Chapter 48: The Twelve Crisp Sounds
Clash of Titans
With a sharp burst of energy, both fighters lunged simultaneously. Mu Yu, his feet propelled by a surge of Yuan Qi, dashed forward like a speeding arrow, his fist glowing with a yellow aura as he roared:
"Shattered Rock Fist!"
The punch split the air with a crackling sound, bearing down on Mu Feng.
In response, Mu Feng mirrored the attack. His Qi Cyclone whirled, Yuan Qi coursing through twelve blood-essence meridians, converging at his fist.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
Nine audible pops echoed from his arm as Mu Feng's white-glowing fist met Mu Yu's in mid-air.
Boom!
A resounding impact followed, sending ripples of energy across the arena. Both combatants were forced back several paces.
Mu Yu's expression darkened. "How? A mere Tongmai Fist, even at its peak, shouldn't rival my Shattered Rock Fist!"
Grimacing, Mu Yu dismissed the moment as a fluke and launched a flurry of attacks. His fists blurred, creating a storm of punches aimed at Mu Feng.
But Mu Feng's body weaved fluidly, moving with the grace of wind itself. His steps were perfectly synchronized with Mu Yu's strikes, rendering the assault futile.
"That's the perfected Windstep!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.
"Last time, I heard Mu Feng had only reached major proficiency. Now it's clear—he's mastered it!"
Despite the murmurs of awe, skepticism lingered. "Even so, Mu Feng can't win this fight head-on. He's two whole realms behind Mu Yu."
Mu Feng Stands His Ground
From the arena's edge, Mu Li shouted mockingly: "Feng! Stop running and face him like a man!"
Many scoffed at Mu Li's words, recognizing them as petty. Still, Mu Feng smirked, his voice carrying a tinge of amusement:
"Since you asked so kindly, I'll oblige."
Abruptly halting his evasive maneuvers, Mu Feng pivoted and lunged forward, fists blazing with Qi. Gasps rippled through the spectators as the two exchanged a volley of punches.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
To everyone's astonishment, Mu Feng matched Mu Yu blow for blow. Not only did he hold his ground, but he also began to push Mu Yu back.
"How is this possible?" Mu Yu thought, gritting his teeth. Each punch resonated with a force that belied Mu Feng's supposed rank.
Anger flared in Mu Yu's eyes. "Shattered Energy Burst!"
With a roar, he unleashed a devastating punch, his Qi manifesting as a golden shockwave that hurtled toward Mu Feng. The air around the arena crackled under its pressure.
But Mu Feng remained unfazed. He raised his arm, channeling Qi through his blood-essence meridians.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
This time, twelve distinct cracks reverberated through the arena. His fist, now gleaming with intense white energy, collided with Mu Yu's attack.
BOOM!
The clash of their techniques erupted in an explosive shockwave. When the dust settled, it was clear that Mu Feng's technique had overwhelmed Mu Yu's, pushing him back and striking his torso.
Mu Yu staggered, spitting blood, but Mu Feng wasn't done. Seizing the moment, he surged forward, delivering a spinning kick. Mu Yu raised his arms in defense, but the impact was too powerful.
Bam!
The force sent Mu Yu flying off his feet. He landed with a thud, skidding several meters before coming to a stop.
The Aftermath
As Mu Feng landed gracefully, the arena fell silent. Then, the crowd erupted into cheers and gasps.
"He did it! Mu Yu, a Purple Mansion third-tier master, was defeated!"
"Mu Feng is truly a prodigy. To think he used a lower-tier technique like Tongmai Fist to overpower a Yellow-Tier technique..."
Even Mu Yu, who had barely managed to sit up, looked at Mu Feng with a mixture of disbelief and grudging respect. The notion of losing to someone two tiers beneath him seemed inconceivable, yet the evidence lay before him.
"Is this the difference between a branch family and the main house?" Mu Yu murmured bitterly, clutching his side.
A Gesture of Reconciliation
Despite his victory, Mu Feng approached Mu Yu and extended a hand. His voice was calm but carried a weight of sincerity:
"Mu Yu, I hold no grudges against any member of our family. I don't distinguish between branch and main lineages. If you've doubted my character, perhaps it's time to ask yourself why. As for Mu Li, you know his nature better than anyone. Mu family is our foundation; let's support each other."
For a moment, Mu Yu hesitated. Then, with a resigned sigh, he grasped Mu Feng's hand and allowed himself to be pulled up.
"Your words... are fair," Mu Yu admitted. "My challenge to you was born of envy and curiosity. Today, I've learned my limits. You've earned my respect."
With that, Mu Yu leapt off the platform, brushing past a visibly stunned Mu Li without a word.
Victory and Unity
As Mu Yu disappeared into the crowd, the arena buzzed with excitement. Mu Feng stood tall, exuding a quiet strength that silenced his critics. Nearby, Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue cheered unabashedly, while a group of young women whispered among themselves, their admiration for Mu Feng evident.
But Mu Feng paid no heed to the applause or the whispers. His gaze remained focused, reflecting not triumph, but determination.
"Today was a step forward," he thought. "But there's still so much further to go."
With his first major challenge behind him, Mu Feng prepared for the trials yet to come.