CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: BREAKING THROUGH FOR PRIDE, A WARRIOR’S WILL

Shaurya sat upon his grand throne, radiating authority. One closed fist rested beneath his chin, his eyes fixed upon the man standing before him. Jian Fan stood there awkwardly, his bandits lined up behind him.

Shaurya spoke in a deep, commanding voice.

"I’m glad you accepted my offer."

Jian Fan closed his eyes briefly, his fists clenching.

"It’s best for me and my team," he replied. "Also... I lost the bet. I am a man of my word, so I have no other choice."

Shaurya’s lips curled into a confident smile.

"Oh, come now. I promise you, you’ll never regret this decision."

Jian Fan hesitated but finally bowed his head. His men followed suit, lowering themselves respectfully before Shaurya.

Shaurya rose from his throne.

"Very well. I appoint you and your team as the new in-charge of the Disciplinary Hall."

Jian Fan’s eyes widened in shock. Shaurya’s tone remained calm yet firm.

"I expect you to do well."

The bandit leader quickly composed himself, bowing once more.

"Thank you, Sect Leader."

"Go now," Shaurya ordered. "Train, and fulfill your duties."

The group left the main hall. Shaurya returned to his throne, but this time sprawled across it like a child at rest—legs over the right armrest, back leaning against the left.

"Systu," he called lazily, "I’ve completed the mission. Now give me my gold."

The system’s voice rang the golden window appeared infront him.

Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission: Defeat the Iron Mountain Bandits. Reward: Ten Million Gold Taels.

Shaurya’s eyes lit up. A space ring appeared before him, brimming with gold. He laughed with pure joy, his voice echoing through the grand hall.

---

Training Ground

Jian Fan and his bandits stood on the edge of the training field, watching the sect’s disciples practice. Jian Fan’s expression stiffened—these disciples were totally different.

Their aura... it’s on another level. This sect could easily overthrow the royal family.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

It seems I truly made the right choice.

He stepped forward toward the stadium, catching the attention of Elder Wu. The two men locked eyes. The surrounding disciples paused their training, curiosity piqued.

Jian Fan came to a halt before Elder Wu and bowed slightly.

"Elder, I believe you’re the strongest here after the Sect Leader. I wish to duel with you."

Powerful aura erupted from him. Elder Wu returned his smile, releasing his own aura in kind.

"Of course."

The collision of their energy sent shockwaves rippling through the grounds. Elder Liya stepped forward.

"All disciples, clear the stadium. Give them space."

The disciples obeyed immediately, retreating to the sidelines. Elder Wu and Jian Fan walked toward the center, never breaking eye contact.

Jian Fan took his stance—right fist forward, left fist near his heart, right leg ahead, left leg back—his aura flaring. Elder Wu, hands clasped behind his back, radiated the calm presence of a true master.

---

Main Hall Rooftop

On the rooftop, Shaurya reclined casually on his side, propped up on one elbow, sipping a chocolate milkshake with pure leisure.

---

The Duel Begins

Jian Fan charged forward, fist aimed at Elder Wu’s face. The elder evaded with effortless grace. Jian Fan struck again, and again Elder Wu dodged with ease.

Frustrated, Jian Fan unleashed a relentless barrage—fists, kicks, and strikes—but Elder Wu, eyes closed and hands still behind his back, avoided every blow with fluid movements.

The disciples watched in awe.

Jian Fan leapt back, putting distance between them. Elder Wu’s voice was calm.

"Is that all you’ve got?"

With a shout, Jian Fan activated his technique.

"Tiger Fist!"

His right hand blazed with a green tiger-shaped aura. He lunged forward, but Elder Wu merely raised his left index finger, meeting the blow. The clash of energy burst outward, yet Elder Wu stood unmoved.

Jian Fan’s jaw fell open.

"It’s over," Elder Wu said with a faint smile.

