Chapter 9: The Talent for Combat (Requesting Follows)

Lin Qi was satisfied—1,000 yuan of Xiaguo currency for just one hour of sparring.

It was more than he’d ever earned from any previous part-time job.

“You two, warm up over there—you’ll be next soon,” said the woman in blue, Sister Lian.

“Got it!”

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao walked further inside,

found an open space, set down their backpacks, and began warming up.

Lin Qi also took the chance to observe around him; in the corners of the martial arts chamber, various large training apparatuses lined the walls.

Brown cylindrical punching posts over two meters tall, red power-measuring devices shaped like giant cubes…

He could also see, in a corner, a white, egg-shaped recovery pod.

Nearby, on a metal cabinet cluttered with unfamiliar bottles and jars, even the labels alone suggested high value.

The air was kept at a comfortable twenty-some degrees—perfect for martial training.

Lin Qi felt a flicker of envy—who wouldn’t want to cultivate in such a comfortable environment, vastly improving efficiency?

“Bang! Bang!!”

The sound of combat pulled Lin Qi’s attention back.

One man had his head fully covered, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes.

His movements were wide and forceful, his punches ferocious, roaring like a tiger pouncing on prey—one claw lashed out, the air howling, shaking all who watched.

“Bang! Bang~~”

His sharp tiger claws gripped his opponent’s arm, aiming to tear it apart.

“Crack!”

“Aah!”

The opponent’s arm took a heavy blow, cried out, and was shoved backward several steps, bending over to clutch his arm.

“So strong!”

Lin Qi was startled inwardly!

“Our employer this time trains the Tiger Form Fist.”

“This guy has already mastered its essence—he’s reached Great Completion, nearly breaking into the Second Stage.”

“And, Brother Qi, he trains the Tiger Form Fist too, just like you.”

Jiang Tao sighed.

“Same Tiger Form Fist, but he’s far stronger than me.”

Lin Qi nodded in agreement—the other’s martial realm was vastly higher, and crucially, he’d already broken through to Great Completion.

“He’s our employer—Guo Heng!”

“They say his nickname is ‘Evil Tiger’—his fists are brutal, like a tiger pouncing, and he never holds back his power.”

“He hits hard—damn, I think that guy’s arm might be fractured.”

“No wonder the pay’s so high—no one would volunteer as his sparring partner without good compensation.”

“Still, with Guo Heng’s intensity, 1,000 yuan feels too little…”

“Brother Qi, we’re no match for him—be careful when it’s our turn.”

Jiang Tao frowned, instinctively clutching his own arm.

In the center of the arena, Guo Heng removed his helmet, revealing a handsome face, and shook his head:

“Your physical condition is terrible—your blood qi probably doesn’t even reach 4.5.”

“Your fist realm is too low.”

“You offer me negligible improvement—you can leave. Next.”

Guo Heng thought: These sparring partners are still too weak—their improvement effect on me keeps getting worse.

Too bad strong students won’t come here to be sparring partners—hopefully the next one will be stronger.

The man across from him walked aside, removed his gear, face grim; exposed skin was bruised purple and blue.

He sighed, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and turned to leave.

…

“It’s your turn!”

Sister Lian walked over and added:

“Remember, put on the gear before you step in—use your full strength. Don’t worry about hurting the Young Master—you’re no match for him.”

“Of course, the longer you last, the better your chance of being kept on long-term.”

“Understood?”

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao nodded, hearts tightening.

“Alright, your turn—you go first.”

The woman in blue pointed at Lin Qi.

“Got it!”

Lin Qi nodded without refusal, walked to the cabinet, glanced at the new gear inside, then at the discarded gear lying around.

Quietly, he put on the old gear.

The black gear clung to his body, reeking of thick sweat, sticky with dampness.

Lin Qi’s face remained expressionless; he donned it quickly, without disgust.

Across from him, Guo Heng now stepped forward without his helmet.

“Huh~”

The entire martial arts chamber fell silent.

Only the sound of breathing could be heard.

He stood nearly one meter ninety, clad in deep black gear, his frame muscular, like a standing bear—his presence loomed over Lin Qi.

“Huh~”

The entire martial arts chamber fell silent. Only the sound of breathing could be heard.

Sister Lian watched Lin Qi in the center and shook her head inwardly:

“This guy doesn’t look promising—skinny build, probably won’t last long.”

In the arena, Lin Qi held his breath, shifted his stance, and assumed the Three-Body Posture.

Guo Heng’s eyes lit up: “Tiger Form Fist?”

