Qin Fen’s final strike shattered Cai Renying’s admirable defense, crushing her unyielding will to fight. His heavy fist slammed into her lower abdomen, brutally cleaving her body in two. The devastating aura of the fierce battle shocked the very souls of every young martial artist present.

Cai Renying’s upper torso fell to the ground, sliding several meters before stopping. Many young martial artists still could not believe what they had witnessed. The climax of the match, so intense and oppressive that everyone believed Qin Fen would end in spectacular defeat, concluded in a way no one anticipated.

Qin Fen’s ferocious and vast Fist Intent, culminating in the ultimate strike of the Dragon Soaring to the Nine Heavens, forged a new piece of history. Even experts of the Chief level, like Di Shitian, could not have predicted such an outcome. Qin Fen’s sudden, explosive burst of power was astonishing; he was like a reincarnated God of War.

Cough, cough... Cai Renying lay half-body on the ground, crimson blood gushing from her mouth like a fountain. She could only tilt her head back to stare at the blue sky, the shock of this ending still refusing to dissipate.

Her sternum shattered by the single punch, her chest still managed a slight, shallow rise and fall. The focus in her eyes was slowly beginning to scatter. Qin Fen’s mighty punch had not only broken her body but also pulverized her spine and ruptured her internal organs.

Even if the legendary Great Golden Immortal descended, it would be useless; death was her only fate. She hadn't completely expired yet, sustained only by her sheer willpower, or perhaps by a lingering breath of refusal to accept defeat. Her blood-stained, red lips moved, squeezing out a faint sound: “Vast Fist Intent, terrifying combat presence.

I am unwilling... I shouldn't have surrendered the initiative entirely; otherwise, victory and defeat would have been uncertain... You don’t need to gloat...

You killed... killed two disciples of my New Run Boxing Path... Senior Brother...

Master... will not... will not...” With two final "will nots," Cai Renying could not finish her last words.

Another surge of blood filled her throat, and her fading pupils retained an inexhaustible measure of regret. Cai Renying’s eyes remained wide open as her breathing ceased completely at that moment, the traces of life utterly vanishing from her body. Dead.

Cai Renying was dead after all. The one who sought to kill others died consumed by infinite resentment. Qin Fen braced his hands on his knees, barely managing to keep his body from slumping or kneeling.

His legs and arms trembled violently, his frame swaying precariously as if he could collapse at any second. His normally rosy complexion had turned ashen. Beads of sweat formed incessantly on his forehead and cheeks, and his hands were covered in glistening moisture.

Drops of sweat fell from his black hair onto the ruined ground. He looked as if he had stood exposed to a downpour for several hours in his martial uniform. Qin Fen dared not move.

The preceding battle had drained not only his stamina and energy but also continuously aggravated his injuries in the fierce exchange. His internal Qi and blood churned like a raging sea; any forced movement would cause him to spit up blood. Contesting the strength of a Fourteen-Star martial artist with his Eleven-Star power—even Qin Fen hadn't believed he had a chance of winning.

When he initially took Cai Renying’s Tai Bai, which carried the imprint of national history, head-on, Qin Fen’s Qi and blood had already surged, causing internal injuries to stir. The subsequent series of self-forgetting, violent attacks, while forcing Cai Renying into retreat and dampening her spirit, had equally worsened Qin Fen’s own injuries. In that final punch, a burst that cost him nearly his life, as he hammered through Cai Renying’s arms and torso, Qin Fen's own bones had to withstand the counterforce of a Fourteen-Star martial artist.

If not for the extreme resilience of his bone structure following the Marrow Replacement Rebirth, the injuries would have been far worse than mere cracks. Fourteen-Star martial artists possessed bone density hardened over years of true Qi resonance. An Eleven-Star martial artist in normal condition, even with Qin Fen’s attacking power, would inevitably have their entire arm shatter from the immense impact.

A flurry of whispers and gasps of cold air spread through the surroundings, the previous silence giving way to a sudden, noisy commotion. Cai Renying, killed by an Eleven-Star martial artist, was no minor event! The martial artists from the Inner Sacred Hall who accompanied her were nearly all frozen in shock.

