Late night. A sputtering lamp. The scent of medicine hung heavy in the air.

When Shen Fan awoke from the searing pain, a cold draft snaked through the crack in the door. The lamplight swayed, casting his face in a pallid glow.

'Looks like I'm seriously injured.'

He pressed his lips together, his gaze scanning his body. He was wrapped head to toe in white bandages. A dull, stabbing pain emanated from his chest; seven of his ribs were dislocated. Fortunately, his attacker had been skilled enough not to pierce any internal organs. Still, he would need over half a month to recover, which meant another long period of wasted time.

The Outer Courtyard assessment was in three months. For him, this was a devastating blow.

"Zhang Qiang, I won't let you get away with this!" Shen Fan gritted his teeth, clenching his fists despite the pain.

He was a disciple of the Outer Courtyard of Black Water Academy, one of the three great academies in the Black Water Kingdom. He was also the most famous piece of trash in the entire Outer Courtyard. For a full year, his Cultivation had been stagnant at the First Rank of Meridian Opening. Compared to the geniuses who could reach the Third Rank of Meridian Opening in the same amount of time, he was utterly pathetic.

Because of this, he endured endless bullying from the other Outer Courtyard disciples.

This was especially true of the scions of the Imperial City's elite. Their families consisted of high-ranking court officials or had military backing, and they acted like tyrants in the Outer Courtyard, preying on the weak.

From the day he entered the Outer Courtyard, he'd been subjected to their taunts, kicks, and slaps... He had always endured it, remembering his father's advice: 'Patience brings peace.'

Shen Fan stared at the sputtering lamp, his thoughts drifting back to the Martial Arts Hall earlier that day.

He had been cultivating when Zhang Qiang suddenly grabbed him in front of the other disciples and the instructor. Slapping him across the face, Zhang Qiang had bellowed, "You damn Useless Shen! How dare you steal the Chong Mai Pill I needed to break through to the Third Rank of Meridian Opening!"

Zhang Qiang was the heir of the Zhang Family, one of the Seven Great Families of the Imperial Capital. With a Cultivation at the Second Rank of Meridian Opening and an illustrious family background, he was a tyrant in the Outer Courtyard.

A Chong Mai Pill was an exceedingly precious Elixir, worth ten thousand taels of Silver. For a disciple like Shen Fan, who earned a meager ten taels of Silver a month, it would take nearly a century of saving without eating or drinking to afford a single one.

The Outer Courtyard had a strict rule: any disciple guilty of major theft would be expelled from the academy!

Zhang Qiang's accusation drew a crowd, especially his usual cronies—the other hedonistic sons of the Imperial City's elite—who began to clamor loudly.

Facing the crowd's contemptuous sneers, Shen Fan felt his eyes burn with rage. 'I can't let this stand. I can't admit to it. If I do, I'll be expelled from the academy and lose everything!'

He was no longer the boy who meekly accepted his fate. He retorted, his voice booming, "Zhang Qiang, with which eye did you see me steal your things?!"

It was the first time in a year he had shouted like that. He could feel his blood boiling, and he felt that this was his true self. A sixteen-year-old boy was supposed to be bold and assertive.

Zhang Qiang was stunned. Shen Fan, who had always taken his beatings and verbal abuse without a peep, was actually fighting back. The shock quickly turned to fury.

He landed another vicious kick on Shen Fan. "You piece of trash!" he roared, continuing his assault. "You steal my things and still won't admit it! Your father really is a useless piece of crap. Ever since his foundation was destroyed, he's done nothing but live like a dog! And the son he sired is nothing but a common thief!"

Shen Fan was motherless. His father, Shen Cangsheng, had raised him single-handedly and was the person he respected most in the world. For Zhang Qiang to insult his father in front of everyone was to strike at Shen Fan's very life.

His eyes turned bloodshot. With a roar, he charged forward, swinging his fist at Zhang Qiang.

...

The outcome was predictable. Shen Fan was covered in wounds, seven of his ribs were broken, and he had coughed up a bowlful of blood.

Zhang Qiang was at the Second Rank of Meridian Opening, while Shen Fan was only at the First Rank. With a full Small Realm separating them, it would have been a miracle if he hadn't been injured.

On the Barbaric Continent, the Martial Dao reigned supreme. Martial Artists were revered, Sects stood in great numbers, and the strong were as common as clouds in the sky.

The Meridian Opening Realm was the first realm of the Martial Dao. Through Cultivation, one could open the Primordial Veins within their body and embark on the path of a Martial Artist.

Meridian Opening was divided into nine ranks.

The first to third ranks were known as Martial Disciples. They focused on tempering their muscles and bones to strengthen their bodies. Compared to ordinary people, they could shatter stone tablets and possessed incredible strength. The First Rank of Meridian Opening granted a thousand jin of force, the Second Rank two thousand, and the Third Rank three thousand.

With his two thousand jin of force, Zhang Qiang could defeat the one-thousand-jin Shen Fan without breaking a sweat.

