23: Chapter 23 The Iron Rhinoceros's Challenge

When Chen Yuanji returned to Yaofeng Pavilion, Niu Dali was drinking in the lobby. "Went to the Coliseum today?" Niu Dali put down his wine cup. "I heard you achieved a ten-match winning streak?"

"The news spread that fast?" Chen Yuanji sat down and poured a cup of tea.

"Heavenly Demon City is only so big; any little disturbance is known by the whole city." Niu Dali looked at him. "I saw the match with Iron Rhinoceros; that punch was beautifully executed. But you must be careful." Niu Dali lowered his voice. "Iron Rhinoceros is the number one warrior of the Rhino Tribe, and he has the support of the Rhino Tribe behind him. You made him lose face in public today; the Rhino Tribe won't let this go easily."

"I know," Chen Yuanji put down his teacup. "But they wouldn't dare take action in Yaofeng Pavilion." Yaofeng Pavilion was an asset of the Demon Emperor Palace, and a Guest Elder token was a protective charm. No matter how strong the Rhino Tribe was, they wouldn't dare provoke the Demon Emperor Palace.

"You can't hide in Yaofeng Pavilion forever, can you?" Niu Dali shook his head.

Chen Yuanji didn't answer. He certainly wouldn't hide, but there was no need to actively court trouble. Over the next few days, he went into secluded meditation in the cultivation room of Yaofeng Pavilion. The practical experience from his ten-match winning streak needed to be digested, and there were still many aspects of the application of Huajin that could be refined. He had absorbed most of the energy from the martial dao source stone, and the light of the ancient jade grew brighter and brighter. He could feel the blood and Qi at the location of his Dantian slowly condensing like a vortex, drawing in the blood and Qi from his entire body bit by bit.

"Give me one more month." Chen Yuanji clenched his fist. "In one month, my Dan Power will be achieved."

On the fourth day, someone came to visit. It was Su Xiaohu. She was wearing a pale gold gown, and her hair was styled in a bun. Having not seen her for half a month, she had become a bit thinner, but her spirits were high, and her eyes sparkled.

"Big Brother Chen!" As soon as she entered, she lunged forward and grabbed Chen Yuanji's arm. "I missed you so much!"

"How have you been at the Demon Emperor Palace?" Chen Yuanji asked.

"It's been good. Granny Hu has been teaching me to Cultivate and has given me many Medicinal Pills." Su Xiaohu shook her head. "Look, I already have one tail." She turned around, and Chen Yuanji saw that there was indeed an extra fluffy, pale gold tail behind her, gently swaying.

"The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox Bloodline had an Awakening once?" Chen Yuanji asked.

"Mhm!" Su Xiaohu nodded vigorously. "Granny Hu said my talent is very good and that I should be able to reach Three-Tails within three years."

Chen Yuanji patted her head. "Cultivate well, and don't let down Granny Hu's expectations."

"I will." Su Xiaohu looked up at him. "Big Brother Chen, I heard you got a ten-match winning streak at the Coliseum? You're amazing!"

"It was just a small scene."

"It wasn't a small scene at all." Su Xiaohu pouted. "After Granny Hu heard about it, she even praised you, saying that you are a rare Genius among the Human Race for being able to defeat a Yao Race at the Peak of the Guiyuan Realm without cultivating Yuan Power."

Chen Yuanji smiled. Su Xiaohu stayed at Yaofeng Pavilion all afternoon, pestering Chen Yuanji to teach her a few essentials of Stake Training before reluctantly leaving. As she was departing, she suddenly said, "Big Brother Chen, Granny Hu asked me to tell you that the Tiandao Sect has recently gathered a group of experts at the border of the Eastern Desolate Region. They might be looking for you, so be careful."

Chen Yuanji nodded. "I understand."

After Su Xiaohu left, Chen Yuanji stood by the window, gazing toward the Demon Emperor Palace in the North District, remaining silent for a long time. The next morning, Chen Yuanji headed to the Coliseum again. It wasn't that he wanted to go, but Iron Rhinoceros had sent people to wait at the entrance of Yaofeng Pavilion all day, saying he wanted another battle. The Coliseum was even livelier than before; the news of Chen Yuanji's ten-match winning streak had spread throughout Heavenly Demon City, and several times more people than usual had come to watch today, with every seat in the audience filled.

