Armor? Punched to Death!

"Insolent!"

Wang Zhenshan's voice boomed like thunder, piercing the silence of the martial arts arena.

The head of the Wang Family's face was ashen, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. The two black-clad guards behind him stepped forward simultaneously, exuding a palpable aura—the pressure of at least a 4th Grade Great Martial Master!

On the spectator stands, many students felt their breath catch.

"Patriarch Wang, this is an academy competition," Liu Batian said slowly, his voice not loud but carrying an undeniable authority. "Interference will be dealt with according to academy rules."

Wang Zhenshan took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing his anger, and sat back down. However, his eyes remained fixed on Lin Fan on the stage, as if trying to pierce him with his gaze.

On the stage, Wang Hao's expression shifted erratically.

Lin Fan's words, "attack the places the armor can't protect," sent a jolt through his heart.

The Golden Scale Armor was indeed a Mortal Tier Top Grade armor, capable of withstanding the full force of a blow from a martial artist below the 3rd Grade Martial Master level. But armor was still armor; it didn't encase the entire body like an iron barrel. The neck, armpits, joints... these areas were relatively less protected.

More crucially, armor could only defend against external attacks. If the impact force was strong enough, even if the armor didn't break, the force would transmit through the body, causing internal injuries.

That last sword strike had already proven this point.

"You think you can find a weakness?" Wang Hao gritted his teeth. "Even if you do, can that broken Wooden Sword of yours even penetrate my defense?"

"The Wooden Sword can't," Lin Fan said calmly. "But my fists can."

Before he finished speaking, he let go of the Wooden Sword in his hand.

The Wooden Sword clattered to the ground with a soft sound.

The entire arena erupted in an uproar!

"Lin Fan threw away his sword?"

"He's going to fight bare-handed?"

"He's crazy! Wang Hao has a sword and armor, how can Lin Fan fight with empty hands?"

On the spectator stands, Teacher Zhang abruptly stood up. "Lin Fan, you—"

"Don't worry, Teacher," Lin Fan looked towards Teacher Zhang, his gaze firm. "I know what I'm doing."

Wang Hao was stunned at first, then burst into laughter. "Haha, Lin Fan, you're seeking your own death! Without a sword, what will you use to fight me? Your pathetic Basic Fist Technique?"

"That's right," Lin Fan nodded. "I'll use the Basic Fist Technique."

He slowly assumed a stance—the starting posture of the Basic Fist Technique.

Ordinary to the point of being unremarkable, plain to the point of being mundane.

Below the stage, Zhao Ritian's mouth hung open. "He's really going to use the Basic Fist Technique? Isn't that something you learn right when you enroll?"

Wang Chao's gaze, however, became more focused. "No... look at his posture."

Lin Xue'er spoke softly. "It's natural, without any flaws."

On the stage, Wang Hao's laughter abruptly ceased.

He too sensed something was amiss.

Lin Fan's stance appeared ordinary, yet as he stood there, he exuded an aura of invincibility. It felt as though any attack from any angle would be easily neutralized by him.

What shocked him even more was that a faint aura began to emanate from Lin Fan.

It was... the aura of a powerful physique!

"Putting on a show!" Wang Hao roared, drawing his sword again.

This time, he no longer aimed for a decisive blow, but unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks.

He unleashed the Flowing Light Sword Technique with all his might, his sword light raining down, completely enveloping Lin Fan.

He wanted to force Lin Fan back, to expose a weakness!

However, Lin Fan did not retreat.

He didn't even dodge.

Facing the torrent of sword light, Lin Fan simply crossed his arms in front of him, guarding his vital points.

"Clang, clang, clang, clang—"

A series of dense collisions rang out!

The sword light struck Lin Fan's arms, shoulders, and chest, actually producing the sound of metal striking metal!

Even more astonishing, a faint metallic sheen flickered on the surface of Lin Fan's skin. The Cold Iron Sword left only shallow white marks on it, not even breaking the skin!

"How is this possible?!" Wang Hao's pupils contracted sharply.

Below the stage, Wang Zhenshan gripped the armrest of his seat so tightly that it instantly shattered!

"Iron Body Skill... Major Accomplishment realm?!" Liu Batian's eyes blazed with sharp light.

Teacher Zhang stared, dumbfounded. "It's only been a month... and he's already reached Major Accomplishment in the Iron Body Skill?"

The Iron Body Skill was a Mortal Tier Top Grade body-refining technique. When cultivated to its peak, it could allow the physical body to withstand attacks from Mortal Tools. However, this technique was notoriously difficult to practice, requiring immense resources and relentless effort. For an ordinary student, reaching the introductory level in a year was considered good. Yet Lin Fan had achieved Major Accomplishment in just one month?

This was no longer something that could be explained by talent alone.

This is a monster!

On the stage, Wang Hao had completely panicked.

His sword couldn't break through Lin Fan's defense!

And Lin Fan was walking towards him step by step.

