Chapter 136: The Strength of the Qi Ming General Star Shocks! (Sixth Update, Alliance Leader)

Chapter 136: The Strength of the Rising Star Shocks the World! (Sixth Update, Patron Bonus, Asking for Monthly Votes~)

When Qin Feng pushed open the heavy door of the martial arts room, it was dusk.

The distant teaching buildings, training grounds, and the iconic Beimian Tower were all bathed in a warm and gentle golden light.

A breeze swept by, lifting a few unknown fallen leaves, spinning them in the air before they slowly drifted down.

Everything seemed serene and beautiful.

Qin Feng stood at the doorway, quietly gazing at the campus where he had lived for over a year.

He pulled out his personal terminal, skillfully opened the contacts, and sent the same message to several people.

[Come to the cafeteria.]

The recipients were: Qian Duoduo, Shi Potian, Sun He, and Tie Lin.

...

Half an hour later, in a corner by the window of the No. 2 Cafeteria of Qiming First High School.

A lavish energy meal filled the entire table.

The sizzling roasted beast leg meat gave off an enticing aroma; the thick soup brewed from high-energy plants was still steaming hot.

Five people sat around the table.

Qian Duoduo, ever the familiar one, was gnawing on a beast leg while mumbling indistinctly, "A B-level energy meal, and I haven't even signed a B-level contract yet. So, tell me, what’s the happy occasion that makes you treat us to a feast?"

Beside him, Sun He, the senior who had once taught Qin Feng countless "bitter defeats" in the sophomore private domain, now wore a hearty smile.

He was no longer the lofty "gatekeeper" but had genuinely come to see Qin Feng as a friend on equal footing.

Tie Lin, the student council member who had been subdued by Qin Feng’s staff in the cafeteria, now looked at Qin Feng with eyes full of admiration and trust.

As for Shi Potian, he remained as taciturn as ever, quietly eating the food on his plate, but his ears were always tuned to the conversation.

Qin Feng set down his utensils and swept his gaze over everyone present.

He smiled and said, "Nothing major, just... I’m about to graduate. Today, I thought I’d gather with you all, have a meal, and say goodbye."

As his words fell, the atmosphere in this corner of the cafeteria instantly stilled.

Qian Duoduo paused mid-bite on the beast leg.

The smile on Sun He’s face also faded slightly.

"Graduate?"

Qian Duoduo’s eyes widened in disbelief, then slowly came back to reality. "Yeah, it’s time to graduate! You’re already a Qiming Star General. Oh, by the way, Old Qin, did you leave a record in the private domain?"

"I did."

Qin Feng smiled.

The scent of parting quietly filled the air.

"Then... where are you planning to go after graduation?"

Qian Duoduo asked.

This question was also what the others cared about most.

"Jianan Starry Sky Martial University."

Qin Feng didn’t hide it and directly stated his goal.

"Whoa—"

Qian Duoduo gasped sharply, then a look of "I knew it" spread across his face.

"I knew your goal had to be that place, Old Qin! Besides Jianan Starry Sky Martial University, what other academy in the entire galaxy is worthy of a prodigy like you, who’s already in the Control Realm!"

Sun He and Tie Lin both showed a hint of envy in their eyes, but more than that, sincere blessings.

"Jianan Starry Sky Martial University... that’s the holy land for every martial artist."

Sun He sighed. "Junior Qin Feng, with your talent, you’ll surely shine brightly there. We’ll just wait to see your news on the Empire Forum."

"Feng Ge, when you make it big, don’t forget us old classmates!"

Tie Lin added with a smile.

Shi Potian looked up at Qin Feng, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

He raised his cup and spoke, his voice still concise but full of gravity: "There, wait for me. I’ll work hard to get there."

"Good! I’ll wait for you!"

Qin Feng laughed.

He raised his cup as well, gently clinking it against theirs.

"Don’t worry, we’re all friends on the subspace network. We can keep in touch anytime."

"Exactly!"

