“Dean Tang, your academy’s talents have swept the top three spots in the Base City’s Theory and Practical Combat Course. That is why the first destination for this inspection is your academy.”
In a room on the top floor of a building behind the training ground, Mayor Chen spoke cheerfully as he looked down at the field below.
The elderly man standing beside him, addressed as Dean Tang, also smiled.
“You seem to be in a good mood. It looks like those three little brats from my academy awakened some decent Talents.”
“You will see when the time comes, Dean Tang. It would not be right to reveal it just yet.”
Just then, a muscular man with a booming voice leaned forward to look out of the floor-to-ceiling window.
“Where are those three little rascals? Let me see if they look sturdy enough.”
This man was Section Chief Xiong of the Guard Section, the most powerful person in the city after the Association President.
He was ranked second in combat power within the Base City, though he had a fiery temper.
Scanning the training ground, Dean Tang’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“There they are. The one holding two bottles is Shen Yan, ranked third in the Theory and Practical Combat Course. At our academy, he is known as the Martial Arts Fanatic, haha.”
“Oh? It looks like someone wants to challenge that little brat Shen Yan. Everyone, you are in for a treat.”
Dean Tang’s words caught the attention of the inspection group, and they all looked in Shen Yan’s direction.
However, in less than ten seconds, Shen Yan ended the fight with incredible speed. It was a one-sided victory that left everyone stunned.
One person said with some surprise, “Not bad, kid! He just awakened his Talent and already has such refined technique!”
“I have never heard of this Talent ability before. Is it an unrecorded type?”
“I just wonder what his Talent potential is.”
While the inspection team discussed this, Dean Tang spoke up again.
“Hey, Section Chief Xiong, look. The one you are looking for, who ranked first in the Theory and Practical Combat Course, is right there next to Shen Yan. The one with the hair bun and pinkish hair—that is Ye Yao, the only daughter of the Ye family.”
“I know that. Who does not know the Ye family’s daughter?”
“Hiss… wait, why does the other one look so familiar?” Dean Tang adjusted his glasses and took a closer look at Su Aoxue.
“Is that Su Aoxue? He has changed so much in just one month. He is wearing a hat, too. I almost did not recognize him.”
“Well, this is perfect. Section Chief Xiong, the three little ones who ranked top three in our academy’s Theory and Practical Combat Course are all gathered together. The other one wearing a hat is the second-ranked, Su Aoxue.”
“Oh?”
By the time Section Chief Xiong looked over, he saw Su Aoxue and Shen Yan starting a spar.
The two walked to a small clearing, took a few steps back from each other, and assumed offensive stances.
In the next instant, they clashed in a physical brawl, using only their raw strength to trade punches and kicks.
“They are not using their Talent abilities? A pure physical fight?”
“This kid Shen Yan is impressive. That punch was beautiful!” Section Chief Xiong could not help but exclaim.
But after a moment, he noticed something unusual. “Is Shen Yan teaching combat techniques to Su Aoxue? He is a genius!”
“It certainly looks that way.”
“Dean Tang, this little guy Shen Yan has such rich combat techniques and mature experience. He does not look like an eighteen-year-old boy at all. If it were me relying solely on combat technique, I might not even be able to win decisively.”
An A-Rank member of the inspection team marveled at the sight.
After watching for a while, he was shocked to find that some of Shen Yan’s moves were so advanced that even he could not counter them without using his Talent!
“He truly deserves the title of Martial Arts Fanatic. In an era where most people rely on Talents, very few focus on improving traditional martial combat techniques like he does.”
“Moreover, his combat skills seem to rival the Grandmaster Level. The last person to possess such skill was that person!”
…
Shen Yan’s ‘lesson’ soon concluded, and Su Aoxue predictably lost to him.
Seeing this, Section Chief Xiong coughed a few times as if struck by an idea. He turned to look at Mayor Chen and Dean Tang.
“I have received word recently that the groups of small Mist Wraiths around our Base City have become restless. They have started appearing in large numbers.”
“I estimate a small Gray Mist Tide will attack us soon.”
“Perfectly timed, I would say. This new generation of Martial Artists looks full of energy and strength. Let us send them directly to the city walls to toughen them up, shall we? Hahaha…”
Section Chief Xiong laughed as he gave his suggestion.
However, Dean Tang’s smile froze, and his tone turned serious. “They just awakened their Talents, and you want to send them straight to the city walls?”
“Section Chief Xiong, I do not agree with your conclusion about a small Gray Mist Tide.”
“The information I have received says that Elite-level Gray Mist Creatures have already appeared. How can that be just a small tide?”
“Oh, come on, what is there to worry about? So what if an Elite-level Gray Mist Creature shows up?” Section Chief Xiong replied.
“Back in our day, did Elite-level Gray Mist Creatures not wander around the city walls every day? It is only in the last few years that their numbers have dwindled. Besides, any Mist Wraith above the Elite Grade is intercepted by the Core Base City. In our remote rear, do you really think anything higher than an Elite-level could show up? You might as well expect me to become the Section Chief of the Guard Section in a Core Base City!”
Section Chief Xiong spoke loudly, rambling on before slapping his chest. “I just want them to stand on the city walls and open their eyes. Let them handle what they can kill. What could go wrong? I will take responsibility if anything happens. I will protect them!”
“Only through actual combat can true strength be forged. Those Theory and Practical Combat grades earned from fighting captive Mist Wraiths are half-fake!”
“True grit is cultivated through real battle!”
“Anyway, that is the plan. I am the Section Chief of the Guard Section. Can my opinion not be heard?”
The group fell into deep thought after hearing Section Chief Xiong’s words.
Finally, Meng Fei, the Association President and the highest combat power in the Base City, cleared his throat.
“Let us formulate a plan based on Section Chief Xiong’s idea. Giving them more combat experience now will be beneficial for their future.”
“Fine. But you must take full responsibility for the safety of my students!” Dean Tang said, looking at the instigator with a hint of complaint.
The matter was finally settled because of the Association President’s word.
…
The scene shifted back to Su Aoxue.
His face was slightly flushed as he panted, looking at Shen Yan with shock.
His gaze toward the other boy was almost that of a stranger.
“When… when did you become so strong!”
Shen Yan did not answer. Instead, he frowned as he looked at Su Aoxue. “Your stamina seems to be depleting too quickly, and your breathing is very shallow.”
“You have bandages around your chest. Are you injured?”
Su Aoxue’s face turned even redder. He subconsciously looked down to cover his chest and turned his head away. “I told you today was not a good day for intense exercise…”
“Today… I am just feeling unwell. Let us spar again another day.”