Chapter Twenty-Two: Let It Begin!

The two instructors of the martial arts academy possessed strength beyond the fourth level of the Martial Path, with full confidence they could save either combatant if necessary.

Standing beneath the arena, Yu Haitao shook his head repeatedly. "That fool has been spoiled for too long. Does he think matters of life and death are so simple? Signing the death pact so carelessly?"

Whether Chen Fan killed Yu Xingzheng or was killed by him, neither outcome was easily resolved. The Yu family relied on the Four Symbols Sect’s power in Feiling County; they were hardly a match for the immense White Cloud Pavilion. If Yu Xingzheng truly died, even with the death pact in force preventing overt retaliation from the Four Symbols Sect and Yu family, the enmity would be forever forged.

Of course, neither side wielded weapons. In a barehanded fight, even if Yu Xingzheng were defeated, Yu Haitao never expected the battle would so easily end in true death. Before it reached that point, someone would step in to halt the so-called “death match.”

“Even if Chen Fan hasn’t mastered true martial arts, his foundations are solid—his strength shouldn’t be inferior to Xingzheng. In a life-and-death duel where anything goes, Xingzheng may not fare well. Perhaps this will teach him a lesson.”

The death match inevitably drew a crowd of martial artists. Though the Demon-Slaying Tournament in Yan City held many duels over the years, true death matches were rare; each one drew a throng of spectators.

Bao Tianyou’s lips twitched, hoping Chen Fan was at least as strong as Yu Xingzheng, so he wouldn’t be crushed and killed outright—so the crowd could save him. Beside him, Lin Qingyu frowned delicately, her slender hands clenched, clearly anxious.

However, the core disciples of White Cloud Pavilion, led by Lin Shiyu, brimmed with confidence. “Don’t worry. Regardless of Yu Xingzheng’s strength or mastery of true martial skills, he’s absolutely no match for Brother Chen Fan!”

Chen Fan stepped onto the arena, his expression cold and indifferent. Murderous intent surged.

Back in Feiling County, he had suffered from Xingzheng’s malicious revenge after a trivial conflict, which had left him furious. Later retaliation was always constrained by his own strength and background, never daring to go all out. Now, with his status changed, he hadn’t expected Yu Xingzheng to throw himself onto the blade—Chen Fan would not hold back.

Yu Xingzheng, seeing Chen Fan’s chilling demeanor, felt a cold sweat break out on the back of his head. He gritted his teeth, sneering: “What are you pretending for? You think you can fool me? Watch how I’ll kill you!”

Chen Fan merely gazed at him in silence. What needed saying had been said when signing the pact. On the death stage, one must prepare to kill or be killed.

A Four Symbols Sect instructor served as referee.

At his command, the duel began!

Almost at the instant his voice finished—

Swish!

Chen Fan, with his masterful “Three Thousand Thunder Steps,” launched forward, his body blurring into a phantom, charging at Yu Xingzheng like a bolt of lightning.

At the same time, his right fist clenched and unleashed the “Nine Suns Dominant Tiger Fist.”

In the air, it seemed thunder flashed.

Yu Xingzheng’s vision blurred—Chen Fan’s form shifted like a phantom.

A split second later—

Bang!

A muffled thud.

Chen Fan reappeared, his fist already pressed against Yu Xingzheng’s chest!

Boom!

Yu Xingzheng’s face froze in shock; his hands sprawled helplessly, unable to react. His chest felt as if struck by a boulder, agony flooding his senses.

Just one punch.

As countless spectators stared in disbelief—

Yu Xingzheng spat a mouthful of blood across the arena, his body thrown like a beast struck at full speed, crashing heavily to the ground, tumbling off the stage.

“Xingzheng!”

His second brother’s frantic cry rang out.

Gasp! Gasp!

Yu Xingzheng lay on his back, blood gushing from his throat like water from an opened valve.

On his chest, a bowl-sized depression, flesh and blood mangled.

“Xingzheng, Xingzheng…”

He heard someone calling him, his hand feebly lifted, “It hurts…”

Yet a moment later, he could no longer raise it; his breath weakened.

In… but not out.

Yu Xingzheng had considered the possibility that Chen Fan’s strength surpassed his own, but thought as long as he could fight back, he wouldn’t die in Chen Fan’s hands.

Never had he imagined…

A single punch would throw him from the arena, gravely wounded.

“Second brother, I was wrong… I don’t want to fight…”

His eyes widened, full of unwillingness and disbelief, but his voice abruptly ceased, and his pupils lost all light.

Blood seeped from his body, and the crowd’s hubbub grew ever louder.

Chen Fan stared ahead.

[You used the Nine Suns Dominant Tiger Fist to kill your enemy and have comprehended its special secret.]

This fist technique was indeed ruthless; killing brought breakthrough!

Chen Fan glanced at the progress bar for his “Nine Suns Dominant Tiger Fist,” his eyes shining. After his two fundamental arts reached mastery, he could no longer auto-train, but two new green progress bars appeared, without numbers.