The fourth to sixth ranks were for Martial Artists. At this stage, their bodies were powerful and their Primordial Veins resilient. They could absorb the Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi to generate Yuan Jin within their bodies, causing their strength to soar. A Martial Artist using Yuan Jin to power a Martial Technique could shatter an entire rock garden with a single punch.

The seventh to ninth ranks were for Martial Masters. Not only was their Yuan Jin abundant, but they could also project it outwards, killing foes from a hundred paces away. They stood at the apex of the Black Water Kingdom. It was said that the deans of the three great academies were all at the Ninth Rank of Meridian Opening. When angered, they could shatter even the hundred-foot-tall walls of the Imperial City. Even the Black Water Country Lord had to be deferential and respectful in their presence.

"Fan'er, you're awake?" a concerned voice asked. Shen Cangsheng appeared before Shen Fan, looking like a rusted sword. Though not old in years, he had the weary air of a man in his twilight.

"Father," Shen Fan said softly. "I'm sorry, I made you worry. I didn't listen to you, but I... I just couldn't hold back! They said you were..."

"Don't say any more. I know," Shen Cangsheng said with a bitter smile. He stroked Shen Fan's hair, his face filled with guilt. "Your father is useless. You've suffered so much this past year because of me."

Sixteen years ago, Shen Cangsheng had been a once-in-a-century genius of Black Water Academy. At the age of just seventeen, he had taken first place in the joint tournament of the Black Water Kingdom's three great academies, earning the right to enter the Taihang Sect. There, his steady accumulation of power paid off, and he broke through to the Cave Profound Realm.

The three great academies might have been the strongest institutions in the Black Water Kingdom, but they paled in comparison to the Taihang Sect.

The Taihang Sect was a Sect on the Barbaric Continent that had truly Entered the Grade. It was filled with countless experts, any one of whom could annihilate the entire Black Water Kingdom. As the primary power presiding over a territory spanning hundreds of thousands of miles, it controlled more than a dozen kingdoms and was ranked among the Five Great Sects of the Sunset Mountain Domain.

The so-called three great academies were nothing more than affiliate organizations of the Taihang Sect.

In those days, he had been glorious, a heroic figure with a sword in hand. All the nobles of the Imperial City scrambled to curry favor with the Shen Family. For the Shen Family patriarch's eightieth birthday, the Black Water Country Lord himself had appeared with lavish gifts to pay his respects!

A year later, during the Taihang Sect's Inner Sect tournament, the Five Great Sects all gathered to spectate. There, on Taihang Peak, amidst the praise of geniuses from numerous Sects, Shen Cangsheng fought his way into the top ten of the Inner Sect.

Many believed he could even take one of the top three spots. But tragically, in the match for third place, he faced Guo Yaoshi, then the leader of the Inner Sect's Top Ten Disciples. He was grievously wounded in a single move, and his Martial Dao foundation was destroyed.

This Guo Yaoshi had entered the Taihang Sect at age nine, became a Martial Master at fifteen and the number one disciple of the Outer Sect, then stepped into the Cave Profound Realm at sixteen, becoming the leader of the Taihang Sect's Top Ten Disciples. He was a dazzling new star. News came a year ago that Guo Yaoshi had reached the Peak of Middle Stage of Cave Profound, becoming one of the youngest of the Ten Core Disciples. His fame was unmatched.

As for Shen Cangsheng, his foundation destroyed, he was sent back to Black Water Academy. Out of respect for their past friendship, the academy's dean arranged for him to work as a handyman at the Black Water Institute, offering him a form of protection.

'Father!' Shen Fan cried inwardly. He couldn't bear to see his father looking so defeated and old. He didn't want his own injuries to drag his father back into the painful memories of the past and sink him further into despair. Taking a deep breath, he said in a hoarse voice, "Father, I will be the one to avenge you! One day, I will step onto Taihang Peak, and in front of all the assembled Sects, I will personally cripple Guo Yaoshi!"

Shen Cangsheng's body trembled. He never imagined that his quiet, reserved son harbored such a fierce ambition.

An imperceptible light flashed in his eyes. "Good boy," he said, a gratified warmth in his voice. "I will wait for that day. My son... you've finally grown up."

After sighing emotionally, he seemed to remember something. He went into the inner room, and after a bout of rummaging through chests and cabinets, he emerged holding a Jade Box.

The Jade Box was pure white, carved with lifelike Phoenixes in flight.

"Your mother once said that when you grew up, this Jade Box was to be passed on to you." As Shen Cangsheng spoke the word "mother," his expression became infinitely gentle, as if he could see a peerless beauty gazing at him with love.

"Mother..." Shen Fan whispered. He took the Jade Box with trembling hands and clutched it to his chest. "Father, where is she?"

His mother had left on the day he was born. Strangely, he could remember the sight of her back as she departed, but not her face, even though he had been nothing more than a crying infant at the time.

"Don't ask any more questions," Shen Cangsheng said, slowly shaking his head. He changed the subject. "Fan'er, the Outer Courtyard assessment is in three months. With your current Cultivation, it will be very difficult for you to pass."

