The mocking laughter of the crowd continued to echo across the martial arena.
Zhao Hu looked at Lin Chen, who was slowly standing up, and his face twisted into a look of disdain.
"Trash, you really think you can talk back to me now?"
He took a step forward, his aura surging. The Seventh Layer of Body Tempering power pressed down on Lin Chen like a mountain.
"Since you're so stubborn, I'll cripple your cultivation today and throw you out of the academy!"
Zhao Hu raised his fist, aiming directly at Lin Chen's chest.
This punch carried all his strength. If it hit, Lin Chen would definitely be severely injured.
The surrounding disciples all watched with schadenfreude.
"Good! Teach this trash a lesson!"
"He deserves to be crippled!"
Su Muxue's eyes remained cold. She did not stop Zhao Hu. In her eyes, Lin Chen was just a worthless ant that deserved to be crushed.
Lin Chen stood there, facing the incoming punch.
But there was no fear in his eyes. Only coldness.
At this moment, the voice of the system sounded again in his mind.
[Newbie gift pack is waiting to be opened. Open now?]
"Open!" Lin Chen roared silently in his heart.
[Ding! Newbie gift pack opened successfully!]
[Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Full‑level Body Tempering!]
[Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Basic Martial Arts Perfection!]
[Congratulations, host, you have obtained: 100 years of pure internal energy!]
Boom!
An immense power suddenly erupted from within Lin Chen's body!
His bones crackled, and his meridians expanded violently.
The Third Layer of Body Tempering barrier shattered instantly.
Fourth Layer!
Fifth Layer!
Sixth Layer!
Seventh Layer!
Eighth Layer!
Ninth Layer!
In just a breath, Lin Chen's cultivation skyrocketed from the Third Layer to the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering!
A terrifying aura that far exceeded Zhao Hu burst out from him.
The air trembled.
Zhao Hu's incoming punch suddenly stopped.
His face turned pale with shock.
He stared at Lin Chen in disbelief.
"This… this aura… Ninth Layer of Body Tempering?!"
"How is this possible?!"
Everyone was stunned.
The disciples who were mocking just a moment ago all widened their eyes, their faces filled with horror.
Even Su Muxue's cold expression finally changed. Her beautiful eyes were filled with shock.
Ninth Layer?
That useless trash who had been stuck at the Third Layer for three years… had broken through to the Ninth Layer in an instant?
This was impossible!
Lin Chen looked at Zhao Hu, who was frozen in place, and a cold smile appeared on his face.
"Zhao Hu, you wanted to cripple me just now?"
He took a step forward.
At this moment, Lin Chen's body was filled with explosive power. His every move carried the might of a Ninth Layer expert.
Zhao Hu's legs went weak, and he took a step back in fear.
"You… you…" He could not speak a complete sentence.
Lin Chen raised his hand.
A simple, casual slap.
But it contained the power of the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering.
Pa!
A crisp sound echoed.
Zhao Hu's entire body was sent flying. He spun several times in the air before crashing heavily onto the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
His face was swollen, and half of his teeth were knocked out.
The arrogant look on his face was gone, replaced only by fear and pain.
Silence.
Dead silence.
Everyone was dumbfounded, looking at the scene in front of them as if they were dreaming.
The trash they had mocked for years… had just slapped a Seventh Layer expert away with one strike?
Lin Chen slowly lowered his hand.
He looked down at Zhao Hu, his voice cold and emotionless.
"Remember this."
"In Canglan Martial Academy, from today onwards, I make the rules."