Drill Fist Strikes the Abdomen (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

Gao Mingchang's face darkened—Chen Yuan's strength was truly not to be underestimated!

To be able to defeat Cao Yan so easily, even with the advantage in physical strength, was enough to demonstrate Chen Yuan's genuine prowess.

He himself would have to expend considerable effort to defeat Cao Yan; it would not be as effortless as it was for Chen Yuan.

No wonder this Chen Yuan dared to defy Yu Yan; it seemed he was confident and fearless, viewing the top spot as already being in his pocket.

What made him even more uncomfortable was that the sparring match between the two had lasted less than a minute, completely dashing his hopes of sitting back and reaping the rewards of their exhaustion.

"Next match, Xue Anping versus He Qing," Gu Ye's voice rang out at the opportune moment.

The two pairs of sparring matches were conducted in an alternating fashion, which happened to provide time for rest.

Sun Chengjie came to Chen Yuan's side, his face full of admiration: "Brother Chen, you are truly our pride. To defeat a Grade C-Lower opponent with Grade D-Upper qualifications so easily, and to display such gentlemanly conduct—look at Cao Yan, the way she looks at you is different now."

Chen Yuan looked over upon hearing this, just in time to see Cao Yan withdrawing her gaze, and he scolded with a smile:

"Don't talk nonsense. I was merely following the rules."

Sun Chengjie chuckled: "Brother Chen, you don't understand. Rules are rigid, but fists and feet have no eyes—how can one just hold back whenever they want? If that punch had landed, Cao Yan wouldn't have been able to continue the competition. She must be feeling grateful toward you; if you don't believe me, you can go ask to borrow some silver from her later."

He had seen it clearly: both those bastards Yu Yan and Gao Mingchang did not care for Chen Yuan, and only Cao Yan was someone with whom a good relationship could be cultivated.

Otherwise, Brother Chen might have a hard time getting by in the Gu Family in the future.

Chen Yuan shook his head with a smile: "Whether she is grateful to me or not has nothing to do with me. Watch their sparring carefully; don't tell me you want to end up at the bottom?"

The two said no more and cast their eyes toward the two sparring in the courtyard.

Although Xue Anping's strength was a cut above, He Qing dared not slack off in the slightest, nor did he dare to hold back his strength to save it for subsequent battles.

He had to show his full strength in front of the Gu Family; even if he lost, he had to lose gracefully so that he wouldn't be eliminated!

This match dragged on for a full seven or eight minutes before Xue Anping caught the opening when He Qing's blood-energy became unstable and he slowed by a beat, deciding the outcome with a single strike.

Seeing this, Sun Chengjie breathed a sigh of relief.

With He Qing's strength so depleted, his own chances of winning the next match were high.

Although it was a bit of an unglamorous victory, luck was also a part of strength; there were always those who were unlucky.

Unless one's strength could override the disadvantages brought by bad luck, just like Chen Yuan in the other group.

A few more minutes passed, and it was time for the third sparring match.

"Brother Chen, good luck," Sun Chengjie said, clenching his fist.

Chen Yuan nodded and walked into the courtyard.

Gao Mingchang stood firm on the opposite side, his expression having calmed down.

During the previous interval, he had adjusted his state. Chen Yuan was immune to Yu Yan's pressure and possessed formidable strength. Since the arrow was already on the bowstring, it had to be fired; there was no opportunity for underhanded tactics.

Therefore, the only option was a head-on battle!

When necessary, he would strike ruthlessly and attack where his opponent was unprepared.

"Six Harmonies Mind Boxing, Chen Yuan," Chen Yuan said, cupping his hands in a salute before assuming the Eagle Catch stance.

"Through-Arm Boxing, Gao Mingchang," Gao Mingchang returned the salute, similarly adopting the starting stance of Through-Arm Boxing.

As soon as his voice fell, his expression sank, and he launched the first attack.

Through-Arm Boxing emphasized "extending long to strike from afar," using the waist and back to generate force, with arms like whips—cold, snappy, and fast.

He stomped his right foot hard against the ground, his entire body lunging like an ape extending its arm. His right palm's five fingers closed into a pointed fist, his arm stretched to its limit, whistling through the air as it drove straight toward Chen Yuan's face.

This move was called "Palm-Piercing Path-Finding," using length to control shortness, with the intent of seizing the initiative.

Whoosh—

Before the fist arrived, the force of the wind already brushed against his face.

Chen Yuan's gaze narrowed, but he did not retreat.

Six Harmonies Mind Boxing: step into the center gate to seize the position.

He stepped forward half a step with his left foot, his body slightly angled, and his left arm swept out from across his chest—Horizontal Fist, belonging to the Earth element in the Five Elements, specialized in neutralizing linear, forceful attacks.

Clap!

His forearm met Gao Mingchang's wrist, emitting a crisp sound.

Gao Mingchang felt as if his punch had struck a tightened steel cable; his force was deflected at an angle, and his entire arm slid outward involuntarily.

What a rigid horizontal force! Gao Mingchang felt a chill in his heart, but he did not panic.

He used the momentum to pivot his body, his left arm already whipping out like the tip of a lash. His five fingers gathered into a Bone-Piercing Fist, driving straight toward Chen Yuan's ribs.

This move, "Shoulder-Flinging Wrist-Shaking," was the signature technique of Through-Arm Boxing—both cold and snappy, with a tricky angle.

Chen Yuan brought his right arm down from across his chest—Splitting Fist, like an axe splitting wood, rising like a drill and falling like a flip.

Bang!

Fist and arm collided, a dull thud echoing like a beating drum.

Gao Mingchang's Bone-Piercing Fist was forcibly deflected, sliding past the lapel of Chen Yuan's clothes.

