Stone-Splitting Palm (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

On the panel, the progress of Six Harmonies Mind Boxing surged upward, climbing all the way to 279/500, nearly catching up to the progress of the Rock-Solid Stance Technique.

At the same time, waves of realization flooded his mind, engraving themselves into his muscle memory as if he had lived through an extra lifetime of experience.

Chen Yuan clenched his fists, his confidence soaring.

If his certainty in coming to challenge them had been ninety percent before, it was now ninety-nine!

Arriving at Huo Academy, Chen Yuan finished his breakfast and warmed up with two sets of stance techniques before walking over to Tao Ping.

Tao Ping stopped what he was doing and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Sorry to trouble you, Senior Brother." Chen Yuan cupped his fists.

The two of them, dressed in their Huo Academy training uniforms, walked out of the academy.

"Brother Chen, heading out for something?" Sun Chengjie, who was in the middle of practicing his boxing, couldn't help but ask when he saw them.

Chen Yuan nodded slightly. "A bit of private business."

Seeing Chen Yuan's calm expression, Sun Chengjie didn't pry further.

He still remembered how Chen Yuan had helped him deal with the ambush, so if Chen Yuan ever ran into trouble, he would do his best to help.

The two crossed several long streets and finally arrived before the main gate of Kaishan Martial Hall.

A plaque hung above, inscribed with the four characters "Kaishan Martial Hall" in a bold, sweeping calligraphy that looked quite imposing.

The main gate was wide open. Looking inside from the street, one could see a spacious courtyard where plum blossom stakes were planted in the ground, and stone locks, sabers, spears, swords, and halberds were arranged in the corners.

A large group of energetic disciples were shouting as they practiced; at a glance, there must have been thirty or forty of them.

It was far more impressive than a private martial hall like Huo Academy.

Furthermore, it was said that this hall was divided into an inner and outer courtyard, with the inner courtyard disciples being initiated martial artists who could form a formidable force.

"What brings you two here?" A disciple guarding the gate glanced at the Huo Academy uniforms worn by Chen Yuan and his companion and asked indifferently.

Tao Ping smiled slightly. "My junior brother here would like to pay a visit to challenge your members, a friendly exchange of martial arts. Would that be possible?"

As he spoke, he slightly revealed the surging blood energy within him.

The scorching blood energy made even Chen Yuan startle; Senior Brother Tao usually kept a low profile, but he was finally showing the tip of the iceberg.

The disciple was intimidated, subconsciously taking a step back before hurriedly cupping his hands. "Please wait a moment, Senior Brother. I will go fetch Senior Brother Hong."

Before long, a burly man walked over to meet them, smiling.

"So it is Brother Tao Ping. My junior brother here is ignorant of etiquette, I hope you will forgive him. Please, come inside."

Tao Ping waved his hand slightly. "It is no matter. We arrived suddenly and have caused a disturbance; I hope Brother Hong Tao will not take offense."

After Chen Yuan cupped his fists in greeting, he followed the two into Kaishan Martial Hall, immediately feeling various gazes cast upon him.

Most were curious, but quite a few held hostility.

His eyes swept across the crowd and finally locked onto his prey: Chen Kai, who was hiding under a pavilion chatting with a few disciples. He watched him quietly.

Chen Kai, whose attention had been scattered while chatting, had noticed his half-brother the moment Chen Yuan spotted him.

His expression was incredibly complex—shock, confusion, and finally, a hint of dread.

Chen Kai suddenly recalled yesterday's events: his parents had returned empty-handed, and his father had even been beaten up. He was instantly consumed by rage, even contemplating going to intercept Chen Yuan himself.

He never expected Chen Yuan to show up at Kaishan Martial Hall at a time like this!

Was it a coincidence?

No... clearly not!

Watching the calm-faced Chen Yuan, fear began to spread within him, and his body trembled slightly.

His mother had said that Chen Yuan had threatened to cripple him if he provoked him again...

Chen Yuan... he had really come for him!

And following the fear, a more intense surge of rage suddenly flared up.

"Is this the junior brother who wishes to issue a challenge? May I ask your current strength? Do you have a specific opponent in mind?" After a few polite exchanges, Hong Tao looked Chen Yuan up and down and asked directly.

