Suppression

Nan Shan Ling.

By this time, Meng Lao Er's residence had already been flattened. The fields, along with the low hill beside them, had been gouged into a vast pit by large mining crews.

A temporary warehouse had been erected nearby, filled with crate after crate of freshly unearthed Purple Coal Ore.

On ordinary days, Ji Fei and several other disciples guarded the warehouse inside and out, keeping a strict watch.

Even Sun Chengshan occasionally stayed here in person, showing just how much importance he placed on this warehouse.

He had thought today would be another peaceful day, but trouble still came knocking.

Sun Chengshan stood with his disciples, glaring darkly at the two groups before them.

"He Xuyang, your Wei Yiming injured my disciple that day. What are you here for now?" Sun Chengshan asked coldly.

The leader of the opposing group wore a gray long robe. His face carried a hint of age, and his frame was thin.

He was He Xuyang, the master of Jifeng Hall.

His Guangji Fist was quite famous throughout Island Town, and he was one of the town's veteran experts.

"What? Are you planning to exchange a few moves with me here today as well?" The danger in Sun Chengshan's expression deepened.

He Xuyang chuckled. "I did come to seek instruction, but don't misunderstand. It isn't me who will be doing it."

As soon as he finished speaking, the master of Feiyingmen Hall, who had come with his disciples, strode forward. His expression was somewhat arrogant as he sized up Sun Chengshan.

"I've recently heard that the master of Shadowless Fist Gym is exceptionally strong, defeating several gym masters in town one after another. I, Gu Hongming, truly wish to learn from you. I also want to restore the name of Island Town's martial arts community, lest outsiders think that any random person can come bully the martial artists of this town."

Gu Hongming spoke loudly, directly confronting Sun Chengshan.

Sun Chengshan narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flickering within them.

Both openly and subtly, Gu Hongming had treated Sun Chengshan as an outsider, excluding him from Island Town.

On the surface, they were here for a match, but they likely had other intentions.

Otherwise, they would not have chosen this moment and acted in such a hurry.

"So you're here to challenge the gym. But who challenges a gym outside its doors? Why not choose another day and come to my Shadowless Fist Gym? I'll certainly welcome you with open arms!"

Gu Hongming gave a light laugh. "Master Sun spends every day making money from the mine vein instead of staying at his gym. How am I supposed to find you? Or are you afraid to accept the challenge?"

His words grew sharper and more impolite, making the disciples of Shadowless Fist Gym flush with anger.

Sun Chengshan, however, retained some of his composure and did not let his temper be provoked.

He knew there were too many uncertainties if they fought here.

If the other side deliberately used this chance to stir up trouble, not only would the mining operations be affected, but they might also find an opening to meddle with the ore stored in the warehouse.

"I didn't know beforehand. But since Master Gu wishes to fight, how about tomorrow? I'll wait for your honored presence at the gym. I only hope Master Gu won't fail to show up then!" Sun Chengshan said coldly.

Gu Hongming cast He Xuyang a seemingly casual glance before smiling. "That works too. I'll send someone over with a challenge letter shortly. Then tomorrow, I'll formally come challenge your gym!

"But since we're already here today, we can't make the trip for nothing. Yu Cheng."

Behind Gu Hongming, a spirited young man in his twenties strode forward.

"My disciple Yu Cheng is considered one of my prized students. He has long wished to experience Shadowless Fist. I hope you'll permit a spar between disciples, just to warm things up for tomorrow's gym challenge."

Gu Hongming spoke with a smile, clearly not intending to be dismissed so easily.

Zhang Yucheng's gaze fell upon the gym disciples behind Sun Chengshan.

"Where is Song Hezheng? Have him come out and trade blows with me!"

He clearly knew who Shadowless Fist Gym's Senior Disciple Brother was, immediately calling out this key figure among the disciples.

Usually, a gym's Senior Disciple Brother was the face of its disciples, second only to the Master himself.

If he lost to someone from another gym in a spar, it would not only damage every disciple's morale, but word spreading out would inevitably tarnish the gym's reputation.

Thus, unless absolutely necessary, someone of a Senior Disciple Brother's status rarely fought others outside the gym.

Song Hezheng also rarely went out to carry out commissions. Most of his time was spent in the gym courtyard, helping Master Sun guide the disciples.

"Damn it, he's too arrogant!" Core disciple Li Fu gritted his teeth and glared at Zhang Yucheng's haughty manner.

Calling someone out by name like this made it clear that he looked down on them.

Just as Sun Chengshan was about to say something, Ji Fei suddenly stepped forward from behind him.

