Chapter 56: A Single Step Down, It Is Your Turn

The forest was eerily silent, so much so that one could almost hear the flames flickering atop the torches. The cause of this sudden stillness was none other than the words spoken by Hun Cang.

“Hahaha!”

“My goodness, did I just hear that right? Am I hallucinating?”

“He can’t possibly think he’s a Dou King, can he? Sending Luo Fei and Ke Yu up together?”

Laughter erupted, shattering the silence as those gathered around began voicing their opinions one after another.

After all, in the annual assessments for outer academy disciples seeking promotion to the inner academy at Canaan Academy, it was rare for anyone to surpass the rank of Dou Ling in strength.

Yet here, on the scene, not counting Luo Fei and Ke Yu, there were over a dozen peak Great Dou Masters present.

“Is he crazy?” Luo Fei shook his head. Just the few people he had brought were enough to give Hun Cang a hard time.

Ke Yu smiled and chimed in, “That’s possible. There’s no way you believe we’d be beaten by a mere Great Dou Master, right?”

Pausing as if he couldn’t hold back his laughter, he adjusted himself and continued, “If something like that really happens, I won’t have the face to stay in the inner academy any longer.”

“Sounds like I’m the shameless one here,” Luo Fei laughed heartily. Then, waving his right hand, he called out, “Chen Mo, Li Hong, you and the others, go together. Let him see just how big the gap between the inner and outer academies really is.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he remembers this for a long time.”

One after another, five people stepped out from the crowd, cracking their knuckles and casting fierce glances toward Hun Cang.

...

“Elder Lin, I’m not sure about Hun Cang’s personality. Isn’t he too arrogant? It’s normal for young people to have temper, but this kind of flamboyance isn’t good, is it?” Elder Su couldn’t help but turn his head after hearing Hun Cang’s words.

Elder Lin stroked his chin, his face showing surprise. At the assessment in Peace Town, he hadn’t seen him act this arrogantly.

Those around them were no ordinary people; they had all trained in the inner academy and possessed considerable strength, each even more powerful than Hun Cang.

In such a situation, where did Hun Cang’s confidence come from?

Could it be the mysterious flame?

His expression darkened as he said solemnly, “This is bad. Elder Su, be ready. If the situation turns sour, intervene immediately to save lives.”

---

Upon hearing this, Hu Qian was stunned. “Elder Lin, don’t you think you’re overestimating Hun Cang? Luo Fei and Ke Yu are here, and Ke Yu is renowned on the strength rankings. Is it possible for Hun Cang to actually harm anyone?”

Elder Lin’s face grew serious. “It’s different. If Hun Cang uses the mysterious flame, these people might really be unable to stop him.”

Mysterious flame? Hu Qian was taken aback, and then his face turned grave.

Indeed, the power of the mysterious flame was terrifying beyond measure, and they hadn’t even identified the level of the flame Hun Cang possessed.

In Canaan Academy, the Fallen Heart Flame was sealed away, and the energy it occasionally leaked was enough to put the academy elders on high alert.

Sometimes, careless students might even be involuntarily affected, leading to spontaneous combustion.

At this moment, the three faces lost their smiles, their eyes fixed intently on the scene.

Let’s hope nothing like that happens. Losing even one student would be a great misfortune for Canaan Academy.

...

The five had already launched their attack, without drawing weapons but covering their fists and feet with Dou Qi as they advanced toward Hun Cang.

Their expressions were relaxed, showing no real intention to treat Hun Cang as a serious opponent.

What was so scary about a Great Dou Master?

But suddenly, from their perspective, Hun Cang moved—the speed was like a bolt of lightning. Before they could react, he was already upon them.

One of them was so startled by the terrifying speed that his face twisted in fear. He spun his hands around, attempting a defensive stance, but a fist faster than his reaction struck directly into his chest.

Crack!

In the silence, the sound of shattering bone was clearly audible. Everyone stared in shock at the figure thrown flying backward, disbelief written across their faces.

Only one encounter, and a peak Great Dou Master was taken down?

Before they could recover, the sound of heavy bodies hitting the ground followed in rapid succession. Turning their heads, they saw Hun Cang still standing where he was, while all five attackers lay motionless on the ground, their fates unknown.

“Gulp…”

Swallowing sounds echoed repeatedly as some peak Great Dou Masters quietly stepped back.

Today’s events were largely because of Luo Fei and Ke Yu. They had only come to help out of friendship and to stir up some excitement.

Now that they saw they were up against a tough opponent, their first instinct was to retreat. There was no reason to end the assessment covered in injuries and bedridden for half a month.

---

“Hidden strength?” Luo Fei sized up Hun Cang. “Not bad. You’ve piqued my interest. Luo Ling likes to bully the weak, but I prefer opponents with real strength.”

With that, Luo Fei’s feet shattered the soil beneath him as he lunged toward Hun Cang, his hands forming claws, faintly taking the shape of a wolf.

“Wind Wolf Devour,” Ke Yu’s eyes narrowed in surprise. “That’s Luo Fei’s signature move, and he’s using it right away. Even I’d have to exert eighty percent of my strength against that. He’s using it on a Great Dou Master?”

Ke Yu shook his head with a look of regret. He should have stepped in earlier; now there was no chance to teach him a lesson.

Hun Cang’s expression remained calm as Luo Fei closed in. He raised his right hand, yet no Dou Qi ripple was visible on his body.

Luo Fei sneered coldly. He wasn’t just a Great Dou Master; he was a bona fide Dou Ling. Dare Hun Cang underestimate him?

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he struck at Hun Cang’s shoulder with both hands. If the attack landed, it would at least shatter bone, leaving the arm useless for half a year.

Just as Luo Fei imagined Hun Cang’s anguished expression, he suddenly felt resistance. His hands were caught by Hun Cang and couldn’t land the blow.

“How is this possible?!” Luo Fei was incredulous as his Dou Qi surged wildly into his arms. “Let go of me!”

No matter how hard he struggled, his hands didn’t budge an inch.

“Aren’t you going to teach me a lesson?” Hun Cang looked up at Luo Fei with a cold smile and suddenly exerted force with both arms.

In an instant, Luo Fei felt a terrifying power erupt from Hun Cang’s body. He was dragged to the ground with no room to resist. Before he could rise, he sensed a foot pressing on his head.

Hun Cang glanced down at him, applying force with his foot, pressing Luo Fei’s entire head into the soil bit by bit.

“What is this?”

Everyone present was stunned, staring in disbelief at Luo Fei, who was frantically clawing at the air.

Just one move and Luo Fei was pressed into the ground?

Is this still Luo Fei, one of the three strongest of the Jade Luo Sect in the inner academy? When did he become so weak? He couldn’t even handle a Great Dou Master?

As Hun Cang’s gaze swept over them, those nearby trembled and quickly stepped back.

He calmly looked at Ke Yu and beckoned, “Your turn.”