The force coming from Tang Tian's fist felt strange! As their fists and palms met, there was a kind of sticking force.
Something's wrong! The power in that fist is off! Amory's eyes widened in surprise, noticing that Tang Tian was using this force to slightly lift himself off the ground. The height was so small it was nearly unnoticeable; if Amory hadn't been so attentive, he would have missed it entirely.
To think he avoided the ground tremor with such a method. As expected of "Basic Tang"!
Rather than feeling discouraged, Amory was even more excited. He had already recognized that Tang Tian was using "Flash Fist"—a technique with very distinctive features, easy to recognize. Though not an obscure skill among the second-tier techniques, "Flash Fist" wasn’t particularly popular because few martial artists focused on fist techniques. However, Amory was quite familiar with it, thanks to a master from Beast Academy who specialized in Flash Fist: Wang Zhen, ranked third in the academy, had mastered the technique back when he was at the second tier.
Amory had personally experienced the depth of Wang Zhen’s mastery in Flash Fist. However, Wang Zhen's Flash Fist was different from Tang Tian's in several ways.
Wang Zhen’s strikes were more powerful, with a shockwave effect upon vanishing into thin air that created ripples in the air. Tang Tian’s Flash Fist, on the other hand, left no such shockwave. His punches were faster, more elusive and unpredictable, giving no clue as to where they might emerge next. Moreover, Tang Tian's attack frequency was higher, creating a relentless barrage that left his opponent breathless.
Comparing their Flash Fists, Amory was surprised to find he couldn’t tell who had the superior skill. But the most impressive part was...
For those practicing Flash Fist, not every punch produces the Flash Fist effect. A skilled user could achieve it with eight out of every ten punches. The current record at Beast Academy belonged to Wang Zhen, who once threw a hundred punches with eighty-three of them being Flash Fists, a feat that had created quite a stir in Star Wind City and cemented him as the academy's top Flash Fist expert.
But now...
Amory's large hands moved continuously, blocking every opening tightly.
In front of him, numerous fist shadows sprang from the air, descending on him like a storm of angry rain.
What would it be like if Wang Zhen saw Basic Tang's Flash Fist?
Amory had lost count of Tang Tian’s punches, but to his amazement, every single one was a Flash Fist! Not a single punch failed!
Basic Tang, you’re always full of surprises!
Amory was completely suppressed, his twelve dispersing hand techniques for defense overwhelmed, yet his face showed a gleam of excitement.
Forty zhang away, two figures stood silently atop a treetop. One of them was Liang Qiu, and beside him was a man in a gray martial outfit, with a straightforward expression and hands covered in thick calluses, focused intently on the battle.
This was none other than Wang Zhen.
“A very good Flash Fist!” Liang Qiu’s eyes glimmered with surprise, though his face remained calm. “Tang Tian isn’t as incompetent as the rumors claim. Though Amory isn’t using third-tier techniques, for him to be suppressed while both are using second-tier skills is impressive.”
If word got out that Liang Qiu actually complimented Tang Tian’s strength, people might think they were hearing things.
“Haha, are you less worried about Amory now? I’ve always thought that while young Amory can be a bit unreliable at times, he has a strong sense of independence.” Wang Zhen chuckled, loosening his grip, though his gaze remained fixed on Tang Tian.
Liang Qiu, concerned that Amory might lose himself in despair, had invited Wang Zhen to follow along in secret to observe him.
“Rumors are indeed misleading. A character like Shangguan Qianhui wouldn’t favor someone without real skill,” Liang Qiu replied. “It’s a pity, though. Back when Shangguan Qianhui was around, I was too weak to challenge her; I regret that.”
“Indeed! There hasn’t been anyone with true, absolute strength quite like Shangguan Qianhui. Still, Tang Tian’s Flash Fist is making me feel a bit eager to try it out myself.”
“He’s possessed,” Liang Qiu said. “Look at his eyes.”
“Possessed” referred to a state in which a person, driven by intense emotions, temporarily unlocked their full potential. In this state, a martial artist would experience a sudden surge in power, becoming incredibly formidable.
“Even without the possessed state, he’s pulling off Flash Fist beautifully. Look at his footwork and attack rhythm; they’re outstanding. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I’d find it hard to believe a repeat student could have such skill,” Wang Zhen remarked, intrigued.
“You’ll get your chance.” Liang Qiu glanced at Wang Zhen. “The Sacha Academy doesn’t have enough points.”
“Not enough points?”
“Yes, I checked their points; if they want to keep their qualification, the marks from the academy exams alone aren’t enough. They'll also need a good ranking at the Star Wind Martial Meet to have any chance of getting the necessary points.”
In Star Wind City, the academy rankings were based on a points system, where facilities, achievements, and other factors translated into points, ultimately determining privileges and qualifications.
“This year, Sacha Academy has zero points. Besides the academy exams, they’ll need to compete in the Star Wind Martial Meet and perform well to gather enough points,” Liang Qiu remarked decisively.
