Free Web NovelChapter 23: Chapter 22: A Slip and an Injury
The Martial Arts Arena was already packed tight with disciples of the Tang Family, and the crowd was abuzz with discussion about the upcoming match.
"The Seventh Young Master is fighting Tang Yi. Who do you think will win? I heard Tang Yi has also reached the Level of a Battle Master. Just a moment ago, he took on five opponents at once and sent five disciples—all Eight-Star Battle Disciples or higher—flying with a single punch."
"Is that even a question? It has to be the Seventh Young Master. He’s a Six-star Battle Master and has mastered several powerful Martial Techniques. Even if Tang Yi has reached the Level of a Battle Master, there’s no way he’s a match for the Seventh Young Master."
"How the tables have turned. Tang Yi used to be known as the Big Waste, and now he’s actually managed to become a Battle Master."
"Heh. Tell me, did you use to bully Tang Yi? Why else would you be scared of him becoming a Battle Master?"
"Tang Yi and Tang Fangzhou have already signed a life-or-death contract for this duel. Why would I be afraid of him? It’s hard to say if he’ll even be able to leave the arena in one piece."
"That’s true."
...
Atop the arena, Tang Yi and Tang Fangzhou stood facing each other.
They had both signed a life-or-death contract. Once on the arena, fate would decide their lives. Here, might made right.
"Tang Yi, you’re not actually going to fight me bare-handed, are you?" Tang Fangzhou held a Yellow-grade Treasure Sword and looked at Tang Yi, his gaze filled with contempt.
"My bare hands are more than enough for you. Enough talk. Let’s begin," Tang Yi replied coolly.
"Heh, fine. You’re the one rushing to your death, so don’t blame me for what happens." With a flick of his wrist, Tang Fangzhou spun his Treasure Sword in a flourish before charging toward Tang Yi.
SWOOSH!
He brought his sword down on Tang Yi’s head.
With a slight twist of his body and a tilt of his head, Tang Yi dodged the vicious strike. Clenching his hand into a fist, he shouted, "Take this! Basic Boxing Skill!"
"Star Palm!"
Tang Fangzhou met Tang Yi’s fist with a palm strike from his left hand.
BAM!
Fist and palm collided, unleashing a powerful gust of air that sent both fighters stumbling backward.
In this first exchange, Tang Yi took five steps back, while Tang Fangzhou only took two. It seemed Tang Fangzhou had a slight edge in power.
"So powerful!"
"So this is a duel between Battle Masters? I’m so envious. I wonder when I’ll become a Battle Master and wield that kind of Combat Power."
"It looks like Tang Fangzhou is a little stronger. After all, Tang Yi couldn’t cultivate in the past, so his rise to Battle Master was too quick. He doesn’t have the same deep foundation as Tang Fangzhou."
"Tang Yi’s in trouble!"
The difference in their levels was clear from a single strike. The Tang Family disciples chattered among themselves, none of them betting on Tang Yi to win.
"Looks like even though this Tang Yi is no longer considered a waste, he’s not that strong after all," Tang Fanghua sneered from within the crowd of Tang Family members.
"Sister Hua, that’s where you’re wrong. It’s not that Tang Yi is weak; he’s actually very strong! After seeing that punch, even I’m starting to get interested in him," said Tang Mingtian from the side, his bright eyes fixed on Tang Yi.
"What are you talking about? My brother’s palm sent Tang Yi back five steps, while my brother only took two. If anything, my brother is the powerful one. What’s so powerful about Tang Yi?" Tang Fanghua said, displeased.
"Sister Hua, you don’t see the whole picture. The punch Tang Yi just threw was just an ordinary punch, but your brother used a Yellow Tier Martial Technique. Even with a Martial Technique, he only forced Tang Yi back five steps and was pushed back two himself. Isn’t it obvious who has the real advantage?" Tang Mingtian said calmly, his gaze on Tang Yi growing even brighter.
