This morning.
Li Jinchuan, as usual, completed his morning Pile Skill training and saw Chen Ming's figure appearing in the pavilion, clenched his fists instantly, and his eyes burned with a fierce fighting spirit.
"Today, I must redeem my honor!"
Since half a month ago, after losing twice in a row to this person, he had been harboring a grudge.
During these days, he did not spar with Chen Ming again, but focused on practicing the five lethal moves taught by Uncle Rui from "Three Talents Fist", all for today.
Uncle Rui said that as long as these five lethal moves are practiced thoroughly, with the level Chen Ming had shown before, he would surely be unable to withstand them.
Finally, the sparring session began.
"I'm up!"
Li Jinchuan couldn't wait to challenge Chen Ming.
Once he spoke, no one else contended, curious as to why he hadn't sparred with Chen Ming for half a month and now suddenly volunteered.
Further observing Li Jinchuan's expression, he seemed supremely confident.
It looked like he came well-prepared.
Everyone became more intrigued.
Chen Ming glanced at Li Jinchuan with a touch of pity, realizing this kid was indeed quite arrogant, probably having practiced some lethal moves before challenging him. However, that was destined to be futile.
He thought to himself and opened his panel.
[Level: 4]
[Current Points: 40]
[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Second level 101/200+)]
[Martial Skills: "Three Talents Fist" (Mastery 10/500+), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Beginner 12/100+)]
Compared to half a month ago, his strength had advanced tremendously.
His level had increased by one.
The proficiency of "Three Talents Fist" had escalated from "Skilled" to "Mastery."
This advancement meant his accomplishment in this fist technique had reached an expert level, though he himself wasn't sure how strong it was.
Since crossing over, he had always been overpowering weaker opponents, never encountering a true adversary.
The only one who exerted some pressure on him was during the second battle with Li Jinchuan.
He was about to agree when suddenly a sarcastic voice chimed in from the side, "Isn't this Chen Ming? I remember you started learning martial arts seven years ago. What, didn't fare well outside, and specifically come back to bully the fresh martial arts learners?"
Everyone hearing this knew trouble was brewing, turning their heads to see a young man with dark skin, tall and lean.
"Who is he?"
"I know him, Qi Jun, a senior brother who joined several years ago, skilled in the third level of 'Iron Horse Stance', trained under the Third Senior Brother."
"So it's him. I've heard this person has a gang background, ruthless."
"Why is he causing trouble for Senior Brother Chen?"
"Probably a prior grudge between them."
"Oh no, the Fifth Senior Brother was just called away by the Third Senior Brother. Now Senior Brother Chen is in trouble."
"..."
For a moment, the group of teenagers whispered among themselves. Many couldn't help but worry for Chen Ming.
In recent days, those with inside information had uncovered Chen Ming's background and past experiences. Everyone already knew he was too untalented, failed in martial arts, worked as a clerk for Jin Yuansheng for several years, and only returned as a sparring partner after encountering trouble.
Over the past half month, almost everyone had felt a significant improvement after sparring with Chen Ming.
Before, if they made a mistake in their moves, the Fifth Senior Brother would point it out, demonstrate once at most, then tell them to keep practicing, ten tries or a hundred if needed.
Since Chen Ming arrived, things changed. During the sparring, they could detect their mistakes and witness the true application of the moves from him.
Anyone not too dim realized the tremendous benefit of having this sparring partner.
Experiencing this efficient way of learning martial arts, they didn't want to revert to the old methods.
Hence, they involuntarily worried for Chen Ming.
However, facing Qi Jun, an advanced senior brother, none dared to intervene.
...
On hearing the challenge, Chen Ming knew trouble was coming.
Turning around, he recognized an intermediate class student and smiled, retorting sharply, "Seems you're not convinced, how about a couple of moves?"
"Haha..."
Qi Jun hadn't anticipated him taking the bait so quickly, laughing boldly, "Seems like battling these newbies daily has fried your brain, truly thinking you are a master? Today I'll let you know you are nothing!"
With words reaching this point, a fight was inevitable.
Even the other intermediate class students had turned their attention, whispering and gesturing.
"I bet that guy won't last five moves."
"Five moves? You've overestimated him. At most three moves."
"You should talk softly; if Qi Jun hears, he might deliberately hold back to prove you wrong."
"Haha..."
While they were jesting, Chen Ming and Qi Jun had already begun fighting.
Qi Jun, indeed a member of the intermediate class, wielded "Three Talents Fist" with extraordinary fierceness, unmatched by new learners.
Chen Ming chose not to confront head-on, instead maneuvering deftly, eventually showcasing his mastery in "Three Talents Fist." As Qi Jun moved, Chen Ming anticipated the forthcoming moves, responding with ease.
Qi Jun couldn't even touch his hem.
To outsiders, it seemed Chen Ming was being suppressed by Qi Jun.
After seven or eight moves, Qi Jun became irritable, shouting, "Are you a coward? Just hiding——"
Speaking distracted his moves inevitably. Chen Ming seized the chance, delivering a straight punch, aiming directly at Qi Jun's face.
Startled, Qi Jun quickly raised his hand to block.
Raising his hand left his center wide open.
Chen Ming, as if anticipating, changed his move midway, striking Qi Jun's chest, forcing him a few steps back.
With a successful hit, he stood straight, cupped his hands, and said, "Thanks for letting me win."
This unexpected reversal left everyone stunned. They couldn't grasp what happened, how Chen Ming suddenly triumphed?
Qi Jun felt suffocated in his chest, his face reddening, "This doesn't count."
Speaking, he charged again.
This time, truly angered, his moves were more vicious, directly targeting Chen Ming's vital spots.
Chen Ming reacted swiftly, still avoiding direct confrontation, dodging left and right.
After about ten moves, Qi Jun's attacks lost their earlier force.
Chen Ming struck again, using "Lean-on-the-mountain", knocking Qi Jun to the ground.
Instantly, the crowd burst into uproarious applause.
If the first triumph was luck, defeating Qi Jun twice signified absolute strength.
"Ah——"
Qi Jun roared furiously, crawling up from the ground, madly charging at Chen Ming.
He couldn't accept defeat by someone weaker than him.
"Stop!"
Suddenly, a voice shouted angrily. Hearing this, Qi Jun halted, no longer daring to continue.
From the intermediate class area, a valiant youth reprimanded, "Qi Jun, haven't you lost enough face?"
Qi Jun stood there, his complexion alternating between pale and flushed, unable to face lingering here, he fled miserably.
[You defeated an LV6 enemy, earning 20 experience points.]
Seeing the prompt appear, Chen Ming's heart pounded heavily.
Unexpectedly, it was 20 points.
Indeed, defeating higher-level opponents is the fastest way to level up.
High risk, high reward indeed.