Defeating Tang San

Lu Chen watched Tang San's movements slow under the effect of Time Power, like someone sprinting at full speed suddenly slamming on the brakes.

He naturally would not let such a good opportunity slip by. He immediately threw a punch at Tang San's face.

Bang!

A dull impact rang out.

Their fists had collided. At that critical moment, with no time to dodge, Tang San had ultimately chosen to meet Lu Chen head-on.

But in the next instant, Tang San's expression changed dramatically. He felt an enormous force surge from Lu Chen's fist, sending his entire body flying back nearly twenty steps.

What he did not know was that Lu Chen had already held back in time.

Mysterious Jade Hand? When cultivated to its peak, it becomes immune to all poisons and hard as iron. The Tang Sect's techniques truly live up to their reputation. No wonder Tang San could rise to prominence on the Douluo Continent—those skills played no small part. Lu Chen thought to himself.

"Damn it, what happened just now? For an instant, I actually felt as though time had stopped."

Tang San looked at his slightly trembling hand. The intense pain shooting through it told him that if his reaction had been even a little slower and Lu Chen's punch had landed on his face, he would definitely have lost several teeth. "Lu Chen, don't hit people in the face! That's against martial ethics!"

"Hmm? Not bad, Little San. You learned and applied it so quickly. You've got your Brother Lu's style."

"Lu Chen, your strength is way too great. Or have you been hiding your true abilities all along?"

He had always found it strange. He was also born with Innate Full Soul Power. Although his Blue Silver Grass martial soul could not compare to Lu Chen's Six-Colored Gem, he had been born with twin martial souls, and his other martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer, was definitely stronger than Lu Chen's Six-Colored Gem.

If Lu Chen had become this strong because he awakened the Six-Colored Gem martial soul, then why had Tang San not been strengthened after awakening the Clear Sky Hammer?

That was why he suspected that Lu Chen had been hiding his strength all these years. Every time they sparred, Lu Chen had deliberately lost to him.

But another thing puzzled him: why would Lu Chen do that? Besides, he had never seen Lu Chen cultivate.

"Hiding my strength? Why would you think that?" Lu Chen asked, looking at Tang San with interest.

"I think so because your strength seems to have increased overnight, Lu Chen. But you should know that's impossible."

"Overnight? No, Little San. It doesn't take that long. Some things are far beyond your imagination. I became this strong in a single breath."

"A single breath? Lu Chen, are you joking with me?" Tang San's eyes widened, as if he thought Lu Chen was pulling his leg.

"Joking? You'll soon find out whether I'm joking with you."

As he spoke, Lu Chen charged at Tang San, moving several times faster than Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.

Punch after punch flew toward Tang San like a raging storm, giving him no chance to catch his breath.

Tang San, meanwhile, pushed the internal force of the Mysterious Heaven Skill to its limit and unleashed Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track with all his might. Facing Lu Chen's storm-like assault, he barely dodged each strike and had no opportunity to counterattack.

Finally, when Tang San's internal force was completely exhausted and Lu Chen's fist was about to smash into his face, Tang San seemed to finally realize that he was no longer Lu Chen's opponent.

"I never expected you to become this powerful, Lu Chen. I lost this time."

Tang San sighed, feeling somewhat dejected. Lu Chen, who had once been weaker than him, was now far stronger than him. It seemed he had grown complacent lately.

Bang.

Another dull impact sounded. Lu Chen's fist struck Tang San in the stomach, and with a cry of pain, Tang San was sent flying backward.

"Uh, sorry. I couldn't pull it back in time." Seeing Tang San half-kneeling on the ground while clutching his stomach, Lu Chen scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Lu Chen, you did that on purpose, didn't you?" Tang San's face turned green. He had already experienced how strong Lu Chen's blows were. He felt as if the Braised Rabbit Meat he had eaten at noon was about to be punched back out.

"Little San, don't slander me. You were the one who started rambling when you admitted defeat. Next time, just surrender directly. Don't spout all that nonsense," Lu Chen retorted.

Tang San's mouth twitched. It seemed that really was the case, and somehow his stomach hurt even more.

"Alright, alright, I already held back." Lu Chen reached out and helped Tang San up, then patted his shoulder in consolation.

"Yeah, I know. I just never expected you to become this strong, Lu Chen. It's a little hard to accept." Tang San was somewhat downcast. Someone he had once beaten soundly was now beating him soundly instead. No one would find that easy to accept.

"Ah, what's the big deal? I think things have just been going too smoothly for you, Little San.

The future is still long. It's not as if you can't keep getting stronger. Look at me—I wasn't your match before, but now I'm the one beating you down. Work hard, young man. Make me your goal and surpass me." Lu Chen comforted him. "But since I'm stronger than you now, you'll have to start calling me Brother Chen from now on."

Tang San froze upon hearing that, and his previous dejection immediately vanished.

Brother Chen is right. In my previous life, I was only an outer disciple of the Tang Sect. Yet I made it this far by working hard step by step, even creating the Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, something no one had managed to create for hundreds of years.

I may be weaker than Lu Chen now, but that does not mean I will always be weaker than him. As long as I work hard, there will come a day when I surpass him.

Thinking that, Tang San gave Lu Chen a grateful look. Brother Chen could be a little sharp-tongued, but he was still a good person. "Thank you, Brother Chen. You're right. I'll work hard, and one day, I'll definitely defeat you."

Lu Chen nodded, but he could not help thinking, Little San, you probably won't be able to defeat me for the rest of your life. Even if you attain the dual godhood of the Sea Cucumber God and the Asura God, it still won't be enough.

It was already evening, and seeing that it was getting late, the two bid each other farewell.

Tang San returned home clutching his stomach.

"You're back?" Tang Hao said blandly.

"Mm, Dad. I lost."

"And next time?" Tang Hao's tone suddenly grew firmer.

"Next time?" Tang San paused, then his gaze became resolute. "Next time, I definitely won't lose!"

"Very good! Sit down and eat. Tonight we're having stir-fried rabbit meat and Braised Rabbit Meat. After you finish, go to sleep. Tomorrow, continue practicing the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer I taught you."

Night fell. The night in Holy Soul Village was especially bright and clear, moonlight streaming through the window into Lu Chen's room.

"There are still several days before we leave for Nuoding City. Tang San will definitely be at home practicing the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer during that time. I can't just sit around waiting; that would be far too boring."