Iron Rhinoceros's front leg injury had already healed—the Yao Race's recovery power was indeed astonishing. Standing in the center of the arena, he was like a small mountain. His gaze was no longer filled with the previous disdain, but was instead solemn, serious, and even carried a hint of respect.

"Chen Yuanji," he spoke in a deep voice. "Last time, I underestimated my opponent. Today, I'm going to fight you seriously."

Chen Yuanji stepped onto the arena and stood opposite him. "Let's begin."

At the referee's command, Iron Rhinoceros did not retreat to charge like last time. Instead, he stepped forward steadily with his fists clenched, Yuan Power condensing into a golden light on his knuckles. He had learned his lesson and no longer gave Chen Yuanji any chance to attack his joints. Iron Rhinoceros struck first, throwing a punch that sent out a golden Fist-aura like a cannonball, heading straight for Chen Yuanji's face. Chen Yuanji dodged to the side, and the Fist-aura whistled past his ear, exploding at the edge of the arena and sending stone fragments flying. Iron Rhinoceros didn't stop, unleashing a barrage of punches as the Fist-auras poured down like a rainstorm. Chen Yuanji wove through the Fist-auras, utilizing his Bagua Footwork to its limit. Every dodge was perfectly timed; although Iron Rhinoceros's Fist-auras were dense, they could not land a hit.

"Is dodging all you can do?" Iron Rhinoceros roared.

Chen Yuanji ignored him and continued to dodge. Although Iron Rhinoceros's Yuan Power was vast, it couldn't be infinite; as long as his Yuan Power was consumed to a certain point, a flaw would appear. Sure enough, after fifty punches, Iron Rhinoceros's Fist-aura began to weaken, and his speed slowed down. Now! Chen Yuanji's figure flickered; instead of retreating, he advanced, closing in on Iron Rhinoceros. With the five fingers of his right hand pressed together, he struck toward Iron Rhinoceros's abdomen with the momentum of a Crushing Fist. Iron Rhinoceros hurriedly pulled in his stomach while smashing his fists downward, trying to block the punch. However, Chen Yuanji's punch was a feint. With a twist of his wrist, the Crushing Fist transformed into a Pao Quan, striking Iron Rhinoceros's chin from below. Pao Quan is one of the Xingyi Five Elements Fists, belonging to the fire element; its power explodes like a cannon and is specifically used for striking the upper body. The force of Huajin penetrated his body, and Iron Rhinoceros felt his chin go numb as his entire person leaned backward. Chen Yuanji didn't give him a chance to fall; he reached out with his left hand, grabbed his collar, and used the momentum to throw him to the ground.

"Boom!" The arena shook, and dust filled the air. Iron Rhinoceros lay on the ground, gasping for breath, his eyes filled with disbelief. He had lost again, and even more decisively than last time.

"The winner, Chen Yuanji!" the referee announced.

Thunderous cheers erupted from the audience. Chen Yuanji reached out his hand to Iron Rhinoceros. Iron Rhinoceros was stunned for a moment, then gripped his hand and stood up.

"You are strong," Iron Rhinoceros said. "I am utterly defeated and admit it wholeheartedly."

"You aren't weak either," Chen Yuanji said calmly. "If not for the arena's rules and restrictions, I wouldn't have won so easily in a true life-and-death struggle."

Iron Rhinoceros grinned. "You Human Race fellow are quite interesting."

He turned to walk off the arena, but after a few steps, he suddenly looked back. "Chen Yuanji, are you interested in joining the Rhino Tribe? With your strength, you could at least be a Guest Elder."

"No," Chen Yuanji shook his head. "I'm used to being alone."

Iron Rhinoceros didn't press him and strode away. Chen Yuanji stepped off the arena and collected his prize money from the Old Wolf Demon.

"Brother, you've already won eleven matches in a row," the Old Wolf Demon said with a smile. "Win four more, and you can challenge the Shentong Realm level arena."

"Shentong Realm?" Chen Yuanji's heart stirred.

"That's right! The Coliseum has a rule: a Guiyuan Realm contestant with a fifteen-match winning streak can challenge an Early Stage Shentong Realm opponent. If you win, the prize money is multiplied by ten."

Chen Yuanji became thoughtful. Challenging the Shentong Realm would be a good opportunity to test the quality of his Huajin.

"Arrange it for me."

The Old Wolf Demon's eyes lit up. "You got it!"