Chapter Thirteen: The Bystander

The force coming from Tang Tian's fist was strange! As their fists and palms collided, there was a surprising adhesion. Something was wrong! The power behind the punch felt off! Amory’s eyes suddenly widened, and he noticed Tang Tian, using that force, his feet slightly suspended above the ground. The distance was so minute that it was almost imperceptible; if Amory hadn’t been so attentive, he would have missed it entirely.

He actually avoided the seismic wave with such a method—truly worthy of being called “Foundational Tang”!

Amory was not discouraged; in fact, he became even more excited. He had already recognized Tang Tian’s technique as Flash Fist; its features were so distinctive that it was easy to identify. Among second-tier martial arts, Flash Fist wasn’t particularly obscure, although it wasn’t popular since few martial artists specialized in fist techniques. Still, Amory was quite familiar with it.

That was because Beast Academy boasted a master of Flash Fist—Wang Zhen, third-ranked in the academy, whose main discipline was fist techniques. When he was at the second tier, he specialized in Flash Fist.

Wang Zhen’s mastery of Flash Fist was profound, and Amory had experienced it firsthand.

Yet Wang Zhen’s Flash Fist was utterly different from Tang Tian’s. Wang Zhen’s punches were more forceful; when his fists vanished into thin air, there was a residual shockwave that rippled through the air. Tang Tian had no such aftershock—his punches were faster, more elusive, and unpredictable. There was no telling from where Tang Tian’s fist would emerge.

Moreover, Tang Tian’s attack frequency was higher, overwhelming like a storm, leaving no room to breathe.

Comparing the two, Amory was astonished to realize that he couldn’t judge whose Flash Fist was superior.

More importantly…

Not every martial artist practicing Flash Fist could land every punch with the technique. To strike eight out of ten punches as Flash Fist was considered the mark of a master. The current record at Beast Academy, set by Wang Zhen, was eighty-three Flash Fists out of a hundred consecutive punches. This astonishing feat caused a sensation in Starwind City, and from then on, Wang Zhen was recognized as the city’s top Flash Fist practitioner.

But!

Amory’s large hands swung continuously, guarding his front with vigilance. Countless fist shadows appeared out of nowhere, raining down like a furious storm. If Wang Zhen witnessed Foundational Tang’s Flash Fist, what would he think…

Amory had lost count of how many times Tang Tian punched, but up to this moment, every single punch was a Flash Fist—none had failed!

Foundational Tang, you are always so unexpected!

Amory was completely suppressed; his Twelve Scattered Hands technique was thoroughly overwhelmed, yet his face shone with a strange radiance.

***

About forty yards away atop a treetop by the martial arena, two figures stood quietly. One of them was Liang Qiu, and beside him stood a man in gray martial attire, whose hands were covered in thick calluses, eyes fixed unblinkingly on the fighters.

He was Wang Zhen.

“An excellent Flash Fist,” Liang Qiu remarked, a trace of surprise flickering in his eyes, though his expression remained indifferent. “Tang Tian isn’t as weak as the rumors suggest. Even though Amory hasn’t used third-tier techniques, the fact that Tang Tian can suppress him with only second-tier skills is impressive.”

If the outside world knew that Liang Qiu had praised Tang Tian’s “impressive strength,” they’d think their ears deceived them.

“Haha, now you don’t need to worry about Amory, right? I always felt that, despite Little Amory’s occasional unreliability, he’s a person of strong convictions,” Wang Zhen chuckled, relaxing his tightly clenched fists, though his gaze never left Tang Tian.

Liang Qiu, not wanting Amory to completely fall from grace, brought Wang Zhen along to quietly follow Amory and see for himself.

“Indeed, the rumors are false. For someone like Shangguan Qianhui to take notice of someone, there must be something extraordinary about them,” Liang Qiu said lightly. “Unfortunately, when Shangguan Qianhui was around, I was too weak to challenge her. Regrettable.”

“Yes. No one since has possessed the absolute strength of Shangguan Qianhui. Still, Tang Tian’s Flash Fist stirs my competitive spirit.”

“He’s possessed,” Liang Qiu observed. “Look at his eyes.”

So-called “possession” referred to a state triggered by certain stimuli, in which a person’s potential bursts forth and their abilities surge, becoming exceptionally powerful.

“Even without possession, his Flash Fist is masterful. And look at his footwork, his attack rhythm—both outstanding. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I’d never believe a student repeating a grade could have such skill,” Wang Zhen admitted, feeling tempted to try his hand.

“You’ll have your chance,” Liang Qiu glanced at Wang Zhen. “Shakima Academy doesn’t have enough points.”

“Not enough points?”

“Yes, I checked their points. If they want to retain their qualification, relying solely on these two’s exam results isn’t enough,” Liang Qiu explained calmly.

“You mean…” Wang Zhen was surprised, but he knew Liang Qiu was always meticulous; if he said so, it must be true.

In Starwind City, academy rankings were determined by a points system—various facilities and achievements translated to points, which directly affected privileges and qualifications.

