Chapter 59: The Battle of Fanyang

"Hmph! If it weren't for your grandfather, with your temperament, you would've been dealt with long ago! Who would let you bark like a dog here?! What now? Have you sunk so low as to bully women to prove your worth?" Yang Yunfeng cast a reassuring glance at Du Cai-ni, then turned with disdain, snorting coldly.

"Yang Yunfeng! You will pay a bloody price for your words and actions today! I, Fan Tong, challenge you right now! If you've got the guts, don't be a coward—come out and face me! I'll show you what happens to those who offend the Fan family!" Fan Tong's gaze was cold as he stared at Yang Yunfeng, his murderous intent undisguised.

"I, Yang Yunfeng, accept your challenge!" Without hesitation, Yang Yunfeng accepted.

Clearly, after years of enduring, he could no longer hold back. Just moments ago, outside the private room, hearing Fan's last insult to his beloved had ignited the rage he'd suppressed for so long.

"Good! You do have guts! See you at the challenge arena!" With those words, Fan Tong left first, followed by the Second Prince and others. Now that the challenge was issued, the outcome would be decided at the arena.

"Yunfeng! That guy, though arrogant, is no slouch in martial cultivation. Rumor has it he’s reached the peak of the sixth stage of Qi Cyclone, about to break through to the seventh. Are you confident? Once you accept his challenge, he has an excuse to harm you, but you can’t retaliate. Knowing this, why did you still accept?" Du Cai-ni, worry etched on her face, stepped forward and grasped her beloved’s arm.

"Don’t worry! He’s far from being able to kill me. Of course, I won’t take his life for now—just teach him a lesson! After all these years, this self-important fool has grown ever more arrogant. I won't endure it anymore!" Yang Yunfeng gently patted his beloved’s hand, his gaze soft as he reassured her.

"Haha! Sister-in-law, rest assured! Yunfeng has also reached the peak of the sixth stage of Qi Cyclone. Why be afraid of that Fan fellow?" Wei Yi-ming, who had been smiling in silence, finally stepped forward and comforted her with a laugh.

"Yi-ming is right! Our family has always been at odds with the Fan clan. Whether we accept or decline his challenge, the situation remains the same!" Yang Yunfeng added.

"Well, just be careful out there!" Du Cai-ni could only accept this outcome. Her gaze lingered on Yang Yunfeng with deep affection. Her beloved stood up for her and dared to challenge the Fan clan’s direct heir—she saw it all, joy blossoming in her heart, though worry for the challenge troubled her still.

"By the way, how did you offend that Fan fellow?" Wei Yi-ming asked, curious, looking at Du Long and the others.

"It happened like this…" Du Cai-ni explained how Fan Tong demanded Du Long hand over Xia Qing-lian to him, and after being refused, barged in seeking revenge.

"This Fan fellow! Does he think he’s the emperor? Hahaha! He imagines that as soon as he asks, people will hand over women? Is his head full of manure?" Wei Yi-ming burst out laughing as he grasped the situation.

If it had been any ordinary girl, Fan’s arrogance might have been overlooked. But Xia Qing-lian was adopted by a second-rank Loyal and Martial General. Even Drunken Fragrance Pavilion had to give up their pursuit of her, yet Fan still thought he could simply demand her? Did he think the Loyal and Martial General's family lived on air? No wonder Wei Yi-ming couldn't stop laughing.

…

At the challenge arena, two figures stood on the east and west sides.

Though the battle had not begun, their eyes were locked in combat, sharp as blades crossing on the stage, sparks flying in the air.

"Did Yang Yunfeng really dare challenge Fan Tong, the direct heir of the Fan clan? Is he out of his mind?"

"Fan has always been domineering in the capital. He must have pushed Yang Yunfeng too far! Who else would dare fight the Fan heir? If challenged and killed, it’s a wasted death—no one can kill Fan. With such unfair rules, who would willingly walk to their own doom?"

"Too bad for Yang Yunfeng. If he were stronger than Fan Tong, he could thrash him and vent his anger. I've always disliked that Fan fellow!"

"I doubt it! Both are third-year students. I hear Fan Tong’s at the peak of the sixth stage of Qi Cyclone. Yang Yunfeng, at best, matches him!"

