Chapter 97: Operation Codename: The Count of Monte Cristo!

Although this punch had no effect, it did, to a certain extent, boost the confidence of the remaining few members of the Red Blood Cell Group.

Only Xu Tianlong was the exception.

The rest, including Chen Shanming and Gong Jian, who is usually known for being cautious and meticulous, were the same.

Seeing Liu Xiaotian finally, after a miserable continuous forced defense with both shoulders and arms beaten red, throw a symbolic punch, this still had a noticeable effect on boosting everyone's morale.

Only Xu Tianlong could see that Liu Xiaotian's current refusal to fight back was actually deliberate, not because he was completely overpowered by Zha'erbi and unable to retaliate.

Because, aside from his stance showing no sign of loosening, his breathing was obviously very steady.

Most importantly, from his gaze, Xu Tianlong saw a hint of determination and absolute confidence.

In fact, Xu Tianlong's judgment was quite accurate; Liu Xiaotian now truly has great confidence in his own strength.

Or rather, he is very satisfied with his own 'cleverness and talent'.

The seemingly somewhat 'redundant' boastful remark he made at the beginning, although it seemed to have no effect on Zha'erbi at the time, he clearly felt after they started fighting that Zha'erbi's emotions carried a hint of strong resentment.

As for the reason, that goes without saying.

In fact, even Zha'erbi himself didn't realize that, although he thought his heart would not be affected by Liu Xiaotian's words, it was actually clearly affected.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have stubbornly, over a span of five and a half minutes, tried to crush Liu Xiaotian's defense with his formidable strength, first giving him a beating, then leaving some kind of 'memento' on him, and then using him to exchange for his brother Zabuka.

But he really overthought it a bit.

During this five-minute period of passive defense, Liu Xiaotian, besides draining Zha'erbi's stamina while looking for openings, was also studying his attack style.

In the end, Liu Xiaotian discovered that none of Zha'erbi's moves had any 'source'.

That is to say, his attacking method does not belong to any combat discipline.

If one had to give a name to the attacking method Zha'erbi uses, at most it could barely be classified as boxing.

Because, aside from being fast, Zha'erbi's punches are somewhat similar in technique.

Of course, it's only a little bit similar.

Besides that, there is nothing else related.

His attack method seems to be entirely self-created, yet very scientific.

Each punch and kick seems to be launched from the shortest distance and best angle between the two combatants, and the attack method is simple, without any flashiness, yet its effect is extremely obvious.

The only pity is that, like a battery, it will eventually run out of power.

The same goes for a master's strength.

Except some people are like smartphones: many functions but insufficient power, lasting at most a day before dying.

While others are like old Nokia phones: few functions but ample charge, able to go days or even a week without recharging.

If we must match Zha'erbi to an analogy, it would be a satellite phone;

It can only make and receive calls, but a single battery can last a month without any problem.

But whether it's a few hours, a day, seven days, or a month, a battery will eventually run out—and Zha'erbi is no exception.

After five minutes, Zha'erbi's back clothing was completely soaked with sweat.

Liu Xiaotian, however, clearly felt that the more he fought, the easier it became.

From initially having to stare fixedly at Zha'erbi's shoulder to make a good prediction, to now he has gradually grasped Zha'erbi's punching habits and basic line, while also preliminarily achieving his goal of draining Zha'erbi's strength thereby.

With a muffled 'thud,' Liu Xiaotian and Zha'erbi each stepped back two steps, neither initiating another attack.

Chen Shanming beside them instinctively raised his wrist to check the time, his face showing astonishment.

From the moment Zha'erbi threw his first punch until now, a full seven minutes have passed.

This... is simply beastly!

Just this stamina alone already exceeds his understanding.

The last time Chen Shanming personally saw Liu Xiaotian, on the boxing ring, launch such a continuous two-minute uninterrupted attack against Tang Chengfeng, he was somewhat surprised but still within his acceptance range, merely feeling that Liu Xiaotian's training time was truly short and his progress overly rapid.

In fact, he himself can sustain continuous uninterrupted attacks for three minutes.

But that is already his limit.

But now, Zha'erbi actually endured a full seven minutes without a moment's pause; such strength, Chen Shanming clearly knows, he has never seen anyone like this before.

"Liu Xiaotian! Come back, stop fighting for now!" Gong Jian, standing beside Chen Shanming, suddenly said in a low voice.

Because he saw the red swelling on Liu Xiaotian's arm, and also clearly knew that in the previous seven minutes, Liu Xiaotian had not made a single effective counterattack.

Being able to stand now only proves his reaction speed and dodging are fast; otherwise it just shows he can take a beating.

In Gong Jian's view, if they keep fighting, Liu Xiaotian will surely lose.

Rather than face danger later, it's better to stop now so as not to fall into a passive position.

If Liu Xiaotian loses and is then controlled by Zha'erbi, the situation would be even more disadvantageous for them.

"It's fine, I can do it!" Liu Xiaotian replied in a low voice, without even turning his head.

Just as Gong Jian was about to speak again and forcefully call Liu Xiaotian back, Liu Xiaotian, who had not landed a single successful counter in those seven minutes, suddenly moved, charging straight at Zha'erbi and throwing a punch.

Zha'erbi's attack has no discernible technique; it isn't even really boxing.

Because his punching trajectory and direction are completely calculated based on his target's position; sometimes the thrown punch is neither a straight nor a swing nor a hook, just haphazardly emerging from some angle, inevitably catching his opponent off guard.

And for an ordinary person, such an attack would have absolutely no effect.

Because such a punch would be extremely lacking in power, thus having no effect at all.

But when Zha'erbi throws such a punch, the effect is completely different.

With his sufficient strength behind it, no matter how seemingly casual a punch, if it lands on the body, it is enough to knock a rigorously trained, elite soldier to the ground, rendering him unable to resist.

What shocked him was that, while Liu Xiaotian had been purely on the defensive for the past seven minutes, he suddenly launched an active attack using exactly the same method Zha'erbi had just used……

(End of chapter)