143: Change is a good thing

Above the Imperial Capital, the afternoon sun was warm and comforting.

The highly anticipated battle between Kong Fangxiang and Xiao Fan was scheduled right after lunch.

People, full and satisfied, streamed into the venue or tuned in on their televisions, eagerly anticipating Xiao Fan's fight and wondering what Kong Fangxiang's Myth-Grade ability would be.

Could Xiao Fan force Kong Fangxiang to reveal his Myth-Grade power?

Before the match, excited commentators had already concluded that the outcome of this battle hinged entirely on how strong Kong Fangxiang's Myth-Grade power was!

Because everyone had noticed that in the final moments of Xiao Fan's battle with Zhuge Tianming, Xiao Fan had activated a stronger state, but before he could fully unleash his power, Zhuge Tianming had already fallen.

And in that state, Xiao Fan's combat power was definitely stronger than Kong Fangxiang's when he only used Devil Muscular Man!

To defeat Xiao Fan, he had to reveal his trump card!

In this battle, the fan bases of both sides were about equal, each occupying half of the seats.

The two families had no animosity, so there was no verbal abuse; people were simply cheering for their own idols.

However, the Lion Roar family's absolute dominance suppressed all of Kong Fangxiang's fans.

Everyone could only comfort themselves, saying, "We are scholars; we don't engage in loud arguments."

Nearby, Lin Lianshen, Ling Tianlei, Zhuge Tianming, and several other Myth-Grade experts who were not participating in the battle enthusiastically took their seats.

At this moment, there was no longer any gloom in Zhuge Tianming's eyes; his smile was pure, making him appear even three points more handsome.

Later, he and Ling Tianlei became very good friends because Ling Tianlei was also a shameless fellow who wasn't afraid of his subconscious prying, and moreover, both had similar experiences; Ling Tianlei was also troubled by his family, that mother truly... Zhuge Tianming was speechless just looking at it. To ask a World-Destroying Divine Lightning to be a good boy, such a thing was even crazier than a good boy saying he had World-Destroying Divine Lightning.

In the sky, the commentator excitedly announced, "Please welcome the contestants!"

Just a few seconds after his voice fell, Kong Fangxiang emerged, decisive and straightforward, dressed in a white robe, his body tall and straight. He wasn't particularly handsome, but his Aura was excellent.

He stood with his hands behind his back in the arena, his expression calm.

People were somewhat shocked by how quickly and casually he appeared.

But his mind was troubled by other matters, his brows tightly furrowed.

He hadn't rested well last night.

His parents' agreement with Xiao Fan truly made him uncomfortable; although there was no intention for him to go easy, their attitude seemed to imply that he couldn't possibly defeat Xiao Fan.

Follow Xiao Fan, become his teammate, and then be able to hear the cards? Awaken?

And we have to pay the price of letting Song Guangming learn the Nine-Pulse Breathing Technique?

The more Kong Fangxiang thought about this transaction, the angrier he became!

Because no one respected his thoughts! No one asked him if he was willing!

When did the matter of Awakening become something that could be entrusted to others?

From childhood, the principles in books had always told him not to defy his parents' words.

But he didn't want to lose!

No one in the entire world knew his true combat power!

Why should he abandon his dignity for a vague, ethereal opportunity?

After a night of contemplation, he made his decision.

My path, I will walk it myself!

He subtly clenched his fist, looked at the camera that was doing a close-up on him, his eyes resolute.

In the Kong Family home, in front of the television, Kong Qingnian's face was beaming. He knew that his child was looking at him! He was telling him that he wanted to win!

Very good.

Their agreement with Xiao Fan was never a command or a mission; Kong Fangxiang wasn't without choice.

Now he had made his choice.

Did this count as defying his parents' will?

Strictly speaking, no, but for Kong Fangxiang, it should!

This meant that he was starting to break free from the constraints of those original rules.

He didn't know if this was right or wrong.

But as long as there was change, it was a good thing! If it was wrong, he could always correct it later!

At this moment, cheers erupted once again in the arena, deafening, and under everyone's gaze, Xiao Fan's figure stepped from the darkness into the light from the dim entrance tunnel.

The commentator shouted excitedly, building up the atmosphere.

But then, everyone suddenly felt that the atmosphere between the two in the arena was a bit subtle.

Kong Fangxiang and Xiao Fan's eyes met; before they even exchanged blows, an intense Battle Intent had already risen, as if the two had some long-standing grudge.

Xiao Fan chuckled lightly, thinking, "Interesting."

His parents' opinions seemed to differ from his own.

But it didn't matter; it would be fine once they were in agreement!

Finally, after both took a deep breath, the Battle Intent in their eyes instantly condensed to its peak, with only each other remaining in their sight!

No dialogue, no hesitation!

The battle erupted instantly!

"Boom!"

Two resounding thuds.

On the five-thousand-meter diameter arena, two figures charged directly at each other, both with an Aura that suggested they wouldn't stop until the other was completely shattered!

In an instant.

Kong Fangxiang's clothes burst open, his robust, muscular body, so refined it made one's scalp tingle, appeared before everyone's eyes, and his lips slightly parted as a strong airflow rushed into his mouth!

Devil Muscular Man and the Nine-Pulse Breathing Technique activated simultaneously, his Aura surging wildly!

Xiao Fan was equally decisive.

"Element Overlap, First Gear!"

The light of two elements rose, his Aura no weaker than his opponent's!

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Two streaks of light flew close to the ground, and in just a few blinks, they collided!

"Boom!"

With a loud crash, the ground cracked, and a wave of Qi surged, sending both of them flying backward.

The first exchange of blows was evenly matched, but the second round began unexpectedly. Xiao Fan directly used Instant Movement to appear behind Kong Fangxiang and smashed down with a punch!

But Kong Fangxiang actually reacted; without even turning his head, he flipped his thick arm backward, meeting Xiao Fan's fist once again.

Another resounding thud!

Again, it was an even match!

Xiao Fan landed gracefully, looking at his slightly scraped fist, his eyebrows raised slightly in surprise.

Kong Fangxiang's backward punch just now had no leverage point.

It seemed there were other Martial Arts enhancements that could change the fulcrum of his power within his body!

The Nine-Pulse Breathing Technique also lived up to its reputation; its sensory perception of the surroundings was too strong. The moment he landed from Instant Movement, he could immediately detect and counterattack.

Most importantly, he felt it: Kong Fangxiang was holding back a fire, as if only by defeating him could he truly assert himself.

Thinking of this, Xiao Fan's eyes sharpened, fully entering battle mode.

"Second Gear!"

Another two elements surged from within Xiao Fan's body; his surroundings were no longer just a mix of lightning and fire, but two more colors were added, and his Aura elevated!

Since his fight with Xi He, he hadn't gone all out in a long time!

I hope you, descendant of Confucius, are not just all talk and no action!

Black, eerie patterns moved across Xiao Fan's body. At this moment of complete concentration, people noticed that he even possessed a hint of domineering Aura!

The airflow around Kong Fangxiang's mouth, who stood opposite him, became even more turbulent. His eyes darkened, and he muttered to himself, "Third Pulse, open!"

At this moment, his muscles slowly swelled. Even through the screen, people could feel how surging the explosive power within him was, causing a secret shock. It seemed that if this punch landed, it could explode any head.

The two still exchanged no words, their figures erupted, without any flashy moves, charging towards each other!