Silence.
Jiang Chen's domineering proclamation sent shockwaves through the crowd, plunging the entire area into a deathly stillness.
For a moment, no one dared to speak as they processed his words. Then, the crowd exploded into a mix of mocking laughter and incredulous murmurs.
"Did I hear that right? Jiang Chen actually said he'd break Shi Xingchi's record?"
"Shi Xingchi is the greatest genius in Lingyun Martial Academy's history! That record has stood unchallenged for thirty years. Does Jiang Chen think he's stronger than him?"
"Haha! Forget breaking Shi Xingchi's record—if he can even enter the top ten, I'll kneel down and call him 'father'!"
Meng Dongxing couldn't help but burst into laughter, his voice full of disdain.
"Jiang Chen, you truly don't know the limits of your arrogance! Shi Xingchi is a myth, the pinnacle of genius in the academy's history. You think you can surpass him? Keep dreaming!"
---
Jiang Chen remained unfazed by the ridicule. Smiling faintly, he replied, "You'll see soon enough."
With that, he turned and walked calmly toward the Lingyun Tower, his confident steps causing the crowd to fall silent once more.
---
As Jiang Chen disappeared into the tower, Meng Dongxing grumbled bitterly, "Sister, this guy is nothing but a braggart. I can't believe you're following him."
Meng Qingxue shot him a cold glare. "I've told you before—my decisions are none of your concern. And let me warn you: don't provoke him anymore. He's not someone you can afford to offend."
She continued in a firm voice, "You may think he's arrogant, but Jiang Chen has never spoken empty words. Since he said he'll break the record, he'll do exactly that."
"Sister, are you out of your mind?" Meng Dongxing stared at her in disbelief. "Shi Xingchi is a living legend of Lingyun Martial Academy, and you actually think that guy can surpass him?"
---
Before Meng Dongxing could continue his rant, a calm, faint voice echoed across the courtyard:
"Your sister's not crazy."
The voice was unmistakably Jiang Chen's.
Meng Dongxing turned abruptly, his face contorted in disbelief.
"Shi Xingchi may be a myth to you," Jiang Chen said casually as he emerged from Lingyun Tower, holding the inner academy token in his hand. "But to me, myths exist to be broken."
His gaze swept across the stunned crowd. "I thought breaking this so-called record would be a challenge, but honestly, the Lingyun Monument's record was far too easy to surpass."
---
Time seemed to freeze.
The students' jaws dropped, their faces pale as they stared at Jiang Chen.
Meng Dongxing, in particular, stood rooted to the spot as if he'd seen a ghost.
"This... How is this possible?" he stammered, his voice trembling.
It had barely been five minutes since Jiang Chen entered Lingyun Tower. Five minutes!
Even Shi Xingchi, the legendary genius of the academy, had taken nine minutes to complete the tower.
Yet Jiang Chen had not only broken Shi Xingchi's record—he had halved the time!
---
The onlookers erupted into chaos.
"Did that really just happen? He cleared the tower in under five minutes!"
"This can't be real! Shi Xingchi's record has stood for thirty years. How did Jiang Chen crush it so easily?"
"This guy isn't human—he's a monster!"
---
Meng Dongxing's expression turned pale as he stumbled backward, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
He had spent years glorifying Shi Xingchi as an untouchable legend, the epitome of talent and potential.
But in mere moments, Jiang Chen had shattered that belief.
For the first time, Meng Dongxing looked at Jiang Chen with an expression of genuine fear and awe.
Monster.
There was no other word to describe him.
---
Jiang Chen stood before the Lingyun Monument, calm as ever. He placed the inner academy token into his storage ring and glanced back at the crowd.
"Didn't I say? The top of the Lingyun Monument is mine."