“Commander Murong, long time no see. How is everything at the Huaxia Base City?” Xu Tianguo adopted a formal tone.

Murong Xue gracefully extended her hand, offered a brief, light shake, and then released it, smiling faintly. “Everything is well enough. I heard that the ‘Emperor’s Legion’ was causing trouble for you this time, and I figured President Ye might come, so I came over to have a look.”

Xu Tianguo smiled faintly.

Ye Chen ignored the two of them, focused on the crowd parting to either side, and strode forward first. With Xu Tianguo leading the way, he gave Murong Xue a polite smile before following in Ye Chen's wake—subtly maintaining a beat behind, neither too far back nor directly alongside.

Murong Xue followed behind with Hua Bu Luo and Qin Lan.

“General Commander,” Hua Bu Luo murmured to Murong Xue beside him, “Those three are incredibly strong. The third one isn't much, but the second one is very tricky. He was the one who defeated me last time. I wonder if Ye Chen can match up against him?”

Murong Xue smiled lightly. “He certainly can.”

Hearing the confidence in her tone, Hua Bu Luo frowned, his smile vanishing. He said plainly, “That’s not necessarily true. In the real world, none of those three are my match, but in the virtual world, it all comes down to combat skill! With identical physical constitution, who wins is still unknown.”

Murong Xue inwardly agreed, a hint of worry creeping into her eyes.

Hua Bu Luo noticed the distress in her eyes, and a furious heat burned within him. He gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Qin Lan, walking beside them, seemed to sense his subtle shift. She stole a glance, her crescent-shaped eyes sparkling with light, and suddenly giggled, though no one knew what amused her.

Everyone watched Ye Chen, who led the way, somewhat bewildered. They couldn't figure out where this dark horse had come from, allowing the top figures from two major base cities to trail respectfully behind him. Could it be...?

Those with even a little cunning had already suspected this person might be Ye Chen, but without confirmation, they dared not be certain.

By this time, Ye Chen had reached the foot of the fighting stage. On the platform stood a massive, burly man, over 2.1 meters tall. His muscles rippled beneath his dark skin, making him resemble a standing black bear!

Three zhang in front of this hulking man lay a young figure, hunched over like a shrimp, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. It was unmistakably Hua Chao!

Ye Chen frowned slightly, glanced to the side, and noted the presence of the Lingshan Guild members and those from the Guangming Base City—all venerable elders. Clearly, this arena match was a grand event, drawing in many people who had been hiding in the ruins with nothing better to do.

“Boss!” a respectful voice called out nearby. Tosvasin, leading strong fighters like Misor, quickly approached. He shook hands with Xu Tianguo first, then looked at Ye Chen with evident delight. “It’s so good to finally see you.”

Ye Chen glanced at him. “Is something the matter?”

Tosvasin cleared his throat, completely unabashed. “Nothing, just missed you.”

Ye Chen’s brow twitched. He gave Tosvasin a sharp look, then turned to Xu Tianguo. “Where are Bailong and the others?”

Xu Tianguo gave a wry smile. “They’ve entered a specific zone in the virtual world for life-and-death tempering. They vowed not to come out until they’ve forced their power to its peak—even if the sky were to fall, they are not to be disturbed.”

Ye Chen nodded slightly. “When I’m away, don’t disturb them unless it’s absolutely necessary. Also, the high command of the base city should step up their training.”

Xu Tianguo wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead and nodded repeatedly. “Yes.”

Tosvasin glanced at Xu Tianguo, surprised that the acting president of the Guangming Base City dared not act casually in front of Ye Chen. His awe for Ye Chen deepened.

Ye Chen turned his head toward Tosvasin. “Do you think you have a chance to defeat the man on stage?”

Tosvasin started. He had arrived earlier and observed the fighting style of the hulking man on stage, knowing few could likely stand against him. Looking at Ye Chen’s eyes, it seemed that as soon as he said the word “possible,” Ye Chen would dispatch him immediately. He immediately lowered his head, ashamed. “That… it might be close.”

Ye Chen nodded slightly, his tone flat. “You should step up your training too.”

A chill went through Tosvasin’s heart. He quickly replied, “Yes! I will definitely train relentlessly when I return!”

Ye Chen surveyed the area. He noted that the God’s Left Hand was absent but didn't inquire further. Just then, a sharp impact sound echoed from the stage. Immediately afterward, Hua Chao’s body was hurled out, crashing heavily onto the ground below. Whether intentional or not, he landed precisely toward Ye Chen and the others.

This throw was no small matter. Considering the height of the fighting stage combined with the immense force projected by the burly man, the resulting kinetic energy carried a power far beyond ordinary. If a child were dropped from the 20th floor, anyone catching them with their bare hands would risk having their arms broken!

Tosvasin and the others turned pale with fright. Watching the hurtling figure rush toward them, anger flared in their hearts. If they backed away under this public gaze, they would lose face; yet, if they didn't move, Hua Chao’s weight, combined with such velocity, would certainly injure them too!

With Ye Chen behind them, Xu Tianguo and Tosvasin were internally furious, but they could only grit their teeth and step forward.

