Epiphany

Zhang Feihong's decision had been sound.

If their strengths had been close, he really could have defeated Chen Fan with that style of fighting!

However, he had underestimated Chen Fan's strength.

Though Chen Fan lacked real combat experience, he had mastered many martial arts and possessed powerful qi and blood. His strength far surpassed Zhang Feihong's.

As Chen Fan unleashed the moves of Wind-Thunder Palm, his palm techniques were fierce and sharp, blocking every one of Zhang Feihong's sneak attacks!

At first, his lack of battle experience made him somewhat rushed. Though he felt some pressure, he gradually steadied himself.

Bang!!

After more than a dozen exchanges, Chen Fan, who had been forcing Zhang Feihong back, suddenly stopped. His expression abruptly changed.

A flash of wild joy crossed his face, and his eyes burned brightly.

He casually struck out with Wind-Thunder Palm, repeatedly practicing the Wind-Thunder Palm that he had yet to fully master and using it against his opponent.

His palm techniques actually became more refined with each move, increasingly smooth and powerful!

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Fan's eyes. The Wind-Thunder Palm in his hands suddenly became far more formidable, its palm wind rumbling like thunder—swift and fierce.

Three thunderous palms landed on Zhang Feihong's body, sending him straight off the arena.

"I won!"

Meng Qi shouted excitedly!

At the same time, quite a few people noticed Chen Fan's final state.

Yet none of them understood what it was, and few took it to heart.

Su Qingyang felt bitter inside and could not help thinking:

The instructor said Chen Fan's talent in practicing White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm was inferior to mine. But he already knew martial arts before joining, and perhaps he obtained the Wind-Thunder Palm manual in the past and practiced it beforehand. That must be why he can fight like this...

Feng Yuancheng narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "Interesting. It seems this junior brother has hidden some of his strength. Looks like he has a chance to keep winning..."

At this point, he merely found it interesting.

For Chen Fan to defeat such a difficult opponent at the age of fourteen was already quite remarkable.

But compared to Feng Yuancheng, he still fell far short.

Chen Fan cupped his fists and stepped down from the arena with a delighted expression.

His Wind-Thunder Palm had already undergone two breakthroughs in training speed, and he was growing stronger almost every moment.

When Zhang Feihong had used every trick at his disposal against Chen Fan, Chen Fan had finally entered the practical combat state recognized by his golden finger once more. As expected, his martial art had made a breakthrough.

He had entered a state of "epiphany" again!

Although it differed somewhat from when he had comprehended the sixth form of Tiger Fist, Chen Fan had confirmed that facing powerful enemies and using martial arts in battle could indeed trigger his hidden condition!

Unfortunately, after only practicing a few punches, he had knocked Zhang Feihong off the arena. He had not even completed the process of his "epiphany."

When he entered the state of "epiphany," his martial arts aligned with heaven's will. In that state, his strength doubled and his moves became exquisitely refined. How could Zhang Feihong possibly stand against him?

Yet despite winning, Chen Fan thought regretfully, If I'd known, I wouldn't have practiced during the epiphany first. I should've waited until White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm triggered its condition too, then slowly dealt with this guy!

His "epiphany" was rather special. It triggered first, after which he would automatically enter the epiphany state while practicing. It could be temporarily retained.

Faced with the congratulations of those around him, Chen Fan merely responded modestly a few times before using the excuse of needing to relieve himself to temporarily leave the martial arts tournament grounds. He found a quiet, deserted spot and continued practicing his palm techniques.

He completed the remaining process of his "epiphany."

After this epiphany, the second form of his Wind-Thunder Palm directly reached perfection, while the third form reached 40% progress!

His cultivation efficiency rose once again. Within three to five days, he would be able to cultivate the remaining two forms to perfection as well!

Originally, the progress of Wind-Thunder Palm had been much slower than Chen Fan's similarly auto-cultivating Jade-Breaking Fist.

Yet after three consecutive breakthroughs, it would actually be completed before Jade-Breaking Fist, leaving Chen Fan to marvel at the strangeness of fate.

The second round of eliminations consisted of only twenty matches. Once the top twenty of the fifth arena had been decided, the battles ended within half an afternoon.

Three disciples of White Cloud Martial Academy had been unlucky and eliminated, while five others ranked among the top twenty of the fifth arena.

That alone was enough to demonstrate the talent and strength of White Cloud Martial Academy's disciples.

Aside from Chen Fan, Meng Qi, and Feng Yuancheng, the other two were the beginner disciples who had already cultivated true arts!

One was at the first level of martial arts, while the other was at the second level.

Unfortunately, the quality of their strength-training manuals was not particularly high. Their foundations were even inferior to Meng Qi's, so their strength was not too outstanding!

As for the Flying Tiger Sect disciple named Yan Lincu, he was quite formidable and likewise advanced into the top twenty!

The next day, the qualifiers from each arena would be determined directly.

Twenty people remained in the fifth arena.

First, two rounds of matches would determine the top five. Then the bottom five among the top ten would compete to decide the sixth qualifier!

In the first round of matches,

Chen Fan faced a first-level martial artist. However, his opponent's strength was mediocre, with only a third-rate foundation, and Chen Fan easily defeated him.

Watching Chen Fan win another match, Su Qingyang felt even more bitter.

Meanwhile, the first-level beginner disciple from White Cloud Martial Academy encountered Yan Lincu and was eliminated as well!

By this point, Yan Lincu had already eliminated two White Cloud Martial Academy disciples!

Moreover, this beginner disciple was unlike the earlier Su Qingyang. A first-level martial artist with a second-rate manual was firmly among the top thirty in strength!

