Chapter 9: A Talent for Combat
Lin Qi was quite satisfied; he could earn 1000 Xia Country Yuan just by being a sparring partner for one hour.
This was more than any other part-time job he had ever done.
"You two warm up over there. It will be your turn soon," the woman in blue, Sister Lian, reminded them.
"Alright!"
Lin Qi and Jiang Tao continued to walk further inside, found an empty space to put down their backpacks, and began to warm up their bodies.
Lin Qi also had a moment to observe his surroundings. In the corners of the martial arts room were various large pieces of training equipment.
There was a brown, cylindrical training post over two meters tall, a red, box-like punching power detector...
At the same time, he could also see a smooth, white, egg-shaped recovery pod in a corner.
Furthermore, on a metal cabinet not far away, various bottles and jars he didn't recognize were placed in a disorderly fashion. Just looking at the brands, he could tell they were of considerable value.
The air was maintained at just over twenty degrees, a perfect environment for practicing martial arts.
A trace of envy arose in Lin Qi. Who wouldn't want to practice martial arts in such a comfortable environment? It could greatly increase one's efficiency.
Bang! Bang!!
At the same time, the sound of combat drew Lin Qi's attention back.
One of the individuals had his head wrapped, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes.
His movements were wide and powerful, his fist momentum ferocious and vigorous, like a fierce tiger pouncing on its prey. A single swipe of his claw made the air whistle and caused one to shudder.
Bang! Bang!~~
His sharp tiger claw grabbed his opponent's arm, threatening to tear it apart.
Crack!
"Ah!"
The opponent's arm suffered a heavy blow. He let out a miserable cry, and the tyrannical force knocked him back several steps. He bent over, clutching his arm.
"So strong!" Lin Qi thought with alarm.
"The client we have this time practices Tiger Form Fist."
"This person has already grasped the essence of the Tiger Form Fist. He's at Great Accomplishment and is about to break through to Perfection and reach the Second Order."
"And, Qi-ge, he practices the same Tiger Form Fist as you," Jiang Tao exclaimed.
"We both practice Tiger Form Fist, but he is much stronger than me."
Lin Qi couldn't help but nod in acknowledgment. The other's fist technique realm was much higher than his; the most crucial point was that he had already broken through to Great Accomplishment.
"He's our client this time—Guo Heng!"
"It's said his nickname is 'Evil Tiger'. Looking at his fierce and powerful fist technique, like a tiger pouncing on its prey, he doesn't control his strength when practicing."
"He really hits hard. Hiss, I think that guy's arm might already be fractured."
"No wonder the pay is so generous. If they didn't offer more money, who would be willing to be his sparring partner."
"However, with Guo Heng's momentum, a price of 1000 yuan doesn't feel like it's enough..."
"Qi-ge, we're no match for him. Be careful later," Jiang Tao frowned, subconsciously covering his own arm.
In the center of the training area, Guo Heng took off his helmet, revealing a handsome face, and shook his head.
"Your physical fitness is too poor. Your Qi and Blood value is probably not even 4.5."
"Your fist technique realm is too low."
"The improvement you bring me is better than nothing, but barely. You can go. Next."
Guo Heng thought to himself: The sparring partners I'm finding are still too weak. Their effect on my improvement is getting worse and worse.
Unfortunately, students with real strength wouldn't come to be sparring partners. He could only hope that the next people who came would be a little stronger.
The man opposite him walked to the side, took off his protective gear, his face unsightly. The exposed skin was black and blue.
He sighed, picked up his backpack, and turned to leave.
...
"It's your turn!"
Sister Lian also walked over at this time and instructed:
"Remember, put on the protective gear before you go up. Use your full strength. Don't worry about hurting the young master, because you are no match for him."
"Of course, the longer you last, the more likely you are to be kept on for the long term."
"Understood?"
Lin Qi and Jiang Tao nodded, their hearts tightening.
"Alright, it's your turn. You go first," the woman in blue, Sister Lian, said, pointing at Lin Qi.
"Alright!"
Lin Qi nodded without refusing. He walked to the cabinet, glanced at the new protective gear inside, then at the gear that had been taken off and placed casually aside.
He silently put the old protective gear on his body.
As the black protective gear was worn, a thick, foul smell of sweat assaulted his nostrils, accompanied by sticky sweat.
Lin Qi remained expressionless, quickly putting it on without any sign of disgust.
Opposite him, Guo Heng walked straight up this time without putting on his helmet.
Hooo~
The entire martial arts room fell silent.
Only the sound of breathing could be heard.
He was nearly 1.9 meters tall. Dressed in the deep black protective gear, his physique was robust, like an upright bear, and a sense of pressure enveloped Lin Qi.
The woman in blue, Sister Lian, looked at Lin Qi in the center and shook her head, thinking to herself:
"It seems this one isn't much either. He's so thin, he probably won't be able to hold out for very long."
In the center of the training area, Lin Qi held his breath and focused his spirit. His body swayed as he assumed the opening Santishi stance.
