Chapter 8

Pushing through the crowd, a nimble figure leaped onto the stage, left hand holding a sword, standing straight and tall under everyone's gaze, without the slightest hint of panic.

"He is..."

"It's Chen Zong."

Exclamations of surprise echoed, their faces full of astonishment, which quickly turned to ridicule.

"I'm dying of laughter. I thought it was someone else, but it's actually Chen Zong."

"His mind must be confused."

"Even holding a sword, does he think he's a swordsmanship expert?"

Amidst the unbridled laughter, Chen Zong's expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

"Brother Zong, come down quickly." Chen Yiming rushed to the edge of the stage, looking up at Chen Zong and calling out anxiously. Chen Zhengtang also squeezed to the edge of the stage, staring at Chen Zong but saying nothing.

"Chen Zong, this is not a place for you." Chen Yurao said coldly, her tone tinged with impatience. "Get down, don't cause trouble."

Chen Yidao's eyes were cold and stern, sweeping past Chen Zong without a pause. Chen Zhigang and Chen Dali were full of shock, and Chen Dazhong, standing in the crowd, was no different. It seemed they hadn't expected Chen Zong to not only survive in the forest but also dare to appear here.

"Chen Zong, a new rule has been added to the Martial Disciple Battle. Clan members below the third level of the Blood Qi Realm are not allowed to participate." Chen Wuxiong sighed softly, then smiled at Chen Zong. He and Chen Zhengtang had a good relationship, and he didn't despise Chen Zong like others did; instead, he felt a bit sorry for him.

"Clan Head, my cultivation has reached the third level of the Blood Qi Realm." Chen Zong replied seriously. When he arrived, it was just as Chen Dali was declared the winner of the Martial Disciple Battle. If the old rules were followed, the battle would have been only halfway through. He was fortunate to have arrived in time. "Also, I am a member of the Chen family, under fifteen years old, and thus eligible to participate in the Martial Disciple Battle."

The overseer looked at Chen Zong with interest, as if trying to see through him.

Chen Huzhan, however, frowned, his face full of displeasure.

"Your cultivation has reached the third level of the Blood Qi Realm?" Chen Wuxiong was stunned, as were the others.

"Clan Head, Chen Zong is also a member of the Chen family and is eligible to participate in the Martial Disciple Battle." Chen Dali suddenly spoke up.

"Yes, Clan Head, Chen Zong is eligible to participate in the Martial Disciple Battle." Chen Zhongjie echoed, his face showing hatred and a sinister smile.

The smart ones could tell that Chen Dali and Chen Zhongjie had ulterior motives.

"Clan Head, please allow Chen Zong to participate in the Martial Disciple Battle." Chen Zhengtang spoke up, knowing that this was Chen Zong's long-held wish. As a father, he chose to support him.

"Since you are a member of the Chen family, under fifteen years old, and your cultivation has reached the third level of the Blood Qi Realm, you are eligible to participate in the Martial Disciple Battle." Chen Huzhan, seated in a high position, locked his domineering gaze on Chen Zong, his tone stern. "However, the Martial Disciple Battle has already ended. According to the rules, you have missed it. But I will give you a chance. If you can defeat any one of them, you can challenge Chen Dali and compete for the right to challenge the top three."

Before Chen Wuxiong could speak, Chen Huzhan preempted him, acting as if he were the Clan Head, which displeased Chen Wuxiong, but he could do nothing about it because his strength was inferior to Chen Huzhan's.

"However, you can challenge, but this is a family Martial Disciple Battle, and weapons can be unpredictable, so you cannot use a sword." Chen Huzhan added, his gaze falling on the iron sword in Chen Zong's left hand.

"Agreed." Chen Zong bent down and handed the iron sword to Chen Zhengtang. "Father, trust me. Even without a sword, I can secure a top-three position."

Chen Zhengtang grabbed the iron sword and patted Chen Zong's hand. "Good luck."

"Clan Head, can we start?" Chen Zong looked directly at Chen Wuxiong and bowed to ask.

"Be careful." Chen Wuxiong, now unable to oppose, could only say solemnly as he leaped off the stage.

"You..." Chen Zong's gaze slowly swept over the faces of those at the third level of the Blood Qi Realm. "Who will fight me?"

"I will." Chen Zhongjie jumped onto the stage eagerly, his face full of a sinister smile, immediately assuming the starting stance of the Wolf Tooth Fist, his gaze turning cold, as if he saw Chen Zong as prey.

Chen Zong stretched his limbs and assumed the Tiger Crouch stance, giving off an indescribable feeling.

"That's... the Great Success Tiger Power Fist." The overseer said softly, a bit surprised. Chen Huzhan's brows furrowed again.

Chen Zhongjie immediately felt a sense of pressure from Chen Zong, a pressure that came from the level of the fist technique.

With a low growl, like the deep roar of a wolf, Chen Zhongjie rushed forward, his right fist fully extended in the Wolf Leap stance, striking Chen Zong's ribs with great force.

Chen Zong used the Tiger Rush stance, punching out with the force of a roaring tiger, causing Chen Zhongjie's face to change dramatically. His steps faltered, then he suddenly accelerated, dodging like a circling wolf, moving to Chen Zong's side and changing the Wolf Leap stance to the Wolf Bite stance, a technique he had learned from fighting Chen Yang.

Spinning his body, his arm swung like a tiger's tail, creating a startling wind howl.

Tiger Spin!

At the same cultivation level, the Great Success Tiger Power Fist was stronger than the Lesser Success Wolf Tooth Fist. Upon collision, Chen Zhongjie felt an irresistible force that bent his arm. Chen Zong's arm swept across Chen Zhongjie's body with a loud thud, sending Chen Zhongjie rolling on the ground, unable to get up for a moment.

