Chapter 123: Transmutation
Chapter 123: Transmutation
The Maka student who had obtained the Evergreen Oak Leaf hesitated for a moment, glanced at the determined Duoma, and then swiftly departed with the leaf, followed by several companions.
However, many Maka students chose to stay, eyeing Guan Xinyin, Luo Kaiyuan, and the others with caution.
Duoma did not try to persuade them further, merely sighing.
Upon seeing the students leave, Chen Chuan remained still, unconcerned about the leaf. With Duoma blocking the way, he couldn't stop them either.
Guan Xinyin and Luo Kaiyuan also stood their ground, their eyes fixed on Duoma and the departing Maka students.
Chen Chuan didn't take the initiative to attack. If Duoma and the others were determined to confront them here, there was no need to rush. The longer the standoff, the more reinforcements would arrive, and the Maka side would be the ones feeling the pressure.
Duoma waited until the students behind him had run off and mounted their two-wheeled vehicles before he finally stopped waiting.
He spread his arms wide, resembling a bird spreading its wings. His muscles rippled with the rhythm of his movements, and the sheen on his body seemed to flow like water, especially around his fingers, as if plucking invisible strings.
His breathing and movements were in sync with a peculiar rhythm, as if his body were playing a musical piece.
Guan Xinyin and Luo Kaiyuan suddenly felt uncomfortable as they witnessed Duoma's every muscle expansion and contraction, each beat falling precisely between their breaths.
The key to a fighter's power lay in their breathing, and by accurately timing their attacks to their opponent's breathing, they could strike during this gap.
This involuntary urge to avoid and adjust their breathing was met by Duoma's precise rhythm, causing their own breathing to become more chaotic, and their chests and abdomens to feel increasingly stifled.
Duoma didn't look at them; his eyes were fixed on Chen Chuan ahead. One of the distinctive features of Essence Pulse Studies was the ability to sense and control an opponent's changes.
He could perceive the blood flow, breathing patterns, and even the direction of force transmission in each person, all within the scope of his transmuted organs. It was as if his opponents were transparent to him, allowing him to allocate techniques and strength rationally and thus control the battle's outcome.
Sometimes, when the gap between opponents was significant, there was no need to fight; he could disrupt their breathing rhythm and cause them to injure themselves.
However, Chen Chuan was an exception. Despite Duoma's attempts to disrupt his breathing, Chen Chuan remained unaffected, maintaining his original breathing pattern. This put Duoma at a disadvantage, like trying to grasp a line drawn on paper—visible but impossible to pinch.
By now, the entire street was deserted due to the initial gunfire and the subsequent fight. From front to back, it was empty, except for the group standing there. However, through the gaps in the curtains and doors of the buildings on both sides of the street, people cautiously observed the commotion outside.
Duoma realized he couldn't control Chen Chuan any longer and knew he had to act quickly.
They were only ten minutes away from the city center, and the Patrol Bureau had likely received the news and was dispatching officers. Teachers from the Wu Yi Academy might also arrive at any moment.
Time was running out.
If possible, Duoma didn't want to be captured. He needed to deal with the obstacle before him swiftly, so he walked towards Chen Chuan, deciding to resolve the issue with his fists.
Chen Chuan didn't back down; instead, he stepped forward to meet him. As they approached, Chen Chuan struck first, kicking out with incredible speed. Even from Duoma's perspective, the kick was threatening.
Duoma ducked and prepared for a frontal assault, but he soon realized it was a feint. He slightly sidestepped and raised his hand to block, feeling a powerful force transmitted from Chen Chuan's leg.
Although he blocked the attack, the force seemed to penetrate inward, as if someone were constantly pushing him. In that moment, he couldn't execute any other moves.
Immediately, Duoma struck out with an open palm, aiming for Chen Chuan's chest like a striking snake. Chen Chuan, realizing he couldn't block in time, slightly sidestepped and braced himself.
Duoma, sensing something amiss, opened his fingers and pushed outward with his palm, stopping Chen Chuan's momentum. With his other hand, he slapped away Chen Chuan's grasping hand and grabbed Chen Chuan's shirt. As he prepared to pull Chen Chuan off balance, Chen Chuan kicked Duoma's ankle, forcing him to lift his foot.
With this evasion, Duoma couldn't execute his intended move. At that moment, Chen Chuan reached out to grab Duoma's fingers. Having witnessed the power in Chen Chuan's fingers, Duoma knew that if he were caught, any area without muscle support or transmuted organs would be torn apart. He quickly released his grip and retreated.
