With Yang Jing, Sun’s Martial Arts Hall had hope. There was no need to dwell on temporary gains and losses.
Unconsciously, in his heart, Yang Jing had already replaced Lin Yue as the one who carried the future of the Martial Arts Hall.
"The future of the Martial Arts Hall rests on your shoulders," Sun Yong said.
Yang Jing’s heart stirred. He lowered his head and said, "I am unworthy of such praise. I am what I am today entirely thanks to your guidance, Master."
Sun Yong waved his hand and smiled. "There’s no need to be so modest. I’ve seen your effort and your talent. Prepare well over the next few days. Strive to push your Mountain-Shattering Fist to the very Peak of Dark Energy before the duel."
"Yes, Master," Yang Jing replied.
Sun Yong nodded slightly, stood up, and brushed the wrinkles from his lapels. "It’s about ti. Let’s go to the courtyard and spar for a bit."
"Yes, Master," Yang Jing quickly answered, following him out of the main hall and into an open area in the inner courtyard.
The afternoon sun pierced through the clouds, casting a warm glow on the snow-covered ground.
The two stood facing each other, both assuming the opening stance of the Mountain-Shattering Fist.
"Make your move," Sun Yong said.
Yang Jing no longer hesitated. He exploded off his feet, his body shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow. His right fist, wreathed in fierce Dark Energy, shot straight for Sun Yong’s chest.
This punch was even fiercer than usual, as if he had channeled the urgency of the coming duel into the strike.
Sun Yong’s eyes narrowed slightly as he t the attack with a punch of his own.
His fist seed slow, but it held the profound mystery of Huajin. Before the punch even landed, an invisible force washed over Yang Jing.
BAM!
As their fists collided, Yang Jing felt a smooth, yielding force travel up his arm. His own Dark Energy felt as if it had struck a spinning millstone; most of its ferocious power was instantly dispersed.
He was prepared for this. Using the force of the blow, he twisted his body and lashed out with his left fist from an awkward angle, aiming straight for Sun Yong’s ribs.
Unflustered, Sun Yong flipped his wrist, his fist becoming a palm. With what seed like a light press, he precisely intercepted the path of Yang Jing’s punch.
A pulling force flowed from the palm, causing Yang Jing’s punch to swerve off course against his will.
"Not bad. Your perception of Huajin has grown sharper."
Sun Yong praised him, but his attacks didn’t let up in the slightest. The techniques of his Mountain-Shattering Fist flowed without end—at tis as ferocious as a thunderclap, at others as fluid as running water. He perfectly demonstrated the penetrating and blending qualities of Huajin.
Yang Jing focused, incorporating what he had recently learned about Huajin into his own fists.
Though he was still in the Dark Energy Realm, he had already gained a considerable understanding of Huajin. He no longer relied solely on raw power, instead attempting to blend a hint of fluid motion into his ferocious strikes, making his bursts of Dark Energy last longer and land with greater precision.
They traded blows, their figures weaving across the snow-covered courtyard. The wind from their fists whistled through the air, but they always held sothing in reserve.
With every collision, Yang Jing could clearly feel the flow of Huajin, and his understanding of the Mountain-Shattering Fist deepened.
...
「Inner City, Li Family Training Ground.」
On the bluestone-paved field, Li ngchao, dressed in black martial arts attire, was locked in combat with seven Dark Energy masters.
These seven were all Li Family Elders and Guest Ministers. Four of them were even at the Peak of Dark Energy, their auras heavy and their techniques ruthless.
Yet, facing the seven-man assault, Li ngchao didn’t show the slightest disadvantage.
He weaved through the group, his Vajra Hand Seal techniques creating gusts of wind. His palm strikes faintly carried the sharp edge unique to Huajin, and each one he sent out forced a Dark Energy master back again and again.
"HAH!"
With a low shout, Li ngchao’s palm strikes suddenly quickened. He feinted with his left arm to draw the attention of two opponents, then his right palm shot out like a teor, striking an elder at the Peak of Dark Energy square in the chest. Just before impact, however, Li ngchao pulled his power.
The elder grunted, was sent flying backward, and executed a clumsy sorsault before scrambling to his feet, sucking in a sharp breath.
In just a few monts, the other six had been defeated as well, either stumbling backward or collapsing to the ground.
Li ngchao stood in the center of the field, his chest rising and falling slightly, but his eyes burned with fierce battle lust.
He swept his gaze over the seven fallen n and declared, "It’s not enough! Bring three more! I want to fight ten!"
As soon as he finished speaking, three more Dark Energy masters with formidable auras stepped onto the field. They joined the previous seven and began to encircle Li ngchao once more.
Not far away, Li Haitao and the Li Family’s Grand Elder stood side by side, watching as Li ngchao handled ten opponents with ease. Gratified smiles appeared on both their faces.
"Although ng Chao failed in his attempt to break through, one could say he was halfway successful. Now that he’s recovered from his injuries and replenished his vital energy and blood, his Vajra Hand Seal has even gained a faint hint of Huajin’s essence." The Grand Elder stroked his beard, his voice thick with unconcealable pride. "With his current strength, he could even last a few rounds against a veteran Huajin Powerhouse. As for anyone below Huajin, no one is his match."
Li Haitao nodded, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
’With a son like this, how could the Li Family not prosper?’
The Li Family’s Grand Elder stroked his beard, a cunning glint in his eyes. "That old fool Sun Yong is probably gloating right now, thinking that with his ’unbeatable at Dark Energy’ Yang Jing, he’s guaranteed to win the duel. Little does he know, our Li Family’s prodigy already has one foot in the Huajin realm."
He let out a hearty laugh and continued, "No matter how dominant Yang Jing is in the Dark Energy Realm, before a Half-Step Huajin, he can only be crushed! This is what they an by ’there’s always a higher mountain.’ You may call yourself invincible, but I will descend upon you like a god from the heavens!"
A cold smirk played on Li Haitao’s lips, his smugness palpable. "Let him gloat for a few more days. The higher his spirits are now, the harder he’ll fall in five days. When ng Chao crushes those disciples from Sun’s Martial Arts Hall in the dueling ring, I’d like to see if Sun Yong has any face left, with everyone watching."
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