Chapter Thirty-Seven: A Gift

Feng Yuancheng had just declared his inevitable victory when he saw his next opponent, Chen Fan. He paused for a moment, nodded, and then strode past Chen Fan without a word.

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes. He was not deaf; he had clearly heard the exchange between Feng Yuancheng and Yan Linzu. Though Feng Yuancheng appeared amiable, he was in truth exceedingly arrogant, not even considering Chen Fan a worthy opponent. Naturally, Chen Fan felt a surge of displeasure.

Still, he understood his situation. Although he had twice made breakthroughs in the "White Cloud Pine Crane Palm," improvements in his vital energy required time; his strength had only increased marginally. With Feng Yuancheng’s latest breakthrough, he was likely even stronger than Lin Qingyu. In terms of straightforward power, Chen Fan might have a chance at victory—but it would not be easy.

His eyes grew cold, and a fierce competitiveness flared within him: "My talent is unrivaled. As long as I fight, I can break through. I even have the 'Jade Shattering Fist' running in the background, which I’ve never fully mastered. If I can gain insight into it even once, I’ll perfect it. With my abilities, it’s not impossible for me to beat him!"

Chen Fan could accept defeat calmly, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to win. Especially after hearing Feng Yuancheng's confident prediction of victory—Chen Fan looked forward even more to seeing his reaction if he lost.

The gap between first and second place was like heaven and earth—let alone between the top two and the top four.

...

The remaining time was devoted to ranking the last five among the fifteen strongest contestants from the previous day.

Chen Fan sat resting offstage, his stomach rumbling audibly. With his recent string of epiphanies, both the "Wind and Thunder Palm" and "White Cloud Pine Crane Palm" had advanced rapidly, his body’s vital energy continually brewing. Now, his nutritional reserves were running low.

Normally, the slow progress in training martial arts manuals could be sustained with a daily diet. But this kind of leap in progress was another matter entirely.

"My progress has far outpaced the growth of my vital energy. I wonder if there’s any more nourishing food that could quickly boost my vitality?"

After a while, someone from the tournament organizers arrived with a steaming bowl of medicinal soup, its pungent herbal aroma filling the air.

"This is a tonic for the body, meant to greatly accelerate your recovery. Each of the top four gets one!"

Chen Fan was overjoyed. He downed the bowl in one gulp, feeling a surge of warmth flood his body, restoring much of his spirit and strength. Though the soup wouldn’t help him cultivate his martial arts or directly enhance his vital energy, its restorative effect was superior—even rivaling the secret broths of the White Cloud Martial Hall.

"Too bad it doesn’t really help with my vital energy..."

Still, it was enough to stave off his hunger for now. His recent breakthroughs in martial arts would only increase his appetite in the days to come, until his body absorbed enough nutrients and the expansion of his vital energy was complete. Only then would his strength leap once more.

...

The day's matches ended.

Chen Fan was again dragged off to Jiangshan Tower by Bao Tianyou. For three days straight, Bao treated him to lavish banquets, spending silver far exceeding the prize money for the tournament itself.

Bao Tianyou relished it, and Chen Fan saw no reason to refuse.

Although he’d had the tonic provided by Feihu Sect, it couldn’t endlessly enhance his vital energy. Some hearty meat dishes were just what he needed to satisfy his hunger.

After three days of hearty feasting, Bao Tianyou took note of a few things and praised him: "Junior Brother, your constitution is truly unique. Your vital energy hasn’t reached its limit yet. If you’d been born into a noble family and enjoyed proper training… I dare say your performance in this tournament would rival even Yan Linzu’s!"

Chen Fan shook his head, smiling wryly. Bao truly believed he had a special constitution, but the real reason was Chen Fan’s peculiar talent.

Just then, as they were enjoying their meal, the door to the private room suddenly swung open, and in walked He Hongshan, a classmate of Chen Fan’s.

"Hongshan!" Bao Tianyou exclaimed in surprise, rising to greet her. "What brings you here?"

A trace of resignation flickered in He Hongshan’s eyes as she turned to point at Chen Fan, who was busy gnawing on a chicken leg. "I knew you’d be here. I’m looking for him!"

Everyone was taken aback—Chen Fan himself was completely baffled. He and He Hongshan had barely spoken before; why would she seek him out now?