Chen Yuan cupped his fists. "Reporting to Senior Brother, I am Chen Yuan. I am currently in the stage of nourishing blood energy and have yet to break through the Skin Barrier. My talent is top-tier Grade D, and I have been at Huo Academy for over a month and a half. I wish to challenge Chen Kai of your hall."

Hong Tao raised an eyebrow slightly. He hadn't even reached the Skin Barrier and he was already issuing challenges?

It seemed like a petty affair, and by naming Chen Kai specifically, there must be some personal grudge.

However, he didn't care about personal grievances; since it was in the name of a formal challenge, it had to be done according to the rules.

Hong Tao turned to look for Chen Kai, only to see him already walking over, seething with anger.

He said sharply, "Senior Brother, I will fight him!"

His eyes were fixed on Chen Yuan, as if he wanted to tear him apart.

Hong Tao nodded slightly. Chen Kai was also top-tier Grade D, and their time since initiation was similar, so it fit the rules.

The outer courtyard disciples, always eager to watch a spectacle, quickly scattered to clear a space for the two.

Hong Tao stood to the side to preside, saying, "This is a formal challenge, a meeting of friends through martial arts. Stop once the point is made; do not use lethal force. Now, both parties, please touch fists."

Taking advantage of the brief moment their fists collided, Chen Kai lowered his voice to offer a "kind" greeting:

"Chen Yuan! You really are a piece of trash! You even dare to strike your own father! And now you have the nerve to show up here and challenge me, trying to make me lose face in front of everyone? You're nothing but an animal! But don't get too full of yourself; I'm going to teach you how to behave!"

He did not fear Chen Yuan.

They both possessed Grade D aptitude, but last month, Chen Yuan had only received one tael and five mace of silver for nutritional supplements, and he was training at the inferior Huo Academy.

In all three aspects, he was superior to Chen Yuan!

Even though Chen Yuan's funding had increased to five taels this month, allowing for four taels of nutritional and medicinal supplements, he did not believe Chen Yuan could catch up to him.

Now, he would use absolute force to crush Chen Yuan and make him understand the meaning of bringing humiliation upon oneself!

He would vent his father's anger and make his mother proud.

This was also a golden opportunity to make a name for himself at the Kaishan Martial Hall; perhaps he could even earn the appreciation of the Hall Master!

A hint of excitement flickered within his vicious gaze; he was determined to thoroughly trample this stepping stone that had delivered itself to his doorstep.

"Your confidence is impressive," Chen Yuan commented indifferently.

His only worry had been that Chen Kai might turn into a Battle-Shy Lizard, but the fact that he had jumped out on his own saved him quite a bit of trouble; the provocation tactics he had prepared were no longer needed.

As for harsh words, he would let his fists do the talking.

During this short period of preparation, the history of the feud between Chen Kai and Chen Yuan had already spread through the mouths of the disciples familiar with Chen Kai.

Naturally, it was Chen Kai's embellished version.

For instance, that Chen Yuan was a heartless, ungrateful wretch who had severed ties with the Chen Family—the family that raised him—for no reason other than to live a carefree life.

For instance, that his mother had once gone to reconcile with Chen Yuan, only to be met with vicious insults and threats that if she dared to seek him out again, he would kill Chen Kai.

For instance, that yesterday, his father—who was also Chen Yuan's father—had personally gone to the Huo Academy to find him, only to be subjected to extreme, biting humiliation and beaten by that animal, Chen Yuan.

As these stories passed from mouth to mouth, the group of hot-blooded men instantly developed a sense of disgust toward Chen Yuan, who stood in the center of the ring.

Such a heartless, unrighteous animal deserved to be beaten to death!

One by one, they filled with righteous indignation, cheering Chen Kai on.

"Go, Chen Kai! Beat that dog to death!"

"Don't let him surrender! Beat him until he's half-dead!"

For a moment, the crowd was in an uproar.

Chen Kai's morale soared instantly, his fighting spirit reaching a fever pitch.

With so many people on his side, what was there to fear? Justice would prevail!

Chen Yuan remained expressionless.

He had expected to be playing an away game; this was no different from trash talk in the NBA.

He just needed to use his strength to make them shut up.

Hong Tao said nothing; this situation was beyond his control. He cleared his throat twice and said:

"After announcing your names and styles, the match may begin."

Inside the ring, after putting some distance between them, the two announced their names and martial arts.

"Six Harmonies Mind Boxing, Chen Yuan."

"Stone-Splitting Palm, Chen Kai."