Chapter 14: What a Powerful Leg Technique
Chapter 14: Chapter 14: What a Powerful Leg Technique
Fang Chen shook his head inwardly. Though Li Jun’s attacks linked together quickly, he focused too much on complexity. Supporting his weight on one leg, he had left a massive flaw in his Lower Body. If Zhong Bao opted for a ground technique, Li Jun would be completely helpless.
"Ah!"
Right on cue, Li Jun let out a cry of pain.
In a flash, Zhong Bao’s downward-pressing elbows slammed viciously into the root of Li Jun’s thigh! With a muffled THUD, Li Jun’s entire leg instantly went numb. Before he could react, Zhong Bao used the momentum to launch himself upward. His legs sprang up, scissoring around Li Jun’s neck in a lightning-fast chokehold! At the same time, his arms locked around Li Jun’s thigh like iron bands.
Losing his balance completely, Li Jun crashed heavily against the floor with a loud THUD. With his neck locked, breathing immediately became difficult, and a tearing agony radiated from his trapped thigh. He struggled desperately, but the Locking Skill only tightened its hold. His neck and leg bones let out a sickening CRACKLE. Li Jun’s face turned a dark purple, his eyes bulging. Unable to utter a single word, he could only desperately tap the floor with his one free hand.
Seeing this, Zhong Bao finally released his grip. He rolled backward and stood up, his Aura completely steady.
"Hah... hah... cough!" Li Jun collapsed on the ground, gasping for air. Clutching his neck and leg, it took him a long while before he dejectedly admitted, "I... I lost."
Struggling to his feet, his face still somewhat pale, Li Jun cupped his fist in respect toward Wang Xian.
Manager Wang gestured toward the door. "There’s an infirmary outside. Someone will treat your injuries free of charge."
"Thank you." Li Jun then turned to Zhong Bao, speaking with sincere admiration. "Master Zhong, thank you for showing mercy. It seems my skills still need polishing."
Zhong Bao didn’t speak, simply returning the cupped-fist salute in silence.
Wang Xian’s gaze swept over the remaining people. "Alright, next."
The three other applicants exchanged glances, hesitation and fear apparent on their faces. Having witnessed Zhong Bao’s strength, none of them dared to step forward lightly. Yet, reluctant to give up the opportunity, they all harbored the same thought: wait it out. They hoped to watch Zhong Bao fight a few more rounds, figure out his patterns, and wait for his stamina to deplete.
Seeing this, Fang Chen took a step forward and spoke calmly. "I’ll go."
Wang Xian cast him a slightly surprised look. "You? Alright, young man. If you can’t hold on, do what the last guy did and give up early. Don’t force yourself."
"Thank you for the reminder, Manager Wang." Fang Chen nodded.
Zhong Bao also gave the young student a mildly surprised glance before cupping his fists again. "Please."
The two took their stances in the center of the room.
"Begin!" Wang Xian ordered.
They locked eyes for a moment. Drawn by the shifting tension, Fang Chen made the first move! He didn’t bother testing the waters. His opening move was a heavy, powerful high side-kick aimed straight at Zhong Bao’s head, generating a fierce Leg Wind!
Experienced as he was, Zhong Bao immediately dropped his stance to dive under the strike. He intended to dodge the kick and, catching his opponent off guard, seamlessly transition from defense to offense with a side-kick of his own. He kept his body low, ready to launch his counterattack the moment he evaded.
However, the corner of Fang Chen’s mouth curled into an imperceptible smirk.
When skill levels were similar, the essence of combat ultimately came down to absolute speed and power! His sweeping right leg actually accelerated in mid-air!
This sudden burst of speed completely exceeded Zhong Bao’s expectations. Alarm bells blared in his mind, and he instantly abandoned his counterattack plan. Pushing off his supporting leg with all his might, he sought only to put distance between them and avoid the brunt of the strike.
