Martial Journey of the Crippled Genius

The entire arena had fallen silent.

Why?

Because something unbelievable had just happened.

An eight-year-old boy—so young that even his hair hadn't fully grown in—had taken down the peak genius Shu Ming with a single strike.

Or so it seemed.

Those with trained eyes knew the truth: it wasn't a mere "single hit." They had seen what really occurred. Even they, seasoned cultivators and masters, were stunned.

Was this... something an eight-year-old could do?

Shu Ming was no ordinary genius. At age 14, he had reached the 3rd Layer of the Body Refining Realm, an exceptional feat. Most cultivators at his age were still struggling through the Body Tempering Stage. The disparity was enormous.

Then, what realm was this boy at?

"Hahaha… truly, a dragon among dragons! A real genius! You've hidden him well, Patriarch Han," said the Patriarch of the Solar Clan, one of the Ten Overlord Clans. Though he laughed, his face showed faint traces of shock.

"Haha… truly… incredible..." echoed the Cold Sect Patriarch. As he spoke, he unconsciously released a chill of ice essence—proof that he too was unsettled. Soon, the other Overlord Patriarchs began murmuring with concern.

The Head of the Han Clan simply smiled lightly.

But no one was more disturbed than the people of the Shu Sect. Their expressions were dark and heavy. Their brightest talent had just been humiliated—by an eight-year-old boy.

More shocking than the boy's power, however, was the mystery behind his sudden appearance. When had he stepped onto the arena? Even the experts hadn't seen it. Such terrifying speed—and presence.

But who was he?

Wasn't he just an ignored background figure?

So many questions. No answers.

"You brat! Who are you?!"

An elder from the Shu Sect, face twisted in rage, shouted—and suddenly unleashed the force of his Early Sovereign Stage cultivation, hurling it directly at the boy.

"STOP!"

A booming voice echoed through the arena, shaking the very air.

The Sovereign power shattered in an instant.

Everyone turned in astonishment as a shadow leapt down from the Overlords' viewing platform and landed gracefully in the arena.

"Little brother, Duan Yu Han Fang."

The voice belonged to Han Xian'er, who now stood protectively beside the mysterious boy. He stood beside her like a silent guardian.

Now the crowd understood.

This boy was named Duan Yu Han Fang.

But… Duan Yu? That name was unfamiliar. And Han? Was it just coincidence?

"So this is your adopted son, Han Patriarch? No wonder you protected him," said the Solar Clan Patriarch, frowning slightly.

Now it all made sense.

Eight years ago, the Han Clan's head had adopted a mysterious child. The story had been public—but forgotten. Today, no one was surprised.

Han Xian'er laughed mockingly. "So these are the so-called geniuses? Hahaha… no wonder they're all trash."

"What did you just say, bitch?!" roared a peak genius from the Cold Sect.

Hearing the word bitch, Duan Yu Han Fang's killing intent surged—but Han Xian'er raised her hand, stopping him. Had she not, that Cold Sect genius would likely be dead already.

"Oh? You're from the Cold Sect, right?" she said sweetly, her smile unwavering.

"You—so what?" the Cold Sect youth snapped.

"Nothing. Just… why not spar with my little brother? He's a lot younger than you. What do you say?" she asked with playful charm.

"You…" The Cold Sect genius fumed.

"You what? Afraid to face someone younger than you? This is the genius you claim to be?" Han Xian'er giggled.

"Of course I agree!" he snapped. He had no choice. If he refused, he'd be a laughingstock. He was 15 years old, already at the 5th Layer of the Body Refining Realm—stronger than Shu Ming by a full layer.

"Junior brother, get ready," Han Xian'er said gently, clearly doting on her little brother.

Some Han Clan juniors looked a little envious, but none dared to speak out. After all, they knew who Duan Yu Han Fang was. In fact, many of them chuckled inwardly, eager for the show about to unfold.

"Begin the match!" the referee called out.

The other contestants stepped off the stage, leaving only Duan Yu Han Fang and the Cold Sect genius.

"Listen up, brat—Duan Yu Han Fang or whatever your name is," the Cold Sect genius sneered. "My name is Wen Rian—the one who's about to defeat you. No… cripple you! Hahaha!"

Wen Rian raised his right palm. A chilling frost began to form.

"Freezing Cold Palm!" he shouted as he lunged forward. The technique was infused with real killing intent.

"Wait! Isn't that the Freezing Cold Palm?!" someone in the crowd exclaimed. "He's already mastered it to the Late Stage of Tier-1! Truly a genius!"

"It's one of the most difficult techniques in the Cold Sect, nearly Tier-2 level!"

"But more shocking than the technique… his strength! Isn't that the 4th Layer of Body Refining Realm?!"

"The Han Clan kid is dead for sure!"

Many spectators sighed, already mourning the loss of a promising talent.

"Duan Yu Han Fang doesn't stand a chance…"

"Die!" Wen Rian roared, unleashing his full power.

But Han Xian'er only smiled.

She had full confidence in her little brother.

Suddenly—

"Is that so? A man about to die should save his breath."

A bolt of thunder formed on Duan Yu Han Fang's right fist.

"Rushing Thunder Strike!"

It was the most basic technique of the Han Clan, but as his power surged—3rd Layer… 4th… 5th… 6th… and finally 7th Layer of Body Refining Realm—the entire arena gasped.

Wen Rian's eyes widened in fear. He tried to dodge, but Duan Yu Han Fang was too fast.

The thunder-charged fist met the icy palm head-on.

BOOM!

"AHHHHH!"

Wen Rian was flung from the stage like a broken doll, vomiting blood.

"Rian'er!" The Cold Sect rushed forward—but by the time they reached him, he was already dead.

A cold corpse.

The winner was clear.

Silence gripped the crowd.

"He… he really was at the 7th Layer…"

"A genius at age 8… stronger than any youth!"

Han Xian'er laughed, her voice as beautiful as it was deadly.

The Han Clan smiled with pride.

"He singlehandedly restored our clan's prestige!"

But many in the audience were sweating in fear.

To have such strength at age 8… this was a monster.

The Cold Sect Patriarch was also sweating. Then, he rose—his face dark.

"You brat… you killed the first son of the Wen Clan. Even your corpse won't be enough!"

Suddenly, he unleashed the terrifying power of an Earthly Sovereign.

Many in the crowd began vomiting blood from the sheer pressure. Some even began to freeze to death.

Panic erupted.

Even Han Xian'er frowned—things had escalated beyond her control. Her junior brother was now in real danger.

But Duan Yu Han Fang stood calmly beside her, expression unmoved.

Just then—

"Who dares… to try and kill my son?!"

A boundless, suffocating martial pressure erupted—and violently clashed with the Cold Sect Patriarch's Earthly Sovereign power.

To be continued…