, 'Cloud Yijian,' he will certainly be humiliated. After all, basic martial arts are merely that—basic!" A middle-aged martial artist, with a faint smile, spoke confidently."Oh?" The Chief Judge raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the comment.The speaker was none other than the father of Cloud Yijian.The middle-aged martial artist smiled but did not respond, his gaze shifting to Cloud Yijian in the second group, full of confidence."Indeed, the potential of basic martial arts is limited. Cloud Che must have dedicated all his energy to perfecting this one technique, leaving him no time to study higher-level martial arts… Such a pity." The Chief Judge sighed at the thought."Hmph! Perfect realm? Basic martial arts?" Cloud Yijian, from the second group, sneered with disdain.In his eyes, basic martial arts were utterly insignificant, even if perfected to the Perfect realm.A young girl in a snowy white robe standing beside him glanced at Cloud Che, who had just stunned everyone with his victory. Her bright eyes dimmed slightly as she bit her lip and whispered, "Brother Yijian, you must defeat him.""Xue'er, don't worry. I'll defeat him in at least three moves, ten at most! But I don't want to make it too easy for him. When the time comes, I'll be sure to humiliate him properly." Cloud Yijian spoke with full confidence, his voice loud enough for many to hear.At that moment, Cloud Che's gaze shifted in their direction.Their eyes met, Cloud Yijian's cold and filled with malice, while Cloud Che remained calm, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips."Contestants 188 and 233!" The group matches continued. Since his victory over Cloud Chen Gang, no opponent had posed a challenge to Cloud Che in the seventh arena.Sixteen straight wins… seventeen straight wins… eighteen straight wins…Those who faced Cloud Che mostly conceded defeat, and even when they fought, they fell to a single blow from his basic martial art."Defeated by a basic martial art… that's truly humiliating!" The disciples of the seventh group viewed Cloud Che as a curse, avoiding him at all costs.Eighteen straight wins… nineteen straight wins… twenty straight wins!Finally, Cloud Che's twentieth consecutive victory marked his exit from the group rounds, successfully advancing to the next stage!