The atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly turned tense and fervent.
The watching disciples whispered among themselves, their discussions rising and falling:
"Senior Brother Liu Yunfeng has been at the First Blood Change for over a year. His Panshi Fist is firmly at Minor Accomplishment, and he has plenty of experience."
"Though Senior Brother Wang Yuan is extraordinarily gifted, he only broke through recently. There probably isn't much suspense in this sparring match, is there?"
"Exactly. Liu Senior Brother's mastery must run far deeper. If Senior Brother Wang Yuan can hold out for a dozen or so moves without losing, that would already be impressive."
"A High Grade Bone Structure is only potential, after all. It still takes time to turn it into strength..."
Liu Ming and Jiang Li stood to one side, their feelings complicated.
Liu Ming said quietly to Jiang Li, "If I'd known his talent was this terrifying, I shouldn't have put on airs back then. I should've invited him a few more times, even if only to become a familiar face."
Jiang Li's cool eyes watched the calm Wang Yuan in the arena. She nodded slightly and said softly:
"I only hope Liu Senior Brother shows mercy and doesn't make Junior Brother Wang lose too badly. They are fellow disciples, after all. They will have to see each other again in the future."
They all believed that although Wang Yuan's talent was high, his practical combat experience and mastery of martial arts could not possibly compare to Liu Yunfeng, who had immersed himself in this path for years.
In the arena, Liu Yunfeng listened to the surrounding discussions, and the frustration of being crushed by another's talent seemed to find an outlet.
He took a deep breath and suppressed the jealousy churning within him.
A seemingly magnanimous yet condescending smile was forced onto his face as he cupped his hands toward Wang Yuan.
"Junior Brother Wang, please!"
"This senior brother will mind his strength. I certainly won't hurt you."
"Let this senior brother see just how capable your High Grade Bone Structure is in actual combat."
The superiority in his words was barely concealed.
What he meant was that although Wang Yuan's talent was high, he was not Liu Yunfeng's match right now.
He might as well surrender quickly. Liu Yunfeng would go easy on him and spare him from losing too disgracefully.
Hearing this, Wang Yuan's lips curled into a faint smile as he replied calmly:
"Rest assured, Liu Senior Brother. This junior brother will also... mind his strength."
"I won't beat you to death..."
Wang Yuan then deliberately paused before continuing:
"Since Senior Brother is using the Panshi Fist, this junior brother will also use only the Panshi Fist to seek Senior Brother's guidance."
What?
Only the Panshi Fist?
Everyone froze upon hearing this.
Wang Yuan was actually giving up whatever other advantages he might have and choosing to fight in his opponent's strongest field? Wasn't that far too arrogant?
Liu Yunfeng was so furious that he laughed instead.
"Good! Good! Junior Brother Wang truly is confident. Then let this senior brother properly experience your skills!"
He said no more. With a low shout, the vital blood of his First Blood Change roared through his body.
He stomped down hard, his figure bursting forward like a tiger released from its cage.
The crowd saw a powerful Pebble Charge hurtling straight at Wang Yuan.
In an instant, the wind from his fist surged and his momentum was fierce. He clearly had no intention of holding back.
He intended to use absolute strength and experience to swiftly crush Wang Yuan and reclaim his dignity.
And yet, faced with this savage blow,
Wang Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, but he neither dodged nor retreated.
"Your moves are well-practiced, but your strength is far too weak!"
Wang Yuan likewise circulated the Panshi Fist. The vast, ocean-like vital blood within him erupted with astonishing power under the impetus of Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone.
He used no flashy techniques at all, only the simplest straight punch, meeting the attack head-on.
Bang!
Their fists collided with a dull, thunderous crash.
The vicious grin on Liu Yunfeng's face instantly froze.
He felt as if his punch had struck an iron mountain hurtling toward him at high speed.
An irresistible, terrifying force surged up his arm, shaking his vital blood into violent turmoil.
His entire arm turned sore and numb, and he staggered back three steps before barely managing to steady himself.
Wang Yuan, meanwhile, merely swayed slightly. His feet seemed rooted to the ground, and he did not move an inch.
"How is that possible? How could his strength be so great?"
Liu Yunfeng was horrified.
Wang Yuan had clearly only just broken through to the First Blood Change. Why was his strength so far beyond Liu Yunfeng's?
He had no time to think further.
Wang Yuan had already stepped forward. He still used the moves of the Panshi Fist, punching or palming, smashing or shoving.
