Sparring

The afternoon sunlight was just right.

Wang Yuan arrived at Panshi Fist Academy. The moment he stepped into the inner courtyard, he saw Senior Disciple Brother Shi Long instructing three disciples in their boxing.

Wang Yuan recognized all three. They were Liu Ming, Jiang Li, and Liu Yunfeng—the one who had shown considerable hostility toward him—who had previously invited him to Drunken Immortal Tower and been refused.

All three were children of prominent inner-city families. With resources piled upon them and several years of hard training, they had now all completed the First Blood Change and cultivated the Panshi Fist to Minor Accomplishment.

At that moment, they were exchanging moves with Shi Long. Their fist winds howled and their blood and qi surged, displaying a solid foundation.

Shi Long was clearly somewhat listless.

As a great expert of the Third Blood Change, sparring with these three Junior Brothers and Junior Sister who had only undergone the First Blood Change meant he had to hold back at every turn, afraid of hurting them. It truly left him tied hand and foot.

If not for the generous "sponsorship" these three brought to the academy every year, he would have long since thrown in the towel.

Just as he was feeling stifled, Shi Long caught sight of Wang Yuan entering the inner courtyard from the corner of his eye. His eyes immediately lit up, as though he had spotted a savior.

His booming voice rang out at once:

"Junior Brother! You came at just the right time!"

"Come, come! Spar with your Senior Brothers and Senior Sister, and exchange some insights!"

His shout not only startled Wang Yuan.

It also caused Liu Ming, Jiang Li, and Liu Yunfeng, who had been practicing their fists, to pause. They all turned to look at Wang Yuan, their faces filled with astonishment.

Liu Ming raised a brow slightly.

A trace of surprise flashed through Jiang Li's cool eyes.

Liu Yunfeng, meanwhile, directly furrowed his brows. Displeasure and a measure of contempt showed openly on his face.

Spar?

With Wang Yuan?

What kind of joke was this!

The three of them were all martial artists who had completed the First Blood Change and brought the Panshi Fist to Minor Accomplishment.

As for Wang Yuan, he was merely a newcomer who had joined not long ago, likely having only just nurtured his blood and qi.

Sparring with him—wouldn't that just be bullying him?

Moreover, the pride deep in their hearts after Wang Yuan had refused their invitation—

Made them feel that exchanging blows with Wang Yuan would be beneath their status.

What did it matter if some mud-legged bumpkin from the outer city had clambered onto the high branch of Panshi Fist Academy?

Liu Ming gave an awkward laugh and spoke:

"Senior Disciple Brother, Junior Brother Wang only joined recently. Isn't it rather inappropriate for us to spar with him?"

Liu Yunfeng merely snorted coldly.

Though he said nothing, his gaze plainly said, "He isn't worthy."

Seeing their expressions, Shi Long finally realized something.

Scratching his head with a hand as large as a fan, Shi Long gave an honest smile, though his tone carried a matter-of-fact calmness:

"Oh, I forgot to tell you."

"Junior Brother has already completed the First Blood Change a few days ago. His Panshi Fist has also reached Minor Accomplishment."

"..."

Shi Long's voice was not loud, yet it was like thunder exploding on level ground, instantly detonating through the inner courtyard.

The awkward smile on Liu Ming's face froze at once, his pupils widening.

For the first time, obvious shock appeared on Jiang Li's ever-cool face.

Liu Yunfeng looked as if he had been struck by lightning, his eyes abruptly widening.

The words "Impossible" were written all over his face. Even his body trembled faintly from the sheer intensity of his shock.

"The... First Blood Change?! Minor Accomplishment in the Panshi Fist?!"

"He joined... less than a month ago?!"

"How was that possible?"

"Which of them had not trained bitterly for at least two or three years and spent vast amounts of their family's resources just to barely reach this realm?"

"Yet Wang Yuan, a poor kid from East District in the outer city, had caught up to their years of hard work in less than a month?"

