Disciple Competition (Part 2)

Upon hearing the news, Zeng Fan's face first showed shock, then turned incredibly cold. Although fights in the competition were intense, they were among fellow disciples, usually stopping before serious injury. It was rare for someone to be severely wounded. According to the messenger, Yuan Jin's severe injuries were likely intentional.

Zeng Fan let out a slight breath. The immediate priority was to check on Yuan Jin's condition and find out what happened.

Arriving at the palace where injured disciples were temporarily resting, Zeng Fan immediately spotted Yuan Jin in the crowd. Yuan Jin lay on a bed, his face pale, with dark red bloodstains on the chest of his clothes, exuding an aura of weakness. Seeing Zeng Fan approach, Yuan Jin managed a smile.

"You're here."

"What happened? How are your injuries? Who did this?" Zeng Fan, relieved to see Yuan Jin could still smile, asked through gritted teeth.

"I wasn't skilled enough, that's all. Do you remember those two jerks who stole our Spirit Stones before?"

"Did those two break through in cultivation? Even if they did, they shouldn't have been able to beat you this badly," Zeng Fan frowned.

"Heh, those two have an older brother. He was in seclusion for the Disciple Competition. They collected Spirit Stones to boost his strength. Bad luck, I ran into him during the match. He had Grand Perfection in Profound Vein Body Tempering Bone. I couldn't win." Yuan Jin gritted his teeth. However, it was a match within the same cultivation realm. The opponent had been ruthless but didn't damage his foundation. It was within the rules, but it meant he couldn't participate further, effectively being sabotaged.

"What's that guy's name?"

"Zhou Bao." Zeng Fan repeated the name, his eyes growing colder.

"Grand Perfection in Body Tempering Bone, huh? My current cultivation isn't enough. I must break into the top ten this time to advance my cultivation faster." The more his anger surged, the calmer Zeng Fan's eyes became. He couldn't let Yuan Jin's injury go unavenged. Only by becoming stronger quickly could he gain the means for retribution.

"I have one more match to get into the top ten. I'll head over now. I'll come back after the competition," Zeng Fan said, looking down at Yuan Jin.

"Go, go! You can do it! I'm fine, just need some rest," Yuan Jin gently patted Zeng Fan's shoulder, telling him not to worry too much.

"Okay."

Zeng Fan nodded heavily and turned to walk out of the palace.

As Zeng Fan's figure disappeared from his sight, Yuan Jin's smile vanished. His body trembled slightly, bloodshot veins appearing in his eyes. The wooden bed creaked under the force of his grip.

How could he accept this! Not only could he no longer continue in the competition after being severely injured by that scoundrel, but he also had to rest and recuperate, halting his cultivation progress.

Yuan Jin knew he couldn't affect Zeng Fan's match, which was why he had appeared so accepting earlier, urging Zeng Fan to focus on his competition.

He would get revenge himself! Some things, no matter how close the relationship, one didn't want help with. Everyone had their own principles.

"Focus on recovering quickly," Yuan Jin struggled to sit up, swallowed a healing pill, and began diligently absorbing its effects to mend his injuries...

By the time Zeng Fan returned to the stone platform, he had completely calmed down. He knew what he needed now. Blind anger was useless. The most important thing was to win his next match.

"Zeng Fan," a disciple called from the platform.

"It's my turn!" As Zeng Fan was about to step onto the stage, the name of his opponent made his pupils contract instantly.

"Wang Beichen."

As the referee disciple finished speaking, a small figure stood up from the high platform of the Earth Vein disciples and walked towards the stone stage. The crowd erupted in an uproar.

"He's just a child! My heavens!"

"To have embarked on the path of cultivation at such a young age! Is the gap between us and the Earth Vein truly this vast!"

As the small figure approached, a boy of about ten years old came into Zeng Fan's view. Wang Beichen was slightly built but possessed a nimble air. His face was as fair as jade, with a healthy rosy glow. Beneath his eyebrows were a pair of dark, bright eyes. What marred the face was a dismissive smile on his lips, accompanied by a voice that rang out.

"What's with this top ten final? Can any Tom, Dick, or Harry get in? Are the Sect's Body Tempering Muscle disciples this useless? Can't even stop someone who hasn't reached Great Perfection? Hmph~"

Wang Beichen's words silenced the surroundings instantly, then the crowd became agitated.