"So what if Tang Yi doesn’t have a Yellow Tier Martial Technique? Martial Techniques are a part of one’s strength. Tang Yi is just not as good as my brother, hmph." Even after Tang Mingtian’s explanation, Tang Fanghua refused to acknowledge Tang Yi’s power. After all, she would always side with her family over logic, and Tang Fangzhou was her brother.
With a huff, Tang Fanghua turned her head and went back to watching the match on the arena, saying no more.
"Er..." Tang Mingtian shook his head. There was nothing he could do about Tang Fanghua.
But he was right. Tang Yi had only used an ordinary punch, whereas Tang Fangzhou had used the Yellow Tier Martial Technique, Star Palm.
The Star Palm was an exceptionally powerful move. How could an ordinary punch possibly compare with a Martial Technique? And yet, they had fought to a standstill, which just went to show how formidable Tang Yi’s unarmed skills were.
The match on the arena continued...
They exchanged several more blows. Tang Fangzhou’s swordplay was a seamless, impenetrable defense, and incredibly formidable. It was clear he was a master swordsman. If he had a Martial Technique for the Sword Dao, he could have taken Tang Yi’s life with his blade alone.
"Such a ’fine’ sword!" After dodging several more of Tang Fangzhou’s strikes, Tang Yi finally found an opening. He took a small step back, escaping the containment of the Treasure Sword and catching his breath.
Tang Fangzhou missed the sarcasm in Tang Yi’s tone, assuming he was afraid. He declared smugly, "Good that you recognize it. Kneel and beg for mercy now, and I might spare your life. Otherwise..."
"You want to kill me on this arena?" Tang Yi shot him a cold glare and snapped, "Then let’s see if you have the ability!"
With that, he clenched his fist and charged at Tang Fangzhou once more.
Tang Fangzhou had a Weapon, putting Tang Yi at a slight disadvantage. However, Tang Yi found an opportunity to close the distance between them.
Tang Fangzhou’s Treasure Sword was, after all, a Longsword. In close-quarters combat, it was difficult to wield effectively. Every time he tried to strike, he exposed an opening that Tang Yi met with a punch. If not for his quick reflexes, Tang Fangzhou might have already suffered a Severe Injury.
"So you want to fight up close? Fine by me!"
Tang Fangzhou promptly tossed his Treasure Sword aside and engaged Tang Yi in close-quarters combat, fist for fist, kick for kick.
A punch from you, a kick from me—they traded blows with wild abandon.
However, from start to finish, Tang Yi had not used any special Techniques, fighting Tang Fangzhou to a standstill with his bare hands alone.
In truth, it wasn’t that his basic combat was weak. After consuming so many pills that increased his Attributes, his Power and Speed were far beyond what an ordinary Battle Master could match. Naturally, his fists and feet packed immense might.
After trading dozens of blows, even someone as strong as Tang Fangzhou felt his own fists and feet grow numb, the pain becoming unbearable.
’I can’t let this go on!’
Tang Fangzhou immediately made his decision. He threw a feint punch toward Tang Yi’s face, and as Tang Yi dodged, he retreated a half-step back.
"Three Roar Fist!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Gathering his power, Tang Fangzhou charged forward again. With a thunderous roar, he unleashed a series of punches. Each fist carried an explosive sound and was shrouded in a faint glow, looking immensely powerful.
Even the crowd watching below the arena could hear the continuous booming. It had to be even worse for Tang Yi up on the stage.
"Basic Boxing Skill!"
"Break!"
Enduring the deafening roar assaulting his ears, Tang Yi threw a punch to meet Tang Fangzhou’s fist. However, the Yellow Tier Boxing Technique Tang Fangzhou used this time was on another level. One fist followed another, the power of the three strikes stacking to become even greater.
BANG!
The skin between Tang Yi’s thumb and index finger tore open, his fist dripping with blood as his body was sent flying. A sweet taste filled his throat, and he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. If he hadn’t clenched his jaw and forced it back down, that single exchange would have left him with a Severe Injury.
