Chapter Ten: Secret Techniques

“Hmph, Brother Chen, don’t blame me for showing no mercy!”
Mu Lei’s hands formed into claws as he unleashed the Mighty Eagle Claw Technique. At the same time, his feet stepped in mysterious patterns, making it clear that his true martial arts skills included not only the Mighty Eagle Claw but also a footwork technique as well.

Although Chen Fan spoke with utter confidence, he did not let his guard down in the slightest. After all, this was not Feiling County. The moment he made his move, he executed his fully mastered “White Cloud Pine Crane Palm”! With the strength of his current vital energy, the power of this technique was multiplied many times over.

His inner breath flowed, his palm sliced through the air!

Smack!

The two clashed head-on, their attacks meeting directly. Both their bodies trembled from the impact, each staggering back a few steps.

Their eyes grew grave.

Chen Fan watched with a heavy gaze: “Mu Lei’s techniques are strange. His strength isn’t overwhelming, but he strikes precisely at the weakest points in my techniques…”

Mu Lei’s expression was equally grim: “This brat’s strength is outrageous!”

Though he did not want to admit it, even with his cultivation at the second level of martial arts, and after tempering his muscles with medicinal pills, he still couldn’t match the strength of the youth before him. In fact, the gap was considerable.

They exchanged blows again. Mu Lei’s attacks were not especially forceful, but they were supremely skillful. With precision and subtlety, he managed to suppress Chen Fan despite being weaker in raw power.

As their match continued, Mu Lei’s expression grew increasingly sour, as he thought in frustration, “Is this really just an inner-breath disciple? Anyone would believe he’s at the third martial level!”

By “third martial level,” he naturally referred to the core disciples with first-class foundations. Mu Lei had long since mastered the Mighty Eagle Claw, and though he had not broken through its ultimate limits, his skill far surpassed the average. With his technique and current cultivation, he would even dare to fight most martial artists at the third level. Yet, before Chen Fan’s overwhelming strength, he felt tremendous pressure.

Chen Fan, too, was inwardly shocked and bewildered. Although he had been forewarned and was mentally prepared, the terrifying boost granted by true martial arts skills was still a revelation. The enhancement to one’s strength was simply monstrous!

At the same level of martial cultivation, with mastery of true martial techniques, Mu Lei was far stronger than Lin Qingyu had been. Of course, Chen Fan did not know that Mu Lei, having received yuan stones and pills from Xiao Chunkong, had already completed a significant amount of muscle tempering, even though he had only recently broken through. His true martial techniques had also been honed for a year or two, making them formidable.

“My strength and vital energy surpass Mu Lei’s by far, yet I can’t gain the upper hand. And that footwork of his—every step lands at my most uncomfortable angles!” Chen Fan had never learned true martial techniques, and his skill was lacking in comparison to Mu Lei’s. The fight was exceedingly difficult.

However, this was exactly what he wanted. Without pressure, he could not break through!

With his profound and unmatched foundation, he endured the strikes, relying on his robust vitality to withstand the blows and refine his techniques, hoping for sudden enlightenment and a breakthrough!

The spectators were amazed by the fierce duel.

Yun Wei’s beautiful eyes widened:
“Although Mu Lei’s cultivation isn’t remarkable, his mastery of the Mighty Eagle Claw is profound. Yet he still can’t overcome an inner-breath disciple. Just how powerful is this Brother Chen’s vital energy? Even Senior Brother at his peak was only at this level…”

To become a core disciple of the White Cloud Main Hall, one had to be a genius among geniuses. She could not imagine how a new disciple from a small county could possess such a foundation.

Li Linliu laughed heartily: “Why do you think your master accepted him as a disciple on the spot?”

Though he laughed, even he was astonished, for compared to their last meeting, Chen Fan’s vital energy had risen yet again!

Xiao Chunkong and Xiao Yurong watched with intense anxiety.

“This Chen Fan is truly formidable!”

They had already regarded Chen Fan as a serious threat, but still underestimated his strength. With over a thousand taels of silver wagered on the outcome, and having already lost much before, this time they risked losing everything. Another defeat would be disastrous!

Xiao Chunkong shouted toward the ring, “Mu Lei, hold nothing back. Take him down!”

Mu Lei heard the command with a touch of helplessness. Previously, it was Xiao Chunkong who told him to hold back, and now it was Xiao Chunkong urging him to unleash everything.

But the truth was…
He hadn’t been holding back at all!

The reason he couldn’t win was simple—he simply couldn’t break through!

Mu Lei, tall and skilled, felt like a scholar facing a soldier—reasoning was futile. His techniques were ordinary, but his power was overwhelming, and his constitution was resilient. No matter how Mu Lei attacked, Chen Fan remained unshaken.

The more Mu Lei fought, the more his confidence faltered. As his stamina dwindled, he grit his teeth and glared:
“There’s only one move left!”

Whoosh!

Suddenly, Mu Lei stepped back with lightning speed, putting distance between himself and Chen Fan. His eyes turned icy, his hands formed into claws, and he stood on one leg in the stance of the golden rooster.