But Fang Chen seemed to have anticipated his retreat! His sweeping right leg landed like a compressed spring touching the ground with a light TAP. Using that momentum, he executed a blindingly fast shuffle step. His left leg, which had followed like a shadow, was already raised high. Instead of coming down, it lashed out instantly like a coiled whip!
Straightening in the air, his left leg blurred into an afterimage as a fierce springing kick stabbed straight for Zhong Bao’s face! The change in direction, the pursuit, and the kick—all three movements were completed in a single breath, so fast they were a blur!
Zhong Bao had not expected his opponent’s combinations to be so fast and ferocious! Caught off guard, he barely had time to raise his right arm to block.
THUD!
A muffled impact echoed through the room. Fang Chen had used a full 70% of his strength for this kick, making its power comparable to the full-force strike of a Martial Artist who had trained the Twelve-Step Leg Springing Technique to Great Success!
Zhong Bao felt a sharp pain in his forearm as an overwhelming force crashed into him. Losing his footing, he stumbled backward several steps, his entire right arm trembling slightly.
Pressing his advantage, why would Fang Chen give him any chance to catch his breath?
Twelve-Step Leg Springing Technique—Wind-Chasing Step!
Supporting himself on one leg, his other leg acted like a loaded spring. With a powerful shuffle step, he lunged forward, his body shooting out like an arrow from a bowstring. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance to Zhong Bao once again!
"What an incredible Leg Technique!" Zhong Bao was horrified. Seeing Fang Chen’s left leg rise again, he anticipated another heavy blow. Not daring to be careless, he hurriedly brought his elbows together to protect his head and chest, preparing to endure the strike.
However, Fang Chen feinted. His raised left leg didn’t chop down; instead, he swiftly ducked, crossing his legs like a pair of scissors, posturing to clamp onto Zhong Bao’s ankles!
"A Locking Skill?" Zhong Bao’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t let a Martial Artist with such a fierce Leg Technique entangle him. Pushing off with both feet, he leaped into the air. While attempting to dodge, he used his downward momentum to switch from defense to offense. Gathering power in his fists, he threw a downward straight punch, smashing toward the top of Fang Chen’s head like a heavy hammer!
He intended to suppress Fang Chen in one fell swoop!
But just as his body hung in the air—his momentum spent and unable to generate new force—Fang Chen’s supporting right leg struck from below! Intercepting the attack, it kicked upward like a scorpion swinging its tail!
Twelve-Step Leg Springing Technique—Old Tree Rooting!
He had used the threat of a ground Locking Skill to manipulate his opponent’s center of gravity, then quickly launched a kick to catch his enemy entirely off guard! This kick landed precisely on Zhong Bao’s abdomen, right at his center of gravity. It not only neutralized the downward punch but also completely shattered his balance, launching him upward!
Straightening his right leg, Fang Chen didn’t retract it. His core suddenly erupted with power. Combined with the absolute muscle control of a Perfection-stage Leg Technique, his left leg acted like an intensely compressed spring, launching his entire body into the air!
Spring Leg Rising Dragon!
WHOOSH!
The Leg Shadows soared like a rising dragon! In the instant Zhong Bao hovered off-balance in mid-air, this incredibly swift and fierce rising spring kick viciously smashed into his jaw!
"Urgh...!"
Zhong Bao only had time to let out a short, muffled groan. The tremendous force of the kick threw his entire body nearly two meters into the air, and his consciousness instantly plunged into darkness.
Landing firmly on his feet, Fang Chen engaged his core and stood perfectly straight. He reached up to grab Zhong Bao’s neck in mid-air, intending to lift him by the throat with one hand.
However, he had overthought it. By now, Zhong Bao’s consciousness had been utterly obliterated by that strike. His body was completely limp; he was out cold.
Dead silence fell over the private room.
The three other applicants stared at Fang Chen, dumbfounded, as if looking at a monster.
Wang Xian looked at Fang Chen, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes. He slowly set down his teacup.
"Fang Chen, pass!"