In the early morning of the Thousand Needle Forest Valley, thin mist wove through the ancient treetops like a veil.
Leo had already been staying in the valley for five days.
During these five days, his life had been very routine.
He meditated in the early morning, letting his Nen flow slowly through his body, feeling every minute increase.
After a simple lunch, he would venture deep into the valley to hunt, return to camp in the evening to process the prey, and then continue to Cultivate.
The harvest over the five days was good.
The Giant Armored Poison Lizard, a massive lizard over five meters long, moved slowly, but its scales were as hard as iron and provided a considerable amount of Life Energy.
The Two-Horned Ox-Horse, a creature with extreme speed, could release a weak electric current from its horns.
Rock-Hoofed Beasts, Raccoon Monkeys, and some other creatures he couldn't name.
His Rank had slowly advanced from 85% of Rank 54 to 7% of Rank 55.
Although the progress wasn't fast, it was steady.
The Thousand Needle Forest Valley was large enough and had enough creatures for him to stay here for a long time.
Noon on the fifth day.
Sunlight filtered through the layers of treetops, casting dappled spots of light onto the surface of the stream.
The stream was crystal clear, revealing the pebbles and occasional small fish swimming at the bottom.
Leo crouched by the stream, cupped the cool water in his hands, and washed his face.
Just as he straightened up, he caught a glimpse of the bushes opposite him swaying slightly.
Someone was there.
Leo's gaze turned sharp, but there was no change in his outward appearance.
He continued to wash his hands with the stream water, but his attention was already completely locked on the opposite side.
The bushes were pushed aside, and a figure walked out from the other side.
It was a young man, around twenty years old, with short silver hair that was particularly striking in the sunlight.
He wore a white robe with a dark belt around his waist, and leather boots suitable for outdoor activities.
His build was lean but sturdy, his steps were steady, and his eyes were sharp.
The silver-haired youth also saw Leo.
He paused, his footsteps coming to a halt, and obvious surprise appeared on his face.
The two locked eyes across the five or six-meter-wide stream.
Leo stared at the face for two seconds, quickly searching his memory. Silver hair, white robe...
Uvogin.
He remembered.
The guy from the 200th floor of Heavens Arena who was defeated by Hisoka.
In the original story, he was an Enhancer who developed the 'Double' ability combining Conjuration and Manipulation. Because he lacked guidance, he wasted his talent and eventually died at the hands of Hisoka.
Leo raised an eyebrow slightly. He didn't expect to run into him here.
And Uvogin, on the other side, clearly recognized Leo as well.
He had watched the recordings of Leo's matches at Heavens Arena—those crushing victories where his punch power was terrifying.
The important thing was that Leo was strong. Very strong.
Uvogin took a deep breath and stepped closer.
'Hello.'
He spoke first, his voice steady and polite.
'My name is Uvogin. I know you, Mr. Leo. You are very famous in Heavens Arena, and your strength is formidable.'
Leo nodded, his tone indifferent.
'Hello, Uvogin.'
Uvogin paused, seemingly organizing his words.
A few seconds later, he looked up and met Leo's eyes directly.
'I have a small request, and I wonder if you could fulfill it.'
Leo looked at him curiously.
'What request?'
The corners of Uvogin's mouth lifted slightly, and a trace of Battle Intent flashed in his eyes.
'I want to spar with you. I want to know just how strong I am now.'
Leo was surprised.
Uvogin wanted to fight him?
That Genius from the original story who was full of confidence only to be slaughtered by Hisoka was standing in front of him now, his eyes burning with Battle Intent.
Leo suddenly understood something.
Uvogin had appeared here, Cultivated alone for a few months, gotten stronger, became confident, and wanted to find an opponent to test his strength.
And he just happened to appear in front of him.
Confidence is a good thing, but overconfidence...
Leo smiled, a smile that made Uvogin feel a strange tightness in his chest.
