The Tianxiong Martial Arts Hall dispersed, and the onlookers also left one after another.
As for Zhang Yang.
He was surrounded by Yun Fang and a group of fellow disciples.
"Thank you, senior, for your assistance in helping our Tianying Martial Arts Hall overcome this difficulty."
"We thank the senior for his help in resolving the crisis for our Tianying Martial Arts Hall. Please accept our bow."
Immediately, Yun Fang and the others were about to bow to Zhang Yang.
Seeing this, Zhang Yang summoned a surge of True Dragon Qi with his right hand, directly supporting them.
"Don't be so polite. I just couldn't stand the arrogance of the other side. What kind of skill is it for so many people to bully a girl?"
"Also, don't call me senior. I'm younger than all of you."
Zhang Yang said, looking at these people in their thirties with a hint of helplessness.
Among these people, even Yun Fang was probably two or three years older than him.
"We dare not. In the path of martial arts, the one who reaches it first is the teacher. Senior's strength and realm are higher than ours, so you naturally deserve this title of senior," Wang Yong said respectfully, not daring to be negligent.
The others also nodded in agreement, not daring to disrupt the seniority.
Regarding this.
Zhang Yang was also slightly helpless and stopped persuading them.
"Then I'll be leaving if there's nothing else. I still need to find a place to rent."
As Zhang Yang turned to leave, Yun Fang and the others were startled.
Rent a place?
"Senior, wait!" Yun Fang suddenly called out.
"Ah?" Zhang Yang feigned confusion and turned back.
"Senior, are you new to Linhai City and don't have a place to stay? If you don't mind, you can stay at the Tianying Martial Arts Hall temporarily. We will definitely entertain you well," Yun Fang said.
"That's right. The living environment at Tianying Martial Arts Hall is very good. Senior, why don't you just stay here? It'll be good to have someone to look out for," Wang Yong said, understanding Yun Fang's intention.
Zhang Yang smiled inwardly but put on a conflicted expression.
This made Yun Fang and the others nervous, fearing that Zhang Yang would refuse.
After waiting for a while, Zhang Yang finally smiled.
"Alright, if you don't find me troublesome, then I'll stay here. It'll be more lively with more people, and if that Guo Hanxiong dares to come again, I can help you deal with him!"
Hearing this, Yun Fang and the others were overjoyed.
With Zhang Yang willing to stay, the Tianying Martial Arts Hall would definitely be safe during this period.
"Let's go, senior. I'll take you to see your room now." Yun Fang was very excited and enthusiastically led Zhang Yang away.
Wang Yong and the others also clenched their fists, secretly relieved.
"Alas, I can finally sleep soundly during this period. I hope Master can come out of seclusion before the Linhai competition."
The other fellow disciples also prayed silently, but whether their wishes would be fulfilled was still a question mark.
On the other side.
Zhang Yang followed Yun Fang to a guest room.
The guest room was on the second floor of the martial arts hall, and the facilities were similar to a hotel.
Although it wasn't luxurious, it was clean.
Moreover, Zhang Yang wasn't too picky about his living environment, as he wasn't really staying for the accommodation.
"Senior, you can stay here. There's a canteen downstairs, or I can have someone bring it up for you," Yun Fang said with a smile.
"No need to bring it up, I'll go down myself," Zhang Yang replied with a smile.
"Alright, then I won't disturb your rest." Yun Fang turned and left.
As they had just met, Zhang Yang didn't ask Yun Fang for too much information.
Now that he had successfully settled in.
It shouldn't be difficult to find out more things.
...
The night passed without incident.
The next morning.
Zhang Yang went to the canteen downstairs to eat. Seeing this, Yun Fang and the others quickly got up to give him a seat.
"Everyone, please sit down. Why are you being so polite? This is your home, and I am the guest," Zhang Yang said with a smile.
His amiable demeanor made Wang Yong and the others more accepting.
At least, Zhang Yang wasn't arrogant.
