Like a Mad Demon

Xiong Wu's eyes were nearly split apart as he mustered the last shred of his strength to fling his head backward, desperately trying to close the hair's breadth of distance.

But Chen Yue's step was too fast, too urgent—the death-dealing elbow swelled in his vision, and the shadow of doom instantly engulfed him completely.

"Ah!"

At the precipice of life and death, a guttural, beast-like howl of desperation tore from Xiong Wu's throat.

A flash of mad resolve flickered in his eyes. He clenched his teeth with all his might, and with a faint, almost imperceptible crack, his back molars seemed to crush something.

Then, Xiong Wu's right arm, which should have been powerless, suddenly swung up, intercepting Chen Yue's elbow strike.

"Boom!!!"

Chen Yue's elbow slammed solidly into the forearm of Xiong Wu's raised right arm. This impact was heavier and more muffled than any before, as if striking hardwood wrapped in cowhide.

"Crack!"

The sharp, piercing sound of bone breaking rang out again. Xiong Wu's forcibly raised right arm snapped cleanly at the forearm, the broken bone even piercing the flesh to reveal a stark white splinter as blood sprayed wildly.

The immense force lifted Xiong Wu off the ground, sending him flying backward over a zhang before he crashed heavily onto the arena's wooden floor with a thunderous thud, shaking the platform.

He curled up, clutching his utterly ruined right arm, letting out inhuman screams of agony. His face muscles twisted and contorted from the searing pain, sweat and blood mixing with dust, making him a pathetic sight—nothing like the arrogant figure who had stepped onto the stage moments ago.

"Good!"

"Well struck! Junior apprentice brother!"

Below the stage, Ma Jun and Yu Kan couldn't help but raise their arms and shout, their voices ringing across the venue. The others from Iron Mountain Hall were also invigorated, excitement blooming on their faces.

The hundreds of onlookers erupted into a massive uproar and gasps of surprise.

No one had expected that this life-or-death battle, which they thought would be a clash of titans or even favor the Sea Shark Gang, would turn into a one-sided slaughter within just a dozen breaths.

Both were in the Skin Refining Realm, yet the towering, fearsome Xiong Wu appeared utterly fragile before this unknown Pearl Diver youth.

Whether in reaction, speed, strength, or combat technique, he seemed outmatched by more than a notch! The gap in strength was simply too vast!

On the high platform, Gu Huaizhang's hand, which had been stroking his beard, had stopped at some point. His eyes gleamed with sharp light as he fixed his gaze on Chen Yue, who stood with his elbow poised, a storm of shock churning in his heart.

That precise grasp of opportunity, that agile yet powerful footwork, those explosive and controlled punches and kicks—all revealed an exceptionally solid foundation and superb martial skill.

"A Pearl Diver from Pearl Village... how could he train to such a level?"

Gu Huaizhang's mind was filled with questions, but also a glimmer of understanding. "No wonder Zhou Jingfeng, that old fox, was willing to tear ties with the Sea Shark Gang to protect this boy. With such talent and such a temperament, given time, he's bound to make his mark!

If I were in his shoes, I'd likely make the same choice. Taking some risks for this kid is absolutely worth it!"

In stark contrast to Iron Mountain Hall's and some neutral onlookers' excitement, the Sea Shark Gang's side was dead silent.

The sneers and mockery on the faces of dozens of gang members had vanished, replaced by stunned disbelief and a creeping unease.

They looked at Xiong Wu writhing in pain on the arena, then at the composed Chen Yue opposite him, and finally turned their gazes to their own gang leader.

Tang Qizheng's smile had long faded. His face was as dark as water, his narrow eyes glinting with cold light like a viper about to strike.

Xiong Wu's swift defeat had caught him off guard and bruised his pride. But there was no panic in his eyes—only a cold certainty.

"Worthless... but it ends here." Tang Qizheng sneered inwardly.

That crushed black pill was the true beginning of this life-or-death battle!

On the arena, Chen Yue pressed his advantage without mercy. He activated Treading Mountains and Rivers again, his form flickering as he closed in on Xiong Wu, who had yet to rise, like a ghost. His right fist shot out like lightning, aimed straight at Xiong Wu's unprotected throat.

A hit there would kill instantly, ending the fight.

But just as Chen Yue's fist was about to touch the bobbing Adam's apple, another change occurred!

Xiong Wu, who should have been dazed by the pain, suddenly snapped open his bloodshot eyes, locking onto Chen Yue inches away.

At the same time, thick, twisted veins bulged like earthworms across his face, neck, and exposed skin, writhing wildly in a horrifying display!

"Roar!"

A low growl tore from Xiong Wu's throat. Facing Chen Yue's killing blow, his intact left arm shot out with unbelievable speed, fingers hooked like claws, grabbing for Chen Yue's fist.

His speed and strength were a world apart from moments ago.

"Slap!"

Fist met palm with a dull impact.

Chen Yue felt as if he had struck a piece of red-hot iron. A violent force rebounded from Xiong Wu's palm, surging up his arm and stirring his qi and blood.

"Heh... heh... it's... my turn now!!!"

Xiong Wu's throat rasped like a broken bellows, his blood-red eyes locked onto Chen Yue, a cruel and insane grin twisting his face.

His left hand clamped down like iron pincers, tightening with that sudden, terrifying surge of power, trying to crush Chen Yue's fist.

At the same time, his right arm, which should have been completely useless, swung up like a painless whip, sweeping recklessly toward Chen Yue's ribs.

Bones ground together, blood sprayed freely, but Xiong Wu seemed oblivious, his eyes filled only with slaughter and destruction.

Chen Yue's brow furrowed sharply. Xiong Wu's state was utterly abnormal—the sudden spike in strength and speed, the complete disregard for pain, all reeked of something sinister.

A direct clash was far from the best move.

In a flash of thought, Chen Yue's captured right fist and wrist suddenly twisted and turned like a viper, executing the exquisite "Shedding Robe and Yielding Position" force-dissipating technique from the Mountain-Crushing Art, while his footwork shifted rapidly beneath him.

"Rip!"

The sleeve was torn by Xiong Wu's iron claws, but Chen Yue's fist had already slipped free like a loach.

At the same time, Chen Yue's body drifted backward like willow catkins swept by a gale, evading Xiong Wu's bloodied, sweeping severed arm in the narrowest margin.

The severed arm whistled past, grazing his robes, and hot, bloody droplets splattered across Chen Yue's face.

Chen Yue's figure had already reappeared over two zhang away, reopening the distance with the berserk Xiong Wu, his expression grave as he scrutinized his opponent's bizarre transformation.

"Dodge? You keep dodging, you bastard! Where's that swagger from before? Come on! Face me head-on! You lost your balls? Hahaha!"

Seeing Chen Yue retreat, Xiong Wu flipped up with a Black Dragon Coiling Pillar and let out a manic roar.

He took long strides, each step landing on the arena stage with a heavy, dull "thump, thump," like beating a drum, charging straight at Chen Yue.