"Father..." Shen Fan's expression fell. His Talent was poor, and his Cultivation progressed at a glacial pace. If things continued like this, he was certain to fail the Outer Courtyard assessment.

Failure meant expulsion from the academy. If that happened, all his talk of the future would be meaningless.

"This is an Essence Mushroom," Shen Cangsheng said, pulling a Wooden Box from his robes and handing it to Shen Fan. "Take it. Not only will it heal your injuries quickly, but it can also help you break through to the Second Rank of Meridian Opening within three months."

The Essence Mushroom was the key herb Shen Cangsheng used to maintain his own strength at the Third Rank of Meridian Opening. It was worth a hundred thousand taels of Silver and was incredibly precious.

Such is the heart of a parent. For Shen Fan's sake, Shen Cangsheng had spared no expense.

Shen Fan accepted the Wooden Box with tears in his eyes. He knew his father must have endured great hardship to obtain this Essence Mushroom.

"Father, I won't let you down!" Shen Fan clutched both boxes, making a silent vow. One day, he would find a Spirit Medicine to restore Shen Cangsheng's Martial Dao foundation and allow his father to cultivate once more.

"From now on, you make your own decisions. I believe in you..." Shen Cangsheng offered a few more words of comfort before rising to leave. As a handyman, he had to work day and night just for the chance to survive at Black Water Academy.

「The next day.」

At the first light of dawn, Shen Fan rose, washed his face, and stepped out into the courtyard, feeling completely refreshed.

The Essence Mushroom truly was a precious medicine. It had healed his injuries overnight and left a considerable amount of medicinal power accumulated in his body, ready to aid his Cultivation.

'I can't let Father down,' he thought. 'I have to break through to the Second Rank of Meridian Opening as soon as possible!'

He began practicing the Basic Martial Skill, Monument-breaking Palm, to refine his Flesh Body. When cultivated to the Perfect Realm, the technique could shatter a foot-thick stone tablet. Its movements were grand, powerful, and domineering. He settled into a horse stance, exhaled sharply, and activated the Primordial Veins in his body. As he began to practice, move by move, a powerful aura seemed to fill the courtyard.

THUD!

At some point, the Jade Box hidden in his clothes had fallen out, interrupting his practice. He stared blankly at the box as it began to glow with a white light under the sun.

The white light intensified, sparking his curiosity to open it. He had been too exhausted last night, falling into a deep sleep immediately after taking the Essence Mushroom, so he hadn't had the chance.

He found himself hoping it contained a letter from his mother explaining why she had left. Or maybe a portrait of her—a peerless beauty, like an Immortal Goddess...

The instant he lifted the lid, a half-yin, half-yang Ancient Coin inside began to glow. It looked like a miniature Yin Yang Taiji Diagram, covered in profound and ancient Divine Patterns that seemed almost alive.

"This is... Agh!"

The Yin-Yang Divine Coin suddenly transformed into a thumb-sized Light of Yin and Yang and shot into the space between his eyebrows!

...

Shen Fan's head felt like it was splitting open. He clutched it, rolling on the ground. 'Will the Light of Yin and Yang kill me?' He was terrified.

"You have come." An ancient, desolate voice echoed by his ear, seeming to drift from the distant Starry Sky, ethereal and indistinct.

"Who's there!" The hair on Shen Fan's arms stood on end. He was so startled he even forgot his headache.

He shook his head, feeling that the atmosphere of this place was off. Taking a closer look, he realized he was in an unfamiliar space.

A pale white sky, pitch-black earth, no sunlight, no wind, no flowers, insects, birds, or beasts—only endless, cold silence. It felt just like the Starry Sky he had always imagined.

He stumbled back several steps. When he looked up, he saw a giant white face, obscured and hazy, veiled by Yin Yang Qi.

"Who exactly are you!"

Shen Fan's voice was strained. It felt as if a hand were gripping his throat, making it hard to breathe.

The giant white face smiled and sized him up. Then, it rippled like water and transformed into a mirror. Within the mirror seemed to be a Starry Sky—a Starry Sky as deep as an Abyss.

He saw a speck of golden light emerge from the depths of the Starry Sky. It seemed to cross endless ages, arriving with an air of desolation. In that instant, he felt as if the entire world was about to collapse.

The golden light gradually expanded, revealing itself to be a Golden Giant Gate. Streams of primal, earthy-yellow energy hung from it, and it was carved with wondrous Dao Patterns. It was as if countless Divine Spirits were roaring from behind the gate. Carrying a force that could suppress Heaven and Earth, it came crashing down!

Just then, a giant Yin-Yang hand emerged from the Void. The hand was covered in Yin Yang Divine Patterns and wreathed in the Light of Chaos. It met the Golden Giant Gate and swatted it away fiercely!

The Golden Door and the giant hand collided. The Void collapsed, a storm erupted, and the entire Starry Sky shattered into a field of pale white...

"Inherit my Will, control the Ancient Divine Power, Zhan!"

The desolate voice echoed again, startling Shen Fan back to his senses.

His body trembled, and cold sweat dripped down his back. Facing the Golden Giant Gate and the giant Yin-Yang hand, he felt like a mere speck of dust, about to vanish along with the shattering Void at any moment.

