"It's him..."
"It's Chen Zong."
A gasp rippled through the crowd, faces shifting from astonishment to derision.
"This is hilarious! I thought it was someone important, but it's just Chen Zong."
"Has he lost his mind?"
"Clutching a sword? Does he think he's a master swordsman?"
The undisguised laughter and jeers washed over Chen Zong, but his expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard a word.
"Brother Zong, get down here!" Chen Yiming rushed to the edge of the arena, gazing up at Chen Zong with frantic urgency. Chen Zhengtang squeezed through the crowd to stand beside him, staring intently at his son but saying nothing.
"Chen Zong, this isn't your place," Chen Yuyao snapped coldly, her voice laced with impatience. "Get down here and stop causing a scene."
Chen Yidao's icy gaze swept over Chen Zong without lingering. Chen Zhigang and Chen Dalei stood dumbfounded, while Chen Dazhong, hidden in the crowd, shared their shock. None of them had expected Chen Zong to survive his ordeal in the forest, let alone dare to appear here.
"Chen Zong," Chen Wuxiong sighed softly, then smiled apologetically. "There's a new rule for this year's Martial Apprentice Battle: family disciples below the third level of the Qi Blood Realm are no longer eligible to participate." Though Chen Wuxiong maintained a cordial relationship with Chen Zhengtang and felt more pity than contempt for Chen Zong, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret.
"Clan Leader, my cultivation base has already reached the third level of the Qi Blood Realm," Chen Zong replied earnestly. He had arrived just as Chen Dalei was being declared the victor of the Martial Apprentice Battle. According to the old rules, the competition would barely be halfway finished by now. Fortunately, with the new rules in place, he had arrived in time. "Furthermore, as a member of the Chen Clan under the age of fifteen, I am eligible to participate in the Martial Apprentice Battle."
The Battle Overseer gazed at Chen Zong with keen interest, his gaze scrutinizing as if trying to see through him.
Chen Huzhan, on the other hand, scowled deeply, his face contorted with displeasure.
"Your cultivation base has reached the third level of the Qi Blood Realm?" Chen Wuxiong exclaimed in disbelief, and the others shared his astonishment.
"Clan Leader, Chen Zong is also a member of the Chen Clan and eligible to participate in the Martial Apprentice Battle," Chen Dalei suddenly declared.
"That's right, Clan Leader! Chen Zong is qualified to participate," Chen Zhongjie chimed in, casting Chen Zong a look filled with malice and a sinister smile.
Any shrewd observer could see through their ill intentions.
"Clan Leader, please allow Chen Zong to participate in the Martial Apprentice Battle," Chen Zhengtang finally spoke up. Knowing this had always been his son's deepest wish, he chose to support him.
"Since you're a member of the Chen Clan, under fifteen years old, and your cultivation base has reached the third level of the Qi Blood Realm, you're eligible to participate in the Martial Apprentice Battle," Chen Huzhan declared from his elevated position, his domineering gaze fixed on Chen Zong. His tone brooked no argument. "However, the Martial Apprentice Battle has already concluded. By the rules, you've missed your chance. Nevertheless, I'll grant you one opportunity: if you can defeat any one of those remaining, you'll earn the right to challenge Chen Dalei for a chance to compete for a guaranteed spot among the top three."
Before Chen Wuxiong could speak, Chen Huzhan preemptively seized control of the conversation, acting as if he were the Chen Clan Leader himself. This displeased Chen Wuxiong, but he was powerless to intervene, as Chen Huzhan's strength far surpassed his own.
"There's one condition," Chen Huzhan continued, his eyes falling on the iron sword at Chen Zong's left hand. "This is the Chen Clan's Martial Apprentice Battle, where blades know no mercy. Swords are strictly prohibited."
"Understood," Chen Zong replied, bowing as he handed the iron sword to Chen Zhengtang. "Father, trust me. Even without my sword, I'll still secure a spot in the top three."
Chen Zhengtang took the sword and patted his son's hand. "Good luck."
