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Chapter 174: I, Fang Yuan, Challenge Jiang Chen
🕑 Added 2023-06-20 00:00:05 +0000 UTC
The moment these words filled the air, an uproar instantly engulfed the entire venue.
"It's finally happening!"
"That audacious Fang Yuan is definitely going to challenge Senior Brother Jiang Chen. He's gravely overestimating his abilities!"
"Senior Brother Jiang Chen ought to teach him a stern lesson!"
"..."
The assembled crowd shifted their gazes, focusing on Jiang Chen positioned at the premier arena and Fang Yuan occupying the secondary.
Even the multitude of disciples, numbering in the hundreds, elected to hold back from challenging higher ranks. All eyes were transfixed, eagerly awaiting the spectacle of Fang Yuan's impending embarrassment.
In an instant, Jiang Chen and Fang Yuan found themselves at the center of everyone's attention!
"I, Fang Yuan!"
"Challenge Jiang Chen!"
Fang Yuan, a spark of determination blazing in his eyes, slowly arose from his seated position. Each word he spoke echoed with an unyielding resolve.
"Second-placed Fang Yuan, challenging the potential Holy Son, Jiang Chen!"
The Elder presiding over the event bellowed, "Fang Yuan, you are now permitted to arm yourself and make your way to the primary arena."
Acknowledging this with a nod, Fang Yuan took action.
Then, beneath the scrutinizing eyes of the onlookers, he selected a long spear and proceeded towards Jiang Chen's arena, the primary battleground.
"Fang Yuan."
"Boldly facing challenges and charging forward, commendable, truly commendable!"
"With such a fighting spirit, you are bound to achieve astounding success on the Cultivation Path!"
Jiang Chen's gaze rested on Fang Yuan, his face revealing a blend of approval, encouragement, and concern for his junior brother.
"..."
Fang Yuan maintained a stoic expression, a flicker of coldness slicing through his heart.
From his perspective, Jiang Chen was in an unquestionably superior position, looking down upon him, a stance he found utterly unacceptable!
In that moment, the countdown began on the arena's formation!
Nine, eight, seven...
"This time, I will surely defeat you!"
Fang Yuan's eyes sharpened, and he swung his long spear with formidable force, the horrifying sound of it cleaving the air amplifying a chilling momentum.
However.
"Fang Yuan is rambling again!"
"I can't help but laugh, does he believe he could escalate to the level capable of overpowering Senior Brother Jiang Chen in a mere hour?"
"Fang Yuan usually seems sensible, but I can't fathom what's gotten into him these past couple of years!"
"Haha, I trust that Senior Brother Jiang Chen will set him straight, so he comprehends the true meaning of self-knowledge!"
"..."
Beneath the arena, the disciples were whispering amongst themselves, their fingers pointing at Fang Yuan on the stage, their faces etched with disdain.
Observing this, a chuckle bubbled up within Jiang Chen.
Were this predicament befalling the protagonist, it would serve as a prelude to a composed and grand demonstration.
But now, Fang Yuan had encountered him, Jiang Chen, and there would be no opportunity for showing off.
At this juncture, the countdown dwindled to the final three digits.
Three, two, one.
The duel had officially commenced!
"Fierce God Seven Killings Spear Third Move - Lone Smoke!"
Fang Yuan acted, his spear and he becoming one. His velocity was so swift that he transformed into a streak of smoke in a blink, launching his assault directly at Jiang Chen.
"Void Rainbow Sword Technique Ninth Style - Returning to One!"
In response, Jiang Chen, wielding a long sword, delivered a single stroke that unleashed an enormous wave of white sword Qi. It slashed through the air, assailing the encroaching Fang Yuan with brutal intensity.
Clang!
Long spear met long sword.
The clash of immense forces resulted in mutual annihilation, and copious amounts of combat energy splashed recklessly about.
Fang Yuan's long spear carved a striking arc in the air, the sharp spear tip gleaming with a deadly frosty light, materializing at Jiang Chen's neck in the blink of an eye.
"Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps!"
Jiang Chen's figure shimmered, and he swiftly retreated hundreds of meters in an instant.
