Marketplace Trials and Nascent Internal Energy

Time flies, and a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

Chen Fan was still cultivating in the dilapidated temple on the outskirts of Qingyang City, but his demeanor had undergone a complete transformation. His once slender frame had become upright and robust, his muscles flowing with strength, and his eyes, initially filled with confusion and helplessness, were now sharp and determined. After a year of arduous training, he had successfully broken through to the Late Houtian Stage of martial arts, and a faint trace of Internal Energy had begun to condense within him.

"Late Houtian Stage, Internal Energy newly formed, I finally have a sliver of self-preservation," Chen Fan said, feeling the Internal Energy slowly circulating within him, a hint of relief on his face. Over the past year, he had endured unimaginable pain, dedicating every day solely to cultivation, and now, his efforts were finally bearing fruit.

However, Chen Fan knew that the Houtian Stage was merely the starting point of martial arts, and his goal was still a long way off. Furthermore, martial arts cultivation couldn't be done in isolation; it required tempering through actual combat to improve strength more rapidly.

Thus, Chen Fan decided to temporarily leave the dilapidated temple and venture into the bustling streets of Qingyang City for training. On one hand, he could spar with the local ruffians and skilled martial artists in the city to enhance his combat experience; on the other hand, he could find some work to earn money and solve his problem of basic sustenance.

Although Qingyang City was just a small town, its streets were a melting pot of people from all walks of life, a perfect place for training. As soon as Chen Fan entered the city gates, he felt a vibrant, lively atmosphere. Shops lined both sides of the street, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining filled the air.

However, Chen Fan was not captivated by the lively scene. His sharp gaze observed everything around him, searching for opportunities to train. Soon, he noticed a group of thugs at a street corner extorting money from an old farmer selling vegetables.

"Old man, hand over the protection money quickly, or don't blame us for being impolite!" a tall, burly thug said menacingly, holding a wooden stick and repeatedly banging it against the farmer's vegetable stall.

The old farmer trembled in fear, his face filled with grievance and helplessness. "Sirs, my business is small, I really don't have much money. Please, be merciful and let me go."

"No money?" another thug sneered. "If you have no money, don't set up stall here! Brothers, smash it!"

With that, the thugs were about to smash the old farmer's vegetable stall. Just then, Chen Fan stepped forward, blocking the farmer's path, and said coldly, "Stop! In broad daylight, how dare you bully the common folk like this? Aren't you afraid of the law?"

The thugs were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. The tall thug sized Chen Fan up dismissively. "What brat is this, daring to meddle in my business? I think you're tired of living!"

Chen Fan wasted no words. The Internal Energy within him circulated quietly as he clenched his fists. He knew that to deal with these ruffians, only strength would speak.

"Kid, since you're looking for death, I'll grant it to you!" the tall thug roared, swinging his wooden stick towards Chen Fan's head.

Chen Fan's eyes narrowed, and he nimbly dodged to the side, evading the attack. Simultaneously, he punched towards the tall thug's abdomen, his fist imbued with the Internal Energy of the Late Houtian Stage.

"Bang!"

The punch landed, and the tall thug let out a scream, curling up like a shrimp and spitting sour fluid. Seeing this, the other thugs were enraged and charged at Chen Fan, brandishing their weapons.

Chen Fan was fearless. Relying on his agile footwork and exquisite fist techniques, he engaged the thugs. His boxing style, though simple, struck precisely at their vital points with full force.

Before long, the thugs were beaten black and blue, groaning on the ground.

"Get lost! If you dare to bully people here again, I won't let you off!" Chen Fan said coldly.

As if granted a great pardon, the thugs scrambled away in a panic.

The old farmer quickly stepped forward, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Chen Fan. "Thank you, young sir, for saving me. Otherwise, my entire vegetable stall would be ruined. You are truly a good person!"

Chen Fan smiled. "No need for thanks, elder. It's my duty to help when I see injustice."

Afterward, the old farmer insisted on giving Chen Fan some vegetables. Unable to refuse, Chen Fan accepted a portion.

In the days that followed, Chen Fan continued to train in the bustling streets of Qingyang City. He encountered all sorts of people: thugs who bullied the weak, skilled martial artists, and kind, simple common folk. While sparring with others to improve his combat experience and strength, he also experienced the joys and sorrows of life in the city.

During a fight with a Martial Master, Chen Fan, with his tenacious will and flexible tactics, eventually defeated the opponent. It was in this battle that the Internal Energy within him accumulated further and improved, allowing him to successfully break through to the Great Perfection Houtian Stage, just one step away from the Xiantian Stage.

"Xiantian Stage, Internal Energy transforms into True Energy, allowing for preliminary internal observation, a qualitative leap in strength." Chen Fan's heart was filled with anticipation. He knew that to establish himself in this chaotic world and achieve his goal of defying the heavens and challenging immortals, he had to continuously improve his strength.

However, just as Chen Fan was making a push for the Xiantian Stage, an unforeseen crisis quietly descended. His close friend, Lin Xiaohu, a young man also wandering in Qingyang City, was captured by disciples of the Xianyun Sect.