'If you want to spar with me, agree to one condition, and I will satisfy your request.'
Uvogin's eyes lit up.
'What condition?'
Leo raised his right hand and flicked it, his tone as relaxed as if he were talking about the weather.
'It's very simple. If you can take one punch from me, I will be your sparring partner for free for a month. If you can't—'
He paused, looking into Uvogin's eyes.
'—join my team and follow my orders.'
Uvogin's brows furrowed.
What a big mouth.
He admitted that Leo was strong, but he, Uvogin, was no longer the rookie who had been sent flying by one punch from Hisoka.
His Cultivation in the Thousand Needle Forest Valley over these past few months had been a constant dance on the edge of life and death, and he had been growing stronger every single day.
He didn't believe that he couldn't even take one punch from Leo.
'Fine!'
Uvogin looked up, his eyes burning with raging Battle Intent.
'Come on!'
Leo revealed a satisfied smile.
He took the bait.
He had considered taking Uvogin in carefully.
Uvogin had good talent; he just lacked proper guidance in the original story.
If he had a master to guide him, his strength would definitely not be inferior to Hisoka's.
And...
Leo's mind conjured up Hisoka's perverted face, and the smile on his lips deepened.
He was looking forward to seeing what Hisoka's expression would be when Uvogin used his own power to return that punch to Hisoka's face.
It would definitely be interesting.
Deep in the valley, there was a relatively open clearing.
The ground had been packed down, and surrounding trees had been cleared to form a simple, natural arena. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled light and shadows on the ground.
Uvogin stood at one end of the clearing, claws formed with his hands in a fighting stance, as Nen slowly flowed out from his body, covering him completely.
His gaze was serious and focused, locked tightly onto Leo, who was three meters away.
Leo stood opposite him with his hands in his pockets, his posture casual.
'Come on.'
Leo said.
'I'll let you strike first.'
Uvogin did not argue.
He took a deep breath and suddenly exerted force with his feet!
His body shot out like an arrow, closing the three-meter distance instantly!
His right hand formed a claw, aiming straight for Leo's throat!
This strike was fast and vicious; the claw's edge tore through the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound!
Leo stood still, merely tilting his head slightly.
The claw's edge grazed past his cheek, not even touching a single hair.
Uvogin's pupils constricted slightly, but his reaction was extremely fast!
He followed through with a change in tactics, swinging his left elbow out like a viper, aiming directly at the temple exposed after Leo tilted his head!
This change was swift and ruthless, a killing move he had developed while hunting Rock-Hoofed Beasts in the valley!
Leo still didn't move.
He just stepped aside casually.
The elbow strike grazed his shoulder and hit empty air.
Uvogin gritted his teeth, lifted his right foot suddenly, and swept across with a whip kick!
The wind of the kick whistled, with enough force to snap a small tree as thick as a bowl!
Leo finally moved.
He raised his right hand and grabbed casually.
Uvogin's ankle was firmly grasped in his hand, as if clamped by iron pliers, unable to move a single inch!
Uvogin's expression changed drastically!
He tried to pull his leg back, but the strength of that hand was unimaginably great; his leg felt like it had been cast into steel!
Then he saw Leo's right fist.
That fist was pulling back, muscles slightly tensed.
Uvogin's pupils constricted sharply!
'Get ready.'
Leo's voice was calm.
The right fist, slammed out.
Uvogin crossed his arms in front of his chest, Nen surging frantically into his arms, forming his strongest defense!
Bang—!!!
The dull sound of impact was like a heavy hammer beating a drum!
Uvogin felt an unimaginable force surge from his arms, his bones groaning, his muscles trembling, and his entire body felt like it had been struck head-on by a speeding train!
His feet left the ground, and he flew backward!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
He crashed through three trees as thick as a bowl before finally coming to a stop!
He collapsed on the ground, eyes wide open, his mind blank, his arms hanging limply by his sides; he had completely passed out.