Chapter Twelve: The First Trial of the Flash Fist

Amory was not much affected; voicing his challenge to Brother Liang Qiu did not weigh on him—instead, it filled him with boundless energy. Brother Liang Qiu, I will forge my own martial path! I will defeat you!

With high spirits, Amory sprinted back toward Sakima Academy. Tang Tian had been expelled and needed no formalities, but Amory had to return to complete his transfer procedures.

With fighting spirit ablaze, Amory charged into Sakima Academy.

“Basic Tang! Basic Tang!” His thunderous voice startled all the birds from the trees. At this hour, Basic Tang must be diligently training—that man was like a god! He had never seen anyone as hardworking, as persevering, as steadfast as Basic Tang.

Right now, Basic Tang must be immersed in bitter training! I can’t fall behind, either! Clenching his fists in silent resolve, Amory swept through the campus like a gale, brushing past the branches bearing the academy plaque, and rushed into the so-called martial arena. On such a bright morning, what could be more thrilling than a real fight?

But as he burst onto the field, he was dumbfounded. The arena was deserted, save for a bird or two. In the sunlight, Tang Tian lay sprawled on a rock by the stream, snoring soundly and utterly without decorum. He slept so deeply that a thin line of drool glistened at the corner of his mouth, dripping onto the stone.

Hoo... hoo...

The rhythmic sound of his snoring rose and fell.

Amory was petrified for a moment, but in the next instant, his anger flared. In a stride, he seized Tang Tian by the collar and hoisted him up single-handedly.

“Basic Tang, you’ve let me down! Wasting such precious time by sleeping! How can you sleep? How can you squander time on the disgrace of sleep? Basic Tang, you’re the man destined to forge a new martial path!”

Amory roared like thunder, showering Tang Tian’s face with spittle.

Tang Tian opened his drowsy eyes, and upon making out the blurred figure in his vision, his eyelids drooped again as he mumbled, “Let me... sleep a little more...”

He was exhausted! Ten days of sleepless, relentless training—though he’d been in the Light Gate, where he didn’t need food and could recover quickly, the monotonous, grueling practice had been enough to make even someone as iron-willed as Tang Tian want to retch.

He couldn’t even recall how he’d gotten out. He seemed to have slept for ages, then, suddenly parched, stumbled to the stream for a drink. The warm sunlight lulled him into lying down on the rock to continue his sleep.

How wonderful, how satisfying...

Let me sleep a little more... I’ll sleep until the end of the world...

In his sweet slumber, Tang Tian smacked his lips and smiled foolishly in contentment.

Amory was beside himself. “Basic Tang, how can you waste time? How can you spend your precious hours on shameful sleep? Basic Tang, you’re the man who will usher in a new era of martial arts!” As he bellowed, he shook Tang Tian violently by the collar.

Tang Tian hung limp like a dead fish, utterly unresponsive, snoring all the while.

So comfortable...

Tang Tian vaguely saw a giant, kindly man rocking his hammock...

Such a good man...

His snores grew louder, his dopey smile radiating satisfaction.

Amory soon realized that Tang Tian was like a wet noodle, completely unresponsive no matter how he shook him. Scowling, Amory’s gaze fell on the nearby stream—his eyes lit up. He threw back his head and roared, “Basic Tang, awaken!”

With that, he hoisted Tang Tian high and flung him into the stream.

Though the sun was well up, the water was still icy cold. The instant Tang Tian hit the water, the biting chill shocked him awake.

What’s going on? What’s happening?

In the stream, Tang Tian flailed in bewilderment, still clueless about the situation.

Meanwhile, atop a rock by the stream, Amory flexed his right arm and shouted excitedly, “Basic Tang! Sleeping away such precious time is intolerable! Come, let’s have a proper duel! In the name of warriors—”

Tang Tian finally regained his senses, his brow furrowing as a storm darkened his face. His lips twisted with mounting fury, his words ground out between clenched teeth.

“Fly-cow, you’re courting death!”

Woken from his blissful slumber, Tang Tian’s chest seethed with rage, yet perhaps it was the shock of cold water—his mind was suddenly clear.

He climbed from the stream, soaked from head to toe, water dripping down his pant legs. Expressionless, he advanced on Amory step by step.

When he stood half a pace away, he stopped.

Ten days of grueling training had honed his instincts; without thinking, he assumed the opening stance of Flash Fist.

Not the Basic Fist!

Amory’s heart tensed, his eyes narrowing with a flash of astonishment and excitement. He shivered with a nameless thrill.

