Chapter 58: Group Assault
Chapter 58: Group Assault
After Chen Chuanxin's statement, everyone in the arena was stunned, their tempers flaring. Even Qiu Zhi Li, the assistant, couldn't help but glance at him.
Lu Fang looked at him and nodded, "I understand." He apologized, "My apologies, Chen, we won't have a one-on-one match today because the enemies you'll face in the future won't come at you one by one, either."
Chen Chuan showed no hesitation, "Alright, can we begin?"
Lu Fang stepped back, retreating into the crowd.
At that moment, the members of the Zealous Heart Society had a gleam in their eyes, as if ready for combat. They dilated their pupils to absorb more light, enhancing their observational abilities. Their nostrils slightly flared, and their breathing adjusted to enter a combat-ready state.
Qiu Zhi Li's gaze scanned the arena, observing the movements of both sides. Her body appeared relaxed, but she was poised to strike at any moment, ready to counter any overly aggressive moves.
Lu Fang signaled, and immediately, a third-year trainee charged from the front, followed by two others who moved to flank Chen Chuan from the sides.
Chen Chuan noticed the approaching trainee with slightly spread hands and heavy footsteps, seemingly exposing his front. But he was likely prepared to unleash his power to withstand Chen Chuan's attack, ready to grab and hold him with both hands.
Chen Chuan lifted his knee, and his second self instantly merged with him. He kicked out, swiftly striking the opponent's knee. The trainee's center of gravity shifted, and Chen Chuan followed up with another kick, causing the trainee to grunt and fly backward, landing face-first and struggling to get up.
The trainee on the right saw his chance and leaped forward, delivering a sweeping kick. Chen Chuan raised his hand to block the attack, and simultaneously, he elbowed the trainee's abdomen. Then, with a quick grab and pull, Chen Chuan threw the trainee towards the left, colliding with the other trainee.
In an instant, all three trainees were knocked down.
Chen Chuan stood firm, glared at the front, his eyes revealing no emotion.
Lu Fang nodded slightly, and the trainees around him continued to advance. They had a plan—a few would engage Chen Chuan to gauge his abilities, and then the rest would join the fight. After watching Chen Chuan's initial moves, many of them had a better understanding of his skills.
Three more trainees rushed towards Chen Chuan, or more accurately, four. One of them used a fellow trainee's shoulder to propel himself into the air, flipping and landing on the ceiling with his bare feet. He then ran upside down towards Chen Chuan, as if running on flat ground.
Chen Chuan recognized this as the Wall-Walking Technique, a skill that, once mastered, allows the feet and other body parts to develop altered tissue for adhesion to walls.
Chen Chuan began to back away, creating distance while positioning himself to face one direction, avoiding simultaneous attacks from multiple sides.
He noticed a figure darting through the crowd, moving with light, quick steps, occasionally dropping to the ground and using both hands to aid in movement. The technique, resembling a cat's escape, was silent and graceful.
Suddenly, Chen Chuan sensed something amiss beside him. He had intended to engage the trainee on his side, but this trainee had already reached his back, delivering a vertical palm strike towards his side.
Chen Chuan's reflexes were extraordinary. Before the trainee's palm could land, he punched out, striking the trainee's chin. The trainee's head jerked, and he fell backward.
As Chen Chuan turned to face the other two trainees, there was movement above. He dodged, and a shadow brushed past his shoulder. The trainee on the ceiling had kicked and then quickly retracted his leg, hanging upside down and watching Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan's thoughts shifted, and he quickly retreated towards the wall. The trainees around him closed in, including the one on the ceiling, who followed closely. They formed a loose encirclement.
Everyone assumed Chen Chuan was using the wall to protect his back while focusing on the front. Although this strategy would limit his mobility, it was better than being surrounded on all sides.
Chen Chuan retreated a few steps, then suddenly stamped his foot and lunged forward. The trainees were caught off guard, hastily stepping back and turning. Chen Chuan, moving swiftly, reached a trainee and punched.
Chen Chuan slightly turned his head, avoiding the punch while countering with a strike to the trainee's ribs. The trainee arched his body and then curled up on the ground. Chen Chuan continued his advance, his quick movements catching the next trainee off guard. As Chen Chuan approached, the trainee hastily struck out, but Chen Chuan blocked with a covering hand and simultaneously struck the trainee's face, sending him flying backward.
A trainee in front moved, but Chen Chuan ducked, avoiding the punch. Using his momentum, he closed in and shoulder-charged the trainee, sending him flying!
After knocking down several trainees, Chen Chuan should have broken through the encirclement. But a trainee on his side, using the Cat's Escape, suddenly appeared and blocked him with both hands on his arm, and then his feet joined in, resembling a cat with all four limbs.
Chen Chuan felt a surge of power, though he wasn't injured. But his foot sank, causing a brief pause. Just then, a kick from above swept towards him, and he dodged again.
