Chapter 220: Chapter 219: Su Yu Makes His Move and Wins

Atop the high platform, the Martial Arts Hall Masters sensed this steady and restrained aura, each giving an imperceptible nod.

"This Sun Yan is truly a rare genius. After suffering the humiliation of a broken leg, he didn’t fall into despair but rose from the ashes. No wonder he was once ranked alongside Cui Wanhe," someone commented, their tone tinged with admiration.

Before the words had even faded, an agile figure from the Canglan Martial Arts Hall camp below shot up, leaping onto the arena platform like a great bird.

"Zhou Qi of the Canglan Martial Arts Hall! Twenty-eight years old, early Flesh Refining Realm. I await your instruction!"

"Early Flesh Refining Realm at twenty-eight... this Zhou Qi is no ordinary person. It looks like Canglan Martial Arts Hall is making a bid for a spot in the five-hall alliance!"

Everyone on the platform understood, and their expressions grew tense.

For them, the spars between ordinary disciples were irrelevant. They only cared about the true geniuses of each hall.

Because only they determined a martial arts hall’s absolute strength, both now and in the future!

And only martial arts halls with such geniuses had a chance to compete for a spot in the five-hall alliance!

"Take this!"

On the arena platform, the two wasted no words and instantly began to fight.

Zhou Qi used the Canglan Fist, and his Fist Technique had already reached the Minor Achievement stage. As he swung his fists, his Qi and Blood surged, creating overlapping shadows that resembled furious, unending waves crashing against the shore.

Sun Yan, in contrast, had abandoned his usual arrogant and domineering style of wide, sweeping attacks. He activated his signature Iron Armor Skill, his feet rooted to the bluestone slabs. He allowed the fist attacks, like the great waves of Canglan, to rain down upon him, yet he remained completely unmoved!

During the third exchange, a gap appeared in Zhou Qi’s attacks—the moment his old force was spent, and his new force had yet to be generated.

Sun Yan, who had been passively defending the entire time, suddenly had a vicious light erupt in his eyes!

"Break!"

A crisp cracking sound echoed from his bones, and he threw a thunderous, pitch-black straight punch.

"THUD!"

A dull thud of flesh on flesh rang out.

Zhou Qi didn’t even have time to assume a defensive stance. His chest felt as if it were struck by lightning, and with a pained scream, he was sent flying over a hundred feet, crashing heavily to the ground below the platform.

A one-hit defeat!

In the seating area for Canglan Martial Arts Hall, the faces of its disciples instantly grew as grim as thunderclouds.

’Zhou Qi was the top genius under thirty at Canglan Martial Arts Hall, yet he couldn’t even last three exchanges against Sun Yan?’

’Is this the true power of the three ruling halls?’

Amid their shock, many eyes subconsciously drifted toward the White Ape Martial Arts Hall.

’This Sun Yan is monstrously strong now. Just how did Su Yu manage to cripple him back then? Now that Sun Yan has risen from the ashes and entered the Flesh Refining Realm, surely Su Yu has been left far behind?’

On the platform, Hong Jingtian commented with considerable praise, "A young genius like Sun Yan can serve as a touchstone. At today’s Dinglong Association, if the other halls can’t even produce a disciple to rival him, then I’m afraid they are unworthy of the core seats in the five-hall alliance."

The moment he spoke, his words were like a bucket of ice water poured over the other hall masters. Their expressions turned ugly, especially those from Canglan Martial Arts Hall and Flying Snow Martial Arts Hall, the two strongest contenders.

’What does Hong Jingtian mean by this? Is he trying to block off the path to joining the five-hall alliance?’

"Hall Master Hong is absolutely right." Liu Cheng of Chasing Wind Martial Arts Hall, stroking his goatee, immediately chimed in.

"This five-hall alliance will be the leader of our Outer City’s Martial Arts world, our public face for the future! If a hall lacks the strength but forces its way in, they won’t be able to uphold our reputation. It won’t just be their own face they’ll be losing!"

A harsh glint flashed in Hall Master Yan’s eyes. "Any other hall that thinks it’s qualified can send a disciple up to try!" he said coldly. "As long as they’re in the same realm, they can go up and get a taste. Even if they’re not from the younger generation, an older fighter in the early Flesh Refining Realm is also welcome!"

