Zhang Wutian had once been someone who couldn't live without a computer.
He had once claimed that all he needed to live anywhere was a computer, an internet connection, and a box of instant noodles.
Yet at Korin Tower, a place with no computer, no internet connection, and no instant noodles, Zhang Wutian had stayed for a whole year.
That year had completely transformed him.
"Come on, kid. Let me see what you've got."
"Here I come, Master Kitty."
Zhang Wutian and Master Korin faced off. The next moment, Zhang Wutian struck first.
He appeared in front of Master Korin in an instant and threw a punch straight at him.
Master Korin vanished with equally unbelievable speed, then appeared behind Zhang Wutian like a phantom and aimed a flying kick at his back.
Zhang Wutian spun around and raised his arm to block Master Korin's attack, then unleashed a rapid succession of punches.
Master Korin dodged the blows with feline agility, putting a cat's grace on full display. Zhang Wutian's fists seemed to strike nothing but air; not one landed on his nimble opponent.
"Is that all you've learned in the past year? What a disappointment to your master!"
"Using a barrage of punches against a small, nimble opponent was a mistake on my part. This next move definitely won't disappoint you, Master Kitty."
Zhang Wutian jumped back to put some distance between himself and Master Korin. He held his right fist at his waist, covered it with his left, and began gathering power.
Master Korin could sense a steady stream of ki gathering over there.
The greatest thing Zhang Wutian had gained from his year of training was learning how to use ki.
Everyone had ki inside them. As his combat power increased, Zhang Wutian had actually been able to throw ki-infused attacks for a long time. But he had only known how to do it, not why it worked. It was like how people knew instinctively how to walk, but few could explain how many muscles and bones they used to support themselves—and fewer still could control them at will. Master Korin's lessons had taught Zhang Wutian to fully understand the principles behind it. With that knowledge, he had naturally mastered the use of ki and could now deliver stronger attacks with less of it.
Or, as he was doing now, he could gather more ki and unleash an overwhelmingly powerful strike.
"Aren't you going to stop me? This punch could blow the whole rooftop away. Then you'd be homeless, Master Kitty."
The ki gathered around Zhang Wutian's right fist had become visible to the naked eye. An orange glow flickered fiercely around his fist.
"Your ki is a complete mess. Come back and brag after you get it under control. For now..." Master Korin twirled his staff and took a defensive stance. "I predict that punch won't even stir up any dust."
"Don't underestimate me!" Zhang Wutian shouted, and then...
Pop! The light burst like a punctured balloon. Zhang Wutian's fist turned black as if it had been roasted, and a wisp of smoke rose from it.
Just as Master Korin had said, it hadn't even stirred up any dust.
"You're shameless to use a move that only works one time in ten. What a disgrace." As he spoke, Master Korin tossed Zhang Wutian a Senzu Bean.
Chewing the Senzu Bean, Zhang Wutian felt his right hand rapidly heal. He said nonchalantly, "If it worked, I would've won this fight. Besides, in a real battle, I'd hold back a little. I'd only blow myself up like this when training."
Looking at his student, Master Korin summed up his progress. "Your movements and breathing are still a little out of sync, but overall, you're finally starting to look like a proper martial artist."
"That's all thanks to your teaching, Master Kitty."
"The only thing you haven't improved at all is your lack of respect."
"I call it being friendly. Only people who are completely comfortable with each other act like that. Do you really want there to be a distance between us, Master Kitty?"
Master Korin wasn't moved. He hit the nail on the head about what Zhang Wutian was thinking. "And you still get slick with your words when you're trying to hide your feelings. Let's see... Ah, you're about to part ways with your master and feel sad about it, but you're too embarrassed to show it, so you started blabbering, didn't you?"
"Mind reading again! Master Kitty, do you know you're violating people's privacy? You think reading minds makes you so great? Just be careful—I might watch a whole bunch of cat abuse videos before I talk to you next time!"
Of course, Zhang Wutian's threat had no effect, and he had no intention of actually watching any cat abuse videos.
After nearly a year of training at the top of Korin Tower, the day he'd promised Little Wukong was finally approaching. In a few days, the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament would begin.
Zhang Wutian was about to leave the place where he'd spent a year. This would probably be his last sparring match with Master Korin.
"Don't I get a graduation present? Like a Flying Nimbus or something?"
"Get out of here. You'll see when you try it. Even if I gave you a Flying Nimbus, you couldn't use it."
"What about Senzu Beans, then? You should at least give me a whole jar."
"You're certainly not shy about asking. I've only got half a jar myself!"
Zhang Wutian held out his open hand toward Master Korin.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Master."
"I haven't said I'm giving them to you!"
"You're not going to take them to your grave, are you? That's a good one, Master Kitty."
"You're the one joking. I'm an immortal! I won't die for another three hundred years!"
Master Korin was so furious that his fur stood on end. After teasing him that far, Zhang Wutian dropped his grin, took a step back, and bowed deeply to Master Korin. He spoke solemnly. "Thank you for your guidance, Master Korin. I, Zhang Wutian, will never forget what you've taught me."
After spending a year together, Master Korin had already grown immune to Zhang Wutian's sharp tongue. In truth, their verbal sparring was simply how the two of them got along; Master Korin hadn't been angry at all. Seeing Zhang Wutian's gesture, he clasped his hands behind his back and spoke gravely. "Zhang Wutian, I hope you'll always stay on the right path and never bring shame to the skills I've taught you."
"I understand," Zhang Wutian said.
Then, just as Zhang Wutian was about to jump off the tower and enjoy the thrill of free fall, he suddenly sensed something flying toward him from behind.
Zhang Wutian reached out and caught the object flying at him from behind.
It was a Hoi-Poi Capsule that Master Korin had tossed to him.
"Use it sparingly. Come back to me when you run out." Master Korin's voice came from behind him.
It was clearly a gift he'd prepared in advance. There weren't any spare Hoi-Poi Capsules at Korin Tower, so Master Korin must have left while Zhang Wutian was asleep and bought it in a city below.
And what else could be inside the Capsule but Senzu Beans?
It seemed the old cat wasn't the most straightforward, either.
Clutching the Hoi-Poi Capsule tightly, Zhang Wutian smiled. But he didn't turn around or say another word. He simply waved hard, then leaped off the tower in one go.
"That noisy fellow's gone. Looks like I'll have some peace and quiet for a while."
Leaning on his staff, Master Korin went to the edge of the rooftop and gazed out at the distant scenery in silence, as though searching for Zhang Wutian's figure.
But at that very moment, Zhang Wutian's face suddenly appeared right in front of Master Korin. The two stared wide-eyed at each other, Master Korin utterly stunned.
"Did you miss me even a little, Master Kitty?"
Master Korin swung his staff at Zhang Wutian.
Zhang Wutian dodged the blow and hurriedly said, "I just wanted to say that I have a gift for you, too. It's hidden beside the water tank. That's all. I'm really leaving this time."
The next moment, Zhang Wutian let go of the railing and plummeted downward.
Master Korin let out an annoyed meow and went to the spot Zhang Wutian had mentioned. There, he found a Hoi-Poi Capsule in a box.
Master Korin activated the Hoi-Poi Capsule. Through the smoke, a complete television set with solar panels appeared.
With the television, he should be able to watch the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament live...
"Foolish boy. Immortals don't need televisions. I can use magic to see what's happening a thousand miles away."
Though he said that, Master Korin still carefully unfolded the television, set it up, and turned on the power...
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