Three Moves to Victory, Pursuit Through Dark Alleys!

"Gu Heng is sparring with Liu Chu?!"

"Tut, isn't Gu Heng just bullying a newcomer?"

"If he were sparring with Xu Haoran, Gu Heng would probably hold back a little. But against Liu Chu... that might be another story."

"Heh, Gu Heng has trained at the martial arts school for over half a year, yet he still has the nerve to bully a newcomer."

Seeing Gu Heng about to spar with Liu Chu, the newcomer, the apprentices began whispering among themselves, each with their own opinion.

Quite a few of them had trained at the martial arts school for nearly half a year, so naturally, they could not bring themselves to spar with a newcomer like Liu Chu.

Some sneered at Gu Heng's shameless behavior.

Others were simply there for the spectacle. As veteran apprentices of the martial arts school, they instinctively sided with Gu Heng and were more than happy to see a newcomer make a fool of himself.

They knew Gu Heng somewhat. He was quite snobbish and liked associating with apprentices from well-off families or those with good talent.

As for apprentices from ordinary families with mediocre talent, he usually treated them coldly.

And Liu Chu had taken ten days just to grasp Stake Training, so his talent could only be considered average.

If the two sparred, Gu Heng would most likely not hold back.

Sure enough, Gu Heng seized the initiative. Taking up the stance of the Dragon-Tiger Combat Technique, he said directly, "Junior Brother, be careful. I won't be holding back."

Liu Chu said nothing more. He merely nodded slightly and assumed the stance of the Dragon-Tiger Combat Technique as well.

One fist was held before him, while the claw was concealed behind.

Whoosh!

Gu Heng's gaze sharpened. He strode forward like a ferocious tiger breaking free of its cage, his five fingers clenched as he drove a punch straight at Liu Chu's chest.

He was incredibly fast, his fist faintly stirring up a fierce wind. Yet just as it was about to reach Liu Chu's chest, his fist suddenly became a claw, his fingers curling as he abruptly snatched toward Liu Chu's throat.

A feint!

This instantaneous shift in technique showed that he had practiced the Combat Technique with great proficiency, and he showed not the slightest mercy in his attack.

Yet in Liu Chu's eyes, this seemingly smooth transition was far from fluid.

His gaze was keen, and at a glance, he saw through the feint. He even accurately predicted the posture and direction of Gu Heng's next move.

Dragon-Tiger Combat Technique—Dragon Intercept Fist!

Liu Chu instantly seized the opening. His foot shifted slightly back, then he hurled a slanting punch forward, like a flood dragon emerging from the sea. His fist rose from below and struck precisely against the inside of Gu Heng's elbow.

"Hiss!"

Gu Heng felt his arm go numb, as if the entire limb had lost all sensation.

Not good!

Horrified, he knew his move had been broken and hurriedly pulled back.

But how could Liu Chu let such an opportunity slip away? After intercepting Gu Heng's attack and striking the numbing nerve near his elbow, Liu Chu had already stepped forward with his left foot.

Whoosh!

His five fingers spread, his fist turning into a claw like a sharp hook. In an instant, he caught Gu Heng's numbed right arm and twisted it hard.

Gu Heng felt as though his arm was about to be twisted into a pretzel. Not daring to delay, he hurriedly leaped and rolled through the air, shedding the force.

But before he could land and steady himself, Liu Chu's left hand had already clenched into a fist. He suddenly punched out, swift as thunder, striking Gu Heng squarely in the chest.

"Boom!"

Gu Heng felt a sharp pain in his chest. His body staggered back, his blood and qi churning within him, while disbelief filled his face.

"I lost!"

Gu Heng opened his mouth, only to feel tightness in his chest and shortness of breath. For a moment, he could not speak at all.

Three moves!

In only three moves, he had lost!!

Gu Heng's mind went blank.

He had lost too quickly. His mind was in a daze, and he had no idea what emotion he was supposed to feel.

"He lost? Gu Heng actually lost?!"

"How is that possible? Liu Chu has only practiced martial arts for two months, hasn't he? Gu Heng has trained for nearly half a year! How could he lose...?"

"Three moves! He lost in only three moves! It isn't that Gu Heng is too weak—it's that this newcomer is too strong!"

All the martial arts school apprentices were utterly shocked. None of them had expected Gu Heng, who had trained for half a year, to lose to Liu Chu.

And to lose so quickly!

Only three moves, and he had been completely defeated!

"This guy... has he really cultivated the Combat Technique to the Minor Accomplishment Realm?!"

Xu Haoran's expression shifted as a feeling of helplessness rose in his heart.

"Why do I feel that Liu Chu's Combat Technique is more than just the Minor Accomplishment Realm?"

Chen He had also been watching nearby. Rubbing his chin, he could not help but frown in thought.

