Crimson Heart

A moment of silence, the surroundings were soundless.

On the training ground, waves of earth were being flung away one after another. Li Shaowu's head was smashed so deeply into the dirt that blood stained the mud and splattered continuously.

"Enough!"

A low shout echoed. Chen Yan raised his arm, about to smash down, when a hand grabbed his wrist.

It was Chu Li, the principal of Second High School. Chu Li tightly gripped Chen Yan's arm, preventing him from moving, but in the next moment, their eyes met as Chen Yan turned his head.

Fierce, indifferent, brutal.

Chu Li opened his mouth. What a ruthless person. He really intended to beat Li Shaowu to death right here.

He disappeared, then reappeared, specifically for Li Shaowu, to beat him to death in front of everyone.

"You... you're going to kill him!"

For some reason, Chu Li's heart was pounding violently at this moment as he spoke fiercely.

In his sight, the brutality in the young man's eyes vanished in an instant, like dense clouds dispersing to reveal a clear sky.

Chen Yan stood up and looked at Li Shaowu, who could no longer move, and said:

"Looks like you won't be taking my house today. After your injuries heal, we'll fight again."

Chen Yan smiled. No one in the distant crowd spoke. Zhang Qingsi, within the crowd, suddenly turned deathly pale.

Chen Yan had said those exact words to him too.

His heart felt as if thunder roared and immense waves surged. At this moment, he met Chen Yan's gaze, his eyes filled with panic and dread.

Cold sweat streamed down, soaking his clothes. Zhang Qingsi felt as if he were being squeezed by a giant hand, suffocating.

Was this still Chen Yan?

He was going to kill Li Shaowu.

Why?

It was just a house, a single house.

He had taken his spot in the Town Martial Class; was the other party trying to kill him because of it?

No one discussed it. Even the sound of breathing around them became much quieter, as if everyone was holding their breath with all their might.

That Chen Yan, handsome and gentle, clearly looked like a boy next door.

Perhaps he had been bullied, perhaps his family had been very poor before, but he had endured and was an honest and well-behaved youth.

But now, was that still Chen Yan?

This was clearly a madman covered in blood, baring his fangs at everyone!

And he was so strong.

Really so strong!

Li Shaowu was like this, so what about them?

Gao Yuan's mouth hung open. Yu Zhiwen and the other trainees beside him were stiff in place. The young man named Li Qingyuan, after a moment of stunned silence, slowly said:

"Fierce!"

Too fierce.

He was shocked. If they wanted Chen Yan to join them, they would be the ones reaching too high.

"Call an ambulance, call an ambulance!"

Chu Li shouted at this moment, and the scene descended into chaos.

At the very front, Chu Feiyuan froze in place. The skin on his face twitched involuntarily.

In his heart, Chen Yan had always been a simple, somewhat clever person from the lower class.

But now, the other party had shown a brutal and sinister side, which made Chu Feiyuan feel a sense of impending loss of control.

This kid must hate him a lot.

Even someone like Li Shaowu, who tried to take his room, was beaten like this, so what about him...

He had secretly sold the other party's Town Martial Class spot to Zhang Ge.

Chu Feiyuan thought to himself, but a smile played on his lips.

Am I afraid of him?

I am a second-tier martial artist. I am a Qi and Blood martial artist in the Hundred Meridians realm.

I am from the Chu Family.

Am I afraid of him?

He fell silent. The combat power Chen Yan displayed today was very strong.

Did that punch carry the immense strength of three Strength Stripes?

Such a speed of progress...

The opponent is truly a Body Tempering prodigy!

Li Shaowu was taken away, his fate unknown. Chen Yan, bathed in the warm morning light, was like a tranquil silhouette.

A gentle summer breeze brushed past, and Chen Yan felt an otherworldly sense of detachment.

It feels good, my heart is beating, beating intensely.

Everyone around was looking at him; even Chu Feiyuan showed a moment of apprehension towards him.

So, this is what it feels like to be feared?

Chen Yan smiled, a clear and bright smile.

