Gang Leader's Personal Seal, Iron Cloth Shirt Acquired!

Lu Chen's astonishing palm strike had completely cemented his status as the biggest dark horse of this tournament.

When "Iron Arm" Wang Chong was carried off the field, his entire right arm was already completely ruined. His bones were shattered like mud; even if the best medicine could mend them, he would never be able to practice martial arts again. This ruthlessness made the last two remaining opponents, Zhang Meng and Li Kui, look at Lu Chen with eyes full of gravity and wariness. They asked themselves—if they had to face that eerie palm strike, their fate would likely be little better than Wang Chong's.

After a brief rest, among the top three, Lu Chen was lucky enough to get a bye, advancing directly to the finals. Zhang Meng and Li Kui, however, had to fight a bloody battle first to contend for the other final spot.

This fight was exceptionally brutal. Both were top-tier experts from the War Hall, evenly matched in strength, and neither willing to yield to the other. In the end, Zhang Meng, relying on his superior power and endurance, barely defeated Li Kui at the cost of a fractured arm bone, earning the right to compete with Lu Chen for the Champion title.

The finals were about to begin. The atmosphere in the training ground reached its peak at this moment. Everyone's gaze converged on the largest arena in the center. On one side stood the long-renowned, immensely strong "Wild Bull" Zhang Meng. On the other was Lu Chen, "Lu Iron Skin," the mysterious newcomer who had burst onto the scene in this tournament.

"Lu Chen, you're strong," Zhang Meng said, standing on the arena. His injured left arm was fixed with a splint, his face somewhat pale, but his eyes blazed like fire, full of fighting spirit. "I admit, I'm not sure I can withstand that palm of yours. But I won't surrender. Men of the War Hall don't kneel without a fight!"

"Please." Lu Chen clasped his fists toward this worthy opponent. He could sense that although Zhang Meng was injured, his blood and qi had been pushed to their peak by intense battle intent; at this moment, he was even more dangerous than in his prime.

"Kill!" Zhang Meng wasted no words. With a furious roar, he launched the first attack. His remaining right arm, like a siege hammer, drove straight forward with an unstoppable momentum, crashing toward Lu Chen.

Facing Zhang Meng's assault, Lu Chen this time chose not to passively defend. The finals demanded an indisputable victory. He no longer held back. He stomped hard on the ground, making the bluestone arena tremble, and instead of retreating, he surged forward, meeting the attack with a punch of his own. He perfectly combined the immense power of his Flesh Refining Stage with the Vibrating Force of the Third Realm. His style was bold and unbridled, fierce and unmatched.

When their fists collided, an explosion erupted, more terrifying than any previous clash. A visible shockwave, centered on the two fighters, swept across the entire arena. Zhang Meng let out a muffled groan, his massive frame staggering backward repeatedly. He felt a strange vibrating force, following Lu Chen's fist, madly surging into his own right arm. That force relentlessly battered his bones and meridians, leaving his entire arm numb, aching, and nearly unable to muster strength.

The restraining effect of Vibrating Force was fully displayed in this moment. Zhang Meng's proud brute strength, when faced with Vibrating Force that could penetrate defenses and strike internally, was hampered at every turn. Every time he clashed head-on with Lu Chen, he was shaken until his blood churned and his arm went numb. But if he avoided direct confrontation, Lu Chen's overwhelming power would simply crush his defenses. In an instant, Zhang Meng had completely fallen into a disadvantage, beaten down by Lu Chen, able only to parry with no chance to counterattack.

"This... Zhang Meng is being completely suppressed!" "Just how strong is that Lu Chen? Is he really just a newcomer?" The audience below was numb. The shock Lu Chen brought them came wave after wave.

On the arena, Zhang Meng gritted his teeth, holding on with difficulty. He knew he was nearing his limit; the pervasive Vibrating Force was about to destroy his right arm. "I surren—" He didn't want to end up like Wang Chong and was about to concede. But Lu Chen didn't give him the chance. Seizing a moment when Zhang Meng's old strength was spent, Lu Chen suddenly stepped forward, spun his body, and delivered a powerful whip kick, like a steel whip, that slammed viciously into Zhang Meng's side.

Zhang Meng's burly frame could no longer stay upright; he was sent flying off the arena platform by that kick, crashing heavily to the ground.

Though he had taken a heavy blow, it was only flesh wounds, nothing to the bones or tendons.

Lu Chen had held back.

The entire venue fell into dead silence.

Everyone stared at the youth standing in the center of the arena, slowly withdrawing his leg.

His clothes were stained with blood and dust, but his posture stood like a spear—straight, sharp, and unyielding.

Champion.

The champion of this Hall Tournament had been decided.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Just then, a booming voice rang out from the VIP seats.

A middle-aged man in a brocade robe, with a dignified face that inspired awe without anger, clapped his hands and laughed, rising from his seat.

It was none other than the Black Water Gang Leader, Chen Wanli.

He stepped down from the viewing platform, one step at a time, and under the reverent gazes of all the gang members, arrived before the arena.

"Zhao Tieshan, your War Hall has produced an extraordinary talent this time!"

Chen Wanli looked at Zhao Tieshan, his tone full of praise.

"The Gang Leader flatters me. It's the boy's own effort."

Zhao Tieshan quickly bowed, his face glowing with pride.

Chen Wanli nodded, turned his gaze to Lu Chen on the arena, and declared in a clear voice:

"A young hero deserves a reward!"

"I announce that the champion of this Hall Tournament, Lu Chen, is awarded one hundred taels of silver and is immediately promoted to Junior Leader of the Black Water Gang's War Hall!"

"Furthermore, I specially bestow the Mortal Grade Low-Rank Martial Art—the Iron Cloth Shirt manual!"

The Gang Leader's words were law; he announced Lu Chen's rewards on the spot.

Promotion to Junior Leader.

One hundred taels of silver.

And the coveted, rank-bearing martial art Iron Cloth Shirt, a dream for countless people.

The training ground instantly erupted into thunderous cheers and envious murmurs.

Countless low-ranking gang members stared at the young figure on the arena, their eyes filled with fervent worship.

This was the dream of them all.

To carve a path with their own fists.

Lu Chen stepped down from the arena and, under the gaze of the crowd, came before the Gang Leader.

"Thank you, Gang Leader, for the reward!"

He knelt on one knee, his voice steady and forceful.

"Hahaha, good! Rise!"

Chen Wanli personally helped him up, his eyes brimming with admiration.

"Zhao Tieshan, present the awards."

"Yes, Gang Leader!"

Zhao Tieshan stepped forward and personally handed Lu Chen a heavy money pouch and a yellowed, thread-bound ancient book.

"Lu Chen, do well. Don't disappoint the Gang Leader's expectations."

Zhao Tieshan patted Lu Chen's shoulder, his expression complex.

There was relief, appreciation, and a hint of wariness.

This youth's rate of growth had already surpassed his understanding.

Lu Chen accepted the rewards; they were heavy in his hands.

Becoming a Junior Leader meant he had finally carved out a place for himself in this chaotic world.

It also meant he would have access to more resources and be able to touch the higher secrets of the gang.

He gripped the Iron Cloth Shirt manual tightly, feeling no fear in his heart—only endless fighting spirit.