Thankfully, the voice pulled him back.

He didn't know where the courage came from, but he actually reached out a hand to touch the mirror.

Strangely, though the mirror was clearly suspended high in the sky, his hand touched it, and it felt as if it were about to merge with him.

"Inherit your will, control the Ancient Divine Power, Zhan!" Shen Fan shouted, as if possessed.

BZZZT—

The Yin-Yang Space changed again, shrinking to only a few dozen feet in area. Countless Profound Mysteries in the form of Divine Patterns floated in the white void like a spider's web, containing immense power.

Shen Fan entered a strange state. His eyes narrowed as he stared silently at the white void. Then, the countless Divine Patterns shifted slightly, transforming into a few simple Elemental Patterns that coalesced into a giant, pattern-formed palm. Streaks of white light traced along it in a specific, regular sequence.

"Monument-breaking Palm!"

Shen Fan exclaimed in disbelief. He couldn't believe the Divine Patterns had actually formed the Elemental Patterns for the Monument-breaking Palm. They were operating in an ingenious way, as if deducing the technique and teaching him how to cultivate it.

On the Barbaric Continent, all Cultivation Technique Martial Skills were comprehended from the myriad things in Heaven and Earth, and their most primal form of expression was the Elemental Pattern. Elemental Patterns came in all forms, such as the veins of a leaf or the grain within a stone.

Unlike modern writing, Elemental Patterns were ancient markings passed down since antiquity, specifically used to record Martial Techniques and Cultivation Techniques. Only a Cultivation Technique Martial Skill recorded with Elemental Patterns represented the most fundamental form of power.

Therefore, to cultivate a Martial Technique like the Monument-breaking Palm to a very high Realm, one needed to constantly study and practice it to comprehend its Elemental Patterns.

Shen Fan's Comprehension was limited. After studying the Monument-breaking Palm for a year, he still couldn't grasp its Elemental Patterns and was stuck at the Initial Success stage.

The Realms of a Martial Technique were Initial Success, Minor Achievement, Great Success, and Perfection. If one could master a Martial Technique at the Great Success or Perfection Realm, it would amplify their Combat Power, allowing them to challenge those at higher ranks.

However, in the entire Outer Courtyard, only a handful of people could cultivate a Martial Technique to such a high Realm. Without exception, those people were all geniuses of the Outer Courtyard.

Shen Fan followed the deduced form of the Monument-breaking Palm. He stepped forward and struck out, channeling the power of his Primordial Veins along the illuminated Elemental Patterns.

The Monument-breaking Palm had a total of Nine Techniques, and each technique placed high demands on both the body and one's Primordial Power. Previously, he had felt his strength failing by the time he reached the third technique.

Thus, the Refining effect of the first three techniques on his body was also limited. With his current physical strength, he wouldn't have been able to withstand the strain of forcibly practicing the fourth technique.

But now, after the deduction performed by the Yin-Yang Space, his understanding of the Monument-breaking Palm had reached an incredibly profound level. With a single thought, he executed the techniques from first to ninth as smoothly as flowing water, without any obstruction.

One palm strike.

Two palm strikes.

Three palm strikes.

...

He was completely immersed in his Cultivation. Primordial Qi flowed across his broad palms, while inside his body, his vitality surged. He seemed to merge with the grand, sweeping Mental Realm of the Monument-breaking Palm, his presence becoming extraordinary.

"Hah!"

He leaped high into the air like a Fierce Tiger pouncing on its prey. With an indomitable will, he thrust out a palm, creating a sonic boom as a faint blast of wind shot forward.

"Monument-breaking Palm, Great Success!"

Suddenly, a series of CRACKLES and POPS sounded from within his body. A transparent-looking meridian extended somewhere inside him. Dense Primordial Qi flowed through it like water, filling the entire meridian and generating a powerful aura.

A look of shock flashed across his face, followed by sheer ecstasy. It was unbelievable!

"Peak of First Stage of Meridian Opening!"

In just two hours, he had not only cultivated the Monument-breaking Palm to Great Success but had also broken through directly to the Peak of First Stage of Meridian Opening!

Going from Meridian Opening First Stage Minor Achievement to the Peak of First Stage of Meridian Opening was a process of gradual accumulation breaking forth. For someone with his Talent, it would have taken a month, or even longer, of accumulation to have a chance of reaching this level.

At this moment, his physical strength had also soared from one thousand jin all the way to two thousand jin!

He flexed his muscles, feeling the power flowing through his flesh and blood. He felt as if he could uproot mountains. This was strength he should only have possessed at the Second Rank of Meridian Opening, but with the help of the Yin-Yang Divine Coin, he had achieved it ahead of time. This meant that with his current strength, he could go head-to-head with Zhang Qiang. Combined with his Great Success in the Monument-breaking Palm, it was more than enough to completely dominate Zhang Qiang! This transformation made him ecstatic.

He gazed at the white void with a complicated expression, as if in a dream, and murmured, "Inherit your will, control the Ancient Divine Power... Who are you? And where is this place?"

