About three hours later, the plane touched down at Heishui International Airport in the city of Huaguo.
As Sol Mirek wheeled his suitcase out of the terminal, a booming voice called out immediately.
"Hey! Over here!"
A massive man in orange robes stood near the arrival gate, holding up a sign that read Sol Mirek.
He looked to be about thirty, his muscles bulging beneath his garment, clearly an expert in external martial arts.
Sol approached, and the man greeted him with a wide grin before taking his suitcase without hesitation.
"I'm Tieshan from White Dragon Temple," he announced. "Retsu Kaioh sent me to bring you."
"Thanks for coming," Sol said with a nod.
"Just be careful in your training here," Zhao said kindly. "Old Master Hiro is strict."
Sol replied calmly, "Understood," though his focus remained on reaching Kaioh Kaku for training.
Inside the grand hall of White Dragon Temple, an imposing old man sat on the main seat like an iron pillar. His resolute features and sharp gaze radiated authority even without a harsh word.
This was Master Hiro, the respected head of the temple and Retsu Kaioh's revered teacher.
"Retsu brought here a young man recommended to train," Master Hiro's voice boomed like thunder in the hall. "Who among you will test him first?"
All the monks present looked at one another, heads lowered, avoiding eye contact. They had heard legends of Sol's strength and knew they were outmatched.
Silence stretched awkwardly until Zhao Tieshan stepped in from the doorway.
"Master, Sol has arrived."
"Bring him forward," the old man said.
Sol entered slowly, looking at Master Hiro with calm confidence, then offered a respectful fist‑and‑palm salute.
"You must be the one Retsu spoke of," Master Hiro said, eyes narrowing with interest.
There was something familiar yet unpredictable about Sol's presence, a feeling the old master hadn't felt in a long time.
"Yes," Sol replied simply.
"I hear you wish to compete in the Great Raitai Tournament?" Master Hiro asked, tone flat.
"Yes," Sol said, blinking. This old man really liked stating the obvious.
"Excellent!" Master Hiro's voice boomed as he rose, power emanating like a storm.
He didn't waste time.
In an instant, Master Hiro vanished from his seat and reappeared before Sol, launching a lightning‑fast strike.
Sol didn't dodge. Instead, as Hiro's fist approached, he lifted a hand and met it.
"Clap."
The impact of fist on palm sent flickers through the hall's candles.
Gasps echoed. The monks watched in stunned silence.
Master Hiro's pupils tightened. He had used half his strength, yet Sol had stopped him with ease.
Sol lowered his hand casually and said, "Put some intention into it."
Hiro's shock dissolved into hearty laughter.
"Well done! Let's see what you can really do!"
The old master struck again, this time with eight‑tenths of his power, launching a flurry of punches and kicks like a violent storm.
Sol didn't panic. He shifted his body with relaxed precision, narrowly avoiding each blow.
Sweat formed on Master Hiro's forehead as disbelief flickered in his eyes.
Then Hiro stepped back, exhaling deeply. His robes stretched as his muscles rippled with effort.
"Kid, I'm going all out now," he growled.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze. Every monk held their breath.
Sol just smiled, fire lighting in his eyes, his inner power rising with excitement. His body surged, strength blooming like a storm ready to break.
Hiro launched forward like a cannon, his fist tearing through the air with bone‑splitting force.
Sol didn't retreat. He punched back with equal ferocity. The ground beneath him cracked in spiderweb patterns, energy blasting outward.
Boom.
The collision shook the entire hall. Tiles fractured, and the shockwave sent monks sprawling.
A massive shadow of force exploded through the wall, and Master Hiro was hurled outside the hall, crashing to the ground.
When Sol arrived moments later, Master Hiro was struggling to push himself up, blood at the corner of his mouth, his right arm twisted unnaturally.
"How… is this possible?" Hiro muttered, astonished. Sol's strength was real.
Sol offered a hand. "Sorry, I didn't hold back."
Master Hiro managed a wry smile as he accepted the help.
"The old guard bows to the new," Hiro said. "You've exceeded anything I expected."
The monks rushed out in alarm, but when they saw Hiro's condition, relief washed over them. Though seriously injured, his wounds were not fatal.
"Master!" they cried, rushing to his side.
"Call a healer now!" someone shouted.
Hiro waved them off with a laugh.
"I'll live! Meeting someone this powerful was worth it."
He turned to Sol with a thoughtful look.
"Tomorrow, I will bring you to Kaioh Kaku. I'm not the right one to teach you," he said with admiration in his voice.
Zhao Tieshan stepped forward, concerned. "Master, should we tend to your arm?"
"What's a broken limb compared to this?" Hiro chuckled. "Next time, I'll be ready."
Zhao rushed to arrange contact with Kaioh Kaku.
As Sol watched Hiro laugh despite his injury, a sense of guilt welled inside him.
He hadn't expected the old master to be such a pleasant man beneath his severe reputation.
Glancing at his system panel, he noticed that during the spar, his inner power activation had risen from 43% to 50%, which made him quietly pleased.
Though part of him wanted more bouts with Master Hiro, seeing his current state made him decide against it. He'd save his strength for training with Kaioh Kaku instead.
___
Look up "Zphyr" on Patreon to get access to chapters in advance.