Chapter Twenty-Six: Marching into Battle

Chen Fan paused, his eyes wide with astonishment. This giant bird standing before him was taller than an ordinary single-story building, and its wingspan was even more exaggerated!

Even the six-tiered beasts he had seen in the Myriad Phenomena Void Realm rarely reached such a size.

Its back was enormous, and already numerous rope harness seats had been fastened to it, enough to carry a dozen or twenty people together.

Ye Wuji looked calmly at the gathered disciples: “The Battle of Huaqing Pool is of utmost importance. Riding this Heavenly Spirit Eagle, we can cross the Ancient Ming Prefecture and reach our destination within an hour.”

Heavenly Spirit Eagle?!

Chen Fan had heard of it before. Disciples of the Radiant Sun Tower, when traveling, could ride flying beasts, but he never expected to experience it so soon himself!

Chen Fan and the others secured their places.

The one “piloting” the spirit eagle pulled the reins, and the eagle immediately spread its massive wings and soared into the sky.

In an instant, it ascended to great heights, with fierce winds sweeping from both sides.

Whoosh!

However, the ride was far from comfortable, nowhere near as smooth as the airplanes Chen Fan had experienced in his previous life. If not for his high cultivation, the impact would have been unbearable.

The Heavenly Spirit Eagle swiftly flew above the clouds.

Such a spirit beast was not something an ordinary person could ride; the sheer force and pressure would be fatal otherwise.

Yet, soaring on the wind, high above the earth, Chen Fan’s heart was filled with excitement—a rare novelty since entering this world.

As Ye Wuji had said, in just one hour they arrived at their destination.

The Heavenly Spirit Eagle gradually descended.

They were now at the border between Renchang Prefecture and Ancient Ming Prefecture.

...

The chosen battlefield.

Representatives and three disciples from the Renchang Martial Academy had arrived early. Their leader was Vice Dean Gu Juling of the Renchang Martial Academy.

The Vice Dean sneered as he observed the growing black dot in the sky.

“Hmph, Qingming Martial Academy really is flush with resources. For a mere disciple competition, they actually sent a spirit beast like the Heavenly Spirit Eagle to transport their people.”

These tamed beasts were called spirit beasts.

Among flying spirit beasts, the Heavenly Spirit Eagle was relatively rare. While not individually powerful, its flight speed was terrifyingly fast.

There were many martial academies across the land, but not all possessed such spirit beasts.

Though Radiant Sun Tower disciples could ride spirit beasts, it didn’t mean they did so every time they traveled—usually only for long-distance journeys.

And the journey from Qingming Martial Academy to this battle site was only across one prefecture, a straight-line distance of just over a thousand miles. There was no real need to use a flying spirit beast.

Gu Juling felt a pang of envy but shook his head with a cold smile.

“Face-saving gestures are useless; victory in the match is what truly matters.”

In truth, Qingming Martial Academy had gathered talented disciples from two prefectures, and their overall strength surpassed that of Renchang Martial Academy, even exceeding many others.

But having greater overall strength didn’t guarantee that Qingming’s three age-group representatives were stronger than Renchang’s.

Gu Juling turned to his three disciples.

“I’ve reviewed Qingming Martial Academy’s roster. Their under-25, Ju Ningshou, is truly formidable—his martial cultivation is perfectly complete at the sixth tier, just one step away from Grandmaster. We will most likely lose to him, but in the other two age groups, we have a chance.”

“Especially you, Han Cheng. We have kept your awakening of the Heavenly Gang physique a secret until now for this battle. You have reached the fourth tier of martial cultivation and can transform using the Heavenly Gang technique. Even many sixth-tier martial artists may not be your match. Among those under eighteen, you rank among the top in Greater Qian. You must win this time!”

Han Cheng was a fair-skinned, somewhat shy-looking youth. Hearing Gu Juling’s words, he scratched his head and smiled, revealing white teeth.

“If Master says I must win, then I definitely won’t lose!”

Han Cheng was also Gu Juling’s direct disciple.

Gu Juling smiled faintly and added, “But don’t be careless. Qingming Martial Academy changed their combatant at the last minute. Your opponent is likely a formidable figure from their ranks...”

Han Cheng squinted and nodded. “I understand, Master. I will give it my all.”

...

The two academies soon gathered together.

After some barbed exchanges between the lead deans, they rested briefly, then proceeded with bone age tests and doping checks.

When the tests concluded, Gu Juling frowned in confusion, his gaze fixed on Chen Fan.

He had just noticed that Chen Fan was only fifteen during the bone age test.

From past matches, Qingming Martial Academy usually sent disciples close to eighteen years old, or at least over seventeen. This was the first time they sent such a young opponent.

“This last-minute replacement from Qingming Martial Academy isn’t even sixteen. Where did they get such confidence...” Gu Juling felt increasingly uneasy.

Yet when he looked at his own Heavenly Gang disciple, he felt reassured, convinced Han Cheng wouldn’t lose.

Ye Wuji’s face also displayed a confident smile.

“Since the tests are complete, the matches will begin from weakest to strongest. Let the under-eighteen battle commence!”

“Agreed!”

Gu Juling nodded confidently as well.

Both turned with cold smiles, certain of victory.

Ye Wuji then looked at Chen Fan with a gentle smile.

“Chen Fan!”

This match forbade the use of treasured or spirit weapons, so Chen Fan removed his feathered cloak and set down his black sword treasure.

Then he cupped his fists and stepped forward, eyes locking on the opposing academy’s youth.

“I am Chen Fan. Please, senior brother, instruct me.”

The boy looked tender-faced and fair-skinned, about sixteen or seventeen years old, roughly five feet seven inches tall. Standing side by side, some might even believe Chen Fan was older.

The youth smiled shyly, stepped onto the stage, and politely said, “I’m Han Cheng. Born with divine strength and a unique physique, I only practice one set of boxing techniques. Chen junior brother, be careful.”

Chen Fan chuckled in surprise.

Han Cheng was an interesting fellow, openly boasting of his innate strength.

But Chen Fan had witnessed others with unique physiques like Yan Linsu, whose blood circulation made them nearly invincible in endurance, though in terms of raw strength, they were not superior to him.

He didn’t think this youth would be stronger than Yan Linsu and took no offense, smiling confidently.

“Coincidentally, I also have decent blood circulation and am proficient in a set of boxing techniques. Let’s have a match.”

Although treasures were forbidden, ordinary weapons provided by the match could be used—but Chen Fan chose to use none.

Now that Chen Fan could separate his true essence from his body, the power of his boxing techniques had increased immeasurably, making gloves without treasure properties meaningless.

Han Cheng smiled foolishly, noticing Chen Fan’s lack of weapons or gloves, appreciating his straightforward nature.

“If you are ready, let the battle begin!”

At Ye Wuji’s words, Han Cheng’s expression suddenly shifted from a smile to one of intense seriousness.

He stepped forward into a bow stance, eyes fixed unwaveringly on Chen Fan, yet made no effort to seize the initiative.

Chen Fan smiled slightly, stretched his neck.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a ring battle…”

Lately, he had slain demons and men alike, honing his martial skills mainly through the Myriad Illusions Hall.

His last ring bout was during the Demon-Slaying Tournament.

He remained calm and composed.

Then he stepped forward...

Flash!

A thunderous roar erupted as his body surged forward, leaving behind a residual image flickering with thunderlight.

Nearby, Gu Juling abruptly rose, eyes wide in disbelief.

“That speed...”

It was simply too fast!

Even Gu Juling, at Grandmaster level, found Chen Fan’s speed astonishing. Few could reach such speeds even at the fifth or sixth tier of martial cultivation!