There was only silence.

The desolate voice did not appear again. It was as if he were the Dominator of this space.

After thinking long and hard, he shook his head in resignation. He truly had no idea about the origin of this miraculous object.

But he understood that an object capable of deducing Martial Techniques and assisting with Cultivation had to be one-of-a-kind. He had never heard of such a Divine Object existing in this world.

And then there was that terrifying Golden Door and the giant Yin-Yang hand. That world-destroying power was definitely not something anyone in this world could possess.

...

...

Shen Fan slowly opened his eyes, avoiding the stinging sunlight. After emerging from the Yin-Yang Space, it felt as though a lifetime had passed. He was afraid that everything that had just happened was merely a dream. Fortunately, the Primordial Qi surged within his body, a vitality thrumming through his flesh and blood. The aura of the Peak of First Stage of Meridian Opening was unmistakable—it was all real.

Strangely, within his Soul Sea, a Yin-Yang Divine Coin was moving in a profound rhythm, like the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.

The Soul Sea was the most ethereal and illusory place within the human body. Like a vast ocean, it housed a person's Divine Soul. It was an incorporeal world, incapable of containing any physical objects.

But the Yin-Yang Divine Coin seemed able to shift between a physical and an ethereal state, as if it had merged completely with his Soul Sea. He recalled the words: "Inherit my Will, and control the Ancient Divine Power."

"Could it be that I've already inherited the Yin-Yang Divine Coin and can now control it?" Shen Fan murmured.

The white Void had ripples of Divine Patterns, and the pitch-black ground was soft, like a marsh. The space, a few dozen feet across, was just the right size to accommodate his Divine Soul. At his command, ripples spread through the white Void, and the Elemental Pattern for the Monument-breaking Palm reappeared, constantly shifting and evolving...

In the outside world, his physical body and his Divine Soul were cultivating in near-perfect sync. His Great Success in the Monument-breaking Palm pushed his aura to its peak. Each palm he thrust out was backed by an additional two thousand jin of force, creating a whooshing sound like a bellows.

He launched a Monument-breaking Palm through the air, right at a bee flying over from the next yard. Just as he was about to smash it, his Heart Spirit stirred, and a strange scene unfolded: the flying bee seemed to be magnified countless times. He could see its yellowish-brown downy hair, its lacquered antennae, its elliptical compound eyes, and the pale yellow stinger at its tail... Everything was so clear.

He seemed to know the bee's intended flight path. With a twist of his hand in mid-air, he easily avoided it, his palm landing harmlessly to the side. His face was filled with astonishment, as if he had just witnessed something incredible.

"This... how is this possible! My Divine Soul actually has the ability to pierce the veil of illusion!" He stammered, unable to process this sudden change.

He shook his head, thinking it was a trick of the mind. He released his Divine Soul once more and focused on an ant crawling on the ground. He saw its thick legs and long antennae. From a great distance, he saw its entire tiny body with perfect clarity, as if it were magnified countless times.

'Yes, that's the feeling! Could it be that the Divine Soul has eyes?'

He knew this change was definitely caused by the Yin-Yang Divine Coin. 'I've never heard of the Divine Soul having such a wondrous function!'

Legend said that the Divine Souls of powerful experts could generate Soul Power, but that only enhanced their perception. It wasn't like this, where he seemed to have grown a Divine Eye capable of seeing through all falsehood!

...

'With the Yin-Yang Divine Coin deducing the Yin Yang Yuan Pattern, I can master any Martial Technique or Cultivation Technique in a short amount of time. My comprehension will be no worse than those peerless geniuses! At this rate, my cultivation speed will surely multiply. And if I combine this with the Soul Eye, I'll be able to seize the initiative in any battle!'

As Shen Fan sat cross-legged in his cultivation, his breathing grew ragged. The Yin-Yang Divine Coin had given him hope, as if a brilliant path on the Martial Dao had just opened up before him.

'Guo Yaoshi, Zhang Qiang, and all of you who looked down on me and called me trash... starting today, I will crush every single one of you under my foot!'

He clenched his fists, as if he could already see the day he would become a peerless expert.

Golden sunlight spilled through the broken window, casting a warm glow. Shen Fan stretched his limbs, feeling invigorated.

"Shen Fan, something terrible has happened!" A disciple as round as a ball came "rolling" over from the distance.

"Fatty Jin, what is it?" Shen Fan asked, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart as he saw the profuse sweat on the other boy's face.

His own talent was poor, so many disciples in the Outer Courtyard kept their distance. Only Fatty Jin, whose talent was only slightly better than his, stayed close. Perhaps it was because misery loves company. Whenever something happened, Fatty Jin would be the one to let him know.

Fatty Jin rushed up to him and gasped, "Shen Fan, that dog Zhang Qiang reported you to the Teaching Hall for stealing his elixir! They've ordered you to go to the Teaching Hall in seven days to answer for the crime. If you can't clear your name, they're going to expel you from the academy!"

Defend myself!

Shen Fan's expression changed drastically. The Government Hall was not a good place. Once you went in, it was hard to get out.

