Chapter 148: Clumsily Moving Forward
The fist intent of the Broken Army Fist traveled through the air, condensed and undispersed, only releasing its power upon contact with an opponent or some other obstacle. It could preserve its initial might most completely, and its armor-breaking ability was extremely terrifying. Even a cultivator with perfect marrow cleansing could not withstand it with their body alone; they had to find a way to dodge or use stronger true essence to forcibly suppress it.
This fist technique had another characteristic: the fist struck like wind, and the wind condensed like a fist. From the very beginning, it surged forth like a violent storm, covering all directions. A single fist could contend with dozens or even more opponents, making it most suitable for use on the battlefield. When cultivated to its peak, there were even legends of a single fist breaking through a thousand troops, hence the name Broken Army Fist.
In the first match, Chen Changsheng had displayed unimaginable speed, but the Broken Army Fist left him no room to leverage that speed. Moreover, it was obvious to all that his true essence reserves were very ordinary, and compared to the geniuses participating in the Grand Examination, they were pitifully scarce. If he had no other means, he would undoubtedly lose.
The Zhaowen Hall was very quiet. People watched the images on the light mirror, watching those dozens of green-glowing fists hurtling toward Chen Changsheng from all directions, their expressions varied.
Beside the Archpriest Merisa of the Ecclesiastical Office, two additional seats had been placed, occupied by two archpriests who appeared somewhat young. However, from their attire, it could be seen that they were figures of the same rank as Merisa, likely the overseers of some sacred hall within the State Church.
These two archpriests had arrived at the Zhaowen Hall very late for some reason, giving the impression that they had come specifically to watch Chen Changsheng’s match.
The people in the Zhaowen Hall had varied expressions, but the two archpriests remained very calm and composed.
This was because they were well aware of the cultivation realm of Huaiyuan scholar Huo Guang. More precisely, Huo Guang was the opponent they had deliberately chosen for Chen Changsheng.
The drawing of lots for the Grand Examination matches had been secretly arranged by them. Chen Changsheng’s abilities and all the details displayed in his first match had also been privately leaked to Huaiyuan through some of their subordinate priests beforehand. That was why Huo Guang had immediately used the Broken Army Fist, which consumed a massive amount of true essence, right from the start—to give Chen Changsheng no chance at all.
Everything was done to confirm one thing: Chen Changsheng must lose.
Mo Yu watched Chen Changsheng, who had been pushed to the brink, her slender brows slightly furrowed, her hands gripping the armrests of her seat even tighter.
Prince Chenliu observed her from the corner of his eye, his confusion deepening. He couldn’t understand why, as a representative of the faction seeking to suppress the National Academy, she would be so tense and concerned about the match’s situation when Chen Changsheng was about to lose. Could she be worried about him? That made no sense.
The next moment, he suddenly thought of something and believed he had guessed Mo Yu’s thoughts.
During the Green Vine Banquet, when Her Highness Luoluo faced off against Guan Feibai, she had used a simplified version of the Yashi Step, which was recognized by Gou Hanshi and stunned the entire audience. Why Chen Changsheng knew the demon race’s secret Yashi Step remained an unsolved mystery. Although the step technique used by Her Highness Luoluo at the Green Vine Banquet was not the complete Yashi Step, at the level of battles like the Green Vine Banquet and the Grand Examination, that simplified or altered version could still play a significant role—for instance, when facing the storm-like Broken Army Fist…
Mo Yu must have recalled the scene from the Green Vine Banquet. She wasn’t worried that Chen Changsheng would fail and get hurt, but rather tense about whether he would use that simplified Yashi Step to escape the encirclement of the Broken Army Fist, bringing an unexpected twist to the match. That was Prince Chenliu’s thought.
If he could recall Chen Changsheng’s simplified Yashi Step, so could everyone else in the Zhaowen Hall. Xu Shiji’s expression was somewhat stern, Xue Xingchuan fully sat back in his chair, and the room fell into a silence. Everyone understood that Chen Changsheng at least wouldn’t lose immediately; the match should last for a while.
The two archpriests of the sacred halls remained expressionless. As representatives of the new faction within the State Church, they knew even more. Since they wanted to suppress the National Academy and use Huaiyuan to eliminate Chen Changsheng in the second round, how could they have missed such intelligence?
All the means Chen Changsheng could employ were known to his opponent in advance.
Or perhaps, Huo Guang was at this moment waiting for Chen Changsheng to use that simplified Yashi Step to break out of the storm formed by the Broken Army Fist.
Huo Guang must have hidden even more powerful means, waiting for that moment of breakthrough.
The next moment, a sound of surprised exclamation rippled through the Zhaowen Hall.
The two archpriests frowned slightly, looking at the image on the light mirror, puzzled and taken aback.
Chen Changsheng did not use that simplified Yashi Step. He did not attempt to break out of the encirclement of the Broken Army Fist that was forming.
More precisely, he did nothing at all. His two feet were planted on the yellow-sand-covered ground, as stable as if nailed there, without moving an inch.
He looked across at Huo Guang through those dozens of terrifying green true essence fist intents, silent.
