<h4>Chapter 717: Chapter 722: The Grand Gathering of Heavenly Secrets (4)</h4>


    Ling Chen was speechless; he hadn’t expected such a trick could be employed. However, he did admire Liang Zheng for deceiving everyone with such a method, easily seizing the opportunity topete on stage.


    "Yang, what’s the deal with that young man?" Ling Chen asked, pointing to Liang Zheng’s opponent.


    "They had conspired beforehand," Yang Tao exined. "There are many elders in Yangxin Pavilion, and some of their disciples, due to their young age or lesser talents, don’t make much progress in strength. Therefore, certain individuals with ulterior motives seek them out for cooperation. This way they not only curry favors but also reap some benefits. Why not do it? Just wait and see. In no more than thirty moves, they will determine the winner."


    After hearing this, Ling Chen turned his gaze towards the stage, watching Liang Zheng and his opponent exchange blows. As Yang Tao had said, although their moves seemed sharp, they were actually feigned, with no intention of causing harm. As the thirtieth move approached, the young man made a slight mistake, allowing Liang Zheng to seize the opportunity and knock him to the ground.


    "Liang Zheng wins!" announced the emotionless referee overseeing the match.


    Liang Zheng, unconcerned by the whispers from the crowd below, left the stage with a broad smile on his face and gave Song Yi a high five in celebration.


    With Liang Zheng and Song Yi both advancing, only five spots remained, and thepetition grew increasingly fierce.


    At that moment, a figure walked out from the crowd and headed straight to the stage. Upon seeing the man standing at the center of the stage, the crowd suddenly fell silent. Not only that, but even those preparing topete halted in their tracks, not daring to step forward.


    Ling Chen looked up and sized up the neer. The young man was about the same age as Yang Tao, around twenty-eight or twenty-nine, with a tall figure of about one meter eighty and a well-proportioned body, with harmonious muscles on his arms and legs. Moreover, his facial features were not bad. Although he wasn’t particrly handsome, he exuded a martial bearing, like an unsheathed sword, brilliance revealed.


    Several minutes passed, and no one approached the stage, seemingly overwhelmed by the man’s presence, they remained obediently in the crowd, looking at each other.


    Seeing this, the referee at the edge of the stage took a couple of steps forward, opened his mouth ready to dere the result. However, just at that moment, Yang Tao, who had been sitting beside Ling Chen, suddenly stood up and strode towards the stage.


    Seeing Yang Tao’s appearance, the words of the judge were immediately swallowed back, and he stepped aside.


    Meanwhile, the young man on the stage watched Yang Tao with a subtly smiling face. As Yang Tao climbed onto the stage, the young man said, "I thought you wouldn’te up."


    "I just didn’t want to disappoint you," Yang Tao replied indifferently. "Wang Hao, a battle between us was inevitable sooner orter. Rather than wait, let’s settle it now. I’m curious to see your progress after two years of seclusion."


    Wang Hao?


    A thought struck Ling Chen. So this was Wang Hao. Yang Tao had previously mentioned the disciples of Yangxin Pavilion to Ling Chen, especially highlighting those with strong abilities, including Wang Hao. ording to Yang Tao, Wang Hao was very powerful. Among the many disciples, he was one of the best. Even Yang Tao admitted he was no match for him.


    Yang Tao had once told him that he had sparred with Wang Hao two years ago and lost after 240 moves. Since then, Wang Hao had been in seclusion, and only emerged today. After two years of solitude, it was unknown how much Wang Hao’s abilities had improved.


    "Mr. Du, do you think your disciple has a good chance of winning?" asked an elder in a nearby spectator stand.


    Du Kang tilted his head back and took a couple of drinks, saying to himself, "How would I know? That kid Wang Hao has been in seclusion for two years, but given his talent and aptitude, his progress shouldn’t be small after two years of dedicated seclusion. Honestly, Wang Hao is indeed an exceptional talent. At just over twenty years old, he’s been able to endure the loneliness and boredom of seclusion for two years, something not all of us old folks could endure with such focus." At this point, Du Kang shook his head and sighed lightly, "It’s just a pity, if Old Man Wei were still alive, perhaps he could have nurtured a top expert."


    Hearing Du Kang mention ’Old Man Wei’, several other elders present sighed collectively, their expressions nostalgic.


    "That’s true. Old Man Wei died too early, but fortunately, before his death, he passed on all of his knowledge to Wang Hao. If someone could offer guidance, Wang Hao would avoid many detours. Eh! Mr. Du, are you interested in taking Wang Hao under your wing to nurture him? You are a master of the Heavenly List; among us all, probably only you are qualified to instruct Wang Hao."


    Du Kang waved his hand and said, "Forget it, dealing with Yang Tao is enough trouble for me. If I took on Wang Hao as well, my legs would be tied to Yangxin Pavilion. You all know I like to roam around when I’m free. If any of you are interested, you might as well take Wang Hao and nurture him."


    The crowd said in unison, "Let’s forget it. Handing over a talent like Wang Hao to us would be a waste." At this, an elder suddenly spoke up, "If Elder Su were still around, he could have taken Wang Hao under his wing."


    Upon mentioning Elder Su, the crowd immediately agreed, "That’s correct, it’s a shame Elder Su left Yangxin Pavilion many years ago, and now we don’t even know where he is. If we could find him, it would be great to let him take on Wang Hao as a disciple."


    Hearing this, a meaningful smile appeared on Du Kang’s face, and his cloudy eyes swept towards Ling Chen’s direction.


    At this moment, everyone’s eyes were focused on Yang Tao and Wang Hao.


    The mountain breeze blew, lifting the corners of their clothes, making a rustling sound.


    "Please!"


    "Please!"


    As the words fell, Yang Tao’s gaze instantly sharpened, his toes tapped the ground, and his body surged forward with a fist aimed at Wang Hao’s face.


    However, midway through the punch, Yang Tao suddenly changed his move, twisting his waist from front to side, his fists turning into palms, striking high and middle simultaneously, while his right leg rose, sweeping towards Wang Hao’s lower body.


    All three attacks wereunched at once, forceful and fierce, with a howling wind.


    Facing Yang Tao’s assault, Wang Hao’s expression remained unchanged, still as calm as a mild breeze. Suddenly, without any discernible movement, his body drifted backwards, like a falling leaf, dodging all of Yang’s attacks.


    Seeing the move Wang Hao executed, everyone, whether below the stage or in the spectator stands, was taken aback.


    This movement technique... could it be that he had already mastered the Shattered Leaf Step?