Wang Zhen laughed. “Now this is getting interesting!”
A Flash Fist like that piqued Wang Zhen's interest to spar.
Suddenly, Wang Zhen thought of a question. “If Sacha Academy fails miserably, how do you plan to convince Amory to reconsider?”
“By beating him into submission,” Liang Qiu replied coldly.
Wang Zhen was taken aback, then smiled knowingly, knowing Liang Qiu was more than capable of doing just that.
“Let’s go, we’ll leave him alone for now.” Liang Qiu turned without hesitation. “Let’s see how he performs at the Martial Meet.”
Wang Zhen glanced back at Tang Tian, his eyes flashing with a hint of eagerness before he turned and followed Liang Qiu, disappearing from sight.
Not long after Liang Qiu and Wang Zhen left, Old Wei, who was lying in bed, opened his eyes and glanced in the direction they had disappeared. His wrinkled face betrayed no emotion, yet his gaze showed a thoughtful glimmer.
His attention shifted back to the intense battle between Tang Tian and Amory, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
Even though Amory had restrained himself by not using third-tier techniques, and despite Tang Tian’s possessed state, seeing Amory completely suppressed left Old Wei astonished.
It had been years since Old Wei first met Amory, the most talented martial artist he’d ever seen. Amory’s physical potential and understanding of martial skills were extraordinary. Despite his simple mindset, Amory’s willingness to endure hardships allowed him to become a renowned expert at Beast Academy from a young age.
Tang Tian, by comparison, had far less talent, his only notable trait being a solid foundation. Yet, the Tang Tian before him now shattered Old Wei’s previous impression.
Old Wei had been watching Amory closely for years, knowing exactly what his physical limits were. This was the first time he’d seen anyone match Amory’s physical prowess.
And the Flash Fist soul card he’d given Tang Tian—it had only been a few days...
Old Wei was watching intently.
Their physical prowess was nearly equal, but in terms of skill mastery, Amory clearly held the advantage. Tang Tian’s power surge from the possessed state should’ve made them evenly matched, yet...
Before Old Wei’s eyes, Amory was being utterly overwhelmed.
It was Tang Tian’s aura!
Old Wei’s eyes gleamed. In his possessed state, Tang Tian’s ferocity was unmatched, completely overwhelming Amory. It was like a deadly duel, an unrelenting assault as relentless as a storm, leaving Amory no room to breathe even while defending himself.
“Possessed…” Old Wei murmured.
As he failed to make progress, Tang Tian’s anger flared even hotter, and his eyes glowed red, as if on fire. His fists lashed out with an increasingly furious tempo.
Amory felt the pressure increase sharply, struggling under the relentless barrage, as the range of his twelve dispersing hand techniques was increasingly compressed.
Would he really need to use a third-tier technique?
Gritting his teeth, Amory held on. If he used a third-tier technique, it would be like admitting defeat!
Just then, a rich aroma of roasted meat filled the air.
Huh?
Both froze.
Tang Tian sniffed the air, and his stomach growled as an intense hunger overcame him, quickly draining his strength. Though he hadn’t felt hungry within the portal, his body was still conditioned by habit. After ten days without food, the aroma of roasted meat hit him like a ton of bricks.
Tang Tian turned his head to see a campfire behind him, where Old Wei was leisurely roasting meat.
Seeing Tang Tian’s gaze, Old Wei raised his right hand in a casual wave. “Ah, keep going, don’t mind me!”
Tang Tian, without a second thought, left Amory behind and charged toward Old Wei, shouting, “Save me some! I want some! I want it!”
Amory was left standing there in shock; the sudden change left him utterly confused.
After a moment, the dazed look in his eyes faded.
He looked at the figure flying through the air, shouting excitedly, and suddenly clenched his fists tightly.
"Basic Tang, I won’t lose to you!"
Half an hour later.
Just moments ago, the fierce Tang Tian was now half-slumped on the ground, a look of satisfaction on his face as he stroked his protruding belly, lost in bliss: “That was so good! Old man, I didn’t expect you to be such a good cook! From now on, you’re in charge of saving my stomach!”
Amory wasn’t much better off, his massive body sprawled out, one foot exposing a thick mat of leg hair, picking his teeth: “Old man, were you a chef in the past?”
Old Wei smiled proudly: “You’re still young. As a senior from the Celestial Road, I must tell you that if you want to venture into the Celestial Road, you first need to master outstanding culinary skills.”
“Celestial Road?” Tang Tian was taken aback and instinctively sat up.
Amory's relaxed expression also faded, and he straightened his posture: “Old man, have you been to the Celestial Road?”
“Hehe, I wandered there for a few years when I was young,” the old man chuckled.
Tang Tian and Amory looked at him with newfound respect. Wu An Star was an outer planet, known as the origin of humanity. However, after tens of thousands of years of development, Wu An Star had become a truly remote wilderness.
Those who could step onto the Celestial Road were no ordinary people.
“Hey, old man, what’s the Celestial Road really like?” Tang Tian asked curiously.
