Beneath the dark and oppressive sky, a crimson light suddenly burst forth, so dazzling it seemed to illuminate all the gloom in the world, yet carrying an ominous premonition. Within the light, spiritual runes meandered and writhed like living things, weaving together ancient and mysterious patterns. They exuded an extremely sharp killing intent, like a biting cold wind that pierced straight to the heart, making all who witnessed it shudder and feel fear.

The blood-clad man, this warrior enveloped in crimson light, resembled a demon returned from hell. His final strike, like a rainbow streaking across the sky, descended with earth-shattering force. This strike was devoid of any earth-shattering roar or the preceding gale; it was utterly silent. Only the barely perceptible distortion in the air testified to the terrifying and extraordinary nature of this attack. The blade's sharpness had reached a transcendent level, almost tearing through the shackles of space itself. Even the air trembled under this unparalleled sharpness, emitting a faint yet chilling wail.

Faced with this earth-shattering blow, Ye Chu's face was ashen, his eyes gleaming with unyielding spirit. He knew he had nowhere to retreat; only by fighting with all his might could he have a sliver of hope. Therefore, Ye Chu continuously channeled the surging internal energy within him. This energy, like a rushing river, surged and roared, causing his clothes to flutter wildly. A faint golden light surrounded him, a testament to the pinnacle of his cultivation.

"Dragon-Shaking Fist!" Ye Chu roared, his voice filled with unyielding determination. As his voice fell, he suddenly threw out both fists, the wind howling as if a giant dragon had awakened, carrying earth-shattering power, swirling up and finally landing behind Ye Chu, forming a huge dragon shadow, poised to break free of its restraints at any moment, as if it would fight against the blood-red rainbow in the sky.

At this moment, heaven and earth seemed to fall silent, all eyes focused on the duel between these two powerful figures. A tense and exciting atmosphere filled the air; every breath seemed to tug at the heartstrings, making everyone hold their breath in anticipation of the earth-shattering battle to come.

"Boom Fist!" Ye Chu murmured, his body shooting forward like an arrow, pressing his leg forward without hesitation. He seemed to merge with the earth, unleashing a power that shook the heavens and the earth. At this moment, the terrifying power of the Dragon Shaking Fist was like a sleeping dragon being suddenly awakened, roaring and surging, almost pushed to an indescribable extreme.

The wind howled as Ye Chu's fist seemed to become the sole focus of the world. Wrapped around it was not simply the force of his fist, but a tangible phantom of a gigantic dragon, its scales shimmering, its eyes like torches, exuding an unparalleled majesty and ferocity. This fist imprint carried the overwhelming power of a dragon, advancing with the force of a tidal wave, like Mount Tai pressing down, not only freezing the air but also causing the surrounding space to tremble, as if time itself had stopped at that moment.

Faced with this sudden and unstoppable attack, the blood-clad man's face showed a solemn expression for the first time, his slightly furrowed brows revealing his surprise and resentment. Clearly, he had not expected that this seemingly ordinary opponent could unleash such astonishing strength, far exceeding his expectations.

Just as Ye Chu's fist imprint, carrying the phantom of a giant dragon, was about to touch the blood-clad man, the man finally moved. He swung his longsword fiercely, and an extremely sharp blade aura ripped through the sky, carrying a chilling killing intent and an indomitable will, colliding violently with Ye Chu's fist imprint in mid-air.

At that moment, it seemed as if the heavens and earth changed color. The clash between the fist wind and the sword energy erupted with a deafening roar, like the collision of two stars, bursting forth with a brilliant but fleeting light. Immediately afterward, the originally incomparably sharp sword energy gradually dissipated before the domineering power of the Shaking Dragon Fist, turning into nothingness, leaving only visible ripples that slowly rippled in the air, unable to subside for a long time.

Ye Chu's laughter, like a sudden clap of thunder in spring, carried an indescribable air of smugness and arrogance, echoing in every corner. His eyes gleamed with confidence, as if he could already foresee the impending victory. A playful smile curved his lips as he slowly asked the blood-clad man before him, "Senior, are you satisfied with my strength?"

The man in blood-red robes, a powerful figure clad in a scarlet battle robe and surrounded by a faint blood mist, frowned slightly upon hearing this. He seemed moved by Ye Chu's sudden confidence, or perhaps troubled by his own helplessness. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner turmoil, and replied in a low, magnetic voice, "Young man, your strength truly exceeds my expectations; it is quite remarkable."

