Chapter 43: Stepping on Thin Air

"This... How is this possible? Xiao Chen, are you joking? You were hit by my Flame Slash just now, and you say it doesn't hurt?" Xue Ren's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Xiao Chen is actually unharmed? And he said it doesn't hurt?" Su Gutian was equally shocked below the stage.

"That's impossible, right? Xue Ren may be at the initial fasting stage, but Flame Slash is a profound martial technique. Even if you're not injured, it should still hurt. Xiao Chen said it doesn't hurt?" Liu Feng was also startled.

"Hey, everyone, look! That kid is completely unscathed. Incredible!"

"Can a young man's body really be this tough? He wasn't hurt by Flame Slash?"

The onlookers were stunned, each unable to hold back their discussions. Although Xiao Chen had seemed at a disadvantage throughout the fight, almost falling off the stage, they found it amusing and entertaining. But at this moment, no one was laughing; they were all shocked.

Seeing everyone's stunned expressions, Xiao Chen scratched his head and laughed. "Hehe, of course, it hurts. But if I said it hurt, wouldn't that be too embarrassing? Haha."

Hearing this, all the cultivators below the stage fell over simultaneously, each knocked out by Xiao Chen's words.

Becoming serious, Xiao Chen whispered, "Little White Tiger, did you notice anything just now?"

"Notice what?" the ancient white tiger transmitted its voice back.

"When I jumped into the air just now, it felt like my foot stepped on the ground, but before I could react, I was hit by the Flame Slash," Xiao Chen whispered, recalling the sensation clearly.

"What? Stepping on the ground in mid-air? You mean you were flying?" the ancient white tiger immediately understood.

"I'm not sure because I hadn't activated my true energy yet. Maybe it has something to do with the Ghost Shadow Divine Step," Xiao Chen said. He was certain that there had been nothing under his feet; he had stepped on thin air.

"Try it again!" the ancient white tiger transmitted.

"Okay!" Xiao Chen nodded and took the initiative to attack this time. He ran forward a few steps, then jumped high, performing a backflip with his head down and feet up, testing if he could step on thin air while following the Ghost Shadow Divine Step's movements. Suddenly, he stepped hard on thin air, as if stepping on the ground, and his figure rapidly descended from the sky.

"Sure enough, it's related to the Ghost Shadow Divine Step!" Xiao Chen thought with excitement. Although he didn't know if this was flying, he confirmed that he could step on thin air.

"Oh my god, he can really step on thin air. Amazing! Xiao Chen, though this isn't flying, it must be because of the Ghost Shadow Divine Step. You haven't activated your true energy, so you can't fly. But being able to step on thin air is incredible," the ancient white tiger transmitted, also curious.

"No problem!" Xiao Chen smiled. Being able to step on thin air already excited him.

Xiao Chen's speed was extremely fast as he rapidly descended from the sky. Witnessing this miraculous scene, everyone present was shocked.

"Is he at the Golden Core stage? No, he hasn't activated his true energy, yet he can step on thin air, and his speed has increased!" Liu Feng was amazed, his eyes wide open.

Mo Yan was equally astonished. "Xiao Chen, is he flying? It looks so impressive."

"What kind of movement technique is this? Amazing! What is Xiao Chen's cultivation level? How can he step on thin air?" Su Gutian was also stunned.

"Without activating true energy, he can step on thin air like someone at the Golden Core stage? What's going on?" Ling Zhan's face became serious, not understanding the situation.

In the pavilion, Liu Yuntian was surprised. "Oh? Without activating true energy, this boy named Xiao Chen can step on thin air. Impressive."

On the stage, Xue Ren was equally shocked, watching Xiao Chen quickly descend towards him. Despite his shock, he couldn't afford to think too much and immediately activated his true energy, shouting, "Xiao Chen, rushing at this speed is like walking into the lion's den. Let's see how you dodge! Flame Slash!"

Seeing Xiao Chen rushing at Xue Ren, Ge Tianming frowned. "Xiao Chen attacking like this is just asking to be hit by Xue Ren's Flame Slash."

Liu Feng shook his head. "No, this guy isn't that stupid."

"Whoosh!"

Xue Ren waved his arm, and with a whooshing sound, a fiery energy slash shot out quickly. Seeing the Flame Slash coming, Xiao Chen immediately struck the thin air with his palm, changing direction swiftly and dodging the Flame Slash perfectly.