A tremendous sense of disparity, along with the crushing frustration of being utterly outclassed, surged into Liu Yunfeng's heart.

He recalled how he had once begged his father desperately and spent a fortune just to enter the academy, yet had never managed to become a True Disciple.

But this brat before him had not only effortlessly obtained the status of True Disciple that Liu Yunfeng had dreamed of, but now even his cultivation had... caught up?

Why?

Could the talent of a High Grade Bone Structure truly erase every gap created by effort and family background?

A wicked fire of jealousy, resentment, and anger surged straight to Liu Yunfeng's head, nearly making him lose his mind.

He suddenly stepped forward, staring fixedly at Wang Yuan as he said excitedly, "Junior Brother Wang Yuan! Since Senior Disciple Brother has said so, then let us have a spar."

"Let me see just how much substance this 'High Grade Bone Structure' of yours truly has!"

He practically gritted his teeth as he spoke the four words "High Grade Bone Structure," his tone brimming with bitterness and provocation.

Wang Yuan had only entered the First Blood Change not long ago, and his Panshi Fist had only just reached Minor Accomplishment. There was no way he could be stronger than a seasoned First Blood Change martial artist like him.

Though Liu Yunfeng's anger had gone to his head, he still retained some reason.

Beating someone who had only just broken through to the First Blood Change would be as easy as taking something from his hand.

The advantage was mine!

Rather than stopping him, Shi Long let out a chuckle.

He even folded his arms and stepped aside, looking as though he were eager to watch a good show.

He had long wanted to see the true strength of this little Junior Brother.

At the First Blood Change, he had been able to smash an Incense God Cult follower's head apart with a single punch.

This little Junior Brother had truly hidden his strength well.

Liu Ming and Jiang Li exchanged a glance, both seeing the complicated emotions in each other's eyes. They silently moved back, clearing the space for them.

The other disciples of the outer courtyard also gathered around after hearing the commotion.

When they learned that Wang Yuan, the courtyard master's newly accepted True Disciple, was actually going to spar with Senior Brother Liu Yunfeng, who had long since reached Minor Accomplishment in the First Blood Change, they immediately began chattering among themselves, and the scene grew lively.

"Senior Brother Liu is going to spar with that newcomer, Wang Yuan?"

"Wang Yuan? That High Grade Bone Structure kid? How long has he even been in the sect?"

"I heard he's already reached the First Blood Change!"

"What? That's impossible! It's only been a month!"

"Damn it, comparing people really can piss you to death. After a month, I still haven't nurtured my qi and blood or even gotten started with Panshi Fist, but Wang Yuan, who entered with me, has already stepped into the First Blood Change?"

"Now this will be a good show! Senior Brother Liu is a veteran of the First Blood Change, and his Panshi Fist is deeply honed!"

"I wonder just how formidable a High Grade Bone Structure genius really is..."

Under the gazes of the crowd—some curious, some doubtful, some expectant—

Wang Yuan looked at the aggressive, battle-hungry Liu Yunfeng before him, his expression calm and unruffled.

After punching Song San to death and kicking the Incense God Cult follower down, this was only a spar. There was no longer any need for him to feel nervous.

As it happened, he also wanted to test himself and gauge his strength after reaching the First Blood Change.

And... the effect of combining Panshi Fist with Chasing Wind Leg.

With Panshi Fist at the First Blood Change and Chasing Wind Leg at the First Blood Change, where did that place him among First Blood Change martial artists?

"Since Senior Brother Liu is willing to offer guidance, this Junior Brother will naturally accompany you."

Wang Yuan gave a slight cupped-fist salute. His tone was calm, but his gaze gradually sharpened.

He was no soft-hearted saint.

Liu Yunfeng had always been hostile toward him for no reason other than that Wang Yuan had become Master Zheng's disciple and blocked his path.

This spar was the perfect chance to let this fellow see just how vast the gap was between him and a genius like Wang Yuan.

He did not possess merely a High Grade Bone Structure.

He possessed Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone!