Impossible.

Even if Ning Fan had spent the night in dual cultivation with his Dao companion to break through a few minor realms, there was absolutely no way he could be a match for Nan Li.

In the eyes of Shao Hong, Ling Tian, and their respective Dao companions, Ning Fan had clearly been driven to madness by the allure of the Vermilion Jade Fruits!

"Junior Brother Ning, they are just two top-grade Yellow-tier Vermilion Jade Fruits. There is no need to risk your life for them!"

Shao Hong spoke up.

Ning Fan waved his hand, entirely ignoring Shao Hong's advice.

Seeing this, Shao Hong said no more. His eyes darted around, his gaze shifting furtively toward Yun Qingyao, who wore a deeply worried expression.

If Ning Fan were killed by Nan Li, then Ning Fan's Dao companion...

"Boy, you are courting death."

"This time, I will not give you another chance to live!"

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Nan Li's eyes. The next moment, he lunged forward and threw a punch at Ning Fan. Halfway through the trajectory, a surge of spiritual energy erupted from his fist.

"Rock Splitting Hand!"

"Die!"

An earthy-yellow spiritual energy enveloped Nan Li's fist, instantly making it appear indestructible.

This punch.

Yesterday's Ning Fan could never have blocked it.

But...

Today's Ning Fan was no longer the same man.

"Come!"

Ning Fan also threw a punch straight at Nan Li. Their fists were about to clash in midair, a scene that mirrored exactly what had occurred the previous day.

But right before their fists collided.

"Dragon Snake Evolution Hand!"

Ning Fan murmured under his breath. Immediately, the spiritual energy around his body surged wildly, condensing into the distinct shape of a serpent's head over his fist.

The serpent's head was sharply triangular, and one could even see its forked tongue flicking out!

A gust of foul wind swept directly toward Nan Li.

"What!?"

Nan Li was instantly stunned.

This was wrong.

How could Ning Fan possibly possess a martial skill!?

There was no time to think.

Boom—

The fists collided with a dull thud. This time, Ning Fan stood firmly in place, not retreating a single step!

Song Nianxia, Shao Hong, Ling Tian, and their Dao companions all stared intently at the point of impact. Ning Fan's sudden deployment of a martial skill had thrown a settled outcome into utter uncertainty.

The stalemate did not last long!

Crack—

A crisp sound rang out. Everyone followed the noise and saw that the phantom serpent had opened its massive maw, biting down and shattering the earthy-yellow light on Nan Li's fist in one go.

Ning Fan's fist pressed forward.

Nan Li was utterly unable to resist. His arm bent at a grotesque angle, completely snapped by the force of Ning Fan's punch!

And it was not over yet!

Ning Fan's fist continued on its path, slamming heavily into Nan Li's chest.

Pfft—

A mouthful of blood mixed with fragments of internal organs sprayed from Nan Li's mouth. His body flew backward like a ragdoll before crashing heavily onto the ground.

The moment he was severely injured, Nan Li's Dao companion, Song Nianxia, shuddered. She let out a miserable groan as her face turned deathly pale. She had clearly borne a small portion of the damage for Nan Li through their connection, yet even so, Nan Li was still too gravely wounded to move.

Silence.

Absolute silence.

The entire area became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Everyone stared at Ning Fan as if they were looking at a monster.

This...

How was this possible!?

The reason Nan Li could afford to be so overbearing was precisely because of his exceptional strength; he was definitely one of the elites among the previous batch of disciples.

A half-step Profound Extreme Realm cultivation baseline, paired with a middle-grade Yellow-tier martial skill.

It was more than enough to justify Nan Li's arrogance.

But now, he had been sent flying by a single punch from Ning Fan.

"Wait."

"That martial skill Ning Fan used... seems a bit absurd. It is definitely not low-grade Yellow-tier, and it doesn't look like middle-grade either... Could it be high-grade!?" Shao Hong exclaimed in shock.

