Amory wasn’t affected at all. Voicing his challenge to Brother Liang Qiu didn’t pressure him; instead, it filled him with endless energy.

"Brother Liang Qiu, I will forge my own martial path! I will defeat you!"

Amory sprinted back toward Sakima Academy. Unlike Tang Tian, who’d been expelled without needing to handle any paperwork, Amory needed to return to complete his transfer.

Full of fighting spirit, Amory charged into Sakima Academy.

“Basic Tang! Basic Tang!” 

Amory’s thunderous voice startled birds from the woods. Basic Tang must be training diligently, just like the extraordinary man he was! Amory had never met anyone as hardworking, persistent, and unwavering as Basic Tang. He must be training hard right now! 

Amory clenched his fists with determination, rushing through the academy gate and into the so-called training grounds. On such a sunny morning, nothing could be more exhilarating than a real battle. 

But as he stepped into the field, he froze. 

The training ground was deserted, with only a couple of birds in sight. Tang Tian was lying by the stream, snoring away on a rock, with a trace of drool glistening at the corner of his mouth.

“Zzz... zzz…” 

Tang Tian’s rhythmic snores filled the air.

Amory was momentarily stunned, then anger flared up within him. He dashed over, grabbed Tang Tian by the collar, and lifted him up with one hand.

"Basic Tang, you’re such a disappointment! How can you waste this precious time sleeping? How dare you sleep?! You—"

Amory roared furiously, spraying Tang Tian’s face with spit. 

Tang Tian opened his sleepy eyes, recognized the blurry figure in front of him, and his eyelids drooped shut again as he mumbled, "Just... let me... sleep a bit longer…”

He was utterly exhausted! Ten days of relentless training without sleep, even with the accelerated recovery in the Gate of Light, had left him completely drained.

He vaguely remembered stumbling to the stream for a drink, then just lying down on the warm rock to keep sleeping.

Tang Tian smacked his lips in his sleep, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

Amory raged on, “Basic Tang, how can you waste time in such disgraceful slumber? You’re the one destined to forge a new martial path!”

Amory shook Tang Tian furiously by his collar, but Tang Tian hung limply in his grasp like a ragdoll, snoring without a care.

In Tang Tian's dream, a giant figure shook his hammock with a gentle smile… What a nice guy… Tang Tian’s snores grew louder as his smile deepened.

Realizing that Tang Tian was as unresponsive as a noodle, Amory looked around. His gaze fell on the nearby stream, and he shouted, “Basic Tang, awaken!” 

He hoisted Tang Tian high and flung him into the stream.

Though the sun was already high, the stream was still ice-cold. As Tang Tian hit the water, the chill jolted him awake.

"What... what's going on?"

Tang Tian struggled in the water, utterly confused about the situation. 

Standing on a nearby rock, Amory pumped his fist excitedly, roaring, “Basic Tang! Wasting such prime time sleeping is unforgivable! Come on, let’s have a serious fight! In the name of martial artists…” 

Tang Tian’s sleepy face darkened, his anger brewing like storm clouds, his words practically squeezed from between gritted teeth.

“Big Fly, you’re asking for it!”

Fueled by fury, Tang Tian climbed out of the stream, water dripping down his soaked body. He walked toward Amory, his footsteps leaving a trail of wet footprints. 

When he was within half a step of Amory, he stopped.

Without thinking, Tang Tian assumed the starting stance for Flash Fist.

Not Basic Fist!

Amory felt a shiver of excitement. Basic Tang, are you finally starting?

Amory, who never underestimated Tang Tian’s potential, knew this man, who had stuck to Basic Techniques for five years, was a true warrior. It was why Amory had followed Tang Tian to Sakima Academy.

However, that didn’t mean Tang Tian could compare to Brother Liang Qiu.

Brother Liang Qiu, the undisputed top martial artist of the academy, was in the top three of Starwind City. Amory’s goal was to surpass him someday. If Tang Tian reached Brother Liang’s level in a year or two, Amory wouldn’t be surprised. 

But... it had only been one night! 

Tang Tian’s aura was already as dangerous as Brother Liang’s… 

Sensing this shift, Amory’s nerves tingled with anticipation.

Tang Tian’s eyes sharpened suddenly, and with a swift step forward, he launched his right fist.

As Tang Tian moved, Amory came to his senses and met his punch head-on. Although he mainly trained with a blade, Amory’s fists weren’t weak, especially after countless bouts with Tang Tian. His Second-Degree Bull Horn Fist was forceful and ideal for direct confrontation.

With all his strength, Amory’s fists crashed toward Tang Tian.

Tang Tian’s mind was blank; he was simply driven by ten days of relentless training, running on pure instinct.

Amory’s attention was fully focused on Tang Tian, waiting for an opening. 

Tang Tian’s speed was astonishing!

Suddenly, Amory’s pupils shrank. 

Tang Tian’s fist disappeared mid-air and reappeared inches from his face. 

Flash Fist! 

Amory dodged at the last second but felt a chill run down his spine. Facing Tang Tian required total focus, any lapse would lead to a storm of attacks.

Sure enough, Tang Tian’s steps were as fast as arrows, his right fist charging at Amory again. 

Amory swiftly raised his hand to block but was thrown off as Tang Tian’s fist vanished again.

Confused for a brief moment, Amory sensed danger approaching. With a grunt, he stomped his foot down. 

The ground rippled like water, releasing a shockwave in all directions.

**Earthquake Wave**, a basic earth-element technique, causes a small tremor to disrupt opponents’ balance. If Tang Tian was within range, his balance would be momentarily affected. 

But Tang Tian kept attacking without hesitation, throwing punch after punch, faster and faster.

Amory’s view was filled with flickering fists, raining down like a storm. 

This madman!

Amory hadn’t expected Tang Tian to fight with such reckless abandon. Tang Tian’s Basic Fist Technique was already impressive, but his Flash Fist was lightning-fast, nearly impossible to counter. In that instant, Amory felt overwhelmed.

However, his skills were solid. Abandoning Bull Horn Fist, he switched to a defensive stance, Middle Guard Twelve Hands, guarding his center.

Amory’s crouched form looked like an eight-legged spider, his hands whirling defensively. 

Their fists and palms collided, sending energy rippling through the air.

Wait… something’s off!