New Talent

A burst of commotion interrupted Jiang Che's thoughts.

"Zhang Xiong lost!"

Jiang Che turned to look.

Zhang Xiong was kneeling on one knee, shock written across his face.

His chest heaved violently, and a thread of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Gong Yulei stood in the middle of the training ground, his gaze sharp, muscles taut, and aura powerful.

Luo Kun abruptly rose to his feet and crossed into the field in a few strides.

He gripped Gong Yulei's wrist, then broke into a delighted smile moments later.

"Good! You really broke through!"

He patted Gong Yulei on the shoulder, excitement rare in his voice. "Come with me!"

Gong Yulei held his head high, his face full of pride, and followed Luo Kun into the inner room beneath the envious gazes of the others.

The crowd outside immediately erupted.

"Just over a month... Has the Martial Arts Hall ever seen talent like this?"

"Forget the Martial Arts Hall. In all of Abyss-Facing City's history, there has only been one! That man later became Abyss-Facing City's greatest expert, the Seven Star Gang's leader, Greedy Wolf Star Li Hanchuan!"

"That incredible? Won't our Martial Arts Hall become a famous great sect in the future?"

"I heard that when he first arrived, he couldn't even perform the opening stance of White Cloud Fist properly..."

"Comparing people really drives people to death!"

Zhang Xiong silently got to his feet and brushed the dust from his clothes.

He walked over to a wooden post in the corner and slammed his fists into the hard wood again and again.

Blood soon seeped from his knuckles, yet he seemed completely unaware of it.

Everyone excitedly discussed Gong Yulei's talent. Some secretly glanced at Zhang Xiong, sympathy in their eyes.

Before long, the curtain to the inner room lifted, and Gong Yulei strode out.

He had changed into a brand-new white training outfit, its lapels embroidered with drifting cloud patterns. A dark red belt bound his waist, and the words "White Cloud" were embroidered across his chest.

This was the attire of a formal disciple.

At that moment, he looked radiant, pride present in every gesture.

The surrounding apprentices hurried forward to congratulate him.

"Senior Brother Gong, congratulations! Please give us plenty of guidance from now on!"

A smile played at Gong Yulei's lips as he waved a hand casually. "Of course, of course."

Jiang Che shook his head and withdrew his gaze.

There were never few people who fawned on the powerful and trampled the weak, no matter the world. It was simply human nature.

He waved his hand and opened the panel.

[Name: Jiang Che]

[Age: 16]

[Realm: None]

[Skills: White Cloud Fist Major Accomplishment Realm (356/400), Writing Perfection Realm]

[Talent: Flow State]

"Not only could I sense Qi-Blood when fighting others, but my proficiency also increased faster..."

Jiang Che calculated the growth in proficiency and was somewhat startled.

After sparring with Wang Dayong for two days, it had risen by ten points!

It was just that he had beaten Wang Dayong to tears, so Wang Dayong probably would not spar with him again.

Zhang Xiong had also been provoked by Gong Yulei. He would not be in the mood to fight anyone anytime soon.

Jiang Che looked at Zhang Xiong in the corner, whose fists had already turned blood-red, and felt that he was rather miserable.

But he had yet to break through himself. What right did he have to pity someone else?

"Forget it. That's enough for today. It's time to set up my stall."

After packing up his training clothes, Jiang Che quietly left the Martial Arts Hall.

The next morning, at the Martial Arts Hall.

The moment Jiang Che stepped through the courtyard gate, he saw Wang Dayong talking with several apprentices.

When Wang Dayong saw him enter, his expression changed, and he turned around and left.

Jiang Che did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"Looks like beating him to tears really left a deep mark..."

Jiang Che looked around and found that Gong Yulei was already gone.

Formal disciples had a separate courtyard.

Luo Kun sat upon a meditation cushion, a rare trace of a smile on his face.

It seemed Gong Yulei's breakthrough had made him very happy.

"Jiang Che!" Luo Kun suddenly called out, his voice ringing like a bell.

"Today, you will spar with Zhang Xiong."

The apprentices broke into an uproar.

"Jiang Che against Zhang Xiong? Isn't that asking to be beaten?"

"Zhang Xiong may have lost to Gong Yulei, but he already has one foot in the Blood-Qi Realm."

"Could Teacher be planning to let Zhang Xiong teach Jiang Che a lesson?"

Jiang Che paid them no mind and looked at Zhang Xiong.

The other man stood in the corner, bandages wrapped around his hands, his expression calm.

Upon hearing Luo Kun's words, he merely nodded slightly.

"Jiang Che." Zhang Xiong walked over, his tone even. "My punches are heavy. If you can't take them, say so."

Jiang Che shook his head. "No need. Let's begin."

The two took their positions and assumed their stances.

Zhang Xiong's punches were steady, powerful, and incomparably precise.

Jiang Che was almost completely suppressed!

Even after entering the Flow State, his movements still appeared immature before Zhang Xiong.

His opponent's strength, speed, and reactions far surpassed Wang Dayong's. Zhang Xiong could even predict his feints and transitions!

Bang!

Zhang Xiong threw a straight punch. Jiang Che barely avoided it, only to be sent stumbling back several steps by an elbow strike. A piercing pain immediately shot through his arm.

So fast! Jiang Che was secretly shocked.

The surrounding apprentices shook their heads one after another.

"As expected, the gap is far too great."

