Chapter 25: Breakthrough in Combat

The first four contenders had already been decided: Fang Che, Huo Churan, Qiu Yunshang, and Yu Zhongge.

What surprised everyone was that these three, clearly having witnessed Fang Che’s unbeatable move, refused to back down!

According to the rules, Fang Che had to fight twice.

When drawing lots, both Huo Churan and Qiu Yunshang craned their necks, their heads like stubborn pigs, watching intently. Yu Zhongge was watching too, but he was intact—not pig-headed.

Fang Che’s pale fingers gently flipped over the slip of paper.

Number two!

Fang Che had drawn Huo Churan!

A fierce battle spirit suddenly ignited in Huo Churan’s eyes.

He took a deep breath.

Fang Che showed an extremely friendly smile, squinting as he said, “Brother Huo, next round, it’s you and me.”

The righteous Lord Fang intended to repeat his old trick, using the same tactics he employed against Ding Ziran on Huo Churan.

But unexpectedly, Huo Churan was not fooled. Coldly, he said, “Fang Che, don’t take me for some fool like Ding Ziran. I have no time to befriend you!”

Before Fang Che could respond, Ding Ziran, standing nearby, furiously pressed his hand on his sword hilt and said grimly, “Huo Churan, are you looking for death?!”

Huo Churan replied fiercely, “If you want to fight me, you’re not qualified yet. I’ll finish Fang Che first, then I’ll deal with you!”

Ding Ziran took a deep breath, his body radiating sharp sword energy and a terrifying killing intent as he said word by word, “You said that yourself. When the time comes, don’t be afraid to die!”

Fang Che laughed heartily and said, “Brother Ding, calm down. After Huo Churan fights me, whether he still has the strength to fight you is uncertain.”

He pointed at Huo Churan with his finger and said coolly, “You said we’re not friends. Don’t blame me for being ruthless today. Not just today; even in the future, every time I see you, I’ll fight you once!”

Huo Churan sneered, “You think you can?”

Fang Che grew angry and immediately raised his hand, swearing loudly, “I swear to heaven, every time I see Huo Churan, I’ll fight him! If I don’t see him, I’ll find a way to see and fight him!”

Everyone was stunned.

Damn, is he really that ruthless?

Little did they know, Fang Che was helpless inside.

He couldn’t make friends, yet he couldn’t outright kill or maim on the stage—the referees were watching closely.

So how was he supposed to deal with Huo Churan, the seed of the Three Saints Sect?

He had to find an excuse.

Since Huo Churan was so arrogant and fierce, giving Fang Che reason to lose his temper, Fang Che naturally decided to follow through.

See you once, fight you once!

If we don’t meet, I’ll create the chance to meet and fight!

I swear it, everyone heard it.

This is not my fault!

Qiu Yunshang said beside him, “Fang Che, leave him some breath!”

“Fine! But only one breath,” Fang Che smiled, though his eyes were cold.

...

The battle between Fang Che and Huo Churan began.

How to describe it? Both unsurprising and utterly unexpected!

Huo Churan started with full power.

Unlike his fight with Xie Gongping, Huo Churan’s momentum soared immediately, his whole body suffused with blood energy.

His cultivation level also rose step by step, growing more courageous, until he reached the peak of the fourth tier of Martial Master!

From afar, the white-clad Huo Churan looked like a mass of fresh blood.

Blood mist rose and swirled on the stage, unextinguished by the wind!

“This must be a secret technique that burns blood energy to boost one’s cultivation.”

“After this battle, even if he wins, he’ll be weakened for a while. Didn’t expect Huo Churan to have mastered such a desperate technique.”

The two referees looked uneasy.

They very much did not want Huo Churan to win.

Anyone else winning would be better than Huo Churan.

Just because his previous palm technique was disgustingly underhanded!

But now, with him using this secret technique, Fang Che was in trouble.

There was a cultivation gap. Even using the Buddhist Blade technique might be ineffective.

“Look!”

...

Amid the shocked gazes, Fang Che let out a light shout, striking with fist and palm together.

His momentum also surged!

In an instant, he reached the fourth tier of Martial Master, clashing head-on with Huo Churan!

Boisterous sounds rang continuously!

But Fang Che’s aura was solid, his breathing steady, his vital energy flowing smoothly—clearly the genuine peak of the fourth tier Martial Master!

“Damn!”

“This kid has been hiding so much until now! Damn, this is sneaky—almost like a mountain elder!”

One referee blurted out.

The other quickly coughed, “Cough, cough, cough...”

He turned to see, from afar, the cold, piercing gazes of the senior officials like arrows!

He felt as if his knees had been shot and nearly collapsed.

...

Elsewhere, Qiu Yunshang and Yu Zhongge fought desperately.

Their battle strangely replayed the earlier fight between Fang Che and Mo Ganyun.

Each move was a fierce clash.

It was Qiu Yunshang who initiated.

Knowing he was already badly injured from consecutive fights, he doubted his chances against the well-rested Yu Zhongge if the fight dragged on.

But Yu Zhongge’s strength was just a fraction below his.

