As Tang Yan's understanding of this martial technique deepened, he became increasingly awestruck by the exquisite subtlety of the Thousand Mountains Fist.

This martial technique was completely heaven-defying. As long as his Dantian and Meridians were resilient enough, he could continuously unleash an even more powerful strike.

"So strong!"

Feeling the imposing momentum carried by Tang Yan's fist, many onlookers widened their eyes, waiting to see who would prevail.

Sun Xiaolong also felt the sheer power contained within Tang Yan's punch. A trace of panic flashed across his originally smug face.

"Isn't this kid at the Black Rank Seventh Grade? Why do I have this sinking feeling that I can't win?"

"It must be an illusion!"

Forcing down his doubts to bolster his courage, Sun Xiaolong drove his fist forward to collide with Tang Yan's!

"Bang!"

A dull thud rang out, causing the entire courtyard to tremble.

Thud, thud, thud!

Sun Xiaolong staggered three steps back, barely managing to steady his footing. His eyes were now filled with disbelief and deep wariness.

Sun Xiaolong finally realized that he had vastly underestimated Tang Yan.

The explosive power this kid unleashed was in no way inferior to his own!

Smack! Without a moment's pause, another crisp slap echoed through the Rookie Zone.

A bright red handprint appeared on Sun Xiaolong's right cheek.

"This slap is to tell you that you should never have touched my brother!" Tang Yan's cold voice sent chills down their spines.

The pupils of several onlookers shrank sharply. This kid just executed a heavy martial technique—how can he still burst forth with such blinding speed?

"I'll kill you!" Humiliated twice, Sun Xiaolong's face twisted into an ugly grimace as he roared and charged at Tang Yan.

This time, Sun Xiaolong did not use any martial techniques.

Watching the menacing charge, Tang Yan sneered. "Trying to suppress me with pure physical strength? You are going to be disappointed again."

Without giving an inch, Tang Yan stepped forward and met Sun Xiaolong head-on.

"Courting death!" Seeing Tang Yan foolishly choose to clash head-on, a flicker of glee flashed in Sun Xiaolong's eyes.

However, that joy instantly froze before it could fully bloom. Tang Yan's fist vanished right before his eyes, suddenly shifting to a bizarre angle.

A strike already launched can change its trajectory without losing any momentum? How is that possible?

But Tang Yan gave him no time to think, and this was only the beginning!

The moment Tang Yan's first strike collided with his, he launched another attack without a single breath of hesitation!

Sun Xiaolong had originally intended to crush him with sheer strength and speed. Tragically, he discovered that compared to Tang Yan, his speed was like a snail against a gale.

It was too fast. Not only were his attacks entirely unpredictable, but there was absolutely no pause between his chained moves!

In a mere three exchanges, Tang Yan drove a fist right into his Dantian, scattering his focus and leaving him momentarily unable to muster any True Qi.

Smack!

Another crisp slap rang out as Tang Yan spoke coldly. "This is a reminder: don't ever provoke my brother again."

Smack, smack, smack, smack... A long, relentless string of slaps echoed through the sky above the Rookie Zone.

The crowd watched Tang Yan dole out the beating with pounding hearts. Isn't this kid a bit too fierce? He's only at the Black Rank Seventh Grade, yet in just a few moves, he beat an Eighth Grade expert into complete helplessness?

"This is the Penalty you deserve for injuring my brother," Tang Yan's icy voice rang out.

"Just kill me!" Sun Xiaolong gritted his teeth.

"The academy explicitly forbids taking lives. Why would I violate the rules? I just want to vent some frustration on my brother's behalf." Tang Yan's hands were far from idle as he spoke. In the short time it took to say those words, dozens more slaps rained down.

Humiliation!

Blatant humiliation!

The onlookers finally understood. This guy hadn't just come to win; he had come specifically to humiliate Sun Xiaolong.

After receiving such a prolonged beating, Sun Xiaolong's face was swollen into a pig's head, with a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing that it was about enough, Tang Yan casually flipped his wrist and snatched away Sun Xiaolong's storage space. Sweeping it with his divine sense, he extracted the man's Star Token and said, "My brother is severely injured and still confined to his bed. Consider these Supplies of yours as compensation."