"Clan Leader," Chen Zong turned to Chen Wuxiong and bowed respectfully. "May we begin?"
"Be careful," Chen Wuxiong said in a low voice, now powerless to object. He leaped off the arena.
Chen Zong slowly swept his gaze across the faces of the Qi Blood Realm Level Three cultivators. "Who will fight me?"
"I will!" Chen Zhongjie eagerly jumped onto the arena, a sinister grin spreading across his face. He immediately assumed the starting stance of the Wolf Fang Fist Technique, his eyes turning cold as if he were sizing up Chen Zong as prey.
Chen Zong stretched his limbs and settled into the Tiger Stance, an indescribable feeling settling over him.
"That's... Great Perfection Tiger Force Fist Technique," the Battle Overseer murmured in surprise, his eyes widening slightly. Chen Huzhan's brow furrowed even deeper.
Chen Zhongjie immediately felt a stifling pressure emanating from Chen Zong—the weight of a superior martial art.
With a low growl like a vicious wolf's snarl, Chen Zhongjie charged forward, his right fist unleashing the full force of the Wolf Strike Stance toward Chen Zong's ribs.
Chen Zong countered with the Tiger Rush Stance, his fist roaring forward like a Ferocious Tiger's howl. Chen Zhongjie's face paled. He froze for a split second before darting aside with wolf-like agility, circling behind Chen Zong. The Wolf Strike Stance shifted into the Wolf Bite Stance—a technique he had learned from his previous fight with Chen Yang.
Chen Zong spun, his arm whipping around like a tiger's tail, unleashing another thunderous roar of wind.
Tiger's Turn Stance!
Despite their equal cultivation bases, Chen Zong's Great Perfection-level Tiger Force Fist Technique proved far superior to Chen Zhongjie's lesser-proficient Wolf Fang Fist Technique. Upon impact, Chen Zhongjie felt an irresistible force bend his arm. Chen Zong's sweeping strike slammed into his body with a thunderous thud, sending him crashing to the ground, where he rolled helplessly, temporarily unable to rise.
"Chen Dalei, you're next," Chen Zong said calmly, shifting his gaze to Chen Dalei.
"Brother Zong defeated Chen Zhongjie!" Chen Yiming exclaimed excitedly from the sidelines.
"Am I dreaming? Chen Zong actually beat Chen Zhongjie!"
"He said his cultivation base reached the third layer of the Qi Blood Realm... could it be true?"
Chen Yuyao's face was etched with disbelief. She never imagined that the diligent but seemingly stagnant cultivator she remembered had not only reached the third layer of the Qi Blood Realm but also possessed such formidable strength.
"Was that the Great Perfection level of the Tiger Force Fist Technique?" she wondered, her mind in turmoil.
Chen Yidao stared intently at Chen Zong, a hint of battle intent flickering in his eyes. Chen Zhigang's expression darkened, his face grim. Chen Zhongjie was his subordinate, and his humiliating defeat at the hands of the acknowledged "trash" Chen Zong was a blow to his pride. Moreover, Chen Zong's mastery of the Tiger Force Fist Technique had reached the Great Perfection stage.
Chen Dalei leaped onto the arena with a cold, determined expression. "Chen Zong," he snarled, "you'll soon realize you're celebrating too soon."
"Come then," Chen Zong replied, adopting the Tiger Stance, his voice resonating with the force of a tiger's roar.
"I'll grant your wish!" Chen Dalei bellowed, mirroring Chen Zong's stance. The two faced each other three meters apart, their gazes clashing like lightning.
"Tiger's Charge!" Chen Dalei roared, lunging forward like a ferocious tiger. Chen Zong simultaneously unleashed the Tiger Rush Stance, his fist whistling through the air with thunderous force.
Their fists collided head-on, unleashing a shockwave of force. Chen Zong's arm trembled slightly, while Chen Dalei's face twisted in shock. His punch had been repelled, his arm jerking back uncontrollably, forcing him to stumble backward to dissipate the impact.
In that instant, Chen Zong surged forward, leaping effortlessly into the air.
Tiger's Leap Stance!