Now, after this comprehension, the progress bar for the Nine Suns Dominant Tiger Fist jumped forward about a quarter.

Chen Fan was surprised, frowning as he stepped down from the arena.

“I’ve surpassed the basics but haven’t reached the subtle realm yet… To attain it, I need deeper understanding.”

His “Three Thousand Thunder Steps” also had a similar progress bar, but it scarcely moved.

He had killed Yu Xingzheng with one punch, yet felt no pity or emotional upheaval.

“Brother Chen, your strength…”

Bao Tianyou looked amazed, finally understanding why Lin Shiyu and the others had such confidence in Chen Fan. Smiling wryly, he said, “Seems I worried for nothing. You’re much stronger than I imagined.”

Chen Fan wasn’t yet fifteen, and Bao Tianyou hadn’t expected him to begin true martial cultivation so early, nor to have such considerable strength.

He couldn’t help but glance at Yu Xingzheng’s position; Four Symbols Sect disciples tried emergency measures, but the injuries made survival nearly impossible.

In truth, Chen Fan had already confirmed Yu Xingzheng’s death.

Bao Tianyou shook his head, sighing, “If only he had more restraint, he wouldn’t have ended up like this so young. Even if he survived, his martial path would likely be cut off…”

Their initial conflict had been trivial.

Yu Xingzheng was unruly, hired the “Black League” to teach Chen Fan a lesson.

Chen Fan’s retaliation had not ended anyone’s life.

Yet Yu Xingzheng’s narrow heart could not forgive; another encounter brought further provocation. But facing someone as merciless as Chen Fan, he met his fate.

Crucially, Chen Fan and Yu Xingzheng had signed the death pact.

Yu Xingzheng died by a single punch. Even the Four Symbols Sect had no grounds for lawful revenge.

Moreover, as a core disciple of White Cloud Pavilion, Chen Fan faced no threat from Four Symbols Sect.

After this battle, Chen Fan noticed waves of fearful and curious gazes directed at him, even prodigies from other counties began inquiring about his identity and strength.

To be able to defeat Yu Xingzheng, whose muscles had been tempered, in a single punch, naturally aroused greater curiosity about Chen Fan’s power.

“Chen Fan, you—you’re far stronger than Xingzheng. Why force him into a death match?!”

Yu Haitao approached, his expression no longer calm.

“I forced him?”

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes. “If you have eyes, you should see he was the one who started the challenge. We fought a death match; his strength was inferior and he was killed by me… isn’t that normal?”

“Besides, must I only win by being weaker? Would it be better to defeat the strong with weakness?”

In terms of age, Yu Xingzheng was clearly older.

In fact, it was Yu Xingzheng who sought to step on Chen Fan for status, initiating the challenge.

He stared at Chen Fan, eyes full of anger and helplessness.

Chen Fan snorted, “What, now you want revenge for Yu Xingzheng? Do you also want a death match with me?”

The young man fell silent, forcing a bitter smile.

That punch from Chen Fan was simply too intimidating!

Even martial prodigies the same age as Lin Shiyu, though only a step away from the fourth level, had no confidence in defeating Chen Fan.

After a long pause, he sighed deeply, “I know Xingzheng’s temperament—Chen Fan, you struck so heavily because he once offended you. As the saying goes, disaster comes from the mouth, trouble from the heart; many elders tried to advise him, yet he still became like this…”

“But Xingzheng, for all his unruliness, harsh words, and reckless actions, ultimately didn’t deserve to die…”

“You two signed the death pact; I have nothing more to say. However, Chen Fan, Yu Xingzheng was a disciple of Four Symbols Sect. Even if you are a core disciple of White Cloud Pavilion, we will uphold our dignity in our own way!”

With that, he turned and led the Four Symbols Sect disciples away, carrying Yu Xingzheng’s body in search of a physician.

Chen Fan shook his head.

Children of noble families, born to power and privilege, always surpass ordinary folk.

With a temperament like Yu Xingzheng’s, who knows how many he had offended.

He had been able to act so arrogantly only because of his respectable background and a certain martial talent.

The same applied to Chen Fan—if he hadn’t become Dong Guzhi’s personal disciple, even with a death pact, he wouldn't have dared kill Yu Xingzheng so openly.

Given Chen Fan’s nature, if Yu Xingzheng lacked that background, his grave would have long been overgrown.

“In the end, whatever is said, it comes down to strength.”

At this moment, Chen Fan deeply felt the importance of power.

He sighed and turned back.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed from afar, rumbling like a storm.

Chen Fan looked up.

From the main demon-slaying arena, beastly roars erupted one after another, like thunderclaps in clear skies, amplified by some special technique.

As the roaring continued, countless martial artists on the surrounding stages looked up, not with fear but with excitement.

Those engaged in duels and sparring all paused, gazing toward the distant arena.

Then, a majestic, resonant voice rang out: “The Demon-Slaying Tournament begins now! All registered martial disciples, assemble at the main arena immediately!”

The voice was so loud and clear, repeated three times, surpassing any stadium broadcast Chen Fan had known in his previous life.