With that, he ruthlessly transferred all the Star Values into his own Star Token.

"Pfft!" Seeing Tang Yan brazenly rob him blind, Sun Xiaolong could no longer hold back his fury and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Stop right there!"

Just as Tang Yan was about to leave, a chilling voice called out from behind him.

Tang Yan turned his head to see a tall, thin young man striding toward him, his expression as dark as still water.

"That's the leader of the Victory Gang, Qin Sheng," Fang Xuan whispered from the side.

Tang Yan nodded slightly, carefully sizing Qin Sheng up. Judging from the fluctuations of his aura, his strength was at the late stage of the Black Rank Ninth Grade.

"You beat a member of my Victory Gang and think you can just walk away? You really don't put my Victory Gang in your eyes, do you?" Qin Sheng demanded coldly.

The crowd's excitement spiked once more. One was a genuine Black Rank Ninth Grade expert, while the other was the number one rookie of the East District with only a Seventh Grade cultivation. If these two clashed, could Tang Yan actually hold his ground?

Everyone's gaze locked onto Tang Yan. Facing a formidable opponent like Qin Sheng, how would he react?

"Your man injured my brother. I've come to settle the score, and now we're even. As for your Victory Gang, I've never even spared it a glance, so how could I possibly take it seriously?" Tang Yan replied indifferently.

Qin Sheng laughed in sheer anger. "Kid, I admit you have some skill. But for the so-called number one of the East District, your strength is sorely lacking.

"If you think you can leave here today without giving me a proper explanation, you'll first have to ask if the sword in my hand agrees!"

"Then let's try!"

Those calm words slipped from Tang Yan's mouth, causing everyone present to raise their eyebrows in surprise.

The crowd had already been intensely curious about Tang Yan's true strength. Just how could he claim the throne as the East District's number one with a mere Black Rank Seventh Grade cultivation?

Now, they would finally get to witness it firsthand!

"Tang Yan, let me take him!" Yu Juechen grew anxious and stepped forward to pull Tang Yan back.

"If I back down today, even more of these pests will come knocking.

"Why did the Victory Gang dare to attack Du Shu? Because they think we're soft targets!

"A man can choose to be low-key, but he absolutely cannot swallow his anger when bullied right to his face.

"Only by displaying absolute power will others truly acknowledge you, respect you, and fear you!

"Don't worry. If I can't even handle him, what right do I have to compete with the top rookies of the other districts?" Tang Yan gently pushed Yu Juechen's hand away.

Yu Juechen's heart trembled. Tang Yan's surging, unyielding sharpness stirred his spirit and filled him with a deep sense of longing. He stopped trying to hold him back and said solemnly, "Show him what you've got!"

"You've got guts. I hope you can still act this tough later!" Qin Sheng sneered. Releasing his aura, he brought it crashing down upon Tang Yan.

"Black Rank Ninth Grade, and his aura is so stable-he must be at the late stage!" Feeling the sheer pressure of Qin Sheng's cultivation, the crowd below showed intense shock.

"The quality of this year's new students is certainly interesting. Many of the older students are only at the Black Rank Ninth Grade themselves."

Murmurs of exclamation drifted from the veteran student camp, and their gazes toward Tang Yan took on a touch of pity.

The martial path was absolute; a single rank difference was a gulf as vast as heaven, and a single grade difference was a barrier like three mountains!

Although Tang Yan had managed to defeat the Black Rank Eighth Grade Sun Xiaolong, the gap between the Black Rank Seventh Grade and the Ninth Grade-whether in raw strength or speed-was simply too vast.

No matter how anyone looked at it, Tang Yan had absolutely no chance of winning.

Feeling Qin Sheng's aura pressing directly upon him, Tang Yan sneered inwardly. This bastard actually wants to intimidate me with just his aura?

Possessing the mighty soul of the Alchemy Emperor, he truly didn't take this little bit of pressure seriously.

A faint Force, thin as silk threads, emanated from Tang Yan's body. Like countless spirit snakes, it easily dispersed Qin Sheng's aura and wrapped tightly around him!