Qian Duoduo immediately perked up. "When we all become planetary-level or stellar-level big shots later, the three of us from Dorm 402, plus Senior Sun He and Senior Tie Lin, can form a mercenary group and go fight on the battlefield! Let’s call it ‘Qiming Legends’! How about that? Isn’t it awesome?"

"Hahaha..."

Bright laughter dispelled the sadness of parting.

The last rays of the setting sun streamed through the window, casting light on their young faces, freezing this moment of laughter and friendship into a warm painting.

...

After bidding farewell to his friends, Qin Feng walked alone through the campus under the night sky.

He didn’t head straight back to the dormitory but followed the route in his memory for one final visit.

First, he came to Teacher Lin Yue’s office.

The lights were bright, and this gentle mentor was still handling the tedious academic affairs.

Seeing Qin Feng arrive, she paused her work and brewed him a cup of clear tea.

They talked for a long time, from doubts about cultivation to trivial matters in daily life.

In Qin Feng’s mind, he couldn’t help but recall the brutal year-long battlefield training on the planet Hell-VII.

On that land filled with the roars of greenskins and the roar of gunfire, it was Teacher Lin Yue who, day after day, protected him, treated his injuries, and provided him with the firmest support.

She was both a strict instructor and a gentle guardian. Those moments spent amidst blood and fire had long become the deepest bond between teacher and student.

"When you go to Jianan Starry Sky Martial University, you’ll be away from home. Be careful in everything. Your talent is too high, and it will surely attract the covetousness of alien races. Don’t trust anyone easily."

Teacher Lin Yue’s gentle advice was as always.

Qin Feng nodded solemnly.

After leaving Teacher Lin Yue, he went to Wu Shangfeng’s office.

Wu Shangfeng, bare-chested, was doing strength training.

Seeing Qin Feng, he stopped and tossed him a bottle of energy drink.

They didn’t sit down but stood there, chatting casually.

Qin Feng's thoughts drifted back to that practical combat class against the followers of Nurgle.

He recalled the despairing roar of "Kro," a former veteran who had fallen to become a follower of Nurgle, just before his death.

Because of their similar backgrounds, he thought of his own father, and his mind wavered for an instant, nearly costing the entire squad their lives.

He would never forget, during the post-battle debriefing, Wu Shangfeng's eyes—sharp as a hawk's—and his harsh, almost ruthless criticism, delivered before the whole class.

"On the battlefield, any trace of hesitation is an irresponsibility toward the lives of your comrades behind you! Qin Feng!"

That thunderous rebuke had been etched into his bones.

"Kid, remember this."

Wu Shangfeng's voice pulled him back to reality. "The universe is far darker than you imagine. From now on, be decisive in killing and cautious in your actions."

"Yes, Teacher Wu, I remember."

Qin Feng replied in a low voice.

Finally, he arrived at the North Crown Tower, at the quaint research room belonging to Mentor Gu Yue.

Mentor Gu Yue was still as serene as ever, sipping fragrant tea and gazing at the starry sky.

Scenes familiar to Qin Feng surfaced in his mind.

After every monthly exam, no matter how many astonished or envious glances surrounded them, Mentor Gu Yue would unhesitatingly give him hours of "extra tutoring."

Whether it was guidance on marksmanship or the construction of combat systems, Mentor Gu Yue imparted everything without reservation.

It could be said that every leap he made in martial arts was inseparable from the meticulous refinement of this master-level mentor.

"Finished saying your goodbyes?"

Mentor Gu Yue asked calmly without turning around.

"Yes, Mentor."

"Did you add everyone as friends?"

"...Yes."

Qin Feng was a bit surprised.

"Mm."

Mentor Gu Yue turned around and smiled. "I still hope that between us, we can be both teacher and friend. In the future, if you encounter any martial arts bottlenecks you can't figure out, feel free to message us anytime."

A warmth spread through Qin Feng's heart, and he nodded firmly.

He had added all three mentors as friends on the subspace network.

"Go on."

