Lanma's father had taught Lanma this move, but he hadn't been able to learn it for a long time.
So even though he had some suspicions from the beginning, he was unwilling to admit it!
Unwilling to admit that he had failed to master [Instant Bloom], Huomu had actually mastered it perfectly.
Before Yanyi became the Fire Thief, when Huomu was still the son of a hero—
Lanma's father was Yanyi's subordinate and often encouraged Lanma to cultivate a good relationship with Huomu.
The two had played together since childhood and were practically best friends.
However, everything changed after the Fire Thief incident.
"Lanma! You're the one who lost my notebook, aren't you?"
Huomu asked his opponent, then threw a punch, leaving a scorching trail of flames in the air.
"Did you carve those swear words on my desk?"
Another punch!
"That time when they seized the stolen goods, you stole them and framed me, didn't you?"
One more punch!
Huomu's punches grew heavier and heavier, each punch carrying the weight accumulated over many years.
Lanma was forced back several steps by the impact, and his arms began to malfunction in their blocking stance.
Lanma's composure when he took the stage has somehow become impossible to maintain.
He hadn't expected that the loser he remembered was actually this strong, nor had he realized that Huomu wasn't as stupid as he thought.
That's right, he did all of that.
But so what?!
Because Huomu is the son of a sinner!
Because he is the son of a sinner, a clear line must be drawn between them!
If you don't bully Huomu, he'll be the next one to be bullied.
There will always be people who bully Huomu.
Why can't that person be themselves?
Rather than letting those reckless people do the work, it's better to let his close friend do it; at least he can control the situation.
He was doing it for Huomu's own good!
"You don't understand at all! You idiot!"
Lanma finally let out a roar.
"What do you think I was thinking when I did those things?! I was trying to help you! I've always considered you a close friend! And that hasn't changed even now!"
While struggling to dodge the relentless attacks of the Huomu, Lanma desperately constructed his Armament circuit.
The most awkward thing about a third-order Echoer is precisely this—
Aside from the truly gifted, most third-tier Echoer need a considerable amount of time to construct circuits and evoke imagery before they can fully unleash their Armament.
Just hold on a little longer, as long as the Armament is donned...
He will definitely be able to turn defeat into victory!
"Close friend? Don't insult that word!"
Before meeting Qiji, he probably really thought that's what friends are like?
When you are successful, they flock to you; when you are down on your luck, they scatter.
What friendship, what bonds, it's all just like that.
But Qiji told him that wasn't the case.
This shouldn't be happening!
Huomu's fist technique suddenly changed!
His gaze pierced through Lanma's hasty defense, instantly seizing upon the opponent's [Echo of Existence].
"Lanma, we—we were never friends!"
As soon as the words were spoken, childhood memories flashed through both of their minds.
However, what Lanma remembered was—
They climbed over the back wall of the preparatory school together, they fished and caught shrimp in the river together, and they stood up for their classmates, enduring beatings from the older students.
At that time, Lanma truly considered Huomu a friend.
He can swear an oath.
But what flashed through Huomu's mind was what happened after "stealing fire"—
That day, when he went to school, Lanma didn't wait for him as usual.
Huomu walked into the classroom alone. Lanma sat in his seat, head down, not looking at him.
From then on, the two never went home together again.
Huomu didn't ask Lanma why he was like this.
Not even once.
Because he knew—
Lanma doesn't do this, he'll suffer the bullying along with him.
Huomu understood, and even thought it was a good thing at one point.
At least Lanma can stay safely among the crowd.
However, what Lanma did later made it impossible for Huomu to consider him a friend anymore...
My notebook is missing, there are swear words carved on my desk, and stolen goods have been stuffed into my drawer.
The images of the preparatory camp flashed by frame by frame, becoming background noise.
Huomu took a deep breath and threw a powerful punch filled with determination!
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
In Lanma's view, the punch was so slow it was as if time had been slowed down, but no matter how hard he tried to dodge, his body wouldn't obey him.
The punch pierced through his futile block and landed squarely on his face.
This strike was a genuine [Mirror Break]!
Huomu still couldn't use [Mirror Break] freely, but so what?
If you keep throwing punches, one day, the odds will work their way up!
Lanma seemed to hear the sound of something shattering, and countless dark cracks spread before his eyes.
Damn it...
When did this guy become so strong?
On the verge of losing consciousness, Lanma inexplicably recalled that scene from years ago—
Huomu was cornered in an alley and being punched and kicked by older students. He grabbed a brick from the ground and rushed over.
He clearly wanted to help; he should have helped.
Because he's Huomu's only friend since the "fire-stealing" incident!
But when he rushed up to them, facing the glaring eyes of the older students, the brick in his hand crashed to the ground with a loud thud.
The older boy who was leading the group misunderstood his meaning:
"You're here to teach this kid a lesson too? I'm tired of kicking him, so it's your turn."
"Huh? Ah, ah... okay..."
By then, Huomu had already passed out, so he didn't know that Lanma was among those who kicked him.
However, at this moment, in his daze, Lanma seemed to see a truth he didn't want to accept—
Huomu was not unconscious at the time.
She closed her eyes the moment she saw him lift his foot.
This guy, it turns out...
I've always known.
He knows everything...
My consciousness plummeted.
When Lanma opened his eyes again, he was back in the academy's plaza.
There were countless faces around him, just as lost and dejected as his.
Above the City of Kindling, the Sea of Spirit Matter still reflected the scene—
Huomu, having won the victory, wore a genuine smile.
He leaped off the ring, cheering, and ran towards his true friend.
Chapter 113 A Sudden Turn of Events! Clash of the Top Spots! (3-in-1)
After the viewers in the live stream watched the flashback memories, the chat immediately filled with comments:
"What Lanma! What kind of 'best friend' is this?!"
"This comparison further highlights Hajiqi's greatness!"
"Being bullied by her only childhood friend, choosing to close her eyes and pretend to be unconscious... How pitiful, Huomu. If only she had met Prisoner Ji sooner..."
"It's alright, you're all better now! Look how happy Huomu is!"
"Qiji- kun, I... I did it? I did it!"
Huomu, having won the victory, rushed towards the crowd immediately.
This guy looked like he'd just been pulled out of a steamer, steaming hot, but with a bright, almost silly smile on his face.
Without a doubt, this victory is of extraordinary significance to Huomu!
The Tide Grand Competition is the Attention of the town!
Those who once pointed fingers at him, insulted him, slandered him, and told him to die are all watching.
He stopped.
He did not fall.
He's the winner!
Huomu felt as if he had finally walked out of that alleyway from his childhood.
The boy cornered in the alley, enduring punches and kicks, the boy who curled up in countless nights pretending to be indifferent—
Finally, I don't need to close my eyes anymore.
Now, you can open your eyes.
"I did it, I really did it..."
Huomu repeated it to himself, but then he suddenly didn't know what to say next.
He wanted to say thank you, to say thank you to Qiji- san, to say thank you to Teacher Tsukimi, to say thank you to everyone, to say...