A tall trainee nearby saw his chance and charged. Before reaching Chen Chuan, he felt a blow to his chest and abdomen, and a force pushed him back. The tall trainee, with strong and resilient moves, managed to stay upright, his eyes wide and feet firmly planted. He slid over a meter before collapsing to the ground with a thud, struggling to get up.
Although Chen Chuan consecutively knocked down opponents, the brief pause slowed his forward charge. More trainees surrounded him, limiting his space to maneuver.
Initially, the trainees had respected their senior status, but now, witnessing Chen Chuan's formidable skills and tenacity, they became serious.
As they nearly encircled Chen Chuan, one trainee saw his chance and rushed forward. Chen Chuan swept out a kick, disrupting the trainee's balance. The trainee was sent flying, his body falling forward.
As Chen Chuan moved to strike, more people surged forward. He pivoted, deflecting an incoming punch, but a silent palm strike swiftly swept towards his neck. Reacting swiftly, Chen Chuan lifted his arm, batting it upwards, and sidestepped to evade a kick aimed at his side. Without turning back, he reached out and pressed down, knocking down the attacker who had just lifted his head.
A towering figure charged towards him, palm strike poised like an axe, chopping straight down at Chen Chuan's face. As the strike descended, it emitted a piercing sound, the signature of the Free Fighting Department's Mountain-Cleaving Palm!
Chen Chuan neither dodged nor blocked, instead, he raised his hand to meet the attack. His Divine Fist erupted with full force, clashing head-on with the opponent. The man trembled, and the counterforce caused Chen Chuan to feel momentarily weightless and powerless.
At such close range, Chen Chuan's gaze locked onto the calm eyes of Chen Chuan, unwavering and without a hint of disturbance. The next moment, he felt his collar tighten, and his vision blurred. In an instant, Chen Chuan had swept the man aside, taking down several others in the process.
From behind, Bi Yang of the Wrestling Department rushed forward, attempting to wrap his arms around Chen Chuan's waist. Chen Chuan spun, delivering a swift kick that, despite the opponent's already energized body, still caused his head to swim with dizziness. Nonetheless, Bi Yang stubbornly grasped Chen Chuan's leg.
Seizing the opportunity, another person charged in, colliding with Chen Chuan's shoulder. Off-balance, Chen Chuan stumbled backward, and the attacker tried to grab his hands. But as soon as he grasped them, he felt a force pulling him forward, and he was dragged along, only to be headbutted in the forehead. Stunned, he released his grip and knelt on the ground.
Someone from behind Chen Chuan darted forward, grabbing his clothes and pulling him backward. Chen Chuan half-fell, and a fist aimed for his face. Simultaneously, another person kicked at Chen Chuan's leg, which was being held by the first attacker.
Chen Chuan sensed something above and looked up. The expert in Cat's Escape reappeared, leaping over him from behind. Chen Chuan swiftly crouched, spun in place, and took a step forward. With a swift motion, he grabbed the man's neck.
The man struggled in shock but weakly. Chen Chuan lifted him and delivered a light punch to his temple, causing him to go limp.
At that moment, Chen Chuan sensed something and turned to see a figure swiftly approaching through the crowd. Despite many people lying on the ground, this person moved as if unhindered, and with a final burst, punched towards Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan recognized Lu Fang but didn't dodge or block. Instead, he punched back. Lu Fang felt a premonition and twisted his waist, spinning to avoid the blow, but Chen Chuan stepped forward, taking the impact on his shoulder. Ignoring the force, Chen Chuan shouted, unleashing his entire power with a Grinding Palm. The floor cracked and sank as Lu Fang was sent flying into the crowd, knocking over several people before rolling on the ground.
Lu Fang, having dissipated the force, stood up with a hand on the ground, amazed at Chen Chuan's resilience. Chen Chuan stood firm, alone against them all.
As someone else moved to attack, Chen Chuan glanced and raised his hand to stop them. "Stop fighting."
Following his gaze, the crowd saw Assistant Qiu standing nearby, her eyes warning them off. "You've all been knocked down or taken down by him. He's passed the monthly exam. Any further attacks will be considered violations."
She addressed Chen Chuan, "Chen Chuan, you've passed. You can leave now." She stared at him, impressed that in such a short time, he'd taken down so many senior students, especially since he'd only enrolled a month ago. She now understood the Zealous Heart Society's obsession.
Chen Chuan thanked her and walked to retrieve his clothes, calmly buttoning them up. Many in the crowd were severely injured and could barely stand without support, their eyes complex as they watched him.
Chen Chuan had defeated so many, proving their initial thoughts correct, yet they were powerless to act on them.
After buttoning his last button, Chen Chuan nodded to the crowd and left.
"Chen Chuan!" Lu Fang called out. He stepped forward, "You must understand, even though you beat us, you've lost yourself!"
Chen Chuan, already at the door, paused. "No, it's you who've lost." He turned slightly, "You said no one would be the exception..." He walked on, "If no one is that exception, then let me be that exception."
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(Chapter End)
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