Come and bully me, come and suppress me, all of you, come. You've all seen it, I'm a madman.

I have no choice but to be a madman.

I've never beaten someone like this before, but it's because you're all too pathetic and deserve to be beaten, deserve to be killed.

If I can kill, I will kill.

This world... this world is like this. Others are helping me, but the only one who can correct me is myself.

Only me, only this one person, this one heart, this one passionate spirit.

Chen Yan thought this, standing alone under the increasingly scorching sun, grasping something in his heart in that fleeting moment.

Within the Saint Breaking Realm, skill energy represented by golden light appeared, along with white light that couldn't be absorbed, representing true intent energy.

At this moment, something in his heart roared open.

Crimson Heart!

[Crimson Heart Fist] has reached the Profound stage!

Through continuous killing these past few days, [Crimson Heart Fist] had been on the verge of reaching the Heart stage, but at this moment, it directly bypassed the Heart stage and reached the Profound stage.

Beginner, Heart, Profound, Micro, Divine.

One must first reach the Heart stage before reaching the Profound stage.

At this moment, he suddenly understood Shen Yiwei's words left for him within the Origin Crystal.

Crimson Heart outward, Crimson Heart inward.

"Director Luo, how should this matter be decided?"

At this moment, Zhang Yuanli, the principal of First Martial High, spoke, his gaze towards Chen Yan filled with complexity and dread.

Luo Puxin was the head director, and now it was up to him to define Chen Yan's actions.

Anyone with eyes could see that Chen Yan had intended to kill Li Shaowu from the start.

Luo Puxin nodded and looked at Chen Yan:

"Chen Yan, why did you break Zhang Qingsi's leg in the training area?"

Chen Yan turned his head:

"Because Zhang Qingsi needed my house, so he challenged me."

"I didn't!" a scream rang out. It was Zhang Qingsi. He was about to retort but met Chen Yan's gaze for a moment.

He lowered his head and said no more.

Before Luo Puxin could speak, Chu Feiyuan, standing nearby, chuckled and said:

"Actually, the Town Martial Class is all about competition, it's normal, perfectly normal. I know you wanted Chen Yan's house, Zhang Qingsi, why are you lying now?"

Zhang Qingsi's face turned pale. Chu Feiyuan was speaking up for Chen Yan.

Chu Feiyuan continued, glancing at Luo Puxin from the corner of his eye. Seeing that his expression was calm, he went on:

"You and Li Shaowu wanting Chen Yan's house is something everyone knows. You couldn't get it yourself, so you wanted to buy it, but Chen Yan wouldn't sell, so you wanted Li Shaowu to vent your anger for you.

Ask yourself honestly, who is at fault here."

Zhang Qingsi's expression grew even more unsightly. He lowered his head, unable to speak. The surrounding students looked at Zhang Qingsi with disdain in their eyes.

Bullying the weak and fearing the strong, acting arrogant just because you have some money.

This time, you've kicked an iron plate.

Serves you right.

"Our Town Martial Class advocates for fair competition, but what is this?

Just because you have money doesn't mean you'll have more money than Chen Yan in the future. You've seen it too, Chen Yan is progressing very quickly, he's a genius."

As Chu Feiyuan's words fell, Zhang Qingsi broke out in a sweat.

He was scared.

He was truly scared by Chu Feiyuan's words.

Chu Feiyuan continued, his smile fading:

"Of course, this matter still needs Director Luo to make a decision."

After Chu Feiyuan finished speaking, silence fell. Luo Puxin, his face grim, narrowed his eyes and looked at Chu Feiyuan:

"You've said everything, what else do you want me to say?"

Luo Puxin found it truly strange. Did Chu Feiyuan want to win Chen Yan over and offer him a contract?

The Chu Family?

Was the Chu Family even worthy of that?

Chu Feiyuan blinked, then nodded and said nothing more.

He looked at Chen Yan, a deep smile in his eyes. See? I'm the only one here helping you.

Luo Puxin is very powerful, but does he care about you?

If it weren't for me, you'd probably be fired on the spot today.

