Breaking Through in Desperation and the Might of a Grandmaster

As Chen Fan pulled Lin Xiaohu out of the rocky slope, hurried hoofbeats suddenly sounded from behind. He spun around sharply, only to see Zhou Hei Hu returning with over a dozen Black Wind Stronghold disciples. Zhou Hei Hu, at the forefront, wore a sinister grin, his saber still stained with blood – clearly, they hadn't gone far and had been observing from the shadows. Seeing Li Xiaoyao depart, they had immediately turned back.

"Kid, you were lucky Li Xiaoyao was here to protect you. Now that he's gone, who can save you now!" Zhou Hei Hu reined in his horse, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "You dared to injure me? Today, I'll tear you limb from limb!"

Chen Fan's heart sank, and he pulled Lin Xiaohu closer. He knew that without Li Xiaoyao's protection, relying solely on his Xiantian Stage strength, it was nearly impossible to contend with the Mid-stage Golden Core Zhou Hei Hu and over a dozen Foundation Establishment Disciples. But he couldn't retreat; if he faltered, both he and Lin Xiaohu would perish without a burial place.

"Brother Fan, should we run?" Lin Xiaohu's voice trembled, his eyes wide with fear.

"We can't outrun them," Chen Fan shook his head. Zhou Hei Hu, a Golden Core cultivator, was far faster than them. Trying to escape would only result in being easily caught. He took a deep breath, circulating his true energy to its limit, clenched his fists, and fixed his gaze on Zhou Hei Hu. "Xiaohu, find a chance to hide. I'll hold them off."

"Brother Fan, I won't hide! I'll fight with you!" Lin Xiaohu gritted his teeth. Though scared, he didn't back down.

Chen Fan's heart warmed, but he still shook his head. "Listen to me. You staying here will only distract me. Find a safe place to hide, and I'll find you after I defeat them."

Lin Xiaohu was about to say more when Zhou Hei Hu and his disciples charged forward. The dozen Foundation Establishment Disciples, wielding sharp blades, surrounded Chen Fan from all directions. Zhou Hei Hu, saber in hand, carved a black arc through the air, aiming for Chen Fan's head.

"Sky Shattering Fist!"

Chen Fan roared, his fists whistling as they tore through the air, meeting Zhou Hei Hu's saber. He knew this battle would require all his might!

"Bang!"

Fists met saber with a deafening crash. Chen Fan felt an immense force surge from the saber, his arm instantly going numb. His body involuntarily staggered back a few steps. Zhou Hei Hu, however, felt his arm go slightly numb from the impact, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "I didn't expect you to have such strength, kid. But it's not enough!"

Zhou Hei Hu swung his saber again, sending streaks of black saber energy towards Chen Fan. Simultaneously, the Foundation Establishment Disciples closed in, their blades thrusting towards Chen Fan's body.

Chen Fan was trapped in a pincer attack, struggling to defend himself. Though he managed to repel the surrounding Foundation Establishment Disciples with his agile footwork and the power of the Sky Shattering Fist, Zhou Hei Hu's saber energy was like a shadow, making every evasion a near-death experience. Soon, he sustained several wounds, his blood staining his coarse cloth clothes.

"Kid, how long can you last!" Zhou Hei Hu sneered, wielding his saber faster. Black saber energy rained down on Chen Fan like a storm.

Chen Fan's breathing grew ragged, and his true energy rapidly depleted. He could feel his stamina waning; if this continued, he would soon be cut down by Zhou Hei Hu and the Foundation Establishment Disciples.

Is this where I die? A flicker of despair crossed Chen Fan's mind. But when he saw Lin Xiaohu's worried eyes not far away, the despair instantly gave way to resolve. No! I can't die! I still need to protect Xiaohu, still need to cultivate the martial path, and break free from the shackles of 'spiritual roots and destiny.' I can't die here like this!

A fierce desire for survival and protection ignited a blazing fire within him. He abruptly raised his head, a hint of madness in his eyes. The true energy within him began to churn uncontrollably, his meridians feeling as if they were tearing apart, sending waves of searing pain.

This... is the physical restraint loosening? Chen Fan's mind raced. He recalled his master saying that martial cultivators often unleashed potential far beyond their usual limits at the brink of death, even possibly breaking through their realm and shattering their physical restraints.

Since that's the case, I'll seize this opportunity to break through the Xiantian Stage and enter the Grandmaster Realm! Chen Fan made his decision. He stopped dodging Zhou Hei Hu's saber energy, instead channeling all the churning true energy within him into his fists, meeting the incoming strikes.

