Li Ge’s pupils shrank at the sight of the dozens of arms.

Shadow Strike was a Profound Tier High Level Martial Technique that Li Ge had acquired while out on a training expedition. This Martial Skill was incredibly unique: it allowed the user to transform Spiritual Power into extra limbs, which could materialize from any part of the body to strike an enemy unexpectedly.

Li Ge had practiced it for a full year and could still only barely form two arms. And yet, Shen Haoran had at least ten!

’Even reaching Great Success in the Shadow Strike’s Cultivation Technique would only let you form eight arms. How did Shen Haoran do this?!’

Below the Martial Arts Arena, the crowd fell silent once again. The dozens of arms sprouting from Shen Haoran’s body sent a jolt through their systems.

"Isn’t Shadow Strike Li Ge’s signature technique? How can Shen Haoran use it? Did he secretly learn it from him?"

"Impossible. Shen Haoran and Li Ge have never crossed paths. Besides, he’s even more monstrous than Li Ge—he can form so many arms at once. That’s not what it looks like when someone secretly learns a skill!"

"Are you saying that Shen Haoran learned Li Ge’s Shadow Strike just from those few short exchanges? And that he’s already way better at it than Li Ge himself?"

"That must be it!" At this thought, the crowd couldn’t help but gasp. ’What kind of genius is this? Learning an opponent’s Martial Skill after just a few exchanges and then using it with even greater mastery? A person like that is simply heaven-defying!’

If Shen Haoran knew what everyone was thinking, he would have given a wry smile. Even if his comprehension was freakishly high, he wasn’t so talented that he could replicate an opponent’s Martial Skill after seeing it only a few times.

However, it was possible for Shen Haoran to see through to the essence of his opponent’s Martial Skill. Li Ge’s Shadow Strike was simply a matter of using precise Spiritual Power control to form the arms. Shen Haoran just took a different approach: he used the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian to form them!

With Shen Haoran’s affinity for fire and his synergy with the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, coupled with his recently improved Fire Manipulation Skill, forming the arms was incredibly easy. The only drawback was that the arms he created weren’t as durable as the ones Li Ge formed with Spiritual Power.

But what did that matter? With the support of the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, Shen Haoran could form an endless supply of arms. ’If quality isn’t enough, I’ll just overwhelm you with quantity!’ And that was exactly what he did.

Li Ge was utterly flustered under the assault of Shen Haoran’s dozens of arms. Every time he shattered one of the flame arms, more would materialize to take its place. After just a few exchanges, he was already covered in injuries.

BOOM... With another barrage, Li Ge finally buckled and was sent flying by Shen Haoran. Dozens of fists pummeled his face, and a spray of blood and broken teeth flew from his mouth, scattering across the ground...

This time, Li Ge didn’t get back up. Shen Haoran’s furious assault had broken several of his ribs at the very least, to say nothing of his internal injuries. He could no longer feel the Spiritual Power flowing within him; his main meridians were blocked with stagnant blood, and it would take a couple of weeks to clear them.

Shen Haoran dispelled his Flame Armor. His youthful face was a little pale—a sign of Spiritual Power overexertion.

He walked over to Li Ge, looked down at his miserable state, and said coolly, "I told you. You’re not worthy of being my opponent."

PTUI... Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Li Ge was so enraged by Shen Haoran’s words that he fainted.

The crowd stared at Shen Haoran standing tall on the stage and the unconscious Li Ge, gasping collectively. The scene felt somewhat surreal.

"He won?!"

"He actually defeated Li Ge? A new disciple made it onto the Dragon and Tiger List, just like that?"

"I think I’m witnessing the rise of a new genius!"

The crowd glanced at the unconscious Li Ge and couldn’t help but feel it was a stroke of luck for him.

Li Ge had made a huge spectacle of his duel with Shen Haoran, intending to crush him in front of the entire Sect. He wanted to make it clear that even as the lowest-ranked member of the Dragon and Tiger List, he was still one of its masters. His prestige was not something a mere new disciple could challenge.

However, Shen Haoran had thrown it right back in his face. With his overwhelming power, he had forcibly stolen the spotlight and made the stage his own.

In the distance, Elder Zhong watched Shen Haoran with some surprise. He then said softly, "Elder Huo, you’ve taken on a fine disciple."

"Haha, the boy earned it!" Elder Huo boomed with laughter.

But a moment later, his expression darkened. Shen Haoran had suddenly turned and flipped him the bird.

"That little bastard! He actually spotted us!" Elder Huo cursed. Then, he and Elder Zhong vanished, leaving the area.

"Tch, still spying on me," Shen Haoran said with a grin.

Then, with all eyes on him, Shen Haoran leaped off the Martial Arts Arena and headed toward Qi Dai.

Seeing the murderous look on Shen Haoran’s face as he approached, Qi Dai began to tremble uncontrollably.

"Wh-what do you want? Li Ge made me publicize the duel! It had nothing to do with me!" Qi Dai stammered, backing away in terror.

But Shen Haoran paid him no mind, stopping in front of him and asking coolly, "You were the one running the bets earlier?"

"No—I mean, yes... I was," Qi Dai stammered. He had wanted to deny it, but one look at Shen Haoran’s sharp gaze and he had no choice but to confess.

"Good. I bet ten thousand Gold Coins on myself. The odds on me were a hundred to one. So, by my calculation, you should be giving me one million and ten thousand," Shen Haoran said, calculating out loud.

"When did you place a bet?" Qi Dai was stunned.

"Just now. What, you got a problem with that?" Shen Haoran’s eyes narrowed, a cold light flashing within them.

Staring at the domineering Shen Haoran, Qi Dai could only grit his teeth and swallow his anger.

"No... it is indeed one million and ten thousand," Qi Dai said through gritted teeth.

"Good. Have it delivered to Red Flame Hall within one day. Otherwise, you can expect a visit from the Sect’s Disciplinary Elders." With that, Shen Haoran turned and left. He didn’t care whether Qi Dai agreed or not. ’Anyone who dares use me as a tool to make money should be prepared to be fleeced. A million is getting off easy.’

Qi Dai watched Shen Haoran’s departing figure, his heart sinking. A million Gold Coins... where was he supposed to find that kind of money? He was just one of Li Ge’s lackeys! He suddenly realized that provoking Shen Haoran was the single worst mistake of his life.

It wasn’t just him; the surrounding crowd watched Shen Haoran with trepidation. ’He’s a monster who devours people whole—ruthless and unreasonable.’ They all mentally slapped a "Do Not Provoke" label on him, vowing to give him a wide berth from now on.

And so, with this one battle, Shen Haoran successfully earned a spot on the Dragon and Tiger List. The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire Sect...