C15 !

As Tang Hao lay on the ground, his fate unknown, a hush fell over the entire trial platform.

Every gaze fixed on Tang Yuan was tinged with awe and fear. The rumors they had once dismissed now seemed like eerie premonitions coming to life.

Could this be the same so-called weakling from the legends? The one who couldn't even defend himself against Tang Hsing?

"This guy never fails to astonish with his every move!" Menng Ya exclaimed, her hand delicately covering her lips, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Tang Hao's arrogance was his downfall. This fight proves nothing," Qin Hai remarked coolly.

"Senior Brother Qin Hai makes a good point," Zhou Changming agreed, his eyes betraying a hint of skepticism. After all, it was merely a small family's contest.

"Useless thing!" Tang Hsing spat, his face darkening with malice as his murderous gaze locked onto Tang Yuan.

"Tang Yuan wins the first round!" Tang Jing announced, his voice hoarse with disbelief. Tang Hao was a formidable disciple, yet he had been swiftly defeated by Tang Yuan, deepening Tang Jing's regret.

"Who will challenge next?" Tang Jing called out.

"I will!" A deep voice thundered, and the ground vibrated as a figure, large as a hill, ascended the trial platform.

"It's Tang Shan! At the Spirit Containing Stage Level Five Heaven!"

"How did he step up? Who among the disciples can match him in the Martial Tao?"

All eyes were on Tang Shan, whose martial prowess and natural talent were widely acknowledged, even earning Tang Hu's rare commendation.

"Tang Ya, it's your turn," Tang Shan beckoned with a deep, resonant voice.

Tang Ya's face paled. He hadn't anticipated Tang Shan's challenge. Though both were at the Spirit Containing Stage Level Five Heaven, he felt utterly outmatched.

"Go," Tang Hu urged, his tone detached. "Martial arts demand relentless bravery."

With a nod, Tang Ya rose and approached the Battle Platform.

As the fight commenced, Tang Shan let out a ferocious roar and charged at Tang Ya.

The Battle Platform quaked under their feet. Tang Ya lifted his hand in a defensive posture.

With a thunderous crash, the scene blurred, and Tang Ya was sent flying, landing with a thud outside the Battle Platform.

"Absolutely terrifying! When Tang Shan moves, he's like a human-shaped rhinoceros!"

The onlookers gazed at the unconscious Tang Ya with awe. With such a physique, he was nearly unbeatable in their realm!

With a victorious roar, Tang Shan bellowed out his triumph. His eyes blazed with an unyielding will to fight, showing no signs of stepping down from the Battle Platform.

"Tang Yuan, I've heard you once mentored Tang Ya in the Martial Arts Hall. Does that mean you possess a talent for martial arts as well?" Tang Shan called out.

All eyes turned to Tang Yuan, surprised to learn of his martial arts insight.

"Tang Ya couldn't withstand a single hit!" Tang Shan said with a glance at the fallen Tang Ya. "What about you? Do you have the courage to battle me?"

The crowd gasped at the challenge to Tang Yuan. With his prowess at the Spirit Containing Stage Level Nine Heaven, how could Tang Shan ever hope to compete?

"Let's forgo spells and rely solely on martial arts. Do you dare to face me?" Tang Shan challenged Tang Yuan, who had remained silent up until now.

"Tang Shan is quite clever," Zhou Changming chuckled. "A person's energy is finite. In the entire Sword Dynasty, only the legendary genius is known. Dual cultivation of martial arts and magic is unheard of!"

"Martial arts are fundamental. Combining martial arts with magic is merely to enhance spellcasting. Who else has the energy for that?" Qin Hai commented coolly. "Can Tang Yuan even be compared to that paragon of the Sword Dynasty?"

"Senior Brother speaks the truth," Zhou Changming replied with deference.

At that moment, all eyes were on Tang Yuan. If he employed magic, he would stand a chance, but in a contest of martial arts, Tang Yuan was bound to be defeated.

Would he accept the challenge?

"If you're too afraid to fight, you can simply kneel and concede your inferiority to me," Tang Shan said, a smug smile on his face. This was his true objective.

Unable to practice magic, he sought to challenge Tang Yuan with martial arts. If Tang Yuan refused the challenge, Tang Shan would secure a favorable reputation for himself.

Furthermore, the Tang family's internal dynamics were now clear. Tang Zong was poised to become the family patriarch. By undermining Tang Yuan now, Tang Shan was positioning himself favorably for the future patriarch's favor.

"You think you can climb over me to rise to the top?" Tang Yuan's voice was calm as he made his way toward the Battle Platform.

"He's got guts! Has he lost his mind?"

"Hmph, who does he think he is? Mastering both martial arts and magic? Ridiculous!" Tang Ling scoffed coldly.

Tang Shan's smile deepened; he hadn't expected Tang Yuan to actually accept the challenge. Well, if that was the case, there was no need for pleasantries!

Thud!

The ground shook as Tang Shan charged at Tang Yuan like a humanoid rhinoceros.

A cold smile played on Tang Yuan's lips. If someone wanted to climb over him, they'd better be ready to face the consequences!

Whoosh!

The sound of slicing air filled the arena as Tang Shan's hands, sharp as blades, shone like polished jade.

"Martial Arts Skill: White Jade Palm!"

"Once the White Jade Palm is mastered, one's palm turns as white as jade, capable of shattering stone with a single blow!"

Tang Yuan's slender frame seemed fragile before Tang Shan's mighty palm. As the attack approached, some spectators felt their hearts skip a beat!

Swoosh!

Suddenly, Tang Yuan sprang into action. Leaning slightly forward, he extended his hands like twin dragons surging from the depths, seizing Tang Shan's wrists.

With a swift turn, Tang Yuan flung his arms, sending Tang Shan's massive form hurtling over his head and crashing to the ground!

Thud!

Dust billowed as Tang Shan hit the ground with a thunderous impact, leaving the crowd utterly dumbfounded.

"Roar!"

Struggling to his feet, blood smeared across his face, Tang Shan was now a fury incarnate. He roared and charged once more!

Each of Tang Shan's steps left an imprint on the ground, his muscles taut with explosive power.

Unfazed, Tang Yuan stepped forward to meet the onslaught head-on.

Many in the audience rose from their seats, their eyes wide with disbelief. Was Tang Yuan really going to clash directly with Tang Shan?

Boom!

Before the shock could settle, the two had collided. Tang Yuan crouched slightly, his right fist connecting with Tang Shan's abdomen with devastating force.

Tang Shan's face registered utter shock as his fists swung through the air, missing their mark and striking nothing but the space above Tang Yuan.

"Rise!" Tang Yuan bellowed, his right fist powering through with such force that his entire being was enveloped in a radiant golden glow.

Tang Shan's body lifted off the ground, hovering as the onlookers watched in amazement. Tang Yuan, undeterred, launched another punch.

Onlookers at the Battle Platform stood in stunned silence, witnessing the fight. Tang Shan, who easily weighed over 300 pounds, remained suspended with each of Tang Yuan's forceful blows.

Blood trickled from Tang Shan's mouth as Tang Yuan cast a look of revulsion his way. With a final, thunderous punch that echoed with the sound of splintering bone, Tang Shan at last hit the ground.

"Martial arts? You're hardly fit for the title!" Tang Yuan declared icily.

Without waiting for the match results to be announced, Tang Yuan turned his piercing gaze to Tang Hsing and spoke deliberately:

"You, step up here now!"