Chapter 28 – The Curtain Raiser of Heroes' Contest

The arena buzzed with escalating excitement, particularly among the hot-blooded youth, until spectators filled every corner.

Inside the private booth.

Man Lang: “What a lad! He truly has his methods—to master my ultimate technique so flawlessly. Truly, the new generation surpasses the old, washing the predecessors ashore…”

No sooner had he spoken than Man Lang strode forward excitedly, appearing more exhilarated than anyone present.

Their hands met in a firm handshake, an invisible power thrumming between them.

What flowed between them was the unspoken understanding shared among men.

In that moment, it was the true essence of heroism—a mutual admiration between warriors!

Witnessing this, Ma Xiu couldn’t help but feel moved. Though she was a woman, it didn’t hinder her objective perception.

Being a person of genuine temperament, she admittedly felt somewhat unsettled that Ye Kuang would stake his life for tomorrow’s chance.

Even if Ye Kuang’s involvement with them was purely transactional, one couldn’t deny the fact that as a latecomer, he dared to shed blood and sweat for their Yinghao Martial Hall!

At this moment, she had already resolved inwardly that regardless of whether Ye Kuang won the championship, she would never mention the debt again.

Let alone the elderly masters—they shared the same sentiment, their eyes brimming with silent poignancy.

For Yinghao Martial Hall to break into the top fifty was beyond their wildest dreams.

Which of their disciples had ever reached the top fifty before?

The answer was clear—all had fallen at the thousand-man threshold.

Now, Ye Kuang had charged fiercely into the fray on their behalf, igniting their resurgence. What stirred them most was that he fought for Yinghao!

This debt of gratitude far outweighed three hundred thousand.

Elder Yan felt this most profoundly. Since founding Yinghao Martial Hall, he had always yearned for this day to arrive.

When his wish finally came true, Elder Yan couldn’t restrain his trembling hands or his fervent heart, tears welling in his eyes.

Seeing this, though Ye Kuang didn’t fully grasp the shift, he easily guessed it was directly tied to his victory.

While the booth brimmed with emotional intensity, outside, chaos erupted anew.

The Heroes Ranking underwent a massive reshuffling, with countless young talents emerging into the spotlight, seemingly spurred by some mad inspiration, turning the competition increasingly brutal.

None stood as the strongest—only stronger!

These eight words perfectly captured the most visceral impression of the tournament.

It must be noted that Ye Kuang remained unaware of just how perilous the situation had become.

If Tu Bashen’s entry into the top fifty symbolized sheer strength, then the remaining contenders represented the enduring legacy each faction could cultivate.

Watching his opponents reveal their ferocity one by one, Ye Kuang’s heart clenched, his gaze shifting endlessly.

If one phrase could describe the current state of affairs, it would be: “None were ruthless—only more ruthless!”

Just then, a long roar echoed across the arena, jolting every spectator to their feet, screaming wildly: “Get up… GET UP!!!”

The scene erupted into a frenzy.

Ranked seventh, Wu Tian of the Heaven Earth Thunderfist had been knocked off the arena by just three punches from Qin Feiyao, hailed as the Qilin Arm.Ma Xiu couldn’t help but cover her small mouth at the sight, her face filled with utter disbelief!

Man Lang: “Tiangang Martial Hall has produced a monster…”

Before his words faded, the entire screen suddenly transformed, broadcasting the focal point live throughout.

Wu Tian actually pushed off the ground and rose, his fists brimming with boundless rage, transforming into dazzling fist techniques before everyone’s eyes.

The wind from his punches, executed on the spot, displayed overwhelming momentum, like a river bursting through a thousand-mile embankment, followed by an explosive barrage of cannon-like strikes.

Those ferocious fists, destructive by nature, produced thunderous roars that could be heard even through the screen.

In contrast, Qin Feiyao appeared cold and detached, his outstretched arms resembling those of a primordial ape, with countless straight punches accompanying his movements.

The two had clearly ignited genuine combat spirit, each blow exchanged in direct, head-on clashes.

Their speed rivaled a swift gale, their power surpassed startling thunder, making everyone’s scalps tingle and hairs stand on end.

As Wu Tian’s gaze grew increasingly cold and sharp, each of his punches began to carry the force of wind and thunder.

Hiss… Boom, boom, boom…

Countless collision sounds resounded throughout the venue!

Even the audience below couldn’t help but roar along with each thunderous impact.

It must be said that this contest had thoroughly ignited the burning passion of all participating martial artists.

As the two instigators of this event, they were creating waves of commotion with their exchanges.

