Defeated

Luo Kun sat cross-legged on a cushion, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard.

He first looked toward Zhang Xiong and Gong Yulei's match.

The two were clearly far stronger than the other apprentices, and their fight was currently deadlocked.

Gong Yulei's moves were vicious, every punch aimed straight at vital points.

Zhang Xiong's defense was tight, and he always managed to dissolve the attacks.

"Gong Yulei's Qi-Blood signs are becoming increasingly obvious. He's nearly caught up to Zhang Xiong..."

Luo Kun was secretly startled by Gong Yulei's talent.

"It's just that his fondness for fighting and ruthless nature haven't changed. His strikes are far too vicious."

He shook his head with a sigh.

When his gaze shifted to Zhang Xiong, regret flickered through Luo Kun's eyes.

"If only his natural aptitude were a little better..."

The more he watched, the more he appreciated this disciple.

If not for the limits of his aptitude, Luo Kun would have long since taken him as a personal disciple and taught him everything he knew.

Thinking of what he had experienced in the great sect back then, bitterness welled up in Luo Kun's heart.

Those fellow disciples blessed with exceptional talent were now either holding high positions or renowned across a region.

Yet he, with his mediocre talent, could only open a hall and teach disciples in this little place.

On the path of martial arts, it ultimately came down to one's natural aptitude.

"Ten years from now, I'm afraid even ten Zhang Xiongs won't be able to defeat one Gong Yulei..."

Luo Kun sighed inwardly.

This family enterprise could only be passed on to the strongest person.

Suddenly, a scream interrupted his thoughts.

Looking closely, he saw that Jiang Che had actually knocked down Zhao Xisheng.

"Oh?"

Luo Kun's interest was piqued.

Seeing Jiang Che win easily for the second time, he could not help but be moved.

"Judging by fist techniques alone, this boy has actually surpassed Zhang Xiong and Gong Yulei!"

Unfortunately, Jiang Che showed no signs of Qi-Blood at all. His poor natural aptitude was obvious at a glance.

At that moment, Wang Dayong stepped forward to challenge him, and Luo Kun perked up to watch.

Wang Dayong was quite capable and had a chance of breaking through to the Blood-Qi Realm.

Although he usually enjoyed bullying his fellow disciples, as long as he did not cause serious injuries, Luo Kun turned a blind eye.

In the courtyard, Wang Dayong and Jiang Che stood facing each other.

Wang Dayong was broad and brawny, standing half a head taller than Jiang Che, his muscles stretching his training uniform taut.

Jiang Che was lean and wiry, appearing especially slight by comparison.

Their standoff quickly drew everyone's attention.

"Jiang Che is in for trouble now that Wang Dayong has set his sights on him," an apprentice whispered.

"No matter how good Jiang Che's fist techniques are, without Qi-Blood to support him, he's no match in the end," another agreed.

Zhao Xisheng stood nearby, secretly worried for Jiang Che.

Jiang Che turned a deaf ear to their discussions.

He assumed the opening stance of the White Cloud Fist. He looked relaxed, yet an invisible presence faintly radiated from him.

"Fancy tricks!"

Wang Dayong let out a thunderous roar, his heavy fist shooting straight for Jiang Che's face.

The wind of his fist howled, making Jiang Che's cheeks sting.

Jiang Che sidestepped the blow and lightly pushed Wang Dayong's wrist with his right hand.

Wang Dayong swept out with his left fist. Jiang Che barely blocked it, but was still shaken back several steps, his arm going numb.

"Dodge, then! Keep dodging!"

Wang Dayong advanced with a savage grin, both fists raining down like raindrops.

Relying on his footwork, Jiang Che kept evading, forced back step by step as his breathing began to grow ragged.

"Jiang Che is going to lose," someone murmured.

"Lasting this long against Wang Dayong is already impressive," another said with feeling.

Watching Jiang Che struggle to fend off the attacks in the center of the courtyard, disappointment flashed through Luo Kun's eyes.

"As expected, no matter how exquisite his fist techniques are, without Qi-Blood, they are ultimately empty."

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Che had been forced into a corner.

Wang Dayong burst into laughter and smashed a heavy fist down at Jiang Che's head.

Unable to bear watching, someone closed his eyes.

Luo Kun secretly gathered his Qi, preparing to intervene and save him.

"This Wang Dayong truly is far stronger than Zhao Xisheng..."

Jiang Che thought to himself.

"Since that's the case..."

He focused his attention and observed his opponent.

In that instant, Jiang Che's gaze changed.

Those eyes became like an ancient well whose depths could not be seen.

There was not the slightest ripple in them.

The world slowed in his eyes.

Wang Dayong's fist seemed frozen in place.

He clearly saw the opening beneath his opponent's armpit.

The White Cloud Fist he had practiced tens of millions of times had practically become instinct.

Jiang Che withdrew his left foot half a step, his body slipping beneath the punch like a swimming fish.

His right hand formed a palm and struck Wang Dayong precisely beneath the armpit.

"Urgh!"

Wang Dayong's expression froze.

His fist stopped in midair, and his entire body crashed to the ground.

The Martial Arts Hall fell deathly silent.

Everyone's eyes widened.

Wang Dayong, who had held the upper hand just a moment ago, had actually lost?

Only when they saw Wang Dayong curled up on the ground in pain did everyone accept reality.

Jiang Che himself was somewhat surprised as well.

Not because he had defeated Wang Dayong.

