At this moment, the second floor of Tian Kui Pavilion was eerily quiet, with only the chaotic mess on the floor and the sound of thumping hearts remaining.

Whether it was Chen Fei delivering a slap to Du Xincheng's face or the follow-up kick that grazed his shoulder and sent him flying and spitting blood—the description might seem lengthy, but in reality, it all happened in just two or three moves.

Yet it was these two or three moves that brought a veteran Half-Step Innate Powerhouse from the Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool—one of the Four Great Hidden Sects of the Lingnan Mountains—to such a state. He had been swatted and kicked as if he were a child. How terrifying was this strength?

Even Bai Bin, a true prodigy and the current successor of the Bai Family of Tian Kui Market, another of the Four Great Hidden Sects, couldn't help but feel a tremor run through him. His gaze toward Chen Fei was filled with a mixture of disbelief and shock.

He understood all too well what such a disparity—such a complete trouncing—implied. It meant Chen Fei's strength not only far exceeded Du Xincheng's but also far surpassed their own! Though he was loath to accept it, even finding it incredible, the facts were laid bare before him, leaving them no choice but to believe.

He's actually… an Innate Ancient Martial Artist!?

After finishing, Chen Fei didn't make another move. He swept a cold, expressionless glance over Zhan Lingfeng and Du Xincheng. "Speaking of which, didn't your Huadao Fort do the same thing to our Flying Leopard back in the day? The only difference is that I merely injured you, whereas you took a life."

Though the old grudges between Huadao Fort and the Flying Leopard had little to do with him personally, he now bore the title of the Flying Leopard's honorary Chief Instructor. Coupled with Chief Luo's parting words, he naturally had to demand an explanation on their behalf.

"Who the hell do you think you are? You really think you're hot stuff just because you have a little talent and strength? Let me tell you, our Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool is not to be trifled with! And my brother is Zhan Hu! Believe it or not, with a single word from me, I can make sure you trash from the Flying Leopard never walk out of these Lingnan Mountains alive…"

However, Zhan Lingfeng was used to his arrogance. He had grown up throwing his weight around in the Lingnan Mountains, backed by his brother and a colossal power like the Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool. He couldn't stand being questioned in such a tone and finally snapped, pointing a finger at Chen Fei's nose as he cursed.

The past? So what if it was the Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool back then? So what if someone died? He refused to believe this guy would actually kill him over such a flimsy excuse. His brother was Zhan Hu, the most outstanding successor of their generation! As the brother of such an exceptional figure, being lectured like this was already too much. Bringing up ancient history was a complete joke. What happened back then wasn't even his doing. And even if it was, so what? Don't tell me you're still not over it?

"Lingfeng, shut your mouth!" Seeing Zhan Lingfeng still daring to curse at Chen Fei, a terrified Du Xincheng scrambled up from the floor, his face deathly pale as he shouted.

He wasn't a brainless fop like Zhan Lingfeng. He understood just how deep the old grudge ran between their Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool and the Flying Leopard. He also knew how terrifying it would be if this man had truly reached that realm.

An Innate Ancient Martial Artist in his twenties—what astonishing talent! Give him another five or ten years, and what heights would he reach? It was terrifying to even imagine… Wouldn't he be simply invincible?

"Can't leave these Lingnan Mountains? Very well…" Upon hearing the threat, Chen Fei's expression had already darkened. He began walking toward Zhan Lingfeng without a word.

"What do you want!?" Seeing Chen Fei actually *dare* to approach him, the previously confident Zhan Lingfeng's face turned pale. Goosebumps broke out across his skin as he blustered, "What are you trying to do!?"

WHOOSH!

In the next instant, a hand quietly materialized on his shoulder.

"Stop!" Just as Chen Fei was about to act, a deep voice rang out in sharp rebuke.

Hmm? Zhan Hu… Bai Bin was the first to react, his gaze snapping toward the entrance.

Immediately, everyone's eyes followed his, their expressions a mixture of shock and apprehension. Unbeknownst to them, a ghostly figure had silently appeared there. He was towering, well over two meters tall, built like a massive bear. His fists, clenched like small millstones, were covered in calluses and scars. Bulging veins stood out on them, an intimidating sight.

"It really is him, Zhan Hu…" someone whispered.

His face was rather plain, even forgettable, but his eyes were like those of a wild beast—filled with a cruel and merciless light. A single glance was enough to make one feel as if they were being pierced by needles, sending a chill down their spine.

Suddenly, the entire second floor of Tian Kui Pavilion fell silent. An oppressive atmosphere began to spread.

The man, Zhan Hu, started walking forward. The crowd immediately parted before him, few daring to block his path or meet his gaze. His advance continued until he reached the area where Chen Fei stood.

"Brother, you're finally here! Quick, save me!" Seeing him, Zhan Lingfeng looked as if he had seen his savior. The gloom and terror vanished from his face, replaced by overwhelming joy.

"Let go." Zhan Hu's cold eyes swept over Chen Fei. He stepped closer, his immense frame exuding enormous pressure. His savage, beast-like gaze, sharp as fangs, bore down on Chen Fei.

