Chapter 27: The Celestial Physique

On the arena.

Chen Fan’s body blurred, instantly vanishing from where he stood.

Han Cheng’s eyes sharpened. As soon as he saw Chen Fan move, his pupils contracted, his gaze darting rapidly. With his fist pulled back, he suddenly struck out into the empty air.

*Boom!*

After a flicker of lightning-like afterimages, Chen Fan’s figure suddenly appeared. Han Cheng, still holding his forward-thrusting stance, collided squarely with Chen Fan’s punch.

*Crack! Crack!*

Under the force of Chen Fan’s blow, Han Cheng was shoved backward, his feet carving deep, plow-like furrows into the arena floor. His face flushed crimson, his blood surging, but after sliding back over a yard, he finally managed to stop.

Chen Fan retracted his fist, looking somewhat surprised. "You actually managed to take that hit?"

Han Cheng’s strength and skill had indeed exceeded Chen Fan’s expectations. Even among practitioners at the fifth level of the Martial Path, few could withstand one of Chen Fan’s punches, let alone someone at the fourth level.

Han Cheng, his face still flushed, looked at Chen Fan with wariness. "Are you at the sixth level of the Martial Path?"

Chen Fan shook his head, a smile appearing on his face. He regarded Han Cheng with a hint of pleasant surprise. "I didn't take this match seriously at first, but I didn't expect someone so young to be this strong. Interesting!"

The corner of Han Cheng’s mouth twitched. *I’m not young? You’re even younger than I am.*

Chen Fan had unconsciously adopted a superior stance, which naturally made Han Cheng feel strange and irritated. Yet, facing a formidable opponent, he felt no fear. Instead, he shed his previously shy demeanor, his eyes burning with intensity as he stared at Chen Fan.

"In terms of raw strength and cultivation, I cannot compare to you. So, don't blame me for what comes next..."

As his voice trailed off, his muscles suddenly bulged, veins protruding across his skin. His stature surged, reaching nearly two meters in height, instantly becoming a terrifying sight.

*Whoosh!*

Chen Fan was taken aback, blinking in astonishment as he watched the average-looking youth transform into a hulking muscle-bound giant in the blink of an eye. The shy, handsome boy was now a towering figure, bulging with veins and radiating a fierce, intimidating aura.

Watching this from outside the arena, Ye Wuji rose to his feet. "Well played, Renchang Martial Academy. To think you were hiding someone with a special physique under the age of eighteen!"

Gu Juling did not respond, his expression turning grave as he watched his disciple.

Chen Fan had forced Han Cheng into this transformed state with only a single punch, demonstrating immense power. Gu Juling knew better than anyone that while his disciple’s current state was powerful, it was limited in duration. If he didn't secure victory within that window, the match would undoubtedly be lost.

On the arena, Han Cheng, now a muscular titan, raised a fist the size of Chen Fan’s head and hammered it down.

*Whoosh!*

The air groaned, nearly creating a sonic boom; his explosive power was far beyond what it had been before.

Chen Fan’s expression shifted slightly. He narrowed his eyes and thrust his own fist forward.

"Ferocious Tiger Cleansing Claws!"

True Essence erupted from his fist, forming a searing, tiger-claw shape that appeared even larger than Han Cheng’s fist! Han Cheng’s knotted, muscular fist slammed head-on into the True Essence, shattering the tiger-claw form.

*Boom!*

The two fists, one large and one small, collided. For a split second, the air seemed to freeze.

Then... *BOOM!*

Both of their sleeves were instantly reduced to shreds, and their feet carved countless cracks into the arena floor once again!

Chen Fan felt a surge of excitement. "Incredible..." He found it hard to believe that this person’s cultivation was still a level lower than his own.

The two retreated simultaneously, then lunged at each other once more. Their fists clashed again.

*Boom!*

They moved like lightning, trading blow after blow, separating, and crashing together again. Although Chen Fan possessed the advantage of his "Three Thousand Thunder Movements" footwork, he abandoned it entirely, choosing instead to engage in a head-on, brutal melee with the youth named Han Cheng.

Han Cheng’s face grew increasingly grim. The spectators from both academies watched with bated breath, their eyes darting back and forth, filled with anxiety.

After nearly twenty exchanges of blows, they collided once more. This time, the tiger-claw energy radiating from Chen Fan’s fist utterly shattered Han Cheng’s defenses!

