Chapter 35: Taming the Titan Battle Rhino

As soon as Chu Feng stepped onto the field, the surrounding disciples immediately began to whisper among themselves.

“Look, Young Master Linshan is entering the arena! I wonder how his martial strength measures up—can he subdue the Vajra Battle Rhino?”

“He must be confident! Young Master Linshan spent over a day in the high-tier Xuan-level mechanism room—his martial prowess is no mere facade!”

“His improvement has been astonishing! Just ten-odd days ago, when he first arrived at the Mu family, he was like us, only at the second tier of Body Refinement. Now, he’s challenging the Vajra Battle Rhino!”

Amidst the chatter, Chu Feng remained composed, nodding to the steward who held the whistle.

“Young Master Linshan, please prepare!” The steward in white placed the whistle to his lips and blew a sharp note.

Roaring, the Vajra Battle Rhino charged at Chu Feng. Despite enduring more than ten rounds of challenges, the beast showed no sign of fatigue; instead, it was even more ferocious. In the previous round, Mi Xinjian had attempted to wear it down with nimble footwork, only to enrage the rhino further. Now, after a brief rest, its rage had not subsided, and facing Chu Feng, it was more violent than ever.

Thud! Thud! The massive beast, as large as a house, thundered across the field, its four legs pounding the earth, sending tremors through the ground. For the young disciples watching, it felt as if a giant hammer were beating against their chests—a most uncomfortable sensation.

Yet, as the rhino barreled toward him, Chu Feng stood his ground, unmoving as a mountain, neither dodging nor flinching.

“Brother Linshan, the Vajra Battle Rhino is not to be taken lightly—don’t get careless!” Mu Kaihe, standing nearby, offered a kind reminder, worried by Chu Feng’s posture.

Chu Feng nodded in acknowledgment.

When the rhino was barely thirty feet away, the wind of its charge sent Chu Feng’s hair streaming and his clothes billowing, as though filled with a mighty gale.

Seeing this, Mi Xinjian, his face ashen, secretly rejoiced. The Vajra Battle Rhino was in a league far above tigers and lions—so Chu Feng was just going to stand there and wait for death? Let the rhino trample him into paste!

The beast bore down, now only ten feet away!

All around, even the examiners stared wide-eyed. Some of the more timid disciples couldn’t bear to watch the impending carnage and covered their eyes.

“Brother Linshan, be careful!” Mu Kaihe shouted.

“No need!” Chu Feng replied, his voice ringing out.

At that moment, there was a loud crack from Chu Feng’s back as the muscles of his chest and back expanded, as if a small umbrella had opened beneath his skin.

Simultaneously, his hand shot out.

Clang!

As Chu Feng’s large hand clamped down on the rhino’s horn—over ten feet long—a deafening crash echoed across the field.

In the next instant, the raging beast abruptly froze, locked in a deadlock with Chu Feng, unable to move an inch.

“Look! The Vajra Battle Rhino has been stopped by Young Master Linshan—it’s not moving!”

“Young Master Linshan is holding the rhino in place with his bare hands? How can that be?!”

“How much strength does it take to bring a Vajra Battle Rhino to a complete halt?”

“He’s terrifying...”

The disciples were dumbfounded, their mouths agape, some breaking into excited debate.

Chu Feng stood firm, unmoving, his hand gripping the rhino’s horn, holding the rampaging beast perfectly still.

The rhino heaved, breathing hot gusts from its gaping mouth, but no matter how much strength it mustered, it couldn’t advance an inch.

Chu Feng increased his grip. The rhino’s limbs dug into the earth with all their might. The clashing forces split the ground beneath them, opening cracks in the soil.

The rhino’s frenzied exertions gouged four deep pits beneath its feet, flinging dirt everywhere.

“That’s enough, Young Friend Linshan! You’ve passed the trial and reached the fourth tier of Body Refinement—the Rhino Strength level!” The chief examiner, Mu Zhenbei, called out, signaling that Chu Feng could release his hold.

Chu Feng seemed not to hear. Suddenly he shouted, “Rise!”

At his cry, the ground beneath his feet began to sink with a grating sound. Yet, the rhino, still gripped by its horn in Chu Feng’s hand, was slowly pried from the ground—its four legs rising into the air!

“Heavens! The Vajra Battle Rhino is off the ground? Young Master Linshan is lifting it clear into the air?”

“How is that possible? What level of strength has he attained?”

“Incredible! Young Master Linshan is truly fearsome!”

The watching disciples leapt to their feet, utterly stunned.

Not only were the disciples shocked—even the ten or so examiners and stewards overseeing the autumn trials were struck dumb.

Chu Feng held the horn and raised the entire rhino, its rump nearly ten feet above the ground.

Now, the beast whined helplessly, limbs limp, its barbs withdrawn beneath its hide, the entire massive body trembling violently.

