Holy Fist
Chapter 394 - 199 First Battle, Testing

Chapter 394: 199 First Battle, Testing

"Number Three..."

Bai Xiao furrowed his brows.

"Yes, I am Number Three of the Ghost Face Organization."

The man in black took slow steps forward, gradually approaching Bai Xiao. This was not a friendly gesture; for a Secret Martial Cultivator, having a stranger enter your striking range could be seen as a provocation, it was definitely not out of goodwill.

"Tap."

The black boots stepped into the sunlight, showing off their sturdy, smooth leather contours, with a rectangle of white metal on the tip reflecting the light.

Number Three stepped out of the shadows, dressed in overly thick garments consisting of loose, wrinkled long robes and pants, commonly worn black hunting boots, a grey scarf, and leather gloves. A raised high collar concealed the bottom half of his face, and a hat similar to a military cap covered the upper half of his eyes, leaving only the bridge of his nose visible.

"The Ghost Face Organization, officially known as the Crimson Ghost Face, was founded by Lord Ghost Face five years ago as a collective of numerous talented individuals! Perhaps, by today’s terms, it could also be called a club for geniuses! We only recruit true Secret Martial geniuses, and of course, it’s even better if they are cultivators of the Fear Secret Technique. Over five years, we have grown and made a huge name for ourselves in the Eastern Secret Martial World. Our members constantly stand out at various conferences, defeating so-called geniuses..." Number Three sneered coldly.

"Those geniuses promoted by major sects are just well-known but ineffectual! Despite having so many resources from childhood and a wide selection of Secret Martial techniques to choose from, they were still defeated by us! Their will, their enlightenment, the blood and tears they have tasted, can any of it compare to ours?" He seemed to be talking to himself, yet also seemed to be explaining the purpose and principles behind the establishment of the Ghost Face Organization. His words carried an emotionally provocative undertone.

"I think, they don’t deserve any of this!"

"Us, the true geniuses from smaller sects and the inheritors of passed down teachings, should band together. Concentrating our strength in one place, taking back what belongs to us, our rights, and status! This is the original intention of Lord Ghost Face for founding the Crimson Ghost Face Organization. And this time, at the Dark World Fighting Championship, which is the most grand stage under the spotlight! Lord Ghost Face intends to defeat everyone there and claim the championship, then establish his own sect!"

"Be it a sect or a Martial Arts Hall; it can encompass all small sects and disciple-to-master inheritances of Secret Martial Cultivators, becoming one powerful force!"

His voice carried an elegant tone, quite persuasive. His deep blue eyes under the black hat brim stared unwaveringly at Bai Xiao.

"So, join us, Bai Xiao!"

"I officially invite you to join the Crimson Ghost Face Organization!"

"And once you join, you can directly enter the top ten positions!"

By the pond, the two stood five meters apart.

Bai Xiao remained cold and silent, seemingly completely unmoved by Number Three’s words. His lengthy speech essentially boiled down to one point: the Ghost Face Organization was formed to gather up smaller sect disciples and scattered heritage cultivators to fight for their interests. It also clearly identified a class of enemies - those geniuses nurtured since childhood by major sects with abundant resources.

The combination might indeed attract many to join the Ghost Face Organization. However, Bai Xiao felt no empathy at all. The Fierce Bird Sect might be strong in Huaisui City, but within the broader Eastern region, it was indeed considered a mid-to-small sect, nowhere near those truly large sects and Martial Arts Halls.

However, he was different from the usual genius from a small sect.

Bai Xiao relied on himself, on his own unique skills!

The help provided by the Fierce Bird Sect mainly served to guide him. The actual resources and assistance it provided were only a small portion relative to Bai Xiao’s rapidly advancing strength. Thus, he felt no significant difference between small and large sects; they were all the same.

Additionally, Bai Xiao hadn’t forgotten about his inactive Martial Arts Hall Master job, so how could he possibly join the Ghost Face Organization? If you asked Bai Xiao, it would be better to have the Ghost Face Organization join him, under his command. In that way, most of the requirements for the Martial Arts Hall Master job could be met instantly.

In the park, the breeze rippled the calm water, causing it to shimmer.

Beside the weed, after a brief silence.

Bai Xiao looked at Number Three like a rigid statue, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"To have me join the Crimson Ghost Face Organization, it’s possible."

"But I don’t want just top ten, I want the first place! Tell Ghost Face to give up the leader’s position, have him hand it to me, then I’ll join."

"Hehehe..."

In a blink, the expression of Number Three across plummeted, and his aura increasingly turned dangerous. He stared straight at Bai Xiao.

"Do you know what you’re talking about?"

"My friend, you are too arrogant."

"Lord Ghost Face is one of the strongest among the younger generation in the Eastern Secret Martial World. His realm has already reached the third stage of Martial Artist, achieving the perfect state where essence, qi, and spirit are completely replenished, not far from being a sect leader! You, trying to replace Lord Ghost Face? Are you dreaming? Excuse my frankness, you don’t even qualify to challenge him! Allow me to teach you a lesson, some arrogant youths will never see reality until they suffer..."

A chilling and terrifying aura emerged from Number Three, slowly climbing and coiling around like a krait snake. The scales rubbing against the air produced a faint sound.

"Ssssss..."

"Bam!"

Almost instantly, Number Three transformed into a black afterimage, suddenly lunging forward like a murderous snake coiled in dark underbrush, its head reared high, lunging at its prey!

"Whoosh!"

Two entwined powerful arms, striking with ferocity.

"Clang!!!"

An arm, seemingly carved and inlaid with marble, suddenly blocked the way, colliding with a bell-like echoing sound.

"Hmm?!"

Number Three’s gaze sharpened as he looked to the front.