…

The gathered students whispered among themselves, most siding against the Fan clan. Clearly, the Fan family’s reputation in the capital was less than stellar.

"Third-year student Fan Tong challenges fellow third-year Yang Yunfeng. You both understand the rules, correct?" The instructor overseeing the arena called out from below.

"Understood!" Fan and Yang replied in unison.

"Good! The challenge begins now!" Without further ado, the instructor announced the start—the two were veteran students, after all.

With the match underway, Fan’s arrogance showed as he charged straight at Yang Yunfeng, palms striking out with the Fan Clan’s Sky-Splitting Palm, a technique taught by the clan’s spiritual master.

He aimed directly for Yang Yunfeng’s head, intending to kill. If struck, even with equal strength, severe injury would be inevitable.

Coldly eyeing Fan Tong’s murderous assault, Yang Yunfeng moved as well, executing the Yang family’s unique Phantom Step. Though not as refined as Du Long’s Windstep, it was still marvelously agile.

Before countless spectators, the two clashed, with Fan targeting Yang Yunfeng’s vital points, displaying the domineering power of the Sky-Splitting Palm.

Yang Yunfeng avoided direct confrontation, maneuvering with calm composure, as if Fan Tong was hardly worth his concern.

Back and forth, nearly a hundred rounds passed in a flash. Their duel was far more spectacular than Du Long’s previous challenge against Park Jun-jie, thrilling the onlookers.

In the audience, Du Long watched intently, his brows furrowed. With his current second stage Qi Cyclone level, he realized he was no match for them.

Neither speed nor basic combat strength could compare.

"With your current Qi Cyclone second stage, at most you can leap two levels and contend with fourth stage fighters. Against sixth stage, even with all weights removed, you could only hope not to lose—victory is still far off!" came Ling’er’s crisp appraisal from within his mind, the ring spirit’s voice clear.

"Sigh! The clans strictly forbid assassinating young disciples, but if they have disputes, strength decides everything. The weak must give way to the strong. That’s why, before my rebirth, no one dared offend me. Must I avoid Fan Tong from now on?" Du Long thought gloomily.

"Not necessarily! Once I remove your weights, you might not defeat him, but you won’t lose miserably!" Ling’er smiled, analyzing.

Du Long’s eyes brightened. "Ling’er, are you certain that, with my weights removed, I could avoid defeat against him?"

"Of course! With the Twin Waves of Xuan Yang, complemented by Windstep and the vest’s defense, you might even get lucky and beat him!" Ling’er sounded displeased at his doubt.

No more words were needed. Du Long’s brows relaxed, a smile forming as he watched the battle without pressure.

"Yang! Is your only talent running your mouth? On the arena, do you dare not face me head-on? With your character, you still dare stand up for that wench?" Frustrated by Yang Yunfeng’s avoidance, Fan Tong finally shouted angrily.

"Your mother is the wench!" Yang Yunfeng was clearly enraged, retorting, "Fan! Besides bullying freshmen, what else can you do?"

With that, he stopped evading, his fists transforming as he charged at Fan Tong like a tiger descending the mountain.

"Excellent!" Seeing his opponent finally respond directly, Fan Tong roared, unleashing the second form of the Sky-Splitting Palm—a move he’d mastered so far. The force exploded with sonic booms, its power extraordinary.

The Yang family, a venerable military lineage, possessed unique attack techniques. Their fist style combined hardness and softness. Now, Yang Yunfeng could only meet the attack head-on.

Bang!

Fist and palm collided with a muffled boom, echoing across the arena. Both were forced back by the shockwave, each retreating about ten meters before halting.

Wow!

The audience gasped. It was clear now—Yang Yunfeng’s strength was not inferior to Fan Tong’s!

Yang Yunfeng, the participant, suffered in silence. The Fan clan’s Sky-Splitting Palm lived up to its reputation—the pain of torn muscles and bones radiated from his fists, his arms clearly injured.

Fan Tong, though his arms were sore from the shock, recovered in a short moment.

"Hmph! Again!" Fan Tong roared, pouncing once more. From the cold gleam in his eyes, it was clear—he truly intended to kill!