"Kid, are you insane?" Zhou Hei Hu's eyes widened in surprise at Chen Fan's action, then he let out a cold laugh. "You dare to meet my saber energy head-on? You're seeking your own death!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Fists and saber energy collided repeatedly. Chen Fan's body was forced back by the impact of the saber energy, his wounds multiplying, blood flowing continuously. Yet, he didn't retreat an inch. Instead, he circulated his true energy even more frantically, assaulting the physical restraints within him.

"Crack!"

A crisp sound echoed within Chen Fan. It was as if something had shattered. The true energy within him surged explosively. His previously narrow meridians widened, allowing the true energy to surge through them, bringing an unprecedented sense of power.

"Ah—!"

Chen Fan let out a long roar, his voice filled with the joy of breaking through his realm and the sensation of newfound power. A powerful aura emanated from him, forcing the Foundation Establishment Disciples surrounding him to retreat, their faces etched with fear.

"This... this is the aura of the Grandmaster Realm!" Zhou Hei Hu's face changed drastically, his eyes filled with disbelief. "You actually broke through your realm mid-battle and entered the Grandmaster Realm!"

Chen Fan slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. He felt the surging true energy within him and the power far exceeding the Xiantian Stage. A cold smile touched his lips. "Zhou Hei Hu, it's my turn now!"

Before his words faded, Chen Fan's figure flickered, appearing like a phantom before a Foundation Establishment Disciple. Before the disciple could react, Chen Fan unleashed a punch, sending him flying, spitting blood, his fate unknown.

Immediately after, Chen Fan moved like a tiger among sheep, weaving through the Foundation Establishment Disciples. His speed was several times faster than before, and the power of his punches was even more astonishing. With each strike, a Foundation Establishment Disciple was sent flying. Cries of pain erupted as the dozen Foundation Establishment Disciples, under his onslaught, couldn't last even a moment before falling to the ground.

Soon, only Chen Fan and Zhou Hei Hu remained on the battlefield.

Zhou Hei Hu looked at his fallen disciples, his eyes filled with terror. He knew that the current Chen Fan was no longer someone he could contend with. He turned to flee, but Chen Fan blocked his path.

"Zhou Hei Hu, didn't you want to tear me limb from limb? Why are you running now?" Chen Fan sneered, his eyes filled with killing intent.

"Chen Fan, I was wrong! Please spare me! I'll never provoke you again!" Zhou Hei Hu's face was deathly pale as he pleaded desperately with Chen Fan.

"You realize your mistake now? It's too late!" Chen Fan shook his head, his true energy gathering in his fists once more. "You've committed countless evil deeds and harmed so many innocent people. Today, I'll act on behalf of heaven and slay you!"

"Sky Shattering Fist!"

Chen Fan roared, his fists whistling as they tore through the air, aimed at Zhou Hei Hu's chest. This punch contained all his Grandmaster Realm power, its might several times greater than before.

Zhou Hei Hu's face contorted in panic. He tried to mobilize his spiritual energy to form a shield, but found that his spiritual energy, under Chen Fan's oppressive aura, couldn't circulate properly. He could only watch helplessly as Chen Fan's fist slammed into his chest.

"Bang!"

With a thunderous impact, Chen Fan's fists struck Zhou Hei Hu's chest heavily. Zhou Hei Hu's body was instantly sent flying, spitting a mouthful of blood in mid-air before crashing heavily to the ground, motionless.

Chen Fan slowly retracted his fists, looking at Zhou Hei Hu's corpse on the ground. He let out a long sigh of relief. He could feel that after breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm, his strength had undergone a qualitative leap. Not only was his true energy more abundant, but his physical body had also become tougher. Even facing a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, he now had the strength to fight.

"Brother Fan!" Lin Xiaohu rushed over upon seeing the battle end. He looked at the wounds on Chen Fan's body and said with concern, "Brother Fan, are you alright? Your injuries are so severe!"

Chen Fan smiled and patted Lin Xiaohu's head. "I'm fine, just some superficial wounds. They'll heal in a few days." He paused, then continued, "We've dealt with the Black Wind Stronghold people for now, so we're safe temporarily. However, the Xianyun Sect is still hunting us, so we need to find a place to heal quickly and continue cultivating to improve our strength."

Lin Xiaohu nodded vigorously. "Brother Fan, I'll listen to you."

Chen Fan glanced at the sky. The sun had already set, and night was beginning to fall. He took Lin Xiaohu's hand and walked towards the distant mountains. Under the moonlight, his figure appeared exceptionally tall and straight, the aura of the Grandmaster Realm emanating from him, heralding the quiet rise of a new martial legend.