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Chapter 9: The Gift of Combat
Chapter 9: The Gift of Combat (Please Follow and Read)
Lin Qi felt satisfied. For just 1,000 Xia Kingdom Coins, he’d earn an hour’s pay as a sparring partner.
This was more than he’d ever made at any part-time job before.
“You two, warm up over there. It’ll be your turn soon,” said the woman in blue robes, Lian Jie.
“Got it!”
Lin Qi and Jiang Tao walked further inside, found an empty spot to drop their backpacks, and began stretching.
Lin Qi took the chance to observe his surroundings. In the corners of the Martial Arts Training Hall stood massive training equipment—brown cylindrical training posts over two meters tall, a red cubic punch force analyzer, and a sleek white recovery pod shaped like an egg.
Nearby, a metal cabinet was cluttered with vials and jars whose labels alone looked expensive. The air was a perfect twenty degrees—ideal for martial arts practice.
A flicker of envy crossed Lin Qi’s mind. Who wouldn’t want to train in such comfort? Efficiency would skyrocket.
“Peng peng!”
The sound of combat snapped his attention back.
One fighter, head wrapped in cloth revealing only sharp eyes, moved with explosive force. His fists roared like a tiger pouncing, claws slashing the air with a howl.
“Peng peng!”
His razor-sharp tiger claws gripped his opponent’s arm, threatening to tear it apart.
“Crack!”
“Agh!”
The opponent’s arm took a brutal hit. He staggered back, clutching it in pain.
“Amazing!” Lin Qi thought.
“This is our employer’s style—Tiger Form Fist.”
“This guy’s mastered its essence. He’s nearly perfected it, close to breaking into the Second Stage.”
“And Tao, he practices the same Tiger Form Fist as you.”
Jiang Tao’s voice carried awe.
“Same style, but he’s way stronger. His fist techniques are far beyond mine.”
Lin Qi nodded. The man’s skill was clearly superior.
“He’s our employer—Guo Heng.”
“They call him ‘Fierce Tiger.’ His fists are as savage as a tiger’s strike. He never holds back.”
“Look at that—his opponent’s arm might be fractured.”
“No wonder the pay’s so high. Who’d volunteer as a sparring partner without decent coin?”
“But even 1,000 coins feels low for this guy…”
“Qi, we’re outmatched. Be careful.”
Jiang Tao frowned, instinctively guarding his arm.
In the center, Guo Heng removed his helmet, revealing a sharp face. He shook his head.
“Your physique is too weak. Your Vital Energy Stat must be under 4.5.”
“Your fist techniques are laughably low. You’re no help to me. Next!”
Guo Heng thought bitterly. These sparring partners were too frail. Their lack of strength made progress nearly impossible. He wished the next batch would bring someone stronger.
The defeated man walked away, removing his protective gear. Bruises mottled his skin. Sighing, he slung his bag over his shoulder and left.
“Your turn!”
Lian Jie approached, her tone firm.
“Remember—wear the protective gear and fight with all you’ve got. Don’t hold back. You won’t hurt the young master.”
“The longer you last, the better your chance of being hired long-term.”
“Understood?”
Lin Qi and Jiang Tao nodded, tension tightening their chests.
“You first,” Lian Jie pointed at Lin Qi.
“Alright.”
Lin Qi walked to the cabinet. He glanced at the fresh protective gear, then the discarded, sweat-stained set. Without hesitation, he grabbed the old one.
The moment he pulled it on, a wave of stale sweat hit him. Sticky and damp, it clung to his skin. He showed no disgust, fastening it quickly.
Across from him, Guo Heng stepped forward without his helmet.
The hall fell silent.
Only the sound of breathing remained.
Guo Heng stood nearly six feet tall, his muscular frame swallowed by the dark protective gear. He loomed like a standing bear, his oppressive presence pressing on Lin Qi.
Lian Jie shook her head, watching Lin Qi’s thin frame. “This one won’t last long.”
Lin Qi steadied his breath, assuming the Three-Body Stance.
Guo Heng’s eyes lit up. “Tiger Form Fist?”
“Interesting!”
“Brother, I don’t pull punches. Watch out!”
With a grin, Guo Heng’s posture shifted. His arms spread wide, fingers splayed like claws, then curled inward—tiger claws.
In an instant, he lunged.
Tiger, king of beasts, charges fearlessly.
“Hu!”
“Too fast!”
Lin Qi’s pupils shrank. A tiger seemed to leap at him. He tried to dodge, but Guo Heng’s claw struck his chest.
“Peng!”
Pain exploded through his chest, the impact piercing the protective gear.
Lin Qi staggered back, clutching his chest. Heat seared his skin. Without the gear, that strike would’ve torn his flesh.
So strong!
Guo Heng looked his age, yet his power was overwhelming.
Lin Qi furrowed his brow, refocusing. He resumed the Three-Body Stance, feet shifting, eyes tracking Guo Heng’s claws.
Guo Heng attacked relentlessly, his Tiger Form Fist unleashing a storm. His blood surged, power erupting from his body.
“Ha!”
He closed in, claws slashing like cannon fire.
“Black Tiger Heart-Strike!”
Lin Qi sensed danger. Something awakened in him—a primal instinct. He raised his arms to block.
“Peng peng!”
His claws deflected the blow, redirecting the force. He pivoted backward, evading the worst.
Deflection!
Guo Heng’s attack weakened, the rest absorbed by the gear.
Guo Heng kept coming, his Tiger Form Fist fiercer than ever.
“White Tiger Presents the Claw!”
“Peng peng!”
Blows rained down. Lin Qi grunted, his Vital Energy churning.
Even with gear, Guo Heng’s strength and speed overwhelmed him. Yet, as he faced those claws, ideas flashed in his mind.
He sidestepped half a meter, ducked, and blocked.
His body moved instinctively.
“Hu peng!”
His claws met Guo Heng’s again, redirecting the force.
“Huh?”
Guo Heng blinked, surprised. This was the first block.
“Lucky!”
He struck again.
Lin Qi read his intent, twisting his waist to evade.
But Guo Heng’s assault turned relentless—a storm of short, brutal strikes.
“Peng peng!”
Lin Qi’s Vital Energy Stat and skill lagged far behind. He could only deflect and retreat.
Fist techniques began as drills, then struck training posts. Mastery came from hitting inanimate objects. To progress, one needed living targets—sparring.
“Peng peng!”
Another claw slammed into his chest. Lin Qi’s body twisted, then retaliated with his own Tiger Form Fist.
“Black Tiger Heart-Strike!”
“Peng peng!”
Their claws clashed. Lin Qi counterattacked, throwing caution to the wind. With gear, offense was the best defense.
His mind sharpened, focused like never before. Guo Heng’s Tiger Form Fist replayed in his thoughts.
His movements grew sharper, faster—like an arrow loosed from a bow. His tiger claws, once hesitant, now struck with terrifying force.
“Huuuuh!”
Lin Qi roared, startling Guo Heng.
Like a panther, he sprang forward, unleashing Tiger Form Fist with reckless abandon. His claws, now a blur, radiated raw power.
“Peng peng!”
“Good!” Guo Heng grinned. This opponent was no ordinary match.
Jiang Tao watched, enthralled.
“Qi’s amazing! Like a different person—could this be his true potential?”
“Good!” Guo Heng relished the pain as Lin Qi’s claws struck him. Each blow sent electric signals to his brain, sharpening his senses. This thrill—this agony—was what he craved.
In the arena’s heart, two tigers clashed, their battle fierce and unyielding.
(End of Chapter)
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