"Chen Dali, it's your turn." Chen Zong's gaze shifted from Chen Zhongjie to Chen Dali, his tone calm.

"Brother Zong defeated Chen Zhongjie." Chen Yiming, below the stage, was extremely excited.

"Am I dreaming? Chen Zong actually defeated Chen Zhongjie."

"Did he really reach the third level of the Blood Qi Realm as he said?"

Chen Yurao was full of surprise. She never imagined that the person who had struggled to make progress in her memory had unknowingly reached the third level of the Blood Qi Realm and was not weak in strength.

"Is that the Great Success Tiger Power Fist?" she wondered, feeling her mind in turmoil.

Chen Yidao stared at Chen Zong, a hint of battle intent spreading in his eyes. Chen Zhigang's face turned ugly, as Chen Zhongjie was his protégé, and being easily defeated by a recognized waste of talent was a blow to his face. Moreover, Chen Zong's Tiger Power Fist had reached the Great Success level.

Chen Dali jumped onto the stage with a cold face. "Chen Zong, you will soon realize that you are celebrating too early."

"Come on." Chen Zong assumed the Tiger Crouch stance, his voice like a tiger's roar.

"I will fulfill your wish." Chen Dali roared, also assuming the Tiger Crouch stance. The two faced each other three meters apart, their eyes meeting like lightning.

"Tiger Rush!" Chen Dali roared, charging at Chen Zong like a fierce tiger. Chen Zong also used the Tiger Rush stance, punching out with a powerful wind howl.

The two fists collided head-on, sending a terrifying shockwave. Chen Zong's arm trembled slightly, while Chen Dali's face changed. His punch was repelled, his arm retracting uncontrollably, forcing him to take a step back to dissipate the force.

At the same time, Chen Zong charged forward, leaping lightly.

Tiger Leap!

An indescribable momentum swept over, charging forward with a powerful force, blood qi surging.

"Tiger Frenzy!" Under the Tiger Leap stance, the power of the Tiger Frenzy stance reached its peak. The punch landed with such momentum that it truly felt like a fierce tiger roaring in front of Chen Dali, causing his face to change dramatically, his heart almost stopping. He couldn't fully mobilize his strength, hastily punching out to defend, his arm bending, and he rolled off the stage like a tumbleweed.

"Good." Chen Zhengtang clenched his fist, secretly excited, while Chen Yiming was dumbfounded.

"Wow..." This scene made everyone draw in a sharp breath. Chen Dazhong, in the crowd, clenched his fists, wishing he could jump onto the stage and personally strike Chen Zong down, but he didn't dare, as this was the family Martial Disciple Battle, and the rules could not be broken.

"The family Martial Disciple Battle, and he acts so..." Chen Huzhan stood up in anger.

"Wait." Chen Wuxiong quickly announced, "This match, Chen Zong wins, and he gains the right to challenge the top three."

"I disagree." Chen Huzhan, disregarding Chen Wuxiong's face, glared at Chen Zong. "This boy's actions were too ruthless; he should be disqualified."

This statement made Chen Zong's heart sink, but he met Chen Huzhan's gaze without fear.

"This boy's Tiger Power Fist has reached the peak of Great Success, very impressive, and he has the right to continue challenging." The overseer suddenly spoke, his voice calm, like a gentle breeze.

"Chen Zong, who do you want to challenge?" Chen Wuxiong's face showed a hint of joy as he spoke, while Chen Huzhan's face was dark and his teeth clenched.

The sudden turn of events left Chen Zong momentarily dazed. Chen Wuxiong reminded him again, and he finally came to his senses, speaking without hesitation: "I challenge Chen Zhigang."

"What!"

"He's challenging Brother Gang."

"Doesn't he know that Brother Gang is the strongest of the top three?"

"I think he's become arrogant with his newfound strength, thinking that defeating Chen Dali qualifies him to fight Brother Gang."

"Overestimating himself."

Various comments arose.

Chen Yurao was still dazed, Chen Yidao's eyes gleamed, and Chen Zhigang, after a moment of shock, showed a hint of ferocity in his eyes.

"Are you sure?" Chen Wuxiong asked solemnly, giving Chen Zong another chance.

"Zhigang, as a member of the Chen family, show some mercy." Chen Huzhan said directly, the words "show some mercy" low and forceful.

"Father, I will." Chen Zhigang understood Chen Huzhan's meaning, smiling and looking at Chen Zong. "Chen Zong, I suddenly admire you for your courage in directly challenging me."

"Thank you for the compliment." Chen Zong responded coolly, leaving Chen Zhigang at a loss for words.

"Come on, in the name of the Chen family, I'll give you three moves." Chen Zhigang stood on the stage, three meters away from Chen Zong, speaking calmly and confidently. This demeanor made many Chen family members exclaim in admiration, and some of the elders nodded in approval.

"One, two, three..." Chen Zong casually swung his fist three times. "That's it, three moves are over. Let's begin."

With that, Chen Zong assumed the Tiger Crouch stance. Chen Zhigang's three moves, if used well, could give him an advantage, but Chen Zong refused because he wanted to defeat Chen Zhigang honorably, without any excuses, to show the entire Chen family that he was not a waste of talent and to allow his father to hold his head high in the clan, no longer looked down upon.

"I suddenly think you are very foolish, giving you a chance and not knowing how to seize it." Chen Zhigang's face first darkened, then he smiled with a hint of pity. "But as a member of the Chen family, I won't use heavy hands. Come on, let me guide you in the Tiger Power Fist."

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