Transformation Diagram: Starting as a Skinny Dog

He whirled around to look at Chen Ku, who was standing in the corner.

The Second Shopkeeper, Zhang Yuanhai, immediately seized the opportunity and spoke, "I think this proposal is quite good. To determine who between Chen Ku and Renfeng is more suited to represent Medicine King Hall at the meeting, and to decide the position of Young Shopkeeper for the next four years, why not have a competition? Everyone could see things more clearly. What do you say, Chen Ku?"

"Ah?"

Chen Ku first looked at Zhang Renfeng, who was glaring angrily at him, then heard Zhang Yuanhai's words. He couldn't help but scratch his head and ask, "Are we really going to compete? Isn't it decided by voting?"

You little fox, Zhang Yuanhai narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected Chen Ku to dare provoke him like this at such a moment.

Seeing Chen Ku raise this question, the Third Shopkeeper, Cao Shouxiong, also said, "That's right, the votes have already been decided."

Zhang Renfeng, however, glared angrily at Chen Ku. "You dare not?!"

He felt aggrieved. Even though he wasn't lacking in any aspect, was he to be ousted so unfairly just because Chen Ku had four backers?

"Alright, Chen Ku, there are so many people here today. Representing our Medicine King Hall means going to the conference to demonstrate our might. Just compete with him and bring out your full strength. Speak with your strength and convince everyone," Yang Luochen said, his voice booming like thunder and spreading out. "Today, let everyone see what level of Cultivation and strength you possess."

Chen Ku looked towards his master. Since his master had spoken, he, as a Disciple, would naturally obey.

"Your Disciple will respectfully follow your command."

He then took a deep breath, looked at Zhang Renfeng, and asked, "I'm not sure how Senior Brother Zhang wants to compete? Weapons or bare hands?"

"Of course, with Weapons! I've learned the 'Five Elements Qi Needle' from the Medicine King Hall's Six Ultimate Skills. Since you've trained under two great masters to learn both the 'Furious Ape Mighty Staff' and the 'Black Tiger Butcher Knife,' we'll both demonstrate what we've learned," Zhang Renfeng said through gritted teeth. "I truly want to see for myself just how capable you are—you, who Elder Yang claims surpasses me in every way. Go fetch your weapon."

"Very well. Please wait a moment, Senior Brother."

Chen Ku turned to retrieve his Weapons.

At this moment, Chai Bao, who was on the stage, frowned at Yang Luochen and said, "Elder Yang, the Shopkeeper lineage's 'Five Elements Qi Needle' utilizes the Inner Qi of the five internal organs to launch them at an incredibly fast speed. It's a throwing weapon as well as an Ultimate Skill. When it comes to the elusiveness of its movement technique, it is known for its innumerable changes, and it is indeed the natural nemesis of those who practice the wide, sweeping 'Furious Ape Mighty Staff.'"

This was also why the Shopkeeper lineage stood independent from the several major branches, much like how the Tiger Talisman, which commanded the feudal lords, was held firmly in the Emperor's hands.

"No matter," Yang Luochen replied, his gaze profound.

Before long, everyone saw Chen Ku approaching, carrying his Refined Iron Dragon Stick on his shoulder and an ordinary refined iron saber strapped to his back.

This sight caused many of the masters to murmur in surprise, "He brought both a saber and a staff! Does he intend to use them simultaneously? He's only been an apprentice for a few months. Surely he can't have mastered the basics of both Stick Technique and Bladesmanship already? Does he possess such exceptional Talent?"

Zhang Renfeng watched Chen Ku approach, shouldering the staff and carrying the saber. His eyes narrowed slightly. He then scanned the surrounding people and declared, "Good! Everyone else, back off fifty paces! When we start, I don't want anyone accidentally hurt by my flying needles."

As he spoke, one could see Zhang Renfeng already pinching a silver needle between his fingers. It was as fine as a strand of hair and flashed with a cold light; it seemed to have a life of its own as it danced and leaped between his fingers.

The vast Grand Martial Arts Arena was a huge open space behind Medicine King Hall, about one hundred paces across. Upon hearing his words, the crowd immediately fell back with a commotion. It was said that once the Shopkeeper lineage's Five Elements Qi Needle was launched, it would descend like a torrential rain of pear blossoms from the sky.

