Chapter Twenty-Two: Shen Yuan's Conspiracy
Amory’s “Fine Abyss Slash” and Shen Yuan’s “Iron Gate Grind” collided without a hint of flourish.
Boom!
Genuine force crashed violently, countless subtle currents of air swept outward in a roar.
The two at the forefront felt their blood and qi surging uncontrollably within, their bodies forced backward.
No one noticed, amidst the chaotic currents, a figure moved upstream.
Shen Yuan’s vision blurred, a silhouette appeared before him without warning. His pupils contracted sharply—Tang Tian! Strands of chaotic air sliced Tang Tian’s cheek, leaving several cuts, yet Tang Tian seemed oblivious.
Shen Yuan reacted swiftly. Though his genuine force hadn’t recovered, his right palm blocked Tang Tian’s path.
His gaze met Tang Tian’s calm eyes, and his heart quivered—what a terrifying opponent!
Fortunately, he only knows Flash Fist…
That thought barely surfaced when Shen Yuan saw Tang Tian’s fist.
A faint white glow enveloped the fist. Shen Yuan froze—fist aura!
How could Flash Fist wield fist aura?
Bang!
The Flash Fist, shrouded in fist aura, vanished into thin air, only to reappear instantly before Shen Yuan’s eyes.
Shen Yuan jolted, flipping his palm to block Tang Tian’s punch.
Palm met fist; Shen Yuan felt a sharp pain as Tang Tian’s genuine force pierced his hand, his defenses collapsing instantly.
Shen Yuan silently cursed.
But Tang Tian allowed no time for reaction; his second punch exploited the opening, landing heavily on Shen Yuan’s shoulder.
Shen Yuan grunted, pain shooting through his shoulder, his genuine force scattering. He flew sideways like a sandbag.
Tang Tian moved faster, almost flying alongside Shen Yuan, striking again mid-air with lightning speed.
Off balance, Shen Yuan watched Tang Tian’s fist streak toward him like a meteor, about to smash his face. He squeezed his eyes shut.
“I concede!”
Bang!
Shen Yuan felt a searing pain on his face, his mind blank, as if a heavy hammer pinned him to the earth.
His last thought before losing consciousness: Didn’t I already concede? Why strike so viciously…
Tang Tian landed on his feet.
His breathing was heavy, like a bellows pumping, his body drenched in sweat.
“Basic Tang, didn’t he already concede?” Amory’s weak voice sounded from behind.
Tang Tian finally regulated his breath, stood upright, and flashed a brilliant smile: “If he concedes, how can I plunder the spoils? Only with spoils can one be called a victor!”
“But…” Amory, honest and gentle by nature, hesitated.
“No buts, hurry and fetch me a rope,” Tang Tian urged.
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A cool sensation on his face awakened Shen Yuan. Two faces greeted him; Amory’s was full of pity and sympathy, while Tang Tian’s was as dark as the bottom of a pot, brimming with hostility.
“Who are you, daring to impersonate a student of Crystal Academy!” Tang Tian shouted angrily.
“I didn’t impersonate…” Shen Yuan, not yet fully conscious, replied instinctively.
Tang Tian erupted: “You’re still trying to deceive me! What Crystal Academy student would be so poor, not a single coin on them!”
“I…” Shen Yuan opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
“Basic Tang, he really is from Crystal, I know him,” Amory interjected.
Tang Tian’s expression shifted to one of deep disappointment: “That’s even worse! Since when have Crystal Academy students fallen so low that, after defeat, they can’t pay the spoils? This is an insult to noble Crystal!”
Shen Yuan was both amused and exasperated; so this fellow was upset at finding nothing on him. Shen Yuan, devoted to cu