Mentor Gu Yue waved his hand. "Your graduation application has already been personally approved by the principal."

...

When Qin Feng once again walked out the familiar main gate of Qiming No.1 High School, the night was already deep.

He turned back and took one last look at the academy that had changed his life.

The brightly lit campus, under the night sky, resembled a tranquil ivory tower.

What he didn't know was that at this moment, on the top floor of the North Crown Tower, a thousand meters high, several figures stood silently.

The principal, Gu Yue, Wu Shangfeng, Lin Yue... almost all the top brass of Qiming No.1 High School had gathered here.

Some were present in person, others had descended as projections.

Their gazes pierced through the night, landing on the lonely yet upright figure gradually receding from the school gate.

No one spoke.

Until that figure completely disappeared around the street corner.

Only then did the principal slowly speak, his voice as if uttering the most beautiful blessing to the deep starry sky.

"May your martial fortune flourish."

—

The public maglev train glided smoothly and quietly along the preset city tracks.

Qin Feng sat by the window, watching the dazzling city nightscape recede like a river of stars outside, his heart at peace.

Leaving Qiming No.1 High School and returning to this city full of the smoke of mortal life felt like a lifetime ago.

One year and four months—neither long nor short.

But for him, it was no less than a complete rebirth.

"Silver Gull Community Station, arrived."

With a pleasant chime, the maglev train slowly came to a stop.

Qin Feng got off, stepping onto this familiar ground.

He didn't rush home but strolled unhurriedly along the familiar streets.

Around him were familiar residential buildings, familiar convenience stores, familiar laughter of children—everything, compared to when he left, hadn't changed much.

Soon, a brightly lit building came into view.

The Limit Martial Arts Hall.

The starting point that had changed his destiny.

It was now late at night, but inside the hall, crowds were bustling, lights blazing.

Through the huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows, he could clearly see many martial artists training hard, sweating profusely—a lively scene.

Qin Feng's steps involuntarily stopped.

He thought of that afternoon that had changed his life, of Hall Master Sun Chantang's eyes that seemed to see through everything, and the miraculous "Ten Complete Hands."

Without Hall Master Sun, there would be no him today.

This debt of gratitude, he would never forget.

"I'll be at home for a month; I can't slack off on training this month either," Qin Feng thought to himself. "The training environment at home is ultimately lacking. Why not... get a monthly pass at the Limit Martial Arts Hall? It'll also let me see how the hall is doing."

Back then, when Hall Master Sun left, he said he had an important matter to attend to, and there had been no news since.

Qin Feng had always been somewhat concerned.

With that thought, he turned and strode toward the brightly lit Limit Martial Arts Hall.

...

A few minutes earlier, inside the Limit Martial Arts Hall.

Unlike its usual tranquility, the main arena area at the center of the hall was packed with layers of people, bustling with an unusually tense atmosphere.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the arena.

At the front of the crowd, a middle-aged man in casual clothes, with a refined face, stared intently at the figure on the arena, his face etched with anxiety and tension.

He was none other than Li Weiguo, Qin Feng's junior high school homeroom teacher.

And standing on the arena was Li Weiguo's student, Zhou Heyuan.

Opposing him was a tall, lean youth with an arrogant expression.

"Old Li, do you think Heyuan... can he do it?"

A familiar martial arts gym member beside Li Weiguo asked in a low voice.

Li Weiguo clenched his fists nervously and said in a deep voice, "Should be... no problem. That kid Heyuan, ever since he absorbed the Thunder Pool's thunder crystal last time, his physical potential has improved. After a year of hard training, his vitality index is almost 15.0. Dealing with someone his age should be more than enough."

"Alas, but that kid over there is from Hongchang Martial Arts Gym!"

Another person said worriedly, "That gym is shady! I heard their coach came from some underground boxing ring!"

Murmurs rose and fell around them.

Ever since the owner Sun Chantang left and never returned, a commercial martial arts gym called "Hongchang Martial Arts Gym" had opened in the surrounding blocks.