His gaze swept over the many Martial Arts Hall Masters, lingering on those from Canglan Martial Arts Hall and Flying Snow Martial Arts Hall. The faces of both hall masters were ashen, but neither spoke.

At this moment, they knew they had been outmaneuvered.

Hongshan Martial Arts Hall, Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall, and Chasing Wind Martial Arts Hall clearly didn’t want a five-hall alliance. They wanted a three-hall alliance.

But this was an open scheme, laid bare for all to see. Their younger disciples couldn’t compete, and they were even more outmatched when it came to the depth of their veteran disciples. They had no way to break the stalemate.

Seeing that he had intimidated the crowd, Hall Master Yan slowly turned his head, his icy gaze landing on the ever-silent Qin Fangqiong.

"Hall Master Qin." A mocking smile touched Hall Master Yan’s lips. "I hear your White Ape Martial Arts Hall is also quite interested in one of the five seats? Why then, don’t we see one of your disciples going up to show their face?"

Seated in her Grandmaster’s Chair, Qin Fangqiong’s expression was as calm as still water. "Hall Master Hong, Hall Master Yan, Hall Master Liu. Are the seats for this Dinglong Association really going to be decided so rashly, based on a few exchanges between young disciples?

If that’s the case, we might as well not compete at all. Doesn’t everyone in the Outer City know that Cui Wanhe, Sun Yan, and Dai Xing are the champions of the younger generation?"

"That’s right! If we’re only comparing the younger generation, who could possibly beat that monster Cui Wanhe?" a hall master from a smaller hall immediately gathered his courage and chimed in.

"Everyone, if you feel the spars between the younger generation are not enough, then by all means, let the older disciples have a go. Mid-stage, late-stage, or even Perfection in the Flesh Refining Realm—all are welcome. In short, these seats will be earned with fists! The results must be convincing to all."

"Hall Master Qin, what are your thoughts?" Hong Jingtian’s aura intensified as he stared at Qin Fangqiong.

Hall Master Yan immediately pressed his advantage. "Hall Master Qin, that genius disciple of yours, Su Yu—what realm has he reached? Sun Yan lost to him once, and he has been dreaming day and night of a rematch right here on this stage!"

In the next instant, the gazes of all the Martial Arts Hall Masters converged on Qin Fangqiong.

At this point, the only one left with any right to contend for the alliance was White Ape Martial Arts Hall.

But they soon shook their heads. ’The White Ape Martial Arts Hall probably isn’t strong enough. Su Yu was certainly amazing back in the Skin Tempering Realm...’

’...but how many sensational geniuses have gotten stuck at the Flesh Refining Realm? On the path of Martial Arts, the only thing that matters is how far you go.’

’There hasn’t been any news about Su Yu for a long time. He’s probably been surpassed by Sun Yan by now.’

’Even if he did break through, could he really beat the Sun Yan of today?’ Seeing his transformation on the platform, they couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

’This is a true genius, reborn from the ashes of defeat. A disciple like him is destined to become another expert on the level of a Martial Arts Hall Master.’

Qin Fangqiong didn’t answer their question. She simply lifted her teacup, gently blew away the foam, and spoke calmly to someone below the platform.

"Su Yu, go on up."

The moment she spoke, everyone’s pupils constricted. Every gaze in the plaza snapped toward the crowd below.

There, in the White Ape Martial Arts Hall’s camp, a tall, slender figure in dark robes rose unhurriedly to his feet.

Without revealing any Qi and Blood or using any Body Technique, Su Yu simply walked with a steady gait, ascending the stone steps one by one, as if taking a stroll up to the white stone platform.

In the center of the arena, Sun Yan stared fixedly at the approaching figure. ’The vicious tiger caged in my heart for countless days and nights seemed to let out a frenzied roar at this very moment!’

’He’s here! He’s finally here!’

’Tear him apart! Tear him apart! Tear him apart!’

Su Yu’s arrival plunged the entire plaza into silence.

Many people leaned forward, their curiosity piqued.

They all knew about the history between Su Yu and Sun Yan, and now they were curious to see how Su Yu would fare against this reborn version of his rival.

Su Yu came to a stop about thirty feet from Sun Yan. He ignored Sun Yan’s twisted, predatory glare, as well as the curious stares from the crowd.

