Chapter 154: Rising to the Nineteenth Rank

Even though He Sun was sure that Yi Chen was on the brink of exhausting his Qi, with him being unfamiliar with the kind of martial technique Yi Chen had used earlier to break past He Peng’s water wall, he decided to practice caution.

Therefore, the moment the Imperial Envoy gave the signal, he used his most powerful martial technique. The one which he had used against Wei Tian previously.

’Heaven Crushing Wave!’

He exclaimed in his mind, and the next moment, his Qi began taking the shape of a huge wave.

He was confident that in front of this attack, even if Yi Chen was a Sixth Level Meridian Refinement Stage Cultivator, which he was not, the chances of him coming out of it without injuries were bleak.

Even Yi Chen was aware of this fact.

’If I let him use that technique on me, then even I’m not sure whether I would come out fine or not...better to not take the risk.’

He thought to himself, clearly remembering the massive wave that had crushed Wei Tian.

It was because of this reason that when the Imperial Envoy declared the start of the match, Yi Chen immediately put his plan into action.

’Time...all I need to buy is time, and he’ll be done for.’

With that thought in his mind, Yi Chen used all his strength to smash his fist onto the fighting stage.

Strength, which was greater than even a First Qi Absorption Stage Cultivator, thus shook the entire stage while forming a deep crater on the stage.

This unexpected tremor not only caused a huge surprise to appear on He Sun’s expression but also slowed down the rate at which his martial technique was being actualised.

’NOW!’

Using the opportunity which he had just created for himself, Yi Chen burst towards He Sun’s surprised figure.

’This?!’

Seeing that he didn’t have enough time to counterattack with his martial technique, He Sun pulled out his sword and slashed it towards Yi Chen’s incoming figure as a last-minute defence.

Little did he know that Yi Chen’s expertise in swordsmanship had reached a level he could never fathom.

Unsheathing his sword, Yi Chen struck at a point on He Sun’s sword and completely nullified the Qi which was laced around it.

’Can’t even lace your Qi properly and still dares to pull out a sword,’ Yi Chen snorted in amusement as he witnessed the aftermath of his attack.

BREAK!

He Sun’s sword broke into several pieces right in front of his eyes.

’H-How...’

Before doubts could even fully take form in his mind, the hilt of Yi Chen’s sword, which was also laced with Qi, bashed against his right temple, making his vision go dark.

Slump!

As He Sun’s body slumped onto the fighting stage, the Imperial Envoy declared the Feng Clan’s victory.

"2-0! The Feng Clan has officially risen to the 19th rank!"

Once again, the entire arena was filled with joyous exclamations from the Feng Clan’s side, which Yi Chen appreciated with great joy in his heart.

’With this, my job today is over,’ Yi Chen thought in a satisfied manner and, after a short bow towards the Imperial Envoy, returned to his stands.

However, before he could enter it, Feng Dulin, who seemed to be unable to control himself any longer, rushed towards him and exclaimed when he was just a few steps away.

"Brother Chen! That was one of the most amazing-NO! Those were the most AMAZING fights I’ve ever witnessed!

You had already won over me by the time you had dealt with that bastard He Peng.

However, you didn’t stop at that point! You went another step further and decided to challenge He Sun, who is also a cultivator in the Sixth Meridian Refinement Stage.

My idol! No god! Brother Chen, just tell me how you were able to do it? How did you defeat He Peng and He Sun so easily? Were you not exhausted? Did you use some secret martial techniques? Please tell me, I also want to become as strong as you!"

’He sure is a lively fellow...’ Yi Chen couldn’t help but link this reaction to Feng Dulin’s information on his status panel while making an uncomfortable expression.

Being bombarded with so much praise along with so many questions overwhelmed his mind a little.

Finally remembering the sequence, he was about to answer his questions one at a time, but just then his attention was attracted by a figure who had just come to a stop a few steps behind Feng Dulin.

Noticing the direction Yi Chen’s gaze, Feng Dulin turned around and saw Feng Ning’s figure.

’Oh...’

Seeing her, Feng Dulin retreated to the stands with an understanding expression on his face and allowed the two of them the space they needed.

"I’ll be waiting for your answers later, Brother Chen,"

Feng Dulin’s voice trailed as he walked towards the stands while leaving the two of them there.

"Uhmm..."

Seeing that instead of initiating a conversation, Feng Ning seemed to be just staring towards him, Yi Chen couldn’t help but scratch the back of his head.

Feeling uncomfortable with the silence and thinking that she wasn’t happy with the way things had transpired, Yi Chen spoke with a hesitant expression.

"Well...I know it would have been more appropriate for you to get back at He Peng by yourself in the future, but at that time I couldn’t control myself...but since I didn’t completely cripple him, you can still get back at him in the future when you’re stro-"

"Brother Chen."

Feng Ning called the next instant, making Yi Chen stop in the middle.

Just when the silence was about to turn uncomfortable for Yi Chen yet again, Feng Ning’s words entered his ears.

"Thank you."

The pursed lips as she said those words and the eyes that were fighting to suppress the tears from falling down were clearly able to convey the gratitude Feng Ning was feeling in her heart at the moment.

It was because of this reason that just these two words were able to evoke such warmth in Yi Chen’s heart, which even Feng Dulin’s flowery praises were unable to do.

"Yeah...you’re welcome." Yi Chen responded with a warm smile.