Answering for a crime was like a commoner going to court, with one difference: Black Water Academy had two types of trials—trial by evidence and trial by combat.

A trial by evidence meant finding proof to establish one's innocence. On this point, he stood no chance against the well-connected Zhang Qiang.

A trial by combat, however, disregarded right and wrong. The victor was decided by martial strength.

A flicker crossed Shen Fan's eyes, and a hint of Evil Qi surfaced in his expression. Zhang Qiang's actions were meant to force him into a dead end.

'A trial by evidence is impossible,' Shen Fan thought, suppressing his anger. 'I can only choose a trial by combat. With the Yin-Yang Divine Coin to help me, I still have a chance.' He said aloud, "Fatty Jin, you head to the Martial Arts Hall first. I'll straighten up and be right there."

"Shen Fan, you'd better be careful," Fatty Jin said, not wanting to say more. He was on his own and not strong enough to help Shen Fan. Giving him a heads-up at the first opportunity was already a great act of loyalty.

After tidying his room, Shen Fan stormed off toward the Martial Arts Hall. Zhang Qiang should be there right now, preparing to study Elemental Patterns.

In a dark corner of the Martial Arts Hall, Zhang Qiang was huddled together with a certain young woman, whispering sweet nothings, their passion running high.

He was handsome, but his face was pale—whiter than autumn frost. It was so pale you could see the fine, blue veins beneath his skin, a sure sign of excessive nightly debauchery.

"Lian'Er has already reached the Peak of First Stage of Meridian Opening and will soon break through to the Second Rank. Brother Qiang, if it weren't for your Chong Mai Pill, I don't know how long it would have taken me to advance to the Second Rank. It's just..." The girl, Lian'Er, was a budding beauty, her face now flushed red from Zhang Qiang's teasing.

"Just what?"

"It's just, now that you've given the Chong Mai Pill to me, how will you explain it to Uncle Zhang? After all, a Chong Mai Pill isn't something you can buy with just money. If he finds out you gave it to me, he won't just beat you, he'll skin me alive!" Lian'Er said timidly.

When he heard Lian'Er mention his father, Zhang Qiang's expression shifted slightly before turning cold and sinister. "Don't you worry about that. I have my ways. Yesterday, I framed that good-for-nothing Shen Fan, claiming he stole my Chong Mai Pill. Heh heh, and not only that, I even reported the matter to the Government Hall!"

"Brother Qiang, you're amazing! This way, your father won't blame us... And by reporting it to the Government Hall, that good-for-nothing is sure to be expelled from the academy. Then no one will ever know. It's killing two birds with one stone!" Lian'Er's body went soft, and she practically melted into Zhang Qiang's arms.

Zhang Qiang's talent was average at best, and he had no hope of entering the Inner Courtyard. So, he had simply given up on cultivation and immersed himself in pleasure-seeking.

He loved spending his days with a large group of lackeys, bullying those who had poor talent but still cultivated diligently. In his mind, such people were deliberately opposing him, so he had to suppress them and make sure they ended up even worse off than he was.

"But what if that good-for-nothing successfully defends himself at the Government Hall?" Lian'Er asked, a new worry occurring to her.

"He won't succeed. My third uncle is a Manager there," Zhang Qiang said with a wicked grin. "Besides, reporting it to the Government Hall was just to appease my father. I'm not going to give him the chance to even go there. I already broke seven of his ribs yesterday. Next up, heh heh..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the Martial Arts Hall, which had been as noisy as a marketplace, suddenly fell dead silent.

...

Shen Fan swept in like the wind, rushing into the Martial Arts Hall. In that moment, he felt like a warrior heading to the battlefield. The Yin-Yang Divine Coin had changed his talent, and it had also unleashed his true nature, no longer suppressed.

The crowd was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Shen Fan to appear here, alive and kicking. Immediately after, an uproar ensued.

"Useless Shen! Wasn't he seriously injured by Zhang Qiang? I was the one who carried him back yesterday!"

"Is he an unkillable cockroach? What the hell!"

"Now we've got a good show to watch. Zhang Qiang definitely won't let this go!"

...

"I didn't expect you to still be able to show your face here."

Zhang Qiang's voice was sinister, like a ghost lurking in the shadows.

He clearly remembered breaking Shen Fan's ribs one by one yesterday. Back then, Shen Fan's blood had sprayed high into the air, showering him like a rain of blood.

With injuries that severe, he shouldn't have been able to get out of bed without several days of proper rest.

But now, Shen Fan stood right before his eyes!

Those who didn't know the situation would think he, Zhang Qiang, had just been putting on a bluff yesterday!

This was a blatant slap in the face in front of everyone!

"Useless Shen, were you born in the year of the pig? You're so thick-skinned! Kneel, and let your young master here give you a good thrashing. Let's see if you can get out of bed tomorrow!" Zhang Qiang advanced on Shen Fan step by step. He swore that today, he would cripple Shen Fan beyond the help of any elixir.

'He's clearly useless, yet he acts more diligent than the geniuses in the courtyard. Who else would I beat up but you?'

