CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55 EXCELLENT

BOOM!

A fist and a palm collided, the impact generating a tremendous sound from the clash of muscular and skeletal Force Power.

Jiang Shaoyou’s palm was large, and his fist naturally became larger after the special exertion of Force Power. In contrast, Chen Ku’s palm seemed rather slender and frail.

Yet, it was precisely this slender and frail palm that bulged with veins and muscles, densely packed and evenly distributed, unleashing an explosive Force Power of four to five thousand pounds in an instant.

This momentary collision of fist and palm showcased Jiang Shaoyou’s deeply rooted Inner Strength cultivation, but Chen Ku’s Force Power was clearly far more immense and fierce.

So much so that after the hard clash, although Jiang Shaoyou stood his ground, his feet instantly sank into two deep imprints as if he had stepped into mud, his entire body lowering by about four to five inches. This was due to him redirecting all of Chen Ku’s fierce and overwhelming Force Power into the ground. To maintain his stance without moving while doing so demonstrated the incredibly precise control he had over his own Force Power.

So strong! His Martial Arts Realm is much higher than mine!

This was the first time Chen Ku had fought openly and honestly with someone, let alone with an individual at the Unity of Intent and Force Realm, two full Realms higher than himself. In this single exchange, he immediately perceived the disparity between them.

"Junior Brother Chen, what fierce Force Power!" Jiang Shaoyou’s eyes lit up, and he praised rather than showed surprise. "Indeed, I wasn’t wrong about you. Be careful; your Senior Brother is about to get serious."

Before the fight, although he had high hopes for Chen Ku, he could hardly have imagined that Chen Ku possessed such terrifying Root Bone. This far exceeded his estimations. To think that someone two minor Realms below him could strike with enough brute force to make his feet sink into the ground! He could no longer afford a casual attitude; he had to take this seriously. Otherwise, a single misstep could lead to his own major embarrassment.

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Shaoyou maintained his crouched stance. His feet, however, began to churn like a mixer, his Force Power grinding and turning, pulverizing the mud and gravel beneath them into powder. Then, with a single stomp, the earth beneath him billowed outwards, a testament to the terrifying and heavy Force Power in that kick.

With this forceful stomp, the generated Force Power surged from the ground, through his legs, waist, across his Dantian, then to his shoulders and elbows, transmitted layer by layer until it reached his fists and fingers.

EXPLODE!

Clenching his fists and fingers, he made the air vibrate, sending a spiraling, rope-like Force Power directly toward Chen Ku’s palm.

Chen Ku instantly felt his muscles and bones twisting under the Secretly Transmitted Force Power delivered by Jiang Shaoyou’s powerful stomp.

CRACKLE! CRACKLE!

The sleeve covering the back of his hand, assaulted by the Force Power, was twisted and ripped apart, shred by shred!

Unity of Move and Force, Spirit Monkey Treading on Earth!

Chen Ku was startled. He immediately recognized this as the first combination of the Internal Tri-Integration: Unity of Move and Force, where each move contained a Secretly Transmitted Force Power.

Jiang Shaoyou’s move, Spirit Monkey Treading on Earth, originated from the Spirit Ape Knocking Mountain Stick. He had executed it as a Fist Technique, its Force Power twisting and surging. If performed with a weapon, it would have produced the effect of a high-speed, vibrating, spinning drill!

I can’t take this head-on!

Chen Ku swiftly retracted his hand. Simultaneously, his foot subtly gripped the ground, his knee tilted upward, and his right leg shot out like a hidden assassin unsheathing a sharp sword, kicking at Jiang Shaoyou’s ankle.

It was the stealthy leg technique, Yellow Dog Peeing, a hidden dagger revealed when the map is unrolled. This silent kick, carrying the Force Power of four to five thousand pounds, was unleashed explosively in an instant, yet it generated no sound of rushing wind during its execution.

This left Jiang Shaoyou completely unprepared. Only when the kick was about to land did a frantic alarm flare in his Spirit.

The proficiency of this technique...