Rather, in that instant just now, he seemed to have sensed a trace of Qi-Blood stirring within his body.

But when he tried to sense it again now, there was nothing at all.

"Could it have been an illusion..."

"Was that move just now the White Cloud Fist?" someone asked softly.

"I've never seen a move like that." Someone nearby shook his head.

"That was the White Cloud Fist."

Luo Kun's voice suddenly rang out.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he rose and walked into the courtyard.

"This is the realm of Heart-Insight, attained when one practices a fist technique to its ultimate limit... I never expected someone among you to reach such a level!"

As he spoke, he patted Jiang Che on the shoulder, then pulled Wang Dayong up from the ground. He tapped several points beneath Wang Dayong's armpit, and the pain vanished from Wang Dayong's face at once.

"Heart-Insight..."

The way everyone looked at Jiang Che gained several shades of shock and reverence.

"That's enough for today."

Luo Kun returned to his cushion and sat down cross-legged with his eyes closed, sighing inwardly.

"Even with the realm of Heart-Insight, without Qi-Blood, he is ultimately just an ordinary mortal."

For one brief moment just now, he had wondered whether he had misjudged Jiang Che.

While patting Jiang Che's shoulder, he had secretly examined him and confirmed that there truly was not the slightest Qi-Blood fluctuation in Jiang Che's body.

"Still..."

Luo Kun changed his mind. "If he is willing, he could stay and become an assistant instructor."

Someone who could practice the White Cloud Fist to Heart-Insight would be well suited to teaching new apprentices.

"Jiang Che, you're amazing! That Heart-Insight was incredible!"

Zhao Xisheng excitedly gestured as he spoke.

His skin was dark, and when he smiled, he revealed a row of white teeth.

As Jiang Che's longtime partner, he inexplicably felt as though he shared in the honor.

Jiang Che smiled and shook his head. "I've merely practiced the White Cloud Fist until I'm familiar with it."

He knew that he had relied on Flow State rather than Heart-Insight, but this was the perfect way to conceal it.

More importantly...

He lowered his head to look at his palm and thought to himself:

If that feeling just now wasn't false... perhaps Flow State can help me break through Qi-Blood!

Early the next morning, as soon as the Martial Arts Hall opened, the apprentices began warming up in twos and threes.

Standing in a corner of the courtyard, Jiang Che silently recalled the trace of Qi-Blood he had sensed while in yesterday's Flow State.

He closed his eyes and focused, trying to capture that feeling again.

But his dantian was empty, and he could not sense anything.

"Looks like I still need to fight someone while in Flow State?"

"Jiang Che!"

A rough roar interrupted his thoughts.

Wang Dayong strode over, his face full of unwillingness. "I was careless yesterday. Again!"

"Fine."

Jiang Che nodded.

He had been looking for him as well.

The two assumed their stances.

This time, Wang Dayong was no longer reckless.

Instead, he lowered his center of gravity and held his arms before him. His posture resembled the boxers Jiang Che had seen in his previous life.

"Interesting..."

Jiang Che was in no hurry either. He waited calmly in the opening stance of the White Cloud Fist.

"Ha!"

Wang Dayong struck first, his right fist smashing over like a heavy hammer.

Jiang Che sidestepped and pushed his fist aside with his left hand.

Wang Dayong had already been prepared. His left fist followed immediately, blasting toward Jiang Che's ribs.

Jiang Che's gaze sharpened, and he instantly entered Flow State.

The world slowed in his eyes, and Wang Dayong's punching path became perfectly clear.

He dipped low, his right palm turning into a blade as it precisely chopped at Wang Dayong's elbow joint.

Wang Dayong's arm went numb. He staggered back two steps, his face still full of defiance.

"Again!"

He roared and lunged forward once more.

Jiang Che remained calm, every strike landing with flawless timing.

Wang Dayong's brute strength was riddled with openings in his eyes.

After only a few exchanges, Jiang Che caught the instant his opponent's center of gravity faltered and knocked Wang Dayong down again with one punch.

Bang!

Wang Dayong slammed heavily onto the ground, dust flying in every direction.

He panted heavily, veins bulging on his neck.

"Impossible... Again!"

Thud!

"Again!!"

Bang!

Every time Wang Dayong fell, he immediately climbed back to his feet, yet the result remained the same.

Jiang Che saw through his moves, and every attack was neutralized.

When he fell for the fifth time, Wang Dayong finally did not rise again.

He braced himself on the ground with both hands, his shoulders trembling faintly.

"Why..."

Wang Dayong choked out, pounding the ground hard with his fist.

The burly man who was usually so arrogant and overbearing actually cried like a child at that moment.

Jiang Che froze.

He had not expected this.

For a moment, he did not know what to say and could only stand there silently.

The surrounding apprentices also fell quiet.

No one mocked him, and no one made a sound.

Even Luo Kun opened his eyes and watched the scene from afar, deep in thought.

Jiang Che took a deep breath and reached out, intending to pull Wang Dayong up.

But Wang Dayong suddenly flung his hand away, climbed to his feet on his own, and rushed out of the Martial Arts Hall without looking back.

Jiang Che watched his retreating back, his feelings complicated.

He had never wanted this, but the martial path was simply this cruel.

A win was a win. There was no why.

Suddenly, something stirred in his heart.

During that fight just now, he had once again sensed that faint trace of Qi-Blood, clearer than it had been yesterday!

Though it had vanished in a flash, this time, he was certain it was no illusion.

"Flow State... it really can help me break through Qi-Blood!"