Fang Yuan's serpent-like spear tip cut through Jiang Chen's afterimage, leaving a chilling hum echoing in the air.
However, he did not pursue.
This round served primarily as a probe, a trial to discern the recovery status of the opponent after an hour's rest.
At this moment, both Jiang Chen and Fang Yuan had a tacit understanding - they had both recovered to their peak condition.
"Have you also returned to your peak?"
"It matters not, I can still best you!"
A strong yearning to do battle and a firm resolve blazed in Fang Yuan's eyes, "Wild Spirit Explosion, Vigorous Sift Diagram!!"
Almost instantaneously, two power-enhancing secret arts were activated simultaneously.
A surge of potent Yuan Power began to circulate in a unique pattern.
A network of hidden meridians were forcibly opened by the onslaught of Yuan Power.
Alongside an agonizing pain, the vast potential hidden within Fang Yuan's body burst forth in a flash!
Boom!
It all happened within a single breath's time.
Fang Yuan's face flushed a deep red, his aura exploded, skyrocketing to the Inquiring Journey realm!
His combat power even surged to the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm!
In that singular moment.
"Fierce God Seven Killings Spear Fourth Move - Death Command!!"
Fang Yuan melded with his spear, morphing into a comet-like streak of light, fiercely lunging at Jiang Chen.
Previously, when he had used this move, he had wielded a long sword as a weapon to mislead Jiang Chen, which didn't allow for the full expression of the Fierce God Seven Killings Spear's might.
But this time, he was using a long spear!
This strike was undoubtedly the most potent attack he had ever launched in his lifetime!
'A self-damaging power-enhancing secret art!?'
'Truly, with merely an hour's respite, this is likely his only option.'
'The power of such temporary enhancements is typically fleeting. Under normal circumstances, all one needs is to delay, and it would be sufficient to exhaust the adversary.'
Jiang Chen's eyes sparkled, a counter-strategy already taking form in his mind.
Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps!
In an instant, he left an afterimage in his original spot, his genuine form appearing hundreds of meters away!
However, this time, it appeared as though Fang Yuan's observational skills had also improved.
He tore right through Jiang Chen's afterimage, his long spear tailing Jiang Chen like a heat-seeking missile, targeting his vital points and ferociously plunging down!
'I'll evade again!'
Jiang Chen's expression remained unchanged. Leaning back, he continued employing the Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps to dodge.
Yet, Fang Yuan wasn't fooled. He stuck to Jiang Chen like a relentless bloodhound, refusing to let up.
In that moment, Fang Yuan began to discern Jiang Chen's strategy.
A sense of disquiet suddenly stirred in his heart.
His speed had significantly enhanced compared to before, and he had assumed that he could inhibit Jiang Chen's maneuvers and decisively defeat him.
Yet, astonishingly, Jiang Chen's speed was always slightly superior to his!
Clearly, he was just a fraction away from impaling Jiang Chen with his spear, but that mere fraction felt like an insurmountable chasm, impossible to bridge!
'He must be employing a power-boosting secret art too!'
'It boils down to whose secret art is superior, and who can endure the longest!'
Fang Yuan concluded in his mind, the Yuan Power within him whirling frantically, tailing Jiang Chen persistently.
Simultaneously.
"This Fang Yuan lad indeed possesses some skill."
"What skill? He's just being led by the nose!"
"Senior Brother Jiang Chen isn't even making an effort to counter-attack, just focusing on evasion. Even if Fang Yuan exhausts himself, he won't be able to close the gap."
"Perhaps due to Fang Yuan's incessant boasting, Senior Brother Jiang Chen has grown irked and is teaching him a lesson in this manner!"
"Maybe Senior Brother Jiang Chen is still attempting to spare Fang Yuan some dignity. If Senior Brother Jiang Chen took action, Fang Yuan would be finished, and that would indeed be a significant loss of face."
"Senior Brother Jiang Chen is simply too kind-hearted!"
"..."
One by one, the disciples observed the chase unfolding on the stage, all the while engaging in animated discussions.
However, influential figures like Ji Mingxiu and Mo Yu perceived much more depth in Fang Yuan's actions.
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