King of Gods Chapter 4 – Zhao Yijian

Chapter 4 – Zhao Yijian

“Upon reaching the 2nd rank of the Martial Path, I’ll no longer linger at the bottom, and I’ll gain entry to the “Family Sparring Contest”.”

Excitement surged through Zhao Feng, though he quickly regained his composure.

The Martial Path consisted of 9 ranks, each more challenging than the last, forming a pyramid-like structure.

It was common knowledge that the initial 3 ranks formed the “Power Ranks”, also called Martial Learner!

Martial Learners fortified their bodies with raw power, laying a solid groundwork for future stages.

Though Martial Learners marked merely the entry to Martial Arts, peaking at the 3rd rank demanded respect—with at least 400 kg of strength, and those with superior talent surpassing 500 kg. They could tear tigers apart and shatter bears barehanded.

Even at just the 2nd rank, Zhao Feng commanded 250-300 kg of power, far beyond ordinary folk. Paired with potent martial skills, he could fend off dozens of average people effortlessly.

“Hitting the 3rd rank of the Martial Path with 350-400 kg of strength would at least double my total power.”

Zhao Feng pondered inwardly.

Yet his deepest desire burned for the 4th rank of the Martial Path.

Ranks 4 through 6 of the Martial Path earned the title “Accumulation Ranks”, dubbed true Martial Artists—genuine warriors!

In this realm, Martial Artists didn’t rely solely on robust bodies and vitality. They tempered their organs and harnessed “Inner strength”, eclipsing mere physical strikes.

Stepping into Martial Artist elevated them beyond mortal bounds into a superior plane.

In Green Leaf Village, Zhao Feng had yearned to become a real Martial Artist, and joining the Zhao Sect brought that ambition nearer.

......

Upon hitting the 2nd rank of the Martial Path, Zhao Feng rushed to inform his parents.

2nd Rank of the Martial Path?

Father Zhao Tianyang and mother Zhao Shi stared in shock before exhaling deeply.

Reaching the 2nd rank at his age without external aid proved his talent outshone many others.

“For the coming two months, focus solely on readying yourself for the “Family Sparring Contest”. No need for top honors—just avoid bringing shame.”

A joyful grin spread across Zhao Tianyang’s face.

Zhao Shi wore a satisfied smile too.

Seeing Zhao Feng advance this far filled them with pride, demanding nothing more.

Yet Zhao Feng aimed beyond this milestone. He craved true Martial Artist status, perhaps even Martial Arts supremacy.

“Now at 2nd rank, my position in the sect has risen, granting access to the first floor of the “Martial Arts Library”.”

The sect’s “Martial Arts Library” housed a vast array of martial techniques.

With this in mind, Zhao Feng hurried straight to the Martial Arts Library.

“Brother Feng!”

En route, a startled yet familiar girl’s voice halted him.

Her tone rang sweet and recognizable to the ear.

Zhao Feng’s frame tensed up.

A young boy and girl, neither very old, approached from nearby.

The boy donned purple robes, boasted thick brows, stood tall and straight, with piercing eyes. His peak 3rd rank cultivation radiated pressure that awed surrounding disciples.

“That’s the outer disciples’ 3rd ranked “Zhao Yijian”!”

Onlookers gasped, their faces etched with dread and concern.

Accompanying Zhao Yijian was a white-robed girl around Zhao Feng’s age—13 or 14—with a pristine, lovely visage.

“Little Sister Xue.”

Zhao Feng gazed at the white-clad girl, his lips twisting into a sardonic smirk.

She was Zhao Xue, who had joined the sect alongside him six months prior.

In Green Leaf Village, she had idolized him. But since entering the Zhao Sect, distance grew between them, turning near-strangers.

Leveraging her charm in the sect, Zhao Xue befriended top outer disciple Zhao Yijian, ranked 3rd, and through his influence, broke into 2nd rank half a month back.

Now, Zhao Xue whispered to Zhao Yijian.

“Fine, but don’t dawdle.”

Zhao Yijian nodded curtly and stepped aside, ignoring Zhao Feng entirely.