High-grade Yellow-tier martial skills were kept on the third floor of the Martial Skills Pavilion-places that Shao Hong, Ling Tian, Nan Li, and the others could not even access.

How could Ning Fan possibly have mastered one?

Gulp.

Shao Hong swallowed hard, a wave of lingering fear rising in his heart. It was a good thing he had merely tricked Zhao Yuanzhe into causing trouble for Ning Fan before.

It was a good thing that, even though he coveted Ning Fan's Dao companion, Yun Qingyao, he had not done anything truly out of line yet.

If Ning Fan had the strength to defeat Nan Li...

He could just as easily crush him, Shao Hong!

No, absolutely not.

Even if Yun Qingyao was a peerless beauty, his own life was far more important.

Shao Hong silently warned himself.

Ning Fan.

This man must never be made an enemy!

"Aaaaaaaah!!!"

A sharp, piercing shriek rang out, sounding like a cornered animal. The source of the scream was Nan Li's Dao companion, Song Nianxia.

Song Nianxia ran frantically to Nan Li's side and pulled him into her arms.

The damage she had absorbed for Nan Li was limited, so it did not hinder her movements.

When she checked Nan Li's condition, Song Nianxia's heart grew cold. His injuries were far more severe than she had imagined. His right arm was completely shattered.

His chest was caved inward, indicating several broken ribs. Blood continued to gush from Nan Li's mouth; he was taking in short, ragged breaths, clearly on the verge of dying.

"You... how dare you!!!"

Song Nianxia's almond eyes glared wide. She raised her head and stared fiercely at Ning Fan, the venom in her gaze suggesting she wanted to tear his flesh from his bones.

But the moment her eyes met Ning Fan's, Song Nianxia instantly wilted.

Ning Fan's gaze was not particularly ferocious.

It could even be described as calm.

Yet beneath that calm expression, Song Nianxia discerned a thread of killing intent. It was faint, but unyielding. Coupled with his steady, slow approach, a deep seed of terror sprouted in her heart.

"You... what do you think you're doing?" Song Nianxia stammered.

"Killing him," Ning Fan replied.

"We are just fellow disciples competing for resources within a trial ground. There is no need to execute him, is there? I... I..."

Song Nianxia scrambled backward, but because she was dragging Nan Li along, she could not outpace Ning Fan's measured steps.

Watching Ning Fan close the distance step by step, Song Nianxia's knees gave out.

Thud—

She fell directly to the ground and kowtowed to Ning Fan.

"Senior Brother."

"I am sorry, we were wrong. We should not have tried to rob you of your resources. I am willing to hand over everything we have collected."

"Please, spare our lives."

With those words, Song Nianxia hastily removed her storage ring, placed it on the ground half a meter away, and looked up at Ning Fan with a pleading gaze.

"Xia'er, do not beg him! Fight him to the death!" Nan Li suddenly barked, struggling to lift his head. But even that small movement cost him a full breath of time and caused him to cough up more blood.

"Husband!" Song Nianxia reached out but didn't dare touch him, terrified of worsening his fragile state.

By then, Ning Fan had arrived in front of Nan Li. He raised his foot and kicked Nan Li directly in the abdomen!

Bang—

The single kick sent Nan Li rolling across the ground once more.

"Husband!!!"

"Do not worry, I have only crippled him. Showing mercy to an enemy is an insult to oneself. You may leave."

Ning Fan picked up the storage ring from the ground.

Inside lay all the spiritual materials and treasures that Nan Li and Song Nianxia had gathered along the way.

"Th-thank you."

Song Nianxia bit her lower lip, forced herself off the ground, and bowed deeply to Ning Fan. Then she rushed back to Nan Li, hoisting the unconscious man onto her shoulders.

Given the severity of Nan Li's injuries, she would have to leave the Clear White Land immediately to seek medical intervention from the Sect elders if she wanted him to survive.

Ling Tian, Shao Hong, and their Dao companions watched Ning Fan's departing figure with complicated expressions. Standing before Ning Fan, they realized they were actually trembling with fear.