Chapter 4: First Rank, First Star—Already This Powerful?

At that very moment, while the Death Worm was raising its head to absorb the moonlight and starlight, not far away, a female classmate who had been cornered was preparing to quietly cross the trench and escape toward the exit of the examination hall. The soil and rocks at the edge of the trench were unstable; her footing slipped, and she tumbled down. In the critical instant, she managed to grab onto a steel bar at the cracked edge with one hand, hanging precariously over the trench.

The commotion startled the nearby Death Worm. Its scarlet mandibles contracted, aiming and launching themselves fiercely at the girl.

"Not good!" Sun Hai cried out.

The girl was about to be struck by the Death Worm's elastic mandibles—when suddenly, a cement block the size of a washbasin flew across and smashed into the worm's mandibles. The razor-sharp jaws clamped onto the stone, and with a contraction, pulverized it to dust.

Below, Xiang Nan had already darted to the edge of the trench and pulled the female classmate up in one swift motion. The two rolled away together, escaping five or six meters in an instant. The girl, having narrowly escaped death, gazed deeply at Xiang Nan, her eyes full of gratitude.

[Ding! Brave act, rescued a classmate, aligns with Wong Fei-hung's righteous path, reward: compatibility +2%]

Excellent! Although a bit risky, the reward was compatibility! With every increase in compatibility, Xiang Nan could feel his strength surging further.

"Teacher Li, cover the retreat—leave this to me!" Xiang Nan strode forward, fists clenched, exuding heroic vigor.

[Ding! Courage in adversity, matches Wong Fei-hung's valor, reward: compatibility +2%]

Another reward?

Xiang Nan was overjoyed. A warm current rushed through his body, every cell brimming with vitality. He knew his realm had broken through to First Tier, Two Stars! The wind from his fists grew much stronger.

Sun Hai, though relieved, still looked at Xiang Nan with concern. "Xiang, you're only First Tier, One Star. You're no match for it."

Xiang Nan stood with hands behind his back, righteous and resolute. "If I do not enter hell, who will?"

The wind stirred, leaves fell askew, adding a touch of tragic grandeur.

Indeed!

Sun Hai was deeply shaken. "The Martial Sage chose you for a reason!"

It took him two seconds to turn away and continue guarding the students' evacuation.

"Xiang Nan, we'll help you!"

Perhaps inspired by Xiang Nan's actions, several martial arts students stepped forward as well. Xiang Nan paid them no mind; with fists whistling, he leapt ahead.

[Ding! Skill 'Hung Fist' triggered, initial skill points +10, compatibility +2%]

With Wong Fei-hung's master-level Hung Fist at his disposal, Xiang Nan swung his hand, slicing through the air with powerful waves. For his first strike, he used the Tiger-Crane Double Form Fist from Hung Fist—borrowing the "strength" and "form" of the tiger, the "appearance" and "intent" of the crane. Robust as a tiger, graceful as a crane—offense and defense perfectly balanced.

His fist, weighing thousands of pounds, crashed heavily into the Death Worm's torso.

A screech—its body slid four or five meters in the opposite direction of the punch. But as it slid, the worm sprayed thick venom directly at Xiang Nan's face.

"Watch out for the venom!"

The martial students wanted to help, but seeing the worm's agile neck and potent venom, none dared charge in recklessly. Meanwhile, the Thorn Blossom Mantis attacked from the other side.

Sun Hai, who had been watching Xiang Nan intently, went pale with fright.

It's over! My genius student! Just after attaining Martial Sage, is he to perish already?

In the critical moment, Xiang Nan performed a water-strider's step—his toes pivoted, and his body sprang lightly aside, landing securely at the Death Worm's flank.

The venom missed him entirely!

Not only that—it splattered onto the Thorn Blossom Mantis, which had been preparing to ambush Xiang Nan. The mantis's scythe-like forelimbs were instantly corroded halfway by the venom!

Both beasts roared in fury, their ferocity heightened, weapons brandished as they lunged at Xiang Nan. He dodged their frontal attacks, then unleashed another punch—the 'Hung Family Fist's Tiger Subduing Punch.' If it could flatten a tiger, what could a worm do? With one blow, the Death Worm's body was nearly smashed flat, liquid spraying from its mandibles.

"Damn!"

"Awesome!"

Several classmates watching cheered in amazement. Sun Hai, who had been anxious, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"A master-level martial return—even at First Tier, One Star, he's already this formidable?!"

On the battlefield, the Thorn Blossom Mantis, having missed its attack and seeing its ally flattened, was enraged. With its remaining scythe, it slashed at Xiang Nan three times in succession.

However—

Xiang Nan always evaded precisely, and seized each opportunity to charge up another Tiger Subduing Punch, nearly dislodging one of the mantis's legs. He felt his power growing, each strike more exhilarating.

[Ding! Hit target, Hung Fist skill point +1]

[Ding! Hit target, Hung Fist skill point +1]

[Ding! ...]

A full set of Hung Fist unleashed—forceful and fierce, yet defensively tight. With every punch, Hung Fist skill points accumulated, magnifying its power.

Seeing Xiang Nan holding his own against two beasts, the teachers and students watching were stunned, full of admiration. To increase their chances, several teachers with energy left rejoined the battle, focusing on the Thorn Blossom Mantis so Xiang Nan could concentrate on the more formidable Death Worm.

At this moment, despite the Death Worm's agility and venom attacks, it was surrounded by Xiang Nan's fists, almost unable to retaliate. Yet, as a second-returned beast, its endurance was astonishing. Even after taking several punches, it remained tenacious, occasionally launching attacks. Its retractable mandibles, once their sharp teeth hooked onto flesh, could tear out a chunk.

Dozens of rounds passed—victory remained undecided.

"Xiang Nan, catch the sword!"

Sun Hai tossed his longsword to Xiang Nan. With a flash of cold light, Xiang Nan now wielded a sharp weapon.

[Ding! Skill 'Cross Plum Blossom Sword' triggered, initial skill points +10, compatibility +2%]

Xiang Nan stepped forward like an arrow, whirling the sword flower in his hand. In an instant, a silver dragon appeared, agile as a flying dragon. Even with the worm's agility, in a blink, it had already suffered several sword wounds.

[Ding! Hit target, Cross Plum Blossom Sword skill point +1]

[Ding! ...]

Another wave of skill boosts. Xiang Nan's swordsmanship grew ever more exquisite. Wherever the blade pointed, nothing could stand in its way!

Despite its second-tier cultivation, the Death Worm was no match for the subtlety of human martial arts. Within a few breaths, it was wounded again and again.

Suddenly, it slid backward, its tail raised high for a sudden dive—it attempted to burrow into the earth.

Hell no! You're not escaping!

Xiang Nan leapt, executing a flying slash. The worm's body, not yet fully underground, was severed in half by a single sword stroke.