Such an outcome was unimaginable even in dreams. In a short span, Qin Fen had single-handedly killed two Inner Sacred Hall martial artists: one a Thirteen-Star, and the other a Fourteen-Star Quasi-Martial Arts Master. This reality was exceedingly difficult to accept.

“The Newcomer King of this term from the Sacred Hall might not be appearing in the Inner Sacred Hall after all,” Huang Fengwan murmured softly, earning nods of affirmation from several companions nearby. To inspire the martial spirit in its newcomers, the Sacred Hall held an annual arena competition. Participants had to have been in the Sacred Hall for less than a year and adhere to age restrictions for this special bout.

The eventual winner was crowned the Sacred Hall’s Newcomer King for that year. This title had resided within the Inner Sacred Hall for countless years; people had grown accustomed to the notion that it was destined to be taken by them. Yet today, Qin Fen, under everyone's gaze, had slain both a Thirteen-Star and a Fourteen-Star martial artist.

In the coming Newcomer King Championship, who would dare challenge him? The martial artists of the Inner Sacred Hall would only pale in comparison to him. The Chiefs of several departments, watching through the screens, broke into gasps of awe.

The young man had just enacted a nearly suffocatingly tense battle. Following this fierce duel, Qin Fen’s prestige soared among the Outer Sacred Hall’s younger martial artists. This young man, who didn't appear overtly aggressive, fought with the swiftness of dragons and thunder, striking decisively without any hesitation or lingering.

They were all martial artists gifted in martial arts from various regions, rarely inclined to yield to others. After witnessing Qin Fen’s fight, almost everyone submitted wholeheartedly. Even if they were among the later batches to enter the Sacred Hall, no one could claim the future title of Newcomer King from him now.

Clap, clap, clap... Applause erupted from the Inner Sacred Hall contingent. A man emerged, slightly over 1.7 meters tall, possessing thick lips and a broad nose, yet utterly devoid of facial hair.

Beneath his yellowish-brown skin was a somewhat corpulent body, the fat on his cheeks jiggling with every step he took. In a martial arts sanctuary like the Sacred Hall, nearly every martial artist maintained an excellent physique, thanks to constant training—which was also why many Federation women practiced martial arts despite having poor natural talent; maintaining a good figure was preferable to relying on weight-loss drugs. In such a sacred martial arts environment, encountering a martial artist in poor physical shape was relatively uncommon.

This man’s short stature and bulky form, while not making him tower over the crowd, made him instantly conspicuous, like spotting a large, bloated toad among a flock of swans. “Impressive, truly impressive! Qin Fen, is it?” A faint, cold arrogance touched his greasy, square face.

“Sima Hai from the Inner Sacred Hall. I request a demonstration of your high skills.” “What?” A ripple of outrage swept through the onlookers. Qin Fen had just finished two grueling battles; everyone could see he had exhausted all his true Qi and stamina, and appeared to have sustained injuries, struggling even to walk.

A challenge now? It was clearly an attempt to take cheap advantage! Could this behavior be any more shameless?

Sima Hai reveled in the dissatisfied and condemning stares of the Outer Sacred Hall martial artists, tilting his chin slightly, revealing a seemingly profound smile. “What do you all know? A true man should possess unyielding integrity!

If one shrinks back from such a minor circumstance, what kind of martial artist can they be?” Huang Fengwan jumped out from the crowd, shouting angrily, “Since you are a man of unyielding integrity, why not challenge Ren Tiansheng? Or challenge one of the Six Chiefs? As a senior, seeking sparring with Qin Fen at this moment—that truly shows your integrity!” The surrounding martial artists immediately voiced their agreement, while several other Inner Sacred Hall martial artists showed slight embarrassment.

Only Sima Hai remained composed. He chuckled lightly, his gaze filled with boundless disdain as he swept over Huang Fengwan: “How could a lowly monkey comprehend the ambition of a fierce tiger roaring in the forest?” Qin Fen braced himself on his knees, looking up at Sima Hai. This fellow must be practicing some sort of devious martial path?