“This year, Shakima Academy’s score is zero. Besides the prefecture exam, they must participate in the Starwind Martial Tournament and achieve a decent ranking to gather enough points,” Liang Qiu concluded sharply.

Wang Zhen smiled: “Interesting!”

With such a Flash Fist, Wang Zhen was eager to test himself.

Suddenly, Wang Zhen thought of a question: “If Shakima Academy turns out to be terrible, how do you plan to convince Amory to return?”

“Beat him until he does,” Liang Qiu replied coldly.

Wang Zhen was taken aback, then smiled—he knew Liang Qiu was certainly capable of doing just that.

“Let’s go. We’ll let him be for now,” Liang Qiu turned decisively. “Let’s see if he improves by the tournament.”

Wang Zhen glanced back at Tang Tian, his eyes briefly ablaze, then followed Liang Qiu into the night.

***

No sooner had Liang Qiu and Wang Zhen disappeared than Old Wei, lying on his bed, opened his eyes and glanced in their direction. His deeply wrinkled face betrayed no emotion, only a thoughtful expression.

His gaze then landed on the two fierce fighters, an odd gleam in his eyes.

Even though Amory had restrained himself, avoiding third-tier techniques, and Tang Tian was possessed, Amory’s total suppression still surprised Old Wei.

He first met Amory years ago—Amory was the most gifted martial artist he’d ever encountered. Amory’s physical attributes were remarkable, and his grasp of martial arts equally so. With a pure heart, he could endure hardship, and thus became a renowned expert at Beast Academy at a young age.

Old Wei always regarded Amory highly; those students with more illustrious reputations were, in his view, simply older and had practiced martial arts longer.

By comparison, Tang Tian’s talent was much inferior, his only redeeming quality a solid foundation.

Yet the Tang Tian before him completely overturned the impression he once held.

After years of quietly observing Amory, Old Wei knew his physical strength inside and out. This was the first time he’d seen anyone match Amory in physical prowess.

And the Soul General Card for Flash Fist—he’d only given it to Tang Tian a few days ago…

Old Wei was utterly engrossed.

Both had similar physical strength, while Amory clearly surpassed in martial technique. Tang Tian, in his possessed state, had dramatically increased power; by all logic, the two should be evenly matched.

Yet what Old Wei saw was Amory being completely suppressed.

It was the momentum!

Old Wei’s eyes gleamed—possessed Tang Tian was ferocious, overwhelming Amory entirely. As if fighting for life or death, his relentless, storm-like attacks left Amory, even in defense, in constant danger.

“Possession…” Old Wei murmured.

***

Unable to break through, Tang Tian’s fury burned hotter, his eyes turning fiery red. He roared incessantly, his fists striking faster and faster.

Amory felt the pressure mounting, becoming increasingly desperate as the scope of his Twelve Scattered Hands technique was continually compressed.

Would he really have to use third-tier martial arts?

Amory gritted his teeth, determined not to yield—using a third-tier technique would be an admission of defeat.

Just then, a rich aroma of roasted meat wafted through the air.

Huh?

Both froze.

Tang Tian’s nose twitched twice, his stomach immediately growled, the red in his eyes fading rapidly as an overwhelming hunger swept over him, draining his strength in an instant. Though he hadn’t felt hunger behind the Light Gate, physiological habits persisted. The sensation of not eating for ten days was instantly triggered by the smell of roasting meat.

Tang Tian spun around, and somehow, there was now a bonfire behind him, with Old Wei leisurely roasting meat.

Noticing Tang Tian staring at him, Old Wei waved and greeted, “Ah, you two carry on, carry on!”

Without hesitation, Tang Tian abandoned Amory, shouting as he rushed toward Old Wei, “Save me some, I want some! I want it!”

Amory stood dumbfounded, unable to process what had just happened—it was all too sudden.

A moment later, the confusion faded from his eyes.

Watching Tang Tian leap and shout, his fists clenched tightly.

Foundational Tang, I won’t lose to you!

Half an hour later.

Tang Tian, who had been murderous just moments before, now sat half-reclined in utter satisfaction, rubbing his bulging belly, entranced: “Ah, that was amazing! Old man, you’re more skilled than I thought. From now on, the task of saving my stomach is yours!”

Amory fared little better, his massive frame sprawled out, hairy leg stretched out as he picked his teeth: “Old man, were you a chef before?”

Old Wei replied smugly, “You youngsters have much to learn. As a veteran of the Sky Road, let me tell you: if you ever want to venture there, you must first master the art of cooking.”

“Sky Road?” Tang Tian was taken aback, instinctively sitting up.

Amory’s relaxed expression vanished as well, sitting upright: “Old man, you’ve been to the Sky Road?”

“Heh, in my youth I wandered there a few years,” Old Wei answered with a chuckle.

Tang Tian and Amory gazed at him with newfound respect. Wu’an Star was a peripheral planet, considered humanity’s birthplace, but after ten thousand years of development, it had become truly remote.

Anyone able to set foot on the Sky Road was no ordinary person.

“Hey, old man, what’s the Sky Road really like?” Tang Tian asked curiously.

Peerless Tang Sect