Chapter 87: Miracle

“I want to challenge—Xiao Yuan!”

No one expected the first challenger to be Jiang Xincheng, the chief student of the freshman class. According to tradition, challenges started from tenth place up to first, then moved to the next grade.

Most importantly, Jiang Xincheng challenged Xiao Yuan—the sophomore chief student, a Primordial Warrior at the Bone Tempering Late Stage, one of Tianhai University’s top Pride of Heaven, a peerless genius likely to break through to the Cloud Condensation Realm during university.

This was truly shocking. A mere Primordial Warrior at the Late Tendon Training Stage dared challenge one at the Bone Tempering Late Stage—a full realm and three small stages apart. Most saw this gap as insurmountable, yet Jiang Xincheng bravely stepped up.

As soon as he spoke, the entire stadium erupted.

“Are you sure you want to challenge the sophomore chief student, Xiao Yuan?”

Even the referee teacher looked stunned, staring at Jiang Xincheng and repeating the question.

Jiang Xincheng nodded and glanced at the equally surprised Xiao Yuan. “Yes, I challenge the sophomore chief student, Xiao Yuan.”

“Alright, junior, you’ve got guts. Since you want to challenge me, I’ll show you the power of a Bone Tempering Late Stage Primordial Warrior.” Xiao Yuan’s face darkened. He coldly spoke and jumped onto the platform.

Jiang Xincheng clenched his fists and walked toward Xiao Yuan. “Then I’ll experience the strength of a Bone Tempering Late Stage Primordial Warrior.”

“Hmph.” Xiao Yuan snorted. Without another word, he formed a fist and charged at Jiang Xincheng, aiming for his chest and abdomen. His speed was lightning-fast, his punch far more powerful than Jiang Xincheng’s.

Facing such a strong punch, Jiang Xincheng didn’t dare meet it head-on. He shifted his feet, nimbly moving behind Xiao Yuan, and threw a heavy punch at his back.

Xiao Yuan was caught off guard that Jiang Xincheng dodged his swift attack and countered so quickly. He twisted aside, barely avoiding the punch, and retreated several steps, his face paling.

He immediately threw another punch. “I didn’t expect you to have some skill. Now taste my Diamond Fist!”

Diamond Fist wasn’t an Origin Force Combat Skill but a boxing style Xiao Yuan learned from Shaolin Temple. Its power was remarkable, unleashing 70-80% of his Primordial Force. With this fierce technique, Xiao Yuan had secured his position as sophomore chief student, surpassing other Bone Tempering Late Stage Primordial Warriors.

Students in the top ten of their grade weren’t just cultivators—they had strong combat skills, too. That’s why Tianhai University’s All-School Martial Examination top ten were highly valued, attracting many organizations’ interest.

For instance, Xiao Yuan reportedly received an offer of 100 million per year from a corporation, showing how highly he was regarded.

Against Xiao Yuan’s Diamond Fist, Jiang Xincheng shifted his feet again, landing lightly at Xiao Yuan’s side and throwing another punch. He not only dodged the attack but forced Xiao Yuan into a hasty, awkward retreat.

This happened several times. Jiang Xincheng moved as if strolling through a garden, frustrating Xiao Yuan utterly. If not for his abundant Primordial Force, strong physique, and quicker reflexes, Xiao Yuan would have lost already.

Even so, everyone in the stands could see Xiao Yuan was at a disadvantage, spun around by Jiang Xincheng’s elusive footwork with little chance to fight back.

“What kind of weird footwork is this? If you have any courage, stop dodging and trade punches with me!” Xiao Yuan, driven nearly mad, finally shouted. But he instantly realized his mistake—a Bone Tempering Late Stage versus a Late Tendon Training Stage warrior trading blows? That would be suicide, and Jiang Xincheng wasn’t foolish.

Sure enough, seeing Jiang Xincheng’s mocking smile, Xiao Yuan flushed with anger. He roared and unleashed Diamond Fist at full force, but Jiang Xincheng easily sidestepped again, forcing Xiao Yuan to dodge once more, unable to counter.

The two reached a stalemate. Xiao Yuan desperately tried to land a punch or force a direct clash, but Jiang Xincheng’s strange, swift footwork kept him effortlessly out of reach, even for a Bone Tempering Late Stage warrior.

Whenever he dodged, Jiang Xincheng seized the chance to strike, his fists nearly as fast as Xiao Yuan’s. Backed by his powerful footwork, he pressured Xiao Yuan relentlessly, nearly hitting him several times.

Although Xiao Yuan avoided many punches, it was clear to all that it was only a matter of time before he was struck repeatedly—and once that happened, defeat was certain.

Yet, Jiang Xincheng, with his superior footwork, kept Xiao Yuan chasing shadows. Apart from fury, Xiao Yuan seemed to have no recourse.

No one anticipated this outcome. Jiang Xincheng wasn’t losing; instead, he dominated from start to finish, while Xiao Yuan struggled to keep up.

As time passed, Xiao Yuan’s defeat became more evident.

Many spectators stood up, riveted by this lopsided yet astonishing battle. Even the Centurion from the Flourishing Tang Empire rose, intently watching Jiang Xincheng’s rapid steps, trying to identify the ancient footwork that allowed him to fight across such a gap.

“Thud…”

At one point, Jiang Xincheng’s first punch landed on Xiao Yuan. Staggering, Xiao Yuan attacked more wildly, but fear flashed across his face. He knew that once Jiang Xincheng broke through his defense, he couldn’t withstand that bizarre footwork.

“Thud…”

…

Sure enough, over the next few minutes, Xiao Yuan’s defense crumbled. Punch after punch landed, and he felt unbearable pain throughout his body. Defeat was imminent.

But as a proud Bone Tempering Late Stage Great Yuan Warrior, losing to a Late Tendon Training Stage Primordial Warrior was unacceptable. Even if severely injured, Xiao Yuan refused to surrender.

Alas, the outcome was sealed the moment he couldn’t catch Jiang Xincheng. After just ten more minutes, a final punch from Jiang Xincheng sent Xiao Yuan to the ground, unable to rise.

This Challenge Tournament ended with Jiang Xincheng’s victory. Overcoming a full realm and three small stages, he defeated the sophomore chief student, Xiao Yuan.

By then, tens of thousands in the stands had risen, witnessing the birth of a new miracle.