Before Jian Fan could react, Elder Wu struck with lightning speed, his fist slamming into Jian Fan’s chest and sending him crashing into a wall. Dust and debris filled the air.

From the rooftop, Shaurya sighed.

"Now I’ll have to repair that wall..."

Elder Wu turned away, but a voice emerged from the settling dust.

"It’s not over yet."

Jian Fan staggered forward, coughing blood, yet still standing. Both Elder Wu and Shaurya were taken aback.

Impressive... Shaurya thought. He actually survived that.

Elder Wu’s gaze sharpened.

"You should yield. If you continue, you’ll only injure yourself further."

"Accept defeat?" Jian Fan growled, releasing a new surge of energy. "Never. Before I was a bandit, I was a warrior. I will not lose!"

A powerful grey aura erupted around him. Gasps echoed through the field—Jian Fan had broken through to Golden Vein Stage Level 2 in the middle of battle.

Even Shaurya couldn’t hide his surprise.

"This guy... broke through just to avoid losing? Incredible."

Jian Fan launched himself at Elder Wu with renewed ferocity. But despite his breakthrough, Elder Wu continued to dodge with little effort.

With a sigh, Elder Wu finally struck, his punch landing hard against Jian Fan’s stomach. Blood spurted from Jian Fan’s mouth, but instead of falling, he seized Elder Wu’s arm.

"Gotcha," Jian Fan snarled, swinging a punch toward Elder Wu’s face.

Elder Wu blocked it, but Jian Fan quickly followed with a side kick to his leg, then ducked low to avoid a counterattack, slamming his fist into Elder Wu’s foot. The ground cracked under the force.

Elder Wu retaliated with a kick, but Jian Fan struck his leg again, followed by an uppercut that sent Elder Wu airborne.

With a roar, Jian Fan prepared another Tiger Fist strike, leaping up after him. Elder Wu spun in midair, avoiding the blow, and countered with a tornado kick that smashed into Jian Fan’s face, sending him crashing into the ground.

---

Elder Wu landed lightly, rotating his leg before rubbing his chin.

"I admit, I underestimated you."

Jian Fan grinned through the blood on his lips.

"I’m glad you at least see me as a worthy opponent now."

They clashed again—Tiger Fist versus Elder Wu’s Mountain Breaking Fist. The aura from Elder Wu’s attack was so oppressive that Jian Fan knew it could kill him outright. Yet he refused to stop.

Everyone—disciples, elders, even the bandits—watched in stunned silence.

Just as their attacks were about to collide, Shaurya appeared between them, halting both blows effortlessly. A powerful shockwave burst outward.

"That’s enough," Shaurya said in a commanding tone.

The two men backed away immediately.

"Are you alright, Sect Leader?" Elder Wu asked.

Shaurya chuckled.

"Your attacks are strong... but still nothing for me."

Relief swept over everyone. Disciples, elders and Bandits step forward. Bandits concerning jian fan. Wang Tian stepped forward, his aura flaring menacingly.

"Elder Wu..." he said with a warning edge.

Elder Wu felt a chill run down his spine.

Wang Tian’s lips curled into a dangerous smile.

"It’s fortunate Master wasn’t harmed. Otherwise..."

Shaurya tapped Wang Tian’s back with a friendly pat.

"Come on, show some respect. He’s your elder, even if you’re a emperor in past."

"Fine. I’ll try," Wang Tian muttered, walking away.

Shaurya exhaled, then turned to Elder Wan.

"Please give Jian Fan an Origin Pill."

Elder Wan nodded.

Elder Wu comes towards Jian Fan and said. "It was a nice battle. I really enjoyed it. But I just want to clear that I am not the strongest after sect master. There are many that are stronger than me.

Jian Fan surprised to hear this. Then Elder Wu walked from their.

With the crowd dispersing, Shaurya stretched.

"Well, now it’s my turn to train," he murmured, heading toward the gravitational training chamber.

To be continued...