High-level martial arts: Long spear with black flames to suppress demons.

The two distanced themselves from each other.

Lei Heng was panting heavily, his eyes fixed on the boy opposite him. As the top student in the third year of the physical combat department, he had actually fought to a draw with a freshman in pure hand-to-hand combat, which was an utter disgrace to him.

"ah--!"

Lei Heng let out a roar, and the spiritual power within his body surged forth without reservation.

The rock armor covering his body thickened once more, with sharp stone spikes even sprouting from its surface. He stomped his feet, shattering the ground, transforming into a raging, earth-yellow war god, crushing down once more with an aura of annihilation!

Shen Chang'an took a deep breath and got into position.

"Bang!"

Lei Heng unleashed a powerful, heavy punch, the force of which sent dust flying from the ground. Shen Chang'an twisted his waist, sliding sideways past the massive fist.

However, Lei Heng was equally experienced in combat. His punch missed, and he followed up with a powerful downward slam of his elbow. The sharp spikes on the rock armor sliced ​​through Shen Chang'an's left arm as he was blocking, drawing a spray of crimson blood! At the same time, a sharp gust of wind grazed Shen Chang'an's cheek, tearing a bloody gash on his side.

Fresh blood dripped down his chin.

But Shen Chang'an didn't even flinch. Taking advantage of the moment their bodies were close, he completely cut into Lei Heng's inner defensive blind spot.

"It's over," Shen Chang'an whispered.

He stomped his right foot hard on the ground, using the reaction force to combine his waist and stance into one. A powerful and unparalleled elbow strike slammed into Lei Heng's rock armor in the chest like a cannonball!

"Snap!"

A clear crack instantly appeared on the seemingly indestructible rock armor.

Lei Heng's pupils shrank sharply. Before he could retreat, Shen Chang'an's fist had already turned into a blur.

boom!boom!boom!boom!

Seven or eight punches landed precisely on the same spot in the armor's cracks in less than a second! Each punch carried a terrifying, penetrating force, causing Lei Heng's internal organs to churn.

"boom--!!!"

The final, all-out uppercut slammed into Lei Heng's chin from below.

With a deafening explosion, Lei Heng's rock armor on his chest and face shattered completely, turning into countless stone fragments that flew everywhere!

Lei Heng's massive two-meter-tall body was forcefully knocked off the ground by this punch, and he fell backward in mid-air. A mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth before he crashed heavily onto the arena floor.

The entire No. 3 stadium, with its more than 3,000 spectators, fell silent instantly.

Everyone stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the incredible scene unfolding on the stage. The ace of the third-year physical combat department had his defense shattered by a freshman in hand-to-hand combat?!

Wu Xiao was stunned in the upper stands. Zhang Qingqing, standing beside him, pulled down the brim of her hat, a barely perceptible smile curving her lips.

In the center of the arena.

Shen Chang'an stood still, his chest rising and falling slightly. Blood dripped from his left arm, running down his fingertips and onto the ground.

Lei Heng lay on the shattered floor, his body convulsed twice, his eyes rolled back, and he completely lost consciousness.

The referee, as if waking from a dream, rushed onto the stage to check on Lei Heng's injuries. After confirming that he was only unconscious, he raised his right hand high.

The referee took a deep breath, and his voice amplified throughout the entire arena:

"Thunderbolt, a master of physical combat, is incapacitated!"

"The winner—freshman Shen Chang'an!"

Shen Chang'an stepped off the stage and went straight to the notary office by the side of the arena, where he obtained the prize money that Lei Heng had pledged before the match: five exquisite jade pendants.

This item is priced at 100 contribution points each in the Town Night Division's internal shop.

With the outcome decided, the crowd in the stands began to disperse, their faces filled with shock and lingering excitement.

Shen Chang'an walked through the contestant passage and soon saw Li Xiwan and two others waiting at the exit.

"Our leader is awesome!"

Baiyin jumped for joy and rushed over to greet him.

Compared to Bai Yin's excitement, Li Xiwan's gaze was fixed on Shen Chang'an's blood-stained cheek and left arm. Her eyes were filled with worry, and she quickly rummaged through her small bag for wet wipes, handing them to him, her voice strained: "Chang'an, you've lost so much blood...why don't you go to the school's medical department to get it bandaged?"

"No need, it's just a scratch."

Shen Chang'an took the tissue and casually wiped the blood off his face.

Ji Lin, standing to the side, quickly unfolded his ink-wash folding fan and reassured him with a smile, "Li, don't worry about it. He's tough and resilient; his ability to withstand blows is even more terrifying than Lei Heng's. Come on, let's go! We just made a small profit on the forum betting odds. Tonight, it's my treat—let's go to the food street for a late-night snack and have some fun!"

......

Half an hour later, the four of them sat down in a lively food street near the school.

We ordered a large table of grilled skewers and crayfish, and the group ate and chatted.

"Chang'an, you've been stealing the show these past few days since school started. What are your plans for the future? Will you continue taking orders in the arena?"

Ji Lin took a swig of ice-cold beer and asked.

Shen Chang'an shook his head and took a bite of mutton: "I won't be taking any more calls for the next couple of days. I plan to go directly to the abyss rift in the East Sea tomorrow. Do you guys want to come along and check it out?"

Upon hearing the words "Abyss Rift," Ji Lin and Bai Yin simultaneously paused in their actions, then shook their heads vigorously.

"No, no, I'm not going!"

Baiyin waved her hands repeatedly.

"My arms and legs are so small, they're not even enough to fill someone's teeth."

Ji Lin wholeheartedly agreed: "That's a place for you battle maniacs. It's safer for me to stay at school and exchange spell tips with the senior students."

Li Xiwan put down the bamboo skewer in her hand, glanced at Shen Chang'an with some hesitation, and said softly, "Um... Chang'an, I want to go."

Shen Chang'an glanced at her and refused without hesitation: "No."

"Why?" Li Xiwan pouted slightly.

"You're only at the initial stage of the first realm right now. That place is too dangerous for you. Even a low-level demon could kill you. If I get into trouble, it will be difficult for me to protect you."

"I'll take you there when you're at a higher level and have the ability to protect yourself."

Hearing Shen Chang'an's promise, Li Xiwan felt a sweet warmth in her heart and obediently nodded: "Okay, then I'll stay at school and cultivate diligently."

After eating and drinking their fill, the group chatted for a while before walking back to their dormitory together.