He thought it through. Chen Yan might harbor some resentment, but at this moment, he should be grateful for the goodwill Chu Feiyuan was showing him.

As for Chen Yan adding impure energy to him in the Blood Sensing Chamber, Chen Yan was unaware of that.

He understood Chen Yan's thoughts – wanting to prove himself, wanting help.

So, here he was.

Thinking this, Chu Feiyuan walked up to Chen Yan and handed him the contract in his hand:

"Chen Yan, your talent is exceptional. I know your journey hasn't been easy. This is a contract from my Chu Family. Take a good look."

As these words fell, the surroundings erupted in shock. Everyone looked at Chen Yan with extreme envy.

To gain the appreciation of the Chu Family, Chen Yan's future was bound to be smooth sailing.

Li Qingyuan glanced at the contract in Chen Yan's hand, his eyes flickered, and then he shook his head and left.

"Brother Li, aren't you going to look?"

A student asked.

"No need." Li Qingyuan's face was somber, and he let out a bitter laugh:

"Ridiculous."

It was truly ridiculous.

This was a Chu Family contract. He should be congratulating Chen Yan, but this time, so many original Town Martial Class students had their spots snatched away.

The Chu Family was the biggest culprit.

The students from the county high schools came from wealthy families. They looked down on them, the country folk, and it was the Chu Family members who initiated it.

Originally, Chen Yan was one of those looked down upon. But now, the Chu Family was offering him a contract.

It wasn't Chen Yan's fault. Faced with a Chu Family contract, anyone would be tempted, including himself.

But a sense of sorrow welled up in Li Qingyuan's heart. What were they even resisting in the end?

Being oppressed by noble families, and then accepting their charity to become one of them.

Was that it?

Li Qingyuan chuckled, his shoulders trembling. Some people beside him understood him, but more people looked at Chen Yan with envy.

They wanted to be like Chen Yan now, having forgotten that they too were once looked down upon and belittled by the Chu Family.

Gao Yuan clenched his fists, a knot of resentment forming in his chest.

He didn't know why, but it was a strange feeling, a sense of powerlessness.

"Fifty thousand subsidy a month, that's six million a year!"

Chen Yan's voice rang out as he read the contents of the contract.

Whoosh!

The entire training ground buzzed with shock.

Chu Feiyuan looked pleased, standing with his hands behind his back, glancing down at Chen Yan with a hint of disdain.

As expected, still a country bumpkin who's never seen the world, scared by the numbers.

"You'll also get twenty-four hours of access to the Chu Family's Blood Sensing Chamber each month. Of course, since you're a Body Tempering practitioner, we'll provide assistance for your Body Tempering." Chu Feiyuan said with a smile:

"Once you sign, you'll immediately receive a martial-grade C Body Tempering ultimate technique."

Whoosh...

Another wave of astonishment swept through the crowd.

The surrounding students were even more envious.

"Chen Yan, you don't know what martial-grade is yet, do you?" Chu Feiyuan chuckled:

"Below martial-grade is high-grade, and below high-grade is common-grade. The [Crimson Gang Body Tempering Canon] you're practicing is high-grade, while martial-grade completely surpasses the [Crimson Gang Body Tempering Canon]."

Chu Feiyuan spoke, his voice filled with a sense of superiority.

He enjoyed this feeling. Who wouldn't?

Chen Yan had just shocked others, and now he was shocking Chen Yan. This was exactly the effect he wanted.

"I'll mix blood into your Qi and Blood, and you won't even know. If I show you a little bit of benefit, you'll be grateful to me."

This is the feeling of playing with people.

"Join the Chu Family Military Guard and serve for ten years."

At this moment, Chen Yan read the words on the contract, his voice clear and loud.

"Mmm," Chu Feiyuan nodded and chuckled, "Join my Chu Family Military Guard, and if you perform well, you can be promoted to Guard Commander and serve by Chu Xuansheng's side in the future. The benefits will be even greater!"

He smiled even more brilliantly.

The surrounding students, after a moment of silence, exclaimed even louder.

