The news spread faster than wildfire in dry bamboo.
"Azure Cloud Sect's mud-covered lunatic defeated Shadow Sect scouts."
"At Martial Adept Stage 3."
"Using… spinning?"
By dawn, Lin Feng had officially become a walking rumor.
He was currently asleep under a tree.
Drooling.
Morning Disaster
A boot kicked his foot.
"Wake up, Mud Hero."
Lin Feng blinked awake to see Senior Brother Han — tall, sharp-jawed, built like someone who drank iron instead of water.
Behind him stood a young man in dark crimson robes, arms folded.
His presence felt heavy.
Controlled.
Refined.
Dangerous.
The system activated instantly.
[SYSTEM ALERT – HIGH-TIER OPPONENT DETECTED]
Name: Zhao Tiansheng
Title: Iron Bone Genius of Crimson Flame Pavilion
Realm: Martial Adept Stage 5
Strength: 42
Speed: 35
Defense: 51
Combat Rating: 320
Threat Level: Severe
Probability of survival: 34%
Probability of comedic success: 71%
"Warning: This opponent does not slip easily."
Lin Feng rubbed his eyes. "Give me five minutes."
Zhao Tiansheng spoke calmly.
"I came to see the one who embarrassed the Shadow Sect. I did not expect… this."
He glanced at Lin Feng's mud-stained robe.
Lin Feng sat up slowly.
"You're welcome to leave if expectations hurt you."
The disciples gasped.
Senior Brother Han whispered, "You're going to die."
The Challenge
Zhao Tiansheng stepped forward.
"No weapons. No interference. A simple duel."
Elder Bai Long appeared from nowhere, stroking his beard.
"Within the training grounds. No killing."
Zhao nodded.
Lin Feng stood.
Cracked his neck.
Checked the system.
[SYSTEM STATUS – LIN FENG]
Level: Martial Adept Stage 3
XP: 1,360 / 1,800
Fist Points: 1,420
Skills:
Chaos Flow Lv6
Adaptive Counter Lv3
Momentum Mastery Lv2
Momentum Surge Lv1
Comedic Resilience Lv2
New Passive: Crowd Momentum (minor boost when observed)
"Observation: Audience size large. Ego boost available."
Lin Feng grinned.
"Oh good. I fight better when judged."
The First Clash
Zhao moved first.
Not fast.
Not flashy.
Just precise.
His fist struck forward like a steel rod.
Lin Feng crossed his arms—
BOOM.
He was launched ten meters back, carving a trench through dirt.
The courtyard fell silent.
Lin Feng coughed.
"…Okay. That hurt."
System flashed red.
"Defense gap detected. Recommend unpredictability at maximum output."
Zhao walked forward calmly.
"You rely on chaos. I rely on structure. Structure always wins."
Lin Feng slowly stood.
"Good thing I'm allergic to structure."
Chaos vs Iron
Zhao attacked again — a three-strike combination. Clean. Mechanical. Efficient.
Lin Feng activated Chaos Flow.
He spun sideways.
Slipped.
Dropped.
Rolled between Zhao's legs.
The audience gasped.
Zhao froze for half a second.
That half-second cost him.
Lin Feng's elbow smashed into his ribs.
Critical impact!
Damage amplified by Momentum Mastery
XP +40
Zhao slid back.
Eyes sharpened.
"Interesting."
Iron Bone Technique
Suddenly Zhao's body shifted.
His skin darkened slightly.
Muscles tightened like forged steel.
System warning blared.
[TECHNIQUE DETECTED – IRON BONE BODY]
Defense increased by 35%
Impact absorption active
Weak points minimized
Probability of frontal damage: 19%
"Suggestion: attack pride."
Lin Feng blinked.
"…What?"
Round Two
Zhao charged.
This time faster.
A punch slammed into Lin Feng's shoulder.
CRACK.
Lin Feng flew again.
Pain exploded down his arm.
System screen flickered.
HP dropping.
"Comedic Resilience activated. Pain tolerance increased."
Lin Feng lay flat on the ground.
Looking at the sky.
"System."
"Yes?"
"Why is he built like a brick house?"
"Because he trains."
"…Unfair."
Zhao approached slowly.
"You are amusing. But you lack foundation."
Lin Feng suddenly rolled sideways.
Grabbed dirt.
Threw it.
Directly at Zhao's face.
The crowd gasped.
Zhao closed his eyes instinctively.
That instinct cost him.
Momentum Chain
Lin Feng surged forward.
Chaos Flow + Momentum Surge + Adaptive Counter.
He struck Zhao's knee.
Spun.
Struck the ribs.
Used Zhao's own punch force to redirect into a shoulder slam.
BOOM.
Zhao staggered.
Combo Chain Successful
XP +90
Fist Points +70
The audience erupted.
Lin Feng breathed heavily.
"Foundation is nice," he panted, "but earthquakes don't care about buildings."
Turning Point
Zhao wiped dirt from his face.
For the first time, irritation flickered.
"You fight like a madman."
"Thank you."
Zhao inhaled deeply.
Then his aura flared.
Pressure exploded outward.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
[WARNING – FULL POWER RELEASE]
Combat Rating increased to 370
Probability of victory: 22%
"Recommend evolution trigger."
Lin Feng blinked.
"What evolution?"
Suddenly the system pulsed violently.
Hidden Threshold
"Condition met: Survive overwhelming force while outmatched."
"Unlocking: CHAOS INSTINCT (Prototype)"
New Skill: Chaos Instinct Lv1
Effect: Automatic micro-adjustments during unpredictable movement
Synergy boost with Chaos Flow
Lin Feng felt it immediately.
His body moved… before he decided to.
Zhao attacked.
Faster than before.
But Lin Feng slipped aside — barely — without thinking.
A counter punch landed clean on Zhao's jaw.
The crowd gasped louder than ever.
Critical!
XP +120
Chaos Flow Lv6 → Lv7
Zhao staggered.
Blood at the corner of his mouth.
Silence filled the courtyard.
Final Exchange
Both stood breathing hard.
Zhao's iron body flickered slightly — stamina draining.
Lin Feng's vision blurred — barely standing.
Zhao spoke quietly.
"You are still weaker."
Lin Feng grinned.
"Yeah."
He lunged.
Zhao lunged.
Two fists collided midair.
Shockwave blasted outward.
Dust exploded.
When it cleared—
Both were on one knee.
Zhao slowly stood first.
Lin Feng tried.
Wobbled.
Fell back.
Elder Bai Long raised his hand.
"Enough."
Silence.
Zhao looked down at Lin Feng.
"You lost."
Lin Feng coughed.
"Yeah… but you bled."
Pause.
Zhao's lips twitched.
A small smile.
"Train harder. I will return."
He turned and walked away.
Aftermath
The courtyard exploded with noise.
"He made Iron Bone bleed!"
"At Stage 3!"
Lin Feng lay on his back staring at the sky.
System chimed softly.
[BATTLE RESULTS]
XP Gained: 310
Fist Points Gained: 190
Chaos Flow Lv7
Chaos Instinct Lv1 unlocked
Reputation increased across Xianwu Era
New Title Earned:
The Unbreakable Fool
Effect: Minor morale boost when facing stronger opponents.
Lin Feng smiled weakly.
"Unbreakable Fool?"
"Yes."
"…I kind of like it."
He passed out immediately.