Is It Okay to Injure Senior Brother Xiao Ran?

Due to the unexpected outcome of the first match, the second encounter between Wang Haodong and Peng Yu concluded before the audience could fully recover. Although Wang Haodong secured a narrow victory, his expression was not reassuring. He realized that his strength was not significantly superior to Zhao Zixuan's, and if Gan Tang could easily win, his chances might not be high.

In the initial challenge, most disciples of the Haohui Sect got to know Gan Tang, significantly elevating Ning Lang's status in their eyes. After Wang Haodong and Peng Yu exited the stage, Mei Qinghe calmly announced, "Xiao Ran, Jiang Chen, it's your turn."

Both of them responded in unison and ascended the practice platform from opposite sides.

Watching Jiang Chen, who used to be half a head shorter, now standing as tall as him, Xiao Ran felt a bit uneasy. The night Ning Lang broke through dominated discussions, but afterward, the focus shifted to events on Miao Peak. This drastic change made Xiao Ran somewhat uncomfortable.

Xiao Ran glanced at Jiang Chen's simple and honest smile, feeling a bit uneasy in his heart. Gan Tang, standing beside him, would definitely look down on him if he lost. Therefore, he couldn't afford to lose.

"Junior Brother Jiang Chen, do you also practice fist techniques?" Xiao Ran inquired.

"Yeah," Jiang Chen nodded.

"Then let's determine the winner with our fist techniques today."

"Sure," Jiang Chen scratched his head innocently and said, "Let's go!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Xiao Ran immediately made a move. Spiritual energy almost instantly flowed to his fists, carrying tremendous force as he relentlessly attacked Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen, however, blocked every punch with his hands, leaving no room for counterattacks.

While continuously attacking, Xiao Ran began to doubt.

How can he block every punch?

How can he punch so quickly?

How is it possible? He shouldn't be able to block for so long.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

As Xiao Ran's speed increased, Jiang Chen surprisingly continued to block every punch. Seeing Jiang Chen resist so stubbornly, Xiao Ran felt a growing sense of confusion and frustration.

"Peng! Peng! Peng!"

However, Jiang Chen suddenly took two steps back, turned his head, and asked, "Master, can I fight back now?"

"Sure," Ning Lang said.

"Is it okay to injure Senior Brother Xiao Ran?" Jiang Chen asked, his eyes revealing a hint of innocence.

"Go ahead. Don't hold back."

"Injure Senior Brother Xiao Ran?"

"Where did he get the courage to say such things?"

In the eyes of the onlookers, Jiang Chen had clearly been passively defending and hadn't had the opportunity to attack. In their opinion, he was just about to be defeated. After hearing Jiang Chen's question, Ning Lang cursed him for being a fool and said, "It's okay. The Grand Elder has plenty of healing elixirs."

Jiang Chen nodded and clenched his fists again. His expression became more serious.

"Senior Brother, let's continue."

Before the words fell, Jiang Chen tightly clenched his right fist. Like a hunting leopard ready to pounce, after a brief silence, he charged forward.

In his mind, Ning Lang's teachings echoed.

"When I teach you fist techniques, it's not just for you to display in front of me. You need to use it to contend with the whole world."

"When practicing fist techniques, you must have the confidence to move mountains."

"Whether you practice knives or swords, you should have the ambition to cut off all injustices in the world."

The battle between Xiao Ran and Jiang Chen continued, with everyone watching intently.

"..."

"One punch shakes the mountain! One punch shakes the mountain! One punch shakes the mountain!"

Jiang Chen silently repeated these words, his body trembling uncontrollably as spiritual energy surged chaotically within him, finally gathering in his right fist.

Xiao Ran was stunned by this scene. Until Jiang Chen's fist descended, he hastily clenched his fists to resist.

"Boom!"

The two fists met in mid-air, pausing slightly before Xiao Ran's body was sent flying out of the stage, his face pale, and crimson blood at the corner of his mouth.

Dust filled the air.

Silence enveloped the entire scene.

Jiang Chen, like a guilty child, looked at Ning Lang and said, "Master, did I use too much force?"

Suppressing his shock, Ning Lang smiled faintly, "It's fine. Come, sit down."

Jiang Chen nodded and descended from the stage, sitting upright behind Ning Lang.

Gan Tang cursed him as a weirdo, and Jiang Keran's mouth twitched again.

All eyes were fixed on Jiang Chen, widening in amazement. The other six elders had either pale faces or were livid.

What happened today felt unreal, beyond anyone's dreams.

"Gulp."

It wasn't just one person who swallowed hard. Many people around were audibly swallowing saliva.

Turning his head, Mei Qing He asked, "Ning Lang, did Jiang Chen break through to peak grade?"

"Yeah."

This simple response caused another round of gasps.

In just half a year.

Starting from the Mortal Realm...

Was this... real?

Ning Lang smiled, "There's one last match. Gan Tang, go and consult Senior Brother Wang Haodong."

"Sure."

Gan Tang stood up and walked to the practice platform. Seeing Wang Haodong motionless, she disdainfully said, "Are you fighting or not? If not, just surrender."

Wang Haodong looked at Li Hongri, and Li Hongri glanced at the still-unassisted Xiao Ran on the ground. Finally, he tentatively asked, "Ning Lang, does your disciple have any hidden cards?"

"He does." Ning Lang answered truthfully.

Li Hong Ri's eyelids trembled, and he sighed deeply, saying, "In that case, let it be."

Gan Tang snorted and went to consult Senior Brother Wang Haodong.

Jiang Keran muttered, "Master, let's go back."

Ning Lang stood up and faced Mei Qinghe, "Master, since that's the case, we'll take our leave."

Mei Qinghe nodded slightly.

Ning Lang, with Gan Tang, Jiang Chen, and Jiang Keran, walked away slowly, leaving the gaze of the crowd.

The conversation between master and disciples also reached the ears of those present.

"Jiang Keran, did you gain any insights from watching so many sparring matches today?"

"Yes, Master."

"Break through to the middle grade as soon as possible. You barely broke through to the lower grade at nearly eighteen. Although your talent is lacking, you still need to work hard."

"Yes, Master."

The corners of thousands of people's mouths twitched.

Eighteen years old, and talent is still lacking?

Is this something a normal person would say?

"Jiang Chen, your punch was powerful enough, but your momentum isn't enough. Is there still a hint of hesitation in your heart?"

"Master, I..."

"Let it be today, but in the future, don't hold back."

"Yes, Master."

Ning Lang gently scraped Gan Tang's nose and said with a smile, "As for you, no more calling the Sect Master an old man."

"He is an old man, though."

"Well, you can't say that. The Sect Master is good to your master."

"Okay, okay, I won't say it."

...