“Interesting!”

“Brother, I hit hard—watch out.”

With that, Guo Heng grinned, his aura shifting—he tensed his arms, spread his fingers wide, then curled each palm inward, forming “tiger claws.” In the next instant, he lunged, both claws striking forward, power driving into his fingertips.

The tiger, king of beasts, is long and powerful, pounces with ferocity, commits fully, without hesitation.

Tiger Emerges from the Mountain!

His fist momentum was brutal, swift as wind.

“Huh~”

“So fast!”

Lin Qi’s pupils shrank—he felt a tiger lunging at him.

He instinctively tried to dodge, but it was too late—Guo Heng’s tiger claws struck his chest unexpectedly.

“Bang!”

Intense pain surged through him, a penetrating force smashing through the gear into his chest.

Lin Qi involuntarily staggered backward several steps, clutching his chest, feeling a searing heat.

!

Had it not been for the gear, Guo Heng’s claw would have torn open his chest skin.

So strong!

The man looked about his own age—yet his power was this immense.

Lin Qi frowned, focused his mind sharply, resumed the Three-Body Posture, moved his feet lightly, watching Guo Heng’s “tiger claws.”

Guo Heng launched another attack, his expression wild, fists striking, blood flowing rapidly, power exploding from his body.

“Ha!”

He stepped forward like an arrow, tiger claws thrusting out, the air exploding like a cannon.

“Black Tiger Grabs the Heart!”

Lin Qi sensed danger—something within him awakened, making him shudder—he raised both arms to block.

“Bang! Bang!”

His arms locked, instantly redirecting the force, his feet shifted, and he stepped backward!

Redirecting force!

Lin Qi’s mind stirred—the attack’s power had been mostly deflected; the remainder was blocked by the protective suit.

Guo Heng continued unleashing the Tiger Form Fist, his breath fierce, unrestrained, his fist momentum growing even more brutal.

“White Tiger Offers Claws!”

“Bang! Bang!!”

Fist met fist, power piercing through—the hidden Lin Qi grunted, his blood qi churning.

Even with protective gear, Guo Heng’s strength surpassed his, and his speed was faster—he was already before him in the blink of an eye, leaving little room to dodge.

Yet for some reason, when Lin Qi saw Guo Heng’s tiger claw, several ideas surfaced in his mind.

Move half a meter left, bend down, and block with the claw.

……

Lin Qi’s body naturally followed through with the motion.

“Whoosh—Bang!”

His tiger claw blocked and deflected the force again.

“Huh?”

Guo Heng across from him was startled—he had been blocked. This was the first time.

“Lucky!”

He continued swinging his tiger claw.

Lin Qi saw through Guo Heng’s intent, exerted force from his body, used his waist to generate power, and dodged.

But what met him was a storm of short, brutal strikes.

“Bang! Bang!!”

His qi and martial arts realm were far too inferior, Lin Qi thought—he could only endure the blows and deflect the force.

Punching began as practice, then progressed to punching the post; once perfected, the post was static.

To advance further, one must strike a living post—train with a partner.

“Bang! Bang!!”

Another tiger claw slammed into his chest; Lin Qi’s body drifted gracefully, then countered with a tiger claw of his own.

“Black Tiger Steals Heart!”

“Bang! Bang!!”

Their tiger claws clashed; Lin Qi launched a counterattack with full force—attack was the best defense. With the protective suit on, he focused solely on offense.

At this moment, his mind was sharp, utterly focused—this state was utterly unlike his usual one, especially as Guo Heng’s Tiger Form Fist replayed vividly in his mind.

Swinging the Tiger Form Fist, his state was better than ever.

His body coiled and exploded forward like a released arrow, his tiger claw striking out without restraint.

“Roar～”

Lin Qi bellowed, causing Guo Heng to momentarily lose focus.

Instantly, his form darted forward like a cat, unleashing the Tiger Form Fist with both claws radiating astonishing power.

“Bang! Bang!!”

“Good!”

Guo Heng, thrilled by the challenge, realized this opponent was extraordinary.

In the center of the arena, it seemed as if two tigers were locked in mortal combat, fiercely intense.

Jiang Tao watched from the side, utterly captivated.

“Qi Ge is amazing—he’s like a different person. Is this really who he is?”

……

“Good!”

Guo Heng felt exhilarated as Lin Qi’s tiger claw struck his body.

Each blow sent pain surging to his brain, stimulating his nerves—his mind warning him that his body was under assault.

No other opponent had ever given him this—pain only made him more excited.

……

(End of Chapter)