To some of the watching disciples, his movements even seemed somewhat "crude" and full of "openings."
They were far less polished and seasoned than Liu Yunfeng's.
Yet these seemingly simple, even clumsy attacks left Liu Yunfeng in unspeakable misery!
Every punch and every palm from Wang Yuan contained an overwhelming force that could not be resisted.
Bolstered by Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, he had used only around half his strength, yet Liu Yunfeng was already struggling to withstand him.
Bang!
Liu Yunfeng's face twisted. The arm he used to block was in excruciating pain, as though the bones were about to crack.
Smack!
At last, he tried to deflect the attack with finesse, only for Wang Yuan's heavy palm shove to break through his defense and strike his shoulder, making him bare his teeth in pain.
Boom!
Wang Yuan followed with another heavy, forceful sweeping kick.
Liu Yunfeng did not dare receive it head-on and could only leap backward in a sorry state to evade it.
The situation had turned into Wang Yuan pressing forward step by step, his moves broad and unrestrained, his strength utterly crushing.
Liu Yunfeng, on the other hand, was like a small boat in a raging storm.
He could only rely on his more practiced footwork and experience with techniques to keep dodging and blocking.
He was battered into a desperate scramble, with no part of his body free from pain.
He was practically scurrying like a rat with its head in its paws, utterly incapable of fighting back!
Liu Yunfeng possessed exquisite variations in his techniques.
But before Wang Yuan's absolute strength and speed, he had no chance to unleash them.
Or rather, even if he did, they could not break through Wang Yuan's defense or offensive barrage!
The surrounding discussions had long since fallen silent. Everyone stared at the scene before them in stunned disbelief.
Liu Ming and Jiang Li were even more shocked into speechlessness.
The situation they had imagined, with Wang Yuan struggling to hold on, had never appeared.
Instead, Liu Yunfeng, an established First Blood Change martial artist, was being crushed one-sidedly?
"Th-this... is this what a High Grade Bone Structure can do?"
Liu Ming muttered, his voice dry.
"It's more than just his bone structure..."
A strange light flickered repeatedly in Jiang Li's beautiful eyes. She saw things more clearly.
"His strength, speed, and physique all far surpass those of the same level."
"Liu Senior Brother's techniques are like child's play before him!"
Just as Liu Yunfeng was forced into a corner with nowhere left to retreat, humiliation, fury, and horror twisting together in his heart to their utmost limit,
Wang Yuan's gaze sharpened. He felt it was about enough.
"The game is over!"
The vital blood in his body trembled slightly as he raised his strength by another fraction.
A seemingly ordinary Mountain Pushing Palm pressed toward Liu Yunfeng's chest.
Liu Yunfeng gritted his teeth and crossed his arms to block.
Bang!
A force far greater than before crashed into him.
Liu Yunfeng felt as if both arms were about to split apart. His chest tightened, and he flew backward like a kite with its string cut.
He comically rolled twice through the air before barely adjusting his posture. He landed unsteadily and stumbled back several more steps.
At last, his face shifted from green to white.
Though he had not suffered any serious injuries, every inch of him hurt. Worst of all, his dignity had been thrown away completely!
Liu Yunfeng stood where he was, panting heavily.
He looked at Wang Yuan across from him, whose breathing was steady as though he had merely warmed up, his eyes filled with disbelief and a trace of fear.
Silence!
The inner courtyard was deathly silent!
Everyone had been stunned by the result.
A few casual punches had left the seasoned First Blood Change Senior Brother Liu Yunfeng utterly unable to fight back, and a light palm strike had sent him flying?
Was this really someone who had only just broken through to the First Blood Change?
"Th-this... is this the world of geniuses?"
A disciple could not help murmuring in shock.
Shi Long, who had been watching from the side with his arms folded, shook his head helplessly. He sighed and muttered in a deep, muffled voice:
"Alas, it seems we still couldn't force Little Junior Brother to reveal all his strength..."
"This kid really hides himself deeply."
His words were like a heavy hammer striking the heart of every onlooker, including the pale-faced Liu Yunfeng.
Wang Yuan withdrew his stance and stood tall. He lightly cupped his hands toward the grim-faced Liu Yunfeng, his tone still calm.
"Thank you for yielding, Liu Senior Brother."
Liu Yunfeng opened his mouth, but could not say a word.
In the end, he could only lower his head dejectedly and silently walk to one side.
His back looked especially desolate.
This battle had thoroughly shattered his pride.
It also made him truly understand what it meant to be as far apart as clouds and mud.
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