"Jiang Chen," Meng Dongxing's voice boomed across the arena, dripping with contempt."I'll admit—you have guts for challenging me.
And for that courage… I'll give you a handicap today."
As he spoke, he clapped his palms together.
Boom!
A golden radiance surged outward, condensing around him like molten metal.
In an instant, a shimmering defensive barrier wrapped his entire body.
"This… this is Meng Dongxing's Profound-rank Low-grade Defensive Technique—Basalt Golden Light Shield!" someone shouted.
Meng Dongxing smirked, raising his chin arrogantly."Come, Jiang Chen.
I won't attack for three moves.
If you can break through my Basalt Golden Light Shield in three strikes… I'll admit defeat. If not, you'll crawl out of here!"
"Wow! Senior Meng is too domineering!""As expected of the number one Golden Student!"
Excited chatter filled the crowd.
"It's said that this defensive technique can withstand multiple strikes from a Qi Protection Realm cultivator! How can that newbie possibly break it?""Challenging Senior Meng… does that kid have a death wish?"
They looked at Jiang Chen like he was already a corpse.
Jiang Chen simply smirked.
Basalt Golden Light Shield?
This guy really thought he could impress him with a low-grade Profound-rank defense technique?
"Fine," Jiang Chen thought. "Let's see how you handle this."
But he wasn't reckless.
Meng Dongxing's defense wasn't a joke—breaking through it in three strikes with his current Huang-rank Low-grade martial techniques would be difficult.
Which meant only one thing—upgrade.
"System… time to grind."
Jiang Chen began throwing punches, one after another.
Ding!You throw a punch. Gained 10 × 100 experience!Ding!Your Huang-rank Low-grade Martial Art: Stone-Crushing Fist has reached Perfection. Evolved to Huang-rank Mid-grade Martial Art: Earth-Cracking Fist!
Another punch.
Ding!You throw a punch. Gained 10 × 100 experience!
Another.
Ding!Your Huang-rank Mid-grade Martial Art: Earth-Cracking Fist has reached Perfection. Evolved to Huang-rank High-grade Martial Art: Mountain-Splitting Fist!
And still more.
Ding!Experience accumulating…
The crowd stared in disbelief.
"…What the hell is this guy doing?"
"Why isn't he attacking?"
"He's just… punching the air?"
A group of students snickered."Pfft… is this some kind of warm-up dance? Senior Meng, hurry up and crush this clown!"
Meng Dongxing's face darkened."Jiang Chen, what do you think you're doing?!"
Jiang Chen glanced at him, still lazily swinging his fists."Nothing. Just warming up. What's the rush?"
"Warming up?!" Meng Dongxing nearly choked on his own fury.
"There's no rule against warming up before a match, right?" Jiang Chen said, smiling as if this was perfectly normal.
"You—!"
Meng Dongxing gritted his teeth, barely restraining himself."If you're scared, kneel now and kowtow three times. Maybe I'll consider letting you go. Stop wasting my time!"
"Afraid?" Jiang Chen finally stopped, flexing his fists."I just didn't want to end your reign as the number one Golden Student too quickly."
His eyes narrowed, his aura surging."Five minutes. Then I'll break your turtle shell."