’To think that just activating the Level 3 Stepping Talent Amplification would bring my Gale Step to Perfection!’

Fang Han’s qi and blood slowly calmed, a trace of joy from achieving Perfection in his Gale Step appearing in his eyes.

The effects of the Eightfold Stepping Talent Amplification far exceeded his expectations. It caused his Gale Step to improve dramatically in a short time, pushing the technique, which was already close to Perfection, all the way into the Realm of Perfection.

This unexpected boon gave him a bit more confidence for the upcoming challenge.

’I can apply for a graded Step Technique now...’

The thought crossed Fang Han’s mind. He considered asking Elder Fang Yuan to let him cultivate a higher-level Step Technique, but he immediately suppressed the idea.

The most urgent matter right now was dealing with the outsider youth who could show up to challenge him at any moment.

Time was tight. Rather than get distracted by a new Step Technique, it was better to pour all his energy into further honing his Xunfeng Swordsmanship. Even the slightest increase in strength before the battle would be worthwhile.

「The next morning.」

Fang Han stepped into the Inner Hall training grounds, just as he did every day.

He could clearly feel that the atmosphere in the Inner Hall today was far more solemn and oppressive than usual.

Many of the Inner Hall Descendants seemed distracted during their cultivation, their gazes frequently darting toward the main gate with nervousness and worry.

The air seemed to be filled with the heavy stillness of a coming storm.

Fang Han’s expression was unreadable. He seemed oblivious to the strange atmosphere around him as he walked with steady steps toward his own Class A-10 Martial Arts Room.

He entered the Martial Arts Room and was just calming his mind to begin cultivation when, at that moment—

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

A series of urgent knocks shattered his train of thought.

Fang Han frowned slightly, stood up, and opened the door.

Outside the door stood a servant, looking nervous and breathing a little rapidly. Upon seeing Fang Han, he immediately bowed and spoke urgently.

"Young Master Fang Han, Elder Fang Yuan has given an urgent order! Please proceed to the central battle stage courtyard immediately!"

A chill ran through Fang Han’s heart. He understood instantly. What was to come had finally come.

"I understand."

He nodded, his expression serene.

He picked up the Cyan Blade Sword gifted to him by the family and followed the hurrying servant toward the battle stage courtyard.

All the Inner Hall Descendants he passed along the way were heading in the same direction, toward the battle stage courtyard. The air was thick with the oppressive feeling of a looming storm.

The atmosphere in the central battle stage courtyard was solemn.

Elder Fang Yuan stood before the spectator seats with four other elderly men, each with a profound aura and dressed in different attire. These four were Elder-level figures from the Lin, Yue, He, and Sun Families.

Behind them were the outstanding members of the younger generation from the five great families, including Lin Ao, Yue Lingtian, He Qingyan, Sun Qing, and Fang Hong.

Lin Ao, Yue Lingtian, He Qingyan, and Sun Qing didn’t look well. Lin Ao in particular had a grim expression, his lips pressed tightly together, clearly not yet over yesterday’s defeat.

Everyone’s attention was focused on two figures by the central battle stage—one standing, one seated.

The one standing was a youth dressed in xuan training clothes, his posture as straight and tall as a pine tree.

His face wasn’t exceptionally handsome, but his features held a sharp, blade-like confidence and arrogance.

A brilliant light flashed in his eyes whenever they opened and closed, as if he paid no mind to the gazes of the various family Elders and geniuses around him.

Just by standing there, he naturally exuded a pressuring aura that was impossible to ignore. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

On a stone stool beside him sat an old man in a gray robe. His face was gaunt, his eyes were half-closed, and his aura was as tranquil as a deep, ancient well, yet he gave off an unfathomable feeling.

"Fang Han is here!"

As Fang Han stepped into the courtyard, he instantly drew the attention of everyone present.

Someone whispered, and the atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly grew even more tense.

The gazes of Lin Ao, Yue Lingtian, and the others immediately locked onto him, their expressions complex and difficult to read. There was scrutiny, but also an indescribable sense of anticipation.

The youth in xuan, Xiao Chen, also turned his head abruptly. His gaze was like two bolts of cold lightning shooting straight at Fang Han, and the corner of his mouth curved into a smirk filled with fighting spirit.

