The next day.
In the forest on the back mountain of the Lu family.
Everyone found a relatively flat clearing and set up several chairs on one side for the older generation to sit.
The open space in front of the chairs became the arena for the younger generation.
As for the rules, they were simple.
Lots were drawn at random. Whoever was selected would step forward to demonstrate the skills they had learned. If anyone felt their strength surpassed the performer, they could challenge them in front of everyone.
If they won, their reputation would naturally rise.
If they lost, with so many seniors watching, the victor wouldn't act arrogantly, and the loser wouldn't lose too much face either.
As the matches began, many young people stepped forward to showcase their abilities, and just as many issued challenges.
For a time, the clearing rang with the sharp crack of combat, accompanied by bursts of applause.
The youths fought with enthusiasm, and their strikes inevitably carried a bit too much force.
Fortunately, those seated were all leaders of their respective factions, and some possessed excellent healing methods.
So even if someone was injured, they could be treated quickly—there was no real concern.
"Impressive!"
"That guy's already won three in a row, hasn't he?"
"How many do you think he can win?"
At the center of everyone's attention, a young man stood in the clearing. His right palm was open, while his left hand formed a flicking gesture.
With a bang, a fireball shot out, grazing another young man's shoulder before slamming into a nearby tree trunk and bursting into flames.
"Brother Feng's techniques are truly remarkable. I concede!"
The opponent clasped his fists and admitted defeat, glancing at the scorched spot on his shoulder.
As the one who had just fought him, he knew very well—
The other party had held back.
If that fireball had been aimed at his head or heart, he would already be dead.
"You flatter me!"
Feng Ping returned the gesture, laughing loudly.
"Master! How was that? Didn't disappoint you, did I?"
After securing his fourth victory, Feng Ping quickly turned and shouted toward a bald, burly man seated among the elders.
"You little bastard! Get over here right now!"
Hearing Feng Ping's smug tone, the Sect Leader of the Fire Virtue Sect flew into a rage and roared at him.
"Haha! Master, don't you always tell me to spar more with others? I'm just following your instructions!"
Feng Ping laughed, then swept his gaze across the younger generation and shouted:
"Who's next?!"
"You damn brat, get back here right now! Don't make me come over there!"
Seeing Feng Ping openly taunting everyone, the Fire Virtue Sect Leader's blood boiled as he bellowed again.
"Brother Chu! Brother Chu! Calm down! The kid's full of energy and talent—what's the problem?"
Seeing him roll up his sleeves, ready to storm over, the leaders of other factions quickly held him back.
"That's right. The boy seems quite promising."
Old Master Lu chuckled from his seat.
"Feng Ping… one of the future Thirty-Six Thieves…"
Watching the young man with twin buns and a red vest, Gojo mused to himself.
"But it seems he never comprehended any of the Eight Extraordinary Skills."
"And he's not among the known survivors either… so did he die in the end?"
Recalling the conversation between Zhang Chulan and Zhang Zhiwei in the original story, Gojo continued thinking.
"But now that I'm here…"
"Whether the Thirty-Six Thieves will still swear brotherhood—or whether All-Sex will even exist—remains to be seen."
Casting aside those thoughts, Gojo focused back on the match.
With the boost of ninefold talent, he was confident he could change the course of the original story—
And send certain people to meet their end much sooner.
For example… those people on the neighboring island.
"You've got some nerve, acting so arrogant!"
As Feng Ping's voice faded, a white-haired youth with a fierce, unruly air stepped into the clearing.
It was Lü Ci of the Lü family's twin pillars.
Originally, Lü Ci had no intention of stepping in.
But Feng Ping's words had been far too arrogant—
And worse, they carried no regard for Lü Ren.
That alone was enough to anger him.
To Lü Ci, you could insult him—
But you could never insult his brother.
In the Lü family, the person he respected most was Lü Ren.
Even their father, the family head, didn't hold as much sway over him as his elder brother did.
And so, when Feng Ping shouted "Who's next," Lü Ci stepped forward without hesitation.
"Oh? So it's Young Master Lü. Please, go easy on me."
Recognizing him, Feng Ping cupped his hands with a grin.
"A mad dog versus a Fire Virtue Sect disciple?"
Seeing the scene unfold, Gojo's interest was immediately piqued.
Though Lü Ci hadn't yet earned the title "Mad Dog," being one of the Lü family's twin pillars meant his strength was beyond question.
"Young Master Lü, be careful!"
Feng Ping activated the qi within his body.
In the next instant, flames erupted from his hands, rapidly spreading up his arms.
"Scarlet Fire Dragon!"
With a shout, a blazing dragon surged forth, opening its massive jaws as it lunged toward Lü Ci.
Facing the scorching heat and the oncoming fire dragon, Lü Ci's lips curled slightly.
He activated his own qi.
A blue aura spread across his entire body as his technique circulated.
Just as the fire dragon was about to strike—
Lü Ci took a deep breath, lowered his stance, clenched his right fist, and punched forward.
In that instant—
The blue qi pierced straight through the fire dragon and struck Feng Ping directly.
As for the fire dragon—
Though it collided with Lü Ci, it only burned for a moment before quickly extinguishing and disappearing.
"Striking through barriers… and protecting himself at the same time."
"So this is the Lü family's Ruyi Force?"
Watching Lü Ci defeat Feng Ping with clean efficiency, Gojo's eyes lit up as he began simulating the scenario in his mind.
"If I faced him…"
"If I covered my entire body with the Golden Light Spell, could I block his Ruyi Force?"
"And if he used it to strike through defenses…"
"What if I layered the Golden Light multiple times? Would that work?"
As he observed the battle, Gojo's thoughts raced, analyzing every possibility.
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