<h4>Chapter 718: Chapter 723: The Grand Gathering of the Heavenly Secrets (5)</h4>


    Shattered Leaf Step?


    Upon hearing the exmations from Qiu Yong and the others, Ling Chen curiously asked, "Big brother, do you know what Shattered Leaf Step is?"


    Qiu Yong nodded and said, "Shattered Leaf Step is a movement technique that primarily relies on the coordination of Inner Strength and stepping techniques. Anyone who masters this movement technique will move like a drifting leaf, very light and incredibly fast, making it hard for others to anticipate. This movement technique is also considered an Absolute Skill in the Martial Arts world. I didn’t expect it to appear on this young man. Tsk tsk! Worthy of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, none of its people are simple."


    After hearing Qiu Yong’s exnation, Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly, shing a faint gleam, his thoughts unreadable.


    "Shattered Leaf Step, who would’ve thought Wang Hao has already learned Old Man Wei’s Absolute Skill. Mr. Du, it seems your disciple is in trouble," an old man chuckled maliciously.


    Du Kang nced at him, his expression indifferent, unbothered.


    "So what? Consider it an opportunity to learn. I brought him here to gain experience, not for the Nine Elements Pill. If he loses to Wang Hao, it might actually be a good thing. It would serve as motivation for him to push harder and progress. As for you, your disciple Tong Nan, I’ve heard quite a bit about him. Young and frivolous, flirting around, without any true learning. Continuing this way, he’ll eventually be surpassed by the other disciples of Yangxin Pavilion."


    "Hmph! Du Kang, I will handle my disciple myself, no need for your nonsense."


    "Alright! Both of you, enough with the talk," interjected several old men nearby, quickly trying to keep the peace fearing they might start arguing.


    At this moment, after witnessing Wang Hao’s performance of the movement technique, Yang Tao’s expression turned serious. His eyes locked on Wang Hao’s legs, he advanced step by step, his punches and palm strikes aiming high, middle, and low simultaneously.


    However, no matter how fierce Yang Tao’s attacks were, Wang Hao remained calm, seemingly unaffected by any threat.


    With the agility of Shattered Leaf Step, Wang Hao controlled his body like a floating leaf, moving around the tform, always maintaining a distance from Yang. Under these circumstances, Yang, despite his strength, couldn’t utilize it effectively.


    After a few minutes of stalemate, Yang Tao finally stopped, quietly standing in a corner of the tform, he looked at Wang Hao and said, "How long will this continue? Since it’s a spar, can’t you fight me openly?"


    Wang Hao slightly smiled, shook his head and replied, "No, I don’t think there’s a need to continue."


    Yang Tao, frowning, asked, "Why?"


    "Shattered Leaf Step is just one of the techniques I’ve mastered, and it’s the least of them. If you can’t even counter Shattered Leaf Step, I see no point in continuing. You can’t defeat me."


    Hearing this, Yang Tao’s face shifted, a trace of reluctance in his eyes.


    "Disciple,e down," Elder Du’s voice came from the stands: "He’s right, you’re far from being his match."


    Upon the Master’s call, Yang Tao hesitated no more, silently gave Wang Hao a fist salute, and then turned to leave, walking back to Ling Chen’s side.


    Watching Yang Tao’s expressionless face, Ling Chen opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.


    He had expected a fierce battle between Yang Tao and Wang Hao, yet it ended so swiftly without Yang Tao showcasing his strength. Even Du Kang had spoken up; was Wang Hao’s strength really that formidable?


    "Wang Hao, advances to the next round."


    As the referee’s words fell, Wang Hao stepped off the tform, didn’t even pause, and directly left the valley, disappearing in a blink.


    "Big brother Yang..." Ling Chen hesitated, still couldn’t help calling out.


    "There’s no need to console me," Yang Tao replied: "I’m fine, as a martial artist, one must learn to ept defeat. If one can’t even ept this, then they won’t get far. You should think about yourself. With Wang Hao advanced, there are only four spots left. If you don’t act fast, you’ll miss your chance."


    During the conversation, numerous people rushed to the arena stage. There were exactly six people.


    Originally, the n was to dismiss four people, but at this moment, Su Mei suddenly signaled the referee with her eyes. Thetter immediately understood and announced, "Alright! Since there aren’t many people joining anymore, you six canpete together to save some time."


    Hearing the referee’s words, Ling Chen was stunned for a moment; he had thought it would be one-by-one, and was not expecting six people topete together. With this arrangement, three slots were taken directly, and after ounting for the earlier slots, only one remained.


    Ling Chen touched his nose in frustration and chuckled bitterly to himself. He had nned for numerous scenarios, but he hadn’t anticipated this one. Now, what should he do?


    Watching the six contestants on the stage, Ling Chen was speechless; those people were all Dragon List experts, yet their skills were still not as strong as his.


    The not-so-strong disciples from Yangxin Pavilion were all participating; who could he challengeter?


    During his contemtion, the six contestants on the stage eventually had their oue decided.


    Only one slot was left!


    As the six people left the stage, someone suddenly leaped from the crowd, sprinting towards the arena. At this moment, Ling Chen couldn’t care less who it was, as he instantly sprang from his seat and dashed to the edge of the arena at full speed.


    Seeing Ling Chen’s actions, Su Mei and others were simultaneously stunned.


    What was he trying to do?


    Before anyone could recover, Ling Chen had already leapt onto the stage.


    "Is it you?" Seeing Ling Chen opposite him, Tong Nan frowned slightly and said coldly, "Ling Chen, did you drink too muchst night? Only Yangxin Pavilion disciples are eligible to participate in thispetition; why are you meddling here? Get down quickly and stop embarrassing yourself."


    "Ling Cheng, what are you doing,e back!"


    Yuan Yun’s shouting reached him from behind, but as if he hadn’t heard, Ling Chen kept his gaze fixed on Tong Nan, moving step by step and staring directly at him.


    Seeing that Ling Chen showed no signs of leaving, the referee on the stage quickly approached and coldly demanded, "Aren’t you leaving yet? Must I force you down?"


    "Why would you have the right to force me down?"


    "Simply because you are not a disciple of Yangxin Pavilion."


    Ling Chen looked at the referee and responded, "Who says I’m not?"


    Upon hearing that, not only Tong Nan on the stage, but everyone else who hadn’t known (excluding Du Kang and Yang Tao), were stunned, looking at Ling Chen in surprise.


    He’s a Yangxin Pavilion disciple?


    When did this happen?


    Instantly, everyone’s attention turned towards the stands. Could it be that some elder had taken Ling Chen as a disciple?


    Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Du Kang stood up from his chair and walked directly to the edge of the stands.


    Seeing Du Kang rise, everyone was shocked— it was Du Kang!


    Tong Nan looked at Ling Chen with displeasure, thinking that this guy really had unbelievable luck to have been taken as a disciple by Du Kang.