Chapter 13: Just a Little Stronger Than You (Seeking More)
Yang Lei glanced sideways at Lin Qi and thought to himself: "Lin Qi’s family is poor and can’t afford potions. No matter how well he trains his fundamentals, it’s nearly impossible for his vitality value to break past 6.0."
With this thought, a peculiar sense of superiority welled up inside him.
“Phew—”
Lin Qi exhaled deeply and quickly approached the punch strength tester.
Relaxing his body, he could feel countless eyes fixed on him.
Yet, his heart remained calm, for he had a clear understanding of his own strength.
His gaze sharpened suddenly, and with a fierce burst, power erupted from his feet like a chain of energy, each link propelling the force up to his waist.
Then, channeling the power through his waist, his vitality surged, his body tensed like a drawn bow.
The Tiger Fist’s striking method required instantaneous muscle explosion—his fist was like a bomb detonating the full force of his body.
His fist shot out like a cannonball, tracing an arc before smashing into the red punching pad.
“Bang!!”
The punch landed with a fierce impact, causing the target to shudder violently.
In the next instant, a string of numbers appeared on the electronic screen of the tester—“640.5 kg!”
“640 kg?”
Someone couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
Round-faced Li Shaodong was astonished: “I remember last semester Lin Qi could only hit 510 kg, even less than me. After just one summer break, he’s improved by over a hundred kilograms?”
Yang Lei’s eyes widened in disbelief.
640 kg?
Wasn’t that the same as his?
“Bang! Bang!”
“643 kg!”
“646 kg!”
Lin Qi landed two more punches in succession, the strength nearly identical each time, smiling upon seeing the results.
Not a bit more, not a bit less—just enough to surpass Yang Lei.
“Next, we test speed!”
Wu Kang nodded approvingly.
Lin Qi stepped lightly to the starting point of the track, facing the infrared speed testing zone.
“Whoosh—”
In an instant, his back arched like a drawn arrow released from a bow.
His leg muscles exploded like gunpowder igniting, stirring the wind as he dashed past the finishing infrared beam and then slowed to a stop.
The speed meter’s screen flickered, displaying the data—“14.4 m/s!”
“Punch power 646 kg, speed 14.4 m/s, that’s definitely a vitality value above 6.0.”
“Great! Lin Qi’s awesome, just a bit higher than Yang Lei.”
From the crowd, Jiang Tao laughed loudly without restraint.
“Haha!!”
Others smiled upon hearing this.
Yang Lei’s face turned ashen, lips curling into a sneer: “I just didn’t perform well. Try me again and I’ll definitely beat him.”
Lin Qi, satisfied with his results, returned to the crowd and bumped fists with Jiang Tao.
“Lin Qi, you’re strong!”
“I knew you’d have no problem.”
Jiang Tao smiled and gave a thumbs-up.
“After all, we’re going to the elite class together.” Lin Qi smiled, a rare expression.
...
“Jiang Tao!”
“Here!”
As one student after another was called, soon it was Jiang Tao’s turn.
“Click!”
“Finally, my turn.”
Jiang Tao rubbed his hands and stretched eagerly as he approached the punch strength tester.
Standing around 1.85 meters tall, broad and powerful, with long arms and bronzed skin, he resembled a fearsome upright ape.
Muscles bulging, veins prominent, he twisted his waist and hips and fired off punches like cannonballs.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
The punching pad shook violently, displaying numbers.
“814 kg!”
“815 kg!”
“816 kg!”
“Wow, Jiang Tao is really improving fast too. His punching power keeps getting better, already surpassing 800 kilograms.”
Someone exclaimed, and Lin Qi was startled as well.
It seemed not only he was improving rapidly, but his close friend was advancing quickly too.
This punch power breaking 800 kg meant his vitality value likely exceeded 8.0.
Jiang Tao’s talent was truly impressive.
He felt happy for Jiang Tao.
Minutes later—
“Zhu Yuqi, punch power 879 kg!”
“Yu Jing, punch power 901 kg!”
“With Jiang Tao included, the top three in the class are terrifyingly strong, completely on another level from the others.”
The crowd murmured in amazement, eyes fixed on the trio.
“All right, clear the equipment. Next up is fist technique testing.”
“Those whose names are called, come forward to demonstrate.”
After testing punch strength and speed, Wu Kang stood and said.
“Zhou Ping!”