Yan Lincu was young and arrogant. After winning, he naturally did not forget to come over to the White Cloud Martial Academy disciples and flaunt his victory.

This caused quite a bit of anger to build among several White Cloud Martial Academy disciples.

Feng Yuancheng smiled and shook his head as he looked at Yan Lincu. "You should hope you don't meet me before qualifying..."

Yan Lincu made a face, sneered, and turned to leave.

Chen Fan found it strange. There were eighty people in one arena, so how could it be such a coincidence that Yan Lincu had met two White Cloud Martial Academy disciples in three matches?

Thinking of how this martial arts tournament was hosted by the Flying Tiger Sect, Chen Fan could not help wondering whether there was some behind-the-scenes manipulation.

On second thought, it was not impossible. But unless Yan Lincu held a very high position in the Flying Tiger Sect, there was no real need for it.

Soon, it was Feng Yuancheng's turn to take the stage again.

This time, Feng Yuancheng encountered a second-level martial artist from the Black Tiger Gang!

Just when Chen Fan thought he would finally get to see Feng Yuancheng display his true strength,

the result left him quite disappointed. That second-level Black Tiger Gang martial artist was unbelievably weak before Feng Yuancheng.

Before even twenty or thirty exchanges had passed, Feng Yuancheng sent him off the arena. He had not even fully performed all six forms of White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm!

Although Meng Qi had said that Feng Yuancheng's strength rivaled that of ordinary second- or third-level martial artists, seeing him so easily defeat a second-level martial artist still left Chen Fan clicking his tongue in amazement.

"The Black Tiger Gang's martial artists are too weak, while Feng Yuancheng is simply too strong!"

Chen Fan sighed, feeling even more awe toward Feng Yuancheng.

There were quite a few martial artists in the Black Tiger Gang.

However, their foundations were generally poor. Against ordinary martial artists, that was one thing, but against the genius disciples in this tournament, they were somewhat embarrassing to watch.

Still, the Black Tiger Gang could cultivate so many young martial artists. It was hard not to wonder whether they possessed some sort of rapid training method!

The fifth arena determined its top ten martial artists.

Among the ten contestants,

Chen Fan and Yan Lincu were both so young, yet only one step away from entering the top thirty outer disciples of all Flying Spirit County. Naturally, they drew many gazes.

Below the arena, Su Qingyang felt bitter and helpless. He no longer wanted to remain at the martial arts arena and keep watching!

They were clearly participants of the same generation. He had even believed himself far superior to Chen Fan, yet Chen Fan kept winning and had reached this point, while he...

He could not help recalling how, in the carriage earlier, Chen Fan had said he wanted to enter the top thirty. At the time, Su Qingyang had found it laughable and regarded Chen Fan as a clown. Yet now, Chen Fan was only one step away from the top thirty, while Su Qingyang felt terribly awful.

After the fifth arena determined its top ten, no one had suffered any serious injuries. Following a brief rest, the matches to determine the top five began!

And by sheer coincidence, the first match was Yan Lincu against Feng Yuancheng!

Chen Fan had originally thought the subsequent draws were arranged by the Flying Tiger Sect. Yet upon seeing this result, he found it strange again.

Feng Yuancheng's strength was obvious to all.

Most of those gathered around to watch had come for Feng Yuancheng. Clearly, they did not think this match could end any other way.

"There's no need to watch. Feng Yuancheng will definitely win. If he loses, I'll shit upside down!"

"Isn't that obvious? Feng Yuancheng has nearly mastered two first-rate manuals. He's Flying Spirit County's strongest martial artist below the true arts!"

After all, Feng Yuancheng had just defeated a second-level martial artist!

His reputation was widespread, far beyond what Yan Lincu—a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old who had appeared out of nowhere—could compare to.

Yet when facing the already renowned Feng Yuancheng, the young man showed not the slightest panic. Instead, his eyes were filled with eagerness.

The two looked at each other.

Feng Yuancheng stood with his hands behind his back, carrying himself with perfect composure.

"You're lucky to have met me this round. You still have a chance to compete for that final spot. If you had met me one round earlier or later, you would have been eliminated outright!"

In the entire fifth arena, there was no one who could make Feng Yuancheng feel any pressure!

The matches were not determined by pure drawing either. The martial academy officials had tried their best to place the widely recognized seeded contestants into different arenas!

Yan Lincu sneered. "I'll give those words right back to you."

"Looks like you understand nothing at all..."

Feng Yuancheng raised a hand and extended three fingers. Calmly, he said, "I'll defeat you within thirty moves!"

Yan Lincu laughed upon hearing that.

"I know of you, Feng Yuancheng, and I have a general idea of your strength. But you have only seen two of my fights. What makes you think you can defeat me in thirty moves?"

Feng Yuancheng stood with his hands behind his back and shook his head arrogantly.

"I simply know."

Faced with Feng Yuancheng's attitude, Yan Lincu merely burst out laughing.

"You aristocratic family disciples are all this arrogant, aren't you? What a pity. Do you think I truly used my full strength before?"

As he spoke, Yan Lincu stomped both feet against the ground, suddenly taking on the posture of a forward charge as he rushed straight at Feng Yuancheng!

His speed far surpassed that of his previous two matches.

Just as he had said, he truly had not used his full strength before!

"Foolish!"

Feng Yuancheng frowned slightly, his gaze cold. He raised both hands high, lowered into a bow stance, and drove one palm fiercely forward, like a white crane spreading its wings!

"I'll let you witness my true strength."

What he used was none other than White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm!

Chen Fan's eyes suddenly lit up beneath the arena, and he watched Feng Yuancheng's every movement with blazing intensity.