"This kid's mouth is so foul!"

"So what if you're from the Earth Vein? Beat him hard, brother! I'm rooting for you!"

The crowd's support immediately shifted to Zeng Fan. Wang Beichen merely sneered upon hearing this. "A bunch of useless weaklings who can't even make it to the finals. Your words mean nothing to me. I can't be bothered to argue with you." With that, he leaped onto the high platform, his eyes fixed on Zeng Fan.

Zeng Fan felt immense pressure. Murong Xue's warning had come true; he had indeed encountered this Earth Vein disciple with Body Tempering Muscle Perfection, and he was just a child. However, his cultivation talent was truly astonishing.

"So what if he's an Earth Vein disciple? I've made it this far. Winning this match means I'm in the top ten! I'll crawl in if I have to!" Without further hesitation, Zeng Fan jumped onto the high platform.

From the Earth Vein disciples' stone platform in the distance, Murong Xue watched intently, her eyes filled with worry. She knew firsthand how formidable the Earth Vein disciples were. Although Wang Beichen was young and his cultivation and temperament were at the lower end among their disciples, he could still crush ordinary disciples.

"Go, Zeng Fan," the girl whispered, her delicate hands gripping the railing of the platform, her eyes full of concern.

On the stage, Zeng Fan and Wang Beichen met eyes. "Just surrender, okay? How about it?" the little boy's voice was clear and childlike, but the words carried contempt and coldness.

"Not really. We'll have to fight to find out," Zeng Fan replied calmly, Spiritual Energy surging around him, ready to strike. He didn't relax even slightly because his opponent was a child. No one who reached this stage was an idiot. You just needed to remember your opponent was from the Earth Vein and not overthink anything else.

"Then I'll have to... beat you until you surrender!" The first three words were barely out when Wang Beichen vanished. By the time the last sentence was spoken, he was already in front of Zeng Fan, throwing a punch at his abdomen.

"So fast! Such power!" Zeng Fan only reacted when the figure was in front of him. He raised his hand to block Wang Beichen's punch. The force from the small fist made Zeng Fan's expression change, and he was sent flying into the air.

Wang Beichen grinned, bent his knees slightly, and then exerted force, leaping directly above Zeng Fan. His hands crossed into a large fist, slamming down fiercely onto Zeng Fan's back. In a critical moment, Zeng Fan forcibly twisted his body in mid-air, using his elbow and the strength of his entire body to block Wang Beichen's double-fisted strike.

With a "bang," elbow met fist. Zeng Fan plummeted rapidly. Just before hitting the ground, Zeng Fan quickly rolled a few times, reducing the downward momentum.

Wang Beichen landed lightly on the ground. "How was that? Pretty good, right?" he shouted at Zeng Fan with a laugh.

Zeng Fan's expression was grim. "This guy is too strong. I have no leverage in the air for Fish Dance. I absolutely cannot be hit into the air again. I need to fight him on the ground, build up my strength, and then end it with one decisive blow!"

Zeng Fan didn't hesitate and charged directly at Wang Beichen. Seeing Zeng Fan charge, Wang Beichen said, "Still not surrendering? Then I won't hold back!" The two rushed towards each other. Zeng Fan thrust his knee upwards, blocking Wang Beichen's downward-smashing fist. Using Zeng Fan's momentum, Wang Beichen twisted and delivered a whip kick towards Zeng Fan's head.

As the whip kick was about to strike Zeng Fan's head, Zeng Fan twisted his body, evading the blow with a strange posture. Wang Beichen let out a soft "Hmm," "Interesting. A movement technique kill move? Then I'll play with you a bit longer."

The figures of the two intertwined rapidly once more. It seemed as if every part of their bodies had become a weapon, striking precisely at the opponent's weakest points.

As time wore on, impatience appeared on Wang Beichen's face. He took a step back, withdrawing from the fray. He showed his fangs at Zeng Fan, "I'm done playing. It's time to finish this." Then, Spiritual Energy flowed rapidly through him, and his aura surged.

"Bone Dislocation Hand."

Before Zeng Fan could react, Wang Beichen had already reached him, grabbing Zeng Fan's arms at an incredible speed. With a crack, Zeng Fan's arm was dislocated.

Zeng Fan gritted his teeth against the pain and threw a punch with his other hand at Wang Beichen's face. To his surprise, Wang Beichen dodged it directly. "You think you're the only one with speed?" Wang Beichen clasped Zeng Fan's arms again, dislocating both of them.

