"You used those eyes... to see my future?"
"Yes."
Looking at Tendo's calm reaction, Yan Lei fell into complete silence.
It should be noted that Ember's 'Stars Project,' while only being spread in a small circle within the New Federation today, was naturally accessible to someone like Yan Lei, the Tower Lord of the Martial City Pagoda in the Floating City.
Therefore, upon seeing Tendo's signature Star Eclipse Heavenly Eye, Yan Lei immediately guessed Tendo's true identity.
And he realized the reason Tendo had learned the 'Rock Shattering Style Arcane: Earth Split.'
But knowing is one thing; making himself believe this reality is another.
Yan Lei stared intently into Tendo's eyes, as if trying to find any trace of a lie.
But those pale blue eyes remained calm, like an unruffled lake, giving Yan Lei no indication of falsehood.
But all this... is it truly possible?
Thirty years of arduous practice, squatting down before dawn every day, shattering countless rocks.
In the end, it was still no match for a casual glance from someone else?
Thinking this, Yan Lei instantly felt lost.
Because he found it somewhat difficult to accept this cruel result...
[Real World, Site 13, Comments Section]
'Holy moly, has Tendo's Star Eclipse Heavenly Eye reached the point where he can learn other people's moves in advance just by watching their future?'
'Seriously, guys, he's just blatantly cheating, not even bothering to disguise it?'
'Can predict the future, has infinite self-healing, and is immune to most damage. Starlight Production Team, how can you play if Tendo isn't nerfed?'
After listening to the conversation between Tendo and Yan Lei, the dimensional viewers at Site 13 not only understood how Tendo had learned the Rock Shattering Style Arcane: Earth Split, but also gained a side insight into the exaggerated effect of the 'Star Eclipse Heavenly Eye.'
Namely, that Tendo could learn the opponent's current moves, and even moves they hadn't yet mastered but would in the future, just by watching their future.
This effect, placed upon Tendo, who was already at the pinnacle of Starlight Talent, undoubtedly created a synergy greater than the sum of its parts.
And what surprised the dimensional viewers immensely was that the bargaining chip Tendo planned to wager against Yan Lei was none other than Yan Lei's own 'future.'
While Yan Lei was lost in self-doubt and the comments section was engaged in heated discussion, Tendo on the screen slowly spoke.
Though his tone was nonchalant, his words struck Yan Lei's mind like a thunderbolt.
"Want to learn it? I can teach you."
Hearing this, Yan Lei snapped his head up, his eyes filled with shock. He clearly couldn't believe that Tendo, this young brat, could say such a thing so calmly.
The ultimate Arcane he had labored for thirty years to learn, this kid was actually offering to teach him.
Yet, though he opened his mouth, he couldn't utter the word 'no.'
Because he knew very well that Tendo had the confidence to back up his claim.
After an unknown duration, Yan Lei finally gave a hoarse response.
"So... you're using my future as the bargaining chip for a bet against me?"
"Yes."
Yan Lei took a deep breath, and finally said with a serious expression, "Fine. Tell me how you want to bet."
Looking at Yan Lei, who had completely taken the bait, Tendo calmly stated the terms of the wager.
It was simple: neither Yan Lei nor he needed to adhere to the Martial Arts Badge Challenge rules; they would fight with full power.
During this process, although Tendo would use Star Source and Star Core power, in terms of techniques, he would only use moves from the Rock Shattering Style, and no other martial arts.
If Yan Lei could defeat him, Tendo would teach Yan Lei the 'Rock Shattering Style's Ultimate Arcane: Earth Split.'
Conversely, if Yan Lei lost, then for the next two years, Yan Lei would need to follow Tendo's instructions, appropriately increasing the difficulty for certain Martial Arts Badge challengers, or, within the rules, appropriately lowering the difficulty for others.
Once the two years were up, the contract would automatically terminate.
Hearing Tendo's words, Yan Lei was thoroughly amused and angry.
He looked at Tendo, his voice full of sarcasm: "Kid, in your eyes, I'm the weak challenger, am I? Arrogant!"
"Don't think that just because you saw some damn future, you can easily defeat me now."
"The 'Kinetic Force' of the Rock Shattering Style is something you won't understand just by looking!"
In response, Tendo said very calmly, "This isn't arrogance; it's an established fact. Because in the countless futures I've seen, the outcome of this match... has never changed."
As his words fell, Tendo slowly adopted a Rock Shattering Style starting stance.
His feet were shoulder-width apart, his knees slightly bent, his right hand clenched into a fist and pulled back to his waist. Pale gray Star Energy slowly seeped out through his fingers, coalescing into rock-like Star Energy patterns on his fist.
His posture was so standard it looked as if it were a direct copy from a Rock Shattering Style manual.
Tendo's action was undoubtedly a hint to Yan Lei.
He intended to defeat him fair and square in the field Yan Lei was most skilled in, using the methods he was most familiar with.
Seeing this, Yan Lei also adopted a standard Rock Shattering Style starting stance.
But unlike his previous ease, he was now entirely serious.
Because he wanted to prove to Tendo that he, Yan Lei... had the possibility of changing the future!
Bang!
Amidst a colossal sound like a mountain collapsing, Tendo and Yan Lei moved simultaneously.
In the intertwining of light and shadow, the scene of the anime paused briefly the moment they clashed.
When the screen returned to normal, the formerly confident Yan Lei was now lying on the ground, completely disheartened.
Beside him, Tendo unhurriedly brushed the dust from his shoulder, bent down to pick up the black blindfold he had placed on the ground, and put it back on.
After finishing this, Tendo looked down at Yan Lei lying on the ground and said flatly, "Remember, your next two years belong to me."
With those words, Tendo turned and walked out of the training hall, quickly disappearing from the sight of the dimensional viewers.
The camera then shifted to focus on Yan Lei.
He lay alone on the ground, his eyes hollow, staring in the direction Tendo had disappeared.
The dimensional viewers clearly felt the aura of 'despair' emanating from him.
Only those who had personally fought Tendo could truly understand that profound sense of powerlessness.
Though unwilling to admit it, setting everything else aside, in terms of the mastery of the Rock Shattering Style alone, Tendo, who had only glimpsed it, was far superior to him, who had trained arduously for thirty years.
This guy was just like the Guild Master in his youth—so powerful that one couldn't see any hope of surpassing him.
Yan Lei even vaguely felt that the current Tendo was even more terrifying than Enith, the former Guild Master.
Thinking this, a bold idea abruptly appeared in Yan Lei's mind.
"Truly a terrifying young man. Perhaps... the era of the Guild Master is truly coming to an end."
Yan Lei's tone was filled with emotion, and within that complex tone was a hint of an emotion he hadn't yet realized.
That emotion was 'awe.'
Yes, at this very moment, Yan Lei was completely subjugated by Tendo and had admitted the failure of this 'wager' from the bottom of his heart.
After all, he had been defeated fair and square by Tendo in the field he was most proficient in.
What right did he have to complain?
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