Zhou Xiao looked at Wang Hu with a face full of shock, absolutely unable to believe that someone so young could possess such strength.

When Zhou Xiao occasionally glanced towards Ding Fan, he felt another wave of surprise on his face, because Ding Fan's face remained calm and indifferent, almost too composed—could it be that Wang Hu's victory didn't shock him at all?

At this moment, almost all the cultivators present at the external disciples' grand tournament looked at the scene of Wang Hu defeating Ye Qingfeng on stage, and almost none did not feel astonished. And yet, the person whom Wang Hu seemed to respect the most, Ding Fan, was so calm—this was truly unbelievable!

Clearly, Zhou Xiao also held no contempt for Ding Fan, after all, his previous interactions with Ding Fan and Wang Hu showed they were both decent people, and Ding Fan's strength was also formidable.

It's just that seeing Ding Fan so composed left her a bit perplexed...

In the elders' area...

Almost all the elders' attention was drawn to Wang Hu's previous match, and seeing Wang Hu defeated Ye Qingfeng with just a single hard-hitting blow left many elders surprised!

Bear in mind that Ye Qingfeng had long had the opportunity to enter the inner sect for study, and yet he lost to a new external disciple—this was certainly unexpected.

Many elders were shocked by the Martial Arts Fist Technique Wang Hu exhibited, yet none of the elders felt any covetousness. After all, a disciple from their own sect possessing such special, powerful martial arts was naturally a good thing. Every cultivator has their secrets, let alone a disciple from their own sect—this is undoubtedly a great thing for the sect's future.

The elders were shocked not only by the strength of Wang Hu's Martial Arts Fist Technique, as each elder is strong and knows the difficulty of mastering powerful martial arts. The elders could discern that Wang Hu's fist technique is certainly top-tier, and it was unexpected that Wang Hu could cultivate it to such a level! Clearly, in the eyes of these elders, Wang Hu is seen as mastering this Martial Arts Fist Technique greatly.

Bear in mind that attaining mastery in any martial art is extraordinarily difficult, and being able to cultivate to such a degree already proves the cultivator's good comprehension. Naturally, the higher the martial art's grade level, the more difficult the cultivation becomes; achieving mastery is even harder. But at this point, many elders have ascertained Wang Hu is likely mastering the fist technique to a high level, although there are some elders with differing opinions.

Indeed, reaching mastery is already extremely difficult, and the power of the martial art is fully displayed, but many elders believe Wang Hu's fist technique is cultivated to an advanced realm, beyond ordinary existence—only a world-class talent would reach such a realm, where mere hard work is insufficient, and comprehension is crucial.

"I believe this disciple Wang Hu's cultivation is at a very high-level realm! Otherwise, how could he have such strong results? This goes beyond just demonstrating the powerful effect of the fist technique! Remember, he already defeated Ye Qingfeng's 'Great Ancestor Sword.'"

"You're senile—do you think merely cultivating martial arts to a high level can be done by an external disciple? Clearly, his fist technique is simply exceptional," "high-level realm? You've practiced the 'Solitary Nine Sword' for over three years and still haven't reached such a height—do you dare speak? Do you think everyone has your kind of talent? Humph!"

"You... That's utter nonsense! The 'Solitary Nine Sword' is Heavenly Level martial arts; it can't be mastered in just a day or two!"

"I also think this disciple Wang Hu hasn't merely reached a high-level realm; it's just that the fist technique martial arts are truly mighty. Achieving such mastery already is impressive! Even us old folks can't cultivate every martial art to such a high-level realm, whereas, for him, an external disciple, it is apparently unlikely!"

"Hmm, makes sense..."

"..."

For a time, many elders held two differing views on Wang Hu's martial arts, and inevitably, some elders engaged in verbal attacks over this.

If Ding Fan knew what these elders were discussing, he'd surely find it interesting. After all, Ding Fan knows how Wang Hu is cultivating the fist technique—the punching technique has just begun for Wang Hu. The reason Wang Hu could defeat the 'Great Ancestor Sword' is understood by Ding Fan; it's purely due to the technique's intrinsic power. Ding Fan fails to see what grade level this fist technique is but can assure at least it's above Heavenly Level martial arts. Dong Fan isn't clear what rank it involves, yet Ding Fan knows that whenever a martial artist confronts the fist technique in the stele there's a dread for the superior rank—the rival retreats scared before the confrontation.

That's the impressiveness of the fist technique!

Ding Fan himself has yet to cultivate this fist technique beyond an ordinary level—he simply can't imagine how formidable it'll be if cultivated to a high-level realm!

At this moment, Ding Fan dares not envision it, knowing the unlearnable mystery within the stele's fist technique requires lengthy time to reach his desired realm.