Seeing Fang Han, Elder Fang Yuan gave a slight nod, his expression grave. He beckoned him forward and said in a low voice,

"Fang Han, this is Young Master Xiao Chen from Celestial Wind City, and this is Elder Xiao Yuanshan of the Xiao Family."

"Fang Han of the Fang Family, it is an honor to meet you both."

Fang Han’s expression remained unchanged. He met Xiao Chen’s aggressive gaze calmly and cupped his hands in a slight bow.

’Celestial Wind City,’ he thought. ’I remember my tutor mentioning it back during my early studies in the academy. I heard it’s the only mid-sized city in the region, with a permanent population of seven to eight hundred thousand.’

’A Xiao Family that can establish itself there probably has even greater strength and deeper foundations than the Fang Family.’

"Fang Han, I’ve heard of you. I hope you don’t disappoint me."

A sharp light glinted in Xiao Chen’s eyes as he spoke with a hint of superiority. After speaking, he turned his gaze to the tense-faced Fang Hong at the side.

"You must be Fang Hong, right? You can go first!"

Hearing the disdain hidden in Xiao Chen’s words, Fang Hong’s face instantly flushed red, and rage flared in his eyes.

The Elders of the five great families also frowned slightly. This youth was truly arrogant to a fault.

Elder Fang Yuan looked at Fang Hong and said in a low voice,

"Fang Hong, you will be the first to face him."

"Yes, Elder!"

Fang Hong took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and nodded heavily.

He leaped into the air and landed on the battle stage, his blazing gaze fixed on Xiao Chen.

"Please!"

Xiao Chen let out a soft laugh. Without any discernible movement, his figure flickered and reappeared on the stage like a phantom, standing silently opposite Fang Hong.

"Please."

He gestured casually.

The battle erupted in an instant!

Fang Hong knew his opponent was formidable, so he unleashed his full power from the very first move.

BOOM—!

His gauntleted hands pushed the Mountain Suppressing Fist Technique to its absolute limit. The force of his fists was heavy and fierce, like a crushing mountain, and his momentum was astonishing.

CLANG—

However, Xiao Chen’s attack was even more tyrannical. He drew his saber with lightning speed and, without dodging or evading, slashed straight at Fang Hong.

The slash was incredibly ferocious, as if it could sunder rivers and shatter mountains. Its momentum clearly overwhelmed Fang Hong’s.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG—

In less than ten moves, Fang Hong was already defending more than attacking, finding himself in one perilous situation after another.

Below the stage, the expressions of Elder Fang Yuan and the others grew increasingly grave.

Lin Ao and the others looked even worse; they had personally experienced this same feeling of powerlessness.

BANG!

On the twelfth move, Xiao Chen’s saber swept aside Fang Hong’s fists and slashed across his chest.

A long, bloody gash appeared on Fang Hong’s chest. He let out a muffled grunt and staggered back seven or eight steps, nearly falling off the stage.

"I was lucky."

Xiao Chen sheathed his saber and stood tall, his breathing steady, as if he had just done something trivial.

Fang Hong’s face was deathly pale. He gritted his teeth, managed a difficult cupped-hand gesture, and leaped dejectedly off the stage.

Xiao Chen didn’t even spare Fang Hong a glance. His gaze locked directly onto Fang Han below the stage, his fighting spirit blazing like fire.

"Fang Han, it’s your turn! I hope you can last a few more moves than they did. Don’t disgrace your reputation!"

The gazes of the entire crowd instantly focused on Fang Han.

The Elders from the various families watched with different expressions: some with concern, some with scrutiny, some with curiosity.

Lin Ao, Yue Lingtian, and the others held their breath, their feelings mixed.

As his rivals, they wanted to see Fang Han suffer a loss. But as Martial Artists of Liangshui City, they also hoped he would win and restore the city’s honor.

"Please enlighten me."

Fang Han’s expression was as calm as still water. Under the watch of countless eyes, he walked onto the battle stage with steady, deliberate steps.

The Cyan Blade Sword slid silently from its sheath, its tip pointing diagonally toward the ground. A sharp and heavy aura slowly began to rise from his body.