C17 Martial Hall

Yang Xuan observed his Eldest Uncle, sensing that he had aged a decade in mere moments.

The unspoken concerns must be about Yang Xiao, right?

From their several clashes, it was clear to Yang Xuan that Yang Xiao harbored little warmth towards him.

He couldn't fathom the reason for Yang Xiao's coldness, as he couldn't recall any offense given, especially not in recent conversations.

Maybe it was an innate aversion?

Because he spent his days languishing in the small courtyard like a worthless object?

If so, the fault was his own.

With these thoughts, Yang Xuan resolved to steer clear of future conflicts with Yang Xiao, prioritizing Eldest Uncle's peace of mind.

After securing the courtyard gate, Yang Xuan retreated indoors, shelving the issue for now.

His pressing concerns were the fate of his father—alive or dead? The possibility of his mother falling to his father's enemies. If she had perished, where did she rest? And the strength of his father's adversary, who seemed untouchable even by the Yang family's might.

These questions burned within him, but his immediate goal was clear: to grow stronger. To seek justice for his father, to honorably bear his name, and to one day witness his father's return to health and safety.

Strength was the key to all his aspirations.

Without delay, Yang Xuan left the courtyard and approached a servant.

"Where do our clan members go to train?" he inquired, his composure belying the tight grip of his hands, a subtle sign of his inner turmoil.

"The Martial Hall, at the heart of Yang Mansion, is where we usually train. It's always bustling. Let me show you the way," the servant offered, recognizing Yang Xuan's lineage after a glance at the courtyard he had emerged from, and promptly set off to lead him.

They arrived at the entrance to a spacious courtyard, where the servant bid farewell, a look of admiration etched on his face.

Yang Xuan lifted his gaze to the expansive and imposing courtyard before him. Above the entrance, a massive signboard hung prominently, emblazoned with the bold characters "Martial Hall."

Flanking the Martial Hall's entrance were two sentries, tasked with barring entry to those lacking the credentials to train within.

As Yang Xuan approached, the guards promptly blocked his path. "Identify yourself. Without the clan leader's consent, you may not pass."

They evidently hadn't met him before.

Yang Xuan was aware that his Eldest Uncle had only just granted him permission to train, and it was likely that the order restricting him hadn't been rescinded yet. Wishing to avoid causing the guards any trouble, he was about to retreat when a man hurried toward the Martial Hall. Upon noticing Yang Xuan, the man bowed, whispered something to an Immortal Cultivation Hall guard, and then departed.

The guard's initial bewilderment gave way to stark astonishment.

Was this indeed Yang Xuan?

The two sentries quickly saluted him, their minds swirling with confusion. Why had the family head suddenly permitted Yang Xuan to begin his cultivation? Weren't there rumors of his inadequacy?

Yet, they kept their thoughts to themselves and promptly invited him in. "Please, enter."

Grateful, Yang Xuan nodded to the swiftly departing figure and gave the guards a fist-and-palm salute. "Many thanks." He was stepping into the Yang family's Martial Hall for the first time!

Inside the courtyard, Yang Xuan's eyes fell upon a dueling platform constructed from numerous stone slabs. From a distance, it appeared as though it was crafted from a single slab. The platform was a massive cylinder, thirty meters in radius and three feet in height.

At that moment, two combatants were locked in a fierce duel atop the platform.

The fight intensified, with the man dressed in green seemingly losing ground. However, seizing a moment of distraction, he hooked his foot around his adversary's calf. The opponent stumbled, and the green-clad man's punch was suddenly inches from his face.

"Thank you for the match," the man in green said with a smile, bowing respectfully before leaping down from the dueling platform.

"Yang Zhou is truly impressive!"

"Absolutely. His talent ranks among the top few in the Yang family."

"So, it's no surprise that Yang Xiong lost to him."

A chorus of admiration immediately echoed from those around.

It was then that Yang Xuan looked up to see the youth everyone was talking about—Yang Zhou himself.

Having recently returned from the Leap Test with commendable results, Yang Zhou had become a frequent topic of conversation in the Yang family. Unfamiliar with his surroundings, Yang Xuan figured he might as well approach him for guidance.

After the crowd had dispersed, Yang Xuan approached and introduced himself, "I'm Yang Xuan. Are you Yang Zhou?"

At the mention of his name, Yang Zhou's eyes sparkled with recognition. So this was Yang Xuan? Lately, all the talk had been about his match with Yang Xiao. Once considered a fool and a weakling by the family, no one expected Yang Xuan to hold his own against Yang Xiao.

Seeing Yang Xuan's clear gaze and serene demeanor, unaffected by outside opinions, Yang Zhou realized he was far from the failure others had described.

Eager to make an acquaintance, Yang Zhou responded with a friendly smile, "That's me. What can I do for you?"

With his opinion of Yang Zhou already improving, Yang Xuan replied earnestly, "It's my first visit to the Yang family's Martial Hall, and I'm not yet acquainted with how things work here. Could you possibly show me around?"

"Of course!" Yang Zhou answered with a smile. "Just remember that the Martial Hall is where our family members practice and spar. On the fighting stage, we can engage in spirited bouts, but remember, never to the point of causing serious harm or death. Take a look at the weapon racks flanking the stage—they're stocked with an array of weapons for both ranged and close combat, from sabers and spears to swords and halberds. If you don't have a weapon of your own, feel free to choose one from there."

After the introduction to the fighting stage, Yang Zhou gestured towards the two-story pavilion behind it and continued, "That building houses various martial arts techniques and secrets. Swordplay, bladework, staff techniques, and more. Don't assume that wielding a weapon makes you unbeatable. It's the brutes who swing their arms wildly without skill. The true depth of martial arts is revealed through practice. For now, focus on finding a weapon that suits you before diving into the myriad of martial techniques."

"I'm sixteen this year, and we're about the same age, so feel free to just call me by my name," Yang Zhou said with a smile.

"Thanks, Brother Yang Zhou!" Yang Xuan nodded in appreciation. Yang Zhou was the first of the Yang Mansion's younger generation to extend a hand of friendship to him, and Yang Xuan felt a growing fondness for him.

Yang Zhou went on, "What I've shared with you isn't of great importance. Now that you've gained entry to the Martial Hall, the clan leader must have allowed you to start cultivating Immortal Arts. You'll come to understand these matters more deeply with time. Remember, the Immortal Cultivation Secret Manual is a treasured legacy in every family, which makes it a taboo text within the Yang family. If you wish to study it, you'll need to secure a spot in the top five of our family's competition. You're in luck; the competition is just two months away. Hone your martial skills diligently and show those who underestimated you what you're made of!"

Seeing Yang Zhou's righteous fervor, Yang Xuan felt an even stronger sense of kinship with him.

After parting ways with Yang Zhou, Yang Xuan wasted no time. He headed straight for the weapons rack and began selecting his preferred armament.