Chapter 98: Malicious Brawl

"Looks like there's a fight over there, quick, go check it out!"

The commotion was quickly noticed by those in the Trial Grounds, and a crowd soon gathered around to watch. Some well-meaning students immediately stopped their training and went to find the patrolling Disciplinary Committee. However, if they had known that one of the fighters was Luo Chen, they probably wouldn't have reported it.

As the onlookers approached, they saw the situation unfold.

"Isn't that Luo Chen? Who's that other guy?"

"I know him—he's Raphael from Class One, Year One. He’s always got two lackeys with him and loves to throw his weight around in the academy. Just a few days ago, someone in my class accidentally offended him and almost got beaten up!"

"Then why is he fighting Luo Chen? Did Luo Chen offend him too?"

"Idiot, isn't it obvious? It's because of Zhuo Yuqing, of course! Our academy's top beauty is interested in Luo Chen, and the guys in Class One, Year One must be pretty upset about it. Raphael, being the show-off he is, would obviously step up to teach Luo Chen a lesson!"

"But I just saw Raphael get knocked down!"

"No way! Raphael’s from the honors class—how could he be so weak? Maybe he got in through connections?"

"…"

Far from the scene of the fight, another person was watching as well. This figure was peculiar, almost melting into the darkness of the night. Unless you were within five meters, you wouldn't even be able to see her face.

This person was none other than Zhuo Yuqing, the academy’s most celebrated beauty.

Zhuo Yuqing had encouraged others to pick a fight with Luo Chen, not just to settle a score. Luo Chen’s aura, something nearly celestial, had been troubling her for a while—she simply couldn’t rest until she understood it. And to probe someone’s depth, nothing was better than observing them in combat.

Her gaze sharpened, pupils narrowing into a black line—a sign that only the knowledgeable would recognize as extraordinary.

Special Technique—Eagle Eye!

Unlike combat skills, special techniques were rarely used in battle; instead, they served unique purposes. Eagle Eye, for example, was for seeing at a distance.

From dozens of meters away, Zhuo Yuqing saw everything as clearly as if she were standing in the crowd. In fact, she noticed details even more sharply than those present.

Her brow furrowed. Luo Chen’s qi-gathering speed was astonishing, and his chain attacks were unexpectedly sharp. This meant his spiritual energy circulation far exceeded that of others at his level—a highly unusual trait.

If Zhuo Yuqing had merely been conflicted before, her curiosity about Luo Chen had now grown even stronger.

With so many people watching, Raphael was determined to regain his dignity. If he didn't, how could he continue to flaunt his authority at Blue Emperor Academy? Furious and embarrassed, he lunged at Luo Chen. "Luo Chen, don’t get cocky! If you hadn’t caught me off guard, you could never have beaten me. What a joke!"

As he spoke, he launched a ball of spiritual energy—a Level Two combat skill: Wave Fist.

Luo Chen didn’t hesitate. He pointed his finger, unleashing another Level Two combat skill—Whirlwind Finger.

The exchange of moves was reminiscent of the sparring match during military training between the flamboyant You Tongyan and Lai Ang from Class Three. Luo Chen had learned from that observation: using Whirlwind Finger to break Wave Fist was both efficient and conserved energy.

Under the spinning force of Whirlwind Finger, Wave Fist was instantly pierced. But by then, Raphael had already closed the distance. He hadn't expected Wave Fist alone to win—the mid- to long-range attack was only meant to delay his opponent. The true attack was yet to come.

Raging spiritual energy surged forth, forming a cube with sharp edges and corners—a display of raw power. Raphael's Level Three combat skill, Infinite Collapse, was famous for its strength.

Luo Chen, in contrast, delivered a gentle palm strike, as if swatting a fly. He had just broken through to Level Four and hadn't yet mastered any combat skill that could truly rival Infinite Collapse. This was a Level Two soft palm technique—Cotton Palm. Though a level lower, its softness was ideal against brute force.

Overcome hardness with softness?

Raphael chuckled inwardly. But all combat skills have their limits. Cotton Palm was only a Level Two technique, and Infinite Collapse was his signature Level Three skill—his raw power surpassed most at his level. Luo Chen, you’re finished!

As expected, Cotton Palm only neutralized most of his strength. With residual force, Raphael was about to bring Luo Chen down—when suddenly his offensive stopped, and he staggered back several steps, as if shoved by an invisible hand. Luo Chen, who seemed to have predicted this, sprang forward before Raphael could recover, and with a Stone-Splitting Kick, sent the unprepared opponent flying.

The crowd was stunned. Raphael was a Level Five energy warrior. Even if Luo Chen had reached Level Five, Infinite Collapse, as a Level Three skill, should have overpowered Cotton Palm. Raphael had been on the verge of winning—so how had he suddenly lost control and given Luo Chen the chance to counterattack?

They couldn’t understand, but Zhuo Yuqing, watching from afar, saw clearly. Raphael had been outmaneuvered—Luo Chen’s Cotton Palm had contained a hidden force: the Double Force!

The first impact had been blocked by Infinite Collapse, but when the second, hidden force struck, all of Infinite Collapse’s remaining energy was neutralized, and Raphael was forced back. Caught off-guard, he failed to adapt and was decisively defeated in the second exchange. But Double Force was hardly an ordinary technique; Zhuo Yuqing was now even more certain that Luo Chen was extraordinary.

Luo Chen wore his trademark sneer. "Trash!"

Humiliated by two defeats, Raphael was driven to the brink of madness. Scrambling up, he roared and charged at Luo Chen. "Damn you! You little bastard, using dirty tricks! Don’t think you can beat me with underhanded moves. Luo Chen, you’re dead!"

Raphael thrust his palms forward, unleashing a mighty, tiger-shaped burst of energy—fierce and unstoppable.

Family Combat Technique—Tiger King Break.

The crowd gasped. He was using even his family’s secret skill. This was no longer a simple brawl—someone could be seriously injured or even killed. Even in a fight, people usually held back. But now, Raphael seemed to have lost all reason, attacking with lethal intent just to save face—utterly reckless and desperate.