Guo Heng's eyes lit up when he saw this. "Tiger Form Fist?"
"Interesting!"
"Brother, I hit hard. Be careful."
With that, Guo Heng grinned, and his aura changed dramatically. His arms tensed, his hands opened, fingers spread apart, and then each hooked towards the palm, like a "tiger claw."
The next second, he moved. His body lunged forward, his claws striking out, power extending to his fingertips.
The tiger is the king of a hundred beasts. Its body is long, it pounces on its prey with courage, and once it makes a decision, it has no inhibitions.
Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain!
The fist momentum was ferocious, as fast as the wind.
Hooo~
"So fast!"
Lin Qi's pupils constricted. He only felt a fierce tiger pouncing towards him.
He subconsciously wanted to dodge, but it was too late. Guo Heng's tiger claw was unexpected and had already struck his chest.
Bang!
An intense pain shot through his body, a penetrating force impacting his chest through the protective gear.
Lin Qi's body was involuntarily knocked back several steps. He clutched his chest, feeling a burning sensation.
If it weren't for the protective gear, Guo Heng's claw would have torn the skin on his chest.
So strong!
Looking at the other, who was about the same age as him, his strength was actually this formidable.
Lin Qi's brow furrowed. His spirit was highly concentrated. He continued to assume the Santishi stance, his feet moving, paying close attention to Guo Heng's "tiger claws."
Guo Heng continued his attack. His expression was frenzied, his fist technique unleashed. His blood flowed quickly, and power erupted from his body.
"Ha!"
He took a large step forward to close the distance, his tiger claw lashing out, exploding like an air cannon.
"Black Tiger Snatches the Heart!"
Lin Qi sensed danger. Something in his body seemed to awaken, causing him to tremble all over. He raised his claws to block.
Bang! Bang!
He blocked with both claws, instantly deflecting the force. His footwork changed direction, and he retreated backward!
Deflecting force!
Lin Qi's heart stirred. The opponent's attack had been mostly deflected, and the remaining force was blocked by the protective suit.
Guo Heng continued to execute his Tiger Form Fist. His aura was intense, without any inhibitions, and his fist momentum grew increasingly ferocious.
"White Tiger Presents its Claws!"
Bang! Bang!!
Fists collided with fists, the force penetrating through. Under the protective gear, Lin Qi let out a muffled grunt, his Qi and Blood churning.
Even with the protective gear, Guo Heng's strength was greater than his, and his speed was faster. In the blink of an eye, he was already in front of him, and the space to dodge became narrow.
However, Lin Qi didn't know why, but when he saw Guo Heng's tiger claws, several ideas popped into his mind.
Move half a meter to the left, bend down and raise claws to block.
...
Lin Qi's body also moved accordingly.
Whoosh~ Bang!
His tiger claws once again blocked and deflected the force.
"Huh?"
The opposing Guo Heng was astonished. His attack was actually blocked. This was the first time.
"Good luck!"
He continued to strike out with his tiger claws.
Lin Qi saw through Guo Heng's intention. His body exerted force, using his waist to generate power, allowing his body to dodge.
But what greeted him was a storm of short, hard attacks.
Bang! Bang!!
The gap in their Qi and Blood value and fist technique realm was too large, Lin Qi thought to himself. He could only take hits and deflect the force.
Practicing a fist form, at first, was just drilling. Later came hitting a training post. After Great Accomplishment, the training post was a dead thing.
If one wanted to continue improving, one had to fight a living post, to spar with people.
Bang! Bang!!
Another tiger claw bombarded his chest. Lin Qi's body moved elegantly, and he immediately struck out with his own tiger claw.
"Black Tiger Snatches the Heart!"
Bang! Bang!!
The two's tiger claws collided. Lin Qi launched a counterattack, putting his full power into it. The best defense was a good offense. With the protective suit on, he only needed to attack.
At this moment, his mind was agile and fully focused. This was a state completely different from usual, especially as Guo Heng's execution of the Tiger Form Fist appeared in his mind.
He brandished his Tiger Form Fist, his state better than usual.
His body coiled and sprang like an arrow suddenly shot, his tiger claws striking out fiercely without any reservation.
"Roar~"
Lin Qi let out a great roar, causing Guo Heng to be momentarily dazed.
Immediately after, his figure pounced out with the agility of a cat. His Tiger Form Fist was suddenly released, and his pair of tiger claws possessed even more astonishing power.
Bang! Bang!!
"Good!"
Guo Heng was delighted, like a hunter finding his prey. This opponent was very unusual.
In the center of the training area, it was as if two fierce tigers were fighting each other, the scene exceptionally intense.
Jiang Tao watched from the side with great interest.
"Qi-ge is amazing. It's like he's a different person. Could this be his true self?"
...
"Good!"
Guo Heng only felt exhilarated as Lin Qi's tiger claws struck his body.
With each hit, pain was transmitted to his brain, stimulating his nerves. It was the brain reminding its master that the body was suffering pain.
This was something other opponents couldn't bring him. The pain, instead, made him excited.
...
(End of this chapter)
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