He simply swept a calm gaze over the crowd, and then he spoke.

"Su Yu of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall."

"Twenty years old. Mid-stage Flesh Refining Realm."

His voice, amplified by his Qi and Blood, echoed throughout the entire plaza.

GASP—

The plaza instantly fell into a dead silence, punctuated only by the sound of sharply indrawn breaths.

"He didn’t misspeak, did he? Mid-stage Flesh Refining Realm?" someone whispered, their voice trembling. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"You heard right! Mid-stage Flesh Refining Realm! At twenty!"

The next moment, the entire plaza erupted.

"Holy shit! Mid-stage Flesh Refining Realm at twenty? What kind of fucking monster is he!"

"HAHAHA! As expected of the publicly acknowledged number one genius of Black Stone City’s Outer City! I knew it! There was no way Su Yu would get stuck!"

"A monster! An absolute monster! This is the true foundation and pride of our Black Stone City! Haha, let’s see who dares to call us country bumpkins now!"

Atop the platform, one of the hall masters couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

"Hall Master Qin, congratulations! Haha! Mid-stage Flesh Refining Realm at twenty! With Su Yu, your White Ape Martial Arts Hall might just produce a Profound Bone Realm master in the future!"

The hall masters of the three major halls were also staring intently at the figure in the center of the arena.

Especially Hall Master Yan, whose gaze was grim. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Over at the Spirit Serpent Martial Arts Hall’s area, a rigid expression flashed across Xu Xianzhou’s face. ’Mid-stage Flesh Refining Realm at twenty... a cultivation speed like that would make him a genius even in Jian’an Prefecture.’

But he quickly added with disdain, "You can cultivate faster if you just focus on breaking through and rely on pills. But people like that usually have unstable foundations. Their combat strength is a complete joke."

The others nodded in agreement. They had all seen people do this before—chasing a hollow reputation, only to get stuck at the next major realm and fade into obscurity.

...

"Su Yu, I don’t fucking believe it!"

Sun Yan’s voice was hoarse. At that moment, he felt like he had become the laughingstock of the entire plaza all over again.

"No! I refuse to accept this! Let me see just what kind of power you really have!"

Sun Yan’s calm demeanor vanished completely. His eyes flashed with rage, ferocity, and bitter resentment. With the Qi and Blood in his body roaring, he launched a direct attack on Su Yu.

His fist was covered in a black membrane—the Cyan-Black Profound Armor from the Skilled Realm of the Black Stone Body Forging Skill, stacked with the Qi and Blood of the Iron Armor Skill’s fifth revolution.

This punch was infused with all his fury, humiliation, and killing intent. It was his most domineering, peak attack—one that left no room for retreat!

Before the fist even arrived, the whistling wind it generated pulled Su Yu’s dark robes taut, making them snap loudly.

And yet, facing this ferocious, domineering punch...

Su Yu’s expression remained so calm it was despairing.

He simply took a casual half-step forward.

A layer of Profound Silver Flow Armor, as cold and dark as flowing mercury, instantly coated his right fist.

Then, he extended his right fist.

"BOOM!"

The two fists collided. Two bursts of Ming Jin erupted on the platform like a clap of thunder.

Yet, the outcome was decided in a single instant!

The moment their fists met, Sun Yan’s bloodshot pupils contracted to pinpricks.

The Ming Jin he was so proud of was effortlessly crushed by a far more tyrannical force, as if he had been slammed by an ancient, ferocious beast.

"CRACK!"

A sickening crack of shattering bone echoed clearly across the entire plaza, setting everyone’s teeth on edge.

Sun Yan’s right arm, into which he had poured all his Qi and Blood, instantly exploded like rotten wood under the crushing pressure of the savage Ming Jin! The pale white of his arm bone brutally tore through tough muscle and skin, bursting into the open air in a sickening spray of blood and gore!

"ARGH!"

A bloodcurdling scream rang out.

Crushed by that absolute power, Sun Yan’s body shot backward as if struck head-on by an ancient beast, flying hundreds of feet through the air.

"THUD!"

With a heavy thud, Sun Yan’s body flew clear off the platform and slammed onto the ground below.

A cool spring breeze blew across the platform, gently brushing against Su Yu’s placid face.

The plaza, which had been roaring with excitement just moments before, once again fell into a deathly silence.