Chapter 177: Flesh Runes

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/

“Surrender?” Upon hearing this, Chen Fei’s face twisted into a mocking smile full of disdain.

Memories surged in his mind—Qin Shuang’s betrayal that night, his rescue by Li Zhong, his encounter with Su Ran, and their entrance into the secret realm of Yellow Mist City… Every step of the journey had been filled with blood and trials. How could anyone say he was a pampered flower raised in a greenhouse?

“Your words are laughable!” Chen Fei shouted, his voice resounding clearly. “Every senior brother and sister, every junior brother and sister here—who among us didn’t endure countless hardships to walk into the Sacred Land of Tianqing?”

“The purpose of the Tianqing Sacred Land is to cultivate talent, not for us to slaughter each other! It’s not your fault you were raised in the wild, but if you believe everyone else is beneath you just because of that, then that is your fault!”

His words struck home, and the spectators’ favor toward Chen Fei shot up rapidly.

Hu Sha thought himself superior for coming from the wilderness? Ridiculous!

More importantly, the others had been angry, but could only rebuke him verbally—any physical retaliation would be labeled as bullying the weak. Yet Chen Fei’s rebuke hit the nail on the head, expressing exactly what many were feeling!

“I, Zhang Xiang, may be insignificant, but I hail from Huzhou. Even now, my body bears the scars from fighting beasts in the lake! If I hadn’t survived those trials, I wouldn’t be standing here today!”

Even Ma Qi added emotionally, “You say you come from the savage lands. Then how does my Yellow Sand Ridge compare to yours?”

A hint of reminiscence flickered across Ma Qi’s face. “Junior Brother Chen Fei speaks the truth. Anyone who’s reached this place has survived blood and storm. Hu Sha, you may get a pass today for your ignorance because of your background—but someone failed to teach you manners, and I expect an explanation!”

His words pointed directly at Gong Pingshan!

At this moment, Gong Pingshan was nearly bursting with frustration. He knew Hu Sha was arrogant and wild and had some backing, but he hadn’t expected him to offend everyone with just a few sentences—and to drag him into it!

Now, Chen Fei had won the crowd’s favor with just a few words. After today, if anyone wanted to deal with him, they’d have to do it openly and fairly!

Just as Gong Pingshan was struggling to find the right words…

Hu Sha sneered, then licked his lips. His eyes locked coldly onto Chen Fei. “Are you scared?”

“Scared?” Chen Fei chuckled and shook his head. “Though I just joined Tianqing Sacred Land today, I remember a rule: Core disciples have the duty to teach others. Since you come from the savage lands, allow me to properly educate you today!”

“Very well! Let’s see if you have the qualifications!” Hu Sha’s words had barely fallen when the sky suddenly filled with violent winds laced with demonic energy—and his figure vanished from view.

“That… is the power of wind? He’s using runes to draw on elemental forces! He’s just one step away from the Yuan Realm!”

“Such intense killing intent! No wonder he came from the wild!”

The crowd buzzed in awe.

Miao Yue, too, looked toward Chen Fei nervously.

Unlike earlier, Hu Sha was clearly now far more dangerous. Still, with so many watching, no one would allow an actual death. Even Master Mu Yunsu was likely watching from the shadows, so there shouldn’t be any life-threatening danger.

“Son-in-law, you can do it! Since you chose to chase after the young lady, your path will naturally be full of thorns! But you can overcome this!” Miao Yue silently cheered for Chen Fei in her heart.

Unaware that her worried expression was driving Gong Pingshan to the brink of madness.

That look she gave him earlier wasn’t like this!

Damn you, Chen Fei!

Gritting his teeth, Gong Pingshan knew this move was reckless and had offended many, but if it could crush Chen Fei’s confidence, it would be worth it! Once crippled, would he still have a place in the Sacred Land?

Yet, contrary to everyone’s expectations, Chen Fei didn’t brace himself for battle. Instead, he slowly closed his eyes.

Though his eyes had been restored when he broke through, Chen Fei had long grown accustomed to relying solely on spiritual sight. With his rune condensation, his perception had grown immensely. Using his eyes now would only dull his instincts.

“Found you!” A smile tugged at Chen Fei’s lips as he suddenly struck.

With a twist of his wrist, a longsword appeared in his hand.

Its icy blade shimmered with light as it sliced through the air in a graceful arc.

“Hmph!” A snort rang out—Hu Sha’s voice—and a blood-red claw materialized, blocking the sword strike.

“Again!” Chen Fei chuckled. His sword danced lightly, graceful like wind fluttering through leaves.

A faint smirk crept onto Chen Fei’s face.

During this battle with Hu Sha, he noticed the runes within his Void Cauldron had begun to solidify. This meant Hu Sha was indeed a worthy opponent!

“Break!” Hu Sha roared, and a black shadow formed behind him, charging at Chen Fei.

Chen Fei’s blade clashed with the shadow, but it merely rang with a metallic clang—the shadow wasn’t even scratched!

Still, Chen Fei showed no panic. Instead, he activated Thousand Illusion Slash! A tenfold power boost!

Under such a massive increase in strength, the once-impenetrable shadow was cleaved in an instant!

“A tiered martial technique?!”

Those watching recognized the move immediately. Seeing Chen Fei execute it so fluidly, many were surprised.

While Earth-tier martial techniques were nothing special in the Sacred Land, the way Chen Fei wielded it—clearly not something obtained from the public treasure vault—was intriguing.

Hu Sha’s figure appeared for the first time since the battle began.

No longer as arrogant as before, his eyes were bloodshot and feral as he stared down Chen Fei. A sword wound marred his chest and arm!

Rather than intimidating him, the blood seemed to thrill him further.

He raised his hand and licked the blood flowing from his wound, laughing.

“Now this is interesting! The pain… It’s exhilarating! You’ve surprised me—I’ll make sure you die comfortably!”

As his words fell, blood-red runes began glowing all over Hu Sha’s body.

As the runes lit up, the wounds on his body visibly began to heal.

“Flesh runes… This guy—he really is from the wilds!”

“Embedding runes into the body? He’s insane!”

Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd.

Chen Fei, though outwardly calm, grew alert internally. Hu Sha’s aura had changed—it was dangerous. With his peak Ninth Grade Dao Realm strength, Chen Fei was certain Hu Sha’s next strike would possess power close to the Yuan Realm!

But that was perfect.

Chen Fei had been wanting to test the true extent of his current strength!

With a flick of his wrist—

His sword hummed with a sharp, resonating tone!

“What a pity,” Chen Fei sighed and shook his head, then suddenly looked up, locking eyes with Hu Sha.