Never-Ending Battle (Seeking Monthly Votes)

In the arena, Chen Yue's fist momentum grew increasingly heavy and majestic.

Zhou Jingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sharp as lightning, closely following every movement Chen Yue made.

"Transforming the strange into the orthodox... this kid isn't just learning, he's comprehending, creating a path suited to himself!"

Zhou Jingfeng's heart shook with indescribable shock. An ordinary genius could imitate seven or eight out of ten after seeing something once, which was already remarkable. But Chen Yue, upon first contact, had already begun trying to integrate his own learning into it, forming the prototype of a unique style.

Such comprehension, such talent!

Even with Zhou Jingfeng's steady temperament and vast experience, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly again. Taking on this disciple was truly a gift from heaven to Iron Mountain Hall!

After finishing a set of fist techniques that incorporated the essence of the Mountain-Crushing Art, Chen Yue slowly withdrew his stance. The surging blood and inner breath within his body gradually calmed.

He let out a long breath of turbid air, the white vapor shooting out like an arrow before dissipating a foot away. Chen Yue turned to look at Zhou Jingfeng, a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

"Good! Very good!"

Zhou Jingfeng did not stint on his praise, a smile spreading across his face as he clapped his hands. "Chen Yue, what you just performed has deeply grasped the fist intent of Mountain-Crushing. What's even more commendable is that you've integrated your own understanding and foundation, making the fist technique heavier and more solid.

From now on, follow this path and practice diligently. In time, you will surely achieve something!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Master!" Chen Yue also smiled, cupping his hands in salute.

"Are you tired? Do you need a moment to regulate your breath? If you're still in good condition, let Yu Kan demonstrate the Gale Saber Technique for you. Of course, there's no rush. In the path of cultivation, balancing tension and relaxation is more important."

Zhou Jingfeng now looked at Chen Yue with increasing satisfaction. The earlier thought of using three techniques to suppress his arrogance had long been cast aside.

Such an uncut jade, with its sharp edge and piercing spirit, was a good thing!

What he needed to do was guide this edge, turning it into a blade that could cut through all obstacles, rather than forcibly grinding it smooth.

"Master, your disciple..." Chen Yue was about to reply, but before he could finish.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Heavy knocking on the door rudely interrupted the conversation in the courtyard. The black-painted door trembled slightly in its frame.

"Sea Shark Gang, Xiong Wu! By order of the gang leader, I come to call on Hall Master Zhou!" A voice like rolling thunder pierced through the door, clearly reaching the courtyard.

"Sea Shark Gang?"

The gentle smile on Zhou Jingfeng's face instantly faded, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. How long had it been? The Sea Shark Gang moved quickly indeed.

His expression calm, he gave a slight nod to Ma Jun, who stood by the door.

Ma Jun was still immersed in the shock Chen Yue had given him. At the sound, he snapped to attention and quickly strode to the door, slowly pulling open the heavy black-painted gate.

As the door opened, a figure like an iron tower stepped into the courtyard of Iron Mountain Hall.

The man was over eight feet tall, with a rough face, thick brows, leopard-like eyes, and a face full of fierce flesh. A scar slanted from his left brow to the corner of his mouth, adding to his ferocity.

This was Xiong Wu, a notorious tough guy in the Sea Shark Gang, known for his violent temper.

Xiong Wu entered the courtyard, and his bell-like eyes instantly locked onto Chen Yue. Then, his gaze shifted to Zhou Jingfeng, who stood with his hands behind his back, and he cupped his fists in a perfunctory greeting.

"Hall Master Zhou, by order of Gang Leader Tang, I come to deliver a message."

Xiong Wu paused, then pointed at Chen Yue, his tone suddenly turning harsh. "This Pearl Diver today, for no reason, ran wild in the city, injuring several of my Sea Shark Gang brothers. Earlier, he even took the life of one of our men!

Such behavior, lawless and brutal, demands severe punishment to serve as a warning to others!"

