Chapter 56: Talent Assessment

"Thank you for the match!"

At the martial arts school’s entrance, Fang Can bowed to the disciples who had gathered around their master.

Saying this, Fang Can pulled out two hundred taels in silver notes from his pocket: “This is compensation for the damages and payment for Master Jin’s rest over these two days. My apologies for the disturbance.”

Before he finished speaking, Fang Can had already turned and jogged away, leaving the disciples staring at their master in stunned silence.

“This guy really came just to spar?” several disciples couldn’t help saying, then picked up the silver notes nearby: “He’s actually pretty decent.”

……

After a simple warm-up, Fang Can jogged to a remote mountain area, reflecting on the results of this battle.

Master Jin was undoubtedly the strongest opponent he’d faced since the Four Guards of the Tiger Demon Sect’s leader—his openings were nearly nonexistent, yet not entirely absent.

Some of his techniques had minute flaws; since Fang Can intended to fully master all forms, he naturally needed to patch those gaps.

But this battle also served as a warning to Fang Can: his stamina bar was long, but his Mind Phase blue bar was too short.

If he encountered a Mind Phase expert and failed to defeat them before depleting his blue bar, he would lose.

Put another way, if just ten opponents of Master Jin’s level had simultaneously attacked him with their Mind Phases, his Mind Phase would have been drained in mere seconds.

Then he would be slaughtered without mercy.

If this weakness hadn’t been exposed during this sparring session, and had suddenly surfaced during an ambush, he might have suffered a devastating defeat.

‘I need to manifest a technique similar to a Mind Seal.’ Fang Can frowned inwardly.

After all, Mind Phase only affects the mind, not the body—it can’t even lift a needle or damage a single cell.

If so, then if he completely sealed his spirit like an inanimate object, making his consciousness as solid as stone, Mind Phase would have no effect on him.

In that case, combat would become purely a contest of physical strength, with everyone’s Mind Phases disabled.

For a moment, Fang Can was torn—there were too many skills he needed to unlock.

Whether modifying the Great Sun Indestructible Demon Body or the Subdue Tiger Subdue Dragon Golden Body, or creating a Mind Seal technique, all would require immense time.

Of course, though it’s troublesome now, if he fully unlocked all these skills, his power would be nearly unmatched in the Transformation Body realm.

‘The path of martial arts is long and arduous…’ Fang Can sighed, then froze, looking down at his arms.

His skin was now crimson from engorged blood, and his vision remained clouded by a persistent red haze.

“I forgot to turn off the Evil Tiger Devouring Body Technique,” Fang Can muttered silently, gazing up at the sky.

The midday sun shone upon him, and with his second talent, Unyielding Endurance, it continuously restored the damage caused by the Evil Tiger Devouring Body Technique.

“Feels like… at this rate, I can sustain it for at least another half-hour,” Fang Can thought coldly.

Not to mention that as his health bar drains further, his second talent’s healing speed will continue increasing.

So… as long as his body can endure the strain, he might maintain this surge state indefinitely.

“Huh…” Fang Can exhaled softly, his eyes returning to normal, his engorged muscles regaining their pallor, replaced by a faint hunger.

He stretched his limbs lightly.

He could clearly sense that this technique, described as severely damaging one’s foundation, posed no real issue for him now, with both buffs stacked.

“Puh.” He spat out a small amount of stagnant crimson blood, wiped his lips, and nodded in satisfaction.

Losing a bit of blood was a negligible cost—he could regenerate it with a breath. Clearly, he could use this technique frequently without restraint now.

After resting briefly in place, Fang Can strolled along a back path back to the Rising Sun Martial Arts School.

Ye Yonglie had been waiting for a long time; seeing Fang Can return, he hurried forward with delight: “Master, congratulations on your victorious return.”

“Prepare a full meal for me—I’m starving,” Fang Can said, clutching his stomach.

“Of course, I’ve already instructed the servants to prepare it. You need only wait a moment,” Ye Yonglie replied respectfully.

Watching Ye Yonglie prepare to welcome him with a feast, Fang Can gradually grew accustomed to the man’s devout demeanor.

“Tomorrow, pick out three more Mind Phase martial artists for me—I’ll keep fighting.”

After saying this, Fang Can turned and left, heading toward Ye Qingshi’s chambers.

Inside, the girl sat with her cheek propped on her hand, facing him sideways.

Her flawless face bore long, silken black hair that fell gently, a few strands brushing her fair skin, adding softness and elegance.

Hearing the door open, Ye Qingshi turned to Fang Can, her eyes heavy with resentment.

She had wanted to flee, but under her father’s stern gaze, she knew escape was impossible.

Thinking of how she’d been treated like a mere object today, the girl clenched her teeth and glared at the boy: “Fang Can! I want to learn martial arts—I won’t be treated like a possession you can use however you please!”

“You can’t do it,” Fang Can replied flatly. “Martial training is hard.”

“I’ll definitely endure it!”

“Your talent is all in your face. This so-called determination is just temporary enthusiasm—you’ll slack off in two days.”

Fang Can glanced at the girl. A pretty face had little to do with intelligence, willpower, or aptitude. Someone as handsome and gifted as himself was rare.

“So give up,” Fang Can said slowly.

“Does that mean someone without talent truly can’t learn martial arts?” Ye Qingshi asked, disappointed.

“Not necessarily—but your talent is truly terrible. Unprecedentedly terrible,” Fang Can sighed.

Meeting Ye Qingshi’s puzzled gaze, Fang Can said slowly:

“Just now was a small test—I didn’t even know your true talent.”

“But when I said your talent was poor, you didn’t doubt me—you actually believed you were talentless.”

“If you don’t even believe in yourself, who can you believe in? That kind of easily swayed mindset has no martial aptitude whatsoever.”

“Martial arts demand single-minded focus. Someone like you, who doubts themselves so easily, will never achieve much.”

“You tricked me just now!” Ye Qingshi widened her eyes.

“You fell for such a simple trick—how can you say you’re not talentless? You’re utterly lacking in willpower.”

“No, I don’t believe I’m talentless. Trick me again—I won’t be fooled this time,” Ye Qingshi declared firmly.

“Do you think this is a riddle you can redo? You can’t just backtrack and try again!”

Fang Can sighed: “Come here and hug me right now, idiot!”

Seems like I’m getting on the Three Rivers list today, let’s go!!!

First time ever on the Three Rivers list—I’m thrilled.





(End of Chapter)