Free Web NovelChapter 9: Chapter 9: Talent for Fighting
Lin Qi was quite satisfied. 1,000 Xia Country Coins for just one hour of sparring.
This was more than he had ever earned from any part-time job before.
"You two, warm up over there. It’ll be your turn soon," the woman in the blue robe, Sister Lian, reminded them.
"Okay!"
Lin Qi and Jiangtao continued further inside.
They found an empty spot, put down their backpacks, and began to warm up.
Lin Qi also had a moment to observe his surroundings. The corners of the Martial Arts Room were filled with all sorts of large training equipment.
There were brown, cylindrical striking posts over two meters tall, and a red, blocky Punch Force Tester...
In one corner, he could also see a Rehabilitation Pod, smooth and round like a white egg.
Furthermore, a nearby metal cabinet was cluttered with various bottles and jars he didn’t recognize. Just looking at the labels, he could tell they were expensive.
The air was maintained at a little over twenty degrees Celsius, the perfect environment for practicing Martial Arts.
A trace of envy grew in Lin Qi. ’Who wouldn’t want to practice Martial Arts in such a comfortable environment? It would drastically improve one’s efficiency.’
BANG! BANG!
Just then, the sounds of combat drew Lin Qi’s attention.
He saw one person whose head was covered, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes.
His movements were wide and sweeping, his fist strikes ferocious, whistling through the air like a pouncing tiger. A single swipe of his claw sent the air screaming and made one shudder.
BANG! BANG!
A sharp Tiger Claw seized his opponent’s arm, looking as if it would perform a Tearing move.
CRACK!
"ARGH!"
The opponent’s arm suffered a heavy blow. He cried out in pain as the overwhelming force knocked him back several steps, making him double over and clutch his arm.
’So strong!’ Lin Qi was inwardly stunned.
"Our employer this time practices Tiger Form Fist."
"This guy has already mastered the essence of the Tiger Form Fist. He’s reached the Great Success realm and is about to break through to Perfection and reach Tier Two."
"And, Brother Qi, he practices the same Tiger Form Fist as you."
Jiangtao exclaimed.
"We both practice Tiger Form Fist, but he’s much stronger than me."
Lin Qi couldn’t help but nod in agreement. The man’s Boxing Realm was far higher than his. Most importantly, he had already broken through to Great Success.
"He’s our employer this time—Guo Heng!"
"His nickname is supposedly Evil Tiger. Look at how fierce his Fist Technique is, like a tiger pouncing on its prey. To practice his technique, he doesn’t hold back his strength."
"He’s so heavy-handed. Hiss... I think that guy’s arm might be fractured."
"No wonder the pay is so good. If they didn’t offer a lot of money, who would be willing to be his sparring partner?"
"But seeing Guo Heng in action, 1,000 coins doesn’t feel like enough..."
"Brother Qi, we’re no match for him. Be careful later."
Jiangtao frowned, subconsciously clutching his own arm.
In the middle of the room, Guo Heng took off his helmet, revealing a handsome face. He shook his head and said:
"Your physical fitness is too poor. Your Qi and Blood Value is probably not even 4.5."
"Your Boxing Realm is too low."
"The improvement you give me is barely better than nothing. You can go. Next."
Guo Heng thought: ’These sparring partners I’m finding are still too weak. The effect they have on my improvement is getting worse and worse.’
’Unfortunately, the stronger students won’t come to be sparring partners. I can only hope the next one is a little stronger.’
The man opposite him walked to the side and took off his protective gear. His face was grim, and his exposed skin was covered in black and blue bruises.
He sighed, slung on his backpack, and turned to leave.
...
"You’re up!"
Sister Lian walked over and instructed them:
"Remember, put on the protective gear and go up there. Use your full strength. Don’t worry about hurting the Young Master, because you’re no match for him."
"Of course, the longer you last, the more likely you’ll be kept on for a long-term position."
"Understand?"
Lin Qi and Jiangtao nodded, their hearts tightening.
"Alright, you’re up. You go first."
The blue-robed woman, Sister Lian, said, pointing at Lin Qi.
"Okay!"
Lin Qi nodded without refusing. He walked to the cabinet, glanced at the new protective gear inside, then looked at the used gear that had been carelessly set aside.
He silently put on the old gear.
As he put on the black protective gear, a thick stench of sweat hit his nose, accompanied by the feeling of clammy perspiration.
Lin Qi remained expressionless, quickly putting it on without any sign of disgust.
Across from him, Guo Heng walked up directly, not bothering to put on his helmet this time.
The entire Martial Arts Room fell silent.
Only the sound of breathing could be heard.
He was nearly 1.9 meters tall. Dressed in the deep black protective gear, his sturdy frame looked like an upright bear, and an oppressive aura enveloped Lin Qi.
The blue-robed woman, Sister Lian, looked at Lin Qi in the center and shook her head, thinking to herself:
’Looks like this one isn’t up to much either. He’s so thin; he probably won’t last long.’
In the center of the room, Lin Qi held his breath and focused his mind. His body swayed as he assumed the opening Three-Body Form.
Seeing this, Guo Heng’s eyes lit up. "Tiger Form Fist?"