With every step, the ground of the stage trembled slightly.

With every step, the aura emanating from Lin Fan grew stronger.

"No... Impossible!" Wang Hao swung his sword wildly, "I don't believe it! Break for me!"

The sword light became denser, more ferocious.

But Lin Fan still didn't dodge, letting the sword light slash across his body.

The sword light, which was enough to cut through steel, only left faint white marks on his body that vanished in an instant.

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency +10]

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency +10]

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency +10]

System notifications kept popping up.

Wang Hao's attacks had become a whetstone for Lin Fan to cultivate his Iron Body Skill!

After ten steps, Lin Fan had reached within three feet of Wang Hao.

Wang Hao's sword finally slowed.

It wasn't that he didn't want to be fast, but his arms were already numb, and his Origin Energy was about to be depleted.

Continuously using the high-intensity Flowing Light Sword Technique was a huge burden for a 2nd Grade Martial Artist.

"Had enough?" Lin Fan asked.

Wang Hao's face was pale, and he gritted his teeth, "You... what kind of monstrous physique is this..."

"It's just that my basic skills are well-practiced," Lin Fan said calmly. "Now, it's my turn."

He slowly raised his right fist.

It was still the most ordinary starting stance of the Basic Fist Technique.

But at this moment, no one dared to underestimate this punch anymore.

Because Lin Fan's fist was glowing.

It wasn't the glow of externalized Origin Energy, but the faint light naturally emitted when physical strength was condensed to the extreme and blood surged.

Even more shocking was that all the strength in his body seemed to be converging into this punch.

Muscles tensed, bones and sinews sang.

[Basic Fist Technique: Minor Accomplishment (1001/5000)] → [Basic Fist Technique: Major Accomplishment (5001/10000)]

A breakthrough during combat!

Lin Fan himself was slightly stunned.

When he had been tanking the sword light with his body just now, he had subconsciously circulated the power-generating techniques of the Basic Fist Technique. He hadn't expected his proficiency to skyrocket, directly breaking through to Major Accomplishment!

Major Accomplishment Basic Fist Technique, 100% power bonus!

Coupled with the powerful physical strength brought by the Iron Body Skill, the power of this punch...

Lin Fan looked at the Golden Scale Armor on Wang Hao's chest.

"You just said I couldn't break your armor?" Lin Fan asked.

Wang Hao subconsciously took a step back.

"Then let's try."

As his voice fell, Lin Fan threw a punch.

No fancy moves, no complex trajectory.

Just the simplest, most direct Straight Punch.

But as this punch was thrown, a sharp whistling sound echoed through the air!

That was the sound of the fist breaking through the air!

That was the mark of strength condensed to the extreme!

Wang Hao wanted to dodge, but he found his body seemed locked in place, unable to move.

He wanted to block, but as soon as he raised his arm, the fist had already arrived!

"BOOM--!!!"

A deafening roar!

The fist landed squarely in the center of the Golden Scale Armor!

In that instant, time seemed to stand still.

Everyone widened their eyes, staring intently at the stage.

Then, they witnessed an unbelievable scene--

The Golden Scale Armor, that Mortal Tier Top Grade armor, the armor capable of withstanding the full-power strike of a 3rd Grade Martial Master, under Lin Fan's fist--

Cracked!

First, the golden scales at the center showed fine cracks.

Immediately after, the cracks spread like a spiderweb, instantly covering the entire chest plate!

"Crack... crackle..."

Crisp shattering sounds echoed.

Under everyone's stunned gaze, the Golden Scale Armor completely shattered, turning into countless golden fragments that scattered everywhere!

And Wang Hao, his entire body flew out like a torn rag bag, spitting a mouthful of blood in mid-air before crashing heavily at the edge of the stage, tumbling several times before stopping.

His chest armor was completely destroyed, revealing a clear fist print.

The skin at the fist print was an abnormal purplish-black, and his sternum was visibly caved in.

"Pfft—" Wang Hao spat out another mouthful of blood, mixed with fragments of internal organs.

He struggled to get up, but as soon as he lifted his upper body, he weakly collapsed again.

His eyes were fixed on Lin Fan, filled with disbelief, fear, and... despair.

The entire venue fell silent.

You could hear a pin drop.

Everyone stared blankly at the stage, at the youth standing in the center, slowly retracting his fist.

At the youth who had shattered Mortal Tier Top Grade armor with one punch and left a 2nd Grade Peak Martial Artist on the brink of death.

Three breaths later, the referee finally snapped back to reality, trembling as he announced, "The, the match is over! Lin Fan wins!"

His voice shattered the silence.

The next moment, the entire venue erupted in a thunderous roar!

"He won! Lin Fan won!"

"One punch! He only used one punch!"

"The Golden Scale Armor is broken! That was Mortal Tier Top Grade armor!"

"How strong is Lin Fan's physical body?!"

"A monster! He's definitely a monster!"

Students from the Regular Class cheered wildly, and many commoner students even shed tears of joy.

