Chapter Six: An Easy Victory

"Brother Chen Fan, you can't do this!"

Chen Fan turned his head and saw several people hurrying over. Leading them was none other than Lin Shiyu. Beside him were Zhang Shanzhi and other disciples from Feiling County, though Feng Yuancheng was absent. All of them wore anxious expressions.

Lin Shiyu grabbed Chen Fan's arm directly. "Let's go. You must not agree to this wagered fight!"

Xiao Chunkong burst into laughter and proactively displayed two sheets of paper. "Lin Shiyu, you're too late! Brother Chen Fan has already signed and agreed to the wagered battle!"

Lin Shiyu was momentarily stunned, then looked helplessly at Chen Fan. "Brother, didn't I tell you not to accept these wagered challenges lightly? If it's a bet of ten or eight taels, losing isn't much of a concern..."

Xiao Chunkong laughed even louder. "Lin Shiyu, Brother Chen Fan isn't like your bunch of paupers; he put up a stake of one hundred and fifty portions of Vitality Pills!"

Lin Shiyu was astonished at this, then forced a bitter smile at Chen Fan. "Brother Chen, you are being reckless!"

A wager of several hundred taels—even for someone like Lin Shiyu, who came from a county family—was not something that could be produced on a whim. It would take considerable time to accumulate.

Chen Fan shook his head. "I'm confident I can win!"

Moreover, what he wagered were Vitality Pills, which to him were the most useless things.

Lin Shiyu could only smile wryly. "Yuancheng is exceptionally talented, yet after mastering true techniques, didn't he still lose to someone at the same first level of martial arts? The capital is not like Feiling County. Talent is not equivalent to strength. The people here, even if not as gifted as you, have been training for years and their power cannot be underestimated..."

With these words, he turned to glare coldly at Xiao Chunkong. "Xiao, you shouldn't deceive yourself. Brother Chen Fan became the master's personal disciple at only fourteen—his talent is unmatched. If you try to trick him now, you'd best be prepared for the day he comes knocking for revenge!"

Xiao Chunkong narrowed his eyes, grinning slyly. "You can't scare me. The wager of one hundred and fifty Vitality Pills was proposed by Brother Chen Fan himself. Besides, we've already signed the duel agreement, so changing the stake now is useless!"

In truth, it was Xiao Chunkong who initially suggested such a valuable wager; Chen Fan simply substituted an equivalent amount in Vitality Pills.

Lin Shiyu still wanted to say more, but Chen Fan waved him off. "Brother Lin, there's no need to go on. If I lose, so be it—it's only a few months' worth of Vitality Pills. I can afford the loss."

Then, Chen Fan turned toward the silent young woman, Xiao Yurong. "Sister, let's not waste any more time. Let's begin!"

Compared to her brother Xiao Chunkong, this woman was cold to the extreme. She hadn't spoken a word the entire time. Yet her features were refined, and Chen Fan glanced at her a few more times.

Xiao Yurong nodded slightly and turned to walk toward the arena. Chen Fan followed closely behind.

Lin Shiyu and the others watched helplessly as Chen Fan stepped onto the stage, silent and resigned. They had already warned him yesterday, but since he wouldn't listen, what more could they do?

"This Brother Chen is even more impatient than Yuancheng!"

"I know this Xiao Yurong. Though she hasn't been a core disciple for long, her strength is not to be underestimated. She apparently has a unique set of techniques and is skilled in arena combat!"

"Never mind, if Brother Chen loses once, he'll learn his lesson. As the master's personal disciple, he has plenty of resources and won't miss a few Vitality Pills..."

The group gathered around the arena, whispering among themselves. The fact that Xiao Chunkong let his own sister challenge Chen Fan showed his great confidence in Xiao Yurong's abilities.

After all, Chen Fan's age was evident, and with Feng Yuancheng deliberately concealing the fact that Chen Fan had beaten him in martial competition, these people might have known about Feiling County's under-eighteen contest, but wouldn't pay attention or realize that Chen Fan was the latest champion...

Of course, it was also too soon for them to truly value Chen Fan; otherwise, a little investigation would have revealed everything!

...

The referee briefly explained the rules, then declared the match officially started!

Xiao Yurong, cold as ever, said nothing. She stepped forward, moving nimbly toward Chen Fan.

"Ha!"

Her fists were fierce and her speed astonishing.

Chen Fan stood firm, leaning forward in a bow stance, and struck out with the White Cloud Pine Crane Palm.

Boom!

Their fist and palm collided.

Xiao Yurong let out a surprised cry, feeling an immense force coming from Chen Fan's palm, forcing her to retreat uncontrollably!

With just one exchange, Chen Fan could already gauge the extent of her strength—it didn't even match Feng Yuancheng when they had fought.

No matter how refined her techniques, she could not possibly be his match.

Clearly, it wasn't this girl who had defeated Feng Yuancheng.

Chen Fan pressed his advantage, stepping forward, both palms pushing out again.

Smack!

Another strike of the White Cloud Pine Crane Palm!

Having lost her balance in the previous move, Xiao Yurong was unable to recover; Chen Fan's next palm forced her to cross her arms and defend her chest, but she was once again driven back by his overwhelming force.

Thud, thud, thud!

The young woman frowned deeply, shaking her reddened arms, looking at the youth before her in disbelief. "How are you this strong?"

Chen Fan just laughed, ignoring her question, and pressed in again with another fierce White Cloud Pine Crane Palm.

Xiao Yurong gritted her teeth, her footsteps darting as she struggled to fend off Chen Fan's onslaught, but it became increasingly difficult.

Pity that Xiao Yurong was by no means weak, but the gap between her and Chen Fan was considerable. She posed no threat, and thus gave Chen Fan no opportunity for insight or improvement in battle, so he showed her no mercy.

Slap, slap, slap!

Chen Fan showed no inclination to hold back, raining one heavy palm after another upon her.

After less than thirty moves, the woman had been struck multiple times, her whole body aching and drained of strength to continue.

The onlookers wore faces of shock and disbelief—not just Lin Shiyu and his group, but especially Xiao Chunkong and his companions, whose faces darkened to the extreme.

They knew Xiao Yurong's strength best. Among core disciples, even ordinary Internal Breath practitioners, or opponents at the first level of martial arts, might not defeat her.

How could a youth of thirteen or fourteen years be this formidable?

Chen Fan shook his head, finding it all meaningless. "Admit defeat. I didn't expect you to be so weak."

In the Feiling County tournament, this woman would be only slightly weaker than Lin Qingyu; she clearly had considerable combat experience and her martial skills were exquisite.

Unfortunately, faced with the ever-improving Chen Fan, the gap was simply too wide.

At this point, Chen Fan was no longer the novice who had never fought before. Against someone so far below himself, he felt no interest at all.

She glared at Chen Fan, unwilling to concede, panting slightly, and then, gritting her teeth, charged at him again.

Chen Fan shook his head, his right hand forming a fist, striking straight for her face.

Bang!

The girl fell face-down, losing consciousness instantly!

Chen Fan turned to the referee. "Does this count as my victory?"

The referee paused briefly, then nodded repeatedly.

The match lasted only a few dozen moves, less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. Especially that final blow—the speed of his punch was astonishing, almost beyond belief.

Xiao Chunkong and the others rushed onto the arena, quickly helping Xiao Yurong up. Her forehead was completely flushed red, blood streaming from her nose, a truly miserable sight.

The faces of Xiao Chunkong and his fellows grew even darker, their eyes full of anger, as if Chen Fan had committed some crime.

Chen Fan looked at them. "Don't worry, I know my limits. She won't have any broken bones. A little nosebleed might even do her some good!"