The arm Bai Xiao put forth was now entangled and constricted by his two arms, similar to two black pythons wrapped around a tree trunk, suddenly exerting force which should have crushed and broken it inch by inch, yet the other remained unscathed.

It was as if the tremendous force poured into an abyss.

"Interesting!"

His eyes blazed with fierce blue light, as if flames were spewing forth.

The next second, a robust surge of energy burst continuously from his body, causing the muscles all over his body to suddenly cast a hint of rigid black. The replenished "essence" and "qi," both in quality and quantity, reached an impressive level, able to easily unleash immense power.

"Snake Saber!"

Number Three took a step, the ground trembled explosively, his entire right arm blurring at high speed, a white gleam that tore through the air charged directly at Bai Xiao!

"Snap!"

A raging wind howled past, dispersing the air.

Number Three’s attack was thwarted yet again!

Before him, Bai Xiao clasped his hands together in front of his body. The black palms, veins popping, firmly clamped down on the sharp hand saber enveloped in white serpent-like smoke, fiercely wrestling. The forces of both sides wildly churned and clashed in his palms.

Clang, clang, clang—the noise was as if someone was forging iron.

"You!"

Finally, fury appeared between the brows of Number Three, a violent aura surging in his chest. It wasn’t because his two attacks were fruitless, but rather because Bai Xiao, in receiving that hand chop, actually had his eyes closed!

This was an unsaid insult.

"I originally just wanted to teach you a lesson and only used thirty percent of my strength..."

"Now, it seems like I need to teach you a memorable lesson!"

As soon as the words fell, Number Three violently erupted, closing in rapidly, his elbow fiercely aiming for Bai Xiao’s chest. The muscles under his clothes moved like little mice.

"Snap!"

A palm as large as a sandbag instantly pressed on Number Three’s elbow.

The force ejected, directly sending it back.

But, in the next second, a Splitting Punch from left to right came again, its ferocious swinging motion tearing through the air with a sharp whistle. Boom!

It was sent back again!

"Snap snap snap snap snap!"

Number Three sharply executed attacks from various angles, his fists swinging creating afterimages.

But Bai Xiao, with his eyes tightly closed, stood still like a silent, steady iron tower. His strong hands reached out, blocking all surrounding fist shadows. Rings of white vapor spread out, and occasionally even golden sparks burst.

Heart-eye enhancement, truly an amazing benefit!

At this moment, the air around him seemed to have grown eyes, able to capture and judge the general attack trajectory even in blind spots.

"Boom!"

Bai Xiao suddenly pressed forward, one punch!

Number Three’s feet dragged on the ground, leaving behind two long, thin marks.

"Is it some kind of secret technique with special abilities?"

Number Three also realized, narrowing his eyes, focusing on Bai Xiao.

In his sight, the silent iron tower seemed to be stretching its muscles and bones at this moment, a huge shadow full of vitality slowly spreading.

Bai Xiao raised his arms in a chest-expanding motion. Under the black clothes, his strong back muscles rose and twisted with the movement, showing a densely packed condition like steel cables being stretched. His hands rubbed together like two rough steel plates, making a rustling sound.

"I can feel that you are not using your full strength."

"Why hold back? Let it all out."

"Let me see the true worth of the Ghost Face Organization’s Number Three!"

Bai Xiao silently watched Number Three, wrapped in thick clothes.

He could feel that within the opponent’s body, there seemed to be a massive, seething, and compressed hot energy, like a volcano’s surging magma. Yet, Number Three wasn’t unleashing it, instead keeping it suppressed.

Across from him, Number Three was somewhat silent, having already discovered through simple tests Bai Xiao’s potency. Because Bai Xiao had also discovered his potency.

"You’re not attacking?"

"Then I will."

Bai Xiao’s strong body suddenly swelled, his dark blue blood vessels and meridians twisting like steel wires, mighty and forceful. The intense heat from his vast body temperature slowly spread, creating a slightly distorted, unusual magnetic field around him.

"Swoosh!"

A tremendous force erupted from his feet, silently cracking the ground, resembling tortoise patterns.

The Cannonball Step reappeared; Bai Xiao’s speed surged, and with a forward step, it caused a loud sonic boom in the air.

"Boom!!!"

His formidable body was like a charging colossal tank, giving Number Three no chance to react, brutally slamming into him. The two figures, like shooting stars chasing the moon, with Bai Xiao pressing down on Number Three, pushed forward at a terrifying speed.

"Boom boom boom boom boom..."

The massive black shadow directly plunged into the forest like a meteor.

Trees as thick as half a person’s embrace were broken, crashing down, yellow wood chips flying around like water, green leaves pouring down like rain.

Number Three blocked in front with both arms, fiercely resisting Bai Xiao, his back making thudding sounds, a burning pain spreading. His eyes shone more fiercely, almost ready to unravel that secret technique at this instant!

"You’re courting death!"

However, the next second, both suddenly separated, turning their heads at the same moment.

Bai Xiao’s gaze remotely looked toward one side of the forest, through the dense branches and leaves, to a young figure standing on a sunlit clearing.

He wore a simple white training suit, with a red tie bound around his forehead.

His fists slightly hung down, the surrounding air unnaturally twisting and gathering.

"Star Water Sect, Fang Chao!"

"Why is he here?"

Number Three’s gaze turned sharp, a hint of apprehension arising in his heart. His sight passed beyond Fang Chao, where there seemed to be some figures from the Star Water Sect.

"Hmph!"

He snorted coldly, it seems he could only teach Bai Xiao a lesson next time.

Number Three turned back, just about to speak.

Unexpectedly, Bai Xiao slowly turned sideways, revealing a deep and rugged half-face, his voice coldly saying: "It seems, this is where it ends."

"Hope the next time we meet, you won’t disappoint me."