One person: Starting with the Snow Drinking Blade

"Xiao Bai! Go around behind!" Zhang Chulan's forehead was covered in sweat, clearly indicating that maintaining such precise control was not easy, but his eyes remained focused as he shouted.

Upon receiving the command, the white electric snake abruptly stopped in mid-air, then, like a nimble snake swishing its tail, it made a sharp turn at almost a right angle, silently shooting towards Nie Lingfeng from his blind spot—directly behind him—aiming to pierce his heart!

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Nie Lingfeng didn't even turn his head just before the lightning struck his body. Instead, he slapped his palm backward!

The second move of the Cloud-Dispelling Palm: Parting Clouds and Wearing the Moon!

This palm strike, lacking the overwhelming force of a tidal wave, possessed instead an ethereal and sharp quality, like clouds and mist! The palm wind, condensed like a thin blade, struck the electric snake's "seven-inch spot"—the core node where energy was most concentrated—with unparalleled precision!

"laugh--!"

A soft crackling sound. The white electric snake emitted a mournful cry that could only be perceived on a spiritual level. Its condensed structure was precisely cleaved apart by this palm strike, instantly disintegrating into countless tiny sparks that disappeared into the air.

"Pfft!" Zhang Chulan's face paled, he groaned, and his body swayed slightly. The electric snake was violently broken, and because his mind was connected to it, he suffered a backlash, his chest heaving with blood and qi.

But his fighting spirit remained undiminished. He knew that ranged attacks would be ineffective; he had to get close! He had to fully demonstrate the results of his special training!

"Ten Directions Fist and Footwork - Double Kill to Break the Formation!"

He forcefully suppressed his discomfort and charged forward again! This time, he used both fists and feet, displaying the simplified version of "Ten Directions Fist and Footwork" taught by Nie Lingfeng to its fullest extent! His fists were like dragons emerging from the sea, fierce and unparalleled; his legs were like leaves swept by a gust of wind, agile and cunning! His fist techniques seamlessly connected with his leg techniques, his attacks like a storm, relentless and continuous! What was even more remarkable was that his attacks were not just relentless blows, but rather offense within defense, defense within offense, quite methodical, demonstrating a solid foundation and the results of a month of hard training!

Nie Lingfeng finally stopped just dodging or blocking.

He started to move.

He didn't use the extreme speed of the Wind God Leg, nor the fierce power of the Cloud Dispelling Palm, nor did he draw the Snow Drinking Blade. He simply used the same set of fist and foot techniques—the simplified version of the "Ten Directions Fist and Foot Technique" that he had taught Zhang Chulan—to meet him!

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The muffled thuds of fists and feet colliding echoed like a continuous drumbeat on the arena! Two figures swiftly crisscrossed, dodged, and exchanged blows on the several dozen feet of the arena! Zhang Chulan's attacks were like a whirlwind, swift and fierce; Nie Lingfeng's responses were like an ancient pine tree and a rock, steady and precise. Although they used the same martial art, their styles were vastly different, yet their clash displayed a strange harmony and…a teaching quality.

The commotion in the stands gradually subsided, and many people stared wide-eyed at the ring in disbelief.

"This... Zhang Chulan can actually go toe-to-toe with Nie Lingfeng?!"

"His martial arts skills...when did they become so powerful? It's on a completely different level compared to when he fought Master Lingyu!"

"Something's not right! Look at Nie Lingfeng, he's not using any force at all! Every single one of his attacks perfectly parries Zhang Chulan's, then guides and deflects them... He's practically feeding him moves!"

"Even if it's just a training move... Zhang Chulan's ability to keep up with this pace and launch such an offensive... is already quite remarkable!"

"Could it be... that we all underestimated him?"

On the high platform, the old Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei stroked his long, snow-white beard, a gratified and satisfied smile on his face.

"Chu Lan... has truly undergone a complete transformation in the past month. Not only has his foundation in martial arts become more solid, but his adaptability in battle and his circulation of Qi are also much smoother and more fluid than before."

Sitting in his wheelchair, Tian Jinzhong's cloudy old eyes were fixed on the ring. He nodded repeatedly upon hearing this: "Indeed. Look at the changes in his boxing style, the shifts between hard and soft, and the transitions between real and feints in his leg techniques. He's already showing some skill. What's even more commendable is his mentality. Knowing he's no match, he still dares to fight and puts his skills to the extreme. Young friend Nie... you've made invaluable contributions this past month."