*BOOM!*

Han Cheng’s massive body was sent flying backward by the force of the blow. As he fell to the ground behind him, his body rapidly deflated like a punctured balloon.

"He won!" Ye Wuji finally let out a breath of relief.

Gu Juling rushed forward immediately, helping his disciple up and feeding him a medicinal pill.

Chen Fan stood on the arena, retracting his fist with a lingering sense of satisfaction. "It’s a pity. You haven't reached the fifth level of the Martial Path, so your True Essence cannot manifest externally, and your strength is still lacking. If you had reached the fifth level, I’m afraid I wouldn't have been able to match your power!"

Their battle had seemed vicious, but Chen Fan was only slightly out of breath and had not even needed to use his Origin Core; the gap between them remained.

Han Cheng’s facial muscles twitched as he looked at Chen Fan. "Next time, I will definitely defeat you..."

Han Cheng was young; with his physique, he would have further opportunities to represent Renchang Martial Academy and secure a spot in the Huaqing Pool. Losing this time was not the end.

Chen Fan nodded with a smile and stepped off the arena, cupping his hands toward Ye Wuji. "I have not failed the mission!"

Ye Wuji slowly relaxed, speaking with feigned indifference. "You did well." But only heaven knew how nervous he had been moments ago. He felt fortunate that the academy had chosen to send Chen Fan; otherwise, they would likely have lost this match.

He cleared his throat, deliberately raising his voice. "You were a bit too arrogant, though. If you had used your sword techniques or footwork, you should have been able to finish your opponent quickly. Don't let this happen again..."

This reprimand was directed at Chen Fan, but in reality, it was meant for the ears of the Renchang Martial Academy delegation. Everyone knew that Chen Fan carried a long sword and possessed mastery over sword arts. In truth, Chen Fan’s "Three-Foot Sword," which had reached the level of "Subtlety," was indeed more powerful than his "Nine Suns Tyrant Tiger Fist."

Chen Fan bowed and smiled. "I understand, Master."

In truth, while his opponent’s strength had exceeded his expectations, the flow of the battle remained firmly in his grasp. He was actually glad he hadn't used his sword; otherwise, where would he have found such a heart-pounding, exhilarating exchange of blows? It was just a shame that this fist technique could not reach the "Unity" stage through a single battle alone.

The members of the Renchang Martial Academy looked grim, but having lost the match, there was no point in further protest. The remaining two combatants were filled with pent-up frustration.

However, in the second match that followed, Renchang Martial Academy lost again. The twenty-five-year-old competitor from Qingming Martial Academy, Ju Ningshou, possessed truly terrifying strength. Even Chen Fan, watching from the sidelines, was left speechless. He admitted to himself that even if he used all his trump cards, he would be no match for Ju Ningshou.

*To be this powerful at only twenty-five, the academy truly produces extraordinary talents...*

He reminded himself not to become arrogant. Aside from the Haori Pavilion, there were over two hundred people in the academy ranked above him, and their cultivation and realms might all be higher than his own. His advantage in physical vitality was becoming less significant as he reached the sixth level... If he hadn't mastered the first two stages of the "Star Body Forging Technique," it would have been very difficult to overcome Han Cheng based on raw strength alone.

In the third match, Renchang Martial Academy finally secured a win, successfully obtaining three spots—a hard-won victory. The defeated disciple from Qingming Martial Academy looked dejected and utterly disappointed. Given Ju Ningshou’s strength and age, even if he lost this time, he would still have another chance to represent the academy in three years. But for the loser, missing out on the Huaqing Pool was a devastating blow.

Although the final battle was a loss, Ye Wuji was still pleased, especially with Chen Fan’s performance. After exchanging a few barbed remarks with Gu Juling of Renchang County, Ye Wuji excitedly took Chen Fan and the others and departed.

"The Huaqing Pool will officially open in five days. Spend these days preparing and adjusting your state. Perhaps once you enter the pool, the techniques you practice regularly will reach the level of 'Subtlety,' and your existing 'Subtlety' techniques might even reach completion."

Chen Fan nodded, his gaze fixed on the green progress bar for his "Three Thousand Thunder Movements."

The "Three Thousand Thunder Movements" was only a hair’s breadth away from completion. He wondered, if he entered a state of enlightenment, would it help him reach the "Unity" stage and grasp the essence of his intent?