He thought. It’s a shame he doesn't understand the true essence of devious martial arts; he mistakes shamelessness for it. If the King of Devious Arts, Zeng Yicheng, saw this, he’d likely crush this man on the spot to prevent him from insulting the great, sacred path of deviousness.

Sima Hai took two more steps and reached for the battle saber at his waist, maintaining a gentlemanly smile. “Combat requires leveraging one’s strengths. I use my accustomed blade for fighting; you won’t object, will you?

If you are uncomfortable fighting an armed opponent barehanded, I permit you to use a weapon too.” Qin Fen lacked the strength to even smile. This man’s shamelessness had reached legendary heights—not only taking advantage of an opponent’s weakness but also fabricating an excuse for using his blade. If this were a life-or-death battle on the field, such an action might be understandable.

Striking a weakened enemy was a valid combat strategy. However, Sima Hai’s manner suggested he was engaging in a so-called 'sparring session,' hoping to fatally strike Qin Fen during the exchange. “I don’t object.

How could I object?” From the group of martial artists near Building 122, Caesar let out a loud roar and stepped forward, about to enter the ring, when a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. He turned to see Xue Tian’s handsome, smiling face. “Caesar, you must be exhausted these past few days.

It’s a small miracle you can still stand,” Xue Tian patted Caesar’s shoulder. “Let me handle this.” Sima Hai lifted his thick eyelids, scrutinizing Xue Tian with a hint of suspicion. “Sima Hai, is it?” Xue Tian walked into the combat zone with rhythmic applause, swaying like a pop star at a concert, his lazy voice dragging out a long tail: “You are absolutely right!

Fighting, of course, requires using what you excel at. Only a complete idiot would fight using their weaknesses. And that part about ‘a lowly monkey comprehending the ambition of a fierce tiger roaring in the forest’—I deeply agree.” Sima Hai grew increasingly confused by this sudden interloper.

How could a young man from the same Building 122 offer praise to the enemy? And he seemed to strongly endorse the tactic of opportunistic ambush. This situation suggested either insanity or a hidden agenda.

Xue Tian stood beside Qin Fen, holding his Iai katana, smiling faintly at Sima Hai: “How should I put it? I’ve coveted the title of First in the Sacred Hall Newcomer competition for a long, long time, but I’ve never had the chance. Seeing Qin Fen in this state today, I think my opportunity has arrived.

Now, like you, I wish to extend a sparring invitation to Qin Fen.” Sima Hai blinked. What did this mean? Was he trying to steal the spotlight?

Or was he backing Qin Fen? “If both of us jointly invited Qin Fen, he would likely agree. But...” Xue Tian wore an expression of feigned distress and apology: “If Qin Fen loses, did I win against him, or did you win against him?” Sima Hai blinked again.

Xue Tian’s words clearly indicated a desire to fight first, at the very least ensuring no one else got a chance to engage Qin Fen. The current Qin Fen, let alone any Sacred Hall martial artist, could easily be taken down by a One-Star practitioner. Such an opportunity could not be missed!

Sima Hai’s thick lips curled, and he shook his large index finger: “Young man, you are precisely correct. But everything must follow the rule of first come, first served. I extended the sparring invitation first, so naturally, I go first.

If you want to fight, you must wait until I am defeated...” “First come, first served?” Xue Tian waved his hands repeatedly. “This is the Sacred Hall, not a vegetable market. In any case, I am challenging Qin Fen today.

Anyone who attempts to challenge him before me is showing me no respect.” Sima Hai slightly raised his eyelids. He saw Xue Tian’s usually languidly smiling, handsome face suddenly turn grim, his brows shrouded in chilling killing intent: “Whoever shows me no respect, I will show them no respect in return! Even if the Heavenly King himself came, the same rule applies!” The noisy crowd instantly fell silent, all attention fixed on Sima Hai.

Sima Hai was clearly the first to challenge Qin Fen, yet Xue Tian had come forward with convoluted arguments and suddenly erupted, pushing the boundaries of his demands. Under these circumstances, if Sima Hai yielded the priority of challenging Qin Fen to Xue Tian, it would imply he feared Xue Tian and was thus disqualified from challenging Qin Fen himself. If Sima Hai insisted on maintaining his priority to challenge Qin Fen, it meant he would have to defeat Xue Tian first to uphold his claim.