Their shared conviction as competitors, their mutual refusal to yield as opponents… drove Qin Feiyao and Wu Tian to cast aside all restraint, engaging in wide-open, unrestrained combat.

They fought as if failing to determine a victor would betray the very purpose of honing their skills!

Wu Tian’s fist tore through the air like an artillery shell, unstoppable once launched.

His fist technique appeared domineering and extraordinary, the swift fist wind resembling golden thunderclaps, shaking the arena ropes with continuous vibrations…

Seeing this, Qin Feiyao maintained his offensive posture unchanged, his arms moving like flying legs, always anticipating the trajectory of his opponent’s strikes.

Qin Feiyao’s combat experience was displayed to its fullest extent, revealing a fighter who grew more valiant with each exchange.

Thud, thud, thud…

The deadlock between them continued – your punch, my punch – their techniques blending into a seamless whole, each move appearing exceptionally ruthless. Should either combatant’s attack speed waver even slightly, the consequences would be predictable.

Witnessing this, Ye Kuang fixed his gaze intently on the screen.

Since awakening his Divine Martial Body, he had possessed this ability: to imitate forms and nurture their essence.

He firmly believed that once completely mastered, he could evolve unique fist techniques from them. When he could wield them freely, he would surpass his teachers!

Therefore, any distinctive fist style represented a precious treasure to Ye Kuang, an indispensable element in his growth journey.

Moreover, while his current fist technique appeared overwhelmingly powerful, it still contained significant flaws.

Specifically, he struggled to achieve movement swift as galloping thunder, momentum natural as heaven’s creation.

The martial path Ye Kuang sought, at present, meant that regardless of an opponent’s strength, none could withstand a single punch from him.

Fist techniques – complex yet substantial, abundant yet practical – this was the Realm he aspired to reach.

You may be strong, but my fists shall be stronger!

Ye Kuang watched with rapt attention, recognizing that both combatants’ techniques were overly external, merely blending power and speed to create their fist styles.

But when facing true masters, such techniques could often be broken with a single punch.Therefore, he observed with meticulous attention, his eyes gleaming with sharp light as they gradually began to demonstrate martial movements!

Fist—using force as the focal point, erupting with unimaginable power.

But at this moment,

this fist appeared to be more than just a fist; it was clearly a method of applying force.

It gradually broke down the miraculous structure of the human body, integrating the power of muscles, tendons, and bones throughout the body to deliver an unstoppable force!

Thinking of this, Ye Kuang eagerly focused his mind within the private room, condensing his essence, energy, and spirit into his spiritual core.

This scene left everyone puzzled, but soon they couldn’t help widening their eyes in astonishment.

Ye Kuang suddenly moved!

He abruptly retracted his fist to his abdomen, unleashing a thunderous burst.

As his fist extended, thunder roared, like a storm raging in the ears, deafening to those who heard it.

Boom, boom, boom…

With each retraction and pause of his fist, countless fist shadows followed.

But he felt this was not enough—far from enough!

The power was insufficient to shatter and kill, the speed not swift enough, and the techniques hollow and unreal…

He then began to use the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms as a foundation, gradually integrating the palm techniques into his overwhelming fist movements.

It could be said: without trying, one wouldn’t know; trying would shock one to the core!

Ye Kuang seemed to have discovered a new continent.

Fist and palm were originally one. If he could transform palm into fist, wouldn’t his fist techniques also possess the power of the Eighteen Palms?

By then, with just a single movement of his fist, he would be invincible.

But ideas were one thing, reality another—he had to break this ironclad rule!

A bold and dangerous idea suddenly rose in Ye Kuang’s mind: to nourish his body through battle, using countless opponents as whetstones, enabling him to tread the path to ultimate strength!

Rumble…

His inner world suddenly churned with stormy clouds and thunder, as if foretelling how terrifying and arrogant his idea was!

And to think was to act—this was perhaps his unique quality, one of his inimitable abilities.

Ye Kuang immediately sought out Elder Yan and directly stated his intention.

This caused the latter’s eyes to widen in utter shock!

For a moment, Elder Yan mistakenly thought this youth was a complete madman, a lunatic with no regard for his life.

“Are you sure you want to do this?!” Elder Yan inquired.

Hearing this, Ye Kuang replied evasively: “If it allows me to take a step others dare not attempt, then on the day of success, who in this world could be my match, right?”

Elder Yan: “But have you considered the consequences? This place is no ordinary ground. Once you anger them, you’ll be in deep trouble!”

Upon hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but laugh wildly: “If I lack the skill, then words are useless. Since they want to fight, let’s make it big—let me act as the curtain-raiser for this battle of heroes!”