"But," the blood-clad man paused, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, "as I said before, I am merely a projection left behind by the original owner in this ancient ruin, my strength is only one-tenth of what it used to be, far from being comparable to my true self."

Though the words were spoken softly, they struck Ye Chu's heart like a hammer blow, causing the smile on his face to fade slightly. However, Ye Chu was not one to give up easily; instead, his eyes blazed with an even fiercer fighting spirit, as if he were challenging the limits of fate.

The blood-clad man was telling the truth; he was indeed merely a projection of the original owner, his strength greatly diminished. But just now, he had exerted all his strength, unleashing the strongest attack he could deliver as a projection—a terrifying martial technique that fused the mysteries of blood with the power of heaven and earth. Blood light roared out like a dragon, attempting to completely devour Ye Chu.

However, to the astonishment of the man in blood, even his strongest attack only stirred faint ripples around Ye Chu, failing to even touch the hem of his clothes, let alone cause any substantial damage. This scene not only filled the man in blood with silent amazement but also made the mystery of Ye Chu's strength even more perplexing.

"I see..." Ye Chu murmured to himself, his eyes filled with both surprise and excitement. "Senior, you are indeed powerful, but I will not stop here. Today's battle is just the beginning. One day, I will make this world tremble before me!"

After speaking, Ye Chu's aura suddenly surged, like a giant dragon awakening, ready to face even greater challenges. The man in blood-red clothes, looking at Ye Chu's resolute and unyielding back, also had a hint of admiration and expectation flash in his eyes, as if he saw in this young man the shadow of his own fearless journey.

"Next up is level nine."

In that instant, time seemed to freeze in the air. Ye Chu's face was as solemn as if sculpted, his deep eyes flashing with unprecedented determination and vigilance. He stood at the end of the eighth level, his gaze transcending the illusory boundary, as if piercing through space to see directly into the unknown and challenging ninth level. For some reason, an inexplicable chill rose from the depths of his heart, enveloping every thought in his mind, telling him that this level was not one that could be easily crossed by ordinary people.

"However," Ye Chu murmured to himself, his tone resolute and unwavering, "the path of martial arts is inherently a thorny journey. Only by facing difficulties head-on can one glimpse the view from the summit." A hearty smile played on his lips, a smile that reflected both acceptance of the unknown and a burning desire to challenge himself. Without the slightest hesitation, Ye Chu strode forward, his figure like a bolt of lightning cutting through the sky, heading directly towards the ninth level, which symbolized a higher realm.

Meanwhile, outside the Martial Arts Tower, the crowd was in an uproar, the clamor reaching the heavens. Those onlookers from all directions, whether martial artists or ordinary people, were utterly astonished by the scene before them, as if witnessing a historic moment.

"My God, look! Ye Chu, he... he's entered the ninth level!" A trembling voice, filled with unbelievable excitement, boomed through the crowd.

"How is this possible?! Someone actually made it to the ninth level! This is an unprecedented feat!" another person exclaimed, their eyes shining with admiration and awe.

"Yes, I remember that since the founding of Shanghai Martial Arts University, no student has ever reached such a height. Is Ye Chu going to rewrite history?" Another voice joined the discussion, full of shock and anticipation.

A murmur of discussion arose from the crowd, with everyone expressing their amazement and admiration for Ye Chu's extraordinary feat in their own way.

……

Ye Chu embarked on the final journey into the unknown, his steps firm and powerful, finally arriving at the legendary ninth level. This level was unlike any challenge before; it seemed to be a secret realm independent of the world, shrouded in a faint, yet indescribable, mysterious glow.

As he stepped into this area, his gaze was instantly drawn to a colossal figure towering in the center. It was an iron man meticulously forged from ancient and resilient steel, its height reaching the clouds, as if a war god had stepped out of ancient mythology, silently guarding this forgotten land.

The sculpting of this iron figure is a masterpiece of craftsmanship; every detail is meticulously crafted, incredibly lifelike. Its upper body, with its clearly defined muscles, rises high, majestic like a mountain peak. Even the cold steel cannot conceal the sense of power emanating from its very essence. Under the sunlight, the steel surface gleams with a cold light, perfectly complementing the imposing aura emanating from the iron figure, which seems capable of tearing through space, inspiring awe in all who behold it.

