Free Web NovelChapter 60: Chapter 60: Sparring
"What an impressive Body Technique!"
A voice of admiration suddenly rang out.
Han Yuan looked over and saw a heroic-looking young man approaching from a short distance away.
"I thought I was the only one who couldn’t sleep."
"I didn’t expect someone else to be just like me."
The heroic young man smiled.
"And you are?" Han Yuan asked softly.
"I almost forgot to introduce myself."
"I am Kong Yangyun, from Yushui County."
The heroic young man said, cupping his fist.
"I am Han Yuan, from Qingshui County."
Han Yuan also announced his name and origin.
"Brother Han, the night is long, and since neither of us can sleep, why don’t we have a friendly spar?"
A belligerent glint flashed in Kong Yangyun’s eyes.
"Very well."
Han Yuan did not refuse.
He also wanted to test the current power of his Seven Stars Step.
Neither of them stood on ceremony. After cupping their fists to each other, they immediately made their moves.
Kong Yangyun adopted an offensive stance, his left hand a fist and his right hand a claw.
In the next instant, like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, he crossed several meters in a flash, his right hand clawing like a tiger’s toward Han Yuan’s chest.
Judging by this explosive power and momentum alone,
Han Yuan knew his opponent was a Body Tempering Martial Artist, and a formidable one at that.
He chose not to block it head-on. As his feet dodged, he suddenly lifted his leg, his right foot thrusting viciously toward the other’s lower abdomen.
WHAM!
His kick was as fast as lightning, as if it could tear the very air.
Kong Yangyun hadn’t expected Han Yuan’s kick to be so fast. He abruptly slammed his left arm down!
Han Yuan grinned. The right shin he had thrust out suddenly snapped up, perfectly meeting his opponent’s fist!
BAM!
The two instantly separated.
"Brother Kong, that Tiger Fist of yours is certainly ferocious enough."
Han Yuan said with a smile.
Kong Yangyun’s fist was indeed fierce. If not for his Arhat Iron Cloth Shirt having reached Great Success, his shin might have been broken just now.
"Your Leg Technique is also impressively fast."
"I almost couldn’t react in time."
Kong Yangyun said admiringly.
That had just been a probe from both sides. Having gotten a measure of each other’s strength, they clashed again, fists and feet constantly colliding.
Kong Yangyun was as vicious as a fierce tiger. His Claw Technique was sharp and fierce, each swipe seeming to tear through the air, faintly emitting a tiger’s roar.
Han Yuan only activated his Seven Stars Step, continuously dodging his opponent’s attacks while occasionally lashing out with a kick.
His kicks were extremely fast and immensely powerful. Every time Kong Yangyun blocked one, he felt a sharp pain in his bones and muscles.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
In the blink of an eye,
they had exchanged over a hundred moves, yet were still evenly matched. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
"That’s enough."
"Let’s not fight anymore."
Kong Yangyun stopped.
If they continued, it would have to become a life-or-death battle to determine a winner.
They had no grievances with each other; it was just a friendly spar, so there was naturally no need to take it that far.
Han Yuan had no intention of continuing either.
And so, both of them stopped.
Kong Yangyun produced two jugs of wine from who knows where.
The two of them sat on the ground just like that and started drinking.
"Back in Yushui County, with my Fierce Tiger Fist, no one was my match."
"But after coming to this County Town, I find that even a random person I pick to practice with is no weaker than me."
"I really was a frog in a well before."
Kong Yangyun lamented before taking a swig of wine.
"This County Town is indeed a land of crouching tigers and hidden dragons."
Han Yuan nodded.
After all, heroes and champions from all over Cangshui County gathered here, so there were naturally many masters.
"Yeah."
"I came this time hoping to participate in the Observatory’s assessment."
"If I can pass, I’ll be able to stay here."
Kong Yangyun said with a laugh.
"What a coincidence. Me too," Han Yuan said softly.
"Brother Han, it seems we’re truly bound by fate."
"But if we meet in the assessment, I won’t go easy on you."
Kong Yangyun laughed heartily.
