Chapter 016: An Injury for an Injury, Unwavering Resolve!

Today’s First Update: Chapter 16

Su Rui rolled several times on the ground, but fortunately, his quick reflexes allowed him to slam his fist onto the edge of the ring, using the friction to halt his being thrown off.

Glancing behind him, Su Rui swallowed hard.

He had been just one step away from being flung out of the ring.

A burning pain flared across his cheek, sharp enough to make him gasp for breath.

The pain and near fall were secondary concerns. Hastily rising, Su Rui distanced himself and then voiced the question that everyone watching below was curious about: “How could your Huang martial art possibly withstand my Gold-Crushing Knuckle?”

He was very confident in his Gold-Crushing Knuckle. Having fought many before, he had repeatedly used this signature weapon to shatter opponents’ weapons with precision strikes.

Yu Le, reluctant to explain the secret of the Crouching Dragon Rod, shrugged and gave a vague answer: “My fishing rod is just more flexible.”

Though unsatisfying, it was a reasonable reply.

It might fool someone like Su Rui, who had only superficial knowledge, but not the few people watching from below.

Flexibility might explain why it wasn’t broken, but that rebound force was extraordinary!

The battle continued. Su Rui, nursing a bruised ego, began to probe with careful footwork.

Yu Le, however, found the opponent’s unpredictable movements—zigzagging left and right—somewhat troublesome. Several times he swung his rod, only to have it sweep past Su Rui’s side.

Missing his strikes, Yu Le grew slightly winded.

Just as Su Rui prepared to launch another attack, Yu Le gripped the rod with both hands and swept it horizontally—but Su Rui dodged with a sidestep once again.

“Tired? If you’re tired, then it’s my turn!”

What?

Yu Le looked up. It was exactly when his old strength was fading and his new power hadn’t yet materialized. To maintain the pulling force, the extended three-meter Crouching Dragon Rod was quite heavy, making it a bit difficult to retract.

Su Rui had clearly been waiting for this moment, pressing close without giving Yu Le time to react.

Yu Le’s mind shifted; he retracted the rod, transforming it into a baton-like shape. Seeing Su Rui’s fierce strike aimed directly at his face, he instinctively raised the rod to block.

What met him was Su Rui’s mocking smile.

“Huang-level Combat Technique: Tong Bei Fist!”

The left punch aimed at Yu Le’s face was a feint; the real strike was the right fist, which had been charging beneath and now exploded sideways toward Yu Le’s left arm like a thunderbolt!

The force behind it, combined with the Gold-Crushing Knuckle, concentrated in the fist, would, if it landed as intended, shatter Yu Le’s arm.

Bang!

A muffled sound was followed by two deep groans.

Su Rui’s expression shifted to surprise, then paled. It felt as if his punch had struck stone, the recoil sending spasms through his entire arm, forcing him back several steps.

Yu Le stumbled backward, his sleeve torn and the landing spot on his arm a bloody mess, the entire left arm hanging limp.

With a strong step, Yu Le halted his retreat, his face pale as a sheet. A bitter taste rose in his throat, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Huh?

The crowd below was somewhat stunned.

Another unexpected outcome, even more puzzling than Su Rui’s earlier failed attempt to break the rod and being repelled.

Yu Le’s injury was severe, evident from the blood dripping from his limp arm.

Yet Su Rui was not unscathed either; his arm trembled uncontrollably, and he had been forced backward.

From the spectators’ viewpoint, Su Rui’s timing and force had been perfect. On paper, Yu Le should have lost mobility, if not been thrown out of the ring entirely after that blow.

Yu Le looked at Su Rui, whose expression was tinged with confusion, and felt a wave of helplessness.

If he hadn’t swiftly tapped into his Shock Realm power to defend, that punch would have finished him.

“Is this what a combat technique is?” he asked.

“Yeah…” Su Rui put away his disdain and answered sincerely.

“Such incredible power. You’re really strong,” Yu Le complimented.

Su Rui patted his still-numb right arm. “You’re not bad either, managing to take that punch.”

“Where can one learn these techniques?” Yu Le asked curiously.

Eh?

That question caught Su Rui off-guard. After hesitating, he explained, “Huang-level combat techniques can be bought with money as copies, but mastering each technique requires years of dedicated practice to unlock their true fighting potential.”

Yu Le nodded, understanding the gap in background and upbringing between them.

From below, Meng Huai called out, “Our squad has quite a few combat techniques too. It’s like a perk for us.”

Yu Le nodded, thinking: “Then maybe the Huang-level fishing grounds have combat-technique-type world fish as well?”

The two locked eyes, both suddenly serious.

Yu Le had thought his Crouching Dragon Rod alone could easily settle this fight, but Su Rui wielded two combat techniques.

Su Rui had completely shed his earlier arrogance and now regarded Yu Le as a worthy opponent.

“Still holding up?” Su Rui shook his right arm and, with renewed fighting spirit, asked.

Yu Le glanced at his limp, numb left arm and grinned, “Of course!”

Below, Geng Xiao looked at Yu Le and said gravely, “Putting aside everything else, that kind of willpower is impressive.”

Most people would collapse, overcome by pain, unable to continue after such a serious injury.

Yu Le, grimacing, showed no sign of giving up.

Nearby, Han Yuesu held the registration form and remarked, “Too bad he’s just a Huang-level martial artist blessed by heaven, and his combat discipline is poor. Training him will take a lot of time.”

“But Su Rui, with his high-level martial weapon, advanced realm, youth, backing from the Su family, and mastery of two Huang-level combat techniques—if he gains more experience, he’s a promising talent.”

“Han, I’m not even a blessed one,” Ling Xiao said, clearly optimistic about Yu Le.

“Shut up,” Han Yuesu dismissed him.

Two fighters, one severely injured, the other lightly hurt, but neither willing to surrender.

Yu Le lacked combat experience and hadn’t studied any combat techniques, but after witnessing Su Rui’s two techniques, he had learned his lesson.

He now guarded himself with the appropriately sized Crouching Dragon Rod, denying Su Rui any chance to close in.

Su Rui became much more cautious, making only tentative attempts.

The battle seemed to have reached a stalemate.