C90 Showing off Her Skills

The crowd was immediately abuzz with shock. They hadn't anticipated Han Feng proposing such a wager, and most believed he had lost his mind.

Zhou Po's laughter was tinged with fury. "You seem quite confident. Fine, I accept."

Behind him, the Zhou Family Head was on the verge of exploding with rage. "You damn fool! I haven't given my consent. Zhou Po has no authority to accept!"

Initially, the Zhou Family Head had intended to use Zhou Po to curry favor with Lin Qingshan. But Lin Qingshan's icy remark had shattered that illusion.

Now, with things having escalated to this point, the Zhou Family Head was acutely aware that their feud with Lin Qingshan was set in stone.

Regardless of the outcome between Han Feng and Zhou Po, their discord was beyond reconciliation.

Yet, the Zhou Family Head hadn't foreseen such a chilling wager surfacing at the eleventh hour.

For the Zhou Family to cough up 500 Lower-grade Upper-grade Spirit Stones was to incur a substantial loss, one that could even marginally undermine the family's very foundation.

Naturally, a victory would change everything.

But could things really go that smoothly?

A sense of foreboding gnawed at the Zhou Family Head.

Biting back his frustration, he reasoned, "Zhou Po is the Great Elder's grandson. If I meddle now, he'll just run to the Great Elder and I'll be the one to suffer."

"Zhou Po's arrogance knows no bounds. He always thinks he's something special. If I step in, he'll assume I'm just holding him back and not allowing him to save face."

"My cultivation may be strong, but the Great Elder's prestige is even greater."

"Let it be. If Zhou Po fails, it's the Great Elder's line that will have to foot the bill. Perhaps this could even be an opportunity to diminish the Great Elder's influence within the Zhou Family, paving the way for my absolute authority."

"And if we win, those five hundred Upper-grade Lower-grade Spirit Stones will bolster the Zhou Family's power, surpassing both the Wu and Sun families."

The Sun Family Head and Sun Binn exchanged uneasy glances.

In a low voice, Sun Binn reassured, "Father, you can relax now. My encounters with Han Feng have been few, but I'm certain he's not one to act without a plan. He must have something up his sleeve to propose such a bet."

"Do you recall the Heavenly Tiger I mentioned before? It appeared that Miss Lin had tamed it, but in truth, the tiger held a deep respect and fear for her. Yet, its bond with Han Feng was even stronger, and it was visibly reluctant to part ways in the end."

"Would the Heavenly Tiger act this way without some clever strategy?"

"Keep in mind, the intelligence of the Heavenly Tiger is on par with Level 9 and Level 10 Devil Beasts. They're not easily fooled or befriended."

The Family Head gave a slight nod, "Well then, let's watch and see what unfolds."

Zhou Po might be brash, but he's not without wit. Realizing Han Feng's confidence in proposing such a wager, he took him seriously, refraining from underestimating him by allowing Han Feng the first move.

"Mountain Breaking Palm!"

With a low shout, Zhou Po's hands forcefully struck the ground.

Cracks splintered across the earth, snaking rapidly towards Han Feng.

Han Feng's lips quirked in a smirk. "A Medium-class Human Rank Martial Skill? Seems average for its class—not the weakest, but far from the top. At best, it's reached the Small Completion Stage."

Martial Skills are not so easily mastered.

Typically, a Low-grade Human Rank Martial Skill is for the Early Period Martial Cultivator, Medium-class for the mid-stage, and Top-quality for those at the Peak of Human Rank.

Yet, most Martial Cultivators master a Martial Skill beyond their grade as their cultivation foundation advances.

For instance, it's common for a mid-stage Human Rank to perfect a Lower-grade Human Rank Martial Skill.

To master a Martial Skill of one's corresponding level to perfection is a mark of genius. For example, a mid-stage Human Rank who perfects a Medium-class Human Rank Martial Skill is exceptionally gifted.

And if a Martial Cultivator exceeds their expected grade, mastering the skill to the Small Completion or Great Completion Stage, they possess an extraordinary genius, even if not yet perfect.

Take a mid-stage Human Rank Martial Cultivator who has cultivated a high-rank martial skill to the Initial or Perfection stage, for example.

"Profound Flame Chain!"

Five chains materialized, swirling around Han Feng like a prison.

The cracked earth and stones turned to ash upon contact with the Profound Flame Chains.

"A Lower-grade Human Rank Martial Skill nearing perfection!"

In a flash, those with keen eyesight discerned the extent of Han Feng's Martial Skill progress, recognizing it as the pinnacle of Lower-grade Human Rank, perhaps even surpassing it.

The crowd inhaled sharply, astonished that Han Feng, at merely a Two-star Human Rank, had attained such mastery. His aptitude was undeniably that of a genius.

Zhou Po's face turned an ashen hue. "So you've blocked a single move. How will you fare against the next?"

"Four-pillar Prison!"

Zhou Po brought his hands together, and as a torrent of Earth True Qi was unleashed, four massive stone pillars erupted from the ground around Han Feng, their surfaces bristling with spikes.

"Sun Nine Steps!"

Suddenly, three dazzling orbs of sunlight flared beneath Han Feng's feet, blinding those around him. Only those whose cultivation foundation vastly exceeded Han Feng's could withstand the glare.

Zhou Po was not among them.

Forced to shut his eyes, Zhou Po lost track of Han Feng, and the coordinated assault of the stone pillars faltered.

"Wild Flame Hit!"

Han Feng soared, unleashing six colossal fireballs that plummeted from the skies like a meteor shower.

The earth trembled, and a maelstrom of brown and crimson light swirled as the stone pillars crumbled into rubble.

Han Feng chuckled triumphantly. "Two moves down, and you've yet to claim victory."

Zhou Po's eyes had slightly recovered, his complexion still a ghastly pale. "A third move awaits. Curb your arrogance!"

Zhou Po had intended to muster all his True Qi for a devastating final blow, but Han Feng preempted with his own strike.

"Profound Flame Chain!"

In that moment, the five chains fused, slicing through the air with a sonic boom.

"This is the end."

"Explosive Sand Palm!"

The earth around Zhou Po collapsed, and the fragmented terrain transformed into yellow mineral sand, coalescing into a massive sand palm before him.

Chain met sand palm in a clash, scattering clouds of yellow sand in every direction.

Zhou Po let out a cold, mocking laugh. "A mere two-star at the Human Rank, and after several consecutive martial skills, you must be nearly spent. You won't withstand three of my moves."

But then, Han Feng's smile broke through, and his True Qi burst forth!

He was at the early period of the three-star Human Rank!

In that moment, everyone witnessed the true extent of Han Feng's True Qi cultivation.

His True Qi was already denser than that of an average martial cultivator. His early three-star cultivation foundation was on par with, if not exceeding, the peak of the three-star rank.

The power of his Profound Flame Chain surged in an instant.

"Three-star? He's actually a three-star? The intelligence was flawed!"

Zhou Po swore inwardly.

Even the Sun Family Head and the others were taken aback.

The Sun Family Head quickly turned to Sun Binn, "Explain this to me—how did Han Feng, who was merely a two-star Human Rank, suddenly advance to three-star?"