Chapter Thirty-six: The Scorching Flame Palm

Her tone was easily misunderstood, but Luo Chen didn’t dwell on it. He simply called out, “Pardon me,” and summoned his spiritual energy. A faint aura of protective force enveloped his fist as he struck toward Joanna.

A sly gleam flashed in Joanna’s eyes. With a slight shift of her body, she evaded Luo Chen’s attack and raised her right palm. A scorching energy surged forth, turning her palm a vivid crimson.

That palm landed squarely on Luo Chen’s chest. The force was lighter than expected, almost gentle, yet Luo Chen felt as if a red-hot branding iron had seared him. He hissed through his teeth at the pain.

“Blazing Flame Palm!” Ellie, who was watching from the side, exclaimed in shock.

The Blazing Flame Palm was the exclusive combat technique of Joanna’s Golan family, born from fusing their Raging Flame Battle Aura with the Heaven-Scorching Art. Ellie had not imagined Joanna would use her family’s signature skill in a sparring match with Luo Chen. She hurried to intervene, “Stop, Joanna! How could you do that?”

Joanna smiled, “Don’t worry, Lily. I’m only using the lowest level of the Blazing Flame Palm against Luo Chen. He won’t be hurt.”

She then turned to Luo Chen. “I’ve always believed that only through harsh and brutal combat does one improve the fastest. If a man can’t even endure a bit of hardship, he might as well go home and drink milk, don’t you think, Luo Chen?”

Her words left Luo Chen with no avenue for retreat—backing down now would be a grave insult.

Ellie wanted to say more, but Luo Chen, stifling the burning pain, interjected, “Joanna’s right.”

He wasn’t just putting on a brave face to save his dignity; Luo Chen genuinely agreed with Joanna. Having such a skilled sparring partner, one who wielded elemental combat techniques, was indeed a rare opportunity to learn and improve.

“Excellent, Luo Chen! You’re a true man, the real deal!” Joanna, believing her goading had succeeded, grinned in triumph. Luo Chen, let’s see how long you can keep that tough mouth going—soon you’ll be on your knees, begging for mercy!

With permission to use her Blazing Flame Palm, Joanna unleashed herself, palm after palm striking Luo Chen. Though she was supposed to be his sparring partner, in reality, Luo Chen was little more than her punching bag.

Even though Joanna matched his fourth-level spiritual strength, her agility, technique, and experience far surpassed his. As such, the rookie Luo Chen stood no chance, unable to land a single Vajra Fist on her.

With every blow Joanna dealt, Luo Chen felt as if a scorching iron was pressed against his skin. Soon, his whole body was ablaze with pain. If not for the fireproof material of his martial uniform, much of it would have already turned to ash. Yet Luo Chen gritted his teeth and didn’t utter a sound.

Joanna was somewhat surprised; she hadn’t expected Luo Chen’s resolve to be more than just bravado—his endurance was real. But she had steeled herself: unless Luo Chen gave up, she would not stop.

At last, Ellie couldn’t bear it any longer. “Enough, it’s getting late. Let’s stop for tonight.”

Grateful for the opportunity to end it, Joanna withdrew her energy. Her palm faded from red to normal. “Very well.”

Luo Chen, drenched in cold sweat, felt as if his skin had been torn apart. He could barely speak, but forced himself to say, “Thank you, Joanna, for your instruction.”

Only after Luo Chen left did Ellie’s anger flare. “Joanna, has your anger subsided now? You went too far!”

“Too far?” Joanna muttered. “I don’t think so. They’re just superficial wounds—there was never any danger. Compared to the day you nearly lost your life in the Forest of Fear, this is nothing.”

“But isn’t this just abuse?”

“My methods really will help him improve quickly,” Joanna replied, somewhat uncertain. To be honest, she had only meant for Luo Chen to suffer a little and concede, so she could scold him and get her frustration out. She hadn’t expected him to endure so many Blazing Flame Palms without yielding.

“I just can’t with you. Anyway, don’t ever do this again, or I won’t speak to you!”

Seeing Ellie was genuinely upset, Joanna softened. “Alright, I promise. Don’t be mad. Come here—let’s have a hug…”

“Get away! People will think we’re a couple…”

Luo Chen groaned all the way back to his dormitory. When he peeled off his outer garment, his body was covered with crimson palm marks, as if he’d spent a day baking under the blazing sun. Some spots were even tinged with yellow—truly a frightening sight. Every patch of skin struck by the fire energy throbbed with pain, like countless needles pricking him.

When Shi Feng saw Luo Chen’s miserable state, he was startled. “No way, you beast! Did Joanna really drip hot wax on you?”

“What nonsense!” Han Nian said, “She just sparred with me using the Blazing Flame Palm.”

“Blazing Flame Palm? That’s the Golan family’s signature technique, with fire attributes! That woman actually used an elemental skill on you—how vile! I knew it—she was just looking for a chance to abuse you! See, I, the great Shi, predicted it right. You really did have a bloody disaster!”

Han Nian chuckled. “It’s only a few scratches. Let her be. I actually think it’s a good thing.”

“Good? Are you a masochist, bro? Heavy tastes, huh?” Shi Feng gave him a weird look.

“Oh, get out of here!” Luo Chen laughed. “I meant, having such a skilled sparring partner who uses elemental techniques is a rare chance. Even if it’s a bit painful, the benefits outweigh it.”

“Haha, beast, that’s the spirit! Four more days—just hang on, and you’ll get the stake. Until then, let her whip you, stomp on you with heels—just grit your teeth and pretend it’s an S&M game! Here, let me put some ointment on you.”

Luo Chen shot him a look. “Damn it, I’m not as twisted as you!”

By then, Shi Feng was already applying ointment to his back. Luo Chen drew a sharp breath, “Easy, for heaven’s sake!”

[Didn’t ask for recommendation votes in the afternoon chapter, and immediately got overtaken by over a thousand popularity points by someone lower on the rankings. Looks like this thief still has to beg for votes at the end of every chapter—please, spare a recommendation vote, kind readers!]