Shen Fan's fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms. His knife-like gaze locked onto Zhang Qiang. An unknown fire raged within him, burning his blood, his trembling muscles, and his pounding heart. Remembering his past humiliation, remembering Zhang Qiang's ruthlessness in reporting the matter to the Government Hall, he wished he could tear Zhang Qiang limb from limb!

"Hehe, Shen Fan, glaring at me so fiercely... Be careful. After I cripple your legs, I might just gouge out your eyes too," Zhang Qiang licked his lips, a bloodthirsty expression on his face. He had once gouged out a woman's eyes simply because she refused to submit to him.

"Brother Qiang, which 'legs' are you talking about?" one of the dandies joked.

"Haha!" Zhang Qiang took another step closer, then looked at the many female disciples and laughed. "I'm sure many of our junior sisters would like it very much!"

Many of the female disciples understood his meaning and blushed crimson.

"Aiyoyo, Brother Qiang is truly insightful. In that case, let's break Useless Shen's legs! Tsk tsk, I really want to hear that sound! But how many moves are you planning to use?" the dandy continued.

"How many moves? Hmph, watch closely. I'll finish him in three moves!" Zhang Qiang held up three fingers, his eyes practically on top of his head with arrogance.

Shen Fan had had enough of Zhang Qiang's ugly mug. With his current strength, he had no fear of Zhang Qiang. He sneered, "Zhang Qiang, I only need one move to knock you flat."

"What! Useless Shen, I think you're looking to die!" Zhang Qiang had no intention of letting Shen Fan go in the first place, and now Shen Fan's attitude had stoked his ferocity.

He shot forward like an arrow. A fluctuation of Primordial Qi emanated from his body as he raised one leg high, creating a series of afterimages in the air as he aimed straight for Shen Fan.

"A Mid-tier Martial Skill, the Shadowless Leg!" someone exclaimed.

"I can't believe Brother Qiang is this powerful!"

"Haha, I think I can already hear the sound of balls breaking!"

...

Martial Techniques were divided into Basic Martial Skills, Initial-tier Martial Skills, Mid-tier Martial Skills, High-tier Martial Skills, and Peak-tier Martial Skills. The higher the level, the greater the power.

It was rumored that a Martial Artist using a Peak-tier Martial Skill could shatter a mountain!

Shen Fan's expression changed slightly. Zhang Qiang's leg created countless illusory afterimages in the air, making it impossible to see the changes between moves. The feints were real, and the real was a feint. The afterimages grew larger in his vision, threatening to overwhelm him.

He didn't dare to be overconfident and immediately activated his Soul Eye. Instantly, the sky full of leg-shadows vanished. A single, skinny leg, like an old man slowly swinging a cane, descended, revealing countless flaws.

He discovered that Zhang Qiang's qi and blood were insufficient and his Primordial Power was weak. When applied to the Shadowless Leg, it was all for show. Moreover, his opponent's Shadowless Leg was nothing more than fancy but useless theatrics; he hadn't even reached the Initial Success realm with it.

This was the power of the Soul Eye—it could see through the flaws in an opponent's moves and discern illusion from reality.

He sneered and shot out like a cheetah, seizing an opening. He moved sideways, turned his body, extended his arm, and slammed forward!

The movements were executed in one smooth motion. An immense force erupted, like an iron chain spanning a river. He grabbed Zhang Qiang's leg and swung him sideways!

BAM—

Zhang Qiang slammed into the iron-hard wall like a swatted fly. With a THUD, he fell face-first to the ground.

The crowd was instantly dumbfounded, their bodies frozen like statues. The scene before them was too dramatic. Zhang Qiang, at the Second Rank of Meridian Opening and practicing a Mid-tier Martial Skill, had actually been knocked down by Shen Fan. It was like a mouse taking down a cat—utterly unreal!

"Defeating Zhang Qiang in one move! My god, how is that possible!"

"His Monument-breaking Palm seems to have reached an extremely high realm, allowing it to unleash incredible power."

"That was the Monument-breaking Palm at the Great Success stage," a sharp-eyed disciple said. "That swing just now was the 'Mountain-Throwing Technique' from the Monument-breaking Palm. It's incredibly explosive, amplifying his strength by at least ten-fold, which is why he can challenge someone a small realm above him..."

"A Mid-tier Martial Skill is nothing special. One move is more than enough to deal with trash like you." The feeling of power made Shen Fan's blood boil. In the past, whenever he saw Zhang Qiang, he could only take a beating. Today, his opponent couldn't even withstand a single exchange.

"Zhang Qiang, for the past year, you've bullied me repeatedly. You even framed me for stealing your Chong Mai Pills and reported me to the Government Hall... Today, I'll give you an eye for an eye!" Like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, Shen Fan flashed in front of Zhang Qiang.

He grabbed Zhang Qiang by the neck and went to work, unleashing dozens of frantic slaps. SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! He beat Zhang Qiang until blood flew and his face swelled up like a pig's head.

At this moment, no one dared to step forward. The group of dandies who usually ran with Zhang Qiang saw Shen Fan's naked aggression and terrifying methods, and they all cowered in a corner, scared.