Just as the two were about to move, Ye Chen had already rushed out first. With a light leap, he extended his fingertips to touch Hua Chao’s body, then his palm, then his arm, gradually enveloping him. He skillfully absorbed the force of the collision between the two.

Ye Chen channeled Hua Chao’s momentum onto himself, causing both figures to tumble backward. He showed no panic, landing with a calm expression: first his toes, then the soles of his feet, then bending his knees...

This sequence looked simple, but it actually required exquisite control over applied force to execute so smoothly and flawlessly in one go.

By the time his knees were bent, the downward impact force had been completely dissipated. The remainder fell onto Ye Chen, leaving his legs slightly numb and tingling. After all, Hua Chao weighed over a hundred jin (about 50 kg), and being thrown down from such a height with such force—anyone else catching him would have been maimed, if not killed!

Ye Chen lowered Hua Chao and looked at him. He saw that Hua Chao’s nose and mouth had been struck, his teeth knocked out, and his nose bridge crushed. Breathing through his mouth became a struggle, barely clinging to life.

A nearly imperceptible coldness flashed in Ye Chen’s eyes. He reached out and struck Hua Chao once, killing him instantly. The body dissolved into white light, ready to reform at the resurrection point, thus sparing him further physical suffering.

Whether stunned that Ye Chen had managed to catch Hua Chao safely, or shocked by his cold-blooded efficiency, the entire crowd fell into an absolute, profound silence.

On the stage, the burly man frowned when he saw Ye Chen catch Hua Chao so steadily. He then sneered. “I didn't expect someone with some real skill to show up. Good. I’m tired of playing with these weaklings. Kid, who are you? I challenge you! Get up here!”

Ye Chen slowly stood up, glanced at the man, and then turned to Xu Tianguo beside him. “You go try. Remember, whatever injury Hua Chao sustained, you must repay it twofold.”

Xu Tianguo was momentarily stunned, then filled with remorse. Even Huang Tianci had been defeated by this hulking man; he feared his own outcome would be similar—wouldn't going up just lead to humiliation?

However, seeing Ye Chen’s expression, he sighed helplessly, though his surface demeanor hardened into solemnity. “Yes!” With a movement, he sprang onto the stage.

The burly man frowned. “Scram, I wasn't talking to you! I called him!”

Xu Tianguo stood firm on the stage, having resolved himself to risk everything. Hearing the burly man’s rude words, his expression turned icy. “An ant-like thing boasting in the virtual world is still just that. With your meager power, you are not qualified to challenge our President. I am enough for you!”

The crowd erupted in a clamor.

“Look quickly! I knew that person was the Guangming President!”

“So it really is him!”

“I wondered why he had such an air of command. I didn't expect him to come personally! Haha, we’re in for a good show. I wonder who will win.”

Everyone felt their earlier speculations confirmed and rejoiced.

Faced with the sudden surge of enthusiasm from the entire assembly, the burly man on stage became enraged. He was deeply angered by Xu Tianguo’s words, his face turning ashen. “Do you think your height and status give you the right to look down on everyone? Give me the same physique, and I can kill you a hundred times over! You failure, you only rely on your powerful constitution. In terms of true skill, you’re nothing!”

Xu Tianguo coldly laughed. “I don't converse with idiots, lest I lower my own IQ.”

The burly man roared, “Then you go die!” He charged forward, his hands swinging like iron fans toward Xu Tianguo’s face.

Despite the taunts, Xu Tianguo was quite wary of the burly man in his heart. Seeing the attack, he was inwardly alarmed and hurriedly executed the “Buddha Palm” to meet the blow!

Although the opponent’s physique was intimidating...

Since their constitutions were the same, head-to-head, who should fear whom?

The burly man grinned menacingly, suddenly turning his palm into a fist. He settled his stance, drove his left leg toward the central area, hiked his hips, tucked his abdomen, and threw a steady punch!

Ye Chen suddenly frowned and spoke quickly: “Don't clash head-on. Retreat, use the Hundred Refinements Fist, and follow up with the Roaming Dragon Steps.”

Xu Tianguo’s heart tightened. He usually obeyed Ye Chen’s orders implicitly, and without hesitation this time, he retracted his fist and retreated, swiftly employing the Hundred Refinements Fist, weaving around the burly man’s body, delivering successive blows.

Both martial arts techniques originated from the ancient martial civilization.

The burly man had expected that one punch would send Xu Tianguo to his ancestors. When he missed, he roared in fury and spun to pursue. However, Xu Tianguo’s footwork was extremely nimble, like a small loach, denying him any chance to close the distance.

Ye Chen observed Xu Tianguo’s posture and nodded slightly. Although it wasn't completely standard, for his current stage, it showed decent execution. It was clear that besides managing the base city, he hadn't neglected his personal practice.

“Use Tai Chi Fist to entangle him, and then strike his lower center with the Monkey Fist from Xing Yi Quan,” Ye Chen suddenly instructed.

Without thinking, Xu Tianguo immediately executed a rudimentary Tai Chi Fist, extending his arm to hook around the burly man’s forearm. His other hand shot out suddenly, striking the burly man’s middle section.