Sword Hidden in Fist

The National College Student Martial Arts League officially kicked off.

The first day featured the group stages. 32 representative teams were divided into 8 groups, with 4 teams per group, competing in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group would advance to the top 16.

Kyoto University of Science and Technology was placed in Group B, facing opponents from Wind Sand Martial School in the west, Lingnan College in the south, and Haibin University in the east.

In the first match of the morning, Kyoto University of Science and Technology faced Wind Sand Martial School.

Fang Yan was the first to enter the arena. His opponent was a student from Wind Sand Martial School named Sha Lei, whose strength was at the mid-early stage of Martial Master. He practiced the Wind Sand Palm.

When the match began, Sha Lei launched the first attack. His palm techniques were grand and powerful, carrying a gust of wind and sand as he attacked Fang Yan.

Fang Yan remained calm and unhurried. With a flash of his body, he easily dodged Sha Lei's attack. At the same time, his right hand moved slightly, and the small black sword in his fist heart instantly merged into his body, a sharp aura quietly spreading.

"Are you only going to dodge?" Sha Lei sneered, intensifying his offensive.

Fang Yan continued to evade Sha Lei's attacks at an unhurried pace. He was searching for the best opportunity to strike, and simultaneously familiarizing himself with the use of the Five Finger Fist Heart Sword.

Sha Lei gradually grew impatient. "Are you going to fight or not? If you're too scared, just surrender early!"

A cold smile curved Fang Yan's lips. "Don't rush, I'll satisfy you soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Yan suddenly attacked. He threw a seemingly casual punch, devoid of any flashy moves.

Sha Lei scoffed inwardly and immediately swung his palm to block.

However, just as his palm was about to make contact with Fang Yan's fist, a dark sword light suddenly erupted from Fang Yan's fist heart!

The sword light was as fast as lightning, silently piercing Sha Lei's palm before continuing forward, aiming straight for his chest.

"Ah!" Sha Lei cried out in pain, his face instantly turning pale. He could feel an icy, sharp force invading his body, damaging his meridians.

Fang Yan did not press his advantage and withdrew the sword light in time.

The referee immediately announced, "First match, Fang Yan of Kyoto University of Science and Technology wins!"

The crowd below erupted in an uproar.

"What was that just now? Sword light? Coming from his fist?"

"Did I see that right? Was that a sword technique or a fist technique?"

"This Fang Yan is quite interesting!"

Chu Feng and Lin Mengyao watched from below, dumbfounded.

"When did Fang Yan learn such a bizarre move?" Chu Feng exclaimed in surprise.

Lin Mengyao also shook her head. "I don't know. But that move is too powerful, impossible to defend against."

Li Hao stood to the side, a glint flashing in his eyes as if he recognized something, but he remained silent.

In the subsequent matches, Chu Feng, Lin Mengyao, and Li Hao also won with ease. Kyoto University of Science and Technology advanced to the top 16 with a perfect record of 3 wins.

The afternoon featured the top 16 knockout rounds. Kyoto University of Science and Technology's opponent was Jiangnan Martial School, the second-place team from Group A.

This time, Fang Yan was the second to enter the arena. His opponent was Jiangnan Martial School's core player, Jiang Tao, whose strength had reached the peak of the early stage of Martial Master. He practiced the Jiangnan Swift Sword.

When the match began, Jiang Tao immediately unleashed the Jiangnan Swift Sword. His swordsmanship was agile and graceful, incredibly fast, with numerous sword shadows attacking Fang Yan.

Fang Yan still focused on evasion, while secretly circulating the Five Finger Fist Heart Sword, bringing the sword embryo to its optimal state.

Jiang Tao's swordsmanship grew faster and more ferocious, forcing Fang Yan to retreat continuously.

"Are you only going to dodge? Show me the skill you had earlier!" Jiang Tao shouted.

Fang Yan smiled slightly. "As you wish."

He suddenly stopped retreating and thrust his right fist forward.

"Five Finger Fist Heart Sword - A Point of Cold Radiance!"

A dark sword light shot out from his fist heart, faster and more concealed than before!

Jiang Tao's heart leaped in alarm. He tried to dodge, but it was too late. The sword light instantly pierced his sword, then struck his shoulder.

"Clang!" The sword fell to the ground.

Jiang Tao clutched his bleeding shoulder, disbelief etched on his face. "What... what kind of martial art is this?"

The referee announced, "Kyoto University of Science and Technology's Fang Yan wins!"

The crowd below erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers once again. Fang Yan's "Sword Hidden in the Fist Heart" had completely captivated the audience.

Following that, Chu Feng and Li Hao also defeated their opponents smoothly. Kyoto University of Science and Technology successfully advanced to the top 8.

After the matches concluded, Su Wan found Fang Yan.

"Fang Yan, what martial art was that just now? It's very strange, and very powerful," Su Wan asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

Fang Yan smiled. "It's a cultivation method recorded in an ancient text I stumbled upon, called the Five Finger Fist Heart Sword." He did not reveal anything about the system.

"Five Finger Fist Heart Sword?" Su Wan frowned, as if she had never heard of this martial art. "This martial art is very dangerous. You must be careful when you practice it."

"I understand, thank you, Teacher Su."

Just then, Zhao Heilong walked over. He looked at Fang Yan, his eyes filled with apprehension. "Fang Yan, I didn't expect you to have hidden such strong power. It seems our fight will be more interesting than I imagined."

"Likewise," Fang Yan replied calmly.

Zhao Heilong gave Fang Yan a deep look before turning and leaving.

Fang Yan knew that Zhao Heilong now considered him his strongest competitor. The upcoming matches would be even more challenging.

But he was not afraid. With the Five Finger Fist Heart Sword as his trump card, coupled with his continuously improving strength, he was confident he could defeat any opponent.

The journey of the national competition had only just passed the halfway point. More intense battles awaited him. And his goal was singular – the national championship!