The Troublesome Zhao Qi, Combat Physique

"This Ning Fan... how bold."

An exclamation rang out, voicing the astonishment in everyone's hearts.

Generally speaking, only the party with the advantage would choose close-quarters combat, as it allowed them to easily convert their advantage into a decisive victory. Yet, everyone had just witnessed Ning Fan actively initiating close-quarters combat.

The crowd couldn't help but marvel at Ning Fan's audacity.

"Heh. Why don't you all make a wager with me? How many moves can that Ning Fan last?" Gui Yazi stroked his beard, possessing the demeanor of one who had everything calculated.

The other Peak Masters did not reply, but in their hearts, they agreed with Gui Yazi's assessment-there was no way Ning Fan could last long against Zhao Qi.

A single misstep would cost him the entire match.

Such 'missteps' were actually quite common and almost unavoidable. After all, during close-quarters combat, one had to constantly endure the oppressive force from their opponent. This pressure accumulated; the more one was suppressed, the easier it was to reveal a flaw.

Under the crowd's eager anticipation, the expected defeat did not occur.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

In the blink of an eye, over ten minutes passed. During this time, Ning Fan and Zhao Qi exchanged blows, their fists and kicks colliding dozens of times!

It was a brutal, flesh-to-flesh clash. The muffled thuds of fists striking bodies made the observing disciples wince.

What was truly astonishing was that even though Ning Fan's physical strength and constitution were slightly inferior to Zhao Qi's, and even while facing Zhao Qi's torrential pressure, Ning Fan remained like a lone boat in a storm, consistently maintaining a precarious equilibrium.

Bang-

Zhao Qi and Ning Fan clashed fists once more, using the force of the impact to put distance between them.

Ning Fan was panting slightly, a thin layer of sweat coating his body. Zhao Qi, on the other hand, appeared calm and composed.

Comparing the two, Zhao Qi held a slight advantage.

But the reality was different. Because Zhao Qi held the upper hand, his intent throughout the combat was to convert that advantage into a decisive victory. However, Ning Fan was like a solid plate of steel.

No matter how much pressure Zhao Qi applied, Ning Fan exposed no flaws.

Conversely, during several extremely close exchanges, Zhao Qi had exposed openings. Ning Fan decisively seized them, viciously driving his elbows into Zhao Qi's chest and ribs.

If one were to lift Zhao Qi's robes, they would see two dark bruises on his body. Meanwhile, Ning Fan had not sustained any actual injuries during the clash; the bruises on his body were merely the normal byproducts of their blows, not the result of his defenses being breached.

"This Ning Fan is quite interesting."

"He possesses a steady heart. Even when facing a martial cultivator stronger than himself, he can stabilize his mind during combat and make the most correct decisions. This is truly rare."

"Talent, comprehension, and temperament-all three are impeccable. This child might have a chance to enter the Prodigy Rankings!!"

Among those present were many experts at the Peak Master level who could discern the subtle details of the combat. What was truly powerful was Ning Fan's temperament.

Many experts who had immersed themselves in the path of cultivation for a long time couldn't help but feel inadequate when witnessing Ning Fan's composure.

He was simply too steady!

In truth, Ning Fan's ability to maintain such a steady heart during combat was reliant on Ye Honglian sharing the burden of his injuries. Knowing he wouldn't truly be hurt naturally gave him that unshakeable composure.

"You are worthy of being my opponent. Continuing to exchange mere fist and leg techniques is meaningless. Let us see the truth through martial skills."

Zhao Qi locked his gaze on Ning Fan. As his voice fell, a terrifying fluctuation of spiritual energy surged around him. This spiritual energy fluctuation was far stronger than the fifth layer of the Profound Extreme Realm, even approaching the seventh layer.

"Ten Thousand Jun Hand!!"

Zhao Qi leaped into the air, lunging toward Ning Fan with a murderous aura. The terrifying spiritual energy gathered in his palm, forming a massive spiritual hand.

The spiritual hand descended with the momentum of a toppling golden mountain and a collapsing jade pillar, seeking to crush Ning Fan instantly!

"Can you withstand this strike?!" Zhao Qi roared.

"It's a low-grade Profound-tier martial skill. This move holds extraordinary power, and that Zhao Qi..." someone muttered to themselves.

Without giving Ning Fan much time to think, Zhao Qi's figure closed in. Ning Fan's expression grew solemn, his eyes filled with boundless battle intent.

"A head-on clash?! Then bring it on!"

"Dragon Snake Evolution Hand!"

The spiritual energy around Ning Fan also surged wildly. The vast spiritual energy gathered on his arm, forming a black-grey serpent phantom.

The moment the giant spiritual hand pressed down, Ning Fan thrust his fist upward!

The serpent phantom lunged forward. In mid-air, it abruptly transformed into the shape of a flood dragon!!!

Bang-

The flood dragon soared into the sky, instantly colliding with the giant spiritual hand. A massive explosion rang out, and the ground beneath Ning Fan's feet shattered instantly.

The immense force channeled from Ning Fan's body into the earth, spreading spiderweb-like cracks that soon sent stone fragments flying.

"What!?"

Ning Fan felt an immense force assault him. His legs could not stabilize his stance at all, and his entire body was thrown backward by the sheer power.

He crashed heavily onto the ground like a broken rag sack.

"Cough-"

Ning Fan immediately coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood, but in the next instant, his injuries healed. From the outside, however, his physical condition looked dire.

Ning Fan struggled to stand up.

No.

Something was wrong.

Zhao Qi's strike shouldn't have possessed such intensity. Even if Zhao Qi's realm was higher, the upgraded "Dragon Snake Evolution Hand" had reached the level of a low-grade Profound-tier skill. Coupled with the overwhelming spiritual energy support from the "Tianxuan Heart Sutra", even if he was at a disadvantage...

He shouldn't have been routed so thoroughly.

"How is it? My combat physique."

Zhao Qi looked at Ning Fan with a beaming smile.

"Combat... physique?" Ning Fan murmured.

"Exactly. Unlike your cultivation traits, my combat physique is one that exclusively amplifies battle prowess. A First-Tier Physique-the Steel Bone Body."

"It enhances physical defense during close-quarters combat and, when executing certain compatible martial skills, can elevate the skill's power by a minor stage."

"Otherwise, with my Zhao family's resources, why would I practice this specific martial skill?" Zhao Qi explained.

Ning Fan nodded slightly.

So that was it.

The world was vast and full of wonders. To think there was a physique capable of granting martial cultivators such special means; this was Ning Fan's first time encountering one.

No wonder Zhao Qi was considered a paragon of the Zhao family.

"Ning Fan. I suppose you won't need to worry about how to conduct yourself after losing your Dao companion. I'm afraid you won't live to see tomorrow's sun. A blood feud must be paid in blood!"

Zhao Qi's gaze turned sharp, and a wisp of killing intent emanated from his body.

In the next moment.

His spiritual energy surged once more, and the giant spiritual hand reformed over Zhao Qi's palm.

"Die!!"

Zhao Qi advanced, the terrifying spiritual hand aiming straight for Ning Fan's face.

"Not good!"

"Danger!"

Several cries of alarm rang out, including one from Shao Hong. Shao Hong knew that Ning Fan's most powerful martial skill was that snake hand.

If the snake hand was no match for Zhao Qi, Ning Fan was in grave danger!!

Facing the terrifying spiritual hand, Ning Fan took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He raised his hands, his fingers rapidly forming a series of profound and mysterious hand seals.

Once the seals were complete, Ning Fan's gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Wushi Seal-"

"-Seal of Man!!"

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