Chen Chuan immediately advanced as he retreated, his arms extended his arms in an arc, aiming straight for his ears. He lowered his body and seemed to employ a technique, instantly retreating two steps away. With his elbows tucked in and knees bent, his entire body coiled like a spring before suddenly releasing, striking upwards with a Drill Spin Technique.
Chen Chuan sidestepped and blocked with his forearm, the first time they had clashed head-on. A loud bang echoed as if two dull, solid objects had collided.
The outcome of this collision was that Chen Chuan stood unmoved, while Duoma took several steps back. This sight left the Maka students behind them in disbelief.
Duoma was a strong young teacher in their academy, which was why he was chosen to lead this mission. Yet, he was forced back in a direct confrontation with a Wu Yi student?
This outcome was something they couldn't accept. They felt that something must have gone wrong, as reality clashed with their emotional bias, leaving them in a state of anxiety and fear.
Guan Xinyin and Luo Kaiyuan, however, had a different perspective. They had personally experienced or witnessed Duoma's prowess, and Chen Chuan had just repelled him. Beyond their surprise, they couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
Chen Chuan, seeing Duoma retreat, knew he hadn't truly won this punch. His second self's shoulder had a large area of dissipation, while Duoma had merely used his retreat to dissipate the force, suffering no harm.
The only difference was that this time, Chen Chuan appeared to have the upper hand.
After their initial clash, Chen Chuan had a better understanding. In terms of pure strength, he might not match this second-limit teacher, but his reactions and speed were likely no weaker, if not superior.
With this advantage, Chen Chuan could use his quick reactions to attack and trade blows.
He straightened up and continued walking forward. In the eyes of the onlookers, as he pressed against Duoma, an aura of oppression emanated from Chen Chuan.
Duoma, seeing Chen Chuan unharmed, was filled with astonishment and doubt. He wondered, "Is it talent...?"
It wasn't just their final collision; throughout their engagement, they constantly exerted internal force. Logically, a first-limit person would struggle to endure the force of so many internal force techniques.
This was why first-limit individuals couldn't defeat second-limit fighters. Aside from physical quality improvements, the frequency at which both sides could exert internal force was on entirely different levels.
Chen Chuan seemed to break this rule, and the only explanation was that he possessed a talent beyond ordinary people.
Duoma felt terrible. Such talent in the Wu Yi Branch Academy of the Great Prosperity Republic, yet despite their nationwide search, they couldn't find anyone like him.
After taking two steps, Chen Chuan suddenly accelerated, raising his hand to punch. Duoma saw it clearly and slightly retreated, avoiding the distance. He kicked at Chen Chuan's head, but the latter ignored it, allowing the kick to land as he continued to advance. His rear hand slammed into Duoma's chest.
Duoma's chest tightened, his breathing obstructed. Knowing he was in trouble, he quickly used both hands to block and strike, constantly fending off Chen Chuan's subsequent barrage of punches, elbows, and knee strikes. He kept retreating.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Nali, engaged with Zhuang Zhi, took a punch and forced him back. He glanced over and saw Duoma being suppressed. He felt anxious and puzzled. Why wasn't Teacher Duoma using his signature Maka Vessel Fist, instead relying on Great Prosperity fighting techniques to counter his opponent? Wasn't he abandoning his strengths?
Duoma was also helpless. If he could use that method, he would have done so already. He could sense Chen Chuan's aura, the flow of his blood, and the strength of each attack. Yet, Chen Chuan's actual display of power and speed was entirely different, making it impossible for Duoma to make an accurate assessment.
He, too, felt terrible. After two to three decades of training, he had grown accustomed to using his senses to coordinate his attacks and control his opponents. Now, facing someone whose sensations and actual performance differed, his mind knew what to do, but his body instinctively reacted in what he believed was a "reasonable" way, forcing him to correct his habits with each move, slowing him down, which could be fatal.
Chen Chuan's strength, though not as powerful as Duoma's, wasn't far off. His reactions and speed seemed even faster. Even without significant energy expenditure or injuries, the situation appeared as if Chen Chuan was the one being dominated.
At this moment, Duoma realized he might not escape, but his students shouldn't face this outcome. He needed to give them a chance to break free. Perhaps, he thought, it was best if he took all the blame.
With this decision, a determined look flashed in his eyes. He chose to clash with Chen Chuan once more, using the momentum to retreat. He took a deep breath, crossed his hands in front of him, and his muscles began to twitch.
In an instant, veins appeared on his skin, resembling the delicate stems of leaves. His body turned red and hot, emitting a dangerous aura.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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