On the stage, the seven seated figures were all intently waiting for the two to clash.

"Once I unleash my Five Elements Qi Needle, even the Iron Cloth Shirt from the Firewood Iron Shop can be punctured full of holes. You've only been training for half a year, so I'll let you make the first move," Zhang Renfeng said coldly and proudly, twirling the flickering silver needle in his fingers as he looked at Chen Ku, who was standing thirty paces away. "Come at me with your staff."

"Alright!" Chen Ku didn't waste any words, just grinned broadly.

Then, everyone present saw Chen Ku take a simple, crisp step forward. His terrifying Inner Qi of the Mystic Barrier Realm erupted, stirring up clouds of dust around his feet. Then, with a BANG, he vanished from the spot like a cannonball.

The next moment, he reappeared thirty paces in front of Zhang Renfeng.

He swept his staff out horizontally!

The fearsome Qi Power instantly churned the air within a dozen paces, forming a wind from the staff as forceful as a landslide!

The staff had not even touched Zhang Renfeng before Chen Ku retracted it, but the wind it generated struck Zhang Renfeng with the force of a tsunami.

BOOM!

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Renfeng's vision went dark. Like a shooting star, he was struck by the wind from the staff and sent flying, crashing into a wall dozens of meters away.

After Zhang Renfeng was sent flying by the wind from that strike and SMACKED against the wall, RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE~~~

The airflow in the arena, stirred by that sweep, then began to spread outwards in all directions. It formed an expanding circle, rolling up dust and sand, which blew against everyone present.

It buffeted the masters and apprentices, making their faces feel as if they were being scoured by the wind, their clothes snapping loudly.

It was as if a sandstorm had suddenly erupted within the Grand Martial Arts Arena, affecting all of them.

Moreover, what caused even more shock and exclamations was the result of this gale sweeping through the arena.

"Mystic Barrier Realm?!"

"Was that Piercing Sound Step at Minor Achievement? He instantaneously moved thirty paces away, effortlessly!"

"That staff technique just now, was it Skyward Strike at great achievement!?"

"To think he blew Senior Brother Zhang away with just the wind from his staff—how terrifying must the actual power behind the staff be? If it had hit directly, wouldn't it have turned Senior Brother Zhang into mincemeat in an instant?"

"That momentum, is that really the Qi Power of the Mystic Barrier Realm? Only six months into training and he's already stepped into the Mystic Barrier? Just what kind of monster is this Chen Ku!"

At this moment, as they watched Chen Ku standing still with his staff, his figure shrouded by the wind and sand, shocked cries of astonishment erupted both inside and outside the arena.

This was true not only for the masters from the various wards of the Medicine Hall. Even several of those seated in the seven chairs shot up from their seats, their pupils constricting.

"Am I seeing this right? Was that truly Piercing Sound Step at Minor Achievement? Elder Shang! When did Chen Ku reach this level? If I remember correctly, it took you thirty years to achieve Minor Achievement, right?" Chai Bao exclaimed in shock, looking at Shang Yunfang.

Shang Yunfang's face was filled with disbelief. "It's Minor Achievement, no doubt... but the thing is, I've only taught him for a little over two months..."

Nong Baosen was also amazed by the level of mastery shown in the Skyward Strike. He exclaimed, "Great achievement? Elder Yang, it took you over three years to fully master that move, and this kid..."

Yang Luochen strained to suppress the smile curling at his lips, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't conceal his smug, proud expression. He gazed at Chen Ku through the dust. His disciple... what terrifying Talent!

"To be precise," he said, "he achieved great achievement in the first form of the Furious Ape Mighty Staff before the year's end. That took him about three or four months."

The three Shopkeepers who had risen from their seats listened incredulously as Yang Luochen and Shang Yunfang revealed details of Chen Ku's Cultivation progress.

In this moment, even the typically unflappable Store Manager Qin Sifan couldn't help but look at Chen Ku, his eyes filled with fervent excitement and anticipation. He murmured in awe, "My Medicine King Hall... has actually produced a Disciple as magnificent as a Divine Dragon?"