An indescribable force surged forward, carrying with it immense power and a violent rush of blood and qi.
"Tiger's Fury!" Under the Tiger's Leap Stance, the Tiger Fury Stance reached its full potential. Chen Zong's punch landed with a roar that truly resembled a ferocious tiger lunging forward. Chen Dalei's face paled as terror gripped his heart. Unable to fully mobilize his strength, he hastily threw up a defensive punch. His arm buckled, and he tumbled off the arena floor like a rolling gourd.
"Good," Chen Zhengtang muttered, clenching his fist in silent excitement, while Chen Yiming stared in stunned silence.
"Hiss..." The crowd gasped at the spectacle. Among them, Chen Dazhong gripped his fists tightly, itching to leap into the arena and personally crush Chen Zong with a single blow. But he dared not break the rules of the family's Martial Apprentice Battle.
"To think such ferocity would be shown in the Martial Apprentice Battle..." Chen Huzhan rose angrily.
"Wait," Chen Wuxiong interjected swiftly, announcing, "This match goes to Chen Zong, who has earned the right to challenge for a top-three spot."
"I protest!" Chen Huzhan snapped, disregarding Chen Wuxiong's authority. Glaring at Chen Zong, he roared, "This boy's methods are too ruthless. He should be disqualified."
The Battle Overseer's words struck Chen Zong's heart like a heavy stone, yet he met Chen Huzhan's glare without flinching.
"This youth has achieved the peak of Great Perfection in the Tiger Force Fist Technique—impressive. He qualifies to continue challenging," the Battle Overseer declared calmly, his voice like a gentle breeze.
"Chen Zong, who do you wish to challenge?" Chen Wuxiong asked, a flicker of delight crossing his face. Chen Huzhan clenched his jaw, his expression darkening.
The sudden reversal of fortune left Chen Zong momentarily stunned. It took Chen Wuxiong repeating the question to bring him back to his senses. Without hesitation, he announced, "I challenge Chen Zhigang."
"What?!"
"He's challenging Brother Gang!"
"Doesn't he know Brother Gang is the strongest of the three predetermined challengers?"
"He's gotten arrogant after gaining some strength, thinking defeating Chen Dalei puts him on par with Brother Gang."
"He's overestimating himself."
A chorus of opinions erupted from the crowd.
Chen Yuyao remained in a daze, while Chen Yidao's eyes gleamed with interest. Chen Zhigang froze momentarily, then a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
"Are you certain?" Chen Wuxiong asked sternly, giving Chen Zong one last chance to reconsider.
"Zhigang, we are both members of the Chen Clan. Show him mercy," Chen Huzhan interjected, his final words heavy with meaning.
"Father, I understand," Chen Zhigang said, a broad smile spreading across his face as he grasped Chen Huzhan's meaning. He then turned to Chen Zong. "Chen Zong, I must say, I'm suddenly quite impressed by your courage. Challenging me directly—that takes real nerve."
"Thank you for the compliment," Chen Zong replied coolly, leaving Chen Zhigang at a loss for words.
"Come on then," Chen Zhigang said casually from the arena, standing three meters away from Chen Zong with an air of composed magnanimity. "Out of respect for our shared Chen Clan heritage, I'll grant you three free moves." His poise drew gasps of admiration from many Chen Clan members, while the elders nodded approvingly.
"One, two, three..." Chen Zong casually threw three punches. "Alright, your three moves are up. Let's begin."
With that, Chen Zong assumed the Tiger Stance. Chen Zhigang's offer of three free moves could have given him a significant advantage, but Chen Zong refused. He wanted to defeat Chen Zhigang fair and square, leaving no room for excuses, and prove to the entire Chen Clan that he was no waste. He wanted his father to hold his head high among them, no longer subjected to disdain.
"Now I think you're just a fool," Chen Zhigang said, his expression darkening before shifting to a pitying smile. "I gave you an opportunity, and you threw it away. But since we're both Chen Clan members, I won't go too hard on you. Come on—let me demonstrate the Tiger Force Fist Technique properly."