"Since that's the case, I won't hold back!"
Kukai, who had been unable to hit Li Chuan, was on the verge of losing his composure. Hearing Chiriku lift his restrictions, he immediately channeled Chakra throughout his body and launched another attack at Li Chuan using his most proficient Taijutsu.
"Now this is getting interesting!"
Watching Kukai's speed instantly increase by a significant margin, Li Chuan's lips curled into a slight smile. He finally stopped dodging, and instead, his form shifted from the initial Swallow form to the Tiger form, meeting the attack head-on.
In his previous life, Li Chuan primarily practiced Xingyi, specializing in the Five Elements Fist of Xingyi: Pi Quan, Zuan Quan, Beng Quan, Pao Quan, and Heng Quan.
Next were the Twelve Forms of Xingyi: Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Horse, Alligator, Chicken, Swallow, Harrier, Snake, Tai, Eagle, and Bear.
Later, during the years he fought in death matches, he encountered many masters and also conducted some research into Bagua, Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Shaolin, and Mantis boxing styles.
The footwork he used earlier to dodge Kukai's attacks was derived from the Swallow form, and the boxing he was now using to directly confront Kukai's Taijutsu was the Tiger form.
"He's actually suppressing Kukai without using Chakra!"
At this moment, the surrounding Ninja Monks had changed from their initial gloating expressions, wanting to see the prince make a fool of himself, to a unified look of utter astonishment.
They could clearly sense that Li Chuan was not using any Chakra in his fight with Kukai. He was simply relying on his powerful physical strength and superb combat skills to suppress Kukai, who had already been enhanced by Chakra.
"Fierce Tiger Exits Cage!"
Ducking to avoid a straight punch aimed at his face, Li Chuan formed his hands into tiger claws and fiercely pushed towards Kukai's abdomen.
"It's over."
In fact, after being enhanced by Chakra, Kukai's speed and strength already surpassed Li Chuan's.
However, Li Chuan's combat skills were not just a little bit better than Kukai's, a Genin who spent his days sparring with his Master Brothers in the temple and had never experienced a true life-or-death battle.
Hence, the current outcome.
"Huh!"
However, just as Li Chuan's tiger claws were about to touch Kukai's abdomen, Kukai suddenly transformed into a puff of smoke and vanished from his original spot.
"It's—Substitution Technique."
Stunned for a moment, Li Chuan looked at a small stone on the ground and immediately understood.
Although he had been studying Ninjutsu for a month, he still hadn't fully adapted. In combat, he would subconsciously overlook the existence of Ninjutsu.
"Fire Release—Great Fireball Technique!"
And just then, a sudden burst of heat came from behind him, causing Li Chuan's expression to change.
It turned out that when Kukai sensed danger just now, he immediately formed hand signs and performed the Substitution Technique, appearing six meters behind Li Chuan. Then, panting heavily, he unleashed a Fire Release Ninjutsu.
The Substitution Technique is one of the three basic body techniques, and also the most practical Ninjutsu among them.
Unlike the Clone Jutsu, where the clones have no offensive power and can only slightly confuse the opponent, or the Transformation Technique, which is useful for inexperienced Ninja but easily seen through by experienced Jonin.
The Substitution Technique is frequently used even in battles between Jonin. If used well, it can not only help escape but also turn the tide of battle.
However, it also has corresponding drawbacks.
First, one cannot move too far. If in an open area and the opponent uses a large-scale destructive Ninjutsu, using the Substitution Technique would be suicidal.
Second, there's the issue of the substitute item. One can use nearby objects for substitution, but if the surroundings are too open, one can only use items prepared in advance.
Third, there's a brief pause after performing the Substitution Technique. If there are no buildings or trees nearby to provide cover after the substitution, it's very easy for a master to exploit the weakness and instantly kill the user.
Therefore, the Substitution Technique can be used in battles between strong individuals, but attention must be paid to the environment and timing.
Li Chuan, having only recently come into contact with Ninjutsu, was not yet familiar with the combat style of Ninja. Otherwise, upon discovering the opponent used the Substitution Technique, he should have immediately observed his surroundings to find the opponent's position after the substitution.
"Master Brother, I yield."
Watching the fireball about to hit Li Chuan's back, Kukai's face showed a hint of smugness.
The opponent's combat skills were indeed superb, but the reason Ninja could replace Samurai and become the strongest military dominant force in this World lay in Ninjutsu.
"It's not over yet."
Li Chuan's lips curled slightly. The Sage Art Chakra he cultivated instantly activated, his physical abilities greatly improved, and he powerfully pushed off with his legs, performing a White Crane Spreads Wings. In the nick of time, he leaped up, dodging the fireball's attack.
"What?!"
Kukai had been fighting for so long that he had forgotten that Li Chuan hadn't used Chakra.
"Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain!"
Li Chuan landed on his feet and pushed off again, as if transforming into a fierce tiger descending a mountain, carrying an immensely powerful aura. In the blink of an eye, he arrived in front of Kukai.
Looking at the rapidly enlarging fist, Kukai, intimidated by Li Chuan's aura, completely gave up resistance and tightly closed his eyes.
A moment later, the imagined pain did not appear. Instead, a gentle voice sounded in his ear.
"Thank you, Master Brother, for the guidance. This Master Brother has learned a great deal."
A martial artist's control over his own body is absolutely no joke. When he realized Kukai had completely given up resistance, he precisely stopped his fist two centimeters from Kukai.
Kukai looked at Li Chuan, who had a faint smile on his face, and showed a trace of shame.
"You've seen me make a fool of myself, Master Brother."
"Kukai, well done, you've improved since before. You all continue training. Chuan, come with me."
At this moment, Chiriku looked at Li Chuan as if he were looking at a priceless treasure. The joy in his heart was so palpable that even the surrounding Ninja Monks could clearly sense it.
How could he not be happy?
The combat skills Li Chuan displayed just now, especially his level after using Chakra, basically already surpassed that of a Genin and reached the level of a typical Chunin specializing in Taijutsu.
Later, with just a little guidance on how to combine Ninjutsu in combat, he would be considered excellent even among Chunin.
Once his Chakra level increases in the future, meeting the requirements for learning the secret Ninjutsu Welcoming Approach: Thousand-Armed Murder and Wrathful King, it will be only a matter of time before Fire Temple has another Elite Jonin.
An Elite Jonin might not be much in the large Ninja villages, but in Fire Temple, he is currently the only one alive.
He never expected that the disciple he took in out of consideration for his status and money would turn out to be so talented. It must be Buddha's blessing.
In fact, Chiriku didn't know that what he saw today of Li Chuan's combat skills was just the tip of the iceberg.
A martial artist's methods are far more than this. Today was a spar, not a life-and-death struggle, so Li Chuan did not use many of his one-hit kill moves.
"No, I need to calm down, calm down. I can't let him get too arrogant."
Taking a deep breath, Chiriku tried his best to calm his excited emotions, then turned and walked towards the training room.
"Yes, Master!"
Upon hearing this, Li Chuan performed a Buddhist salute to the Ninja Monks and quickly followed after him.