Only Du Xincheng, the Half-Step Innate Elder from the Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool, showed a flicker of change in his expression. He seemed to want to say something but hesitated, ultimately choosing to swallow his concerns. After all, it's impossible for Chen Fei to have reached the level of an Innate Ancient Martial Artist. He's far too young, only in his twenties…

"Are you ordering me?"

A cool voice cut through the tension. Everyone watched as Chen Fei slightly relaxed his grip on Zhan Lingfeng's shoulder. He turned, lifted his head, and met Zhan Hu's dangerous, wild eyes. A chilling smile that sent shivers down the spine curled his lips.

When it came to sheer presence, who had he ever feared?

Seeing that cold smile, Zhan Hu instinctively paused.

"Brother, this guy dared to strike me! And in front of so many people, he challenged the dignity of our Huadao Fort! His crime is unforgivable! We can't let him escape today. Kill him!" However, Zhan Lingfeng interpreted Chen Fei releasing his shoulder as a sign of fear. His arrogance returned in full force as he spat out the venomous words. As he'd thought before, with his status and background, being slapped and kicked by Chen Fei was an utter humiliation he could not tolerate. He wanted nothing more than for Chen Fei to die.

"Brother Zhan Hu, it's just a misunderstanding. Why resort to violence and ruin the harmony?" Bai Bin attempted to intervene.

"A misunderstanding? I hardly think so," that same cool voice interjected before Zhan Hu could even respond.

"It seems you've forgotten my earlier warning," Chen Fei said coldly.

"Stop!"

Zhan Hu's eyes flashed with fury. He drew a massive tiger-headed broadsword with blinding speed, attempting to intercept whatever Chen Fei planned to do next. But he was a step too late. Chen Fei had already lifted his foot and viciously kicked Zhan Lingfeng in the face, sending him flying. A bloody shoe print was stamped on his cheek as blood gushed from his mouth.

"This is the last time. Next time, I guarantee you won't be able to speak again."

"ARGH!" Several bones in Zhan Lingfeng's face were broken. The searing pain ripped a scream from his throat.

"You…"

The towering Zhan Hu let out a terrifying growl. A faint black mist, the result of his roiling internal energy, began to rise from his bulging muscles. His eyes turned ferocious, and he nearly brought the tiger-headed broadsword down on the spot. After all, Zhan Lingfeng was his own brother, now beaten so mercilessly right in front of him. This wasn't just an insult to his brother; it was an insult to Zhan Hu himself.

"It seems the Flying Leopard is still holding a grudge over that incident years ago. Still not resigned to it, are you?" he snarled, staring death at Chen Fei.

"You could say that. If I'd been born a few years earlier, it would have been your Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool missing two martial arts conferences in a row," Chen Fei replied calmly.

"Is that so?" A cold glint flashed in Zhan Hu's wild eyes. With a sudden movement, he swung the tiger-headed broadsword. The faint black mist swirled as the blade's cold edge slashed toward Chen Fei's chest. "Then why don't we test that right now?" He attacked.

With a deafening roar, he blasted through everything in his path like a crazed beast, the frosty power of the formidable tiger-headed broadsword filling the air.

Even Bai Bin paled at the sight, swallowing hard. He suddenly realized the power Zhan Hu was now displaying was far greater than Du Xincheng's had been. So a Half-Step Innate can be this strong… Could it be that Chen Fei was also at that level?

A wave of shocked murmurs spread through the second floor as the expressions of many others changed. They stared at Zhan Hu in terror, their faces twitching as they instinctively backed away. The man was a monster.

But at that moment, a deep HUM reverberated through the air, a sound so unsettling it seemed to squeeze the heart.

The crowd watched, stunned, as the tiger-headed broadsword in Zhan Hu's hand was, incredibly, sent flying by a single palm strike from Chen Fei.

"Did you really think I was joking?" Chen Fei stared at his opponent, his expression unreadable. A trace of frost passed through his dark, clear eyes, causing Zhan Hu, who was staring in stunned disbelief, to flinch as his eyes narrowed sharply.

"Xingyi Fist Tiger Form: Tiger Roar!"

The words seemed to shatter their eardrums. In their minds, they heard the roar of the king of beasts echoing through a mountain forest. Chen Fei dropped to all fours in a roaring stance, then violently twisted his body upright, blasting a punch forward like a pouncing tiger smashing down its paw.

BANG!

"No!" An unbearable sound of air being ripped apart assaulted their ears, and an indescribable sense of danger flooded Zhan Hu's mind, forcing a raw shout from his lips.

His expression changed drastically. His body shot backward with incredible speed, and he somehow managed to evade Chen Fei's fist by a hair's breadth. Even so, in that brief instant, his entire colossal frame was drenched in cold sweat, his back so soaked it felt like he'd been caught in a rainstorm.

It took him a long moment to suppress the chilling feeling. When he looked at Chen Fei again, his eyes held a newfound gravity and dread.

Then, his face slightly pale and twitching, he stared at Chen Fei and said coldly, "An Innate… Ancient Martial Artist?"

As these words fell, everyone's eyes in the room narrowed.

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