"Three of your ribs are already broken. Now for four more!"

Shen Fan proceeded to break three more of Zhang Qiang's ribs. His voice was like a demon from Hell, cold and terrifying. Zhang Qiang was like a dead dog in his hands, his ornate robes soaked in blood. The metallic stench of it drifted on the wind, making one want to retch.

CRACK!

"Stop!"

A figure in white rushed over.

"Instructor Liu, save me..." Zhang Qiang struggled in Shen Fan's grasp, screaming as if he'd just grabbed his last lifeline.

'No matter how ruthless Shen Fan is, he wouldn't dare to act out in front of an instructor, right?'

Shen Fan kept his grip on Zhang Qiang's neck and turned to see Instructor Liu, clad in a white robe, striding over.

The instructors who taught Elemental Patterns generally didn't have high cultivation levels. They dedicated their entire lives to the study of Elemental Patterns. Instructor Liu himself was only at the Second Rank of Meridian Opening.

"Instructor Liu, Shen Fan was late for cultivation. Zhang Qiang just said a few words to him, and he beat Zhang Qiang up like this! He's disrespecting your rules! You must punish him severely!" one of the dandies cried, playing the victim.

Shen Fan sneered but offered no explanation.

"So that's how it is. Shen Fan, you have some nerve!" Instructor Liu shouted, spittle flying from his mouth.

Shen Fan stared coldly at Instructor Liu. Yesterday, this same man had been teaching Elemental Patterns, but when Zhang Qiang was beating him, he hadn't intervened. Today, when he was the one beating Zhang Qiang, the instructor had jumped out, looking like he was about to "uphold justice."

"In my capacity as an instructor, I order you, Shen Fan, to let go of Zhang Qiang!" Seeing Zhang Qiang's mangled appearance, neither human nor ghost, Instructor Liu's face twitched. He also hadn't expected Shen Fan to defeat Zhang Qiang in a single move. This was a challenge across a small realm, and Zhang Qiang had even been practicing a Mid-tier Martial Skill.

He had a good relationship with the Zhang Family and had always shown favoritism to Zhang Qiang. But now that Zhang Qiang was being beaten, he couldn't just sit by. If Zhang Qiang were crippled, he would have no way to face the Zhang Family.

Seeing Instructor Liu's blatant favoritism and unfairness, Shen Fan grew even angrier. 'You think I'm afraid of you just because you're an instructor? You think you can order me around just because you're an instructor?'

He took two steps forward, getting right in Instructor Liu's face. Clenching his jaw, he snarled, "Who the hell do you think you are!"

WOAH!

The crowd was in an uproar!

They never would have imagined that Shen Fan, who had always been meek and bullied, would not only turn the tables on Zhang Qiang today but even dare to talk back to an instructor!

This was a master who taught Elemental Patterns! In a place like Black Water Academy, which revered its teachers, even disciples at the Third Rank of Meridian Opening or Inner Court Disciples would show him some respect.

Unfortunately, no Third Rank Meridian Opening disciples or Inner Court Disciples were studying here. Otherwise, their jaws would have dropped to the floor!

"You bastard! Do you know who you're talking to?!" Instructor Liu was also genuinely enraged by Shen Fan's attitude. He said fiercely, "If you don't let go, I'll make you regret it!"

"Make me regret it?! Surnamed Liu, I'll show you, then! Let's see what you can do to me!"

Right in front of Instructor Liu, Shen Fan tossed Zhang Qiang high into the air, then raised his right foot and kicked viciously at his groin!

SMACK!

"Ahhh..."

The sound of balls breaking mingled with Zhang Qiang's bloodcurdling scream. He flew backward like a human sandbag and landed right on top of Lian'Er. Both of them fainted on the spot.

The dandies all felt a chill in their own groins.

Ruthless!

Too ruthless!

Everyone subconsciously backed away from Shen Fan. How had they never realized that once this guy got vicious, he was like a madman!

Shen Fan grinned like a murderous demon. He stared Instructor Liu in the face and shouted, "I beat him. What are you going to do about it?"

"Shen Fan, you defiant disciple! I'll beat you to death..." Instructor Liu was so angry his face and neck turned red. He raised a hand to slap Shen Fan.

Shen Fan presented his own face, patting his cheek and roaring, "Go on, hit me! I dare you!"

Instructor Liu's face was flushed red, but his palm froze in the air. He was actually intimidated and took a few steps back, his fierceness just a facade. "From now on, don't you ever come to my Elemental Pattern lectures again! Get out!"

Shen Fan sneered endlessly. Instructor Liu was scared witless and had resorted to such a laughable threat.

As it happened, he had no desire to listen to Instructor Liu's bullshit about Elemental Patterns anyway. He straightened his clothes, casually grabbed a nearby dandy, and wiped his blood-soaked hands on the man's expensive robes before leaving the Martial Arts Hall without a backward glance.

Not long after he left, Zhang Qiang's pig-like squeal echoed from within the Martial Arts Hall: "Shen Fan, I won't let you get away with this!"