In the Martial Arts Dojo, although the Martial Arts Grandmaster Teng Qinglong had already left and several senior members also departed with him, the atmosphere remained heated. Everyone practiced on the spot or discussed and sparred with each other, trying to digest what they had just observed.
"This move is wrong. Come, practice with me!"
"Th-thank you, senior."
"This junior, you're in luck. Senior Brother Zhang is one of our club's elite. He achieved Gang Qi as a third-year student; many people usually seek his guidance."
In a corner, a few people formed a circle, surrounding a young man and a blushing young girl.
The young man stood beside the girl, slightly close, with some physical contact, making her face redden even more. The surrounding teasing only added to her embarrassment.
Amidst this, a voice abruptly and discordantly rang out: "That's not how you fight."
"Hmm!?"
With such a tone, everyone frowned, turned to look, and both the young man and girl also shifted their gaze towards the sound.
They saw a young boy standing to the side with his hands crossed at his waist, looking relaxed yet hinting at something that was slightly annoying.
Everyone frowned at this, and Senior Brother Zhang stepped forward: "Are you talking to me?"
Shen Hex nodded: "Yes."
Zhang Hua frowned, his gaze scanning up and down as he examined: "I've never seen you in the club. Are you a newcomer?"
Shen Hex continued nodding: "That's right."
Hearing this, Zhang Hua's fellow members also came to their senses.
"Newcomer?"
"A newcomer dares to criticize here?"
"Do you know who Senior Brother Zhang is?"
"Ignorant of the immensity of Heaven and Earth, get lost quickly!"
A few people scolded Shen Hex, but he paid them no mind and simply said to Zhang Hua: "You lack skill and are teaching recklessly, totally misleading others."
"What did you say?"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding people remained silent, but Zhang Hua was the first to get angry. He stepped forward and shouted loudly: "Say that again!"
Such a shout made quite a commotion, instantly drawing attention from those around.
"Huh?"
"What's going on?"
"It's Zhang Hua again."
"Probably caught taking advantage."
"When the tiger is away, the monkey becomes the king. With the senior students absent, he bothers the female students everywhere."
"Who's that guy? Never seen him before."
"Seems like a freshman. How did he get into it with Zhang Hua?"
The crowd gathered, discussing.
Zhang Hua ignored them and coldly looked at Shen Hex: "Say that again!"
Shen Hex's expression remained unchanged: "Lack of martial skill, unclear practice, teaching randomly, misleading others!"
"You!!!"
Zhang Hua gritted his teeth and raised his hand to grab him, but thinking of something, he forcibly stopped his action: "Fine, fine, then let me see how skilled you are, daring to speak nonsense here. Step aside!"
He ordered a few followers to step back, leaving only him and Shen Hex in the center.
"Every time the club recruits new members, there are always a few rebels who like to stand out through alternative means!"
Zhang Hua watched icily: "Since you like to show off so much, I'll indulge you. Yang Ming!"
Someone stepped forward: "Senior Brother!"
Zhang Hua clasped his hands behind him: "Teach him a lesson, show him how to respect his seniors!"
"Yes!"
The second-year member named Yang Ming stepped forward, adopting a stance and challenging Shen Hex: "Come on!"
Shen Hex shook his head, standing still.
Yang Ming saw this and didn't attack immediately. Instead, he glanced at Zhang Hua. After receiving a signal from him, he finally spoke: "Then don't blame me for being impolite."
Saying that, he activated his True Qi and rushed forward with a heavy punch.
However...
"Bang!"
A dull sound, and a figure flew back, crashing heavily to the ground.
"This..."
"So fast!"
The crowd's pupils contracted, revealing astonishment.
"This newcomer..."
"Has some skills."
"No wonder he's bold."
"Zhang Hua's caught in a dilemma."
Seeing Yang Ming defeated in one move and crashing to the ground, the discussions intensified.
Zhang Hua's expression was also somewhat grim. He stared coldly at Shen Hex: "Indeed, you have some skill. No wonder you're so arrogant. Okay, don't say I bully the young, bring a combat suit. I'll fight you in restraint mode."
"No need, this is fine."
Shen Hex shook his head: "Three moves. If I don't defeat you in three moves, I'll drop out immediately."
"..."
"..."
"..."
With these words, not only Zhang Hua, but even the people around were left speechless in shock.
"What did he say?"
"Three moves?"
"Is he crazy?"
"Gang Qi against True Qi, deciding the win in three moves?"
"Who recruited this lunatic?"
"I can't believe someone can show off like this for the first time!"
Zhang Hua was speechless, and the discussions around continued.
The path of Martial Dao, although having a low entry barrier, is not easy to cultivate.
Take the six years of high school as an example. Without relying on breakthroughs with drugs or experience upgrades, first- to third-year students are mostly at the Inner Strength to True Qi level, with only a few top students refining Gang Qi.
The same goes for fourth- to sixth-year students. The majority are at the Gang Qi level, with only a few top students and rare Professionals refining Gang Yuan to Tier Three.
Zhang Hua belongs to the cream of the crop, achieving Gang Qi in his third year. As long as there's no drug breakthrough or experience upgrade, he's a definite elite student.
In contrast, Shen Hex, a first-year student, is mostly at the Inner Strength level, with only those who laid an early foundation achieving True Qi. As for Gang Qi, it not only requires a foundation but also talent and even professional support.
Thus, his performance is entirely out of the ordinary, just a freshman with some foundation and True Qi.
How could he dare challenge Zhang Hua, who has mastered Gang Qi, and boast about deciding in three moves?
Everyone couldn't understand, and even Zhang Hua was puzzled.
But now, he had no way out. A freshman made such a bold claim. If he backed down, he wouldn't be able to stay in the Xingyi Society, and the entire Tianbei Second Middle School might see him as a joke.
"You said it!"
Zhang Hua gritted his teeth, immediately activating Gang Qi, then thrusting out his palm.
Dragon Subduing Skill!
He didn't dare to let Gang Qi out, fearing it might cause injuries, but with internal Gang Qi, he combined it with Xingyi Dragon Subduing Technique and even conjured a dragon shadow, clenching its claws straight at Shen Hex.
Yet he saw, Shen Hex spinning forward, True Qi extremely condensed. Though there was no visible light, his imposing manner was sharper, spiraling like a tornado, leaping into the air and crashing into the opponent.
"Boom!!!"
The exchange was as quick as lightning, followed by swirling air currents, a person flipping out and heavily crashing down.
"Zhang Hua!?"
Eyes fixed on the scene, the crowd saw Zhang Hua, amidst the dust, kneeling on one knee, supporting himself with one hand, pressing his chest with the other, grinding his teeth, face ashen.