Qin Fen watched Sima Hai’s expression shift three times in a second and started laughing internally. After spewing such pompous words, likening others to monkeys and himself to a tiger, now he was cornered. Don't show off; showing off invites lightning strikes.

Qin Fen suddenly recalled a very popular saying. He looked at Sima Hai with sympathy. Why choose to compare himself to the King Tiger roaring in the forest?

A brief silence followed. Seeing Qin Fen smile, Sima Hai’s eyes sharpened. He bit down hard on his thick lip and declared: “I will not yield my priority to spar with Qin Fen.

Whoever shows me no respect, don’t blame me for showing them none either.” Xue Tian patted Qin ফেন’s shoulder: “Say, can you, the seeded contender, step aside for a moment? Someone is disrespecting me, and I’ve decided to make him lose face entirely.” Qin Fen managed to straighten his body, forcing out a smile as he walked towards the crowd. With his current injuries—bone micro-fractures—he absolutely couldn't fight for a day or two.

Standing aside to recover his energy, aided by the shock of the Marrow Rebirth and the medicine from the Sacred Hall, he was confident he could quickly regain the ability to fight. Sima Hai watched Qin Fen stagger away tiredly. A thought stirred in his mind: even in this exhausted state, walking somewhat unsteadily, Qin Fen still exuded an aura of detached, ethereal power.

If he didn't defeat him soon, this man might come back later seeking revenge for today’s slight. Xue Tian clapped his hands. “Alright, the obstruction has temporarily moved away.

Now, let’s see who strips whose face.” Sima Hai’s left hand gripped the saber sheath while his right rested on the hilt. His spirit instantly locked onto Xue Tian. As a veteran Ten-Star martial artist who had undergone Blood Exchange Rebirth to reach the Innate state, his professional combat skills were undeniable.

“I mentioned before that I use a blade in combat. Seeing you holding an Iai katana, I assume you are also a swordsman? Then let’s play with blades.

Let’s see whose blade is wielded better.” “Play with blades?” Xue Tian patted the sheath of the Iai katana he held and laughed: “Do you even qualify for me to use a blade on you? Don’t assume I only use a sword just because I’m carrying one. I’ll tell you a secret today: actually...” Everyone’s appetite was thoroughly whetted by Xue Tian’s mock-mysterious demeanor.

He then smiled faintly and said: “You didn’t know, did you? My mother practices the Three Arts of Tea Ceremony, and there’s a traditional martial arts hall next door.” Sima Hai’s eyes were filled with confusion. This young man’s train of thought jumped around too much.

What was he talking about? Xue Tian tossed the Iai katana to Caesar, turned, and walked towards the assembled young martial artists. He flipped his wrist, spreading his five fingers in a swift motion!

The young martial artist suddenly felt a lightness at his waist; the metal Nunchaku he carried was now in Xue Tian’s hand. His wrist rotated the weapon gently up, down, left, and right, one end whirling like a metallic butterfly. “Ever heard of Nunchaku?” Xue Tian smiled, stopping the rotation.

The whirling weapon was tucked neatly under his armpit as he stood still, radiating an indescribable, casual coolness. Sima Hai laughed. As a Ten-Star martial artist, how could he not know a weapon like the Nunchaku?

This young man was truly arrogant, discarding his skilled saber to play around with Nunchaku for show? Good! Today, the blade would cleave the Nunchaku!

Xue Tian stepped lightly into the combat circle, shaking his head: “Judging by your expression, you must not have heard of the song Nunchaku.” “Nunchaku? How could I not have heard of it?” Sima Hai pushed the guard of his saber with his thumb, and a blindingly sharp gleam erupted from the sheath. He sank his stance slightly, saying: “Young man, one shouldn't be overly arrogant in life.