This purely commercial gym was all about money.

They would stop at nothing to recruit students.

Under Owner Sun's lavish management philosophy, the Limit Martial Arts Gym had top-tier equipment, extremely affordable prices, a comfortable environment, and a great atmosphere, earning excellent word-of-mouth in the nearby communities.

Plus, Owner Sun had built many good relationships here before, so even without him around or any advertising, the gym still attracted a large flow of customers through word of mouth.

This naturally aroused the jealousy and covetousness of Hongchang Martial Arts Gym.

Especially now, at the start of summer vacation, the golden period for all gyms to compete for student traffic.

So Hongchang Martial Arts Gym came up with the most direct and malicious method—challenging the gym.

Today, the coach of Hongchang Martial Arts Gym personally brought a disciple to the Limit Martial Arts Gym, calling out by name to challenge a student of the same age from the Limit Martial Arts Gym, hoping to prove their gym's superior teaching by defeating the Limit Martial Arts Gym student in public, thereby stealing the traffic.

On the arena, the fight had already begun.

"Ha!"

Zhou Heyuan let out a low shout and launched the first attack.

He pushed off the ground, his figure like lightning, throwing a punch straight at the opponent's face.

Having absorbed the Thunder Pool's thunder crystal, his speed and strength far surpassed those of martial artists at the same level.

Yet, facing his swift punch, the youth from Hongchang Martial Arts Gym curled his lips into a disdainful sneer.

Without dodging or evading, he threw a punch of his own to meet it.

The fists collided.

"Bang!"

A dull thud rang out.

Under the horrified gaze of everyone, Zhou Heyuan was struck as if by lightning, letting out a pained groan, and uncontrollably flew backward, crashing heavily onto the edge of the arena. He struggled a few times but couldn't get up.

One-hit kill!

A complete one-hit kill!

"Heyuan!"

Li Weiguo's face changed drastically as he cried out in shock.

Below the arena, a wave of uproar spread.

"How is that possible! Zhou Heyuan's vitality index is 14.6!"

"What kind of monster is that kid from the other side?!"

The youth from Hongchang Martial Arts Gym withdrew his fist and flicked his hand contemptuously.

Below the arena, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed mustache, looking shrewd and capable—the coach of Hongchang Martial Arts Gym—clapped his hands and laughed loudly, his voice grating.

"Heh, is this the level of the Limit Martial Arts Gym? Not good enough!"

His words were full of provocation and mockery, making all the old members of the Limit Martial Arts Gym present flush with anger but helpless. After all, the facts were right before their eyes.

Li Weiguo quickly rushed onto the arena to help Zhou Heyuan up.

After checking and finding only a broken arm, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as the coach of Hongchang Martial Arts Gym was smugly preparing to say more to damage the Limit Martial Arts Gym's reputation, a crisp and determined voice rang out from the crowd.

"Wait!"

Everyone turned to look, and saw a tall, beautiful girl step out from the crowd.

She wore a neat training uniform, her eyes sharp as a blade.

"I am Hou Yuwei!"

The girl stepped forward, her voice not loud but clear throughout the venue, "I once had the honor of receiving personal guidance from Owner Sun, so I can be considered part of the Limit Martial Arts Gym. I'll fight you!"

"It's Hou Yuwei!"

"The famous prodigy girl from the nearby Starlight Community!"

Someone in the crowd immediately recognized her.

"I heard that although she didn't get into Qiming No. 7 High School, she entered a key martial arts high school second only to No. 7! After just over a year, her vitality index is said to be 20.03, making her a third-level martial artist!"

"Great! With Hou Yuwei stepping in, she'll definitely teach that arrogant kid a lesson!"

Hope rekindled on everyone's faces.

The youth from Hongchang Martial Arts Gym looked Hou Yuwei up and down, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but soon his arrogance returned.

Without saying much, he simply assumed a fighting stance, signaling for her to come.

"Please enlighten me!"

Hou Yuwei let out a sharp cry, her figure moving as she instantly lunged forward.

Her boxing was cunning and fierce, each strike aimed at the opponent's vital points.

For a moment, the arena was filled with flying fists and surging energy.

Hou Yuwei's strength was indeed far beyond Zhou Heyuan's.

With her superior speed and more refined techniques, she briefly gained the upper hand, pressing the attack.

Yet the youth was like a slippery reef; no matter how ferocious Hou Yuwei's assault, he always managed to neutralize it with minimal effort.

The fight lasted nearly three minutes.

Just as Hou Yuwei's offensive slowed and her breathing showed a hint of disorder, the youth seized the opportunity!

His eyes suddenly sharpened, and for the first time, he, who had been purely defensive, launched a counterattack.

His moves were simple and direct, yet filled with a bloody, murderous aura.

In just three moves!

He struck Hou Yuwei with a vicious elbow to the abdomen, sending her flying backward like a kite with a broken string. She crashed to the ground, a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth.

Defeated again!

Hou Yuwei, with her vitality index of 20.0, had also been defeated!

The entire hall once again fell into a deathly silence.

On every face was written despair and unwillingness.

The head of the Hongchang Martial Arts Hall smiled even more smugly.

“Heh heh heh, I thought they were something special. Even with Master Sun’s personal instruction, this is all they amount to! It seems the Limitless Martial Arts Hall truly has no successors. Everyone, if you want your children to learn real combat skills, you’d better keep your eyes open and not choose the wrong place!”

His words were like venomous thorns, stabbing into the hearts of every Limitless Martial Arts Hall member.

Just as everyone was too angry to speak and the atmosphere was at its most oppressive,

a calm and gentle voice slowly came from the direction of the hall’s entrance.

“I too have received personal instruction from Master Sun, so I count as a member of the Limitless Martial Arts Hall. Moreover, I am also a high school student.”

Hearing this, everyone turned to look.

They saw a tall, straight-backed youth with a clear, handsome face walking unhurriedly toward them.

His steps were steady, his gaze calm, as if the tense, hostile atmosphere around him had no effect at all.

As he walked, he took off his jacket, revealing a simple martial arts uniform underneath.

Then, under the astonished gaze of everyone, he stepped onto the arena, one step at a time.

He looked at the young man who had defeated Hou Yuwei, a faint smile on his face.

“I’ll fight you.”

The young man from Hongchang Martial Arts Hall looked at the youth before him, who seemed even younger than himself, his eyes full of contempt and impatience.

He couldn’t even be bothered to speak; he just curled his finger disdainfully and once again assumed his fighting stance.

Below the arena, Hou Yuwei, who had just been helped to her feet, looked at the unfamiliar figure on the stage with confusion. She felt a vague sense of recognition but couldn’t recall where she had seen him.

On the other side, Li Weiguo and Zhou Heyuan, who had just recovered his breath, upon clearly seeing the newcomer’s face, were as if struck by lightning—their bodies trembled, and their eyes instantly bulged wide!

Their mouths fell open, and almost in unison, with a voice trembling with extreme shock and ecstatic joy, they cried out.

“Qin Feng?!”

That cry from Li Weiguo and Zhou Heyuan, mingling utmost shock and wild joy, exploded like a thunderclap in the silent hall.

This name seemed to carry a strange, magical power.

Hou Yuwei, who was struggling to rise, froze the instant she heard that name.

Her eyes, which had been dimmed by defeat, suddenly lit up as she looked in disbelief at the clear, upright figure on the arena.

Qin Feng!

Of course, she was no stranger to that name!

Just a few days ago, at the much-anticipated Qiming Star Inter-school Tournament, she had also signed up for the senior students’ competition.

Unfortunately, lacking strength, she was eliminated in the first round by a formidable senior from the third year.

But she had watched the entire competition and witnessed the birth of a legend with her own eyes.

She had seen with her own eyes how this youth named Qin Feng, with an overwhelming and almost unreasonable momentum, swept through all opponents, and finally, in the finals, with absolute power, crushed the dark horse Zhou Qi, who possessed six perfected killing techniques, and forcefully crowned himself the ‘Qiming Star General’!

So… it was him!

That monster who had made history at Qiming First High!

He… actually came from such an ordinary community?!

In Hou Yuwei’s heart, a storm of shock raged.

Below the arena, the martial artists who had been feeling dejected and angry over the Limitless Martial Arts Hall’s consecutive defeats, upon hearing Li Weiguo’s exclamation, first froze, then, like a powder keg with its fuse lit, instantly erupted!

“Qin Feng? Which Qin Feng? Could it be… the Qiming Star General from our Silver Gull Community?!”

“That’s him! I saw his photo in the news a few days ago! That’s right, it’s him!”

“Oh my god! The Qiming Star General has come back! Is he also a member of our Limitless Martial Arts Hall?”

“What else! Teacher Li and Zhou Heyuan both know him! Now we’re in for a show! They’ve picked the wrong door to kick down!”

The news that Silver Gull Community had produced a Qiming Star General had long been buzzing in the surrounding communities, known to almost everyone.

After all, this was a great joy that could make the entire community proud.

Most of the martial artists present were residents of the surrounding communities, so naturally they had all heard of Qin Feng’s great name.

But none of them had expected that this legendary figure would appear before them today, in such a manner!

For a moment, everyone’s gaze focused on Qin Feng.

Those eyes held a mixture of admiration, curiosity, and anticipation.

Murmurs and exclamations converged into a wave of sound that clearly reached the arena.

That young man from Hongchang Martial Arts Hall, who had been so arrogant moments before, upon hearing the crowd below shout the words ‘Qin Feng’ and ‘Qiming Star General,’ the blood instantly drained from his haughty face, and his pupils contracted sharply to the size of pinpricks!

Qiming Star General?!

What kind of cosmic joke is this!

He had only taken a sum of money from Hongchang Martial Arts Hall to come here and fight a few ‘exhibition matches,’ to intimidate these amateur martial artists and help build the hall’s reputation.

The coach of Hongchang Martial Arts Hall had assured him that in this lousy hall, even the strongest student’s vitality index would never exceed 20.0!

But now, how could a ‘Qiming Star General’ who had suppressed all the high school geniuses of Qiming Star suddenly appear?!

Wasn’t this throwing him into a pit of fire?!

In his heart, the young man instantly cursed the coach of Hongchang Martial Arts Hall’s ancestors for eighteen generations.

Cold sweat poured down his forehead. Looking at the calm-faced youth before him, there was no trace of contempt left in his heart, only boundless fear.

He wanted to admit defeat, to flee this place of trouble immediately.

But it was already too late.

In that instant when his mind was shaken and his fighting spirit vanished, Qin Feng moved.

There were no unnecessary words, nor any preparatory stance.

Qin Feng simply stepped forward.

With that single step, his entire aura changed abruptly. If before he had seemed like a gentle, harmless boy next door, now he was like an ancient ferocious bird awakened from slumber, ready to devour its prey!

A fierce, domineering aura that seemed to tear everything apart instantly enveloped the entire arena!

The Fierce Bird Fist Technique!

Qin Feng’s right hand curled into a hook, the muscles in his arm rippling subtly in a mysterious manner. With a simple ‘thrust punch,’ he struck directly at the young man!

This claw, seemingly ordinary, instantly filled the young man’s entire field of vision!

He discovered with horror that all his escape routes and all his dodging space seemed completely sealed off in that moment!

Qin Feng’s fist was like the talon of a fierce owl locking onto its prey—no matter how he struggled, he was doomed to escape!

He could only watch helplessly as that fist rapidly enlarged in his pupils!

"Bang!"

A dull, heart-stopping impact rang out.

There were no flashy moves, no earth-shattering bursts of energy.

Just one strike.