Not allowing himself time for further thought or shock, Jiang Shaoyou swiftly adjusted. The Force Power in his fist slightly eased as he rapidly shifted his center of gravity and Force Power to the top of his foot. With a twist of his knee, he dodged the incoming leg and then, in a sudden counter-move, kicked back.

This kick, in stark contrast to Chen Ku’s silent and stealthy leg attack, carried a much greater presence! It was completely overt, with explosive Force Power scattering in all directions. The moment the Force Power was unleashed, the resulting wind stirred up the dirt from the ground, as if a bomb had suddenly detonated.

BANG!

The two legs collided. Chen Ku’s stealthy leg’s Force Power finally erupted, like a subterranean mine, quietly placed, at last exploding!

BOOM!

The yellow soil beneath their feet was churned up by the Force Power, forming a mini whirlwind that spun furiously as it spread outwards.

On the training field, although others were sparring and exchanging pointers, none created such a grand spectacle. The commotion instantly drew the attention of many.

"Is that the Young Owner of Tongwen House and Chen Ku from the Butcher Court?!"

"Those two?"

"They come from such different backgrounds, yet they can create such a commotion?"

Many of those sparring paused and began to watch intently.

Ke Yansheng secretly grew anxious. Such a loud commotion! Elder Yang from Jinshi Academy will soon find out who requested the Thousand-Jun Stick.

At the same time, he marveled inwardly at Chen Ku’s frightening talent. Yellow Dog Peeing. That’s one of the most inconspicuous techniques from Lower Grade Martial Arts. Yet Chen Ku actually managed to train such a move to... that level must be Perfection! Incredible!

After the exchange of leg attacks, Chen Ku instantly leaped back, creating distance. Before he could even steady himself, he heard Jiang Shaoyou exclaim, "Was that Yellow Dog Peeing just now? To conceal such terrifying Force Power and yet make no sound? That must be Perfection! Junior Brother Chen, you’ve truly astounded me!"

"It’s just a rudimentary skill, unworthy of Senior Brother Jiang’s praise. Shall we continue?" Chen Ku responded.

He felt his legs aching slightly but was sure Jiang Shaoyou’s weren’t faring much better. Even if his opponent was protected by Force Power, he wasn’t made of steel reinforcement.

Jiang Shaoyou shook his aching legs and said softly, "This should have ended here, but you’ve kindled my competitive spirit. I’m clearly two Realms higher, yet we fought to a draw. That doesn’t reflect well on me. So now, I must imbue my fists with Divine Intent."

A chill ran through Chen Ku’s heart. Fists bearing Divine Intent... Divine Intent! The secretly transmitted Mental Realm from the Fundamental Diagram!

"Please enlighten me!" Chen Ku declared.

After Chen Ku spoke, he saw Jiang Shaoyou standing motionless, his fists positioned. Astonishingly, Jiang Shaoyou seemed to embody a Spirit Ape right where he stood, vivid and striking. Once he assumed this stance, his entire spiritual presence changed. He resembled an Old Ape, exuding an untamable aura that assaulted the Spirit, as he addressed Chen Ku, "Junior Brother Chen, continue your attack. Let’s test this one last time, and then we’ll stop!"

Chen Ku also wanted to experience firsthand what kind of Realm "fists with Divine Intent" represented.

After a moment’s thought, he decided against using the Blood Blade Finger. Instead, he pushed off the ground. A surge of ferocity and majesty, combined with the twisting of his waist and spinal muscles, propelled his entire body forward. He transformed into a Fierce Tiger, pouncing towards Jiang Shaoyou and striking with a ferocious palm—Tiger-Form Loose Hand!

With this pounce, all the Force Power in his body erupted, nearly conjuring a gale, a force exceeding his usual limits, all pouring out. The disadvantage, however, was also clear: if the pounce missed or failed to connect, his Force Power would be spent.

The Divine Intent of a tiger, yet it lacks refinement? Jiang Shaoyou raised an eyebrow. Nevertheless, he could clearly feel that the fierce Force Power behind this pounce far surpassed any of Chen Ku’s previous punches or palm strikes.

Unfortunately for Chen Ku, the Spirit Ape’s advantage lay in its agility. Its Divine Intent was naturally nimble, and Jiang Shaoyou was ready to unleash a move embodying the Unity of Intent and Force—Old Ape Hanging Seal!

