"Falling Star Fist…?" Long Chen watched Yang Zhan's fist descend like a plunging meteor, his lips curving into a calm smile. "I wonder how much chaos will erupt once I deal with this fool. Will that woman finally look at me differently? I truly anticipate it…"
He admitted—Yang Xueqing's perception of him mattered deeply.
"This brat's frozen stiff from fear!" mocked a clan member. Long Chen dismissed the jeers, locking eyes with Yang Zhan. "Falling Star Fist? I understand it a thousand times better than you."
To crush Yang Zhan utterly—body and soul—Long Chen mirrored the fist technique, channeling the raw power of Star-Forge Body. A brilliant starburst erupted, colliding with Yang Zhan's punch in a deafening explosion. Yang Zhan staggered back, blood spurting, as Long Chen seized his collar, hoisting him like a rag doll.
Clan members recoiled in horror. "Impossible! He defeated Dragon Meridian Level 4 Yang Zhan with Falling Star Fist?!"
"He must've used underhanded tricks!" others hissed.
Long Chen's gaze turned glacial. "See? I'm stronger. The title of 'waste' belongs to you now. The humiliations you heaped on me? I'll repay them a hundredfold. Prepare for a lifetime of suffering…"
"M-Monster…" Yang Zhan choked, bloodied spittle flying. His arrogance crumbled, replaced by primal fear as Long Chen's smirk promised endless torment.
Before Long Chen could strike again, a sharp command shattered the tension. "Stop this at once!"
Yang Lingyue strode forward—clan prodigy, daughter of the patriarch, her aura icy. Behind her followed two figures: a young man from her earlier outing, and Bai Shixun, younger son of Bai Zhanxiong, who cowered behind his brother.
"Coward," Long Chen jeered, then turned to Yang Lingyue. Her glare could've frozen flames.
As she lunged, he ripped Yang Zhan's garments, hurling the naked man at her. Women screamed, fleeing in droves. Yang Lingyue froze, face ash-pale, until the youth shielded her, draping Yang Zhan in a robe. Humiliated, Yang Zhan fled, his pale buttocks bouncing ridiculously.
"Impressive hindquarters—could earn a living as a dancer!" Long Chen laughed, drawing blushes and curses.
Yang Lingyue's composure shattered. "You violate clan rules, assault kin, and shame us! I'll punish you in your parents' stead!"
Long Chen stood his ground. "Normal sparring? Hardly. They've beaten me for years, yet no one intervened. Strength dictates respect—today I beat Yang Zhan, tomorrow I'll beat you."
Her fury ignited, Dragon Meridian Level 6 qi crushing him. He struggled to breathe, skin burning. Not yet…
Suddenly, Yang Lingqing stepped between them. "My apologies—Father and Uncle demand his presence."
Yang Lingyue seethed but retreated, vowing vengeance. Long Chen thanked Yang Lingqing, puzzling her. "How did you defeat Yang Zhan at Level 2?"
"I'm stronger than you think," he evaded, the jade's secret safe.
She shook her head. "Lingyue's Level 6. You're not fit to carry her shoes, yet dare challenge her in half a month?"
He shrugged. "We'll see at the clan tournament."
The wager spread, drawing ridicule. But Long Chen smiled. In half a month, I'll make them eat their words.
As they parted, Yang Lingqing muttered, "You're a mystery."
"Good," Long Chen replied. "Mysteries keep life interesting."