<h4>Chapter 1146: Chapter 1153: Martial Arts Association (2)</h4>


    Ling Chen just found it amusing. That Ren Chong is indeed naive. Does he really think that doing this will stop Tong Zhentian from recruiting registered disciples? A Heavenly List master is not someone a minor figure like him can influence. Moreover, with Tong Zhentian’s personality, even if Ren Chong has strong backing, he won’t ept him as a registered disciple if he finds out about what Ren Chong did.


    Practicing martial arts, one must first learn ethics. Without even the most basic martial arts ethics, how could Tong Zhentian ever favor such a person?


    "Tian, is Elder Tong in the room?"


    "Yes, he is. Besides Elder Tong, the president and vice president of the Martial Arts Association are inside too. It seems they’re discussing something."


    At this moment, in the spacious and luxurious guest room, Tong Zhentian was dressed in a neatly pressed Zhongshan suit, sitting on a single sofa. To his left and right sat two middle-aged men, both around forty or fifty years old, each full of energy with deep inner strength, clearly Inner experts, not mere namesakes.


    "Zhou Qian, Ren Han, we are old acquaintances now. This time, I’ve epted the invitation to attend the meeting mainly to make some contributions to Huaxia martial arts. I’m no longer young, living each year as if it’s myst, and I might be buried any day. While I still have some energy left, I believe we should break the old shackles and create a new martial arts atmosphere, making Huaxia martial arts amon sport for everyone. Additionally, we need to reject outdated traditions; keeping real skills to ourselves without sharing will only doom Huaxia martial arts to lose its lineage."


    Zhou Qian, the president of the Martial Arts Association, smiled and said, "Elder Tong is right, we indeed need to discard outdated customs and create a spring for Huaxia martial arts. However, these old habits are deeply rooted and can’t be changed overnight. I think we can only proceed step-by-step, gradually changing people’s mindset, letting them understand the current state of Huaxia martial arts."


    "I agree with President Zhou." Ren Han echoed, "Elder Tong, many absolute skills in Huaxia martial arts are passed from master to disciple, and few would pass on their lifetime of learning to the public. For example, like a billionaire, do you think he’ll pass all his wealth to his descendants or donate it all? I believe only a few without heirs would choose thetter."


    Tong Zhentian continued, "That’s why we must seek change. You two have known my old self for some time now. If every meeting is just formality like before, without any change, I would nevere to East Sea City, wasting time with you. This time, I am recruiting five registered disciples to set an example and pass on all my lifetime learning. As for whether they have the aptitude toprehend it, that’s another matter."


    Saying this, Tong Zhentian looked at Zhou Qian and said, "Your absolute skill is the Thirty-two Routes of Tantan Legs. To my knowledge, none of your disciples have learned its essence. I ask you, did you hold back when teaching them the skill?"


    "Well..." Zhou Qian gave an awkward smile, seeming a bit embarrassed.


    Tong Zhentian didn’t continue questioning but turned his gaze to Ren Han beside him, "You have family martial arts skills. I once faced your father in battle; his Lianyang Saber Technique was very impressive. If he hadn’t passed due to illness, he would surely have a ce among the current Heavenly List masters. Lianyang Saber Technique consists of one hundred and eight moves; how many have you mastered now?"


    "Eighty-six moves..." Ren Han said, feeling quite ashamed.


    "Zhou, the reason no one learned your Thirty-two Routes of Tantan Legs is because you are stubbornly holding back, unwilling to pass the essence on to your disciples. If you encounter any unforeseen events in the future, the Thirty-two Routes of Tantan Legs will be lost because of you. As for you, Ren Han, the more formidable the skill, the more it requiresprehension rather than blind practice. Since neither you nor your son possess thisprehension, why not find another talented disciple to pass on the Lianyang Saber Technique? With your current attitude, in a few years, retaining even half of the one hundred and eight routes of Lianyang Saber Technique will be difficult. This is a bad habit in our martial arts world that must be changed. You two, as the president and vice president of the Martial Arts Association, have the responsibility to set an example and make everyone aware of your determination to reform."


    Zhou Qian and Ren Han exchanged nces and quickly replied, "Elder Tong, don’t worry. We will definitely change."


    "I don’t want you to just say it; I want pragmatic changes. If you fail to deliver results this time, don’te to me in the future. I don’t have time to waste with you."


    "Yes, we won’t be perfunctory. Elder Tong, it’s gettingte. Please rest early; we won’t disturb you." With that, Zhou Qian and Ren Han stood up, about to leave.


    "Wait!" Tong Zhentian stopped them and asked, "What’s going on outside? Since I came in, it’s been noisy and hasn’t stopped."


    Ren Han quickly exined, "Elder Tong, didn’t you say you want to recruit a few registered disciples? Once the news spread, many people rushed here, eager to see you, hoping to be your registered disciple. To me, this is nonsense; even if Elder Tong wants to recruit registered disciples, it shouldn’t be something random but should go through a review. Yet, they refuse to listen and insist on barging in. I had no choice but to ask Ren Chong to guard outside to prevent them from disturbing you. Please rest; I’ll immediately call for people to drive them away."


    "It’s not ’drive’—it’s ’invite.’ Understand? They are the future of martial arts, speak to them kindly and exin clearly, avoid using force indiscriminately. We are martial artists, not street thugs; everything must be done with reason." Pausing for a moment, Tong Zhentian then said, "Tell them that I will remain in East Sea City for a few more days. In a couple of days, I will find a ce and personally conduct screening. If there’s a suitable person, I will keep them as registered disciples."


    "Yes, please rest well; we are leaving." After speaking, Zhou Qian signaled to Ren Han, and the two quickly walked out of the guest room.


    Seeing Zhou Qian and Ren Han exit the guest room, Ren Chong, who was leaning against the wall, immediately stepped forward, "Dad, Uncle Zhou."


    Ren Han nced at the crowded corridor and shouted lightly, "Drive these people away, don’t let them disturb Elder Tong’s rest."


    "Understood." Ren Chong nodded and immediately gestured to several suited men. Soon, several robust suited men formed a human wall and charged towards the crowd opposite them.


    Although some of the people gathered in the corridor had practiced martial arts, the suited men were no simple individuals either; their physique indicated years of external skill training. Under their charge, the crowd fell like wheat in the wind, swiftly being pushed back.