Today, I will teach you, on behalf of your master, what it means not to abandon your strengths in combat.” “You teach on behalf of my master?” Xue Tian’s smiling expression instantly shifted, and a wave of killing intent surged forth: “Good! Excellent! I’ve always wanted to beat him up, but I could never manage it.

Since you are so enthusiastic to play the role of my master, I thank you profusely.” Sima Hai felt Xue Tian’s sudden change in demeanor and aura, unsure what he had said wrong. Why did this young man seem genuinely eager to beat up his master? “Come, come.” Xue Tian lightly tapped his feet, circling Sima Hai in movements resembling the new Jeet Kune Do, completely different from his usual fighting style.

The New Jeet Kune Do, like the New Run Boxing Path, had been modified by others. Unfortunately, the New Jeet Kune Do had never produced another prodigy like Bruce Lee; even after modification, it barely ranked as a third-rate martial technique. Sima Hai watched Xue Tian employ this technique, surging his true Qi throughout his body.

The moment Xue Tian’s right foot touched the ground, Sima Hai stomped hard on the ruined earth, his body dropping low and darting forward with a fierce, wolf-like rush toward Xue Tian. The sound of the sheath tearing through the air erupted in a dazzling fan of blade light—the sharp battle saber swung out, close enough to slice the skin off a face. Qi Gai Shan He (Overwhelming Force of the Mountains and Rivers) from the Six Harmony Saber Technique!

This sudden, near-ambush strike from Sima Hai erupted instantly, unleashing his full aura and true Qi. A full-power slash from an established Ten-Star martial artist could cleave a waterfall in two. This ambush strike was a culmination of Sima Hai’s mind, technique, and body.

Close-range surprise attacks often yield miraculous results; even if they failed to wound, they could instantly secure the upper hand in the fight, placing control entirely in his hands. As the blade tore through the air, Sima Hai could smell the thick, bloody scent of Qin Fen’s body parting the air. He was highly confident in this strike.

Xue Tian didn't even look at the saber descending toward him. He bent his body low, his entire skeleton giving a sudden twitch. He darted away like a grass snake slithering rapidly through dense foliage, slipping just outside the saber's reach.

The Nunchaku under his arm shot down like a whip, aiming directly for Sima Hai’s crown. If this strike landed solidly, even if Sima Hai had cultivated some sort of Golden Bell Shield or Iron Cloth technique, his skull would likely shatter or, at the very least, he would be left dazed and disoriented. Sima Hai was shocked.

How did this man escape the range of Qi Gai Shan He? In the instant of evasion, Sima Hai hadn't sensed any shift in his opponent's energy signature. In a single exchange, Sima Hai instantly went from holding the advantage to being on the defensive, his initiative seized.

He hastily raised his battle saber above his head. Clang! The saber and the nunchaku clashed, sparking a stream of fire.

Sima Hai felt a force transmit through the saber, a strange frequency assaulting his internal Qi resonance. “Let me show you what Nunchaku is,” Xue Tian said. Xue Tian’s figure moved like a phantom.

Though he had faced Sima Hai when launching the attack, by the time he spoke, he was already behind Sima Hai, swinging the Nunchaku in a horizontal sweep toward Sima Hai’s kidney.

As Sima Hai heard the sound coming from behind him, feeling the lock on his kidney area, the scalp on his head instantly tightened. His battle blade executed the Héhé Liù Chū technique, its light enveloping his entire body.

“Nunchucks are…”

The instant metal clashed, Xue Tian’s voice abruptly shifted into a strange rhythm: “Whether it’s spears or staffs, I can play them all convincingly. As for my favorite weapon, the nunchucks blend softness with hardness…”

What did that mean? Sima Hai blinked, confused by this bizarre movement technique. What was the meaning of that statement?

Xue Tian swayed to Sima Hai’s left, his nunchucks slamming down again toward his head: “Breathing and circulation come freely… sink the qi to the dantian, open the palms…”

Sima Hai slanted his single blade above his head, deflecting some of the strike’s force, yet his heart was riddled with shock. What incantation was this youth spouting? How could he just start spouting it during combat?

“A horse stance forward, a left hook, a right hook. Anyone who angers me is in danger.”

