Chapter 17: Dominance
The match between Di Xuanluo and Zheng Meimei was also an intense head-to-head clash. However, Zheng Meimei used an unknown secret technique that prevented her movements from slowing down at all, which was completely illogical.
Di Xuanluo's fist technique was superb, his fists constantly breaking through Zheng Meimei's parries to land directly on her, yet the effects seemed extremely negligible.
On the other side, Xiao Jian was also clashing with Yang Tong. Suddenly, his fist momentum shifted, and his entire being became incredibly swift and fierce—it was exactly the moves of Yang Tong's Wind Wolf Fist.
Although Yang Tong had been mentally prepared, he couldn't help but be greatly shocked. Wind Wolf Fist was a technique with a unique force-exertion method; such techniques were known as amplification-type fist arts. Its moves could be exquisite or ordinary, continuous or singular, but the core of such arts lay in the force-exertion mnemonics. Without the mnemonics, it was very difficult to grasp its true mysteries.
Yet, Xiao Jian had actually produced an amplification effect, and the result was even better than what Yang Tong himself could achieve.
After his initial surprise, he quickly recovered, thinking and observing calmly. After watching for a while, he finally discovered some clues. The moves Xiao Jian used were indeed from the Wind Wolf Fist, but his method of channeling force was even more exquisite than that of the Wind Wolf Fist. This meant his force-exertion method likely surpassed the Wind Wolf Fist's triple amplification limit, reaching over four times the amplification.
In an instant, his fist technique transitioned into Tai Chi Fist, entangling Xiao Jian to break his power and sever his foundation.
Xiao Jian failed to react in time. His opponent had suddenly switched from a style of strength-against-strength and speed-against-speed to a completely opposite technique, and he didn't have time to pull back his move.
Raise Hand and Step Up, White Crane Spreads Its Wings, Brush Knee and Step Forward, Single Whip, Grasp the Sparrow's Tail, Parting the Wild Horse's Mane, and Step Forward, Deflect, Parry, and Punch—seven consecutive moves caught Xiao Jian off guard and sent him flying back.
The power Yang Tong used was also over three hundred kilograms; it was by no means light.
Xiao Jian fell to the ground in a pathetic heap, his head feeling a bit dazed.
"1, 2, 3, 4..." the referee began the countdown.
Xiao Jian only reacted when he heard the count reach five. He quickly adjusted his breathing and scrambled to his feet.
"Hmph, fine fist technique!" Xiao Jian praised loudly, reflecting on Yang Tong's moves just now.
"You flatter me. Let's go again," he replied with a slight smile, assuming the Tai Chi starting posture.
"Good, again!" Xiao Jian swung his fists and charged forward.
The two exchanged blows, locked in an inseparable struggle.
Xiao Jian felt as if he had fallen into a swamp; every movement felt indescribably awkward, and he even felt somewhat out of control of his own actions. He struggled to maintain his center of gravity, carefully throwing punches, but after a while, nothing changed—he couldn't even manage to pull away and retreat.
"Truly a great fist technique, take this!" Since he couldn't pull away, Xiao Jian decided to change his moves directly.
He boldly performed the Tai Chi Fist as well.
This time, Yang Tong was no longer surprised. After all, Tai Chi Fist was even easier to learn than Wind Wolf Fist. However, without the mnemonics of Tai Chi Fist, this set of moves was merely a simplified health-cultivation technique with almost no lethality. But with the mnemonics, not only would its health benefits be greatly enhanced to stabilize bodily functions, but it would also truly possess its unique lethality.
Once Xiao Jian used his imitation Tai Chi Fist, it was riddled with openings. Yang Tong seized the opportunity, using Apparent Close to block Xiao Jian's chance to retreat, then followed with Step Forward, Deflect, Parry, and Punch, striking Xiao Jian heavily in the chest. Using the secrets of 'Squeeze, Press, and Lean,' a powerful force slammed into Xiao Jian's chest, making him feel stifled.
It didn't end there. He closed in on Xiao Jian, repeating Brush Knee and Step Forward, Playing the Lute, Step Forward, Deflect, Parry, and Punch, and Carry Tiger to Mountain three times. Every attack targeted Xiao Jian's chest. Truly, the force was broken but the intent was not; using intent rather than brute strength, the Tai Chi circle rotated without end.
Finally, considering this was just a match, he used the 'Squeeze' force to blast Xiao Jian flying away.
This was rhythm. From start to finish, he had been controlling the rhythm of the fight. Starting from the Wind Wolf Fist, he had been setting a trap for Xiao Jian, controlling the pace. Xiao Jian had always been confident in mimicking others' martial arts to defeat them with their own moves. Yang Tong exploited this by letting him mimic, preventing Xiao Jian from utilizing his true strength; he could only exert fifty or sixty percent of his original power, perhaps even less.
Xiao Jian was hit very hard. Even though his leather armor absorbed most of the force, it was still not easily endured. The referee's countdown began. Xiao Jian was in a semi-conscious state, unable to move even if he wanted to.
"9, 10! Yang Tong wins!" the referee announced.
Soon after, the school doctors rushed over. After a careful examination, they nodded and said, "No major issues, just internal organ trauma and clouded consciousness." They had people carry Xiao Jian away.
In the Huaxia Nation, Tai Chi Fist belongs to the category of internal martial arts. Although it isn't as overbearing as Wing Chun's inch power, the penetrative nature of its force is not to be underestimated.
This could be said to be the first time Yang Tong had shown such dominance. Without even testing the waters, he directly laid out a plan to control the rhythm and knock his opponent down.
Seeing him walk off the stage, Feng Xiaobo praised, "Yang Tong, you're really something. You defeated Xiao Jian in just a few moves."
"It was just luck. He didn't use his full strength, otherwise, it would have been hard for me to win." He was telling the truth; the amplification fist arts Xiao Jian had learned were much more powerful than the Wind Wolf Fist, and his strength was definitely not to be underestimated.
"Hurry, let's go watch Di Xuanluo and Zheng Meimei's match. After all, whoever wins between them will be your opponent in the next round." Feng Xiaobo pulled him toward Arena No. 2.
On the podium, several senior teachers were chatting with the principal.
"Principal Long, that little fellow Yang Tong is quite good."
"Mm, fist techniques and such are all external factors. The most important thing is that this kid knows how to use his brain. If one encounters a savage beast in the wild, knowing how to use one's brain is vital."
"That little fellow has already gained a basic insight into the comprehension of the Dao of martial arts."
"Not only that, the set of fist arts he used is truly amazing!"
Principal Long smiled slightly. He had long noticed Yang Tong's potential; he was indeed excellent, especially his report cards stored in the principal's office, which proved this point even further.
"Alright, since he's a good prospect, we must nurture him well. Next year, he will enter the first-year first-class of the middle division. You must guide him well then and not let such talent go to waste," Principal Long instructed earnestly.
"Rest assured, Principal. How could we bear to waste such a good prospect? Teaching them well is an achievement for us, and we can also receive rewards from above," one teacher said honestly.
The other teachers also nodded in agreement. In the Huangyu Kingdom, or rather on the entire continent, the status of a teacher was exceptionally high, especially for excellent ones. They were tied to the strength and foundation of the entire country and continent. The more talents there were, the stronger the foundation would undoubtedly become.