"As it should be."
"It will all depend on skill."
Han Yuan nodded.
The two continued to drink, not parting ways until late into the night.
A few days passed.
Han Yuan focused solely on training his Seven Stars Step, not even taking the time to wander around the County Town.
However, Kong Yangyun would come over from time to time to spar with him.
Just as before, Han Yuan only used his Seven Stars Step when they fought, not revealing any of his other Martial Arts. freёweɓnovel.com
In the blink of an eye, the day of the Observatory’s assessment arrived.
Han Yuan and Kong Yangyun had arranged to meet and went together to the southeast corner of Cangshui County Town.
Compared to the teeming crowds on the ordinary streets, this place was clearly much more deserted.
In front of a stretch of gloomy buildings, numerous carriages were now parked.
Many young Martial Artists in tight-fitting attire were scattered about in groups of two and three.
These people had various identities; there were ordinary disciples of Noble Families, students from martial arts schools, and Martial World Wanderers.
After Han Yuan and Kong Yangyun arrived, they simply found a spot to stand and wait.
"See those carriages over there?"
"The people from the Five Great Noble Families participating in the assessment are inside them."
Kong Yangyun said softly.
"Any formidable figures among them?" Han Yuan also looked toward the large carriages.
These carriages were exceptionally luxurious. The horses pulling them were all tall and muscular steeds—clearly fine horses capable of traveling a thousand li in a day.
Yet now they were being used to pull carriages.
What a waste.
"Yes."
"Each of the Five Great Noble Families sent one person to participate this time."
"Among them, two are exceptionally powerful."
"They are the third young master of the Bai Family, at Body Tempering Great Perfection. His Meteor Hammer technique is terrifyingly powerful, able to easily smash a person into pulp."
"The other is the eldest young lady of the Huang Family, also at Body Tempering Perfection. Her Lotus Sword Technique is incredibly sharp."
"Of course, the other three are not to be underestimated either, they’re just a notch below these two."
Kong Yangyun had clearly done his homework.
’Interesting... I wonder if I’ll get to meet those two.’
Han Yuan said softly.
"You’re really arrogant, kid."
"If you run into those two, you’ll be lucky to last ten moves."
"We should just pray for some good luck."
Kong Yangyun said, shaking his head.
He knew the gap between himself and these disciples from the Noble Families.
If he wanted to become a Demon Exterminator for the Observatory, he couldn’t afford to run into anyone from the Five Great Noble Families.
Otherwise, defeat was certain.
Of course... the other ordinary Noble Family disciples, Martial World Wanderers, and martial arts school students couldn’t be underestimated either.
Anyone who managed to secure a spot in the assessment wouldn’t be a pushover; it was just a matter of who was stronger.
"I never believe in luck."
Han Yuan said flatly.
"Alright."
"Why did you bring a blade with you today?"
"Don’t you practice a Leg Technique?"
Kong Yangyun asked curiously.
"I’ve practiced some Blade Technique. But it’s mainly to confuse opponents."
Han Yuan gave a faint, enigmatic smile.
"I get it. You’re a crafty one."
"Still, that sounds like a pretty useful trick."
"If I’d known, I would have brought a blade to look the part too."
Kong Yangyun muttered.
Just as they were chatting,
a man wearing a long, brocade robe walked out.
The brocade robe was primarily black, but embroidered on the shoulder and chest area was a white Exotic Beast with the body of a tiger and the head of a dragon.
"That black brocade robe is embroidered with a Piyao, a type of Exotic Beast. Legend says it’s a ferocious beast capable of exorcising evil and vanquishing demons."
"That’s why it’s called a Piyao Robe, which only Demon Exterminators are qualified to wear."
Kong Yangyun explained in a low voice.
Han Yuan nodded. "It does look pretty cool."
"I am Huang Mengshi, a Demon Exterminator of the Observatory."
"In a moment, I will call out names. When your name is called, step forward one by one to verify your identity. You may then enter the Observatory to participate in today’s assessment."
The man in the Piyao Robe announced in a clear voice.
