The punch wind was so terrifying that it had completely surpassed the level of black belt second and third dan. What was even more astonishing was that the techniques and skills of the two were becoming more fierce and complex, giving people the impression of watching a peak performance by a black belt ninth dan Taekwondo practitioner.
Among the audience, a portion had witnessed the duel between Shen Lan Ni and Leng Zi Yu nearly ten years ago. That match had refreshed the attendance records of the martial arts hall.
Recently, the battles between Peng Lin and Pang Qiang were no less remarkable.
"I never thought a competition of such high caliber would be held in the Southeast Regional qualifiers."
"Who could have predicted it? These young ones are truly formidable. Give them time, and they will undoubtedly carve out a name for themselves."
The audience offered high praise for the two fighters. Although they all hoped Peng Lin would lead the Aidou City representative team to the finals, Pang Qiang's brutal aesthetic had also garnered him a considerable number of fans and attention.
Half a minute later, their figures were like streaks of white light flitting through the dark night, so fast it was suffocating. They moved like two phantoms, darting back and forth across the ring. If either one slowed down, they were bound to be caught off guard by the other.
"So fast. How much concentration is required for such an intense confrontation?"
"I don't know. From my perspective, these two are no longer in the same dimension as us."
In the spectator stands were two men around fifty years old. The one on the left wore a white long coat and appeared somewhat emaciated, but when he looked at the two on the ring, his eyes shone with a terrifyingly bright light, like a galaxy. The other man was slightly younger, dressed in a suit and tie, with a stiff posture. His slicked-back hair gleamed under the overhead lights, equally dazzling.
"Hey, old ghost, did you watch their match yesterday?" the man in the suit asked, his eyes fixed on the ring, a vague, inscrutable mist clouding his gaze.
"I did. That Peng Lin is indeed strange. Not only did his severe injuries from the previous day completely heal, but his martial prowess also improved so much. It's truly peculiar. Old Fei, what are you getting at?" The man in the white coat took out his pipe from his waist, then suddenly remembered it was a public place and sheepishly put it back.
"Nothing much. I was just wondering if our Ling Tai Mountain's 'Nine Revolutions Blood Condensing Pill' could heal that fellow's injuries within a day and also greatly increase his power?" Old Fei habitually brushed some dust off his clothes, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Why are you thinking about that thing again?"
"I'm just suspecting that this kid must have taken some kind of miraculous healing medicine. I'm wondering if there might be a master in this vast martial arts hall."
"The world is vast, and masters are everywhere. Old Fei, let's not mention things like the 'Nine Revolutions Blood Condensing Pill' anymore. Walls have ears."
After a few more words exchanged between the two, the second round concluded amidst their fierce exchanges. The result was still Peng Lin holding a 3-point lead, advancing to the final round.
At this moment, the referee suddenly signaled to the two chief judges, "Judges, the ring has minor abrasions. Does it require immediate repair?"
"It seems even the ring cannot withstand their destructive power. Let's have it repaired after this match concludes."
During the intermission, Ye Lan was the first to walk onto the ring, recovering her breath. Having taken the same pill as Peng Lin, she understood its effects better than anyone.
"How are you feeling? Is your inner energy stable?"
"Yes, it's stable. It's just that sometimes when I'm locked in a fierce exchange with that guy, I occasionally feel a surge of qi and blood to my head, and my breathing becomes blocked. Other than that, there's nothing to worry about."
Peng Lin closed his eyes to rest. While he appeared to be relaxing, he was actually practicing controlling his inner energy with unpracticed skill. His stamina was recovering at three times its usual rate. He rejoiced inwardly but at the same time, a question about Ren Yuan Hao's identity arose in his mind.
"Goddess Ye Lan, is Ren Yuan Hao really just that former 'accountant'? When I was learning Taekwondo under boss Shen, I didn't feel he was this formidable."
"That, you can ask him yourself when he gets back. Anyway, that guy is no ordinary person. Hey, what are you thinking about, kid? There's still the last round. Keep it up. It's all up to you whether our Aidou City can advance."
"Don't worry, Goddess Ye Lan. With the boss absent, I will definitely not let everyone down."
"That's good."
Meanwhile, at the other end of the ring, Leng Zi Yu was carefully applying an ice pack to Pang Qiang's face. The area where Peng Lin had kicked him was slightly bruised, indicating the immense power of his opponent.
"There's only one round left. I don't want that brat to still be standing on the ring. If you can't eliminate him, our entire plan will fall apart. If you still have any spirit, if you're still a man, then go and reclaim the honor you lost!"
Pang Qiang lowered his head, looking at his reflection in the ice bucket. His bloodshot eyes were like those of a demon. For a moment, he was startled by his own appearance.
—Is this really me?
He questioned himself inwardly. The boy who was once bullied and oppressed had grown up. Now, you have hands capable of revenge, medicine that can burn all the power within you, and a reason to fight. But why do you feel more afraid now than you did when you were in the orphanage?
—Is it because of loneliness?
Loneliness? He sneered at his reflection in the water bucket, then plunged his hand in, attempting to shatter the reflection that was sneering back at him. However, he found that although the reflection broke into several pieces, a smaller, younger reflection reappeared.
That was his childhood self, the weak, rebellious punching bag.
For some reason, he suddenly stopped. It was as if he could still hear the words from the reflection's moving lips.
"When I grow up, I want to be an astronaut and take all of you to space to play. We'll pee on the moon, have mud fights on Mars, and play hide-and-seek on Jupiter."
"Okay, it's a deal."
"Yes, it's a deal."
—But you still compromised with your childhood self, Pang Qiang. You're a useless man. Oaths and ideals are just illusions in the water, reflections in the mirror. Look at your hands, stained with unseen blood. You've forgotten those who made promises with you in the depths of your memories.
What is the purpose of your existence?
Pang Qiang stared blankly at his reflection in the water, completely missing the referee's whistle. It wasn't until Leng Zi Yu placed her hands firmly on his shoulders that he jolted.
"Pang Qiang, don't disappoint me. Fight like a man. You've already failed once; there can be no second time. Do you understand?"
Pang Qiang ignored Leng Zi Yu. The moment he stood up from the bench, Leng Zi Yu felt as if she saw a cornered wolf, carrying its final defiance and killing intent, lunging towards an opponent it thought it could easily defeat!