"Senior Brother Song isn't here yet. I'll exchange a few moves with you!" Ji Fei said, suppressing the fire in his heart.

"You? Who are you? Never seen you before." Zhang Yucheng was thoroughly disdainful.

He only wanted to fight their Senior Disciple Brother. What kind of bullshit Shadowless Fist was this? It would be even better if he could beat them straight out of Island Town.

Why should a gym that had only been established for a year or so be allowed to occupy this mine vein in Island Town?

Shouldn't the strong possess it?

Ji Fei cursed inwardly, his fury already blazing as he prepared to charge in.

Since he had begun practicing martial arts, he had never suffered such contempt.

However, someone stepped out from behind He Xuyang. It was Wei Yiming, Jifeng Hall's Senior Disciple Brother.

He had seen Ji Fei before and said, "Since Song Hezheng hasn't arrived, let me first experience Shadowless Fist."

With that, without even waiting for Ji Fei to refuse, he clenched his fists and rushed forward without reservation.

This time, not only did he have his Master behind him, but Feiyingmen Hall as allies as well. There was nothing to fear.

"Courting death!" Already holding back a ball of rage, Ji Fei's eyes hardened as he met him head-on without hesitation.

In cultivation, both of them were at the Body Tempering Third Layer.

However, Ji Fei had trained for far less time. No matter how great his talent, it was difficult to erase the several extra years of cultivation Wei Yiming possessed.

One had only entered the Body Tempering Third Layer, while the other had nearly touched the extreme bottleneck of the Body Tempering Third Layer.

Wei Yiming's Guangji Fist was also more refined, and his combat experience was far more seasoned.

From their first exchange, Ji Fei was gradually suppressed.

His Shadowless Fist was swift and fierce, capable of throwing out layers upon layers of fist shadows.

Wei Yiming's Guangji Fist, meanwhile, was broader and more unrestrained. Though his punches appeared upright and orthodox, they always managed to seal off Ji Fei's tricky angles of attack.

The longer Ji Fei fought, the more enraged and anxious he became, making Sun Chengshan frown deeply.

He had always known that Ji Fei possessed considerable talent for martial arts, but that impetuous temperament of his had never been smoothed away.

This was Ji Fei's weakness. Once an opponent seized upon it in battle, he could easily be forced into a disadvantageous position.

Clearly, the experienced Wei Yiming had caught this flaw in Ji Fei. Still holding something in reserve, he mocked, "Young man, is this all you've got? What Shadowless Fist? Looks like nothing but fancy moves!"

Ji Fei was nearly driven mad with anger. His punches grew increasingly disorderly and without form.

When your intentions behind each punch could be easily read by your opponent, defeat was not far away.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Their fists collided in rapid succession, producing bursts of dull impacts.

Both sides had fought up a real fire. Jifeng Hall and Feiyingmen Hall had joined forces, and this time they had clearly come to avenge past grievances and suppress Shadowless Fist Gym.

Since it was a normal duel between disciples, no matter how anxious Sun Chengshan was, he could not intervene.

In the end, Ji Fei fell short by a move. Wei Yiming struck him twice in the chest in quick succession, making blood surge up his throat as he spat blood and collapsed.

Wei Yiming withdrew his hand with flair, his face full of smug satisfaction as he looked down at the injured Ji Fei.

He had not held back at all with those two punches. Ji Fei's breastbone had already been cracked.

Only someone at the Body Tempering Third Layer could withstand it. If a Martial Artist at the Body Tempering Second Layer or First Layer had taken those two punches, their entire chest cavity would likely have shattered.

"Nothing special!" Wei Yiming snorted.

The disciples of Shadowless Fist Gym had Qi and Blood surging through them. They clenched their fists, yet none dared rush forward.

Even Ji Fei had lost. They knew that going up themselves would only bring humiliation.

This was a straightforward case of their strength simply being inferior.

Sun Chengshan's expression had turned utterly terrible. He did not even look at Wei Yiming, instead fixing his gaze on He Xuyang and Gu Hongming behind him.

"Are you two satisfied now?"

His tone was exceedingly heavy. He was already on the verge of being unable to stop himself from acting.

"Don't be in such a hurry. There's still the arranged match that hasn't been finished."

He Xuyang was in high spirits, as though he were venting all the feelings he had held when Sun Chengshan defeated him while challenging his gym that day.

When had Sun Chengshan ever endured such humiliation? He glanced at the mine vein still being excavated behind him, about to erupt on the spot.

"Master, I'm here!" A familiar voice rang out from the distance.