Basic Tang, is this the moment you begin in earnest...

Amory never underestimated Tang Tian; he knew full well that this monster could not be measured by common sense.

Just then, their eyes met, and Amory froze. Tang Tian’s cold gaze radiated a chilling aura, like the stare of a fearsome beast.

Such a dangerous presence...

Amory narrowed his eyes, inwardly on guard.

He had only ever sensed this aura from one person—his idol and sworn rival, Liang Qiu.

Amory had never doubted Tang Tian’s potential. Anyone who could persist with basic martial techniques for five years was, in his eyes, a true warrior. That was why he’d been willing to follow Tang Tian to Sakima Academy in the first place.

But that didn’t mean Tang Tian could compare to Brother Liang Qiu.

Liang Qiu was the undisputed top expert of the Beast Academy—indeed, in the star-studded Windstar City, he could easily rank among the top three. In Amory’s heart, Liang Qiu was the target he yearned to surpass.

If Tang Tian reached Liang Qiu’s level in a year or two, Amory would not be surprised.

But... it had only been a single night!

And Tang Tian now exuded an aura similar to Brother Liang Qiu’s...

Amory’s heartstrings trembled.

Sensing the subtle shift in Amory’s mood, Tang Tian’s gaze grew even sharper.

He lunged forward, right fist swinging.

As soon as Tang Tian moved, Amory snapped back to attention and met him head-on with a punch. Though his specialty was the blade, Amory’s fists were strong as well. After countless bouts with Tang Tian’s basic fist techniques, his own skills had improved greatly. Coupled with his innate strength, his second-tier Barbaric Horn Fist packed a terrifying punch.

Barbaric Horn Fist was a simple, wide-sweeping style, renowned for its brute force and head-on clashes.

Amory charged like a raging bull, his fist crashing toward Tang Tian’s.

Tang Tian’s mind was a blank—shocked awake by the cold water, then swept up in anger. Now, only the instincts forged in ten days of training guided him.

Amory’s eyes burned with anticipation as he watched Tang Tian closely.

Tang Tian’s punch was lightning fast!

Suddenly, Amory’s pupils shrank. Without warning, Tang Tian’s fist vanished from the air, reappearing less than a foot from Amory’s cheek.

Flash Fist!

Amory’s heart leapt. He jerked his head aside and narrowly dodged the blow.

But even as he did, he sensed trouble. Having fought Tang Tian so many times, he knew to never let his guard down. The slightest lapse would leave him at the mercy of Tang Tian’s relentless barrage.

Sure enough, Tang Tian’s footwork was swift as an arrow. His right fist, already poised to strike, crashed toward Amory again.

Amory quickly raised his arm to block.

Tang Tian’s fist vanished once more.

Huh? Amory hesitated for a split second, a wave of danger crashing over him. He snapped back to alertness, grunted, and stomped his right foot hard into the ground.

Ripples spread across the earth like water.

Earthquake Wave—a staple earth-element technique. By channeling earth energy into the ground, it created a minor shockwave.

The earth was the best conduit for earth power. Anyone caught in the wave’s range would have their movements disrupted.

At that very moment, a blurred fist shot from the air before him, whistling toward him with chilling force.

So fast!

Amory’s eyes narrowed. He twisted his elbow, turning his fist to a palm to intercept Tang Tian’s strike.

He drew his fist back to his waist, waiting for a chance to counter. If Tang Tian was caught by the Earthquake Wave, he’d be momentarily unbalanced. The disruption was slight, but Amory had mastered this move—he could exploit even the tiniest opening. Still, Tang Tian’s reflexes were monstrous, and the window would be brief. Amory readied himself for a decisive blow.

But Tang Tian’s assault defied all expectations. He seemed oblivious to the impending shockwave, pressing his attack with brute force.

One punch after another, each swifter than the last.

Fist shadows flickered.

Amory’s vision was filled with blinding fists, flashing from all directions like a storm, threatening to engulf him.

This maniac!

Amory hadn’t expected Tang Tian to abandon all reason—no tactics, only relentless offense. His basic fist techniques were already formidable, but now, with Flash Fist, his speed was unmatched, his attacks unpredictable. For a split second, Amory felt overwhelmed.

Still, his own martial skills were solid. He abandoned the aggressive Barbaric Horn Fist for a defensive technique—Twelve Guarding Palms—protecting his core.

He crouched slightly, his large hands weaving a web of palm shadows like a giant spider, guarding his centerline.

Fist and palm collided, energy surging.

Wait—something’s wrong! Amory’s eyes widened in shock.