The sight left the crowd dumbfounded.

This…

They could all see that Chen Fan had drawn from Si Kongs manifestation of fist intent and grasped its essence in an instant.

How is this possible? How could he comprehend its essence so quickly?

Is he even human? How did he manage that?!

Voices rose in disbelief, echoing like thunder.

Everyone knew Si Kongs fist art had reached perfection. It was a peerless technique brimming with dazzling martial Dao insight. If one could comprehend it, their own strength would soar.

Yet for the masses, its mysteries were impenetrable. No matter how they strained, the essence slipped away like mist.

On the other hand, Chen Fan comprehended it instantly, giving their very souls a tight slap.

Even the elders and higher-ups, watching from the layers of space, felt their gazes sharpen with sudden brilliance.

This guy…

For a moment, those long settled in power felt a stir within.

When they were at Chen Fans level, even if faced with an opponent like Si Kong, they could never have done what he just did. He had grasped the essence of his opponents martial Dao in an instant.

The Heavenly Punishment Elder finally broke his silence, his voice brimming with approval.

Good, good, good, as expected of the one I have set my sights on!

Before, he had said he would only accept Chen Fan as his disciple if he took first place. But now? Even if Chen Fan failed, he would immediately take him in as his personal disciple after the martial meet ended.

He was undoubtedly a raw gem. At the very least, he would become a powerhouse, and perhaps, just perhaps, surpass even his own master.

Even the Heritage Elder was moved. Heavenly Punishment, why dont you let me have this little fellow?

The Heavenly Punishment Elder gave the Heritage Elder a sidelong glance and said, Dont even think about it. Still, Si Kong isnt bad either. To have cultivated his fist intent to this level at such a stage is rare, rarer than once in ten thousand years.

The Heritage Elder let his gaze fall on Si Kong, as if peering through his very soul. He chuckled softly. Hehe… Id like to, but I fear Im not qualified.

What, did you notice something?

Perhaps. If my suspicions are correct, even the sect master may be alarmed before long.

Oh, could it be that hes really…

The Heavenly Punishment Elders expression changed, his voice sinking to a low, weighty tone. Could it be that hes touched upon the realm of the three old ancestors?

Who knows? Regardless, hes at our level at the very least, said the Heritage Elder.

The Heavenly Punishment Elder nodded in silence, speaking no more.

On the battlefield, Si Kong gasped in surprise as he watched from the side. He could reach this level because he was different from the others. Yet even he had not expected Chen Fans comprehension to be this unimaginable.

To put things into perspective, this was not merely the act of shaping ones martial Dao intent into human form. The principles behind it were so profound that even Immortal King realm experts failed to grasp them completely.

But Chen Fan, using only this battle, had already condensed an embryonic form. It was nothing short of astounding.

But this worked out fine in the end. The stronger Chen Fan became, the closer he himself drew to breaking his inner shackles. He could feel it: freedom was only a hairs breadth away.

Haaa! Chen Fan shouted, brilliant light bursting from his eyes.

He could sense that he had improved a step further. He said to Si Kong, Si Kong, lets continue!

Alright! Si Kong nodded, his fighting spirit blazing as his martial Dao fist intent surged forth once again.

Boom, boom, boom!

In an instant, the two of them engaged in a fierce fight once more, like a meteorite crashing into the earth.

Due to Chen Fans newly gained comprehension, his strength had increased significantly. The once evenly matched duel now tilted unmistakably in his favor. Each of his punches and kicks carried not just raw force, but the embryonic form of his martial Dao intent, erupting with terrifying might.

Although it was only an embryonic form, its bombardment was overwhelming. Si Kongs fist intent manifestation quivered, cracks spidering across its surface.

Boom, boom, boom!

Bang, bang, bang!

Chen Fan fought increasingly valiantly as the battle went on. He comprehended the essence continuously, and the embryonic form of his martial Dao intent became increasingly refined.

With a thunderous strike, one of Si Kongs manifestations shattered, tearing open a gap in the five-move encirclement.

Chen Fan instantly seized the opening and struck out violently.

Boom!

He destroyed another fist intent manifestation.

Immediately afterward, Chen Fan destroyed the remaining three fist intent manifestations in the blink of an eye.

Having absorbed the essence of Si Kongs fist intent, Chen Fan stood transformed. Every movement radiated the grace of a fist Dao grandmaster, while the martial intent behind him solidified, growing ever more tangible.

Bang!

Like lightning, Chen Fan closed the distance and hurled a punch, crashing down on Si Kong like the weight of the starry heavens.

Si Kong, its time to end this!

The punch crushed all of Si Kongs defenses. The terrifying force struck Si Kong. Blood sprayed from his lips as he was blasted into the air.

Yet as he flew backward, Chen Fans strike did more than injure. It shattered a hidden membrane within him. Suddenly, Si Kongs aura erupted wildly, and rays of immortal light blazed forth, dazzling and unstoppable.

Si Kong steadied himself and began laughing out loud.

Hahahaha, good, good, good, Chen Fan, thank you very much. Truly, Im very grateful to you. My shackles are finally broken, hahahaha, great!

He looked at Chen Fan, his eyes revealing a trace of gratitude, and said, Chen Fan, first place is yours!

With that, he sat cross-legged in the void, hands forming a seal. Countless threads of law flickered around him, causing the immortal light to blaze even brighter.

Slowly, a round platform appeared above his head. Although it was illusory, it emitted a terrifying aura that sent a chill down peoples spines.

This turn of events quickly sent the crowd into an uproar.

He is… casting his immortal platform!

Naturally, they recognized what the illusory round platform above Si Kong was at a glance. It was the embryonic form of an immortal platform.

Si Kong was casting his immortal platform. He was going to break through to the Immortal Platform realm!

The eyes of the Heavenly Punishment Elder and Heritage Elder also shone with brilliant light.

An immortal platform takes shape, no cracks. This is a sage-grade immortal platform!

Sage-grade immortal platform, a natural-born Sage!

Visions surged before their eyes, countless possibilities flashing, in that moment, their earlier speculations were confirmed.