"Since none of you believe me, how about we settle this with a fight?"
Yang Chen's calm voice rang throughout the room. Even Chen Tianxin couldn't help taking another look at him, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Gui Xing was a genuine Grandmaster-level expert! Forget Yang Chen claiming he was half a step from becoming a Grandmaster—even a true Grandmaster might not be able to gain an advantage against Gui Xing.
After all, Gui Xing was one of the most formidable among Grandmasters.
Had Yang Chen gotten so angry that he'd lost his mind?
Elder Wang was just as suspicious.
Anyone would have thought he'd know better than to lose his composure like this. Could this kid really have some tricks up his sleeve?
But the Grandmaster Realm was an insurmountable divide. Even an S-Class peak esper couldn't withstand a single move from a Grandmaster—not even one who had only just entered the Grandmaster Realm!
Shan Shou glanced at Yang Chen, then continued staring at the floor, as if none of this had anything to do with him.
"Giggle, you're pretty confident, little brother!" Meng Yao covered her mouth and giggled softly.
She swayed her hips, radiating endless allure.
"Heh heh. There's always someone who wants to challenge a Grandmaster's might. Today, I'll show you exactly what a Grandmaster can do!"
Gui Xing let out a strange laugh. His whole body immediately blurred, as if he'd merged into the shadows. With the naked eye, it was almost impossible to see him.
In an instant, a bone-chilling aura spread from Gui Xing's body, and the temperature around them plunged to an extreme low!
Wang Teng, standing beside Yang Chen, began shivering uncontrollably, as if he could barely endure the cold. He started circulating his cultivation.
Only then did he feel a little better.
Yang Chen narrowed his eyes slightly and twitched a finger.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
An endless sea of flames surged up around Yang Chen. The freezing aura was immediately forced back, and the rest was burned away by the scorching heat.
Chen Tianxin smiled faintly, then swept out a hand and pulled Wild Wolf and Wang Teng aside. He followed by sending out streams of spiritual energy, trapping Gui Xing and Yang Chen inside.
"Gentlemen, this isn't the outdoors. If you break anything, you'll have to pay for it. So take your time playing inside the barrier!"
Chen Tianxin's voice rang through the barrier.
"Heh heh. I'm only dealing with a kid. There's no need for Grandmaster Chen's barrier. It'll be over in the time it takes to breathe!"
Gui Xing smiled faintly. A green glow flickered in his hollow eye sockets. Then, behind him, the shadow of a fierce ghost appeared in an instant.
The moment the ghost appeared, a terrifying pressure burst forth, as heavy as a mountain emerging from the void.
Gui Xing looked at Yang Chen, mockery in his eyes.
Did he really think that having an A-Class ability made him a match for Gui Xing? What a ridiculous notion!
But the next moment, Gui Xing's expression changed.
As time passed, Yang Chen stood calmly amid the flames, like a sovereign in their midst, with every fire paying homage to him!
"That's it?"
Yang Chen's eyes darkened slightly. Then a terrifying surge of power erupted from his lean frame.
Boom! Boom!
His qi and blood surged, forming what seemed like countless crimson dragons hovering around his body. A powerful aura burst outward!
"What is this—"
Elder Wang abruptly lifted his bowed head. A hint of surprise flashed in his cloudy eyes.
"Grandmaster Body!"
Below S-Class, espers advanced by drawing spiritual energy into their dantians, strengthening their bodies and enhancing their abilities.
But upon entering the Grandmaster Realm, the body underwent a qualitative leap. Though it was still a mortal body, it had been developed to its absolute limit—every last percent of its potential.
A Grandmaster-level expert could kill any opponent below the Grandmaster Realm in an instant, even without using spiritual energy!
The power Yang Chen had just unleashed with his body had clearly reached the Grandmaster Realm!
Terrifying!
If anyone still doubted whether Yang Chen was half a step from becoming a Grandmaster, they'd have to be blind.
If someone with a Grandmaster Body couldn't be considered a Grandmaster, then no one could.
Still, there was something strange about Yang Chen.
His spiritual cultivation—or rather, his ability rank—was only A-Class, barely on par with Wild Wolf. But his physical body had already reached the Grandmaster Realm!