He didn't treat the people of Tianying Martial Arts Hall as subordinates just because he was powerful.
Afterward, Zhang Yang picked up the fried dough sticks and buns on the table and ate them with soy milk.
At this moment, Yun Fang suddenly asked.
"Senior disciple brother, are we, Tianying Martial Arts Hall, going to register for this year's Linhai competition?"
Wang Yong sighed and rubbed his furrowed brow.
Less than a week remained until the Linhai competition.
However, their master still showed no signs of coming out of seclusion, and he was unsure whether to register.
If they didn't register, the land they had opened their martial arts hall on would be directly confiscated by the higher authorities.
But if they registered, they couldn't even gather a few complete individuals.
"Let's see in a couple of days. If it's really not possible, we won't register," Wang Yong sighed.
After speaking, his gaze drifted towards a room in the martial arts hall that had been closed for a long time.
At this moment, the door of that room was covered in dust, as if it hadn't been opened for a long time.
Yun Fang and the other fellow disciples also nodded with great helplessness and unwillingness.
"What Linhai competition? Can you tell me about it?" Zhang Yang asked, looking up.
Wang Yong glanced at Zhang Yang. It was normal for Zhang Yang, who was not from the local area, not to know about the Linhai competition. He immediately explained.
"Senior, the Linhai competition is held annually in our area. It's a martial arts tournament set up by the higher authorities to encourage us to cultivate diligently."
"The higher the ranking in the martial arts tournament, the greater the cultivation rewards bestowed by the higher authorities. However, if the ranking does not improve for a long time, one will be eliminated from Linhai City."
"Last year, Tianying Martial Arts Hall forfeited and received the last place. If we lose again this year, we might have to close down."
A martial arts tournament organized by the higher authorities?
Zhang Yang pondered for a moment and guessed that the higher authorities might be the Japanese pirates he was targeting.
However, he didn't inquire too deeply and feigned curiosity, asking.
"Are there many participants in the Linhai competition? If you register, won't you avoid coming in last place?"
This...
Wang Yong and the others exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"Senior, things are not as simple as you think. The participants in the Linhai competition are not only martial arts halls but also martial arts families and various experts who want to soar to the heavens and be discovered by the higher authorities."
"A year ago, although we were not injured and our strength was not weaker than other martial arts halls, our master was injured and could not participate. Then we had no one to deal with the main experts of the opposing side."
"So, in order to preserve the strength of the martial arts hall, we had no choice but to forfeit. But who would have thought... we encountered that scoundrel Guo Hanxiong, who came to provoke us time and time again!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yang finally understood.
He seemed to have guessed the purpose of the Linhai competition.
It was possible that the Japanese pirates organized this martial arts tournament to select suitable individuals.
"Then why don't you register this year? I can accompany you? Anyway, everyone thinks I'm your junior disciple?" Zhang Yang suddenly grinned.
As soon as he said this, everyone was shocked.
"Senior, the Linhai competition is extremely dangerous, with experts gathered! One mistake can lead to serious injury and lifelong hidden ailments. For us, would you..." Wang Yong said, hesitating.
Zhang Yang waved his hand upon hearing this.
"It's fine. I left my original place of residence due to some matters and will likely be staying here for a while. If you end up at the bottom again this year, won't I have to find another place?"
"So, it's also for myself. Let's register!"
This!
Yun Fang and the others' faces lit up with joy.
They knew Zhang Yang's strength!
If he participated, no matter how bad they were, they could still achieve a relatively mediocre result.
As long as their ranking improved slightly from last year, the status of Tianying Martial Arts Hall could be maintained, and at least they wouldn't be driven away by the higher authorities.
Everyone immediately wanted to thank Zhang Yang.
But the next moment, a drastic change occurred in the Tianying Martial Arts Hall!
The door that had been closed for a long time suddenly exploded open, and a bloody smell emanated from within!
This!
"Master!"
"Dad!"
"Not good!"
Yun Fang and the others' faces changed drastically, and they rushed over, leaving Zhang Yang behind!