Sun Jiaoyang

Sun Jiaoyang stepped into the center of the Martial Arts Arena, his gaze fixed on Sun Ao.

The two stood facing each other.

The air grew stagnant.

Sun Jiaoyang spoke slowly, "My brother, do you really intend to fight me? Do you know the price of fighting me?"

Sun Ao let out a cold snort, offering no reply.

"Begin!" Lin Feng commanded.

The moment the words fell, Sun Ao let out a roar. His skin instantly flushed an unnatural crimson, his veins bulging like coiled dragons, and wisps of blood-colored mist steamed from his pores.

The family secret technique, Blood Injury Fist!

"Die!"

With a violent shout, Sun Ao launched himself like a cannonball, lunging straight at Sun Jiaoyang with a speed far exceeding his previous displays.

"What's wrong with Senior Brother Sun?"

"What kind of move is that?"

Exclamations erupted from the sidelines.

At this moment, a flicker of annoyance appeared in Sun Jiaoyang's eyes: "Still this Blood Injury Fist? Why have you made no progress at all? How truly boring."

He made no attempt to dodge, instead raising his hand with a twist to deflect Sun Ao's fist, immediately following up with a kick that sent Sun Ao flying.

Sun Ao landed on the ground.

On the surface, he had only been kicked away and showed no obvious external injuries; he even tried to prop himself up with his hands, attempting to crawl to his feet.

The next second!

"Pfft!"

A large mouthful of dark red blood gushed from his mouth.

His arms, which had been supporting him, suddenly went limp. His entire body collapsed as if every bone had been pulled out, slumping bonelessly to the floor. His body twitched uncontrollably, each spasm accompanied by more blood spilling from his nose and mouth.

"Your path of martial arts ends here," Sun Jiaoyang said indifferently.

These words sent shockwaves through the gathered disciples.

"Senior Brother Sun!"

"What's going on?"

"Senior Brother Sun, get up!"

"Don't listen to his nonsense, what 'ends here'? Get up, Senior Brother Sun!"

Facing the cries of the crowd, Sun Ao remained like a pile of mud, lying there. Beyond twitching and vomiting blood, he couldn't even move a single finger.

Medical staff rushed forward to examine him.

"This... this? His meridians and bones are all shattered!"

"This is just a sparring match between fellow disciples, why use such a heavy hand?"

The words of the two medics ignited the fury of everyone present.

"Sun Jiaoyang, are you sick?"

"This is a friendly spar, yet you used such a vicious move!"

"He is your own brother, you beast!"

"Get out of the martial arts hall!"

Angry roars swept across the entire Martial Arts Arena.

Even Li He stood up abruptly, staring intently at Sun Jiaoyang.

Although he didn't share much camaraderie with Sun Ao—who often said inexplicable things like "hurry up and catch up to me" or "I acknowledge you as my rival"—seeing a fellow disciple he saw every day, a martial artist of exceptional talent, be so cruelly and thoroughly crippled in front of everyone, an indescribable rage surged into his heart.

Li He's eyes were no longer calm and ripple-free; they had become as sharp as blades!

On the stone platform.

Yuan Shan was incensed.

"Sun Jiaoyang, your methods are ruthless. In a spar between fellow disciples, you used such insidious and vicious force. Do you still hold the words 'martial virtue' in your eyes, or any sense of fellowship?"

Jin Wancai was so terrified his face had drained of all color, inwardly feeling fortunate that Sun Jiaoyang hadn't done such a thing to his own son.

Every meridian in his body was severed.

It wasn't that he couldn't be saved, but it would require a massive cost—even for someone like Jin Wancai, it would mean paying half his family fortune.

Below the stage, Sun Jiaoyang spoke calmly: "I said, if he dared to fight me, he would have to pay the price... What is it, Hall Master? Did I break the rules?"

Yuan Shan was left speechless.

In this era, with the monsters of the Abyss like a bone stuck in the throat, anything could happen during a duel between human martial artists. As long as no lives were taken, any injury could be repaired, so there was truly no such thing as a foul.

However, while the logic holds, emotionally speaking, this kind of behavior is very difficult for people to accept.

Sun Zhenhai spoke up: "Since it doesn't count as a foul, why not start the next match as soon as possible? Wouldn't you agree, Master Yuan Shan?"

At this moment, the entire arena fell into a deathly silence.

Sun Jiaoyang was the first to speak: "Indeed, please continue the match; I am in a hurry." He looked toward the disciple who had made it into the final four, who was now trembling uncontrollably.

Facing Sun Jiaoyang's gaze, the disciple's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, retching in nervousness.

"Trash." Sun Jiaoyang shook his head slightly.

Humiliation and fear weighed heavily on everyone's hearts. As the disciples watched Sun Jiaoyang's high-and-mighty posture, treating human life like blades of grass, a massive sense of powerlessness threatened to tear them apart.

On the stone platform.

Yuan Shan's face was also livid, his chest heaving violently, yet he was powerless to stop it.

Just then, a calm figure broke the deathly silence: "I'm in a hurry too, so let's just go straight to the finals."

Swish!

Everyone's gaze instantly converged.

Li He had stood up from the corner at some point. He walked out of the crowd step by step, his gait steady and powerful. His eyes were like torches, locked firmly onto Sun Jiaoyang in the center of the arena.

The fierce, surging battle intent beneath that calm exterior made the air around him ripple slightly.

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Skill: Ape Demon Three Styles: Minor Achievement (0%) → (5%)]

[Skill: Ape Demon Steps: Proficient (0%) → (4%)]

[Skill: Ape Demon Iron Body Technique: Minor Achievement (1%) → (2%)]

Under these circumstances, the Ape Demon martial arts within his body were actually operating on their own, rapidly increasing his proficiency.

Li He seemed oblivious to the changes in his system as he walked straight to the center of the arena and stood opposite Sun Jiaoyang.

The two were separated by only a few meters.

"Come, you and me, right now."

Li He's words carried an undeniable, wild arrogance.

After a brief moment of shock, a deafening roar erupted from the sidelines.

"Senior Brother Li, go for it!"

"Take him down, Senior Brother Li, avenge Senior Brother Sun!"

"Win some dignity for our martial arts hall, Senior Brother Li!"

The waves of sound swept through like a tsunami. Those disciples who had been gasping for air under the weight of despair and fear poured all their grief and indignation into their shouts.

On the stone platform, a sharp light erupted in Yuan Shan's eyes.

"Good! You have guts, Li He... Go and fight, have no worries, I will personally back you up!"

Jin Wancai sat up straight. Sun Zhenhai's gaze darted back and forth between Li He and Sun Jiaoyang, saying nothing.

Below the stage.

For the first time, Sun Jiaoyang's gaze truly landed on Li He.

"Your blood energy appears strong and solid, yet inside it is like a tree without roots. Fifth-grade aptitude?"

A hint of surprise entered his indifferent voice.

"Interesting."

That trace of surprise vanished in an instant, replaced by a deeper sense of amusement and a sliver of cold cruelty. A look of contempt curled the corners of his mouth: "Your courage is commendable, but unfortunately... it is merely foolish courage."

"The final begins!" Lin Feng shouted loudly.

He had already assumed that the other disciple had forfeited, immediately ringing the bell for this decisive battle.