Xiong Wu stared at Chen Yue, speaking each word deliberately. "Gang Leader Tang has decreed that, in consideration of Hall Master Zhou's mediation, he will show leniency. He only needs to follow me immediately back to the main hall, break one of his own arms in front of the brothers, and kowtow in apology. Then this matter will be settled."

Xiong Wu's words struck like iron spikes, hammering into the hearts of everyone in the courtyard.

Break his own arm and kowtow in apology?

This wasn't leniency; it was humiliation and cruel punishment! Not only would it cripple Chen Yue's martial future, but it would also trample his dignity into the dirt!

After hearing this, Zhou Jingfeng's face was completely expressionless.

"Hmph! What a fine Sea Shark Gang! What a grand display of power!"

Before Zhou Jingfeng could speak, Yu Kan, who stood by, was already furious. He stepped forward, blocking Chen Yue's side, and coldly shouted at Xiong Wu, "Without distinguishing right from wrong, you come to our door demanding someone break their arm? Are the rules of your Sea Shark Gang greater than the laws of the imperial court?

You know full well who was right and wrong in today's matter! If you want to take someone, first ask if I, Yu Kan, will allow it!"

Facing Yu Kan's interrogation, Xiong Wu didn't get angry. Instead, he grinned widely, revealing a mocking sneer.

"Brother Yu, why get so worked up?"

Xiong Wu's gaze passed over the furious Yu Kan and landed directly on the cold-faced Zhou Jingfeng. "Gang Leader Tang knows that Iron Mountain Hall has its own rules. So, he's also offered a second path."

He suddenly turned, his leopard eyes locking onto the silent Chen Yue. He licked his lips and sneered, "Let's settle it by the fairest method in the martial world!"

Xiong Wu raised his finger, pointing it straight at Chen Yue's nose, his voice rising sharply. "Sign a Life-and-Death Contract. On the arena, each man's fate is his own. No quarter, no end!

If he can walk off the platform alive, then today's debt is wiped clean. My Sea Shark Gang will have no further words! How about it, Hall Master Zhou? Isn't this choice fair enough? Hahaha!"

The moment the words "Life-and-Death Platform" were spoken, the atmosphere in the courtyard dropped to freezing point.

That was the most direct way to settle grudges in the martial world. Once on the platform, it was a fight to the death.

Xiong Wu's proposal clearly assumed that Chen Yue was young and shallow in cultivation, aiming to kill him on the platform in a seemingly legitimate way, both avenging the gang's loss and greatly boosting the Sea Shark Gang's reputation.

"Your nerve is truly considerable. To dare speak like that in my Iron Mountain Hall, right in front of me?"

Zhou Jingfeng's gaze was like two unsheathed icy blades, slowly scraping across Xiong Wu's coarse, fleshy face. His voice was not loud, yet it carried a heavy pressure, each word hammering into Xiong Wu's heart.

Xiong Wu felt Zhou Jingfeng's intangible oppressive force, a slight chill rising in his heart, but he represented the Sea Shark Gang and could not show weakness.

The flesh on Xiong Wu's face twitched as he clasped his fists once more toward Zhou Jingfeng, his tone still stubborn, yet he lowered his posture slightly:

"This Xiong would never dare show you the slightest disrespect! It's just that—"

Xiong Wu's words took a sharp turn as his finger pointed again at Chen Yue. "This brat is a Pearl Diver from Pearl Village! According to the rules of Hepu County, he has always been under the joint management of my Sea Shark Gang! Today, he injured several of my men. If my Sea Shark Gang turns a blind eye, how will we manage the other Pearl Divers in Pearl Village from now on?

Hall Master Zhou, you must also understand our difficulties!"

Faced with Xiong Wu's words, Zhou Jingfeng's face showed not a trace of fluctuation.

"Chen Yue has formally entered my tutelage. From this moment on, he is a man of my Iron Mountain Hall!"

At these words, the sneer on Xiong Wu's face instantly froze, and for the first time, his coarse features revealed a clear, visible shock.