That was Chu Xuansheng, the true dragon of the Chu Family.

Chu Feiyuan smiled, and at this moment, his gaze met Chen Yan's. He was slightly stunned.

There was no smile in the young man's eyes; they were cold, disdainful, and mocking.

"Chen Yan, you..."

Chu Feiyuan's smile faded.

"Teacher Chu, do you take me for an idiot?"

A clear, cold voice rang out. Chen Yan's expression was calm, his hand trembling, and the contract in his hand rustled.

"You want to give me six million a year, and in return, I have to work like a horse and cow for your Chu Family?"

Chen Yan's face turned grim.

"Are you treating me like a fool?!"

He had no intention of joining the Chu Family in the first place, as he had already accepted the elite training from the Military Martial Guard.

But this Chu Family contract made him feel disgusted.

Even without the Limit Breaking Awakening, Shen Yiwei had directly passed on his ultimate move to him.

And martial arts of Grade C?

Were they very powerful?

He, Chen Yan, could immediately go and learn the Grade A Qi and Blood martial skill [Hundred Spears Dark Stab].

Luo Puxin had been privately training him, even teaching him combat and killing techniques on the mountain these past few days.

Luo Puxin had made Chen Yan understand that he was worth it.

But this Chu Family was disgusting him.

The smile on Chu Feiyuan's face vanished. He just looked at Chen Yan.

"You're not signing?"

Chen Yan didn't answer. He just stared at Chu Feiyuan, as if silently mocking him.

"You'd better think carefully. Not everyone has such a great opportunity!"

Chu Feiyuan's face darkened as he reprimanded him.

"Then please, Teacher Chu, save this great opportunity for someone else."

Chen Yan chuckled lightly.

"With such a generous contract, you must be able to cultivate many strong individuals."

Chen Yan left.

The onlookers were all silent.

He had refused, refused the Chu Family's contract.

"Isn't this... a bit too arrogant?"

A student whispered. That was a Chu Family contract.

"Arrogant?"

Wu Chuhua, who had been silent the whole time, frowned.

"They'll give you six million, and you have to work for someone else's family for ten years. Would you be willing?"

The person nodded.

"I would definitely be willing."

Wu Chuhua snorted and smiled.

"Do you see yourself as Chen Yan?

Chen Yan, who came from a rural village with a poor family background, managed to reach the point of defeating Li Shaowu in a short period.

Do you think he is mediocre?"

Wu Chuhua snorted coldly; Chen Yan had defeated him.

Twice.

He conceded, and he held no grudges.

He now felt Chen Yan deserved this.

Everyone exchanged glances.

Indeed, if they put themselves in his shoes, Chu Feiyuan's contract was quite mediocre.

Beside them, Chu Feiyuan's expression was grim.

Today, Chen Yan had made a fool of him.

"Let's go, we're heading to the breeding grounds. We need to kill an Ancient Beast quickly today!"

A youth named Li Qingyuan said with a smile to the person next to him.

Chen Yan's rapid progress wasn't without reason. The fact that he could spend so much time in the breeding grounds was earned through hard work.

Yu Zhiwen, Gao Yuan, and the other rural students nodded and followed closely.

Today, everyone had been significantly impacted by Chen Yan.

As fellow villagers, Chen Yan had already far surpassed them.

In the group, Yu Zhiwen seemed a bit dazed, looking in the direction Chen Yan had left.

In her memory, Chen Yan had always been someone she overlooked. She thought it was normal to look down on others when she was the top student at Qingshan High.

But in just a few days, she could no longer see Chen Yan's back.

"Hey, are you still chasing Chen Yan?" Yu Zhiwen asked the round-faced girl beside her.

"Of course," the round-faced girl replied, her face flushed.

"He was so cool just now."

Just as Yu Zhiwen was about to say something, the round-faced girl's expression turned dejected.

"But I can't catch up to him. Yu Zhiwen, we're too far behind him."

Yu Zhiwen remained silent, walking quietly, and finally let out a bitter laugh.

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