Chapter 8: The First Kill: Unleashing the Unseen Punch
After fleeing the forest, Duan Liyang returned to his hut, his mind filled with a strange blend of disappointment and resolve.
The previous encounter with the Furry Wolf had taught him a bitter truth: while his speed and evasive abilities had increased phenomenally, his offensive power was still like that of a child. To defeat Li Xiao, he would need to learn not just to dodge attacks, but to strike back effectively. He had only one month.
That night, and for the next few days, Duan Liyang entirely focused his training on increasing his attack power. Every morning, he would go to his secluded spot in the forest. He attempted to punch trees, and gradually, he began to feel that he could generate a little more power by concentrating his internal energy in his hands. He practiced gathering the microscopic wind particles around his fist and compressing them together with his energy.
One afternoon, as he was repeatedly punching a large stone, he suddenly felt a different sensation. He concentrated the wind and his internal energy together in his fist. This time, when he punched, there was a faint 'pop!' sound.
A small, but distinct indentation appeared on the stone.
Duan Liyang's eyes widened. "I did it!" he whispered, disbelieving. It was a small indentation, but it was a huge success. He had compressed the wind particles with his internal energy so densely that he had created a small, focused force.
He began to practice this new technique. He realized that the more wind and energy he could concentrate in his fist, the more powerful his punch would be. But concentrating it required immense mental energy and physical endurance. Each time he did so, the pain in his head would intensify, and the blue particles in his eyes would glow with greater ferocity.
As the day of the challenge drew closer, Duan Liyang's practice became even more intense. His ability to concentrate wind in his hands had improved significantly. He could now throw several punches in succession, creating small indentations on stones. This was still far from Li Xiao's power, but it was significant progress.
The blue particles in his eyes had now become a natural part of his cultivation. The headache was still present, but it was no longer as intense. He felt as if his body had adapted to this unusual condition.
He knew he still had much to learn, but he had no time. The day of the challenge was just around the corner. Duan Liyang clenched his fist, a firm glint in his eyes. He felt more prepared than ever.
Today, Duan Liyang returned to the edge of the forest. His eyes fixed on the spot where he had faced the Furry Wolf a few days ago. He knew that the beast often hunted in this area. He needed to test his newly developed offensive power.
Soon enough, the bushes rustled, and the same large, furry wolf emerged. Its red eyes fixed on Duan Liyang, and it let out a low growl, as if remembering their previous encounter.
"Today, things will be different," Duan Liyang said calmly. The blue particles in his eyes shimmered, and a subtle change occurred in the air around him.
The wolf pounced on him, as swift and ferocious as before. But this time, Duan Liyang did not merely evade. As the wolf brought its sharp teeth towards him, Duan Liyang swiftly stepped aside, dodging the wolf's jaws.
At that very moment, Duan Liyang raised his right fist. He drew his internal energy with a breath, gathered the microscopic wind particles around his fist, and compressed them into an invisible force. His eyes remained fixed on the wolf, his concentration unwavering.
As the wolf turned and prepared for another attack, Duan Liyang moved forward. His speed was still incredible. He evaded the wolf's strike and, in the blink of an eye, was beside its head.
This time, when Duan Liyang punched, the 'pop!' sound was louder than ever, as if a small explosion of air erupted from his fist.
The punch landed on the side of the wolf's head.
This time, the beast's reaction was completely different. The Furry Wolf staggered with a high-pitched yelp. Its eyes widened, and it fell to the ground, its legs trembling erratically. A faint trickle of blood ran from its ear. Duan Liyang looked at his fist, a mix of surprise and satisfaction in his eyes. His new technique had worked. The concentrated force of wind and internal energy was powerful enough to injure a Level 2 beast.
The wolf tried to get up, but it was shaking badly. Its strength had left it. Duan Liyang took a deep breath and stepped forward. He once again concentrated the wind and energy in his fist, with greater resolve than before.
This time, he punched the center of the wolf's head.
Another sharp 'pop!' sound echoed, and this time, the Furry Wolf went completely still. Its eyes remained open, but there was no life left in them. It was dead.
Duan Liyang looked at the wolf's corpse. He had used his power to kill a Level 2 beast. This was an incredible achievement, especially for someone who was still an outer disciple and whose cultivation level was not yet clear.
He clenched his fist. "Li Xiao," he whispered, a newfound confidence in his voice. "Now, you wait."
Meanwhile, within the Xiao family, the challenge period was rapidly approaching its end. Rumors intensified among the outer disciples. Ren Hao, who now kept his distance from Duan Liyang, was often seen with Li Xiao, and both would mock Duan Liyang openly.
The chubby boy, Duan Liyang's only true friend, was deeply worried. He knew Duan Liyang was training hard in the forest, but even defeating a Level 2 beast was nothing compared to Li Xiao's Level 3. He often came by Duan Liyang's hut, watching him from afar, quietly praying for him. He saw Duan Liyang emerge from the forest, weariness on his face, but a new, calm determination in his eyes.
In the main compound of the Xiao family, Xiang Rui was engrossed in her own practice, yet her thoughts often drifted to Duan Liyang. She had heard of Li Xiao's cruelty, and she had heard of Duan Liyang's challenge. She had observed Duan Liyang from afar many times when he was within the family compound. She saw a newfound confidence in his eyes, a glint that belonged only to someone who had overcome an internal barrier. This confidence did not match the innocence she had first seen in the cultivation examination room. She knew Duan Liyang was doing something different, something extraordinary. Her smile softened. 'Little brother,' she thought to herself. 'I hope you don't disappoint me.'
The one-month challenge period was quickly passing, and Duan Liyang knew he had to utilize every single moment. He had no other option.
End of Chapter 8