Zhou Ping stepped forward, clasped his fists in salute, then took a stance and launched a strike, lively and poised, using stillness to overcome motion.
He performed Crane Fist, characterized by swift, concise movements—darting through the forest like a shuttle, climbing branches with deft skill.
After finishing, he looked at the teacher expectantly.
Wu Kang said expressionlessly: “Zhou Ping, good—”
“Next!”
Zhou Ping’s face darkened as he returned to the crowd.
“The realm of fist technique can’t be scored precisely; it’s simply divided into four grades: excellent, good, average, and poor, each with plus and minus subdivisions.”
“To earn Excellent+, one must have mastery of the Five-Form Fist.”
Li Shaodong spoke up again from the crowd.
“That’s too difficult; probably fewer than five can achieve it.”
As the crowd discussed, the testing continued.
“Li Yuwan, Good+!”
“Cui Chengshan, Good-!”
“Lu Xingjuan, Excellent-!”
“...”
One by one, students performed their fist techniques, showcasing the five styles: Dragon, Tiger, Crane, Ape, and Snake.
Wu Kang only needed a few glances each time before decisively announcing the result.
“Phew—”
“Ha—”
Yang Lei was large and muscular, with thick fingers, and his Tiger Fist swept through the air with fierce momentum.
His Tiger Claw strikes were like a tiger descending the mountain, stirring powerful winds.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!!”
Each move and arm strike rang out crisply.
“Yang Lei, Excellent+!”
Wu Kang announced loudly, sliding across the tablet screen.
“Brother Lei is amazing, vitality value over 6, Tiger Fist mastery complete—he’s surely guaranteed a spot in the elite class now.”
Someone flattered him.
Yang Lei ended his stance, secretly delighted at the praise.
“Of course! Who do you think I am!”
“Lately, I’ve been guided by teachers during the day, and at home, we even hired a private tutor just for me.”
Yang Lei grinned arrogantly.
“I have to admit, Yang Lei is pretty skilled, but compared to Lin Qi, he’s lost his edge.”
Jiang Tao muttered softly.
“Lin Qi!”
Wu Kang called out loudly, then looked curiously at Lin Qi.
“I’m up!”
Lin Qi said, stepping out from the crowd to the center, performing the fist salute.
Taking a deep breath, his gaze sharpened, and an invisible aura radiated from him.
He began demonstrating Tiger Fist.
Recalling all the key points of the style in his mind.
In the next moment, his gaze and aura changed.
Power erupted from his waist, rushing to his fingertips; the Tiger Claw struck out fiercely.
His vitality surged like a fierce tiger unleashed.
At times like a tiger descending the mountain, at times like an enraged tiger emerging from the forest, at times like a starving tiger capturing its prey...
Fierce and relentless, the wind of his fists howled.
“Bang! Bang! Bang~~”
Each strike sounded crisp like air cannons.
“One hallmark of mastering the Five-Form Fist is that every move produces a clear, resonant sound.”
“The Tiger Fist has six moves, six distinct sounds—the fact that Lin Qi’s Tiger Fist is fully mastered surprised many.”
“Though Lin Qi is a bit slender, he embodies the spirit of the fierce tiger, looking completely transformed.”
After finishing, Wu Kang’s voice was heard, full of surprise.
Wu Kang, looking at Lin Qi, was amazed: “This kid has improved so fast; his Tiger Fist has truly reached mastery.”
“He’s grasped the spirit of the Tiger Fist—‘a fierce tiger in the heart, delicately sniffing the roses.’”
Lin Qi truly gave him a huge surprise—he had seriously misjudged him.
Lin Qi smiled with satisfaction.
After the salute, he returned to the crowd and bumped fists with Jiang Tao.
Watching Lin Qi’s figure, many felt an inexplicable sensation—as if he had become someone entirely different.
...
Half an hour later—
“I declare the test officially over. You will know your results and rankings in half an hour.”
“Many students have made tremendous progress in their martial arts, which pleases me greatly.”
“Entering the elite class will be a new beginning.”
“Dismissed!”
After the last person finished, Wu Kang announced loudly.
Upon hearing Wu Kang’s words, some grew nervous, while others busied themselves washing up, preparing to return to class and await their results and rankings.
Wu Kang himself returned alone to his office.
This time, the results showed significant changes from the past, revealing an unexpected figure.
...