Scene Three (Kneeling for Your Favor)

“Master, I’m going now.” Teng Zhi’s attitude toward the martial instructor remained respectful. The instructor, however, seemed distracted, nodding absentmindedly, his gaze dark and fixed on Jiang Feng.

Teng Zhi’s heart skipped a beat; the words he had overheard earlier churned restlessly in his mind. He took a deep breath and strode onto the arena, watching as Jiang Feng walked up calmly.

He pondered for a long moment, then whispered, “Jiang… Jiang Feng!”

Jiang Feng was a little surprised, bowed in greeting, and said, “Brother Teng.”

Teng Zhi spoke quickly, “After the assessment, when you return, be careful!”

Jiang Feng glanced at him in confusion. Teng Zhi cast a subtle look toward the martial instructor, and Jiang Feng instantly understood, smiling, “I see. Thank you!”

Teng Zhi straightened awkwardly, collecting himself. He fixed his gaze earnestly on the young man opposite him and said, “It may be a bit unfair, but I will fight with all my strength!”

Jiang Feng nodded with a gentle smile, “Good! I will do the same!”

Their voices carried clearly, and before anyone realized it, the soft murmurs among the crowd faded away.

Some had been scoffing at Teng Zhi, thinking he’d waited until he reached the fifth aperture in the chain to enter the county exam—clearly scheming to snatch the top spot. Now, he seemed intent on overpowering the weaker, which many found shameless.

But now, both stood with their backs straight, eyes bright, and the crowd’s whispers naturally vanished.

Indeed, there is no absolute fairness in this world. In battle, if you are weaker, it is simply because you are not strong enough!

A true martial artist never scorns, never boasts, never fears, but faces every fight with sincerity and courage.

The golden light gradually faded; the air’s restraint on their bodies disappeared.

The moment the battle began, Jiang Feng and Teng Zhi moved at once, charging head-on across the broad arena. With a thunderous crash, they collided violently!

Strength was immediately revealed in the clash. Jiang Feng was sent flying, rebounding toward the other side of the platform.

There were five simultaneous battles underway, but everyone—including the two academic officers—watched only this one.

Qu Chun whispered, “Is the boy being too reckless?”

Fang Liuxian shook his head, “When facing a stronger opponent, you must not lose your momentum. This youth’s martial art leans toward the fierce and forceful; if he started by evading, he would only be pushed back step by step until his defeat.”

Qu Chun mused, “Master Fang, your insight is keen.”

Fang Liuxian replied, “It depends on the individual; each case is different.”

A membrane of light encircled the platform, protecting the outside from the candidates’ combat and confining them within.

Jiang Feng bounced off the light barrier, still refusing to dodge, and shot back like an arrow!

Teng Zhi’s eyes shone with fighting spirit. He crossed his arms; flames erupted suddenly from his forearms. His primary core was fire-based, and his martial arts favored power. This fight with Jiang Feng was a contest of sheer strength, like two war machines crashing headlong!

He stamped heavily on the arena, charging straight for Jiang Feng. Just as they were about to collide again, Jiang Feng suddenly swept his palm, and a series of explosions erupted under Teng Zhi’s feet. The air rolled fiercely, blasting Teng Zhi off his feet!

Jiang Feng’s speed surged; he swept through the whirlwind, arriving overhead. His palm moved silently, pressing on Teng Zhi’s forehead, chest, and abdomen in quick succession.

Three resounding blows—Teng Zhi’s body was rocked by three explosive impacts!

He grunted, biting his tongue to keep from crying out. He crashed to the ground, barely able to rise.

The entire process was swift as lightning—a moment of silence, then an uproar!

What technique was Jiang Feng using? Manifest Force unleashed externally?

But external Manifest Force was a high-level skill possessed only by the Martial Masters of Enlightenment!

Both the Dawn Martial Adepts and Morning Martial Warriors could only use Manifest Force within their own bodies, relying on close combat!

How did Jiang Feng achieve this?

Fang Liuxian was both surprised and delighted. He leaned forward, staring at the arena, muttering, “As expected, this is his signature move!”

Qu Chun watched intently, asking, “Just now… was that using Manifest Force to vibrate the air, transmitting power through it?”

Fang Liuxian confirmed, “Exactly! There was once a martial artist who theorized this. Low-level martial artists can’t unleash Manifest Force externally, but he suggested vibrating the air with it. If controlled well, it could achieve the effect of a ranged attack!”

Qu Chun tried waving his hand, causing intense waves in the air before him, rippling outward.

He nodded, “Yes, it can be done. But to transmit force completely and attack precisely, you need tremendous control over Manifest Force.”

He shook his head, “For low-level martial artists, achieving that control is extremely difficult; it’s hardly worth the effort!”