The arrogant young man who had just killed Zhou Heyuan in a single blow and defeated Hou Yuwei in three moves was now like a discarded ragdoll, flying through the air in a clumsy arc, crashing heavily into the hard wall of the distant martial arts hall, then sliding to the ground with a pained groan.

A single strike defeated him!

The entire martial arts hall fell into a deathly silence that lasted three full seconds.

Everyone stared at the scene, their minds blank.

Then, a thunderous roar of cheers and jeers exploded!

"Awesome!!!"

"Beautiful! Well done!"

"Haha! Still trying to challenge the school? With that level? Can't even withstand a single move from our Qiming Star General! Pathetic!"

"Exactly! Get back to your Hongchang Martial Arts Hall!"

All the pent-up frustration from before was now repaid in spades!

The members of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall felt a surge of relief and pride.

Qin Feng withdrew his fist, his gaze falling on the young man lying on the ground.

He shook his head, his tone carrying a faint trace of reflection.

"You're a student from Jinlong Martial Arts High School, aren't you?"

This was said to the young man.

But his voice carried clearly into everyone's ears.

"Too afraid to compete in the star-studded Qiming School League, yet you come to take these low-tier commercial jobs, fighting dirty for other martial arts halls. And you deliberately imitate the military boxing techniques of Xinghe Military High School to smear other schools. Why bother?"

At these words, the crowd erupted in uproar again!

"What? A student from Jinlong Martial Arts High School?"

"Good grief! Hongchang Martial Arts Hall actually plays such dirty tricks? Hiring outside help to challenge the school? Disgusting!"

"Blacklist them! Anyone who goes to Hongchang Martial Arts Hall from now on is a fool!"

In an instant, all accusations turned toward the coach of Hongchang Martial Arts Hall.

Just then, the young man who had been knocked flying by Qin Feng, clutching his aching chest, heard Qin Feng's words and the surrounding chatter. Ignoring his injuries, he scrambled to his feet, pointed at the Hongchang coach, and roared:

"Damn you! Didn't you tell me the strongest here wouldn't exceed 20.0?!"

"Where the hell did this Qiming Star General come from?! Pay my medical bills!"

With that, he shot the coach a venomous glare, ignored whatever contract there was, and limped away, disappearing through the hall's entrance in a few breaths.

Swift and decisive, just as Qin Feng had predicted.

This young man was never a student trained by Hongchang Martial Arts Hall; he was a "hired hand" they had paid a hefty sum to bring in from Jinlong Martial Arts High School!

As for how Qin Feng knew, he had recognized the inner essence of the moves the man used against the girl earlier—they closely resembled those of Jinlong students. He threw out a guess, and it turned out to be true.

The face of the Hongchang coach was utterly disgraced.

Under the crowd's contemptuous and scornful gazes, he felt his skin burning as if seared by flames. He knew that his martial arts hall's reputation was thoroughly ruined today.

Enraged and humiliated, he tore off all pretense, pointing at Qin Feng on the platform and blustering: "So what?! A martial arts hall isn't judged by its students, but by its coach's skill! He's strong because he's strong himself—what does that have to do with your Extreme Martial Arts Hall?! Where's your coach? If you've got guts, come out and fight me!"

He was trying to muddy the waters, shifting the issue from the fraudulent act of "hiring outsiders to challenge the school" to a contest of "coach skill."

This put the Extreme Martial Arts Hall in a tough spot.

Everyone knew that the Extreme Martial Arts Hall was founded by Sun Chantang.

But Master Sun had been gone for a very long time.

The hall now relied entirely on a group of old members, who had once benefited from Sun's kindness, to voluntarily maintain daily operations.

Of course, the hall's maintenance costs and coach salaries were automatically deducted from Sun Chantang's seemingly bottomless personal account, so no one had to worry about that.

But the problem was that without Master Sun, no one could make decisions, and naturally, no new, strong coaches had been hired.

Currently, the strongest in the hall was Li Weiguo, a passionate "unofficial coach."

But his life force index had only just reached 30.0, and his killing technique was only at the "mastery" level.

