The slap rang out crisp and loud, but it wasn’t music to Fang City’s ears—more like an insult.

Cheng Gong wasn’t dim. Two bouts of dizziness couldn’t be coincidence. Wary of Tang Yan, he charged again.

“Great Inferno Burst!”

He unleashed the technique once more.

“Still haven’t learned!” Tang Yan snorted. After three swift spins, he launched the fourth strike of Thousand Mountains Fist at Cheng Gong.

A bone-white flame flickered and vanished.

Cheng Gong was on guard, but the Soul-Refining Flame—a primal force of nature—was nearly impossible to counter. Dizziness hit again, scattering his true energy.

*Boom!* Already off-balance, Cheng Gong couldn’t withstand the blow. He stumbled back several steps.

Tang Yan pressed in, landing another punch.

“Sto—”

*Boom!*

Fang Wentian’s protest cut off as Tang Yan’s fist connected.

No holding back this time—Cheng Gong flew back, crashing hard to the ground, gasping and unable to rise. A token rolled from him, marked with a bold “five.”

By then, the third match had ended, with Qing City’s Du Shu victorious.

“What’s going on?” Fang Wentian demanded.

Tang Yan smirked inwardly. *You didn’t see Cheng Gong picking a fight?* Stepping forward, he said calmly, “Young Master Cheng had urgent business tonight and wanted to speed things up. Seeing my token matched his, he challenged me offstage.”

The excuse was flimsy, but it handed Fang Wentian an easy out.

After all, Cheng Gong had started trouble on someone else’s turf—pushing it would pin blame on Fang City.

“Is that so, Cheng Gong?” Fang Wentian turned to him.

“Pretty… much…” Cheng Gong mumbled, too dazed for a better retort.

“Then you’ve lost this bout,” Fang Wentian said, his tone dripping with reproach as he eyed Cheng Gong regretfully.

“Tang Yan won!” a voice shouted from the crowd. “Should’ve bet on both Cloud City fighters!”

Realization dawned—Tang Yan’s bets weren’t peanuts!

“Grandpa, we won a hundred million taels!” Shen He’s eyes widened as he yelped.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Shen Shan, too, was caught off guard. After Tang Yan’s earlier matches, he’d braced for a tough fight against a Young Master—expecting his hundred million to vanish. Instead, he’d hit the jackpot.

“Didn’t expect a speck like the Eastern Domain to hide someone as remarkable as Tang Yan. Born in the Northern Spirit Realm, he’d be shaking up their young generation too,” Shen Shan mused with a sigh.

…

“Cloud City’s unreal—two in the top five this time!”

“Terrifying. What’s going on with Cloud City? Dead last forever, and now this leap?”

The crowd buzzed about Cloud City, while Lin Xiao’s grin was harder to suppress than an AK’s recoil.

Lately, good fortune had piled up: his wife’s scar gone, his daughter’s strength soaring, and now Cloud City stunning the competition, its status skyrocketing. *Seems like ever since I met Tang Yan, life’s been smooth sailing.*

…

After the matches, Tang Yan was about to follow Lin Xiao back to Wanfang Tower.

“Young Brother Tang, hold up,” an aged voice called.

Turning, Tang Yan saw Shen Shan waving him over.

Lin Xiao recognized the man too—the one who’d bet a hundred million on Tang Yan.

“Go handle it,” Lin Xiao said with a smile.

“Who’s that?” Lin Dongxue blurted out.

“Friends I met a couple days ago while out. Not from Tingxiang, I think. I’ll check it out,” Tang Yan replied, excusing himself before heading toward Shen Shan.

“Old Brother Shen, Little He—good to see you again,” Tang Yan greeted with a grin.

“The competition started just as we arrived, so I brought He’er to watch. Didn’t expect you’d be in it, Young Brother. Beating someone a rank up—brilliant show!” Shen Shan praised sincerely.

“My strength’s just Mysterious Stage. A small rank gap isn’t much—got lucky, that’s all,” Tang Yan said modestly.

Shen Shan’s curiosity deepened. This young man’s power was modest, yet his temperament was exceptional. *What kind of mentor forged such a standout disciple?*

“You’re too humble. Come, let’s chat at my inn.”

Shen Shan led Tang Yan to a carriage. A quarter-hour later, they arrived at a tavern by Purple Heart Lake.

They entered, passing through to a back courtyard and a long corridor.

From the railing, Purple Heart Lake’s beauty stretched out before them.

The tavern was oddly quiet—no guests but a lone waiter. In such a bustling spot by the lake, it was bizarre.

Noticing Tang Yan’s surprise, Shen Shan explained, “I don’t like noise, so I rented out the place. We’re leaving tonight.”

*Renting a whole tavern to avoid noise? That’s some deep pockets.*

But recalling Shen Shan’s bet today, Tang Yan relaxed. This expense was probably pocket change to him.

Tang Yan clasped his hands and glanced at Shen He, puzzled. “Old Brother, you called me here—any issues with Little He’s cultivation method?”

Shen Shan took a deep breath, steadying his excitement. “No issues—it’s beyond my wildest hopes. In just three days, He’er’s hit third-rank Origin Stage!”

Tang Yan jolted. *Three ranks in three days? That’s unreal!*

“Has Little He taken any special elixirs lately?” Tang Yan asked.

“Worried his body couldn’t handle it, he’s only had one low-tier second-rank pill. This speed shocked even me,” Shen Shan said, eyes gleaming with delight.

Tang Yan studied Shen He closely, then checked his pulse. After a moment, he let go with a smile. “Over the years, Little He’s taken plenty of elixirs. Unable to cultivate, that energy built up in his body.

“Now, with a method, those stored elixirs are kicking in, catalyzing his progress. He’ll hit Yellow Stage soon.

“Going forward, steer clear of fire-attuned pills.”

Shen Shan nodded, relieved. He’d feared the rapid growth might signal trouble—turns out it was just backlog kicking in.

Exhaling, he thanked Tang Yan, then hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

“Speak freely, Old Brother,” Tang Yan encouraged with a grin.

“Who’s your master?” Shen Shan asked.

“Uh…” Tang Yan faltered, then gave a wry smile. “My teacher’s a wanderer—free-spirited, detached from worldly affairs. I don’t even know their name, and I barely see them once a year.”

Shen Shan took it at face value, nodding solemnly. “Has your honored master ever mentioned ‘Momentum’ to you?”