Free Web NovelChapter 57: Chapter 57: Rise to Prominence
"Who in the world is this guy? How can he be so arrogant and conceited!?"
"Has he never heard of Zhang Lei!?"
"I, Wang Dachui, have never seen someone so arrogant."
"The young people from the Martial Kingdom are truly blind to the greatness before them!"
...
The moment Shen Daoxing’s words landed, they caused a massive uproar!
This was Zhang Lei, the sole True Disciple of Yunling Academy, a prodigy ranked among the top ten who entered the True Dragon Secret Realm this time.
At the peak of the Eighth Layer of the Profound Platform Realm, his strength was comparable to the Ninth Layer. He was among the elite few experts just below the Martial Arts Ranking. Which genius from the neighboring kingdoms would dare to disrespect him?
And who was Shen Daoxing!?
The crowd had never heard of him. Although he was from the Martial Kingdom, they only knew of Xia Junze and the Four Heroes from Celestial City Academy. Besides them, everyone else from the Martial Kingdom was nothing more than a bunch of worthless nobodies.
"You’ve got quite the mouth on you. I’ve never even heard the name Shen Daoxing."
Zhang Lei also sneered, "A nobody like you dares to be so arrogant and conceited. It seems Mo Yunlei really hasn’t taught his dogs any manners."
Mo Yunlei was the leader of Celestial City Academy’s Four Heroes, and also a top-three genius in the True Dragon Secret Realm this time around.
Zhang Lei’s voice was deep and steady, carrying with it an extremely strong sense of pressure.
Shen Daoxing, however, remained calm. He said coldly, "When it comes to arrogance and conceit, who can compare to Yunling Academy? Besides, I’ve never heard the name Zhang Lei, either. It seems you’re also a nobody. The Tang Kingdom must not have tied its dog leash properly, letting you out like this."
Everyone in the surrounding crowd was aghast.
They couldn’t believe Shen Daoxing would dare to mock and humiliate Zhang Lei like this. It was obvious he didn’t take him seriously at all.
"Good. Very good!"
Zhang Lei laughed out of pure fury, his eyes sweeping over Shen Daoxing like sharp daggers. "From this day forward, I’ll make you remember the name Zhang Lei for lifetimes to come."
Immediately, Primordial Energy surged from his body. A vast aura swept out, forming roiling waves.
BOOM!
The aura suddenly seemed to become tangible. The faces of the surrounding onlookers paled, and they hastily retreated.
But Shen Daoxing just looked disgusted. "I’m only interested in beautiful women. I couldn’t possibly be interested in a rough brute like you, so don’t flatter yourself."
The crowd: "!?"
Everyone was utterly stunned. The grim, icy atmosphere was instantly shattered.
"..."
Zhang Lei’s face grew even darker. ’I wanted to teach this kid a lesson, but who knew he’d completely misunderstand and think I was interested in him.’
"Pfft!"
Lin Ke’Er let out a stifled laugh, then quickly covered her mouth.
Even Nalan Rongruo, who was a short distance away, pressed a hand to her forehead, unable to stop herself from thinking, ’This kid’s facing a disaster, what on earth is going through his head?’
Zhang Lei couldn’t hold back any longer. His body trembled with rage.
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
The next moment, he appeared in front of Shen Daoxing and threw a punch.
He cultivated Yunling Academy’s Celestial Battle Bright Star Fist, a low-grade Earth-rank Martial Technique of immense power.
BOOM!
As the fist technique was unleashed, the surrounding Primordial Energy seemed to condense into motes of starlight, all of which rushed toward Shen Daoxing.
Shen Daoxing’s main cultivation was the Sword Dao, but he possessed the Venerable Bloodline and had condensed a Seven-Colored Profound Platform. His physical body was that of a prodigy among prodigies of the same realm. He immediately clenched his five fingers into a fist and punched back.
BOOM!
The moment their fists collided, it was like two mountains smashing together. The ground shook and the mountains trembled, and violent Primordial Energy erupted from the center of the clash, madly surging in all directions.
Such a shocking exchange of blows immediately sent the crowd into an uproar.
"How is this possible!?"
The smile on Zhang Ling’er’s face slowly froze.
’I thought my brother would finish that arrogant, ignorant brat in a single move.’
Who would have thought that after one move, he wouldn’t even have the upper hand?
She was well aware of her brother’s strength. Among his peers in the Martial Kingdom, only Xia Junze and Mo Yunlei were capable of fighting him.
"He does have some skill!"
Nalan Rongruo’s delicate brows furrowed. ’To have such strength at such a young age, he shouldn’t be a complete unknown. Why have I never heard his name?’
BOOM!
The terrifying aura continued to spread as an immense, unstoppable power surged from Zhang Lei’s body.
An intensely dazzling light appeared behind him, as brilliant and bright as the most resplendent star in the sky.
The surrounding Primordial Energy billowed toward him and was completely absorbed.
"Kid, being able to force me to use my full strength means you can lose with honor!"
Zhang Lei looked at his palm, a cold sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth.
With that, he clenched his fist and threw another punch.
THUD!
As this punch shot out, a terrifying aura surged forth. It felt as if a star had fallen from the sky, giving one the sense that the heavens themselves were collapsing.
"My heavens, five layers of Fist Intent!"
"Zhang Lei truly is Yunling Academy’s top genius!"
"He’s too strong!"
...
The surrounding crowd could barely breathe under this pressure. Their faces were deathly pale as they couldn’t help but cry out in astonishment.
Although comprehending Fist Intent wasn’t as difficult as comprehending Sword Intent, it was still exceptionally hard.
For Zhang Lei to comprehend five layers of Fist Intent at such a young age, how could it not be shocking?
The five-colored radiance reflected in Shen Daoxing’s pupils, but his body remained as steady as a mountain.
"Is that kid scared stiff!?"
Seeing this, Zhang Ling’er let out a derisive laugh.
Nalan Rongruo also sighed softly, "I was only trying to help."
She had originally hoped to resolve this conflict, perhaps even save the kid’s life, but now her good intentions had all been for naught.
The outcome was already decided!
The onlookers all shook their heads. A moment ago, Zhang Lei had been holding back. Now that he was using his full strength, how could this unknown junior possibly resist?
Lin Ke’Er’s face paled slightly, her heart leaping into her throat.
Just as the Fist Force was a few yards from Shen Daoxing, he finally moved, meeting it directly with a punch of his own.
He pushed the power of the peak Sixth Layer of the Profound Platform Realm to its absolute limit. Because of his Seven-Colored Profound Platform, a vast tide of energy flowed around his body.
VSSSHH!
The Fist Force was steady and heavy, like a great bell falling. The air itself issued a CRACK that made everyone’s eardrums ache.
In an instant, it sliced through the light ahead.
The so-called starlight scattered on contact, not daring to contend with this Fist Force in the slightest.
BANG!
The star vanished without a trace, but the Fist Force continued onward, unstoppable.
The Fist Force shattered the starlight, and a surging wave of energy spread out in all directions with overwhelming might.
Zhang Lei’s previously indifferent pupils now revealed a trace of horror, and the hairs on his entire body stood on end.
At that moment, the surroundings fell utterly silent.
Everyone stared in astonishment at the scene before them, as if they were in a dream.
What were they seeing!?
Zhang Lei’s Celestial Battle Bright Star Fist had actually been broken! That was one of Yunling Academy’s top Martial Techniques!
