"Impossible… This is not possible at all!"
Lin Yu's voice cracked with disbelief as he stared at Jiang Chen, who stood completely unscathed despite taking his full-strength Black Rank Martial Art head-on.
He was a warrior at the Ninth Layer of Qi Protection Realm, and after unleashing his most powerful martial skill, he hadn't even managed to scratch Jiang Chen.
---
"You've had your chance, haven't you? If you're done, shouldn't it be my turn now?"
Jiang Chen's calm voice cut through the tension as he looked at Lin Yu with faint amusement.
With that, Jiang Chen casually clenched his fists. A crisp crackling sound echoed from his bones, like a storm building up inside him.
Then, Jiang Chen lifted his foot slightly and brought it crashing down with a thunderous boom.
The ground trembled beneath him, and his body shot toward Lin Yu like an arrow loosed from a bowstring, his fist smashing forward like a sledgehammer.
---
Lin Yu's eyes narrowed sharply as Jiang Chen's bare fist came at him like a raging storm.
"How dare you!" Lin Yu roared, his own fist surging with internal energy as he swung it forward to meet Jiang Chen's punch head-on.
Boom!
The two fists collided, and a deafening explosion erupted in mid-air.
Lin Yu's body shuddered violently. Before he could stabilize himself, the force of the impact sent him flying backward like a ragdoll.
---
Before Lin Yu could recover, Jiang Chen's figure blurred and reappeared before him like a phantom.
"Again!" Jiang Chen growled, his next punch already on its way.
Lin Yu's expression twisted in panic. Hastily, he activated a defensive qi shield, wrapping himself in a shimmering barrier of energy.
Boom!
Jiang Chen's fist smashed through the shield with devastating ease, shattering it like glass. Lin Yu's body shot backward once again, slamming into the ground several feet away.
---
Pfft!
Lin Yu hit the ground hard, a mouthful of blood bursting from his lips. His face turned pale as he struggled to rise, his body wracked with pain.
---
Jiang Chen stood calmly where Lin Yu had fallen, his gaze sharp and filled with disdain.
"Lin Yu," he said coldly, "you are called the number one genius of Cangshan City, the third-ranked talent on the Lingyun Ranking—but this is all you've got?"
Jiang Chen sneered, his voice cutting deep. "Even without my qi, I can cripple you!"
---
The surrounding crowd erupted in an uproar, their eyes wide with shock and awe.
"Unbelievable! Did Jiang Chen really just beat Lin Yu with bare fists?"
"Lin Yu didn't even stand a chance! Jiang Chen didn't use a trace of internal energy—he relied entirely on his physique!"
"How terrifying! Just his body alone is this strong. What kind of monster is Jiang Chen?!"
---
The whispers of the crowd reached Lin Yu's ears, and Jiang Chen's words felt like a thousand blades cutting into him.
Lin Yu's face turned deathly dark as his anger and humiliation boiled over. He gritted his teeth and slowly pushed himself up from the ground, his body trembling.
"Jiang Chen," Lin Yu growled through clenched teeth, "I have to admit your strength is beyond what I expected. But don't think you've won!"
A cold glint flashed in Lin Yu's eyes as he raised his right hand.
Clang!
A brilliant long sword appeared in his grip, its icy blade shimmering with a chilling light.
As soon as Lin Yu's aura surged, the long swords of the students standing nearby began to tremble involuntarily, as if resonating with Lin Yu's presence.
---
Lin Yu's expression turned resolute as he pointed his sword at Jiang Chen. His voice was cold and filled with killing intent.
"Since the day I learned you killed my father, I've trained relentlessly. I spent three days meditating in the Sword Mark Hall—and finally, I comprehended the power of Sword Intent!"
The crowd gasped collectively, their eyes filled with shock.
"Sword Intent? Did he just say he comprehended Sword Intent?"
"My god! Lin Yu actually mastered the rudimentary form of Sword Intent? That's something only the top geniuses in the academy can achieve!"
"If Lin Yu's really comprehended Sword Intent, then this fight is about to get serious!"
---
Jiang Chen's gaze flickered with interest as he watched Lin Yu's sword tremble with power.
"Sword Intent?" Jiang Chen thought to himself with a faint smirk.
Lin Yu's sword gleamed ominously, its presence filling the air with sharp, deadly pressure.
"Jiang Chen!" Lin Yu shouted, his voice echoing through the courtyard. "Today, I will show you the true power of Sword Intent!"