A few minutes of intense combat began to end, as the raging blows of fists started to slowly subside.
Long Chen and Bing Mu stood 5 meters apart from each other, their expression ragged, and breath heavy from panting.
The amount of Qi within their bodies were too insufficient to handle the vigorous battle that had occurred between them, which left them both exhausted.
After a while of silence, Bing Mu finally caught his breath, as he suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and gave a forced smile, "Fellow disciple Long Chen must be really overjoyed. It looks like you have made some major accomplishments in the Leopard Fists during our short fight just now. This level of skill really puts me to shame."
At the beginning, with Long Chen suppressing his cultivation, Bing Mu was able to fight toe-to-toe with Long Chen, even slightly suppressing him. This was not a surprise, because he had already been training in the Leopard Fists for a very long time, while Long Chen had only barely touched the entrance.
However, as the fight went on, Long Chen slowly began to take the advantage, as his moves became increasingly swift and practiced, like he had been training for years.
Long Chen's fists that rained onto his gave him a shock one after another, as he gradually realized that each time he had attacked him, the next strike will come with even more strength and power.
Even though the audience were not able to clearly catch it, but towards the end, he was always being badly suppressed by Long Chen, completely out of control in the fight.
When he shot two fists, Long Chen only shot one.
When he shot four fists, Long Chen only shot two.
Long Chen's power and efficiency were far beyond his, he couldn't help but admit this fact.
However, because this as true, it was too astonishing, as Bing Mu felt his logical processing slowly collapsing into nothingness in front of Long Chen.
What happened to the normal limits of humans?
"You're exaggerating." Long Chen lightly smiled, while barely able to suppress the excitement within his heart.
During this short fight alone, he had managed to gain much benefits.
Not only did he better hone his battle instincts, he also enhanced his proficiency in the Leopard Fists by more than 30!
Maybe it was because the skill was of a lower grade, which made it easier to learn, or maybe because his opponent was also using a similar move with higher accomplishments than him, who provided a guide for him to learn from.
Regardless, of the reason, his rate of improvement was simply off the charts.
"There is no need for me to exaggerate. I sense that your proficiency in the Leopard Fists is now greater than mine. You have suppressed me in both cultivation, and skills. I have no choice but to admit by defeat." Bing Mu cupped his fists and bowed towards Long Chen, before he turned to the Supervising Elder, and announced his surrender.
Then, he turned his head back towards Long Chen, and said with a tone of certainty, ���Fellow Disciple Long Chen, your stage is definitely not limited to just the Outer Court. I await the day when I see your name spreading throughout the Inner Court too."
Long Chen calmly smiled back, his expression full of confidence.
Afterwards, Bing Mu, just like all the defeated disciples, strolled out of the Combat Hall.
However, his face was adorned with a satisfied smile, unlike the other dejected or dispirited disciples when they lose.
Because not only had Long Chen profited from their fight, Bing Mu also managed to make a breakthrough through it too.
The path of cultivation was one of constant improvement. Those who don't improve themselves fall back, while those who do rises up.
Since Bing Mu had advanced and refined his skills, how could he not feel delighted?
On the other hand, the crowd burst into a roaring commotion, as Bing Mu's silhouette slowly disappeared from their sights.
"Long Chen, actually defeated the Rank 2 on the Heaven's Pride Ranking!"
"He is now the new Rank 2 on the Ranking!"
"A new disciple, rising unstoppably on the Heaven's Pride Ranking. This is unbelievable!"
The crowd all stared at each other with wide eyes, their faces full of nothing but astonishment.
Although knowing that Long Chen will win was one thing, seeing him actually defeating Bing Mu was another.
They braced themselves for this news, but were still unable to control the raging emotions in their hearts.
"Long Chen! Long Chen! Long Chen!" The crowd cheered with even more fervor and zest than ever, their voices reverberating throughout the four corners of the Combat Hall.
Hearing the cheers from the crowd, the corners of Long Chen's lips rose into a triumphant smile.
He couldn't help but admit that the loud cheering from the crowd gave him a sense of accomplishment and pride, as well as an even greater motivation to improve himself.
Their shouts seemed to contain a mysterious power that could fill every single cell of his body with strength. Even though his body was exhausted after the battle, he still stood up straight, with an elegant and dignified posture.
With a smile still on his face, Long Chen turned towards the Supervising Elder, as he asked, "Elder, when will the Rank 1 on the list be coming here?"
The Supervising Elder strode over to Long Chen, and ignored his question as he patted Long Chen's shoulders with a gratified smile, "You little brat really gave me a surprise! I didn't know that you were one to hide your strength so well."
Long Chen could only scratch his head at this, as he asked again, "When will the last challenger be coming?"
The Supervising Elder merely waved his hands at this and casually answered, "That guy? Don't worry about him, he have something on later, and can only fight with you a few days later."
Long Chen nodded his head, the thirst for battle dampening at his words.
Then, the Supervising Elder looked around the crowd, checking for people near them, before he gave Long Chen a weird smile, "Er...Long Chen, let me ask you a question."
Long Chen puzzled asked, "What do you want to ask?"
"Do you…currently have any girlfriend?" The Supervising Elder carefully asked, his eyes full of anticipation for his answer. As for what kind of answer, only he knew.
Long Chen carefully looked at the Supervising Elder's weird smile, and felt goosebumps appear all over his body.
"No…not yet." Long Chen replied honestly, while throwing a look of caution towards the Supervising Elder.
A bad feeling rose up from within his heart.
At his words, the Supervising Elder's eyes instantly brightened, his intense gaze towards Long Chen making him feel a lot more uncomfortable.
"You see…I actually have a granddaughter, who is also a disciple in the Moonlight Sect. She is currently in the Inner Court. When you promote to the Inner Court, you are always free to interact with her!" The Supervising Elder glanced at Long Chen with a grin on his face.
"Oh…okay sure?" Long Chen was almost rendered speechless by the Elder's words.
As he saw the Supervising Elder's words opening again, he abruptly started to move, as he cupped his fists towards him and hurriedly said, "Elder, if there is nothing left, I will be taking my leave now."
Then, he quickly ran out of the Combat Hall, amidst the deafening cheers that had not yet subsided.
"Oh, okay." The Supervising Elder nodded for a while, before he realized something important, as he suddenly raised his gaze towards the direction of Long Chen and loudly shouted, "Eh…wait! I haven't told you her name yet…"
However, what greeted him was just Long Chen's shadow, as he had already cleverly made his way out of the Combat Hall.