Facing an obviously experienced, streetwise rogue fighter who had come to cause trouble, he had no sure victory.

Yet, at this point, if he didn't step up, the Extreme Martial Arts Hall would lose all face.

Li Weiguo took a deep breath, about to step forward.

But Qin Feng spoke.

Qin Feng smiled, his gaze shifting to the Hongchang coach who was shouting from below the platform, and said calmly:

"I was trained by a coach from the Extreme Martial Arts Hall."

"So, I'll fight you. Wouldn't my defeating you prove the point even better?"

"Arrogant!"

The Hongchang coach roared in fury.

He was originally a drifter from the streets, having honed his unorthodox skills in underground boxing matches, and had partnered with his cousin to open the Hongchang Martial Arts Hall.

He had never undergone the empire's elite education system and had no idea what the title "Qiming Star General" truly signified.

In his eyes, no matter how strong Qin Feng was, he was just a high schooler with no experience!

To be provoked like this by a teenager—how could he hold back?!

With a furious shout, he pushed off with his legs, launching himself like a cannonball onto the platform, landing with a heavy thud that stirred up a cloud of dust.

"Kid! Today, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your parents, so you know your place!"

He assumed a stance, his fists moving with a fierce, gusty momentum.

It was indeed some kind of military-standard boxing technique, broad and forceful, filled with a bloody aura.

But unfortunately, his level was stuck at "mastery."

His life force index hadn't even reached the threshold of 30.0—it was barely 29.8.

Qin Feng looked at him and simply shook his head.

Having witnessed the true world of martial arts, having seen strong figures like Mentor Gu Yue and Teacher Wu Shangfeng, this so-called "coach" before him seemed like a toddler learning to walk, full of openings from head to toe.

"Come!"

The Hongchang coach bellowed, launching an attack—a fierce straight punch aimed straight at Qin Feng's face.

Qin Feng did not dodge or evade.

Just as the opponent's fist was about to touch his face.

His body, at an almost imperceptible angle that defied common understanding, shifted slightly to one side.

Perfectly, he avoided the edge of that straight punch.

At the same time, his right hand, like a black bolt of lightning, struck after the fact but arrived first, seizing with pinpoint accuracy the massive opening at the opponent's wrist, exposed by the excessive force of his attack!

Still, it was the *Fierce Bird Fist Technique*.

Still, it was a single move to subdue the enemy!

"Crack!"

A crisp sound of bone breaking rang out.

Qin Feng's five fingers tightened, and in an instant, the wrist of the Hongchang Martial Arts Hall's master was crushed to pieces.

"Ah——!"

A piercing scream echoed throughout the arena.

Qin Feng gave him no chance; grabbing his wrist, he pulled him backward with the momentum, while simultaneously his left leg, like a steel whip, swept out and struck heavily into his abdomen.

"Ah——"

The Hongchang Martial Arts Hall coach flew backward uncontrollably, landing in the exact same spot where the Jinlong Martial Arts High School student had fallen earlier.

One move!

Another defeat in a single move!

The surrounding martial artists all had their eyes wide open, mouths agape as if they could swallow an egg.

If earlier, they could still understand Qin Feng's one-move kill of that youth as the crushing power of the "Qiming Star General,"

then now, a living, breathing martial arts coach—whom they considered an expert—was also defeated so effortlessly by this youth in a single move!

The visual impact this brought was earth-shattering!

"N-no wonder he's the Qiming Star General! This is just too strong!"

"Damn! A high school student one-shots a martial arts coach? What the hell is going on?!"

"I always thought the geniuses from martial arts high schools were just a bit better than us... but now it seems we're not even on the same level!"

The martial artists present were mostly ordinary people who had never undergone elite imperial education; few had even graduated from ordinary martial arts high schools, and those whose killing techniques had reached minor mastery were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

They couldn't grasp the inner workings of the protagonist's killing techniques; they only knew that a high school student had one-shotted a martial arts coach!

Incredible!

(The chapter ends)