At nine o'clock in the evening, at the Grand Cloud Hotel.

The area was already packed with all sorts of luxury cars, bustling with activity. A red carpet was rolled out across the street in front of the entrance, a level of grandeur that far surpassed most other events.

Autumn had just ended, and the weather had begun to turn cold. Patches of white frost even coated the ground.

Nearly everyone hoping to become an apprentice waited respectfully on either side, standing in the biting cold wind without a single word of complaint as they awaited Master Liu's arrival. Some wore suits, while others were dressed in fine gowns. All of them were dressed in thin attire, leaving them trembling uncontrollably in the frigid wind. Yet despite the cold, no one dared to utter a word.

To put it into perspective, many of these people were extremely distinguished figures. Whether at home or in public, they were the type who would expect a servant to hand them a simple glass of water. But now, they stood here with utmost respect, not daring to let even a hint of dissatisfaction show on their faces.

Finally, at ten o'clock, a tall, indistinct figure rapidly appeared in the distance.

The moment this figure appeared, it set off a wave of cheers from the crowd.

"Master Liu is here..."

"Master Liu has finally arrived!"

The spirits of those waiting respectfully were instantly lifted as they all turned to look.

Before long, under everyone's watchful gaze, an old man in a long robe appeared, walking toward them step by step. He was carrying a huge plaque, which was draped in a bright red cloth.

Seeing this, many people couldn't help but gape, some even rubbing their eyes in disbelief. The plaque was enormous. A rough estimate put it at several hundred pounds, possibly even exceeding a thousand, yet he carried it with such ease. This feat alone was enough to reveal Master Liu's terrifying strength.

As Liu Changyun walked by, every respectful person he passed knelt to the ground without a moment's hesitation. Their bodies trembled with excitement. Those who had never witnessed Liu Changyun display his strength had harbored some doubts, wondering if the rumors were exaggerated. They had wondered if Master Liu truly possessed such power. Now, having seen it with their own eyes, they didn't even have the courage to lift their heads to look at him.

Master Liu was nearly seventy years old, yet he could carry an object weighing almost a thousand pounds with ease. The terrifying extent of his power was self-evident. Only those who witnessed it firsthand could understand how truly astonishing the scene was.

Xu Tianlong, Fan Xukun, and the others were shaking with excitement. They had just witnessed this otherworldly, formidable power.

That Chen Zheng won't be able to escape now! What good is having a team? In the end, he's still just an ordinary person. Faced with a true expert like Master Liu, he probably couldn't even withstand a single glance.

They made a silent vow, their eyes filled with hope.

Once we successfully make Master Liu our teacher, we'll immediately ask him for help! I have to capture that damned bastard and make him suffer the same pain! Exactly... We'll show him what true torture is. We'll chop off all his limbs and torment him mercilessly!

To them, Master Liu was their greatest hope.

"We pay our respects to Master Liu!" everyone present shouted reverently. Their combined voices surged like a tidal wave, filled with incredible momentum.

Nearly a thousand people were kneeling in unison—a scene rarely, if ever, witnessed before.

Liu Changyun had arrived in the hotel lobby. He looked over the kneeling crowd. "Very good."

He set the plaque he held directly onto the floor.

BOOM!

The ground trembled from the thunderous impact. He casually reached out and ripped the red cloth off the plaque. All those present immediately saw the four bold characters carved upon it: Southern Fist Liu Family. It looked incredibly imposing!

"That's the Liu Family's golden plaque... No way... We're actually seeing it with our own eyes?"

"I heard the Emperor himself bestowed this upon the Martial Champion back in the day! I can't believe such an incredible figure was an ancestor of the Liu Family!"

"No wonder Master Liu is so powerful today; it turns out it's all inherited!"

Many in the crowd recognized the plaque's true identity. They were well aware that Liu Changyun's specialty was his fist techniques, renowned for being ferocious and domineering. Before this, many had secretly wondered from whom Liu Changyun had learned his martial arts. Who was his master? Only now, upon seeing this plaque, did they understand: he was the true successor of the Liu Family!

Upon learning this, everyone present was overcome with excitement. They never imagined that a simple kowtow could make them successors to the Liu Family Fist. To also become a disciple of Liu Changyun—it was simply too good to be true!

"In the past," Liu Changyun began, his voice booming through the hall, "I, Liu Changyun, was merely an Inner Strength Master who had not yet cultivated Qi Gong. I was too embarrassed to admit I was a descendant of the Liu Family, for fear of dishonoring my ancestors!

"But things are different now. I have stepped into the realm of a half-step Grandmaster and am fully qualified to establish my own school and pass down the Liu Family Fist far and wide!

"However, while Outer Sect Disciples can be chosen somewhat casually, anyone who wishes to become my Inner Sect Disciple must pass a very strict selection. It will not be so simple!

"I have already made my decision. Those who sincerely wish to become my disciples must pay an application fee of ten million, but let me state the conditions clearly first!

"I will only truly accept those with sufficient talent and aptitude as my disciples. If your qualifications do not meet my standards, the money you paid will not be refunded!

"Consider this matter carefully. Make sure you will not have any regrets!"

As he spoke these words, Liu Changyun's expression was filled with pride. He hadn't provided any precise selection criteria, implying that the decision rested solely with him.

His words caused an immediate uproar. They had to pay a ten million fee just to apply, with no guarantee of being accepted as an Inner Sect Disciple. In other words, their money could be gone for good, with the very real risk of never becoming his disciple.

"I, Xu Ronghua, am willing to pay ten million!"

"The Fan Family is also willing to pay!"

"The Zheng Family is also willing to pay!"

Just then, Xu Ronghua, along with the Fan and Zheng families, stepped forward almost simultaneously, demonstrating their support with their actions. For them, the value of becoming Master Liu's disciple far outweighed a mere ten million.

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