So he launched relentless fierce attacks, trading injury for injury, only offense, no defense!

Yu Zhongge was extremely frustrated. Though his strength was slightly weaker, the gap was small, but in such a life-or-death fight, the advantage was clear.

Eventually, Yu Zhongge managed to draw his sword, but Qiu Yunshang swung his long sword in a wide arc like a great blade, striking nine consecutive blows.

After nine clashes, both long swords broke at the same time.

They threw down their weapons and resumed brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Qiu Yunshang’s once elegant, composed face was now unrecognizable, swollen so badly his eyes were mere slits, but his attacks were like a raging storm, continuous and unrelenting.

Yu Zhongge dodged desperately, seeking rest and exploiting softness to overcome hardness.

Yet Qiu Yunshang’s footwork was also clever; wherever Yu Zhongge dodged, Qiu Yunshang pressed close, never letting him create distance.

He always kept his back to the stage, pushing Yu Zhongge closer to the edge.

After a fierce collision...

Both fighters simultaneously received punches to the right eye, right cheek, and blows to the abdomen.

They both fell backward.

Qiu Yunshang landed on the stage, while Yu Zhongge, frustrated, flew off the platform and crashed to the ground.

Howling in anger, he pounded the ground with both hands, roaring uncontrollably.

On the stage, Qiu Yunshang lay twitching, gasping. His face was swollen larger than a butt, his eyes completely obscured, cheeks and nose flattened. Only his mouth remained visible, the rest puffed and flattened.

He lay there laughing heartily, “I win!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

These two truly fought spectacularly.

...

Back to the other side.

Seeing Fang Che withstand his assault, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in Huo Churan’s eyes.

“Old Silver Coin! Damn bastard, hiding his true strength!”

Huo Churan was furious.

In this new talent competition, as the seed fighter of the Light Sect, Huo Churan bore a mission allowing no failure!

He had to claim first place, gain the key resources of the White Cloud Martial Academy, graduate, and infiltrate the Guardians.

To earn a position, enabling his sect to receive Guardian intel whenever needed for action.

This was Huo Churan’s ultimate mission.

But it all started with winning the champion.

So the championship was his absolute goal!

With a loud shout, Huo Churan suddenly retreated three steps, then abruptly drew his blade.

Blood energy surged over the blade, emitting a fierce aura like a wild storm as he charged forward!

At that moment, Fang Che also let out a light shout, leapt up.

Midair, he suddenly emitted a long piercing howl.

...

The crowd was stirred deeply, looking up.

Because this howl didn’t seem deliberate but like an eruption of energy, a rare phenomenon...

Sure enough, Fang Che’s body trembled violently in midair.

An aura wafted and dispersed.

“Holy shit!”

Thousands in the audience exhaled in unison the elegant, universally understood two words.

He broke through!

Fang Che had broken through to the fifth tier Martial Master at this crucial moment!

A major milestone!

Breaking through mid-battle under the enemy’s furious onslaught, suppressing himself to break through alive! And during the championship final!

This created a legend at the White Cloud Martial Academy!

After the breakthrough, Fang Che’s body continued rising.

His tall figure seemed to glow under the sunlight.

With the howl, Fang Che reached the peak, then bent his body, plummeting down!

From a height of over ten meters, his descent was like a meteor!

Blade flashing ahead like lightning striking down!

In the blink of an eye, he rushed at Huo Churan with a sharp wind.

With a loud clash, his blade smashed hard against Huo Churan’s!

Huo Churan, fully prepared, was forced back with a scream, sliding away, blood trickling from his mouth.

One strike had already injured his internal organs!

But Fang Che didn’t land or stop.

Using the momentum of his descent, he charged forward wildly.

Another slash!

With a loud clash, Huo Churan’s long blade flew into the air!

Spitting blood, he staggered backward.

“You asked for it!”

Fang Che roared, tossing his blade upward.

His right fist struck Huo Churan’s left eye socket like lightning, followed immediately by the left hand punching the right eye socket hard.

One punch hit the bridge of the nose.

The cracking sound was clearly heard by those near the stage, sending chills down their spines.

Blood splattered wildly like a hammer smashing a watermelon.

Huo Churan let out a stifled scream; his nose was crushed!

As his head tilted back, Fang Che grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked forward.

Hair scattered in his hand as the next moment,

His knee struck fiercely into Huo Churan’s dantian.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Seven consecutive knee strikes!

Crack, crack... ribs snapping continuously.

Huo Churan’s body curled like a shrimp, both feet flying off the ground.

A loud slap hit his right cheek, face turning aside, a few teeth flying out; another slap on the left cheek turned his face back, spraying teeth to the right again!

Fang Che spun midair and delivered a side kick!

Right to the chest.

Crack, crack...

Five or six ribs shattered!

Huo Churan drifted unconscious off the stage.

Fang Che’s face was ice-cold as he rushed forward fiercely, fists clenched with clear knuckles.

“I’ll kill you!” Fang Che shouted furiously. “How dare you insult me!”

He meant it.

If no one stopped him, he was ready to finish it.

After all the effort, killing him might be acceptable.

...