Meanwhile, several external sect masters in the elders' area, watching the Martial Arts Platform scene, were also shocked, not anticipating that the early Nascent Soul stage cultivator disciple defeated a late Nascent Soul stage cultivator—this was too incredible!

This external disciple is truly outstanding!

At this moment, many external sect masters looked at Wang Hu with fiery eyes, realizing that such an exceptional disciple entering their sect would be a tremendous boon!

At this time, He Zenfen watched Wang Hu above the Martial Arts Platform, noticing the envious expressions of those sect masters, his heart momentarily filled with pride and slight disdain for them.

They still want me to join their alliance—how laughable! The Dayang Sect can't compare with some small sects; even the Wild Wolf Gang has more disciples than my sect and is stronger, but my sect's century-old foundation can't be rivaled!

Joining some alliance to serve the Wild Wolf Gang—what a joke!

...

```

At this moment, although Ding Fan was cultivating, a faint smile appeared in his heart. After all, his brother Wang Hu had finally overcome the opponent, which was the greatest achievement for him. He had challenged himself and boosted his confidence. This would surely benefit his future cultivation greatly.

...

On the Martial Arts Platform, Wang Hu listened to the booming cheers and shouts around him. He felt somewhat happy and excited, without paying any attention to Ye Qingfeng beside him.

Taking advantage of no one's notice, Ye Qingfeng quickly swallowed a Medicine Pill. In just a few moments, his True Qi soared to a peak level, temporarily sealing off his injuries. Although this approach was detrimental to his injuries and would worsen them in the future, Ye Qingfeng was already extremely furious; his opponent was someone he must kill!

Then, when Wang Hu wasn't paying attention, suddenly!

Ye Qingfeng grasped the Longsword in his hand and poured all his True Qi into it, pushing the Treasured Sword toward Wang Hu with all his might. In an instant, the sword charged towards Wang Hu's heart with a momentum that seemed unstoppable.

Clearly intending to kill with one strike!

Ding Fan immediately sensed Wang Hu's danger and rushed to the Martial Arts Platform at once.

Boom!

Roar...

A dragon-like sound unexpectedly erupted, and a massive wave of energy rushed towards Ye Qingfeng. The wave's power was so formidable, it was like a hurricane, shocking everyone present!

The one who intervened was Ding Fan!

Upon seeing this, Ye Qingfeng quickly gathered his True Qi to defend himself.

"Stop!"

Right at this critical moment, an elder charged onto the Martial Arts Platform. He had clearly seen that Ye Qingfeng couldn't withstand Ding Fan's attack!

Unfortunately, it was too late. With a thunderous boom.

Ye Qingfeng was already sent flying by Ding Fan's punch, which was executed using the "Golden Dragon Emergence." Although Ding Fan employed it on the spur of the moment, the power was not to be underestimated.

It's worth noting that Ding Fan's mastery of the Fist Technique far surpassed Wang Hu's. The power was a level above Wang Hu's previous punch!

In an instant, Ye Qingfeng was completely knocked away, horror painted on his face. He never imagined his opponent's fists could be so formidable! Despite having consumed a Medicine Pill that elevated his abilities to a newfound height, he was still sent flying. Blood spewed from his mouth mid-air, and he crashed heavily onto the ground, unconscious, life or death uncertain.

Witnessing this, the crowd was utterly shocked, hardly believing that Ding Fan had seriously injured Ye Qingfeng despite the elder's intervention. It was astounding!

Meanwhile, Wang Hu's body suddenly softened, and he collapsed, a half-broken Treasured Sword stuck in his chest. Without Ding Fan's wave of energy, Wang Hu would surely not have survived. Clearly, Wang Hu was completely oblivious to the sneak attack. By the time he noticed the sword, Ding Fan had already engaged with the attacker, and the sword had been deflected by Ding Fan's energy wave. Though wounded now, it wasn't fatal.

Ding Fan saw the state Wang Hu was in and immediately stepped forward to support him. He used Divine Sense to examine Wang Hu, feeling slightly relieved thereafter.

Then, Ding Fan took out a Medicine Pill and handed it to Wang Hu. The pill was for healing, and consuming it improved Wang Hu's condition somewhat, reducing the pain on his face, as he slowly opened his eyes and grinned at Ding Fan:

"Big brother... thank you..."

Ding Fan's expression turned solemn as he said to Wang Hu:

"Don't say too much, just rest for a while."

Then Ding Fan turned to face the elder, who was also glaring at Ding Fan with indignation. He couldn't believe Ding Fan continued to attack Ye Qingfeng after he had intervened, completely disregarding his elder authority.

The elder's gaze shifted towards Ye Qingfeng, who was now unconscious. Ye Qingfeng had clearly suffered significant injuries and had taken a Medicine Pill, which carried serious side effects. It's apparent that Ye Qingfeng was critically injured this time!