Fang Liuxian said, “That was the argument against the theory. Low-level martial artists have limited Manifest Force, and diverting it to control air is less efficient than direct attack. But the theorist insisted that, with enough control, it could yield more effective and versatile results in combat!”

The two officers discussed quietly, but the nearby candidates were collectively stunned. Their skills weren’t advanced enough to understand the principles, but the result was plain to see.

A boy who had just advanced, only at the first aperture of the chain, was fighting a master at the fifth aperture—and had immediately seized the upper hand, injuring his opponent!

But Teng Zhi’s fifth aperture was not for show. After two breaths, he let out a roar and sprang to his feet.

Blood trickled from his lips. He grinned, “Impressive! You’re even stronger than I thought!”

Jiang Feng shook his head, “Not strong enough—not enough to defeat you in a single strike.”

Teng Zhi froze, then burst out angrily, “Don’t be absurd!”

The ground trembled; Teng Zhi leapt up, arriving before Jiang Feng, and drove an uppercut toward his chin.

At the instant he moved, Jiang Feng reacted. He seemed to anticipate Teng Zhi’s action, leaning back and narrowly dodging the punch. Then he flicked his fingers; a stream of electric sparks flew straight toward Teng Zhi’s eyes!

Another ranged attack!

If it had been elsewhere, Teng Zhi would have endured it head-on. But Jiang Feng targeted his eyes, so Teng Zhi ducked instantly. Once more, a powerful blast erupted under his feet—the same attack as the first round!

From then on, the fight was entirely under Jiang Feng’s control. After three such exchanges, Teng Zhi lay prone, struggling to rise, but the county’s ranking board had already declared the outcome.

Teng Zhi, fifth aperture, versus Jiang Feng, first aperture—Jiang Feng wins!

The arena fell silent. Everyone stared in shocked disbelief at the county board. Someone muttered, “This… this can’t be possible!”

Before the fight, not a soul believed Jiang Feng had much chance of victory. Even those who hoped for a miracle assumed he could only win after a bitter struggle.

No one expected Jiang Feng to seize control from the outset, directing the battle to victory!

Teng Zhi stared, stunned, at the county board, unable to believe he had lost so easily. He fought through the pain and stood, shouting, “This isn’t fair—I still have fight left in me!”

He slammed a fist into the arena, shaking the ground. But the county board’s verdict would not change; it told him coldly that defeat was final.

Jiang Feng approached and extended a hand.

Seeing the offered hand, Teng Zhi’s anger faded, almost unconsciously. He said in a low voice, “If this were a real battle, I wouldn’t have lost so easily!”

Jiang Feng answered calmly, “Perhaps. In a real battle, your resolve and fighting spirit would be different, even the outcome might be decided differently.”

Teng Zhi gazed at him intently; Jiang Feng smiled and countered, “But how do you know, in life and death, I wouldn’t unleash even greater power?”

Teng Zhi was silent for a long time, eyes fixed on the county board’s list of names. At last, he took Jiang Feng’s hand and let himself be pulled up. He murmured, “You’ve won. I will keep my promise.”

Jiang Feng smiled, “I believe Far Mountain will suit you better than Ancient Vine.”

Teng Zhi said nothing. As they left the arena, suddenly a shadow rushed up and slapped Teng Zhi heavily across the face!

Caught off guard, Teng Zhi was struck hard, his head snapping to the side.

The martial instructor glared at him fiercely, demanding, “Is this how you fought? Can you say you gave it your all?!”

Teng Zhi was silent. The instructor, thinking him guilty, raised his hand for another slap, but Jiang Feng gently pulled Teng Zhi behind him.

He spoke politely, “Instructor Wu, perhaps you’ve forgotten—the wager has been settled. Brother Teng is now one of us at Far Mountain; you have no right to punish him further!”

Instructor Wu retorted angrily, “Nonsense!”

At that moment, Fang Liuxian walked over, raising his brows, “Who’s talking nonsense? Remember, I served as witness!”

Instructor Wu glared at Fang Liuxian, then shot Teng Zhi a venomous look, and strode out, leaving his students behind in the exam grounds!

Petty and unable to accept defeat, Instructor Wu left in a huff. Fang Liuxian snorted, watching his retreat, then turned to Jiang Feng, “Who is your teacher?”

Jiang Feng hesitated; Fang Liuxian pressed, “That air blast technique—who taught you?”

Ping Luanshan arrived, hearing Fang Liuxian’s words, and asked curiously, “Air blast?”

Fang Liuxian nodded emphatically, “Vibrating the air with Manifest Force to trigger an air blast—that’s General Hua’s signature move! Is your teacher surnamed Hua?”