Xue Tian’s words never ceased; his nunchucks pointed east and struck west. Sima Hai flinched at the mention of a left hook, momentarily fearing an actual punch, and nearly had his skull smashed by the nunchucks.

What in the world was this kid doing? Sima Hai furiously shifted his footwork, trying to break free of Xue Tian’s attack range to regroup and regain the upper hand. However, he found that Xue Tian moved like a phantom, his position perpetually elusive, always managing to seize the most advantageous spot a step ahead.

“Quickly use the nunchucks, hngh hngh hai. Quickly use the nunchucks, hngh hngh hai. Martial artists must remember: the benevolent are invincible.”

Several observing young martial artists suddenly understood. What Xue Tian was chanting was not some martial arts mantra at all; he was singing an extremely ancient rap song, Shuāngjié Gùn (Nunchucks).

Someone reacted and quickly informed their companion. Soon, this information spread to the ears of every spectator, even reaching the observers from the Inner Saint Martial Hall.

“Sima Hai! That kid isn't reciting a mantra, he’s singing…”

The loud reminder from the Inner Saint Martial Hall personnel surged through Sima Hai’s ears, nearly causing a torrent of blood to erupt from his throat.

What? Singing? Sima Hai hurriedly parried a strike, filled with both rage and shock as he searched for Xue Tian. This brat was actually singing during a fight?

“Quickly use the nunchucks, hngh hngh hai. Quickly use the nunchucks, hngh hngh hai. Martial artists must remember: the benevolent are invincible.”

Xue Tian reached the chorus. His nunchucks danced like a torrential downpour, cracking and clattering as they struck from every direction. Sima Hai had nothing left but defense. In an instant, his body absorbed seven strikes. Each blow tore the skin, yet none were designed to break bone.

“Quickly use the nunchucks, hngh hngh hai. Quickly use the nunchucks, hngh hngh hai. Martial artists must remember: the benevolent are invincible.”

Xue Tian held his chin high, not even bothering with his ethereal, phantom-like footwork. He wielded the nunchucks with one hand, smashing down rapidly, driving Sima Hai backward relentlessly.

This kid… this kid was playing games! When Sima Hai took the fourteenth hit, he finally understood what was happening. His opponent was powerful beyond imagination.

“I’ll do a handstand…” Xue Tian’s body suddenly flipped, his palms bracing against the ground in a handstand. His wrists spun sharply toward the ground, his legs sweeping through Sima Hai’s defense to violently kick his jaw.

Crack

Sima Hai’s lower jawbone fractured. The immense impact forced him into a continuous tumble. He could only watch helplessly as Xue Tian, like a dragon soaring toward the heavens, rushed into the air and delivered a spinning kick to his chest.

“A beautiful roundhouse kick, full of righteousness!”

Xue Tian rotated his wrists continuously, keeping the nunchucks spinning, and stood still. He watched as Sima Hai, his ribs broken by the roundhouse kick, stumbled backward, finally collapsing onto the ground and flying backward with a thump.

The song Shuāngjié Gùn finished. Xue Tian tucked the nunchucks under his armpit and smiled at Sima Hai: “I told you, you clearly don’t know what Shuāngjié Gùn means, yet you tried to act knowledgeable in front of me.”

Sima Hai, his ribs shattered and his body lacerated everywhere, sat on the ground, glaring hatefully at Xue Tian, unable to stand up.

The section chiefs were all stunned. How could such a young martial artist exist? Why had they never noticed him before? If Qin Fen’s fight ignited passion, this young man’s combat was an indescribable enjoyment, even one laced with comedy.

Of course, for his opponent, he was nothing more than a decoration on a tea table—a tragic piece! Yes, a tragedy!

Sima Hai’s eye twitched as he stared at Xue Tian. Before the fight, he never could have imagined an ending like this. This youth was even more terrifying than Qin Fen! That was right! Qin Fen would kill his opponent; this martial artist could actually anger someone to death.

Xue Tian flicked his wrist. The nunchucks spun rapidly in the air before falling powerlessly back into the hand of their original owner. Sensing Sima Hai’s strange gaze, he smiled and replied, “What’s with that look? Admiration? If so, don’t admire me too much; I’m just a legend.”