Chen Yuan took advantage of the momentum to step forward, his right fist erupting from the center—Half-Step Crushing Fist!

Gao Mingchang's pupils constricted. He hurriedly retreated to defend, crossing his arms and pressing down to seal the path of the Crushing Fist.

As fist met arm, a spiraling, twisting force drilled through his forearm, numbing the web of his hand and forcing him to stumble back three steps.

"What an overbearing Crushing Fist!"

Gao Mingchang gritted his teeth to steady himself, his heart filled with shock and anger.

He had already unleashed several moves, yet each one was suppressed. Chen Yuan's defense was like a rock, his counterattacks like thunder; there was simply no flaw to be found.

What made him even more anxious was that he needed to conserve strength for his next match; he could not afford a war of attrition with Chen Yuan.

With a shift in thought, Gao Mingchang stopped holding back.

He took a deep breath, channeled power from his waist and back, and swung his arms like windmill blades, palms flying—Throwing Palm, Slapping Palm, Splitting Palm, Piercing Palm—the four major techniques of Through-Arm Boxing unleashed in succession.

The wind of his palms whistled, his offensive continuous and relentless, like a driving rainstorm.

Yet, Chen Yuan moved through the flurry of palms with ease.

His footwork was subtle, his heels dragging like a plow, each step landing precisely in the gap where the Through-Arm Boxing's old force had spent itself and the new had yet to emerge.

Splitting Fist broke the Splitting Palm, Drill Fist broke the Piercing Palm, Horizontal Fist blocked the Throwing Palm, and Crushing Fist countered the Slapping Palm—the Five Elements Boxing flowed freely in his hands, generating and overcoming each other, each move a perfect response.

Gao Mingchang grew increasingly alarmed as they fought.

He had already thrown twenty or thirty strikes, yet Chen Yuan's breathing remained as steady as before, not even a drop of sweat on his brow.

That expressionless face seemed to be asking—is that all?

"Impossible! He is only of Grade D-Upper talent, how can he suppress me like this!"

A flash of malice appeared in Gao Mingchang's eyes.

He suddenly feinted with his right palm, slashing toward Chen Yuan's face. The moment Chen Yuan raised his arm to block, his left arm suddenly elongated—he pushed the "extend and strike from afar" characteristic of Through-Arm Boxing to its limit, his five fingers hooking like claws, aiming straight for Chen Yuan's eyes!

Whoosh—

This move was extremely vicious and unexpected; it was no longer the way of a friendly spar, but a lethal strike intended to blind his opponent.

Outside the ring, Gu Ye and Huang Yan frowned.

If this strike landed, Chen Yuan would be crippled.

The attack was far too ruthless.

Sun Chengjie's heart tightened as well, breaking into a cold sweat for Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan's gaze, however, turned icy.

He finally retreated, but only by half a step. His Rock-Solid Stance Technique remained as steady as Mount Tai, his three points aligned to guard his center.

Then, his right arm rose, his five fingers snapping out from bottom to top like iron pincers—Eagle Catch!

Crack!

Gao Mingchang's wrist was clamped firmly, just three inches from Chen Yuan's eyes.

His face changed drastically. He tried to pull his hand back, but Chen Yuan's fingers were like iron bands, unmoving.

"You—"

Before he could finish, Chen Yuan's left fist, which had been guarding his chest, moved.

It was the Drill Fist of the Six Harmonies Mind Boxing, belonging to the Water element of the Five Elements—like waves crashing against the shore, spiraling and drilling upward.

He pushed off the ground with his left foot, the force rising from his heel, his waist and spine twisting to generate power. His left fist rotated inward like a drill bit, palm facing upward, thrusting out from bottom to top!

Woo—

The fist tip tore through the air, emitting a dull whistle.

The air was shredded by the spiraling force, producing a sharp, piercing hiss.

Gao Mingchang wanted to dodge, but his right hand was locked and his center was wide open. Chen Yuan's fist wind had him firmly trapped—there was nowhere to hide.

Bang!

With a dull thud, the Drill Fist landed solidly on Gao Mingchang's lower abdomen.

For this punch, Chen Yuan used the "close-body rolling" force.

The moment his fist touched the skin, the spiraling force did not explode outward to blast him away; instead, it penetrated layer by layer like a wave, drilling straight into his internal organs.

Gao Mingchang's eyes bulged and his mouth hung wide open, but he couldn't even let out a scream.

He felt a twisting, rotating force drill through his stomach like an electric drill, exploding deep within his lower abdomen.

His intestines felt as if they had been viciously wrung by an invisible hand, and the sour bile in his stomach surged up his throat.

Pfft—

He was lifted three feet into the air by the punch, his body curling into the shape of a shrimp before crashing heavily onto the brick floor, kicking up a circle of dust.

He curled up on the ground, clutching his lower abdomen, his face as pale as paper.

On his clothes, right over his abdomen, a fist print remained—a spiral wrinkle shaped like a drill bit, the fabric itself seemingly deformed by the sheer force of the blow.

He wanted to scream, but no sound could escape his throat; he could only open his mouth and convulse in silence.

Every breath felt like a knife churning within his lower abdomen, and cold sweat rolled down his forehead in beads the size of soybeans.

The arena was deathly silent.

Sun Chengjie let out a long breath, looking at Gao Mingchang, who lay on the ground with a twisted expression, and felt an incomparable sense of satisfaction.

Told you to go for the eyes, now look at the retribution you've brought upon yourself!

Huang Yan stepped forward quickly, leaning down to examine Gao Mingchang's injuries, his expression hardening—there were no visible external wounds, but his internal organs had been shaken.

He would need at least ten days to half a month to recover.

He looked up, cast a deep glance at Chen Yuan, and slowly announced:

"This match, Chen Yuan wins."