At the same time, avoiding the Flame Slash, Xiao Chen stepped on thin air again, rushing at Xue Ren once more. The latter's face changed drastically. "He can dodge even this? Changing direction in mid-air! Isn't this something only those at the Golden Core stage who understand flying can do?"

Despite his shock, Xiao Chen's attack was already close. Xue Ren had no time to think and quickly activated his true energy, meeting Xiao Chen's attack with a punch.

Just as their fists were about to collide, Xiao Chen, seemingly enjoying himself, struck the thin air with his palm, moving left and causing Xue Ren to punch the air. Xiao Chen spun several times in mid-air before landing steadily and sweeping out with a low leg kick.

"Not good! It's a trap! This guy!" Xue Ren realized he had fallen into a trap, but it was too late. Xiao Chen's speed was too fast.

"Bang!"

As Xiao Chen landed, he swept his leg along the ground, hitting Xue Ren and knocking him down before he could dodge.

Knocking Xue Ren down with one kick, Xiao Chen continued his sweeping motion, stepping on thin air just an inch above the ground. He quickly rushed at Xue Ren without touching the ground, his entire body hovering an inch above it, almost like flying.

"This guy's speed is getting faster!" Xue Ren thought, shocked as he saw Xiao Chen approaching again. He struck the ground with his right palm, the force lifting his body to avoid Xiao Chen's attack.

Missing his attack, Xiao Chen wasn't surprised. He looked at the airborne Xue Ren and smiled. "Nice reflexes."

"Bang!"

As Xiao Chen's words fell, he struck the ground with his hands, his head down and feet up. Then, with another forceful hit on the thin air, his ascending speed increased, his legs spinning in a beautiful attack.

"What? It's over!" Seeing Xiao Chen's attack, Xue Ren's face changed again. With Xiao Chen's legs spinning rapidly, he had no idea how to defend and, being airborne, couldn't dodge the attack.

"Bang!"

Xiao Chen quickly approached, and Xue Ren couldn't block it. He was kicked in the left cheek by Xiao Chen, flying two meters away. Xiao Chen then performed a backflip, landing gracefully.

Of course, Xiao Chen didn't use full force, or Xue Ren would have been kicked out of the ring and injured.

"Xiao Chen, are you using Xue Ren to practice stepping on thin air?" the ancient white tiger transmitted, laughing as it saw through him.

"Haha, it's a good opportunity," Xiao Chen whispered with a smile.

"Awesome! So amazing! That was spectacular! The fight was incredible!"

"That kid's movements were perfect, as if he had merged with nature. Every beautiful move transformed into an attack. Incredible!"

"I've never seen such a perfect fight, with every movement changing seamlessly. So agile and fast, as if every move could be executed. Spectacular!"

"Xiao Chen, well done! That was fantastic! So exciting!" Mo Yan cheered loudly.

The audience below the stage applauded excitedly, all captivated by Xiao Chen's perfect attacks.

"Huh? Why is there a crack here? Wait, isn't this where Xiao Chen almost fell off and stepped on earlier?" Xue Ren, having been kicked to the edge of the stage, couldn't help but touch the crack, dislodging some pieces.

"Hmm?" Liu Feng also looked at the spot Xiao Chen had stepped on, seemingly noticing something, and frowned.

Su Gutian, puzzled, asked, "Liu Feng, what's wrong?"

Liu Feng shook his head. "Nothing."

"What?" Seeing this, Xue Ren was shocked, cold sweat running down his back. He now fully understood why Xiao Chen wasn't hurt by the Flame Slash, why his attacks were ineffective, and why Xiao Chen's speed was so fast. It was all because Xiao Chen's strength was immense; he hadn't been fighting at full power.

Realizing this, Xue Ren slowly stood up, looking at Xiao Chen with a bitter smile. "Xiao Chen, you win."

"Hmm? We haven't finished the match yet?" Xiao Chen was surprised, asking in disbelief.

"No need to continue. I lost. You're very powerful," Xue Ren said with a bitter smile. No one understood Xiao Chen's might better than him. Xue Ren walked to the edge of the stage, looked back at Xiao Chen, and smiled. "Xiao Chen, thank you for showing mercy and letting me enjoy such an intense fight." With that, he jumped off the stage.

"Haha, it seems he noticed something," Xiao Chen smiled slightly, glancing at the cracked edge of the stage.

Xue Ren admitted defeat willingly and even seemed happy. Everyone was puzzled, including the referee, but the referee soon announced, "Xiao Chen wins!"