Chapter Forty-Three: The Champion

"Chen Fan is about to lose!"

Below the stage, countless disciples watched as Chen Fan fell into a disadvantage. Whether they knew him or not, their expressions were all exceedingly complex.

Naturally, disciples like Bao Tianyou hoped for Chen Fan to win, but they also understood that for him to come this far was already an extraordinary achievement.

Su Qingyang pursed his lips and turned to Lin Mo beside him, complaining, "In my very first match, I had to face Yan Lincu, that monster. How could I possibly win? How?"

Lin Mo nodded, somewhat dazed, "Yes, your luck was just too bad!"

On the dais above.

Li Linliu watched as Chen Fan was on the verge of defeat, yet still refrained from using any powerful techniques. He frowned in puzzlement. "Chen Fan still has plenty of vital energy left, and his strength surpasses his opponent's. He shouldn't be losing so soon. What is he thinking? Why does he keep using those obviously rough and unrefined moves?"

The gap between third-tier techniques and those of the first or second tier was vast—no one present would take them seriously.

You Shahu furrowed his brows. "Could it be that Chen Fan is relying on his own intelligence, hoping to break through in the heat of battle with some strength-focused techniques? But with just a couple of third-tier methods, even if he does attain insight, it's impossible for him to defeat Yan Lincu!"

Moreover, enlightenment is not something you can achieve just because you wish for it; it is a rare stroke of fortune.

Li Linliu's frown deepened. "What exactly is Chen Fan planning..."

As a martial artist at the sixth stage—on the verge of breaking through to the seventh—even he could not discern Chen Fan's intentions.

"Even if he makes progress with a few unremarkable techniques, it won't matter. Unless he attains further enlightenment in 'Cloud Crane Palm' or 'Wind and Thunder Palm,' he has no chance against Yan Lincu."

You Shahu added, "If he has the talent to master high-level strength techniques, focusing on so many lesser ones only scatters his energy and wastes his talent and insight!"

Li Linliu nodded, "Indeed. Mastering 'Cloud Crane Palm' would advance him more than ten third-tier manuals ever could. Still, Chen Fan comes from humble means—these lesser techniques are likely all he had to cultivate before."

Naturally, none of them gave any weight to the techniques Chen Fan was currently displaying.

Yet, if they knew that every technique Chen Fan performed had already reached mastery, that he had even cultivated inner energy—they would hardly remain so calm.

But they did not know.

Upon the stage, lines of runes flashed before Chen Fan’s eyes—one after another.

One, two, three, four...

Breakthrough after breakthrough...

One by one, the techniques he had long since mastered underwent further breakthroughs.

He attained new insights and improvements.

Unfortunately, these martial arts had already generated inner energy; further advances could only increase their progress by forty or fifty percent, not bring them instantly to perfection.

But quantity begets quality.

With more techniques comprehended, the overall effect was greatly enhanced!

Very soon, Chen Fan discovered that when he used the already perfected 'Jade Shattering Fist' again, he was able to gain yet another new move!

"I had already had an epiphany with this—how is this possible? Wait, the first insight happened before perfection, the second after. Could it be... my skills can be enlightened twice through battle?"

Delight surged within him.

Before perfection, insight increased progress and efficiency; after perfection, it granted entirely new moves.

Joy welled up in his heart.

Chen Fan unleashed hundreds of moves in rapid succession, cycling through over a dozen martial techniques, including several second-tier methods he had recently mastered.

Under the pressure of intense combat, every technique yielded new insight.

He watched, wide-eyed, as strings of runes floated past him. Though he was gradually being overwhelmed, his eyes shone all the brighter.

Thump-thump!

Chen Fan's heart pounded furiously.

With so many breakthroughs at once, where one or two would be unremarkable, the sheer number sent his vital energy surging.

More than a dozen strength techniques had advanced!

A surge of heat erupted from his abdomen, instantly spreading throughout his limbs.

His blood and energy boiled, flooding his body, strengthening his physique and power!

He could even feel his strength climbing higher still.

The medicine of the Blood-Nurturing Pill was coursing through him...

"You've lost, Chen Fan!"

Yan Lincu's lips twitched. He could not fathom what Chen Fan was doing, but he did not relent or retreat in the slightest.

He punched and punched again!

Chen Fan may not have been the most skilled opponent Yan Lincu had ever faced, but he was certainly the most enduring.

Yan Lincu grew ever more exhilarated, driving Chen Fan to the very edge of the stage.

"It's over!"

He gazed at Chen Fan, who was backed up at the edge, feeling a rush of satisfaction.

"This is the final blow! I am the champion!"

His fist cut through the air, crashing toward Chen Fan with domineering force.

At that very moment, as Yan Lincu’s fist thundered forth, Chen Fan’s eyes flashed—not with hesitation, but with sudden resolve. Instead of retreating, he advanced.

He weaved his hands together and thrust them forward...

Once again, he unleashed the 'Cloud Crane Palm'!

This time, with his strength vastly increased, Chen Fan met Yan Lincu’s furious blow head-on.

Boom!

Fist and palm collided.

Chen Fan did not retreat a single step!

Instead, Yan Lincu was forced back, stumbling several paces.

"Impossible!"

The arrogance on Yan Lincu’s face vanished, replaced by shock and disbelief. He felt a tremendous force surge from Chen Fan's hands.

Just moments ago, Chen Fan had been faltering—how had he suddenly turned the tables?

He staggered back, struggling to regain his balance, gritting his teeth to charge once more—only to see Chen Fan, no longer battered, actively pounce upon him!

A fierce punch, like a tiger lunging from the mountain, nearly rivaled Yan Lincu’s own Flying Tiger Fist!

Smack!

Chen Fan’s feet moved with lightning speed, energy roiling within him. As his strength swelled, he alternated between 'Cloud Crane Palm,' 'Wind and Thunder Palm,' and 'Jade Shattering Fist.'

His blows grew wilder and more dominating with each strike.

With every punch, his power increased, the Blood-Nurturing Pill within him further fueling his ascent.

Though Yan Lincu’s own blood and energy were inexhaustible, the strain of repeated battles was taking its toll—especially after hundreds of exchanges with Chen Fan. Now, with Chen Fan’s strength surging, Yan Lincu could no longer keep up.

As the gap in power widened, Yan Lincu’s endurance no longer mattered.

"No!"

He fell back, move after move, unable to withstand the onslaught.

Within a mere dozen exchanges, Chen Fan struck him again and again!

Each blow from Chen Fan was stronger than the last, forcing Yan Lincu to stumble backwards, unable to hold his ground.

No matter how his energy circulated, it could not elevate his strength enough to withstand Chen Fan’s attacks.

Chen Fan, meanwhile, grew only more exhilarated, his moves more forceful and decisive.

Finally, as Yan Lincu was driven to the stage’s edge, Chen Fan’s palms swept horizontally—

Like a crane spreading its wings!

That final, piercing move struck Yan Lincu squarely in the chest.

Boom!

Overwhelmed by the tremendous force, Yan Lincu could not resist—his entire body was flung from the stage.

After a grueling battle of hundreds, if not thousands, of moves, the reversal was completed in a mere few exchanges!

Chen Fan’s victory was so swift, none could believe it.

In that instant, the entire arena fell silent.

Chen Fan’s chest heaved, breath coming in great gasps, as he looked down from above at the stunned Yan Lincu.

A profound sense of satisfaction filled his heart, a joy and exhilaration he had never before experienced.

He clasped his fists and said quietly, “Thank you for letting me win.”

With those words, the arena erupted!

“Champion!”

“Chen Fan!!”