As a Grade-Entry Realm martial artist, he too had cultivated the Combat Technique to the Minor Accomplishment Realm. Yet he vaguely felt that the Combat Technique Liu Chu displayed was even more powerful than his own.

"Forget it. I should tell Master first."

Chen He turned and entered the Inner Court, where he found Yang Wenhuai teaching the Inner Court disciples.

Everyone in the Inner Court was a Grade-Entry Realm martial artist. They were the true disciples who could call Yang Wenhuai Master, unlike apprentices such as Liu Chu.

"Is something the matter?"

Yang Wenhuai had been instructing a disciple. After patting the disciple's waist and hips, he raised his eyes toward Chen He.

"Gu Heng took the initiative to challenge Liu Chu to a spar..."

Chen He gave his report quickly.

"A normal sparring match..."

Yang Wenhuai had not initially thought much of it. But when he heard that Liu Chu had defeated Gu Heng in three moves, surprise appeared on his face.

"This boy managed to cultivate the Combat Technique to the Minor Accomplishment Realm in such a short time? That is somewhat interesting."

Yang Wenhuai pondered for a moment. "If it is merely the Minor Accomplishment Realm, there may be some element of luck. Let us first see whether he can break through to the Grade-Entry Realm within the remaining month."

"If he cannot break through to the Grade-Entry Realm and become a Skin Refining Realm martial artist, then no matter how high his combat skill is, it will ultimately be useless."

Although Yang Wenhuai emphasized that the Combat Technique should not be underestimated, that was based on the premise that one could break through to the Grade-Entry Realm and become a martial artist.

Otherwise, it would be like a castle in the air—hardly worth mentioning.

After Liu Chu defeated Gu Heng, no one dared look down on him any longer. Several veteran apprentices even came forward to strike up conversations with him.

"Damn it, how is this guy cultivating the Combat Technique so quickly..."

A feeling of helplessness welled up in Xu Haoran's heart, and a trace of dejection showed on his face.

But he quickly pulled himself together. "Stake Training! Right, I grasped Stake Training faster than he did. That proves my natural physique is better than his!"

Gritting his teeth, he decided to abandon the Combat Technique and focus wholeheartedly on Stake Training. He had to break through to the Skin Refining Realm before Liu Chu did.

"Xu Haoran is certainly diligent in his training..."

Having completed a full day of training, Liu Chu was preparing to leave the martial arts school when he caught sight of Xu Haoran still gritting his teeth and training hard. He could not help but feel moved and deeply impressed.

No one had it easy!

Everyone was training bitterly, striving to break through to the Grade-Entry Realm as soon as possible.

Someone like Xu Haoran had a better natural physique than Liu Chu, yet he did not slack off in the slightest.

"However, I have spent years working and fishing in Heilu Bay. My physical foundation is not as good as theirs, so I cannot push myself too hard..."

Though Liu Chu felt admiration, he had no intention of further squeezing his potential dry.

He feared damaging his body. If that happened, everything would be over, and the loss would outweigh the gain.

Thus, once he felt he had reached his limit, he left the martial arts school alone.

"Without Han Qi's occasional support these days, I probably would not even be able to afford food."

Liu Chu walked through the streets and alleys, thinking to himself.

Not only was his physical foundation worse than those apprentices from wealthy families, but there was also a considerable gap in their daily diets.

After sacrificing ten taels of silver, he had only a little over one tael left to last a full three months. He simply could not afford meat.

He could only occasionally catch a few fish in the river to maintain some protein intake, but there was barely any oil or fat in his meals.

Fortunately, Han Qi occasionally brought him a few meat pies or lent him some money—sometimes a dozen or so copper coins, sometimes several mace of silver. At least Liu Chu could eat meat every few days.

"Once I successfully break through to the Grade-Entry Realm, I must lend A Qi a hand!"

Liu Chu silently made up his mind.

Thinking of breaking through to the Grade-Entry Realm, he could not help frowning in distress. "I originally thought that after my comprehension doubled, reaching the Grade-Entry Realm within three months would not be difficult. But I forgot that my physical foundation is lacking, and my diet is inadequate as well..."

He realized that he had overestimated himself. Reaching the Grade-Entry Realm within three months was still no easy task.

Tap tap tap! Tap tap tap!

Suddenly, hurried footsteps rang out from the alley ahead, accompanied by shouts of fighting and killing.

"Gang members fighting again!"

Liu Chu instinctively moved to avoid them, but then he suddenly noticed that one of the two figures—one chasing, one fleeing—looked somewhat familiar.

"A Chu!"

The pursuer froze in surprise upon seeing Liu Chu, but then delight appeared on his face. He shouted at Liu Chu, "Stop him! Don't let him get away!"