For all their reputation as indomitable fighters, the Vajra Battle Rhino was now wholly subdued in Chu Feng’s grasp, reduced to a shivering wreck.

Chu Feng’s expression was grave. He held the horn in one hand, the other behind his back, and strode forward.

One step, two steps, three steps!

With each stride, a deep footprint was pressed into the earth.

After a dozen steps, the suspended rhino seemed to faint from terror; its limbs drooped and even the ragged sounds from its mouth ceased.

Chu Feng gently eased his strength, lowering the beast back to the ground.

Hiss!

As its hooves touched earth, a great spray of liquid burst out beneath it—a pungent stench filled the air.

It had urinated itself.

The Vajra Battle Rhino had been so terrified by Chu Feng that it had lost control, lying there motionless, trembling as if stricken by a grave illness.

Chu Feng had not performed this display of might merely to show off; it was the effect of the battle intent from the Serpent within. The Golden Battle Python’s fighting spirit grew stronger when faced with formidable foes, making its techniques more ferocious.

With that indomitable battle energy, Chu Feng’s response to the powerful Vajra Battle Rhino was instinctive.

In truth, what terrified the rhino was not simply Chu Feng’s raw strength, but the overwhelming force of his fighting spirit.

“If I hadn’t witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it—the Vajra Battle Rhino is not only reduced to a quivering mess, it’s been terrified into urinating! This display from Young Friend Linshan has certainly broadened my horizons!” Chief examiner Mu Zhenbei exclaimed, now looking upon Chu Feng with newfound respect.

“This is a mature male, weighing fifteen thousand catties! Yet Young Friend Linshan lifted it one-handed by the horn, raising it over ten feet, and even managed a dozen steps. What incredible strength is required for such a feat?” Another white-bearded elder was equally stunned, regarding Chu Feng as if he were some mythical creature.

“Now, I... I declare! Young Master Linshan has passed the trial in full! Achieved the fourth tier of Body Refinement—the Rhino Strength realm!” Mu Zhenbei stammered, swallowing hard. “Everyone, applaud!”

At his words, the field erupted into thunderous applause and joyous shouts.

A martial artist who reaches the fourth tier of Body Refinement, the Rhino Strength realm, can travel a thousand to two thousand miles on foot in a day; their lifespan extends from a hundred and fifty to a hundred and eighty years. Their bodies are as tough as iron; they can catch birds in flight, uproot willows as easily as pulling scallions, and move with a stride worthy of dragons and tigers. Their presence is awe-inspiring.

Chu Feng’s performance today had indeed opened everyone’s eyes. To witness such a marvelous feat was reason enough for the crowd to cheer.

The Mu family elders were astonished, and the disciples were in uproar. Mi Xinjian, who had been prepared to gloat at Chu Feng’s supposed demise, was now utterly deflated, his hands unconsciously joining in the applause.

“Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your kindness!” Chu Feng cupped his fists to those around him, smiling in gratitude.

“Everyone, quiet down!” Mu Zhenbei motioned for silence, then declared in a clear voice, “Young Friend Linshan is truly a once-in-a-century martial prodigy! Not only did he subdue the Vajra Battle Rhino with ease, his technique was astonishing. He has also broken the Mu family’s record for this challenge!”

“Oh?” Chu Feng’s curiosity was piqued, and he looked to Mu Zhenbei for more.

“According to our family records, in over a hundred years, only the forty-fifth generation disciple—our so-called Martial Ancestor Mu—managed to subdue the Vajra Battle Rhino barehanded, rendering it immobile in just thirty breaths. But today, Young Friend Linshan did the same in only eighteen breaths, leaving the beast limp and utterly obedient! Compared to our ancestor, Young Friend Linshan’s skills are clearly superior!”

“Haha, you flatter me!” Chu Feng smiled and shook his head, though his face was flushed with satisfaction.

To showcase his strength before all and win such resounding acclaim—what martial artist would not be pleased? Chu Feng was, of course, no exception.

“Excuse me, is Young Master Linshan here? Young Master Linshan!” At that moment, several Mu family stewards hurried across the arena, calling loudly. Leading them was the young master of the Mu family, Mu Kaishan.

“Hm? Kaishan, what brings you here?” Chu Feng’s heart leapt; from their urgent tone, it seemed unlikely to be good news.

Soon, Mu Kaishan and the stewards approached, their expressions confirming Chu Feng’s suspicion.

“Linshan, how did you fare in the trial? You managed to defeat the Vajra Battle Rhino, didn’t you?” Mu Kaishan asked.

“I did,” Chu Feng answered. “Kaishan, what brings you here?”

“Let me be brief. Just now, people from the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall and the Terror Sect arrived at the Mu family, asking specifically to see you. They’re waiting for you in the main reception hall!” Mu Kaishan said.

“Oh?” At these words, Chu Feng’s face changed dramatically.