Zhang Meng leaped forward first, landing nimbly in the center of the Training Ground. The thick-backed saber in his hand flashed with a cold gleam beneath the sunlight, his bearing fierce and imposing.
He looked down at Fang Yuan as Fang Yuan slowly approached, his eyes brimming with confidence and provocation.
Fang Yuan, meanwhile, walked at an unhurried pace, his movements carrying a sluggish heaviness that outsiders might even mistake for weakness, a stark contrast to Zhang Meng's vigorous, dragon-and-tiger vitality.
"Senior Brother Fang's walk... why does something seem off?"
"Yeah, he looks kind of sickly, like he hasn't eaten enough?"
Quite a few disciples noticed the difference and whispered among themselves, their faces full of puzzlement.
Yet Chen Zhengyang, standing upon the raised platform, narrowed his eyes sharply when he saw Fang Yuan's gait, waves surging through his heart. "Tiger's gait resembles illness!"
This kid had actually comprehended something extraordinary from the Fundamental Diagram!
Many disciples remained full of anticipation. Zhang Meng was strong, but Fang Yuan, whom the master had made an exception to accept as a personal disciple, surely possessed something exceptional as well.
Fang Yuan reached the middle of the field and glanced at the chopping knife at his waist, its blade chipped all over and looking rather shabby. He shook his head slightly.
His gaze swept over the disciples at the edge of the field as he was about to ask to borrow a saber.
"Senior Brother Fang, catch!" A young disciple who had always greatly admired Fang Yuan immediately understood.
Excitedly, he tossed over the well-maintained refined steel saber in his hand.
"Go, Senior Brother Fang!" he shouted loudly, clearly holding Fang Yuan in extremely high regard.
Several older disciples on friendly terms with Zhang Meng immediately glared at him, but the young disciple