Chapter 148 - 147: Tiger’s Roar, Dragon’s Chant

Chapter 148: Chapter 147: Tiger’s Roar, Dragon’s Chant

Outside Panshi Lane, a water curtain rose, shimmering with blue light. It reflected the two figures facing off on the Guardian Platform with perfect clarity, while a tumultuous uproar surged through the crowd like a tide.

Some had already learned through their own channels that today’s Gatekeeper was a member of the Mutual Aid Association and were fully expecting this scene.

But more people were completely caught off guard by this sudden matchup.

"Cheng Fengjun... It’s actually Cheng Fengjun." A burly disciple in the Marrow Refining Realm widened his eyes.

"The leading figure of the Mutual Aid Association in the Marrow Refining Realm. Back then, while only at the Middle Stage of the Marrow Refining Realm, he defeated a superior and brutally slew a Loose Cultivator in the Refining Organ Realm. That battle caused quite a stir outside Celestial State Prefecture City."

"He’s more than just the leading figure of the Marrow Refining Realm."

A slender disciple next to him lowered his voice. "You probably don’t know yet, but Senior Brother Cheng successfully broke through a few days ago. He’s now a true master of the Refining Organ Realm."

As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of sharp gasps rippled through the crowd.

The Refining Organ Realm. That meant Cheng Fengjun completely outclassed Chen Yue in terms of realm.

"There’s no need to rehash the grudge between Chen Yue and the Mutual Aid Association, right? He killed Jiang Linkuo and the others on the Life and Death Platform, and then rejected Lin Junshi’s recruitment offer to his face in the Hidden Skills Pavilion. The bad blood between them just keeps getting worse."

"I heard that the Mutual Aid Association initially issued a Life and Death Decision challenge to Chen Yue in the Hidden Skills Pavilion, and it was Cheng Fengjun they put forward. But Chen Yue didn’t accept it at the time. To think they would run into each other like this today."

"What are the odds? Talk about enemies crossing paths." A young disciple clicked his tongue, his face filled with the kind of excitement that loves to watch a disaster unfold.

"Enemies crossing paths? Hmph, I think someone arranged this deliberately." An older disciple snorted coldly.

"The On-Duty Disciple roster for Panshi Lane isn’t a random draw. Today, all three On-Duty Disciples are from the Mutual Aid Association, and Cheng Fengjun just happens to be the Gatekeeper... How can there be so many coincidences in the world?"

At these words, the disciples nearby exchanged glances, a flicker of apprehension in their eyes.

"But then again, the final stage of Panshi Lane isn’t the Life and Death Platform, after all.

"If the challenger feels they’re outmatched, they can jump out of the Guardian Platform’s range at any time, or even just shout their surrender to stop the match."

"That’s true. Besides, the strength and cultivation of the opponent in this final stage is never fixed; it’s purely up to luck.

"It’s almost identical to fighting for opportunities in the outside world. The Sect set up this stage precisely to let disciples experience this kind of uncertainty."

"Makes sense! If Chen Yue really thinks he can’t win, he can just surrender. No matter how arrogant Cheng Fengjun is, he can’t deliver a killing blow to someone who has already surrendered, not in front of everyone," someone added in agreement.

"Surrender? Do you think Chen Yue is the type to surrender so easily?" someone nearby immediately retorted.

"When he was in the Bone Forging Realm, he dared to fight above his station against Jiang Linkuo of the Marrow Refining Realm. And it was a one-on-two fight, where he brazenly killed them. Now that he himself has broken through to the Marrow Refining Realm, you think he’ll willingly surrender?"

"But Cheng Fengjun is in the Refining Organ Realm! How can that be the same?"

"What’s different? Defeating someone in the Marrow Refining Realm while in the Bone Forging Realm, and defeating someone in the Refining Organ Realm while in the Marrow Refining Realm—aren’t they both cases of fighting above one’s station? Since Chen Yue could do it the first time, it’s not impossible for him to do it a second time."

"It’s not that easy. The gap between major realms can’t be erased by sheer bravado. And Cheng Fengjun isn’t Jiang Linkuo. He himself is a prodigy capable of defeating those in higher realms. Now that he also has the advantage in realm, what does Chen Yue have to win with?"

The sounds of debate rose and fell. Some were optimistic about Chen Yue’s resilience and potential, but more people believed the gap in strength was too great and that Chen Yue’s odds were slim this time.

But regardless, everyone’s eyes were glued to the water curtain, waiting for the clash that was about to erupt.

Just then, a slight commotion came from the outer edge of the crowd.

Some disciples who had been squeezed at the front, whispering to each other, fell silent. They subconsciously stepped aside, clearing a narrow path.

Two figures approached, walking side by side at a leisurely pace.

The one walking slightly ahead was none other than Lin Junshi. He wore a smile, his steps unhurried.

Half a step behind was Zhao Zongzhen. His expression was indifferent, his gaze calmly sweeping over the water curtain, betraying no emotion.

Their arrival instantly quieted the noisy crowd considerably.

Some disciples subconsciously averted their gaze, afraid that meeting their eyes would bring unnecessary trouble.

Lin Junshi quite enjoyed the looks of awe and trepidation from the crowd, and the smile on his lips deepened.

He walked to a spot with a clear view and stopped. He looked up at the tall, gray-robed figure of Cheng Fengjun in the water curtain, then glanced at Chen Yue opposite him, a barely perceptible glint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Junior Brother Zhao, how long do you think this little spar will last?" Lin Junshi’s voice was not loud, tinged with a light, teasing tone.

Zhao Zongzhen thought for a moment, his tone flat. "Junior Brother Cheng has always been quick and decisive. If he gets serious, it won’t take long."

"Is that so?"

Lin Junshi smiled. "Well then, I hope Chen Yue can last a little longer. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be too boring?"

With the arrival of Lin Junshi and Zhao Zongzhen, and as news of the impending duel between Chen Yue and Cheng Fengjun spread, more and more disciples began rushing toward Panshi Lane.

"Hurry, hurry! I heard Chen Yue is about to fight Cheng Fengjun in Panshi Lane!"

"Cheng Fengjun? Isn’t he in the Marrow Refining Realm? Is Chen Yue also in the Marrow Refining Realm? What’s so interesting about that?"

"You’re behind on the news. Cheng Fengjun has already broken through to the Refining Organ Realm. And he’s the Gatekeeper. Chen Yue was going for a record and ran right into him."

"Refining Organ Realm? Then isn’t Chen Yue screwed?"

"That’s why we have to go watch! To see how Chen Yue deals with it—whether he stands his ground or surrenders. We have to see how it ends."

...

On the Guardian Platform, Chen Yue’s gaze had not left Cheng Fengjun from the moment he stepped onto it.

But when the pale blue water curtain rose around them, projecting the sounds and sights of the outside world in a wondrous way, he still couldn’t help but glance sideways, taking in the scene reflected in the water.

He saw the crowd outside Panshi Lane, saw the faces that were either excited or gloating.

Then, he saw the two figures standing at the front of the crowd with their hands behind their backs.

Chen Yue’s eyes narrowed slightly. His gaze met Lin Junshi’s through the water curtain, connecting for an instant in mid-air.

Lin Junshi had a smile on his face and even gave a slight nod in the direction of the water curtain.

Chen Yue retracted his gaze, refocusing on Cheng Fengjun before him.

Cheng Fengjun had also seen Lin Junshi’s arrival in the water curtain, as well as that meaningful nod.

DONG!

A resonant sound, as if coming from deep within the earth, echoed all around.

A visible ripple expanded outward from the center of the Guardian Platform, brushing past the stone walls, kicking up fine dust, and grazing the hems of Chen Yue’s and Cheng Fengjun’s robes.

The instant the ripple swept past him, Cheng Fengjun stomped his right foot back forcefully. The stone slab beneath his foot let out a groaning thud, and spiderweb-like cracks appeared on its surface.

Using the force of this rebound, Cheng Fengjun shot forward like an arrow released from a bowstring. Carrying a sharp, suffocating killing intent, he crossed several yards in an instant, lunging straight for Chen Yue’s face.

His right hand, already slightly bent, clenched into a fist, emitting a sharp sound as it tore through the air.

This punch was aimed squarely at Chen Yue’s head.

No probing, no holding back. He opened with a Killing Technique.

Cheng Fengjun’s fighting style had always been like this.

A lion uses its full strength even to catch a rabbit!

He wouldn’t underestimate Chen Yue just because he had only just entered the Marrow Refining Realm. On the contrary, he planned to use his strongest attack to completely crush his opponent’s will to fight and ability to resist in the shortest time possible.

He would let everyone see the consequences of provoking the Mutual Aid Association.

A ferocious aura, like a tangible tide, surged forward, carrying with it a bone-chilling killing intent and the pressure of the Refining Organ Realm.

A fierce wind blasted his face, making the hair on Chen Yue’s forehead and the hem of his robes whip about loudly.

Facing this fierce blow, powerful enough to shatter stone, Chen Yue’s eyes were as calm as an ancient, thousand-year-old pool.

The instant the sharp sound of tearing air reached his eardrums, the Vast Heart Rock Skill within his body had already begun to circulate at its peak.

WENG!

The entire world suddenly trembled. In his eyes, Cheng Fengjun’s lightning-fast punch suddenly slowed down many times over.

The subtle disturbances in the airflow created as the fist tore through the air, the slight tremor of the muscles in Cheng Fengjun’s wrist as he exerted force, and even the fleeting coldness in his opponent’s eyes...

Countless details became crystal clear.

No dodging, no retreating. Chen Yue took a step to the side with his right foot, sinking into a horse stance. His spine tensed and twisted like a great dragon, and a vast power rose from the earth beneath his feet.

It surged through his waist, spine, and shoulders, section by section, finally converging in his right arm.

WHOOSH!

Chen Yue threw a punch as well.

It was a straightforward and powerful punch, wide and open in its execution.

No fancy techniques, no tricky angles, only the purest power.

The wind from the fist howled as the air was compressed and pushed aside, creating a dull, thunderous roar.

On the surface of his skin, a reserved golden sheen flashed for a moment—it was the Gang Qi of the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield.

Fist against fist, a head-on collision!

Outside Panshi Lane, in front of the water curtain, the hearts of all the spectating disciples leaped into their throats at this moment.

"Is he crazy?" someone couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.

"Cheng Fengjun is in the Refining Organ Realm, and Chen Yue has just entered the Marrow Refining Realm. And he isn’t dodging or evading, choosing to clash head-on with Cheng Fengjun?"

Is this arrogance, or does he truly have the confidence to back it up?

On the Guardian Platform, a flicker of barely perceptible surprise also flashed through Cheng Fengjun’s eyes.

He hadn’t expected Chen Yue to be so bold as to clash head-on with him.

He hadn’t underestimated Chen Yue, but with this punch, he had still habitually held back thirty percent of his strength, saving it for follow-up moves in case his opponent had any cunning tricks.

But now, seeing Chen Yue meet his fist head-on without any attempt to dodge...

"You’re courting death!"

Cheng Fengjun no longer hesitated. The thirty percent of strength he had held back was instantly and completely poured into his right arm.

At the same time, an even more violent aura erupted from deep within his body.

ROAR!

A sound like a dragon’s roar from the primordial wilderness faintly emanated from within Cheng Fengjun’s body.

This was not a real dragon’s roar, but a phenomenon produced when his top-tier Body Refining Technique, the Azure Dragon Scale Transformation Technique, was circulated to its absolute limit, causing his Qi Blood and Power to resonate at high speed.