Lin Fan's victory was not just a personal triumph.

It was a victory of the commoners over the nobles!

It was a victory of effort over resources!

It was the best proof of "my fate is mine to control, not heaven's"!

In the spectator stands, Chen Dahu trembled with excitement. Disregarding his arm injury, he frantically waved his left hand, "Brother Fan won! Brother Fan won!"

Teacher Zhang let out a long sigh and slumped into his chair, only to discover his back was soaked with cold sweat.

Liu Batian's eyes gleamed, and he murmured, "A good seedling... truly a good seedling..."

In the Genius Class seating, Zhao Ritian's mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg: "My, my hundred Academic Credits..."

Wang Chao slowly stood up, gave Lin Fan a deep look, and turned to leave. But before he left, he softly said, "I look forward to fighting him."

Lin Xue'er remained seated quietly, but for the first time, her ice-blue eyes showed clear emotional fluctuations—curiosity, inquiry, and... interest.

And at this moment, the most furious was none other than Wang Zhenshan.

"Hao'er!"

Wang Zhenshan roared, his figure vanishing from his spot. When he reappeared, he was already on the stage.

He picked up the unconscious Wang Hao and, after examining his injuries, his face became so grim it looked like it could drip water.

Three ribs were shattered, internal organs were damaged, and meridians were injured... It would take at least three months to recover.

More importantly, the fist energy from that punch contained a peculiar power that was continuously damaging Wang Hao's bodily functions. If not treated promptly, it could even leave permanent damage, affecting his martial arts future.

"Such vicious methods!" Wang Zhenshan looked up, staring intently at Lin Fan, "So young, yet so malicious!"

Lin Fan calmly met his gaze, "In sparring, injuries are inevitable. When Wang Hao broke Dahu's arm earlier, did you, Patriarch Wang, say the word 'vicious'?"

"You—" Wang Zhenshan was speechless.

"Furthermore," Lin Fan continued, "I already held back. If I had used my sword, he would be dead by now."

These words were spoken calmly, yet they sent a chill down Wang Zhenshan's spine.

Indeed, if Lin Fan had used a sword, and his punch had been a stab, Wang Hao would have died long ago.

But how could Wang Zhenshan swallow this insult?

His Wang Family was a prominent family in Jiangnan City. Now, their direct heir had been severely injured in public by a commoner, his armor destroyed, and their reputation utterly ruined!

If this grudge wasn't avenged, how could the Wang Family stand in Jiangnan City?

"Good, good, Lin Fan." Wang Zhenshan took a deep breath, a murderous glint flashing through his eyes before disappearing. "I've noted today's events, Wang."

With that, he picked up Wang Hao and prepared to leave.

"Wait." Lin Fan suddenly spoke.

"What is it?" Wang Zhenshan turned back, his eyes icy.

"The bet," Lin Fan pointed to the Golden Scale Armor fragments on the ground. "Wang Hao said before the match that if he lost, the Golden Scale Armor would be mine. Even though it's broken, the materials can still be used."

Wang Zhenshan trembled with rage.

The Golden Scale Armor was a treasure the Wang Family had purchased with a significant sum. Its destruction was already a heavy loss, and now Lin Fan was publicly demanding the fragments?

This was a blatant slap in the face!

But under the watchful eyes of the crowd, if he went back on his word, the Wang Family's credibility would be completely destroyed.

"Take it!" Wang Zhenshan gritted out the words through clenched teeth and left without looking back.

Lin Fan bent down and picked up the larger fragments of the Golden Scale Armor, placing them in his embrace.

These were indeed good items, Mortal Tier Top Grade materials. Even broken, they could be sold for a good price, or used to forge other items.

The referee finally dared to step onto the stage and announced loudly, "I declare the champion of this year's Freshman Competition is—Lin Fan!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd once more.

Lin Fan stood in the center of the arena, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun and the gazes of the crowd, his expression still calm.

But within his heart, waves were surging.

He had won this battle.

Won decisively, won completely.

But he knew this was just the beginning.

Wang Hao would not let this go, and neither would the Wang Family.

And then there was the "Shadow Society" lurking in the shadows...

The path of martial arts has never been smooth sailing.

Ahead lay more challenges, more enemies.

But so what?

Lin Fan clenched his fist.

He had the system, the perseverance of a "grind king," and an unceasing drive for progress.

No matter what lay ahead, he would shatter it with a single punch!

"Lin Fan." Teacher Zhang walked onto the stage, patting his shoulder, his eyes filled with relief. "Well done."

"Thank you, Teacher."

"Get ready to receive your prize," Teacher Zhang said with a smile. "The champion's reward is no ordinary thing."

Lin Fan nodded, his gaze shifting towards the main platform.

There, Liu Batian had already stood up, holding a jade tray.

On the tray were three items:

A jade bottle filled with pills.

An ancient-looking manual.

And... a card shimmering with golden light.

All eyes in the venue instantly focused.