Lu Jin also leaned in, his eyes gleaming: "Old Zhang, in your opinion, how much of Nie's power did he use? Fifty percent? Sixty percent?"

The old master squinted, carefully sensing the flow of Qi and the collision of power on the arena, and slowly shook his head: "Less than 50%. Moreover, he deliberately suppressed his speed, power, and even the subtle variations of his moves. What he is using now is the most basic 'Ten Directions Fist and Footwork,' without even using the chilling energy of the Heavenly Frost Fist or the cloud force of the Cloud Dispelling Palm, let alone that unpredictable swordsmanship. He is purely using the most basic fist and footwork to be Chu Lan's sparring partner, helping him consolidate and improve."

"Less than 50%..." Lu Jin clicked his tongue, "If he goes all out..."

"Full power?" The old master glanced at him and smiled faintly. "If young friend Nie gets serious and uses his ever-changing martial arts and that chilling treasured sword... Chu Lan would be extremely capable if he could last three moves against him."

The battle continues on the arena.

Zhang Chulan's fighting became increasingly smooth, and he felt a growing sense of exhilaration. He could clearly feel that every block and counterattack from Nie Lingfeng was perfectly guiding him, correcting the subtle hesitations in his movements, and forcing him to apply everything he had mastered in special training more seamlessly. This high-level "sparring partner" was far more effective than training alone.

He knew Nie Lingfeng was letting him off easy, but he felt no resentment or shame; instead, he was filled with gratitude. He was determined to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and squeeze every last drop of his potential out of himself!

"Thunder Mode - Full Power!!"

Zhang Chulan roared suddenly, igniting the remaining true qi within his body without hesitation! The white lightning around him suddenly intensified to a blinding degree, with the crackling sounds of electric arcs creating a continuous barrage! His speed, strength, and reaction time were forcibly elevated to a new level! Every punch and every kick carried a shrill whistling sound that tore through the air and dazzling lightning, the density and intensity of his attacks instantly skyrocketing!

Nie Lingfeng's casual gaze softened, replaced by seriousness. He could sense Zhang Chulan's determination and fighting spirit, a quality that deserved his respect.

He no longer just uses basic punches and kicks to deal with the situation.

Heavenly Frost Fist, Third Form: Covered in Frost Marks!

Nie Lingfeng's fist stance changed abruptly, unleashing a burst of bone-chilling white air! Wherever the fist wind passed, fine ice crystals condensed in the air, and a layer of white frost quickly spread across the arena floor! The extreme cold of the domain contrasted sharply with Zhang Chulan's blazing Yang Lightning power, and a violent "sizzling" annihilation sound emanated from the boundary between ice and lightning!

Zhang Chulan's raging lightning was noticeably dimmed and its speed visibly slowed by the corrosive effect of the extreme cold domain. He felt a bone-chilling cold coursing through his limbs, and his movements became stiff and sluggish.

"Little White - Combine!!"

Zhang Chulan gritted his teeth and roared, his hands clenching into fists. The lightning and sparks that had been scattered in the air seemed to be summoned, quickly converging towards his arms! This time, they didn't condense into electric snakes, but rather, like living vines, wrapped around his arms, forming an arm guard that shimmered with dazzling lightning! The lightning clashed and annihilated the constantly invading cold air, erupting in a dense barrage of crackling explosions!

"Ten Directions Fist and Footwork - Ultimate - Cross-Shattering Strike!!"

Zhang Chulan poured all his remaining strength, will, and the raging Yang Lightning binding his arms into this one strike! He crossed his fists in front of his chest, transforming them into a dazzling, giant cross made of lightning, and with an indomitable, domineering momentum, he crashed into Nie Lingfeng! This was the strongest strike he could unleash after fully integrating what he had learned in his special training and his understanding of Yang Lightning!

Faced with this attack that embodied all of Zhang Chulan's energy and spirit, a hint of approval flashed in Nie Lingfeng's eyes, which then transformed into absolute focus. He slowly retracted his right fist, and the chilling white aura surrounding him, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, frantically converged, compressed, and condensed towards his fist! The air around his fist crackled and froze under the extreme low temperature, and even subtle, visible spatial distortions appeared!

Heavenly Frost Fist Fifth Form: Frost Condenses, Revealing Clumsiness!

The fist was thrown, but silently.

Only a single, perfectly condensed white current, seemingly capable of freezing time and space, roared silently like an awakened glacial dragon, heading towards the dazzling and violent cross of lightning!

"BOOM—!!!!"

This clash is far more significant than any previous one!