"Interesting!"
"Brother, I hit hard. Be careful."
With that, Guo Heng grinned, and his aura changed dramatically. Power surged into his arms. He spread his hands, fanned out his five fingers, and then curled them toward his palms, forming "Tiger Claws."
The next second, he moved. He pounced forward, striking out with both claws, power concentrated at his fingertips.
The tiger is the king of all beasts. It is large, ferocious in its hunt, decisive, and without hesitation.
A fierce tiger emerges from the mountain!
The force of his fist was ferocious, as fast as the wind.
WHOOSH—
’So fast!’
Lin Qi’s pupils contracted. He felt as if a fierce tiger was pouncing on him.
He subconsciously tried to dodge, but it was too late. Guo Heng’s Tiger Claw struck unexpectedly, slapping against his chest.
BANG!
A sharp pain shot through his body. A Penetration Power slammed into his chest, right through the protective gear.
Lin Qi’s body stumbled back several steps involuntarily. He clutched his chest, feeling a burning sensation.
If it weren’t for the protective gear, Guo Heng’s claw would have shredded the skin on his chest.
’So strong!’
’He looks about my age, but he’s this powerful.’
Lin Qi’s brow furrowed. His Spirit became highly focused as he once again assumed the Three-Body Form, his feet shuffling as he kept his eyes on Guo Heng’s "Tiger Claws."
Guo Heng continued his assault. His expression was wild as he executed his Fist Technique. His blood flowed faster, and power erupted from within him.
"HA!"
He closed the distance in a single bound and thrust out a Tiger Claw, which exploded through the air like a cannon.
"Black Tiger Heart Stealing!"
Lin Qi sensed the danger. It felt as if something had Awakened within his body, sending a tremor through him. He raised both his claws to block.
BANG! BANG!
His claws met the attack, and he instantly performed a Force Discharge. He changed the direction of his steps and retreated backward!
’Force Discharge!’
Lin Qi’s mind raced. He had discharged most of the opponent’s attack, and the protective gear blocked the remaining force.
Guo Heng continued to unleash his Tiger Form Fist. His aura was intense and unrestrained, the force of his strikes growing ever more ferocious.
"White Tiger Claw Offering!"
BANG! BANG!
Fist met fist. The force penetrated his guard, and Lin Qi let out a muffled grunt from beneath his gear. His Qi Blood churned within him.
Even with the protective gear, Guo Heng’s strength and speed were greater than his. He could close the distance in the blink of an eye, leaving little Space to dodge.
However, for some unknown reason, seeing Guo Heng’s Tiger Claw caused several ideas to pop into Lin Qi’s mind.
’Move half a meter to the left, bend down, and raise my claws to block.’
...
Lin Qi’s body moved accordingly.
WHOOSH—BANG!
His Tiger Claw once again blocked and discharged the force.
"Huh?"
Guo Heng, on the other side, was astonished. ’He actually blocked it? That’s a first.’
"Good luck!"
He continued to strike out with his Tiger Claw.
Lin Qi saw through Guo Heng’s intention. He exerted force, using his waist to power his body’s evasive maneuver.
But what greeted him was a torrential storm of short, hard attacks.
BANG! BANG!
’The difference in our Qi and Blood Value and Boxing Realm is too great,’ Lin Qi thought. ’I can only take hits and use Force Discharge.’
Practicing a fist technique starts with just drills, then moves on to striking posts. But after reaching Great Success, the striking posts are just dead targets.
To continue improving, one must fight a "living post"—sparring with another person.
BANG! BANG!
Another Tiger Claw slammed into his chest. Lin Qi’s body moved gracefully, and he immediately shot out a Tiger Claw of his own.
"Black Tiger Heart Stealing!"
BANG! BANG!
Their Tiger Claws collided. Lin Qi launched a counterattack, putting his full power into every strike. ’Attack is the best defense. With this protective gear, all I have to do is attack.’
At this moment, his mind was sharp and completely focused, a state entirely different from usual. In particular, the Tiger Form Fist that Guo Heng was using appeared clearly in his mind.
As he executed his Tiger Form Fist, he found himself in better form than ever before.
His body drew taut like a bow before snapping forward like a loosed arrow, his Tiger Claw striking out fiercely and without hesitation.
"ROAR—"
Lin Qi let out a great roar, causing Guo Heng to falter for a split second.
Immediately, his figure pounced forward with the agility of a cat. He unleashed his Tiger Form Fist, and his pair of Tiger Claws carried astonishing power.
BANG! BANG!
"Good!"
Guo Heng’s fighting spirit ignited. This opponent was far from ordinary.
In the middle of the room, it was as if two fierce tigers were tearing at each other in an exceptionally intense battle. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Jiangtao watched from the side with great interest.
"Brother Qi is amazing! It’s like he’s a completely different person. Could this be his true self?"
...
"Good!"
Guo Heng felt nothing but exhilaration as Lin Qi’s Tiger Claws struck his body.
The pain of each blow traveled to his brain, stimulating his nerves. It was his brain reminding its master that the body was in pain.
This was something no other opponent could give him. The pain, paradoxically, excited him.
...
