Sparring Match

On the fifth day, things went the same way. But after she brought him food, their friendship value didn't drop, and Su Yun knew it had stabilized.

And just like that, a month passed.

That afternoon, Su Yun finally mastered Self-Created Soul Skill: Shave.

The main reason she had progressed so quickly was that her physique had reached the required level. With the doubled physique from cross-dressing, even without activating her Superman Physique, her legs could withstand the side effects of training in Shave.

When Tang San saw Su Yun use Shave to appear several meters away, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Once he'd recovered, Tang San asked hesitantly,

"Yun, what was that?"

Su Yun didn't hide it. She announced proudly,

"Shave, a Spirit Skill I created myself. Impressive, right?"

Ignoring her legs, which trembled from overtraining, she planted her hands on her hips and struck a pose that practically screamed, I'm so damn awesome!

"Impressive!"

Tang San nodded earnestly. Although Shave wasn't as intricate as his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, it was much faster.

But Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track wasn't a technique known for speed, either. Its main purpose was to confuse enemies with layers of afterimages and movements that blurred the line between real and false. Compared with Shave, each had its own strengths; it was hard to say which was better.

Still, for Su Yun to create a Self-Created Soul Skill that could rival Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track at just six years old—there was no doubt she was an unparalleled genius.

Thinking of this, Tang San couldn't help marveling inwardly. Beautiful, good-natured, talented, and able to persevere...

How could there be such a perfect girl in the world?

After a month of training, he had nearly mastered the Konoha Style Body Technique. And now that Su Yun had successfully learned Shave, she couldn't help entertaining a few thoughts.

So, after resting for a while, Su Yun couldn't resist proposing to Tang San,

"Little San Gege, how about we have a match?"

"A match?"

Tang San was taken aback. He didn't understand why Su Yun had made such a request, and instinctively wanted to refuse. He didn't want to accidentally hurt her.

But before he could say anything, Su Yun continued,

"That's right, a match!

We're both going to become Soul Masters someday. On this path, it's inevitable that we'll have to fight Soul Masters and Spirit Beasts.

Better to start with real combat now than to panic when the time comes.

After all, other people won't go easy on me like you do, Little San Gege. Right?"

Watching Su Yun wink at him, Tang San had to admit that she'd persuaded him.

Although he was confident he could protect Su Yun, it was still important for her to gain some combat experience. Better safe than sorry.

He nodded at once.

"Okay. Don't worry, I won't hurt you."

Tang San had already decided that he would focus on defense and stop once Su Yun got tired.

"Then let's begin!"

Su Yun rose straight from the rock, and Tang San stood up as well.

On the little hillside, the two stood five meters apart. Tang San put on the air of a master and gestured for Su Yun to make the first move, showing impeccable courtesy. But a faint purple gleam had already appeared in his eyes. He had clearly activated his Purple Demon Eye.

"Come on!"

"Okay!"

With a spirited cry, Su Yun immediately used the Shave she had just mastered, reaching Tang San's side almost in the blink of an eye.

"Konoha Whirlwind!"

A lightning-fast Whirlwind Kick shot toward Tang San.

Though he had been prepared for Su Yun's Shave, her speed still startled him. Anyone else wouldn't have had time to react.

Fortunately, Tang San had activated his Purple Demon Eye in advance and managed to catch Su Yun's next move.

He braced his arm against her kick, and then...

Tang San's expression changed. A terrifying force surged from Su Yun's leg, numbing his arm and sending him stumbling back several meters.

Then his arm began to tremble uncontrollably, aching faintly.

He'd miscalculated!

Tang San was completely stunned. He'd never imagined Su Yun could be so strong!

It couldn't be helped. Su Yun usually practiced against trees. How could he have known she was this powerful when he'd never felt her attacks for himself? She looked so delicate!

No good! He had to attack!

In an instant, Tang San abandoned his earlier plan to focus only on defense.

His reasoning was simple: he didn't want Yun to look down on him.

If he couldn't even beat Yun, how could she believe he was capable of protecting her?

With that in mind, Tang San called out in advance,

"Yun, watch out!"

As soon as he spoke, Tang San used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and rushed toward Su Yun.

Watching Tang San charge, Su Yun neither dodged nor retreated. She aimed a Konoha Gale at his legs.

Seeing the powerful, sweeping low kick, Tang San wasn't about to fall for it again after getting caught by her once.

He abruptly halted, then spun deftly, evading the kick by a hair's breadth.

But the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track beneath his feet didn't stop. With a light step, he moved behind Su Yun and brought his hand down like a blade toward her neck. Of course, he didn't put much force into it.

Tang San figured that Su Yun, with no combat experience, wouldn't have time to react to his attack.

He was already celebrating inwardly.

Once his attack landed, he'd use Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track at full speed to retreat, then casually announce,

"I win!"

At that point, Little Yun would surely be puzzled and ask,

"But I'm not even hurt, Little San Gege. How did you win?"

Then he would tell her,

"If I can attack your neck, that proves I could slit your throat and take your life!"

There was no denying it: Tang San's imagination was beautiful.

Unfortunately, reality was cruel. He'd still underestimated her.

The instant Tang San struck, Su Yun's body suddenly fell backward, sending her crashing to the ground.

"Watch out!"

Su Yun warned him. Her body sprang into motion, without a hint of hesitation. Pivoting on her left foot, she swung her right leg like a heavy sword drawn from its sheath. It sliced through the air with a piercing whistle and slammed into Tang San's leg.

"Konoha Strong Gale!"

Tang San's right leg buckled. The kick threw him off balance, and he went flying like a kite with its strings cut.

But Su Yun's attack wasn't over. Using the momentum of her spin, she leaped into the air, her core muscles exploding with power as her whole body traced a perfect arc.

The second strike of Konoha Strong Gale: a spinning kick to the midsection!

Su Yun put even more force into it midair. Her other leg swept out like an iron whip, spinning like a street dancer's windmill as it slammed directly into Tang San's torso. He was off balance and couldn't dodge. Fortunately, Su Yun hadn't put much force behind this kick. Otherwise, she might have broken several of Tang San's ribs. Even so, she sent him flying awkwardly before he crashed heavily to the ground.

Tang San's face flushed red. He rose, clutching his chest, only to see that Su Yun, with no target left, was still carrying on with her moves.