He gazed down at Chen Fan, his voice cold: “This move—I have yet to master it completely. Using it will drain me greatly. If you’re injured, don’t blame me!”

Chen Fan licked the sweat from his lips, his eyes lighting up.

This battle was exhilarating. His three martial arts, practiced endlessly in the background, were each being refined under pressure, granting him moments of sudden insight that rapidly improved his cultivation. With sufficient resources, Chen Fan would master all three within two months.

He had even grasped the seventh form of “White Cloud Pine Crane Palm” ahead of time, though he had not yet demonstrated it in battle. He knew that Mu Lei was about to unleash his secret technique.

“Injure me? You?” Chen Fan sneered, adopting a bow stance.

He held his foe in contempt strategically, but respected him tactically—focusing all his attention and taking every precaution.

Mu Lei’s eyes grew colder. With a fierce leap, he struck down at Chen Fan with his clawed hands.

“Eagle Soars the Sky!”

For a split second, Chen Fan felt as if he were high above the clouds and a giant eagle swooped across the heavens toward him.

Smack!

In an instant, his vision blurred and he felt as if a massive hammer struck his chest.

“So fast!”

A sweetness welled up in his throat, and he staggered back, unable to control his body.

Thud, thud, thud!

This move was not only swift but many times more powerful!

Chen Fan’s vital energy surged, and he retreated over ten steps before finally regaining his footing—behind him, not far, was the edge of the ring.

Ahead, Mu Lei stood panting, his hands still clawed before him, his face deathly pale. He looked gleefully at the ashen-faced Chen Fan:

“Hahaha, Brother Chen, you couldn’t withstand that move. Now, you must feel intense pain inside, unable to keep fighting, right? Admit defeat. If you don’t get treatment now, your internal organs could be damaged beyond repair.”

The audience buzzed with discussion at the scene.

“We’ve won!”
Xiao Chunkong exchanged a glance with his sister, both breathing a sigh of relief.

Yun Wei’s eyes sparkled with admiration: “Mu Lei lingered at the first martial level for so long, but he mastered the ‘Eagle Soars the Sky’ technique. Next, he should pursue the Subtle Realm. Even a third-level core disciple might not withstand that secret move!”

Li Linliu continued to smile quietly, betraying no disappointment.

Meanwhile, Lin Shiyu sighed and shook his head, “Chen Fan is still too young. The gap in cultivation is just too much…”

Others around the ring sighed as well, convinced that after taking that blow, Chen Fan was finished.

The referee frowned at Chen Fan, “Chen Fan, do you wish to concede?”

Chen Fan’s brows knitted tightly together. After a few coughs, a flush of red crossed his face, then he stepped forward:

“Why should I concede?”

The crowd was stunned.

Lin Shiyu’s face changed as he shouted from below, “Brother Chen, don’t push yourself! You’re a rare talent; if you lose, so be it. Admit defeat and get treated early—there’ll be other chances to win!”

Yun Wei also frowned, “Brother, just admit defeat. I’ll cover the bet for you!”

Those nearby looked on enviously. Yun Wei had only just met Chen Fan, yet was willing to cover a bet worth hundreds—nearly a thousand—taels of silver. But seeing Li Linliu’s appreciation for Chen Fan, and knowing she’d soon receive a treasure, she considered the wager a small investment.

On the ring, Mu Lei also frowned, “Brother Chen, don’t force yourself. After taking that move, you must be seriously injured. Even standing is impressive—you’ve already lost.”

Amid the confusion, Chen Fan’s brows furrowed even more.

“You say I’m severely injured, but why…”

He suddenly stepped forward, his stride steady, his body unwavering. In a flash, he was before Mu Lei, staring him down, cracking his neck slightly.

“I feel perfectly fine.”

Mu Lei involuntarily took a step back. He had exhausted himself with that secret technique, and his energy was flagging: “Don’t be stubborn, Chen Fan! You might force yourself to move, but can you still attack?”

Chen Fan shook his head and said no more.

Smack!

He struck out with his palm—sharp and fierce—showing no sign of weakness or injury.

Since Mu Lei had said he could not attack, he would demonstrate otherwise.

Mu Lei, in terrible shape, had no strength to defend against Chen Fan’s undiminished attacks. He raised his palm hastily to block, but was struck on the wrist and staggered back several steps.

“How is this possible?!”

Smack!

Chen Fan pressed his advantage, closing in with a flurry of steps, launching another palm strike—aggressive and relentless.

Mu Lei hurriedly tried to use the Mighty Eagle Claw again, but after exhausting himself with his secret move, he was a spent force.

Smack, smack, smack!

Chen Fan’s palms lashed out like thunder, blow after blow landing on Mu Lei’s body. Mu Lei could do nothing but retreat, each strike sapping his resistance further.

With a final flurry, Chen Fan’s palms sent Mu Lei flying off the ring.

Only then did he finally lower his hands and stand tall.

And even now, he was full of vigor, showing not a trace of injury.