Zhao Xue approached Zhao Feng, her expression tangled with complexity and a faint sigh. “Brother Feng, you’ve at last broken through to 2nd rank. Still, Xue’er advises you—don’t be so headstrong. Since joining the sect, I’ve seen how lowly our origins are beside these elites.”

“What’s your point?”

Zhao Feng cut her off, his face icy.

Irritation flickered on Zhao Xue’s features, yet she gritted her teeth and pressed on. “Brother Feng, let Xue’er warn you once more: submit to Brother Yijian. Only with his backing can you blend into the main Zhao Sect and dodge troubles......”

Submit?

Zhao Feng let out a scornful chuckle. He’d never bow to another in his life.

Zhao Yijian exuded chilling arrogance, always sneering down at Zhao Feng through his nose, as if worlds apart.

Reading Zhao Feng’s look, Zhao Xue knew instantly—childhood bonds made her grasp his stubbornness well.

She returned to Zhao Yijian’s side and muttered softly.

“Hmph! Ungrateful fool, this trash.”

Zhao Yijian sneered coldly.

“Trash?”

Zhao Feng’s brows furrowed sharply.

Perhaps irked by Zhao Feng’s defiance, Zhao Yijian paused before icily declaring, “So you’re Green Leaf Village’s so-called genius? In the Zhao Sect, you’re mere vermin! We’ll clash at the “Family Sparring Contest”, and I’ll crush you in one strike.”

“Exactly as you say—we’ll settle it at the contest.”

Zhao Feng shot back grimly, then pivoted toward the Martial Arts Library.

No point in further words; their showdown loomed in two months, and superior might would prevail.

As Zhao Xue’s gaze brushed Zhao Feng, a subtle flicker stirred within.

In that instant, an odd sensation emanated from him—baffling and elusive.

“Thinks mighty highly of himself.”

Zhao Yijian scoffed.

He dismissed Zhao Feng as any real threat!

Among the sect’s outer disciples, fewer than 60 had touched 3rd rank, and holding 3rd place showcased his formidable prowess.

Zhao Xue sighed inwardly; Zhao Feng courted disaster.

She knew Zhao Yijian’s might intimately—even some 3rd ranks crumbled before his single blow.

........

Soon, Zhao Feng arrived at the sect’s vital hub: the Martial Arts Library.

Guarded by elders due to its importance, the Martial Arts Library stood as a sect treasure.

“Branch disciple?”

The white-robed elder in the library eyed Zhao Feng’s token, frowning.

“Great Elder.”

Zhao Feng bowed respectfully, aware of the elder’s power.

Through his left eye, a enigmatic energy pulsed from the elder—a crimson haze lurking between blood and flesh, surging through veins, poised to strike. It could shatter metal mid-air into dust.

Zhao Feng recognized the elder had mastered “Inner strength” profoundly, capable of annihilating hundreds like him instantly.

Only from 4th rank of the Martial Path onward did Inner strength emerge.

Zhao Xue, Zhao Kun—mere Martial Learners—lacked it.

Bowing deeply, Zhao Feng stated: “Elder, I seek the second floor of the Martial Arts Library.”

“Attaining 2nd rank at 14 is middling. But until you’re an inner disciple, know this: branch and main disciples receive differing privileges here.”

The white-robed elder explained.

Zhao Feng hesitated briefly, then recalled the sect’s updated rules and comprehended.

“Elder, please continue.”

Without supreme strength, he held no leverage to challenge regulations.

Expression neutral, the white-clothed elder outlined: “2nd rank allows access only to the first floor. It offers numerous low-rank martial arts and some middle-rank ones. Main sect disciples may select up to two middle-rank or four low-rank arts, borrowable for two months max. Side branch disciples get one middle-rank or two low-rank, limited to one month.”

Absorbing the rules, Zhao Feng drew a steady breath. “This junior comprehends.”

Branch disciples enjoyed half the slots and duration of main disciples.

“Very well! Enter now, but you have half an hour.”

Guided by the white-robed elder, Zhao Feng stepped into the Martial Arts Library—his long-coveted dream realized......