"Jiang Che's fist technique is exquisite, but Senior Brother Zhang has one foot in the Blood-Qi Realm!"

"He probably won't last ten moves!"

Before the words had even faded, Jiang Che was struck in the chest and knocked to the ground.

Yet a flicker of excitement flashed through his eyes.

Under Zhang Xiong's suppression, his perception of Qi-Blood was stronger than ever before!

His [White Cloud Fist] proficiency was also rising at a furious pace!

So that's how it is! The stronger the opponent, the faster I improve!

Even if he was suppressed the entire time, he still had to continue.

Zhang Xiong walked over and helped him up.

"Are you really sure I don't need to hold back?"

Jiang Che shook his head. "Just attack with everything you have."

Zhang Xiong's thick brows furrowed. "You said it."

The two continued their spar.

Over the next few days, Jiang Che was "tormented" by Zhang Xiong every day.

The mockery gradually grew more frequent as well.

"Jiang Che, here to get beaten again?"

"The one-year deadline is almost up, and you still haven't sensed Qi-Blood. There should be no hope for you now."

"Even Wang Dayong doesn't dare fight Zhang Xiong, yet you're really hard-headed."

They had completely forgotten that Jiang Che was capable of beating even Wang Dayong to tears, let alone them.

But Jiang Che turned a deaf ear, focusing only on feeling the improvement from every exchange.

Bang!

From Zhang Xiong's perspective, however—

This guy... Why is he getting harder and harder to fight?

In just a few days, Jiang Che's fist technique had become increasingly fluid. At times, he could even force Zhang Xiong to respond seriously!

Bang!

During one exchange, Zhang Xiong's fist grazed Jiang Che's cheek, while Jiang Che's palm strike nearly landed beneath his ribs.

This battle had actually become evenly matched!

The watching crowd gradually fell silent, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"What's going on? Jiang Che can actually fight Zhang Xiong like this?"

"Hasn't he been getting beaten the whole time? How did he suddenly..."

"Could he have been hiding his true ability all along?"

Luo Kun narrowed his eyes as well, looking thoughtful.

Zhang Xiong still won in the end.

Jiang Che actually felt that he could keep fighting.

But his head was throbbing unbearably, and he had already exited the Flow State early.

In his ordinary state, he was no match at all. He was defeated in the blink of an eye.

"Looks like the Flow State can't sustain a prolonged battle..."

"And actual combat drains more mental energy than training alone."

Jiang Che pondered inwardly.

He climbed up from the ground, dusted off his clothes, and retreated to the side to rest.

Though he had lost, his expression remained as relaxed and composed as if he had won.

Zhang Xiong, by contrast, faintly felt pressure.

[White Cloud Fist Major Accomplishment Realm (398/400)]

"White Cloud Fist is finally about to reach the Perfection Realm."

Jiang Che looked at the panel, delight filling his heart.

As White Cloud Fist's proficiency neared the Perfection Realm, his fist techniques became increasingly natural and effortless.

At first, Zhang Xiong had completely suppressed him. Now, Jiang Che could already deal with him calmly.

"After reaching the Perfection Realm, perhaps I can win..."

Jiang Che secretly contemplated it.

The next day, after the two battled for a long while, Zhang Xiong gradually began to struggle.

It was as though he saw the shadow of the former Gong Yulei in Jiang Che.

The unwillingness in his heart erupted. With a bang from his dantian, the power of Qi-Blood suddenly surged forth!

Boom!

He threw a punch. Jiang Che raised his elbow to block, yet was still sent flying and knocked to the ground.

Luo Kun, who had been watching their spar beneath the eaves, abruptly stood up, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

He arrived in an instant and seized Zhang Xiong's wrist.

Under the probing of Force Energy, Zhang Xiong's Qi-Blood was vigorous and enduring, without the slightest sign of weakening.

"Hahaha, good! Good! You broke through too!"

He laughed repeatedly, the wrinkles on his face blooming like chrysanthemums.

The crowd erupted in excitement and hurried forward to offer congratulations.

"Senior Brother Zhang, congratulations!"

"Our Martial Arts Hall has another formal disciple!"

Yet Zhang Xiong shook his head and solemnly helped Jiang Che to his feet.

"If not for Junior Brother Jiang, I wouldn't have broken through so quickly."

Everyone froze, their expressions complicated as they looked toward Jiang Che.

Luo Kun also gave Jiang Che a deep look and inwardly sighed.

"This kid truly has some tricks... What a pity there isn't much time left."

The Martial Arts Hall's rule was that apprentices who could not sense Qi-Blood within one year had to leave.

Because among those who had trained in martial arts for over a year, not one had ever broken through into the Blood-Qi Realm.

Not a single one, from ancient times to the present.

No one knew why.

Some martial artists speculated that training in martial arts activated the body's perception of Qi-Blood.

But this mechanism of perception could only last for a year at most.

And Jiang Che only had a little over ten days remaining.

But he did not appear dejected.

Because.

He felt that he had already touched the edge of a breakthrough.

Now, all he lacked was an opportunity to step into the Blood-Qi Realm!

Not only that.

[White Cloud Fist: Perfection Realm]

"Finally... Perfection Realm!"

Jiang Che was overjoyed.

In addition, he had gained a new talent skill:

[Omen: Passive skill, condition-triggered.]

[Description: A few seconds before danger arrives, it can be sensed in advance!]