Refusal

Inside the practice room, unaware of Cao Tong's attention.

Chen Feng stood in place with a calm expression, shoulders lowered and elbows dropped, spine taut, both feet gripping the ground like tiger claws.

He had thought visualization would be easy, but after experiencing it for himself and hearing the questions from several trainees earlier—

He realized it was different from what he had imagined.

Visualization required a tranquil mind.

Recalling what Cao Tong had said earlier, he suddenly understood something.

At once, his will stirred.

Chen Feng instantly cast aside all negative emotions and entered a calm state.

In the blink of an eye, the Scarlet Tiger Visualization Diagram rapidly formed in his mind. Every line and movement appeared with magnified clarity, no longer able to disperse.

"Hmm?"

Seeing this, Cao Tong's gaze shifted.

The doubt in his eyes vanished completely, and a smile appeared on his lips again.

"I knew it."

With a slight nod, he quickly clasped his hands behind his back and casually looked toward the others.

As expected of Cao Tong's fanboy.

His talent really was extraordinary.

At the same moment.

The instant the visualization succeeded, Chen Feng's gaze suddenly shifted.

Flame Tiger Stance: Beginner (1%)+

The prompt appeared before him, and he inwardly thought, As expected.

At first, there had been no progress display when he practiced the stance. Only after the visualization succeeded did he receive feedback.

Clearly, as Cao Tong had said, the two were complementary martial arts methods. Only together did they constitute the true Flame Tiger Stance.

"Should I try adding a point?"

Looking at the plus sign after the skill in the panel, Chen Feng had an idea.

But thinking of how he had successfully visualized with the help of his calm will earlier—

He suddenly wanted to see just how talented he was at martial arts while in a calm state, and whether he had become much stronger.

Besides, he had Limit Break points in hand and could add them whenever he wanted.

With that thought in mind, Chen Feng continued practicing stances and punches until noon.

Progress +1

Flame Tiger Stance: Beginner (2%)

Sweat poured down his face like rain, and his soaked black short-sleeved shirt clung tightly to his back.

Expressionless, Chen Feng walked to the open area by the practice room window, picked up his sports bottle, and took several large gulps.

Gulp!

Gulp!

Coolness spread through him as the plain water entered his stomach.

Sweat slid down his cheeks, and a trace of helplessness flashed through Chen Feng's eyes.

This talent, honestly speaking—

Really was beyond saving.

He had gained only one point of progress all morning. If he wanted to reach Beginner through normal cultivation, who knew how many years it would take.

"Looks like calmness only makes me a little more focused."

"Although it helps with martial arts somewhat, that's all it does."

At that thought, Chen Feng no longer held any illusions and immediately tried using one Limit Break point.

Buzz!

At once, insights into the stance appeared in his memories, and the progress in the panel suddenly changed.

Flame Tiger Stance: Beginner (22%)+

"Still not enough."

Chen Feng raised his brows, somewhat surprised.

One Limit Break point could only increase Beginner progress by 20%. In other words, even if he used his remaining two points, it would not be enough to break through into the Tiger Form realm.

"Looks like the Flame Tiger Stance is indeed very difficult."

"This is only the Beginner stage. It's hard to imagine how many Limit Break points will be needed after Tiger Form."

As he pondered in silence, Chen Feng suddenly felt an urge to immediately enter the Dream World, search every area, and find loads of Limit Breaking Light Orbs.

"Damn, this stance is way too hard."

Suddenly, Lin Hao walked over during the break.

His loose gray T-shirt was already soaked through, his entire face flushed red, and sweat continuously dripped from him as though he had just emerged from a sauna.

"This is seriously exhausting, and that visualization diagram or whatever is too mystical."

"I feel like my five million was wasted."

Lin Hao hurriedly picked up his water bottle and poured water into his mouth. Chen Feng raised his brows.

"Didn't Coach Cao give you some guidance?"

"Don't mention it. My talent really isn't suited for martial arts."

"He told me to calm my mind and visualize, but I simply can't do it." Lin Hao spoke helplessly for a few moments, then looked at Chen Feng with an expectant expression.

"Oh, right. Did you succeed in visualizing?"

"What do you think?"

"Damn it! I shouldn't have asked." Lin Hao looked utterly depressed and could only continue gulping down water.

The two naturally began chatting, though Lin Hao did most of the talking.

Tap, tap!

Just then, footsteps sounded.

The light before them dimmed slightly as two figures approached.

"Hmm?"

Lin Hao froze halfway through drinking, while Chen Feng also turned to look.

One was tall and slender, a full 1.85 meters tall.

He had layered long hair, a rosy complexion, phoenix eyes, and looked around twenty-three or twenty-four. He wore a loose White Martial Arts Uniform.

The other was two centimeters shorter, but his shoulders and back were broad, his limbs thick and powerful, and his athletic T-shirt was stretched taut over his body.

He had a buzz cut and a somewhat mature-looking face, appearing to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Wu Tian."

The tall, slender man with the layered hair spoke first. His voice was calm, carrying a hint of reserved pride.

"Pei Yue."

The burly young man beside him nodded lightly. His voice was low as he stood beside Wu Tian and looked at Chen Feng.

Seeing this, Chen Feng raised his brows slightly.

There was not much hostility in his Perception, but he still sensed a trace of scrutiny.

"What is it?"

In a calm tone, he asked the two of them.

"Nothing. I just think you're pretty good."

Wu Tian smiled, then raised a hand and pointed at the other trainees resting separately. His gaze swept over them from above.

"There are many mediocre people in this Core Class, but very few geniuses."

"I heard about you from an elder at the Martial Arts Hall this morning. Your talent is decent, so I wanted to spar with you."

His tone was matter-of-fact, without any attempt to conceal his intentions.

Chen Feng was somewhat surprised, but then remembered that he had coincidentally ended up in Cao Tong's class and roughly understood what was going on.

"Not interested."

Chen Feng shook his head slightly and refused immediately.

He had no obligation to spar with the other man and waste his own time.

"Oh?"

Wu Tian raised his brows, amusement curling at the corners of his mouth.

"Are you afraid of losing?"

It was an obvious provocation, but Chen Feng did not fall for it at all.

"Has anyone ever told you—"

With a calm expression, he met Wu Tian's gaze. "Your methods are pathetic?"

Words fell, and the atmosphere among the four fell silent for a moment.

Lin Hao watched it all with a smile, saying nothing. Pei Yue beside him slightly frowned, as though he wanted to step forward.

"Heh heh."

Wu Tian waved a hand to stop Pei Yue. His narrowed eyes slowly opened, and then he shrugged.

"Interesting. I'll remember you."

Words fell, and he turned around and left.

Pei Yue beside him shook his head almost imperceptibly, gave Chen Feng a deep look, and left as well.

Seeing this, Lin Hao's smile faded considerably. In an unreadable tone, he said, "I didn't expect there to be such self-important guys even in the Core Class."

At that, Chen Feng remained calm and merely watched Wu Tian and Pei Yue's retreating figures as they slowly walked away.

The instant he had refused them, he had sensed a cold trace of malice, laced with mockery and embarrassment.

It was not intense, but it was enough to prove that the other man's heart was no broader than that.

"It's fine."

Chen Feng shook his head. In a calm tone, as though replying to Lin Hao, he said, "We'll be in the Core Class for a long time."

"There will be plenty of chances to teach him a lesson."

Words fell, and the two looked into each other's eyes.

In the end, both of them smiled.