Lu Chen's astonishing palm had utterly cemented his status as the biggest dark horse in this year's Hall Tournament.
When "Iron Arm" Wang Chong was carried off the field, his entire right arm had been completely ruined.
His bones were shattered like mud. Even if the best medicine could set them, he would never be able to practice martial arts again.
That display of power left the last two opponents, Zhang Meng and Li Kui, looking at Lu Chen with heavy wariness and apprehension.
They knew that if either of them took that strange palm head-on, their fate would probably be no better than Wang Chong's.
After a brief rest, Lu Chen was lucky enough to draw a bye among the three finalists and advance straight to the final.
Zhang Meng and Li Kui, meanwhile, had to fight a bloody battle to claim the other place in the final.
Their match was exceptionally brutal.
Both were top fighters from the War Hall, evenly matched in strength, and neither would yield to the other.
In the end, Zhang Meng prevailed through superior strength and endurance. At the cost of a fractured arm, he defeated Li Kui and earned the right to compete with Lu Chen for the Champion title.
The final was about to begin.
The atmosphere in the Training Ground reached its peak.
Everyone's eyes converged on the largest platform in the center.
On one side stood the long-established "Wild Bull" Zhang Meng, famed for his immense strength.
On the other stood "Lu Iron Skin" Lu Chen, a mysterious newcomer who had burst onto the scene in this year's tournament.
"Lu Chen, you're strong."
Zhang Meng stood on the platform, his injured left arm bound in a splint. His face was pale, but his eyes burned with fighting spirit.
"I admit, I'm not confident I can withstand that palm of yours. But I won't surrender. No man of the War Hall would ever yield without a fight!"
"Please."
Lu Chen clasped his hands toward this worthy opponent.
He could feel that although Zhang Meng was injured, his powerful qi and blood had been driven to their peak by his fierce fighting spirit. At that moment, he was even more dangerous than at full strength.
"Die!"
Zhang Meng wasted no words. With a roar, he launched the first attack.
His one remaining arm swung like a battering ram, charging forward with unstoppable momentum as he aimed a crushing blow at Lu Chen.
This time, Lu Chen didn't choose to defend passively against Zhang Meng's attack.
The final demanded an indisputable victory.
He would hide nothing now.
He stamped down hard, making the bluestone platform tremble. Instead of retreating, he surged forward and met Zhang Meng's fist with his own.
He perfectly combined the tremendous strength of the Flesh Refining Stage with the Vibrating Force of the Third Realm.
His style was broad and sweeping, his strikes fierce and unrestrained.
Their fists collided, unleashing a thunderous crash more terrifying than any of their previous clashes.
A visible wave of force swept across the entire platform, centered on the two men.
Zhang Meng grunted as his massive frame was sent stumbling backward.
He felt a strange vibrating force rush from Lu Chen's fist into his right arm.
The force battered his bones and meridians, leaving his entire arm numb and aching as if it were about to split apart. He could barely summon any strength.
The countering effect of Vibrating Force was on full display.
Zhang Meng's vaunted brute strength was held in check at every turn by Vibrating Force, which pierced defenses and struck straight at the body's interior.
Every time he met Lu Chen head-on, his blood and qi churned, and his arm went numb.
But if he avoided a direct clash, Lu Chen's overwhelming force would simply smash through his defenses.
In an instant, Zhang Meng was completely on the back foot. Lu Chen kept him under pressure, leaving him able only to block, with no chance to counterattack.
"This... Zhang Meng is completely suppressed!"
"How strong is Lu Chen? Is he really just a newcomer?"
The spectators below had gone numb with shock.
The waves of astonishment Lu Chen brought them just kept coming.
On the platform, Zhang Meng clenched his teeth and struggled to hold on.
He knew he was nearing his limit. That all-pervasive Vibrating Force was close to wrecking his right arm.
"I sur—"
He didn't want to end up like Wang Chong, and was just about to concede.
But Lu Chen gave him no chance.
Seizing an opening as Zhang Meng's momentum ran out, Lu Chen suddenly stepped in close and spun around. His heavy whip kick, hard as a steel whip, slammed into Zhang Meng's side.
Zhang Meng's burly frame could no longer stay upright. The kick sent him flying off the platform, where he hit the ground with a heavy thud.
He had taken a powerful blow, but fortunately, his injuries were only flesh wounds. His bones and tendons were unharmed.
Lu Chen had held back.
The entire venue fell silent.
Everyone watched the youth standing in the center of the platform, slowly lowering his leg.
His clothes were stained with blood and dust, but his posture was as straight and sharp as a spear.
Champion.
The Champion of this year's Hall Tournament had been crowned.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Just then, a booming voice rang out from the VIP seats.
A middle-aged man in brocade robes, his face imposing and naturally awe-inspiring, rose from his seat, laughing as he clapped.
It was none other than Chen Wanli, the leader of the Black Water Gang.
He walked down from the Viewing Platform, passing through the respectful gazes of the assembled gang members, and came to the platform.
"Zhao Tieshan, your War Hall has produced quite the talent this time!"
Chen Wanli looked at Zhao Tieshan, his voice full of praise.
"You flatter him, Leader. The boy earned this through his own efforts."
Zhao Tieshan bowed quickly, his face beaming with pride.
Chen Wanli nodded, then turned his gaze to Lu Chen on the platform and spoke in a clear, ringing voice:
"A young hero must be rewarded!"
"I hereby declare Lu Chen the Champion of this year's Hall Tournament! He is awarded one hundred taels of silver and, effective immediately, promoted to Junior Leader of the War Hall of the Black Water Gang!"
"Additionally, I bestow upon him one copy of the Mortal Grade Low-Rank Martial Art manual, Iron Cloth Shirt!"
The leader's word was law. He announced Lu Chen's rewards on the spot.
Promotion to Junior Leader.
One hundred taels of silver.
And the Iron Cloth Shirt, a coveted martial art manual that countless people dreamed of possessing.
The Training Ground instantly erupted with thunderous cheers and envious chatter.
Countless low-ranking gang members stared at the young man on the platform, their eyes blazing with fervent admiration.
This was the dream they all shared.
To punch their way into a better life.
Lu Chen stepped down from the platform and made his way to the leader amid the attention of the entire crowd.
"Thank you for the reward, Leader!"
He dropped to one knee, his voice steady and strong.
"Hahaha, good! Get up!"
Chen Wanli personally helped him to his feet, his eyes brimming with appreciation.
"Zhao Tieshan, present the prizes."
"Yes, Leader!"
Zhao Tieshan stepped forward and personally handed Lu Chen a heavy purse and a thread-bound ancient book with a yellowed cover.
"Lu Chen, work hard. Don't let the leader's expectations go to waste."
Zhao Tieshan patted Lu Chen on the shoulder, his expression complicated.
There was pride, admiration, and a hint of wariness.
The speed of this young man's growth had already gone beyond Zhao Tieshan's understanding.
Lu Chen accepted his rewards, feeling their weight in his hands.
Becoming a Junior Leader meant he had finally secured a place for himself in this turbulent world.
It also meant he would have access to more resources and the chance to learn the gang's deeper secrets.
He tightened his grip on the Iron Cloth Shirt manual. His heart held not a trace of fear, only boundless fighting spirit.
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