This was the first time anyone had seen such an oddity among espers on Earth!
Gui Xing's expression gradually turned solemn, and a cold glint appeared in his skull-like eyes.
Yang Chen had earned his recognition, but Gui Xing still didn't want to let things end there. After all, Yang Chen was technically his junior, and Gui Xing found himself wanting to test the young man's strength.
Gui Xing licked his lips. "Come on. Let me see just how far your Grandmaster Body has developed!"
"As you wish!"
Yang Chen smiled faintly, then shot forward. Afterimages trailed behind him as he moved. In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Gui Xing. Thick flames covered his fist, and a burst of firelight radiated scorching heat.
"Fire, rise!"
Whoosh!
Orange-red flames burst from Yang Chen's fist, shining brilliantly. In the next instant, they landed on Gui Xing's face.
But just as a faint smile began to form on Yang Chen's face, his expression stiffened.
It was as if something had seized his hand and pinned it in place. The flames went out, leaving behind a plume of smoke.
Yang Chen took a closer look and saw that a ghostly apparition had appeared at some point. Its bone-white arm had grabbed him, and the chilling aura surrounding it had forcibly extinguished his flames.
"How is this possible?!"
Yang Chen's pupils contracted. His power had always been unstoppable, but now his opponent seemed far stronger than he was. His strength felt insignificant against him.
Just then, Gui Xing slowly emerged from the shadows. A bone-chilling aura emanated from his skeletal frame. He parted his lips and smiled.
But to Yang Chen, that smile was filled with such coldness that it sent a shiver down his spine.
"Kid, not bad. You do have the strength of someone half a step from becoming a Grandmaster. You could even call yourself the strongest below the Grandmaster Realm. But compared to a true Grandmaster, you're still a little too weak. If your ability were S-Class, even some experts who had just entered the Grandmaster Realm might not be able to take you down!"
"But now..."
Gui Xing let out a strange laugh. "I'm no ordinary Grandmaster!"
As he spoke, the ghost gripping Yang Chen's arm seemed to go mad. Endless streams of white vapor billowed from its body, as if even the air were freezing over.
Yang Chen panted heavily. Even breathing had become difficult, and his chest heaved. A defiant will burst forth in his eyes.
"So what if you're a Grandmaster?!"
Yang Chen gritted his teeth, and flames burst forth again. Faint streaks of purple shimmered within the orange-red fire, and the heat grew scorching.
Break!
Whoosh!
"Oh? You still have strength left? Then let me crush it!"
Gui Xing raised an eyebrow. Admiration appeared in his eyes, but he felt that young people needed to be knocked down a peg—especially a genius like Yang Chen, who had become so powerful at such a young age.
With a little polishing, Yang Chen would soon enter the Grandmaster Realm. After a few more years of honing his strength, he might even reach Chen Tianxin's level!
But for now, he was just a genius who hadn't fully matured.
Heh heh!
The ghost shrieked. Its bony hands thrust forward and jabbed Yang Chen in the soft spot, and a wave of weakness spread through his body.
Gui Xing's technique was skillful. By striking Yang Chen's weak point, he could temporarily rob him of his ability to fight without injuring him.
The flames covering Yang Chen's body immediately died out. He collapsed to the ground like a heap of dead flesh, yet a trace of unwillingness still lingered in his eyes.
A wave of weakness had washed over his body, but his spirit was more fired up than ever.
But without control of his body, none of that mattered!
Gui Xing slowly walked up to Yang Chen, then leaned close and said, "Kid, you're impressive. Maybe you could become my disciple!"
"Gui Xing, what are you doing? I had my eye on him first. Are you trying to steal my disciple from me?!"
The displeased voice belonged to Meng Yao!
Her beautiful eyes were full of wariness as she watched Gui Xing, and a faint trace of spiritual energy surfaced around her.
She looked ready to fight at the slightest provocation!
Gui Xing's expression changed at once. He said sternly, "You all kept quiet before, and now you bring this up? Isn't that a little unfair? I've been alone for most of my life. What's wrong with me taking my first disciple now?"
Gui Xing released a brilliant burst of icy light and stared straight at Meng Yao!
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