Pfft…

Hearing this, Sima Hai could no longer endure the surging blood and qi in his chest. He spat out a jet of blood and lay heavily on the ground.

Several Inner Saint Martial Hall practitioners froze in place. Sima Hai’s strength was not weak within the group; in internal one-on-one sparring sessions, they often had about a fifty percent chance of winning. To be toyed with and beaten for fun by Xue Tian meant that any one of them stepping up for a one-on-one duel would only invite humiliation.

“What? Anyone else want a turn?” Xue Tian leaned back, hands clasped behind his head, smiling dismissively. “Come on then. I still have a song, Lóng Quán (Dragon Fist), I haven’t sung yet. ‘My right fist opens the heavens, transforming into a dragon! The expression of the whole world turns into one thing: awaiting the hero. I am that dragon.’”

The fighting spirit in the eyes of the Inner Saint Martial Hall martial artists instantly diminished by several points. Anyone who witnessed his near-abusive fighting style just now would likely not feel much motivation to step forward.

Even if they could fight him to a standstill, who could endure his nagging, vicious tongue? One lapse in focus, one imbalance in state of mind, and they would be defeated by him.

In the quiet ruins of the battlefield, the Inner Saint Martial Hall martial artists stood paralyzed, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

Xue Tian shrugged carelessly: “If you’re not confident one-on-one, you can all come at once. I’ve played fighting a group alone before; I promise it won’t be worse than Old Qin’s performance.”

Caesar and the others broke out in a cold sweat. That time on the beach during the desperate situation, defending his friend with a single blade, fighting against a hundred opponents—how could that be described as merely ‘playing’?

The eyes of the Inner Saint Martial Hall martial artists regained a sliver of desire. If they attacked together, surely he couldn’t just start singing Dragon Fist to antagonize them, could he?

“Xue Tian, the spotlight shouldn’t be yours alone to claim.”

Caesar slowly moved forward. Solomon and Brooks exchanged a glance, and the remaining three young martial artists stepped forward together, ten-star true qi churning within their bodies.

Ten stars! Ten stars! Ten stars! Still ten stars!

The faces of the Inner Saint Martial Hall martial artists were uglier than ever before. The strength of these newcomers who had arrived in the last few days was simply explosive, weren't they? Even considering their status as newcomers to the Inner Saint Martial Hall, they were astonishing, let alone being from the more fundamental Outer Saint Martial Hall!

Outer Saint Martial Hall fundamentals? Several Inner Saint Martial Hall practitioners exchanged bitter smiles. Had the brains of this batch of newcomers been kicked by mutated beasts? Entering the Inner Saint Martial Hall with such potential, they should have an incomparably bright future. Why did they join the Outer Saint Martial Hall fundamentals, the path with the least prospects?

All four were ten-star martial artists! Fererro touched his chin. What kind of lineup was this? Four martial artists under the age of nineteen, all having completed the Blood Replacement Rebirth into True Innate status, possessing ten-star strength. This was a force destined to sweep the world!

Indeed! Sweep the world! Fererro’s expression grew even more solemn. If these four were not hindered by the martial barrier in their future progress, their achievements would be limitless.

If Qin Fen had not been killed by Pei Chengjun, and if he could break through the martial barrier all the way, perhaps he truly could have achieved the level of a Divine Beast martial artist?

A Divine Beast martial artist usually had his Star Constellation Generals, but when another Divine Beast martial artist rose, it was rare for him to initially have even one Star Constellation General fighting alongside him to conquer the world.

Usually, it was only when the Divine Beast martial artist finally obtained the Divine Beast title, or possessed the strength of a Divine Beast martial artist, that they could subdue the opponents who had competed for the title and make them their Star Constellation Generals.

The strength of Star Constellation Generals was outstanding, and their temperaments were often rebellious. Being a general after losing the competition, even as a subordinate, meant security was not high, and unity in external battles was somewhat lacking, as was coordination.

