Chapter 409 - 150: Astonishing Skill (3)
Hearing the Main Peak Steward’s announcement, Yang Jing and Zhang Han stepped forward almost in unison, making their way toward the Cyan Qilin Platform.
Their footsteps were steady and powerful as they fell upon the cyan flagstones.
Halfway there, they both looked up at the same time. Their gazes met mid-air, and though no words were exchanged, it was as if sparks flew. An invisible battle intent began to quietly permeate the air.
As the two ascended the Cyan Qilin Platform, the disciples watching from below immediately erupted into a clamor, with waves of cheers surging one after another.
"Go, Senior Brother Zhang! Beat him!"
"Senior Brother Zhang Han is a veteran of five Cyan Qilin Battles. This newcomer is definitely no match for him!"
"Senior Brother Zhang’s Peak-Splitting Fist is incredibly powerful. This round is in the bag!"
Zhang Han was considered a veteran expert among the Inner Sect Disciples. Having participated in numerous Cyan Qilin Battles, he had accumulated a considerable reputation and many victories, so it was only natural that he had a large number of supporters.
The cheers were fervent.
Yang Jing, on the other hand, had only recently been promoted to the Inner Sect. He usually kept his head down and focused solely on his cultivation, rarely participating in gatherings with other disciples, so he didn’t have many close friends.
Furthermore, this was his first time participating in the Cyan Qilin Battle, making him a complete unknown. In the crowd below, almost no one was cheering for him.
Just as Yang Jing was focusing his mind to prepare for battle, a clear, somewhat shy shout pierced through the roaring crowd and reached his ears, "Junior Brother! You can do it!"
Yang Jing froze for a moment. Following the voice, he saw Sun Ningxiang at the very front of the crowd, standing on her tiptoes. Her face was flushed red, and her sparkling eyes were fixed on him. Ignoring the strange looks from those around her, she kept shouting, cheering him on.
A wave of warmth instantly washed over Yang Jing’s heart.
He knew Sun Ningxiang’s personality all too well. She had always been shy and introverted, not the type to be loud or carefree. The more strangers there were, the more she preferred to stay quietly to the side, rarely speaking up on her own.
That she could cheer for him now, in front of so many unfamiliar disciples, truly touched Yang Jing.
He gave a slight nod in Sun Ningxiang’s direction, a gentle smile flashing in his eyes.
Immediately after, Yang Jing collected himself and took his position opposite Zhang Han in the center of the Cyan Qilin Platform. The two faced off from a distance.
A sharp wind swept across the flagstones, whipping at the corners of their white robes. The air crackled with growing battle intent.
"Begin!"
The Main Peak Steward’s voice was crisp and decisive. He then turned and walked off the Cyan Qilin Platform.
Before his voice had even faded, both men moved at once!
Zhang Han struck first. He specialized in fist techniques, and his Peak-Splitting Fist was already practiced to perfection.
He stomped his foot hard against the ground and shot forward like a cannonball. His right fist, whistling through the air, aimed straight for Yang Jing’s face. The attack was fierce and overbearing, carrying the force to shatter mountains and split stone.
Instead of retreating, Yang Jing advanced. He employed the profound footwork of the Raging Wave Legs, his body moving like a small boat in a stormy sea as he deftly evaded the brunt of Zhang Han’s attack.
His main focus now was the Mountain-Breaking Seal, but his strongest killing blow was still the Mountain-Shattering Fist. He had also trained in the Raging Wave Legs Body Technique and the Indestructible True Skill, a body-hardening art, so his physical prowess was already formidable.
For this battle, Yang Jing didn’t use his Mountain-Shattering Fist. Instead, he channeled his Inner Strength and met the attack with the Mountain-Breaking Seal.
He wanted to use this live combat as an opportunity to sharpen his newly learned True Skill and fully master the techniques of the Mountain-Breaking Seal.
To his surprise, when he used the vigorous Inner Strength he had tempered through the Mountain-Shattering Fist to power the Mountain-Breaking Seal, the execution was incredibly smooth. It was as if the essences of the two martial arts were blending together, erupting with a power in no way inferior to the Mountain-Shattering Fist.
BAM!
Their fists collided with a heavy, muffled impact. A shockwave rippled outward, kicking up dust from the flagstones.
Zhang Han’s expression tightened. He felt a vast, powerful surge of Inner Strength rush up his arm from the point of impact, making it go numb. He was forced back three steps before he could regain his balance.
He was shocked to discover that the sheer force of Yang Jing’s Inner Strength actually surpassed his own!
What shocked him even more was that with every exchange of blows, he could clearly feel Yang Jing’s fists were as hard as iron. The force behind them was astounding, and each impact sent a dull ache through the web of his thumb.
’Could this guy have been born with Divine Power?’ Zhang Han was secretly aghast.
They traded blows back and forth, a flurry of fists flying between them. In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged over twenty-five moves.
Fine beads of sweat broke out on Zhang Han’s forehead. His arms were growing weak, his blood was churning, and his breathing had become heavy and ragged.
Yang Jing, in contrast, remained calm, his breathing steady. His movements were as agile as ever, showing no signs of fatigue as he dealt with Zhang Han’s every attack with ease.
Unbeknownst to the onlookers, he had already gained a clear advantage.
Zhang Han’s expression grew exceptionally grim.
Beads of sweat trickled down his cheeks, splattering on the flagstones and leaving small, dark patches.
He threw a punch with all his might, only for Yang Jing to casually parry it aside.
The instant their fists met, he could clearly feel that Yang Jing was holding back. His techniques even seemed to carry a probing, sharpening quality.
A terrible thought suddenly shot through his mind.
’Has Yang Jing not been using his full strength this entire time?’
’He’s even using this fight with me to hone his martial arts!’
’I’ve... I’ve become his whetstone!’
Zhang Han’s heart dropped. A chill shot up from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
He had considered that Yang Jing might be hiding his true strength, that he might be stronger than he appeared. But he had never, ever imagined that his opponent would be *this* strong!