Just as Chen Ku and Jiang Shaoyou were about to clash again:

"STOP!"

A figure, like a gust of wind, suddenly rushed between them, accompanied by two currents of air. This person stood firm, intercepting Chen Ku’s loose hand and Jiang Shaoyou’s Old Ape Hanging Seal.

"Master Ke?"

Chen Ku’s pounce landed on Ke Yansheng’s palm. Master Ke grasped it firmly. Chen Ku felt his Force Power dissipate as if it were a clay ox entering the sea, countered by a surge of Qi Power. Inner Qi... Is this Inner Qi?

Ke Yansheng glared sternly at Chen Ku. "You reckless fool! Among fellow Disciples, you should know when to stop! Did you really intend to fight to the death?"

"Master Ke..." Chen Ku began.

Jiang Shaoyou also spoke softly, "It’s my fault, Master Ke. There’s no need to blame Junior Brother Chen." He relaxed his stance, retracting his Divine Intent, and sighed deeply. "I merely wanted to spar with Junior Brother Chen. I didn’t expect his prowess to be so surprising, so I couldn’t resist testing him further to see just how astonishing he truly is."

Ke Yansheng glared at Jiang Shaoyou. Still testing? You’ve practically dissected Chen Ku with your tests! The old geezers at Jinshi Academy will come sniffing around once they catch wind of this!

Suspicion flickered in Ke Yansheng’s eyes as he looked at Jiang Shaoyou. Could Yang have specifically sent him to probe? Otherwise, why would he single out the Butcher Court’s prized prodigy? But he couldn’t voice these thoughts; that would be like loudly broadcasting a mere suspicion, which could easily be a misunderstanding.

Ke Yansheng grunted, looking at Jiang Shaoyou, and said, "The Old Ape Hanging Seal looks back; the critical point lies in holding back, in mindful awareness. Just now... you didn’t quite grasp its true essence!"

Jiang Shaoyou was startled by the remark. He quickly composed himself and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your guidance, Master Ke."

Then, he smiled at Chen Ku. "Junior Brother Chen, it was my mistake. How about we call it a draw for today?"

Ke Yansheng heard this and glared again. "What draw? Don’t talk nonsense! He has only just achieved consolidated Force Power. How could he be a match for you, who has reached the Unity of Intent and Force Realm? Don’t inflate his ego!"

Chen Ku hasn’t officially become a Disciple yet; nothing is set in stone, Ke Yansheng thought. People fear fame just as pigs fear growing fat. The more renowned one becomes, the more likely they are to be targeted.

Jiang Shaoyou merely smiled at Ke Yansheng’s words. Calling it a draw was, of course, his way of being modest. He truly believed that if he had fully executed a move at the Unity of Intent and Force Realm, his chances of winning would have been at least eighty percent; otherwise, the difference in Realms would mean nothing. However, since so many people had witnessed him and Chen Ku fighting on seemingly equal terms, saying it was a draw wasn’t problematic.

Chen Ku also felt that Jiang Shaoyou calling it a draw was an overstatement. He hadn’t fully received that final technique, yet he had felt an intense spiritual pressure transmitted, invisibly oppressing him. It suggested that if they had truly clashed, the outcome might have been decided in a fleeting, life-or-death instant.

But if I had ambushed him, the outcome of life and death would indeed be uncertain, he mused darkly.

Ke Yansheng, most of all, feared Chen Ku drawing too much attention at this stage. Since the sparring had concluded, he quickly instructed the surrounding crowd to disperse.

However, no matter how much he tried to downplay it, the spectacle of Chen Ku—an Apprentice for only a month—having cultivated Inner Strength and managing to fight on par with the Young Owner of Tongwen House, who was two minor Realms above him, had thoroughly shaken the other Apprentices.

Naturally, word of this also reached the ears of a certain individual at Jinshi Academy who cultivated the Furious Ape Mighty Staff.

"Well done, Little Shang. You’ve really got some nerve, always beating around the bush, pestering me to teach you a move or two..."