Qin Fen, however, was different! Fererro looked intently at the shadows. If Qin Fen had the chance to compete for the Divine Beast title, the young martial artists supporting him would surpass the initial number of Star Constellation Generals under any previous Divine Beast martial artist.

If this group was fortunate enough to grow strong, for Qin Fen, they would be a super iron army with extremely high unity and strong coordination!

Di Shitian narrowed his eyes to thin slits, staring at Qin Fen, his mind rapidly calculating possibilities. If these young people followed Qin Fen and were lucky enough to grow to a certain level, whether they went to Mars or ventured out, and were fortunate enough to survive the bloody battles, they would certainly become a force not to be underestimated in the future—perhaps truly capable of becoming Divine Beast martial artists who ruled a planet!

Even if, besides Qin Fen, other young martial artists possessed immense luck and fortune and also became Divine Beast level practitioners, the bond between them would likely be unbreakable, forming an even more terrifying alliance!

“If one such person truly exists… they might actually have the power…” Di Shitian muttered subconsciously, two blade-sharp glints flashing from his narrowed eyes: “To sweep the world!”

Di Shitian sucked in a cold breath. A sound like a poisonous snake hissing filled the room. He lightly stroked his chin with his fingers: “Qin Fen’s small circle actually possesses such latent potential. Among the young generation’s small circles, perhaps his is the strongest? What methods did he use to gather these people? With such a group assembled, could he lack ambition? If such individuals are not constrained by the Saint Martial Hall in the future… when he leaves the Saint Martial Hall, will he truly lead his circle to conquer Mars or Venus?”

“What a strong small team.”

“Indeed. Among the young generation’s small circles, perhaps they are number one.”

“Right.” Fererro nodded repeatedly, agreeing with the observations of the other chiefs. “Currently, perhaps they are not qualified to contend with the two super-families of Mars, Heaven’s Gate and Hell. But who can guarantee that if they grow tremendously lucky, they won’t qualify to vie with these two dominant forces for the title of ruler of Mars?”

The atmosphere in the monitoring room was heated with discussion. In stark contrast, the battlefield ruins were silent and cold.

Sima Hai lay on the ruined ground, his heart filled with utter shock. Where had such a group of young martial artists sprung from? In previous years, not a single martial artist under nineteen had managed the Blood Replacement Rebirth to True Innate status. Why had such a crowd appeared all at once today?

“Rookie King… Rookie King… Rookie King…”

Huang Fengwan gripped his fists excitedly, low roars erupting from his throat, quickly echoed by the cheers of the large crowd of Outer Saint Martial Hall young martial artists nearby.

In an instant, the voices of nearly a hundred Outer Saint Martial Hall martial artists converged into a single wave of sound that rushed toward the sky.

Rookie King! That was right! The title monopolized by the Inner Saint Martial Hall for untold years—this time, it finally had to be yielded!

Now, there was no need for further fighting. Caesar, Xue Tian, Brooks, Morad, Solomon, and Qin Fen—any one of them, in terms of strength, could easily secure the Rookie King title among all previous generations in the Saint Martial Hall.

Of course, the reason they said ‘almost’ was that the Saint Martial Hall had once produced a Martial Maniac, whose ferocious sweeping power was also a legendary figure within the Saint Martial Hall.

“Rookie King?” Fererro’s face broke into a smile like a blooming peony: “If the previous Rookie King knew the strength of this generation’s Rookie King, perhaps he wouldn’t be as eager for the emergence of a new Rookie King as before?”

Di Shitian paused slightly, a wry, helpless smile touching his lips as he nodded a few times.

The Saint Martial Hall had many strict rules, such as a traditional rule concerning the Rookie King: the new Rookie King must fight the previous one.

The reason was to prevent the current Rookie King from becoming too complacent and believing himself invincible. Furthermore, it allowed him to see how vast the gap in strength between two generations of Rookie Kings could become in just one year.

With the exception of the Martial Maniac, every Rookie King had been soundly thrashed by the older generation’s Rookie King at the peak of their pride. Therefore, every new generation of Rookie Kings looked forward to a new one emerging, so they could go and teach that successor a lesson.