She spoke again: "The Hall Master wants to bestow a treasure upon Chen Fan. He couldn’t find you at the martial hall, and since we’re classmates, he asked me to deliver it. I heard you were at Jiangshan Tower, so I came straight here."

Usually, after the tournament, competitors were meant to return to the hall together by carriage. But Chen Fan, for three days running, had been coming to Jiangshan Tower with Bao Tianyou, thus breaking protocol.

"Li Linliu wants to give me something?"

Chen Fan's interest was piqued. He quickly wiped his hands and mouth clean, stood, and saluted He Hongshan. "May I ask what the Hall Master wishes to give me?"

He Hongshan’s clear eyes flickered with complex emotions as she produced a small white porcelain bottle.

"The Hall Master said that since you had an epiphany in the 'White Cloud Pine Crane Palm' today, your vital energy will soon surge. The contents of this bottle can help you quickly complete that process. You just need to take it orally, the sooner the better—before anyone tries to steal it."

At these words, everyone’s curiosity was drawn to the porcelain bottle in the girl’s hand.

Chen Fan was overjoyed. He understood at once that this was no coincidence. Li Linliu, on the verge of becoming a grandmaster, had eyes keener than most and had clearly seen Chen Fan’s unique condition—thus, he had deliberately chosen to gift him such a thing.

For White Cloud Martial Hall not to recruit someone with Chen Fan’s talent would be unthinkable. He received the bottle with delight.

But He Hongshan continued to gaze intently at him, as if she had more to say.

Puzzled, Chen Fan asked, "Is there something else?"

He Hongshan clenched her fists and bit her lip. "I will definitely catch up to you!"

With that, she spun around and left, leaving the others exchanging surprised glances.

Of course, no one misunderstood her meaning. A genius like He Hongshan was clearly referring to catching up in martial cultivation.

Bao Tianyou’s eyes narrowed, "Junior Brother, now that your talent and strength are on display, your prospects are limitless. You’ve caught Hongshan’s attention—there may be a chance between you. If you could marry that girl, the He family would surely spare no effort in nurturing you..."

Chen Fan groaned inwardly. "Senior Brother, don’t tease me!"

It had been Bao Tianyou who once cautioned him not to think too much about He Hongshan, and now he was saying such things.

Bao Tianyou shook his head. "You don’t know how powerful the He family is in Feiling County. Your looks and talent are fine, but your family background is lacking a bit... Still, there’s no rush. Martial artists shouldn’t let emotions distract them too soon. In a couple of years, when you both go to Yandu City, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other..."

Chen Fan’s head was spinning. He had once thought Bao Tianyou wanted to pursue He Hongshan himself, but evidently that wasn’t the case. Though He Hongshan was talented, she was only twelve or thirteen—actually younger than him—and he felt no romantic inclination toward her.

As they continued their meal, the door sounded again and a burly man in practical attire entered, whispering something in Bao Tianyou’s ear that made his eyes light up.

Bao turned to Chen Fan. "Junior Brother, my men have found someone tailing us. They’ve already caught him. Do you want to have a look?"

Chen Fan was taken aback.

Bao continued, "Didn’t you say you were attacked yesterday? I had more men watch our surroundings today, and it paid off. If I’m not mistaken, this person is after you."

Chen Fan’s eyes gleamed. "Let’s go."

In a private room at Jiangshan Tower—

Smack!

Bao Tianyou delivered a fierce slap to the youth before him, his eyes cold and sharp. "Who sent you? Why are you following us?"

The youth collapsed to the floor, his face swelling instantly, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his whole body trembling. "No, no one… I wasn’t following you, I wasn’t watching you..."

Chen Fan, Meng Qi, and the others surrounded him, regarding him coldly.

Bao sneered, "Do you take me for a fool? My men saw you tail us from the tournament venue, and after we arrived at Jiangshan Tower, you kept your eyes on our private room. Are you really going to claim you weren’t watching us?"

The youth trembled even more. "I—I wasn’t…"

At that moment, the door opened again, and one of Bao Tianyou’s burly men entered.

"Young Master, we’ve questioned him. He came alone to Jiangshan Tower yesterday as well—didn’t order much, but stayed for quite a while!"

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes. He leaned down and smiled at the youth. "Tell me, did Yu Xingzheng send you?"

The youth shuddered at Chen Fan’s gentle tone. Though Chen Fan was handsome and soft-spoken, there was something about him that sent chills down the spine...