Zeng Fan couldn't help but let out a muffled groan. Before he could even react, Wang Beichen fiercely kicked him in the stomach, sending him spitting out a mouthful of blood and skidding across the ground on his knees.

His arms hung uselessly at his sides, Zeng Fan knelt on the ground, gasping for breath. His hair, slicked to his face with sweat, dripped blood from the corner of his mouth, quickly forming a small red puddle on the ground.

"Surrender, you have no strength left to fight back," Wang Beichen said crisply. After all, they were fellow disciples. While he was arrogant, he had no interest in bullying someone who could no longer fight. Zeng Fan remained kneeling, silent.

Wang Beichen paused. He thought he heard Zeng Fan muttering something. He slowly walked closer, the words becoming clearer in his ears.

"Just a little more, just a little more..." Zeng Fan kept repeating. Wang Beichen felt a sense of unease. Shaking his head, he raised his hand, intending to end the fight.

"I won't lose!" Zeng Fan roared, exploding from the ground and launching a fierce kick towards Wang Beichen. Wang Beichen blocked it with his hand, then seemed to falter slightly, as if shaken by Zeng Fan's fighting spirit.

"I'm a little impressed with you, you're not like those common riff-raff. I'm going to go all out now." Wang Beichen's gaze towards Zeng Fan held a hint of admiration. Then, spiritual energy rapidly gathered in his hands.

"Bone Dislocation Hand!"

The killing move was unleashed again. He quickly closed in on Zeng Fan's side. Zeng Fan managed to twist his body to avoid it, like a dying fish with slow movements. Wang Beichen didn't hesitate, grabbing Zeng Fan's hands and twisting them.

Zeng Fan let out a roar of pain as both his arms were directly snapped by Wang Beichen. However, Zeng Fan's eyes were not filled with pain, but with extreme madness.

"This is the end!" Wang Beichen shouted, clenching his fist and swinging it towards Zeng Fan, accompanied by a tearing sound of wind.

"Enough! It's time to end this!!!" Zeng Fan roared internally. He could feel the power stored within his body about to make him explode. He didn't hesitate. His hands were already broken and useless. Wang Beichen was too close for him to kick. So, there was only one option! His head!

Zeng Fan channeled all his strength into his head and smashed it towards Wang Beichen's head. However, Wang Beichen was faster. He knew that if his punch landed on Zeng Fan, the fight would be over. But just as his fist was about to hit Zeng Fan's body, Zeng Fan laboriously shifted his body, meeting Wang Beichen's punch with his chest.

"Are you trying to die, you bastard?" Wang Beichen was startled by Zeng Fan's action. His punch was originally aimed at Zeng Fan's stomach. If it landed squarely, it would definitely incapacitate him. Yet, Zeng Fan had forcefully twisted his body, directing the punch to his chest. This blow would leave Zeng Fan severely injured, if not dead.

But Wang Beichen had no time to retract his fist. He could only watch as his fist slammed into Zeng Fan's chest with a dull thud.

Wang Beichen froze. A sharp pain shot from his fist. He felt as if he had hit a hard stone. "Why is this guy so tough? No! Something blocked his chest!"

Before he could react further, Zeng Fan, with bloodshot eyes, rammed his head into Wang Beichen's forehead with a loud bang.

"You damn bastard!" Wang Beichen felt a searing pain in his head. The thought was the last thing that crossed his mind before everything went black.

In the sight of the crowd, Zeng Fan's head collided with Wang Beichen's forehead. After a loud crash, Wang Beichen lay on the ground, unconscious. Only Zeng Fan remained standing precariously on the stage.

Zeng Fan felt his vision turn completely red. He knew his eyes must be blurred with blood. His forehead was split open, and blood streamed down his face like small rivers. Enduring the intense dizziness from his head, he looked towards the disciple acting as the referee.

The disciple seemed terrified by the brutal scene. Seeing Zeng Fan look his way, he jolted, knowing what he had to do. A voice blurted out.

"The winner of this match is Zeng Fan!"

Upon hearing the announcement of victory, Zeng Fan could no longer fight the drowsiness overwhelming his mind. His legs gave way, and he fainted. However, before he lost consciousness, he felt as if someone had caught him, carrying a faint scent of a young girl.