What's even more awe-inspiring is that, despite being just a lifeless iron figure, it exudes a terrifying aura, like that of an ancient ferocious beast. This aura is deep and oppressive, swallowing all surrounding sound and light like an abyss, and flowing endlessly like a river, carrying an irresistible destructive force, extremely dangerous, as if it could completely devour any intruder in the blink of an eye.

In this extremely oppressive atmosphere, the Iron Man's eyes, which seemed to see into people's hearts, slowly opened, gleaming with a profound light. Then, a deep, magnetic voice, tinged with the vicissitudes of time, echoed in the empty space: "Indeed, it's been a long time since I've seen a young person here. Your courage and determination have given me a long-lost glimmer of hope."

These words, like a warm current, pierced through the ice in Ye Chu's heart, causing a glint of determination and resolve to flash in his eyes. He knew that the iron man before him was not only the guardian of the ninth level, but also the key to a higher realm.

"Please enlighten me, senior."

Ye Chu's words were like bamboo leaves swaying gently in the morning breeze, light yet carrying an undeniable resolve. As soon as he finished speaking, he planted himself firmly as an ancient pine tree, his hands swiftly forming hand seals, assuming a simple yet powerful fist stance. This stance was both a display of confidence in his martial arts skills and a solemn preparation for the upcoming challenge.

"Good!" A short but powerful response came from the iron man standing at the entrance to the ninth level, as if he had walked out of ancient times. This iron man had no human emotions; his eyes only shone with a cold light, flashing with ruthless judgment on the intruders. His existence was solely as the guardian of the last line of defense in this trial ground, faithfully carrying out his mission.

However, in the blink of an eye during this conversation, a storm was brewing. The Iron Man's figure suddenly vanished from the spot, like morning mist evaporating in the rising sun, leaving only a faint, almost imperceptible afterimage, trembling slightly in the air. This scene seemed to freeze the surrounding air, and time slowed down considerably at that moment.

Immediately afterward, a deafening thunderclap exploded in Ye Chu's ears—the roar of steel rubbing against the air, a perfect fusion of speed and power. Almost at the same instant the thunder roared, the iron monster, forged from steel and resembling a human, tore through the constraints of space like a silver lightning bolt, hurtling towards Ye Chu at incredible speed. Each step it took seemed to leave a deep imprint on space, and the indescribable pressure caused the air around Ye Chu to tremble.

This iron man's body was forged from an unknown, strange metal, its strength far surpassing that of ordinary weapons. Even a seasoned warrior like Ye Chu, who had experienced countless battles, had to acknowledge the absolute power emanating from his opponent. Every line on the iron man's body exuded coldness and sharpness, as if it could transform into a deadly blade at any moment, cutting through any obstacle.

Ye Chu's eyes shone brightly at that moment. He felt an unprecedented challenge, but he was not afraid at all. Instead, his fighting spirit was burning fiercely.

As the Iron Man unleashed his punch, a strike as powerful as a falling star, the surrounding air was instantly torn apart, as if even time and space were shaken by this force. Wherever the fist's wind passed, the void was no longer ethereal, but rather rippled with delicate waves, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, the ripples spreading endlessly in all directions, each containing terrifying energy capable of annihilating everything.

This formidable power was not merely a display of physical strength, but also a condensation of will and belief. It transcended the constraints of the mortal world, approaching the limits of the laws of heaven and earth. That power was like the roar of an ancient beast awakening, or a harbinger of the collapse of the heavens, devastating and invincible, constantly pushing the limits of what this space could withstand.

The force of the punch seemed to violently knead, twist, tear, and reassemble the space as if by an invisible giant hand. The whole process was so fast that it was breathtaking, leaving only a deafening roar echoing in the ears. It was the lament of the spatial structure under extreme pressure, foreshadowing its irreversible collapse.

The entire scene unfolded like a slowly unfurling apocalyptic scroll. A hurricane suddenly arose, howling winds sweeping across the land with destructive power, engulfing particles floating in the void and mercilessly hurling them into the distance. At the eye of the storm stood the figure of the iron man, surrounded by violent energy fluctuations, his eyes blazing as he stared straight ahead, as if he wanted to bring the world under his control, making it proof of his power.

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