The break passed quickly. At the center of the ring, the referee raised his microphone and announced in a booming voice:
"Let the match begin! Contestant Wumu versus contestant Jackie Chun! Both contestants, please enter the ring!"
Wumu and Jackie Chun stepped into the ring. Uncle Malo's family cheered for Wumu from the crowd, their voices standing out amid the excited spectators.
"Wumu, go for it! You're the best!"
Uncle Malo waved his arms, his voice full of strength.
Wumu nodded to them with a confident smile, then turned to Jackie Chun.
He knew he was facing Master Roshi.
Standing in the center of the ring, the referee announced loudly:
"Begin!"
Wumu and Jackie Chun slowly stepped into the ring. They exchanged smiles as tension flowed between them.
"Wumu, you've performed very well, but I hope you won't underestimate this old man."
Jackie Chun (Master Roshi) spoke calmly, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Wumu nodded and replied earnestly:
"Master Mutaito, I've always admired your strength. It's an honor to fight you."
Hearing how Wumu addressed him, Master Roshi decided not to deny it. He had expected to be found out. By now, just about everyone except Son Goku had probably seen through him.
At the referee's command, the final officially began.
Wumu knew that against Master Roshi, he had to strike first.
He focused and rushed forward, trying to break through Master Roshi's defenses with lightning speed.
Master Roshi smiled faintly and stepped lightly backward, easily avoiding Wumu's attack.
His movements were graceful and composed, as though everything was under his control.
"Wumu, you're fast, but speed alone isn't enough."
Master Roshi spoke gently, then counterattacked. His movements weren't fast, but every strike was incredibly precise and astonishingly powerful.
Wumu gritted his teeth, doing his best to dodge while looking for an opening to counterattack.
He knew full well that every attack he made had to land precisely if he hoped to shake this grandmaster.
Their battle grew fiercer. Master Roshi deftly neutralized every one of Wumu's attacks, while his counterattacks left Wumu struggling.
"Wumu, you're still young. The path of martial arts isn't mastered in a day," Master Roshi instructed as they fought. "To become truly strong, technique and strength aren't enough. What's more important is your state of mind."
"Blindly pursuing power is the evil dao."
Amid their fierce exchanges, Wumu gradually began to grasp the deeper meaning of Master Roshi's words.
He began trying to adjust his breathing and rhythm. Instead of attacking blindly, he looked for the best moment to strike.
As time passed, Wumu's offensive grew steadier. Though he still couldn't gain the upper hand, he was already better able to handle Master Roshi's attacks.
"Very good, Wumu. You're beginning to understand."
Master Roshi spoke approvingly while intensifying his offensive, clearly intending to test Wumu further.
The two crisscrossed the ring like dancers, every punch striking flesh, every palm strike stirring the air.
The spectators were captivated by the spectacular duel, bursting into gasps and applause from time to time.
Just then, Wumu spotted a tiny opening in Master Roshi's defenses and unleashed Iron Mountain Lean without hesitation.
Master Roshi seemed to have anticipated it. With a faint smile, he turned and deftly avoided Wumu's attack, then struck back with a reverse-handed move aimed straight at a vital point.
Wumu dodged hastily, but Master Roshi's blow still grazed his shoulder, leaving a faint mark.
Wumu steadied himself and drew a deep breath. Facing Master Roshi's nearly flawless offensive, he knew he couldn't keep attacking blindly as he had before.
He needed to find the perfect moment, one that would catch Master Roshi off guard.
"Wumu, your progress is astonishing. But whether you can break through my defenses-that is what matters."
Master Roshi smiled as though admiring a piece of uncut jade.
Wumu clenched his fists, his gaze growing even more determined.
"Master Mutaito, I'm ready."
The moment he finished speaking, Wumu abruptly accelerated, charging toward Master Roshi like a bolt of lightning.
This time, he didn't simply attack in a straight line. He employed every move and technique he had learned, trying to find an opening in Master Roshi's defenses.
For the first time, a trace of seriousness appeared on Master Roshi's face. His hands moved like fish swimming through water, nimbly deflecting Wumu's attacks.
But Wumu's offensive was clearly different this time. By using Bajiquan in another way, he made his movements unpredictable, forcing even Master Roshi to concentrate harder.
"Very good, Wumu. It seems I'll have to use my true strength."
Master Roshi's presence suddenly changed. An invisible current of air seemed to form around his body.
Wumu felt an unprecedented pressure, but he didn't retreat. Instead, it further ignited his fighting spirit.
"Come on, Master Mutaito! Let me see your true strength!"
The two clashed again, their duel even fiercer this time.
Every attack Wumu made was filled with power and speed, while Master Roshi used his unfathomable martial skills to deftly neutralize them and counterattack.
Amid this fierce duel, Wumu suddenly sensed an opportunity.
During one fleeting exchange, a tiny movement from Master Roshi gave Wumu a glimpse of hope.
Without any hesitation, Wumu gathered all the strength in his body and unleashed Two Forms Thrust.
This time, he put not just his strength but his heart into it, pouring his understanding of martial arts and his desire for victory into this single punch.
A flicker of surprise crossed Master Roshi's eyes. Clearly, he hadn't expected Wumu to unleash such power and speed.
He tried to dodge, but this time, Wumu's attack was too fast. He could only do his best to defend.
Their power collided in midair with a deafening crash.
The entire ring seemed to tremble at that moment. The spectators held their breath, watching the two contestants in the ring with tense attention.
Wumu and Master Roshi were both driven back several steps by each other's strength, but they quickly regained their footing and stood face-to-face, their eyes filled with respect for each other.
"Wumu, you did it. You made this old man feel pressured."
Master Roshi spoke with a smile, his voice full of praise.
Though Wumu was panting, his eyes shone as well.
"Master Mutaito, receiving your acknowledgment is a tremendous honor."
Master Roshi planted his feet and fixed Wumu with a piercing gaze. He took a deep breath, then pressed his palms together and slowly began drawing them apart, as though gathering some invisible energy in the air.
"Wumu, watch closely. This is the Kamehameha!"
There was a hint of solemnity in Master Roshi's voice.
Wumu nervously adjusted his stance. He knew what came next would be a true test.
It was time to formally encounter this world's power system.
He drew a deep breath and focused, preparing to meet Master Roshi's attack.
"Ha!"
With Master Roshi's shout, a powerful wave of energy erupted from his hands and shot straight toward Wumu.
The energy wave moved incredibly fast, carrying a scorching current of air as though it could pierce through anything.
Seeing the energy wave rapidly approaching, Wumu's heart tightened, and he immediately activated Prince's Fighting Style.
His hands moved rapidly, unleashing countless ki blasts like buckshot in an attempt to cancel out Master Roshi's energy wave.