Cloud-Parting Palm!

Regardless of how angry these students were, Xia Ping defeated his opponents in the third and fourth matches with a single punch, just as he had before. They were all Martial Apprentice Fifth Heaven students, and they couldn't even withstand a single second of his assault.

Just like that, Xia Ping advanced directly into the top sixteen.

Beep, beep.

At this moment, the system's notification sound arrived: "Congratulations to the Host for attracting a large amount of hatred. You have gained 453 Hatred Points this time. I hope the Host will continue to work hard."

Xia Ping's eyes flashed: "453 Hatred Points? Adding that to what I had before, doesn't that mean I can now exchange for the first level of the Northern Underworld Body Protection Art?"

"Yes, Host. Would you like to exchange now?" the system asked.

Xia Ping nodded: "Exchange it." He wanted to see just how miraculous this cultivation technique truly was.

Rumble~

In an instant, a warm current surged through his body, and a grand, majestic voice seemed to echo in his mind: "In the Northern Underworld, there is a fish, and its name is Kun. The Kun is so vast, no one knows how many thousands of miles it spans. It transforms into a bird, and its name is Peng. The back of the Peng is so vast, no one knows how many thousands of miles it spans. When it rages and takes flight, its wings are like clouds hanging from the sky..."

Line after line of the technique's incantations flowed through his mind, and countless profound and mysterious insights merged into his body. He felt as if he had instinctively mastered the cultivation method of this Northern Underworld Body Protection Art.

"Is this... is this the Northern Underworld Body Protection Art?" Xia Ping's eyes flickered. He felt that as he circulated this mysterious technique, the true qi within his body surged. A thin layer of true qi shield appeared on the surface of his skin, covering every corner of his body like flowing water, emitting strange and beautiful ripples.

Just from this layer of true qi shield, he felt that his defensive power was incredibly strong. It seemed that even if a laser firearm were to strike his body, its power would be weakened significantly.

If he reached a truly profound realm, he estimated he could even remain unscathed if bombarded by missiles.

"However, I won't know the true power of this technique without testing it out." Xia Ping rubbed his chin. "Right, the next match is the top sixteen. Why not try this technique out then?"

Half an hour later, the venue was cleared. Only sixteen massive arenas remained, while the others had been moved away. Now, after a morning of duels, the school's top sixteen list had been finalized.

Xia Ping stood on the arena, and his opponent was not like the small fry from before. Everyone who could enter the top sixteen possessed the strength to rank in the school's top ten.

His opponent this time was named Tao Liang, a powerhouse at the Martial Apprentice Sixth Heaven. He practiced the intermediate martial art, Cloud-Parting Palm, and was a martial artist said to be no less capable than Zhou Tai'an.

"Tao Yun, I heard your strength is no less than Zhou Tai'an's?" Xia Ping asked, addressing Tao Yun.

Suddenly, Tao Yun felt a bit flattered. This guy never spoke to his opponents when he got on the arena; he would just solve things with a single punch, fierce to an absurd degree. Now, he was actually speaking to him, and even calling him by his name?!

For some reason, he felt his heart flutter, and he hurriedly shouted in a panic: "What? What?! Yes, it is no less than Zhou Tai'an's, do you have a problem with that? It's not like I said it myself, everyone says so."

By the end, his voice trailed off, sounding quite lacking in confidence.

He couldn't help it; it was all because Xia Ping was too brutal. Even a powerhouse like Zhou Tai'an had been beaten into such a state that he wasn't even a match for a single punch from this kid.

It was said that Zhou Tai'an had already been sent to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, with thirteen broken ribs and severe internal injuries; he wouldn't be able to get out of bed for at least a month.

Even though he had considerable confidence and believed his own strength didn't lose to Zhou Tai'an's, he still lacked confidence when facing this unreasonable Xia Ping.

Seeing Tao Yun's timid, submissive look, Xia Ping was left speechless. It looked as if he were the big bad wolf bullying a little rabbit. He waved his hand and said, "Don't be afraid, I won't bully you. It's just that defeating an enemy with a single punch is truly too boring; it doesn't interest me at all."

"How about this: I'll stand here without moving. You come and hit me. As long as you can knock me off the arena, you win."

He stated his decision.

What?!

Tao Yun was dumbfounded, unable to understand what Xia Ping meant. What was this guy saying? He was actually telling him to beat him up while standing perfectly still? Was this kid crazy?

He didn't understand, but the surrounding audience understood perfectly, and they all erupted into an uproar.

"My god, Xia Ping is trying to defy the heavens."

"Standing there without moving and letting his opponent hit him? Just how arrogant can he get?"

"He's only at the Martial Apprentice Fifth Heaven, yet he dares to be this cocky in front of a Martial Apprentice Sixth Heaven opponent?!"

"Since he wants to die, let's grant his wish."

"The guy has a death wish; his brain must be turned to mush. Does he really think he's a Martial Artist realm expert?"

"Standing there without moving? He'll probably be crippled by a single punch."

"Tao Yun, finish him off! Take advantage of this while his brain is overheated; this is a great opportunity."

"Defeating a fool might not be a glorious victory, but since it's Xia Ping, it doesn't matter. Who told him to be so punchable?"

The students were in an uproar, all of them furious. This kid had come up with a new way to look down on people. Before, he would defeat and humiliate his enemies with a single punch.

Now? He couldn't even be bothered to move his fists and was letting his opponent hit him.

His classmates in Class 16 of Grade 12, including Gao Wan and Yang Wei, were also stunned. They felt the kid had lost his mind. Even if one were arrogant, there had to be a limit. Just how much could he look down on others?

"Y-you, are you serious?"

Tao Yun looked at Xia Ping with suspicion. Could this be a trap? Even though he said he would stand still, he might just be waiting for him to attack before striking back.

Xia Ping said impatiently, "Are you going to hit me or not? If you don't, I'll hit you and break five of your ribs." He stared at Tao Yun with a fierce expression.

He had been threatened!

Tao Yun was scared to death, his face turning pale. He nodded repeatedly: "I'll hit, I'll hit right now."

At this moment, the referee announced the start.

With a boom, Tao Yun immediately rushed forward and struck with his palm, executing the first form of the Cloud-Parting Palm, Flowing Water Moving Clouds. The air surged like flowing water, generating terrifying power.

Xia Ping stood his ground, hands behind his back, remaining completely motionless.

"He's really standing there without moving, letting me hit him?"

Seeing this, Tao Yun was overjoyed.

If that was the case, he definitely had a chance to win this time. After all, he was a Martial Apprentice Sixth Heaven powerhouse! How could he not win against a Martial Apprentice Fifth Heaven who wouldn't even move?!

Since the other party was asking for a beating, he couldn't be blamed.

He struck with his palm, slamming it heavily into Xia Ping's body. The power of the Cloud-Parting Palm erupted instantly, producing a sound like a morning bell or an evening drum. The entire arena seemed to tremble from the force of the blow, echoing with a loud roar.