Time passed quickly. He didn’t wait long, and the big shots in the Zhaowen Hall, along with the palace priests silently watching from the second floor, didn’t watch long before the Broken Army Fist, carrying its terrifying power, finally reached him. Like a true storm, it filled every corner of the space around him.
Many who saw this scene—whether Xu Shiji, Mo Yu, or the priests on the second floor of the Xichen Tower who favored the National Academy—were deeply puzzled, not knowing what he intended to do. This was a Grand Examination match, with no danger to life. Logically, there would be no scene of surrendering without a fight. And even if he admitted defeat, why would he stand still and endure the storm-like assault of the Broken Army Fist?
Puzzlement and confusion were the emotions of most spectators at this moment. Some felt a slight melancholy, like Prince Chenliu and Mo Yu.
At this point, Chen Changsheng had already lost.
Huo Guang’s Broken Army Fist had already taken shape, forming a pale green line of wind and rain about two zhang in circumference around Chen Changsheng’s body. Within it were countless winds and rains, all filled with terrifying fist intent.
Even if Chen Changsheng used that simplified Yashi Step now, he could not break through this wind-and-rain line formed by the Broken Army Fist.
Unless he could use the true, complete Yashi Step.
But that was impossible.
Spring had come to the capital, and he had become the first student of the National Academy in over a decade, stirring up countless storms, aiming to top the Grand Examination rankings. Would all of this end at this moment?
The next moment, Chen Changsheng moved.
When everyone thought he would move, he had stood still, motionless.
When everyone thought he couldn’t possibly move, he suddenly did.
He did not use the Yashi Step. He charged directly into the storm of Broken Army Fist before him.
His movements looked somewhat stiff, feeling clumsy, but very resolute.
A low cry arose from the second floor of the Xichen Tower. Some of the watching palace priests were shocked, others worried.
At this moment, in the air around him, there were at least dozens of fist intents swirling like a hurricane. At the forefront of each fist intent was a green-glowing fist.
Those fists were not physical entities; they could be said to be illusory.
But the power contained within those fists was terrifyingly real.
The wind and rain formed by the Broken Army Fist were so dense they seemed to have no gaps. Unless one used the complete Yashi Step to borrow the momentum of nature and dart through, any other footwork or body technique, no matter how exquisite, would touch those fists and trigger the terrifying power within them. And he wasn’t using any footwork at all—just charging forward simply.
With a soft crack, the new boot on his right foot shattered like snowflakes.
The yellow sand scattered abruptly, revealing the stone floor beneath, where spiderweb-like cracks appeared once again.
His body collided with the air, producing a shrill whistle. His figure turned into a blur, like a black dragon reappearing.
After an extremely short time, the blur paused slightly.
Because a powerful fist intent struck his right shoulder.
The dark academy uniform blossomed like a flower. With a hissing sound, the fabric scattered in the wind. The fist intent entered his body, and the skin on his shoulder instantly reddened, as if about to split.
At this point, he had only advanced two steps.
It seemed he would stop right there.
Then be knocked to the ground by the storm-like Broken Army Fist.
The second floor fell silent.
But in the Zhaowen Hall, a light laugh rang out, carrying a hint of mockery.
Mo Yu did not laugh. She watched the image on the light mirror, her emotions complicated.
She seemed to see the next moment: Chen Changsheng’s right shoulder torn open, bones broken and blood flowing, then struck by more Broken Army Fists, spitting blood and falling, defeated and eliminated from the Grand Examination.
She even saw further ahead: the lonely back of this youth leaving the National Academy.
In that small building’s room, the bedding would be cold, and no matter how much calming incense was burned, it would never have the same scent again.
She recalled what Her Highness had said to her, and suddenly felt some regret, some sorrow.
Many people thought the same as Mo Yu.
Yes, Chen Changsheng had shown astonishing defensive ability in his first match.
But the Broken Army Fist was the Broken Army Fist. Even perfect marrow cleansing could not withstand it.
Prince Chenliu remained silent, slightly angry that Chen Changsheng hadn’t drawn his sword from the start.
Xu Shiji still had no expression. His current position was awkward; watching Chen Changsheng’s crushing defeat, he couldn’t show any emotion.
Everyone thought Chen Changsheng would be broken through and severely injured by the Broken Army Fist.
But in the next moment, a miraculous scene appeared in the Xichen Tower.
The Broken Army Fist landed on Chen Changsheng’s right shoulder. The academy uniform shattered instantly, and a hint of blood appeared.
Yet it was only a faint flash, then quickly returned to normal.
A slight muffled sound rang out from his shoulder.
That strike of the Broken Army Fist… dissipated like smoke, scattering with the wind.
Such a terrifying fist had failed to make him bleed!
How could this be like a cliff-shattering rock falling, capable of breaking the earth and startling forest birds?
It was like a gentle breeze brushing a mountain ridge!
That strike of the Broken Army Fist was just scratching an itch for Chen Changsheng!
Huo Guang’s expression changed drastically.
Exclamations continued from the second floor of the Xichen Tower.
The Zhaowen Hall fell into dead silence.
At that moment, Chen Changsheng’s left foot landed on the ground.
He continued forward, rushing toward Huo Guang opposite him!
His movements still looked so clumsy.
Yet… so terrifying.